Islay 2015 - Part 2 Ready to Race?

(contd)....... would big John McBride split his sides laughing at the predicament his stranded team mates were in? How many times over the course of the weekend would Russell tell us we should have taken the early ferry like him (actually we did open a book on that one; Jim Holmes won with a guess of 7)?

Standby queue - Kennacraig

And so with day break long past, the Calderglen ladies arrived at the ferry terminal with stories of luxury accommodation, hot showers and jammies whilst the homeless squad remained in a disheveled state, car engines now running and heaters on full blast (to her credit, Sandra did buy me a coffee from the machine, my loose change having expired the night before). One by one the cars and, more worryingly, 3 or 4 arctics were crammed into the ferry. At this point I will note that Jim Holmes (or perhaps his sister) had managed to re-book his car onto the 7am ferry when the cancellation was first announced, a detail that Jim failed to mention when he had phoned us to advise of the cancellation the night before. There were quite a few envious onlookers as Jim's car was one of the first to disappear into the boat! Having talked himself out of the first team, it now seemed that Jim was in fact now an automatic selection. Finally it was just the standby queue left. The ferry load-master strode towards the first car in the queue, leant through the window........ (in the style of X-Factor, Strictly, etc, there was a definite pause)....... and took the tickets. Next it was my turn, he approached, bent down to my window ........ and took my tickets, I was on, who knows what was happening behind me, but I could see that I was parked very near the back of the boat. As I squeezed out of my car, Eddie drove up behind and then.....Billy. We were all on. The BBQ was saved but unfortunately, it looked like we were going to have to run the race! Only one more car was allowed on behind Billy, so we made it by the skin of our teeth. Had we not "slept" in the cars, we would not have got on (only as foot passengers) and there is no way we could have carried all that grub as hand luggage. Another sacrifice for the Club!

Billy's car 2nd last on to the ferry (photo by Jim Holmes)

The voyage seemed to pass more quickly than usual as we tried to get ourselves woken up with a light breakfast and the legs stretched. Despite being at the back of the queue driving off the ferry towards Bowmore, we were able to park right outside the cottages in Bowmore 45 minutes before the race start. A quick change into running gear, registering our presence with Kate and a feeble attempt at a warm up along Shore Street and back and it was time for the obligatory team photo. An impressive team line-up indeed with faces old and new, first timers and old timers (just don't zoom in too close as there are bags under a lot of these eyes).

A field of around 150 lined up outside the distillery for the 10:45 start. The Ardbeg General Manager was in charge of the hooter and right on time he blasted us off the line. Davy Watt took off to the front and I kind of staggered forward. 50m later as we turned onto the hill, I knew this was not going to be a race for me but a 13 mile slog as the quads were tight and aching as soon as I started the climb. Not a good sign on this course, should have included a hill in my warm-up. Davy took a Campbeltown runner off with him and I settled into a second pack of 3. Immediately on leaving the village we were climbing and into the very strong wind, s nightmare for a lightweight such as I. However, I knew the second half had to be better with wind assistance. The others in my pack gradually pulled away on the long climb and effectively for the rest of the race I was alone in 5th.

Davy Watt takes an early lead

As the wind swirled into a cross wind by the top of the climb, my pace was dropping and I couldn't wait for the steep descent to the airport 6 miles later to let my legs run free. Unfortunately, as I got to the turn down to the airport, the wind direction had changed and was blowing straight up the hill, so we were even having to fight the wind downhill! Most of the airport straight was a sort of cross wind with a slight tail component. But it was enough to be beneficial and my pace picked up to sub-6's again and gradually I was closing down the big gap to 4th place. Davy was out of sight! As we climbed again from 11 miles, I really was closing fast on 4th. Just before the 12 mile water station, the heavens opened briefly (I think those behind caught the worst of it) which kept the temperature under control. There are a few steep climbs before the finish and I thought I might just use them to catch 4th place. The idea was good but the legs did not want to know as the first half of climbing had killed them. On the final run down to the finish I had the runner in sight but too far ahead to catch and I crossed the line in a 1:22:55, not a fair reflection of the form I have been in this season for sure.

Alan Derrick turns down to the airport at 6.5 miles

Davy had arranged with the eventual, young winner, to share the work into the wind on the way out and had stayed in contention until around 11 miles  on the way back when he too ran out of steam, finishing 3rd in 1:20:53. The winner was 23 year old Stuart McGeachy from Campbeltown (1:18:37), who Davy had established during the run was now coached by one of his old adversaries Gordon Crawford, with Craig Mattocks from Edinburgh 2nd (1:20:31). One to confuse the spell checkers, 4th place was Krzysztof Klidzia from, you guessed it, Surrey (1:22:38). Definitely a race for the old guys as 2nd was an M40 and 3rd, 4th and 5th M50's!

Stephen Phimister was a first timer at Islay and perhaps we had over exaggerated our pre-race descriptions of the course as Stephen finished saying the course was not that tough. Stephen finished in 11th place in 1:30:33 and 5th M40. Next Harrier in was an in-form Julie Beveridge, 2nd lady and an excellent time of 1:35:52, leading our ladies team. David Herbertson followed Julie to complete the winning male team of 4 in a time of 1:36:26.

Julie Beveridge inside the last few miles.

Joanne McEvoy and Billy Buchanan worked together throughout the race but, in a society where there is a growing lack of respect for our elders, Joanne blew Billy away in the last couple of miles to finish as 5th lady in 1:38:03. Joanne was very happy with her strength and Billy confirmed that Joanne was indeed strong as he finished in 1:38:32, winning the M60 title for the 3rd year in a row! Meanwhile, Billy's buddy and club president, Kenny Leinster was not too far behind (1:39:22) but still disappointed to be trailing Billy. Even though the immortal phrase had not yet been uttered, Kenny soon forgot his disappointment as his weekend of extending the "Friend of Handship" kicked off for real as soon as the race finished. Jim Holmes had indeed made an accurate call with the team selection as he finished where he predicted behind David, Billy and Kenny in a time of 1:40:24, still suffering from a recent fortnight in Florida.

Joanne prepares to make her move on Billy a few miles out.

John McBride had a great run, no doubt on a high of laughter fueled endorphines at the predicament of his team mates the night before. John finished in an excellent 1:44:30. Despite sleeping in a not very big car, the big man, Geo Ferguson ran a pb of 1:46:49 and immediately announced his retirement from racing (application rejected by the coach). Colin Banks had one of his best runs of the season, and his form has been really variable in recent months, to finish in a creditable 1:49:56. Nobody thought that Frances Maxwell would be running here due to her ankle injury sustained a month ago but the need to start training for the October Amsterdam Marathon convinced Frances not to race this but just to do it as her first long run back. Frances finished in 1:51:18 and was the third member of our ladies team, 4 to count. Russell Couper did not sleep in a car but was complaining of the same back ache that those of us who did had when he finished in 2:09:16. By his own admission, he struggled big time here. But out on the course, two half marathon first timers were being encouraged around all the way by their injured coach, Eddie Reid. Jim Holmes' sister Elizabeth Anne Jamieson and her daughter Samantha were both running in aid of her charity "Live it for Lee" and doing a great job. Elizabeth Anne and Samantha finished together in 2:38:06. Despite her disbelief at being selected as the 4th member of Calderglen's ladies team, Elizabeth Anne was the vital counter, securing team victory for Calderglen over the Helensburgh AC team. And that is not all. Completing the final 10k of the course in stilettos (no, not the former GPL), Mrs Holmes escorted by grandson Craig (not in stilettos) who was also raising funds for Elizabeth Anne's charity. A fantastic endeavour in pouring rain for a cause that deserves everyone's help.

Elizabeth Anne, Samantha and Eddie on the road

As you will have realised, we had about as many non-running supporters on the trip this year as runners and they were all much appreciated with their shouts of support, company, hilarity and the photographs you see here. I won't mention anyone by name as there were so many but thanks to you all and here are the photos from Part 1 the Journey to Islay and part 2 the Race.

The story is by no means over (we were there until the Monday after all). Next installment covers the prize giving, Lochside Dinner and, of course, The Ceilidh. (to be continued.....).
Alan