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Tuesday 30 August 2016

Final Auldhouse 5k 2016

This Thursday is the final Auldhouse 5k Time Trial of 2016. As is traditional for the last one, we will start and finish outside the Auldhouse Arms. This serves two purposes:
a) the timekeeper can see what he is doing under the street lights,
b) on finishing we can pop into the pub for a rehydration.

Therefore, bring some money for a drink and bring a bright top or running jacket for the run back to the club both for warmth and visibility.
Alan

Sunday 28 August 2016

Scottish Mid-Trail Championships, Strathmiglo, Fife

This annual national championship has been one of my favourites since it was introduced about 4 years ago. However this year saw a decline in numbers from the Harriers and other clubs too for some reason with only George Stewart and myself entered for the senior race and Lewis Moir (Stuart's grandson) in the under 11 race. It is a tough event over a non-standard distance and I would hope that Scottish runners in general are not softening up and just chasing times on flat courses in our current, data/Garmin driven world and are not afraid to have a good hard race head to head with whoever happens to be around them. In the event, I was the only Harrier running in the senior race as ever present Fife racer, George, thought the race was on Sunday rather than Saturday! Doh!!!

The course was shorter this year and started and finished at Strathmiglo (usually the far point of the course), running back towards Falkland before turning around a loop and climbing back onto the forest road again for the return trip. I got the total distance at about 11k and wasn't complaining at it being shorter. This was certainly a much simpler course to marshall but certainly no easier to run.

The starting point was on the only flat part of the course on the tarmac cycle path which links Falkland to the forest trails just outside of Strathmiglo. This is quite a narrow, single track and it was just as well that the field comprised only about 115 starters as space was at a premium. I squeezed into the third row back and let the young guns occupy the first few rows. On the hooter we were off heading straight towards the forest road and the steep, curving ascent which is the final descent of the end of leg 1 (and start of leg 2) of the Devils Burdens hill relay. The initial fast pace soon dropped when we hit this long climb and I found myself coasting past a few "strugglers" in what felt like slow motion. I was soon on the tail of the leading lady from Edinburgh University although as the climb progressed she faded and I moved on through. At the top of the climb the trail evens out a little and with the lead pack streaking away and the first lady speeding past me again, I conserved strength. After a mile or two on this forest road, the course dives sharp left off on to a very steep ash footpath through the forest, where I was immediately re-passed by several. This descent seemed to go on for over a mile and all the time I was thinking, take it easy, you've got to come back up this again in a while! After a long, long descent we were directed back up hill again under the steel arch and between the hedges before turning sharp right up a brief section of tarmac towards the saw mill (this was at the start of last year's race). I had closed up on the pair in front by this time, one of whom I thought might be M50, and also passed the leading lady again. My luck was in when my lack of height meant that I had a relatively easy passage under a barrier onto the forest road whereas the much taller vet in front was virtually on his knees. I passed another few on this very steep ascent before once again, we dived off to the right for another steep descent on an ash path, meeting some of the field still ascending towards the metal arch. I lost a few places again here as fast downhills are not my strong point. We continued to drop before eventually turning left onto the usually very muddy path which climbs back up through the forest. Again, I found myself catching and passing those in front on this steep climb and knew that as we were past half way now, things were starting to look good. At this point I was certain that there were no further M50's in front of me.

The final very steep part of this path led back onto the top forest road which then climbed more gently back the way we had originally come. I was still passing people who were on their knees although at this point, another lady came flying past and was now the new leading lady. My pace judgement had been good this time. I was passing and not being passed. After the final few climbs we had the reverse, curving descent back towards the finish line. There was nobody catchable in front and nobody behind so I could run smoothly and much relieved to the line, crossing it in about 43 minutes. A 1.5 mile jog back to Strathmiglo village hall was a good cool down and the copious cakes, teas and coffees were a welcome nutritional boost! Finally it was the prize giving and I was keen to see if I had finally bettered the national silver medal won at this event last year.

And the answer was yes, Scottish M50 Trail Race Champion! After almost 40 years of racing national championships, starting with Scottish Schools 800m (5th position, aged 14), achieving a handful of bronze team medals with the Club in the National 6 Stage Relay and one individual silver at this race last year, I finally had a Scottish gold medal, aged 51 (and a half). I must admit, I had a wee tear in my eye when I sat down in my car and took the medal from around my neck. After all these years of racing and always missing out, I had thought that I would always be the not quite good enough man, especially as last year I was the in-form, undefeated M50 coming into this race and blew it, misjudging the pace and losing the lead. Each year you move through your age group it becomes more difficult. I didn't think I would get another chance. But now I have done it and could not have come at a better time for me. I needed a boost.

A heartfelt thanks to all the Harriers and friends from around the world who left messages of congratulations on Facebook. I have never had so many "likes" and comments. Running is about more than winning medals and running has given me a lot more than medals through my life. Never give up. If you really love the thing that you want, then you might just get it. But even if you don't, you will have enjoyed yourself trying.
Alan


Monday 22 August 2016

Changing Faces GREAT SCOTTISH RUN


Hello

I am contacting you on behalf of Changing Faces, a charity supporting people who have any condition or injury that affects their appearance. We help people who have a disfigurement to their face or body find a way to live the lives they want.  

Our Scotland centre opened in 2014 allowing us to be closer to our beneficiaries and supporters in Scotland. We have a places on this year’s Great Scottish Run Half Marathon in Glasgow and I was hoping you might pass on the details to the members within your running club. We would be extremely grateful to anyone who would like to run the race on behalf of Changing Faces in Scotland.
 

Event: Great Scottish Run Half Marathon (13.1 miles)

Venue: Glasgow City Centre (Start: George Square, Finish: Glasgow Green)

Date: Sunday 2 October 2016

Entry: Free, all we ask is that you raise £200. This is easier than you might think and our fundraising officer will support you to meet this target.

You will also receive a lovely, colourful Changing Faces running vest! Find out more about Changing Faces on our website: changingfaces.scot 

Please contact Katie Mullen at katie.mullen@changingfaces.org.uk or at 07769 217551
 
Kind Regards, 

Katie Mullen

Public Fundraising Officer (Scotland)

Changing Faces


07769 217551

Thursday 18 August 2016

The Scottish Mid-Trail Championships

I first posted this back in July and just a reminder that this is only a week away if anyone is looking for race. So far we have Alan & George signed up to do the senior event and 1 junior athlete in the under 11s.

The Scottish Mid-Trail Champs will be held on Saturday 27th August in Fife and online entry is available.  Fife AC have kindly agreed to host the championships, with Strathmiglo as the start/finish location for races for all age groups.  There are medals on offer from U15 through to U20/Seniors/Masters.
 
The U20/Senior/Masters race for men and women is over 12K with the U15 and U17 mixed gender races over 5K. For the U11 and U13 races, the distance is 3K.
 
There are U11 and U13 development races, too, but these are not part of the Scottish Championships as Fife AC host their ‘Festival of Trail Running’ and welcome all standard of athletes from beginners in this discipline to Scotland internationals.
 
Entries are now open online via the EntryCentral website.
 
Richard

Tuesday 16 August 2016

TTC Dinner Choices

For those signed up for the Trossachs Training Camp, you should have received an e-mail tonight containing a link to the on-line menu choice form. Please check your e-mail and fill in the form as soon as you can. If you don't get the e-mail, then please let me know.
Alan

Sunday 14 August 2016

Islay 2016 in Pictures

As I've still not recovered from the excesses of Islay (the race was the problem for me for a change), I have taken the easy option for now and summarised the weekend in a series of photo albums. This would not have been possible without the many Harriers' family and supporters who were snap happy, so thanks to Liz, Jean, Samantha, Alison and Jim for the photos.






I think we got everyone in the team photo for a change!
Before we get to the albums, Liz Marshall suggested that a couple of the photos lend themselves to a caption competition. So, please leave a comment to this post if you can think of an amusing caption (stating whether it is for photo A, B or C). Polite ones will be published!

Photo A

Photo B
Photo C

And now to the albums. Note that many of the photos have captions but to see them you have to click the little "i" icon near the top right of the screen (on a laptop, not sure if you can see the captions on a mobile device). Sometimes Google make their software worse when they try to improve it!

The Road to (and from) the Isles - a smooth journey for most.
Pre-race in Bowmore - the Harriers prepare to race.
The Race - various photos from around the course.
The Finish - Harriers sprinting to the line and in various states of collapse.
The Prize Giving - of which there were many.
Saturday Dinner - A table for 26 at the Lochside.
The Ceilidh - Harriers, again, in various states of collapse.
Sunday and BBQ - Gale force winds and monsoon rain - perfect for a BBQ and party.

Thanks to Eddie for his impeccable organisation of the accommodation and BBQ and also for ensuring that the 2017 race will remain on the first Saturday in August as usual.

Tomorrow's blog post will contain the race review and results.
Alan

Thursday 11 August 2016

Devil O'The Highlands


A perspective from the other side...


Three harriers plus support didn’t head west to Islay or Dunoon last weekend instead Ruth, Jim, Alison and I drove up the A82 (yet again!) on Friday heading for Fort William. Having been two minutes late logging on to Entry Central earlier in the year I had failed to get an entry so instead volunteered to marshall, not having done so at an ultra since the Clyde Stride in 2013.
On Saturday morning, while Alison and I slept, the other two were up and out of bed at the ungodly hour of three o’clock in order to get to the bus station to catch the four o’clock coach down to Tyndrum. I’d love to tell you all about the start but as I wasn’t even conscious at the time it would be a work of fiction. Suffice to say that, at the sound of the air-horn, 266 runners headed off up the hill above Brodies’ Store at six o’clock on Saturday morning heading for Fort William, 42 very hilly miles away.
From the look on Ruth's face Jim has just cracked one of his jokes!

At about the same time my alarm sounded giving me plenty of time to prepare for my all-day stint, marshalling at Kinlochleven from 8 until 1:30 then sweeping (along with three others) the fifteen miles from there to Fort William.
Jim made the Bridge of Orchy CP almost bang on the hour with Ruth thirteen minutes behind, just as I was leaving the hotel room! Sadly both the rain (thanks BBC, yet another woefully inaccurate forecast) and the midges were in full flow when I arrived at KLL at eight o’clock to help set up the CP. The smooth organisation of this race and attention to detail impressed me hugely, I guess having organised a number of Flings and last year’s DotH by now John Duncan is getting the hang of it!   
Dawn (Williamson!) spots a camera, RD John Duncan in the background.
Almost a smile from Jim as he crosses the Bridge of Orchy
Definitely a smile from Ruth at the same spot

Alison eventually roused herself from her comfortable hotel bed and headed down to Glencoe in plenty of time to welcome Jim and Ruth who arrived in 3.03 and 3.42 respectively.  In 2015 Jim was already heading to Kingshouse as she arrived at the Ski Centre car park making the handing over of gels, etc. a tad tricky (think Tour de France with drinks, gels, etc being passed out of the car window).   

Jim resolutely refusing to smile (or run!) for the camera at the top of the staircase
 
Anyone else sense a theme developing here?

Nope, no smile at KLL either

Alison nipped to Altnafeadh at the foot of the staircase to see both of them again and then carried on to KLL where we were both a little concerned about Jim when he arrived in 5.34. Having emptied his dropbag on to the table for him I was unable to tempt him with anything as all he wanted was a seat and some painkillers. Leaving Alison to make sure he didn’t fall asleep I returned to my duties and was relieved a few minutes later when a much happier looking Jim started to make his way towards the Lairig Mor and the finish in Fort William, her TLC (and two paracetamol) clearly having worked wonders.


Ruth appeared in 6.36 looking tired but happy despite feeling ‘lonely’. Not surprising I suppose as we had run many miles together at the WHWR and all 53 miles in each others’ company at the Fling. Refuelled and hydrated she headed off for the final 15 mile section of the race in good spirits. 
No smiles from me either as the hard work continues
Still plenty of runners to come through
Alison stayed helping at the CP until the final runner was near and then made sure I was ready for my second task of the day, sweeping. As the full-race sweepers hadn’t arrived with her I left the CP with Elaine Sandeman, the final runner, assuming they would catch up later, which they did, half-way up the climb out of KLL. We then met the reverse sweeper coming from FW who promptly turned around and we all walked the fourteen miles or so to the finish together. I say walked as Elaine’s knee was very sore and despite trying a few times she simply couldn’t run on it indeed walking was giving her a lot of pain, as we could clearly hear. Nevertheless she doggedly stomped her way up and down the hills and eventually over the finish line in a time of 12.35.34 followed a minute later by a 'sprint' finish from the sweep team.

There were 261 finishers and only 5 DNFs with Jim coming home in 9.21.14 and Ruth arriving in 10.57.50 to complete their sixth ultra in less than two years, both having started at Glen Ogle 33 in November 2014.

I'll add photos at this point of Jim and Ruth finishing when they are eventually posted on fb
 

The photo above is of a lovely couple, Lorna and John, who are both daft as a brush. Their idea of a weekend away together is to run the DotH, turn around at Fort William and run the whole way back again!
The distinctive finisher's medal (I've pinched your fb profile picture Ruth, hope you don't mind)

The female race winner was Nicola Adams-Hendry of Garscube Harriers in 6.36.37 while the male race winner was John Connolly in 5.56.05. A pal of mine, Norrie McKinley, finished a brilliant fourth overall in 6.25.17 which he put down to not stopping to roll a fag! Ultra runners, eh?


Next up for me is marshalling, again, at the John Lucas Memorial Round Strathaven 50 this coming Sunday followed by the Speyside Way ultra, 36.5 miles, the following weekend (running this time!).