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Sunday 27 August 2017
British and Irish Masters CC International - Trial Race 16th September 2017
SVHC are holding trial race on Saturday 16th September in Tollcross Park, Glasgow. There will be two races to be held; a 6km race for all women’s age groups and for men over 65 will start at 1.00 pm and an 8km race for all other men’s age groups will start at 2.00 pm.
If you wish to be considered for the Scottish International Team entries for the trial races should be sent in advance by email and should include date of birth and first claim club, by Wednesday 13th September. See details on link.
http://scottishmastersathletics.webnode.com/products/british-and-irish-masters-cc-international-trial-race-16th-september-2017/
Entry fee for the races will be £2 for SVHC members and £5 for non-members with payment being made on race day.
Although the trial races are open to all aged 35 or over it should be noted that selection for the team for the International is available only to SVHC members.
Killin 10k
This counts as a local one for me although I had never done it before. Therefore the change to the start of the course this year made no difference to me but many who had done it previously were keen to point out that the start was now harder, the old course having been a 1km blast down Killin Main Street and on out of the village whereas the new course started in the park and headed up the main street across the main road bridge at the Falls of Dochart before making a sharp left onto a wide but rough trail onto the route of the old railway line, across the river again and eventually emerging back out onto the main road near the start. This loop meant that it was about 2km before we left the village on the main road and then turned left onto a gently ascending B road up the glen towards the hydro power station.
My intention was to use this as another training race ahead of the national trail championships next weekend and the international team XC trial a couple of weeks later. I hoped to run even effort throughout and feel good. Unfortunately the hope did not turn into reality as my legs were like lead from the start and only got worse at each up hill, of which there were many! I just did too many hard sessions in training through the week I think. The reality was that the course was not that hilly (89m total ascent compared to over 200m total ascent in the SVHC Pollok Park 10k a few weeks ago) but it was a bit of a roller coaster with little in the way of flat running.
There were a good mix of club and non-club runners in the field and I could see that the large lead pack included many probably inexperienced runners that were going too fast over that first 2k. So, despite not feeling great, I hung off the back of the lead pack and gradually various runners blew up and came back to me when we hit the hills after 2k. At about the 6k mark, the road kicked up steeply past the hydro station but only for a few hundred metres and then we ran around a cone and headed onto a narrow road which gradually undulated back down to the village at the 9k mark. I had been on my own since about 7k, and was grateful to still be on my own for this final km as I was blowing out my ears. Finally, we turned sharp right up a soggy grass bank for 50m or so and into the park with a final 100m blast along an ash path to the finish line. I crossed the line in 8th overall and 1st M50 in a time of 38:02.
After collecting a very nice goody bag and medal, it was not long before Richard appeared out of the finishing chute, suffering a bit with the heat and hills but happy enough with his time of 47:18 in 68th position. We then met up with Richard's sister who proceeded to embarrass her "little brother". Before we knew it, Russell appeared behind us whilst we were watching the line. He must have sneaked in whilst we were chatting. Russell finished in 59:08 and also found the heat and hills a bit tough.
The prize giving was not until 2pm so we had plenty of time to indulge in the charity soup, sandwich and home baking stalls in the McLaren Hall. I definitely balanced the energy spent in the race with cakes and sandwiches!
The prize winners and main race sponsors, Portnellan |
The race prize list was sponsored by Callander's Wheels Cycles (the owners of the hostel we used for many years for the TTC but who are now focusing only on their cycle hire business) and I received a nice Craft long sleeve top (medium unfortunately, so long everywhere on me!). The race was won by Scott Brember of Central AC, an M40, in a course record (even compared to the old course) of 34:11. All in all, a great wee race on an accurately measured course. Just don't expect a PB!
Alan
Wednesday 23 August 2017
Don't Mention the F Word!
Tuesday 15 August 2017
SVHC Glasgow 800 10km Road Race - Pollok Park
The forecast suggested it would be showery and indeed there were some spots of rain on the windscreen as I drove towards Glasgow. However, by the time I parked up at Cartha Rugby Club in Pollok Park, the sun was splitting the pavement. So it was just as well that we were not going to be running on any pavements this year as the race director announced that the course had changed slightly since last year as Glasgow City Council (for health and safety reasons) were no longer allowing the race to use the section of pavement along Haggs Road towards the entrance to the park at Haggs Castle Golf Club. This year the course would be exactly 3 laps of a course entirely on the traffic free paths within the park. For those familiar with the Pollok Park parkrun, the course used various parts of that course, particularly the hilly bits. This was actually a better course as you knew precisely what was coming after the first lap and did not have the final lap diversion onto the main road/pavement as last year. It did mean that the final km was uphill rather than flat but on a course that was extremely hilly, another hill did not make any difference.
Five Harriers lined up (Frances Ferguson, Geo Ferguson, Stuart Waugh, Russell Couper and myself) and with only 40 competitors on the startline, the Harriers made up more than 10% of the field as they did at Islay the weekend before! The race started downhill through the dappled sunlight on the main tree lined path through the middle of the park before looping back up the hill after a km or so and veering into the area known as the glade, where the big climbs start. Eventually we emerged back onto that main drive and ran through the arch at the main gate before doing a 180 degree turn around some cones to head back through the arch and a km uphill back to the start/finish line for the next lap. The leader took off (Josef Farkas, Stirling University) at the start and disappeared. I was in a pack of about 6, including Scottish International and world masters record holder Fiona Matthieson. When the going got tough on that first lap, half of that pack faded backwards and I found myself drifting slowly back from third place Luke Chamberlain but reasonably safe in 4th. With the U turns at either end of each lap, I was able to see that my position was becoming gradually safer with each lap and I was able to maintain a very constant effort. I could also see that Stuart was the next Harrier and, after a fast start, Geo had dropped back behind Frances. As I neared the end of the last lap, I caught Russell at the end of his second lap and put in a bit of an effort for 1k uphill to the finish. Having avoided numerous dogs and prams throughout the race, in the final 20m I nearly lost a game of dodge the Dalmatian as I swerved one way and then the other to avoid this off the lead spotted dug, kind of spoiling my attempt at a long, sustained acceleration to the line.
The winner was out of sight, finishing in an impressive 33:05. I finished 4th overall and first M50 (for which there is a trophy) in a time of 37:22 with one M35 and two M40's ahead of me. Stuart Waugh (a previous winner of the M50 trophy back in 2004 I see) was next Harrier in a time of 45:05 and first M65. Frances and Geo remained close throughout and finished in consecutive positions in 45:48 and 46:05 respectively. Russell was pleased to finish significantly faster than last year despite the heat and despite the uphill finish, crossing the line in 58:52. Well done to all.
The race gave me a good indication of where my fitness is just now and I do need a few more races before the trial. Next one on the cards for me is the Killin 10k, another tough one and then the National Trail Race. The SVHC races are great little races with a good level of competition for the veterans among us (and only a £2 entry fee for SVHC members, £5 for non-members).
Alan
BOWIE TRIBUTE ACT FRIDAY NIGHT
Scottish Mid-Trail Championships - Strathmiglo - Fife
http://events.scottishathletics.org.uk/events/19987-17410-fife-festival-of-trail-running-2017-scottishathletics-mid-trail-championships
and entry here: https://www.entrycentral.com/FAC-Festival-of-Trail-Running
Alan
Sunday 13 August 2017
Trossachs Training Camp Update
Further to the update below, all 24 places in the cabins are now taken subject to receipt of payments. However, if you have not got your name down yet and you would still like to go, do please fill in the on-line form and you will be added to the reserve list. In previous years the reserves have always managed to go due to late minute pull outs or creative arrangement of the accommodation!
Alan
13/08/2017
With just under 2 months to go until the 2017 TTC, we will soon have to close up the entries and provide the T-shirt and catering suppliers with final numbers. We also have the jig saw puzzle of who goes in which cabin and who goes in which pack to sort out.
Due to a couple of cancellations, we now have two places available again in the cabins, so get your names and payments in fast if you are able and willing to join us. Full details in the original post: http://calderglen.blogspot.co.uk/2017/06/ttc-2017-autumn-appointment.html
For those already entered and paying by installment, we do need all installments to be paid by the first week in September. We have a very large bill to pay for the balance of accommodation (one month in advance of the event) during that week. As Eddie is away for a few weeks, please pay Russell directly or if Russell is not at the club, then please give to me and I will record and pass on.
Alan
Saturday 12 August 2017
Islay Half Marathon
Our long awaited annual visit to Islay had arrived, as usual we were a collection of the injured, recovering, and, unfit, but all hopeful of a good race.
The hill at the start climbs all the way to the moon! |
Unfortunately the normally fast guys were unable to be with us (except Eddie who came to Islay but couldn't run) however Alan met us for lunch in Inveraray in his classic car, a 1966 e type jag in pristine condition, there were some among us (Billy) who would have sold his soul for the opportunity to have that beast under his command.
Soon it was over the sea to Islay and as the boat docked the cloud loomed ominously low over Jura and the infamous Paps.
It was up early on Saturday morning after an ominously quiet night without the usual urban noise and the background hum of traffic. As the race neared, the warm up took place in hot sun, necessitating a run on sun tan lotion in the Bowmore coop.
We had a great Harriers representation with 15 of the 161 runners wearing the black and yellow. All too soon we were off with Sandy leading us up the first hill until the race thinned out as we left the houses and climbed through farms and crofts with a slight wind on our backs. Andy Buchanan was well up the field and looking strong chased by Stephen Phimister and Joanne McEvoy. As the race took a sharp turn to the right down the hill after 6 miles towards the airport, the wind picked up and stayed with us for the rest of the race.
The prize haul |
Eddie Reid and Hannah McLellan and various Phimisters appeared at strategic points and gave much needed vocal support and encouragement, thanks, it was good to know we had your encouragement just as it was getting tough. It was particularly good to get your support at 10 miles before the second set of hills.
All too soon it was over (liar) and we were putting in that final sprint down the hill to impress the crowd at the finishing line.
Stuart Gibson, the victor and his spoils! |
Stephen Phimister and family |
Joanne wins 3rd lady and 3rd veteran |
Kenny collects the supervet prize |
The course record holder, Allan McLellan, who won in an impressive 1.09 28 years ago celebrated his 60 birthday with a return to Islay and finished in 1.40.02. A fantastic achievement which he put down to the medicinal qualities of Turmeric which eased his aching joints in the days up go the race, Allan taking the 2nd supervet prize.
Great to see Allan McLellan back in the prizes in his first Islay for decades! |
The ladies' team prize, closely guarded by Allan and Ann's daughter Hannah |
Billy Buchanan has had his name on the over 60's trophy so often that there is a permanent ring mark on his mantelpiece. However he is coming back from injury and Kate (the race organiser) was disappointed at not getting her usual kiss from Billy however he proved he is on his way back with a time of 1.48.44.
Gordon McNally who has been injury prone over the summer managed a time of 1.51.50 with John McBride coming in at 2.01.36. Well done to John who has been injuired since the winter but has been making a comeback over the summer, Anne McLellan has displayed the benefit of strong marathon training over the winter and finished in 2.05.14 to finish in the winning women's team.
Russell Couper is another harrier who has had an up and down season following a good run in the London Marathon but has recently struggled with injury and came in with a time of 2.12.08. Sandy Hayden has been growing fins after all her swimming training and put it all to good use finishing in 2.14.32 and making up the 4th member of the winning women's team. Lorraine Buchanan struggled with an injury early in the race but held on to finish in 2.39.15.
Harriers dominating the ceilidh |
A visit to the nearby pool gave some of us the opportunity to rehydrate and gave Eddie the opportunity to show how even handed he is at competitive sports during a game of water polo.Ha Ha!
The multi-talented Billy Buchanan flying a kite |
Monday morning saw us at Port Ellen being educated in the finer arts of crab and lobster fishing by a crusty old sea dog before getting on the ferry and tucking in to a fried breakfast.
A quick stop in Inveraray for tea and scones was a good end to another great Islay weekend.
Kenny
A ferry exhausting weekend of fun! |
Saturday 5 August 2017
Finally a sub 22 5k
Friday 4 August 2017
August Auldhouse 5k
With a large contingent of Harriers participating in the Islay Half Marathon this weekend, the field for Thursday's Auldhouse 5k time trial was split into those doing a gentle reverse lap to save themselves for Islay and those really going for a time as usual. Once again Julie Beveridge was fastest of all and demonstrated impressive consistency with a time of 19:53. Julie has done all of the time trials this Summer and they have all been within 6 seconds of each other and all significantly faster than last year's best.
It was a night to demonstrate how our young Harriers are developing as proven by Chris McCarron setting the second fastest time (21:38) which was his course best. In third place was our youngest competitor, Lewis Moir who had been set off just 30 seconds behind his granddad, Stuart Waugh, chased him down over the first few km, passed and opened the gap to finish in 21:56, his course best by a minute.
Having only turned up at the Harriers for the first time on Tuesday, Emma Craig was hottly tipped to set a good time, even though this was her first attempt at the Auldhouse 5k time trial. Not only did she make a great effort but it was also a personal best 5k time for Emma, finishing 4th fastest in 22:15. Jim Mearns is gradually getting speed back into his legs after his amazing performance in the West Highland Way Race little over 6 weeks ago. Jim set his fastest time for a couple of years, finishing in 22:22. We then had a very close grouping of runners. Richard Lawton (22:32) set his second fastest time ever on this course, Stuart Waugh was another Mr Consistency with 22:38, all this season's times being within about 30 seconds of each other and all in the 22's. Andy Henderson was our next over 60 with a time of 22:47, another consistent performance, with Paul Rooney only a short time behind in 22:55 which was Paul's fastest of this season by a long way.
Michael Mullen had a list of excuses as long as he is tall before the start but still managed his fastest time on this course (23:28). Julie Thompson had never run this course before (nor a 5k) and wasn't even sure where she was going let alone how to pace it, so did very well to record 25:19, a very good benchmark 5k time. Colin Banks is getting back to running gradually and set his fastest time of this season (25:45). This was Holly Rankine's second Auldhouse Time Trial, so still very new to the course and had the added pressure of being set off first. Holly recorded a good time of 26:31 and would have easily gone faster with someone ahead to chase.
This month's results are here and you can see all previous results using the Auldhouse Time Trial Times link in the menu on the left of the blog.
One more to go this year. The September event will be the first Thursday in September, starting from Auldhouse this time due to the darkness.
Alan