Auldhouse 5k on Thursday

This year's first Auldhouse 5k time trial is on Thursday! As usual, please be at the club well before 7:30pm so I can collate participants and work out the starting order. As always, this is about tracking your response to training through the summer, not about the absolute time which will never be as fast as on one of the flatter parkrun courses. All previous times are available here and in the menu to the left of the blog.
Alan

VIRGIN LONDON MARATHON

Well after months of training through a fairly mild winter the day was upon us.
Joanne and Russell had made it to London ready for the Marathon.
Sunday morning 6am rise coffee in my room showered dressed and down for breakfast.
What to have? I know the breakfast of champions. Cornflakes with mixed berries followed by toast then Bacon, Eggs, Mushrooms. Hash Brown and beans washed down with a Latte. Well I don't want to get hungry and its still about 4hrs before im going to start running. Off to catch the train arriving at Blackheath at 8.15 and a wee text to Joanne to arrange meeting place. Theres a big church as you go onto the heath and away from the crowds so perfect to be able to find someone. Joanne's coming out on a later train from the city and duly arrived at 8.45. We went to a wee van for a coffee and tea and spent a little time keeping warm and giving words of encouragement to each other before heading into the Blue start arena. Definetely a lot more people at this start than before. It appears they've spread some from the red start into the Blue to try and filter the field out in the early stages. Off to the toilets and because of the extra numbers the queues where huge. Fortunately the mens was quick for me so back to the area of the baggage lorries and a breakfast bar and water, again I don't want to get hungry. Times getting near and I haven't seen Joanne back but trust she will be doing her own thing now. 10am and there calling for the last bags for the lorries and 10 mins before the start so changed and Vaseline on and bag away. Still very cold now in just the vest and cant wait to get moving but know its going to be a while as im in pen 6. Joanne wont have a long wait as shes in pen 1. Over to the pens and 1 to 5 get in the pens with 6 to 7 getting held back as theres no room until the first 5 have gone. Trying to get in the middle of everyone to stay out the wind (Penguins springs to mind).
The hooter goes and we watch the elite go on the big screen. Times flying by and still stuck on the grass and the pens are moving very slowly. Meanwhile Joannes running starting after 5 mins 8 secs and im worrying im getting cold. After about another 10 mins the pens have moved enough to let us onto the road but still in controlled pens. The new thing this year was they would leave gaps by setting off the field in waves so further delays which I found very frustrating. Desperate just to get running Joanne has gone through 5k in 23.04 and im getting nearer the start. Eventualy after 33.32 mins ive started and almost immediately I find myself almost tripping over slower runners I even had to pass walkers in the first couple of miles and the worst thing was the Thunderbirds 6 person costume ( how did they get to start before me as the where  about 2 hrs slower). This was to be a problem for most of the first half, you see a gap to pass and then someone moves to block you and you have to brake hard and at one point I felt a sharp pain in my right knee due to a sharp stop but fortunately this eased. Joannes now gone through 10k in 46.39 then I went through 5k in 28.05 inside the pace I had set myself despite the zig zagging but I wasn't stressed or breathing hard so just let it go as I was really comfortable and knew the pace would settle to plan which it did after about 5 miles but that might be due to a toilet stop at 5.5 miles. Now feeling fully warmed up and the cool conditions were just about perfect for running with only a few points were you got a strong headwind. Joannes now through 15k in 1.10.39 followed shortly by myself at 10k in 58.00 and a minute inside target. Joannes flying and goes through 20k (1.34.42) then halfway (1.39.52) then me at 15k (1.27.49) 1.41 inside target and still feeling easy. Just after this Joanne hit 25k (1.58.35) and surprise surprise getting further away from me (guess im not getting a scalp today Ha Ha). Joannes now at 30k (2.23.03) before I hit 20k (1.58.40) and 1.20 inside target. Lost a bit there but that might have been due to extra zig zagging. then im at halfway (2.05.30) which if you forget the Strathaven half in February is my fastest half since 2013. I should have been able to see Joanne on the other side of the road at this point but with so many runners and spectators you cant pick out anyone. Joanne hits 35k (2.47.58) and still running a strong pace with that 5k split only being 22 secs slower than her first 5k. Ive now hit 25k (2.31.21) 3.39 inside pace as I had planned for a drop in pace by this point and I wasn't dropping as much as expected. Joanne hits 40k nearly there (3.13.20) and a big PB is on the cards with only a drop of 1sec per k from the previous split (impressive). Push to the finish for Joanne crossing the line in 3.24.52 and a big PB Well done Joanne. Meanwhile im approaching 30k and the soles of my feet are hurting so I stop to loosen my laces a little to try and ease the pressure on my feet hitting 30k in (3.06.36) still 3.24 inside target. Now it starts to go as the feet continue to get worse and I struggle to 35k (3.45.52) now 52 secs outside target and losing it. Hanging in now and my next 5k was my slowest with my mile times showing 13.02, 13.24 and 13.00. I really didn't want anything in the 13 minute range but these things happen. Went through 40k in (4.26.32) which was now 6.32 out of target. I had allowed for a six minute slip on the target pace so tried to pick up for the last 2k and did a bit crossing the line in 4.43.37 for a 21 min course best so will take that with bells on. Now it was time for the real race. How quick could I get to the pub. 3 pints later I better get a train back to my digs. Im on the 3rd floor I think I will use the lift. We all know stairs are your worst nightmare after a marathon. Shower and changed I now find ive got two white stripes over my shoulders. Despite the cold and cloudy conditions im burnt. A few more lagers with dinner will fix that and time to relax and reflect on the days events. Joanne over the moon with her PB and her performance. Me over the moon to have ran so well till the last 10k and when losing it did not falter as much as the last time and to improve by 21mins is a win win. To the London marathon team I have to say the organising skills to move that many people around the city are fantastic. To the many thousands of volunteers on the day Joanne and myself thank you.

Hidden Glen 10k Race Report

So back in September/October I think it was Kirsty who said on facebook that the hidden glen 10k would be open for entry soon and you would have to be quick to get a space. I remembered seeing a photo of Sandy and Kirsty after the last one in the sunshine with a beer and thinking that looks good so I set an alarm to remind me to get on the computer for the race places opening up.
When it came to making arrangements to drive up there I started thinking why did I enter a race so far away. Google maps said it was a 90 minute drive - generally if a race is over 40 minutes away I class it as too far!!
Race day came and Davie W and Sandy met me at mine nice and early at 9am to set off for the race. Kirsty had warned us it was a long, slow, windy road in. We got there nice and early about 10.30ish for the 12pm race start. This gave us plenty of time to collect our t-shirts, warm up etc. We met Callum, Kirsty, Kirsty's parents and Winston the dog as soon as we got into the barn. Me, Kirsty and Sandy were all pleased with the race t-shirt colour - pink. Davie was pleased that he had opted not to pay the extra for it.
We also met Phil & Liz and Paul & Tanya before the race started.
The race went off in waves, the first wave being under 45 minutes. We tried to talk Callum into going in that wave but he wasn't having it. The next wave was under 55 minutes and me, Kirsty, Davie & Callum all set off in that wave. Sandy had made a last minute trip to the toilet and ended up in the last wave due to the queue.
I decided just to try and stick quite close to Kirsty and Davie. The first 2k is out and back along an undulating road, the first 1k more up than down and opposite on the way back. On the way back I came past Davie on a downhill section as I've been learning to let myself go and not hold back too much on the downhill.
The next 4k was pretty much uphill, you had to run through a pretty wide stream so after that I decided there was no point in running round puddles just to go straight through them sticking to the middle, tho there was one puddle which was knee deep that I avoided on the way back. I managed to overtake a few people who were going round the puddles and best of all I managed to pull away from the heavy breather who grunted with every breath.
I could see Kirsty ahead of me on the long drag up and I was slowly catching her, I had to walk at one point but ran again when it flattened out before it went up again. Tehre was a piper at the turning point and it was a welcome sound to hear him and know there wasn't much more of the hill left. I caught Kirsty at the turning point and pushed on down the hill. The last 4k was pretty much all downhill and I really loved running down it to the finish.  This section really made the first 6k worth it. I finished in 45th position (15th female), in a time of 51:11.
Callum was first harrier home in a brilliant 21st position in a time of 47:25, next home was me (Alison), quickly followed by Kirsty in 52:02, and Paul not long after in a time of 54:12, Davie was next home (his marathons finally catching up with him) in a time of 58:35 and then Sandy, although with Sandy starting at the back she had a quicker chip time of 57:51. Phil and his wife Liz ran round together and both finished in a time of 82:00. Pauls wife Tanya also ran and finished in 72:37.
Everybody was pretty wet and freezing so we all got changed and got our free pint/juice before heading off.
Overall it was a well organised event - worth the drive and I would do it again. The route started and finished on the road with the middle section on forest road. I was glad I opted for trail over road shoes. There was 409 finishers and the winner was Matthew Sutherland from Central AC who finished in a time of 36:05 almost 4 minutes clear of 2nd place!
Thanks to Kirsty parents for coming to support and stand waiting in the pouring rain for us all to finish.

Alison

GRAND PRIX VICTORIA PARK

As I wont be at Victoria Park this weekend will someone who is going take note of any jokers that are played and pass them to me so I can collate the total together after all the runs are completed over the next 3 weekends.

Russell

MEMBERSHIP FEES

We are now approaching the end of April and many Harriers have paid all their fees or are making regular payments through the bank.
Unfortunately there are many who have paid very little or nothing towards their fees and I would ask that those in that position bring their membership up to date in the next few weeks.
Anyone who is having difficulty with this then please speak to me directly as im sure we can work out a plan to bring you up to date. I have no desire to embarrass anyone by asking so please speak to me if theres a problem.

Russell

Grand Prix - Victoria Park parkrun Expanded!

So I contacted the organisers of that wee race down in London on Sunday 28th April to see if they were up for moving it to another weekend as we had a Grand Prix event at Victoria Park parkrun the day before and one of our key Grand Prix challengers was not able to do both. Anyway, that was a negative, so instead, I have added a third weekend of Victoria Park options. As before, only one of these parkruns will count towards the GP and it will be the first one you do that counts a), b) or c).

The options are:
a) 27th April
b) 4th May
c) 11th May

Alan

Wooed and Seduced – again!

Yir man Mearns should be a politician – defo!

You’ll remember in my last journaled ramblings of how he’d enticed me in to running (well at entering, at least) a marathon – well he’s been at it again, all for a good cause I must mention.

A good while back he’d asked me if I wanted “a wee role” at our Trail Running Festival. I quite like stuff like that so aye, I replied, I’d be up for that. How about taking on a race – no problem.

Facebook Messenger da da da!

“Morning everyone, how about a wee Trail Committee meeting Saturday 20th, 10am.”

The night before;

“Evening Martin, how do you fancy a Parkrun ahead of our Trail meeting.”

“Funny I was just thinking the same thing – yip good for that but come pick me up, having a barby, there’ll be drinking involved.”

“See you at 9”

Going about my morning pre-run routine a bit blurred and with a nagging thump in my frontal lobe, t’was a good barby, nine o’clock crept up on me from nowhere. Jim at the door, we gingerly made our way to the Strathclyde Parkrun, getting there with no time to spare to give any warm-up a slice of respect. 

Lining up at the front like the elites we are, it was good to see a few other of our Harriers there too. Davie Wardrope, there with his daughter Rachel, Richard Lawton, Kay Conneff primed like a coiled spring for her upcoming marathon, Stuart Gibson, fresh from his track 10k at Crownpoint the night before, Stephen Phimister (aw naw – that means trouble), hill and fell runner extraordinaire, Mark Wheeler, my old mate and marathon legend Ian Birch and a few other running pals all out on a beautiful morning to take on the Lochside paths and the clouds of flying insects, a mouthful of which would have surely choked you!

Bang went the gun (or rather, the guy in charge shouted GO) and we were away like the Greyhounds at Shawfield chasing a tin of Chum, albeit momentarily. Jim went off so quickly he soon disappeared in the masses of sprint starters – ooft, I thought, the Pinot Noir has finally caught up with me.

“Morning auld yin” surely not directed at me? Phimi was alongside me, cheeky so and so!

The pace was blistering, Jim was leading our bunch, I looked at the watch, 5.40 m/m it told me, this is ridiculous, bloody hell never knew my Saucony’s were able to go that fast – far less with me in them!

Neck and neck me and SP were jockeying for position – don’t see that very often, he lied! Through 1k, we saw Jim walking at the side of the course “Felt a twinge” he hollered and waved us on our way. He has a busy season of big events lined up and so sprinting off at a Parkrun was probably not the wisest thing to have contemplated. Anyway, as it transpired his morning wasn’t a write off by any means.

Round by the trees, a mile done (6.10), the pace beginning to feel alien to me (you need to remember all of the Marathon training prep – I never done!) so speed only happens to me when I’m driving my car these days. SP is keeping the pressure on, I need a break, he’s relentless, I still need a break – that’s it, I’m coming off the gas, I’ll crash and burn if I try to keep this going. Half thinking that Phimi would take the opportunity to catch a breather too he swooshed past me, me conceding it was to be his day.

Approaching the turn, I saw the front runners heading back with Stuart in third place and looking very comfortable – almost effortless in fact. He went on to complete in third with a time of 16.28.

I stoated on trying to keep the speed up but the felt the pace slipping and the splits really back that up; 6.12, 6.24, 6.47. All starting with 6 all the same so not slouching too much.

As you all know the run in to the end at Strathclyde feels like it goes on for 50 miles. The finish line starts as a dot on the distant horizon. They’ve even moved it back a bit further these days. Trying to stay motivated, blawin’ oot yir bahooky is sometimes a big ask and especially when you’ve a wee whipper snapper breathing over your shoulder.

Anyway, the finish line beckoned and I crossed it, stopped the watch and it read 19.59.9. YES, sub 20! On the back of all that Marathon training I didn’t do.

Nah – no such fortune, Connect rounded me up to 20.00.00. Bloody hell – mind games or what! Going in the right direction though.

Phimi did manage to prevail on the day coming home in an impressive 19.32, edging his recent other 5k outing at the Scally (19.46) and looking good for an impressive season. He and I, it turns out, have the exact same PB on this course of 19.00.00. Long season it is though and old adversaries will for sure be on the hunt! Wonder who that could be?

Then me and then next home the previously seen “walking it” Jim Mearns. Somehow, he managed to administer some swift rubbing action to the sore bit and get on his way again not least passing three of the aforementioned runners in the process to come home in a really solid 21.22. No bad for having stopped off for cheese sandwich and a glass of apple juice!
Next home was Davie Wardrope looking steady and familiarly unfazed in a brilliant time of 21.42, less than a minute away from his course PB and an admirable burst of pacy running given that he has been concentrating on the long stuff this year. Rachel, his daughter ran home in an impressive 24.15, again less than a minute away from her PB.

Then a battle to the line between Kay and Richard with Kay prevailing at 21.50 with Richard literally two paces behind and crossing in 21.52 only 9 seconds behind his course record – I’d blame the heat and the beasties Richard!

Mark Wheeler was just behind me at 20.07 and looking strong and Marathon Man, Ian Birch was ahead of me and running to a new 4-year course PB of 19.42.

Strathclyde Parkrun, when I first started going about 4 years ago had a regular 250 weekly runners. Today there were 457 registered finishers and I believe both Pollok and Victoria are reporting similar growth. Great for our wee past-time but massive pressure on the teams of volunteers that turn up week after week in all weathers to provide this absolutely brilliant event free of charge and without overly prohibitive rules and regulations – I take my hat off to them.
Martin

JUST A GENTLE CLIMB!

On Saturday I took a little trip down to Castle Douglas at the borders for the Screel Hill race. After a lovely drive optimism was high, despite the recent time off ill. The race was just outside a small, I mean very small village called Palnackie. It made Auldhouse seem like a giant town. Once arrived, parked and the usual administration of race numbers and safety pins I took a little course preview out to discover there was rather a lot of climbing. Warm-up complete, I was exhausted wondering how I was going to raise the game for the race. Screel Hill race is usually a rather insignificant race in the Scottish hill racing calendar with a year on year attendance of around 40-50 bit this year was different it was hosting the west district hill championships. As faces gathered for the start I was multiplying that 50 by 4. As the gun fired 290 souls hared up around the first bend and up the landrover track like it was the last 50m of an Olympic final.

Crossing a road before climbing steadily up a gravel trail to a pine forestry at this point I was surprised how well I was climbing through the forestry and up to a crag section, the power walking soon began followed by a short scramble to the summit top. Just as I thought the painful climb was over there was sure more to come. A bog trot followed to the summit of Screel Hill. A brief moment to catch breath before what I thought was the defend to the finish. A technical loose rock descend followed before rejoining the forestry track. I told myself before the race ‘ be careful and whatever you do don’t fall’ and so far this was going to plan. Next a sharp left bend and the shock of a sheer rock climb back to reach the thin ledge under Screel summit. As in the words of the man behind me 'oh crap’.

A steady descend followed back through the pine forestry to the trail leading to the finish. Exhausted, but still in one piece I crossed the finish line in 37.05. Winner was Alexander Cheplin of Edinburgh University H and H’s in a new course record of 26.47. Now I realise just how much the illness had taken out of me and the improvement that still needs to be made. I finished in 89th place out of 287 finishers, not too bad for a relative hill racing novice. I would certainly only recommend  the race if you have prior hill experience as first timers could find the spectacle daunting. I certainly enjoyed the race thoroughly and will be racing on the hills regularly hoping to improve further. Recovery was spent in the village of Palnackie, a great fish and chips from the Glen Isle inn and we weren’t the only hill runners there that day.

Chris

GOOD TIMES HAD BY ALL IN GRANGEMOUTH

A recreation of the  2018-19 Grand Prix's possibly defining moment

Today was the Round The Houses 10k in Grangemouth. With a few Harriers having to call off we had 5 Ladies and 6 Men turn up to run. a bit of a scare as the Jokers were declared as Alison Lessells let me know she may not run as she suspects she may have broke a toe and would decide after a warm up. She went to the Physio that they had at registration who suggested it was just badly bruised and strapped it up.

The mass start - spot the Harriers

Before the 10k we had another event, the 2k with Ben and Sophie Buchanan lining up. I don't have official times but Ben ran about 7 mins with Sophie running about 10 mins. That's another couple of Juniors too fast for me. Well done Ben and Sophie.

Andy paces the start well.

So onto the 10k and we all lined up on the start and we were soon off. My plan was to try and have a flyer as my last hard run before London. Andy Buchanan started in front of me with Julie Beveridge, Richard Lawton, Ian Hughes and Jim Holmes alongside me, Off round the track and I made no attempt to stay with them but still running fast for me. As we left the track Alison came past then Lorraine Buchanan. This takes us down the long straight parallel to the old start and into the little wind there was. It wasn't too bad as Grangemouth over the years has sometimes been very windy but I would say it had a small effect. Left turn and heading towards town and along here is where the course changes from old as you take another left up a street into a park just after 2 miles. At this point Lorraine was about 30 metres in front of me as I was still pushing hard and it would remain this way till we got to the side of the stadium at 7k then the wheels came off a bit but not too much. Down the long straight again into the wind to the turning point and when you get to see whos chasing you. Oh no Julie Thomson and Morgan Beaton are about 10 mts behind me and theres Gordon McInally about another 20mts back and im hurting.

Julie stretches Ian.

Got about half way back up the straight to the stadium and Morgan and Julie come past. Must try and stick with them but alas I couldn't but not falling away rapidly so got to keep it strong as Gordon is coming. Back to the stadium and the other change to the old course as you turn away into the park at the back of the stadium and thru 9k.

Morgan just past 6k on the way to a PB

As you turn for the last time to head back I caught Gordon out the corner of my eye about 15 mts behind so big push needed as Lorraine, Morgan and Julie are also still in sight. Going round the outside path of the track with about 200 mts to go and Gordons passing me. Im not havin it and push again to pull away and onto the track in front. Ive made my push has Gordon got any more alas he has and he duly passed me on the track. I crossed the line in 50.28 (chip time as will all the others be) and my fastest 10k since 2010 so pleased with that. Andrew was first Harrier home today and a better run than he had at the Tom Scott running 38.51. Ian Hughes had a good run too with 40.33 and not far in front of our first Lady Julie Beveridge in 40.42. Bit of a gap before our closest finish of the day with Richard and Jim crossing the line together in the same chip and gun time. Down to the stewards to separate them so over to the van and Richard first to see with 45.01 and 271st, then Jim's turn 45.01 and 272nd (Richard wins).

Give me 5 Mum! Lorraine brings her own supporters

Alison with definitely not a broken toe must have had them in sight crossing the line in 45.30. Next in was Lorraine with a new PB and 8.10 faster than last years time with 49.26 then Morgan also with a new PB and first sub 50 min in 49.55. Julie Thomson had let Morgan get away from her in the end crossing the line in 50.04 and a new PB by 33secs. Although Gordon and I finished close his chip time was 12 secs faster than me with 50.16. Almost perfect weather today and a well organised event. Thanks to Frances and Alan for coming along to support and take pictures its much appreciated.
I'm sure pictures will be added when available.

The photo albums from Frances and Alan.

Another Calderglen grandstand finish!

Final Grand Prix Race Dates Set...

Dates for the Victoria Park parkrun (a and b), Chatelherault World Championships and Vertical Mile have now been set. Refer to the Grand Prix race list here for the dates. Dates have now been set of all GP races this year. Remind yourself of the modified GP joker rules in this blog post.
Alan

ROUND THE HOUSES 10K

Tomorrow is the Round The Houses 10k
If anyone needs transport or wishes to travel with others Jim and Gordon will be leaving from the Sports Club at 10.30
Upon arrival collect your number and chip and seek me out to declare your jokers.

Russell

Last Person to Finish Gets to Sort Out Brexit!

Rewind the clock back to the Trossachs Training Camp last Autumn and specifically to the wee snug bar of the Lade Inn on the Friday night just before dinner.

Blowing the top off a well earnt – in my opinion, pint of Stella Artois, Jim Mearns sitting next to me, from nowhere made the rather unsolicited enquiry “Martin, have you ever run a marathon?” Deep within me as he asked the question and knowing, and about to acknowledge that, no, I hadn’t, there was a feeling of impending doom that those days were about to end such is Jim’s skill of influence and persuasion!

So as not to roll over and seem to have been had by a second-hand car salesman with 15% APR on offer – I immediately pushed back and retorted that marathons were/ are definitely not my thing, too long, boring, training is crazy, could never commit, I’m a lazy so and so, bad back, asthma, busy family life…………………. Give me a 10k, I said, a half marathon and my wee favourite Saturday morning Parkrun any time you like – but a MARATHON, nope, never, nada, no happenin’!

“But you’ve a crackin’ wee engine in you – you’d cruise it. What if we get a few of the guys lined up” he tried to convince me. “I’ll have a look and choose one that seems the easiest”

EASIEST – you having a laugh!

“Canny see it happening Jim”

“Listen, if you can run a half marathon you’ll cope no problem, and let’s face it you’ve done everything else, a marathon would complete the circle”

“Canny see it happening Jim”

 Sunday 7th April 2019 – 06.10 am.

“Wonder what shorts I should wear. I don’t want gels to be falling out of my pockets. Oh, cheers Mark, is that my porridge ready!"

Yip – my worst athletic fear (other than injury), the goliath, the one I usually sit at home to watch had become a reality and was looming. In a little under 3 hours I’d be lining up at the Old Trafford Cricket ground with a few thousand other people to take on the ASICS Manchester Marathon. Damm it – how did that happen?

The Lade Inn – Autumn last year.

Facebook Messenger is a great thing.

By the end of the main course that night at the Lade Inn I really felt as though I had been laid in to too! Not only had I tentatively agreed to run a marathon with Jim but had agreed in his choice of event, early in the spring, “flat as a pancake, real carnival, only a couple of hours down the road, you’ll love it, make a weekend out of it”!

Some of my fellow Harriers will remember that message and the feeling of dread upon receiving it. I won’t journal all of the subsequent teasers but suffice is to say it was posted to quite a number of individuals to whet their appetite with the view that we could perhaps get a few to bite and come along with us.

There was initial, well, I won’t say hysteria, but definite and noted interest with I think at one point up to nine expressing more than a passing thought of taking part. The messages kept coming – there was no going back!

The winter here, as you well know, is very unforgiving and the prospect of stepping up training (when we’re ordinarily snug and cosy under warm duvet’s) to a level where sufficient preparedness is achieved to take on such a run meant that in the end there were four left standing, notwithstanding the fact that a few others were already committed to training for London. 

Whilst training for me was sporadic and patchy at best, with a virus taking hold a month before the gun and lasting for two weeks, the others set about their task diligently and clocked some pretty decent miles.

The four making the journey to Manchester the day before the event consisted of me (of course!), Jim Mearns (of course!), Mark Saez, who like me was dipping his toe in the marathon abyss and our other seasoned marathoner David Wardrope, already with two events under his belt.

Arriving and settling in to our ideal accommodation in Eccles just before the other big event of the weekend, I became a bit frantic to find a pub (not like me!) with a tele so as I could see my favoured and invested on Rathvinden run to hopeful glory at the Aintree Grand National! Pub found (with a tele a size that wouldn’t have been out of place in an Odeon Cinema) we got our beers and found a seat only to become aware of murmurings among the other patrons that they couldn’t get the TV to work – “building works, they’ve cut the aerial cable, there’s no signal”! Tch. Making do with watching the race on an iPhone, I was encouraged to see Rathvinden coming home third (always take each way in the National my Dad always told me).

Watching the long boats putt putt past us as we had another beer, time, we decided to go back and get organised for an early dinner.

Dinner done and dusted and it was time to head back, cup of tea and in to our scratchers with clocks set for an early rise. Taxi booked for 07.20am.

 “Wonder what shorts I should wear. I don’t want gels to be falling out of my pockets. Oh, cheers Mark, is that my porridge ready!"

The 7th April 2019, an ingrained and indelible date on my mind to say the least had arrived, it was here and no sooner had I decided which of the 4 pairs of shorts I had in my bag to wear, than we were in a taxi, thundering towards Old Trafford. Nervous – me – yes! The others if they were, were doing a good job of hiding it. Doubt they were TBH.

Note to self – stick to the plan, stick to the plan, stick to the plan – er, whit plan! Remember to drink plenty but not too much – coach told me once that over hydrating can do you in! Remember to use your gels – don’t wait for the light-headedness to kick in and try not to dribble it all down ye!

There were millions of toilets near the start and when we arrived at 8am they were all empty – available, clean. Davy mentioned in passing that if anyone needed to use one there were thousands to choose from. I kinda did but favoured leaving it a while nearer to the start time so off we went to drop our wee bag and get “race ready” like the true international athletes that we are!

That done (half an hour passed) and I thought, yip, go to the toilet now. In the space of that half an hour the million afore mentioned convenience’s had a billion needy customers! The queue, I’m sure, went to Liverpool! Oops. 

It was all smiles for the pre run snap, I even managed to find a (sort of) co-ordinated) T-shirt.

That done we lined up in the green wave, well except Mark, he was standing beside some African fellas nearer the front. Vassos Alexander (who’s he?) (think he works with Chris Evans on a radio show and is a keen runner and Parkrun advocate), was giving an interview from the starting podium – that’s all I remember, that together with what seemed to be a 12 inch remix of Oasis’ Roll With It. It played for ages.

Wheelchairs away and racing in a blaze of blue smoke and fireworks and loud bangs (not their tyres mind, no drawing pins seemed to have been dropped at the start line) then it was the Elites, “I know the roads down which your life will drive” then the white wave “I think I’ve got a feeling I’ve lost inside” then the red which we had juked in to in order to avoid that toilet queue “Cause it’s all too much for me to take” and we were on our way.

The first three miles were round a few streets that eventually lead us back to Old Trafford and round past near the start line – you guessed it;

“I know the roads down which your life will drive

I find the key that lets you slip inside

Kiss the girl, she's not behind the door

But you know I think I recognize your face

But I've never seen you before”

……..was still spinning on the turntable.

Jim had said to me that he was only running a mile and if I wanted to I could join him. Magic. He then caveated that by saying that at the end of the mile we could decide if we wanted to do another, and so on. 

We kept that strategy going for no less than 15 miles, well through the half way mark which we completed in a swift 1.41.20, being buoyed on by the crowds, the choirs, the millions of offerings of jelly babies.

At mile 15 I really needed to make that toilet stop and so Jim continued on his way. I came back out on to the course and seemed to have lost some of the impetus I had managed to keep going to that point. I knew Jim would have been well up the road by now so didn’t attempt a catch up. 

Phew.

By mile 19 my wheels were squaring quickly and at mile 20 I saw the 3.29 pacer run past, then the 3.30 pacer followed by the 3.35 pacer. Davy ran past me as I was otherwise indisposed against a wall in not the most pleasant of poses.

Russell had messaged me the night before advising that it wouldn’t be pretty, you’ll be in pain, you’ll probably want to throw in the towel but under no circumstances should I stop. He was right on all of the above!

As I said to Davie Searil in a FBK message after the event, I had a devil sitting on my right shoulder telling me to quit, you’ve done enough, be proud of how far you’ve gone, you’re knackered. Fortunately, on my left shoulder there was a wee angel cherub speaking ever so more gently but more convincingly that it was nearly done, keep going almost there, a big medal, a T-shirt, a marathon. 

Then I saw someone in the crowd holding a lovely home-made banner which said “Whoever Finishes Last Gets to Sort Out Brexit!” then a few hundred more yards one which simply and succinctly advised “Don’t be Sh!t” That was enough for me! 

Keep going I did – albeit at a snail’s pace and a jog in for the last two miles, I kept reminding myself at 24 miles that all I had left was three laps of the Heritage Park at Stewartfield, a favourite training place of mine. I even managed to get a bit of pace going for the last half mile.

I crossed the line in 3.55.21, four and a half minutes ahead of my red-line time of 4 hours and absolutely shattered.

Mark had a solid block of training leading to this event and even managed some 20 milers along with Gerry and some others. He was running well and arrived ready and prepared for the event with only his old skeleton in the cupboard. Yip, his back. Having run a swift first half in 1.35 he was on course for his targeted finish of somewhere in the region of 3.15. His ailing spine once again curtailed his ambition, losing vital pace from mile 16 as a result and nursing it home to finish in 3.39.

Davy, with already two marathons done and dusted this year had a plan of steady and consistent and that is exactly how he executed the challenge going through the half way mark at 1.47.09 and finishing strongly in 3.43.49. Davy like the others has stuck to a strict training regime and it certainly paid off.

My first half running buddy Jim, had a mile by mile plan and stuck to it. Aiming for an average of 7.45 m/m during the early stages, he went sharper than that, crossing the half way mark as I mentioned in 1.41.20 very near his half marathon PB! With the G33 completed a few weeks ago and a busy season of Ultra’s on the calendar Jim’s training has been on point and he is running really well. Jim brought the yellow and black vest home first in a time of 3.29.41, a time he says would have been a PB had the course not been 0.2 miles longer than billed.

Bringing up the rear, you’ve read my story.

And so, it was in to the finisher’s enclosure, a massive blingy medal, a t-shirt and an alcohol-free beer which for some went down a treat. It went down a treat for me too but only for a wee while! Irn Bru, I needed IRN BRU. By now lactic acid had gone to work and my legs were like concrete! The others seemed remarkably unfazed by their achievement coping well with having just run the distance, me on the other hand, a bag of spanners, just needing a lie down and an IRN BRU! 

A snack van readily supplied me with a Coca Cola “will that be diet, love?” the lady cheerily and expectantly asked. No, sugar, I need the sugar!

Of home to Eccles in our taxi and once there Jim presented us with a dram to toast our day. That went down nice.

A rest, followed by a lovely warm shower, glad rags on and we were off up the street for a hearty Bangladeshi curry. The guys, able to further toast and celebrate their occasion stayed out for a couple of more beers – me, off home to bed!

Up the next morning – all looking remarkably refreshed we set about hatching a plan of finding a greasy spoon for the biggest fry up known to man. A couple of miles up the road and we tucked in to exactly what was needed. Then our journey home.

A great weekend with the guys, great banter and laughs, ideal accommodation and a 26 odd mile run in to the bargain! 

So – the marathon tale goes. Done it. Ticked the box. Nobody can take it away now. Do another? At the end of the race I was as convinced as Theresa is of her deal that there would be no other. Then the wee motors start to go around in the head. What if;

• I had trained more

• Gone a bit slower in the first half

• Sorted out my regime of nutrition and fluid intake

• I had trained more

• I had trained more………………………………

Watch this space.

Martin.

Chatelherault Training Resumes

Our fortnightly training session at Chatelherault Country Park recommences on Monday 22nd April and fortnightly thereafter, the final session (daylight allowing) being on Monday 26th August.

This is a 7 mile undulating loop on trails. Meet in the car park (see this Google Map) on the right hand side of the drive when entering Chatelherault Country Park off the Fernigair Road entrance at 7:30pm ready to run. For those without transport, meet at EK Sports Club ready to leave at 7pm and some of the Harriers will come by to give you a lift to Chatelherault.
Alan

MANCHESTER MARATHON

If anyone is trying to follow the Manchester Marathon there are issues with the tracking and the live feed. For your info I am able to track Mark Saez and Martin Howell but if anyone has any info on Jim Mearns and David Wardrope please let me know and I will update this page.

At the moment Mark is at 19.2m and on course for a time of 3.10 approx. and Martin is at 18m and on course for a time of 3.23 approx.

Mark has now gone back on the tracking as he crossed the 30k mat and is now running at a pace for a time of 3.28

Martin has now gone through 30k and also slowed a little and now on pace for 3.29 finish

Now have Jim and David on tracking
David is at at 22.2m on pace for 3.39
Jim is at 23.7m on pace for 3.24

Jim now finished 3.29.42  Well done Jim.
Mark now finished 3.39.29  Well done Mark.
David now finished 3.43.49   Well done David.
Martin now finished 3.55.21  Well done Martin.

Will update as I get more info.

Russell

Alloa Half Marathon

Having first entered the race in 2017 and having had to pull out due to an injury, I agreed to give it another go this year with Sharon (who actually managed to run it in 2017). I heard the race was hilly in parts so decided to do a 12 week hilly training plan. Hilly reps and long hilly runs where the order of the season. Much to the pleasure of my training buddies (thanks for doing these with me girls).

Training was going well until ten days before the race when a piece of kitchen panel fell on my foot. I was worried that was me out and leaving Sharon to run solo for a second time. Luckily with a few days rest and ice I seemed to heal quickly.

The day of the race came it was perfect conditions. We set off the start was really congested with parked cars and speed bumps to contend with was hard to get pace going.

Pre-race number filling

After about a mile and a half it filtered out. And was generally flat with a few minor inclines. Until the hill at and for most of mile ten which was when I was glad I done all those hill reps! I managed to run up it but it took till mile 12 to get my breath back.

As we approach the final 400 meters I realised I was on to a good time. As we crossed the line I was delighted to have got a time of 1hour 55 min and 37 seconds (a 2 minute and 59 seconds pb not 3min as I first thought) but more so that I had been able to take part with Sharon this year!
Julie T

(Really) Warm Weather Training

The distinctive silhouette of Alan on a morning
run on the beach (Photo 2:09 Events)

March for me means the Algarve and the 2:09 Events training camp at Falésia. This would be my 21st or 22nd consecutive year here, burning off the winter blues with 10 days of running and conditioning in the company of fellow Harriers Frances and Eddie and about 105 other runners from all over the UK.

Whereas last year's event had been unusually wet for the Algarve, the forecast for this year showed wall-to-wall sunshine for the duration and so it turned out to be, providing the most consistently sunny weather I have ever experienced on this training camp.

Frances, Eddie and I had arrived a couple of days early to tie in with the Glasgow flights and to give me time to do a few domestic chores around my apartment after the winter. This also provided Eddie with the opportunity to immediately pick up a new injury when he tripped over a tree root on our first acclimatisation run and skint his knee. With Frances consigned to sun bathing and light cycling due to her pre-existing knee injury and me carrying a virus which had reduced my legs to jelly, I was worried that Eddie would also be absorbing more rays than miles, turning the Harriers' contingent into a doctor's waiting room rather than a pack. This was a situation that could not be allowed to happen! Fortunately, a liberal dose of nae sympathy from Frances and I soon cured Eddie's skint knee and he was declared fit to train. I was also confident that I could run gently in the heat and drive the virus out of me. On our first pre-training day, we also met up with Stuart Gibson who was out for a short break before returning home for a wedding that weekend, Stuart promising to return next year for the full training camp.

Eddie, Stuart and I take in the sun's rays

This year's head coach was the UK's second fastest ever female marathon runner (2:23), Mara Yamauchi, retired from international competition since London 2012 but still competing for her club in cross country leagues and relays and, as a young F45, still fast enough to run me into the ground. All hope of me having an easy, virus friendly first official run on the camp went out the window when Mike Gratton asked if I would lead the way on that first cliff top run and show Mara the route as I was virtually local. I survived, finding out in the process that Mara is a totally down to earth runner, very approachable indeed and can chat whilst running at a fast pace. This would be Frances' only run of the camp, her knee not reacting at all well to the run. However, Frances was soon booked in for the first of three visits to the camp's miracle worker, Sue, who was providing massage therapy to those bringing injuries to or acquiring injuries on the camp (but not skint knees!). Eddie also completed this run without falling.

Mara Yamauchi takes a stretching session

Over the space of 10 days we did a huge amount of training as usual. Except for long run days, we had an easy run of about 5 miles (trails and/or beach) at 8am each morning and an afternoon session which would be some sort of effort session on the track or the cross country course. Most days there would be a core stability, yoga, drills or pilates session before the afternoon running session and most evenings there was a talk about nutrition or some aspect of training. On the long run days (the first Sunday and the last Saturday), we did only one run, starting at 7:30 in the morning before a day of "nutrition" and relaxation.

Eddie on the trail to Vilamoura

Our non-running sessions were really diverse this year. Mara brought a range of running drills and strength and conditioning sessions which were different to those we had experienced previously. Needless to say, they need a bit of practice to perfect and to train the neural systems to trigger the right muscles (or even the right legs and arms) at the right time! Eddie played the injury card for the main drills session and instead was roped in as videographer. Here is the resulting director's cut of Eddie's film.

As always, every run was followed up with a stretching session to ensure a pain free start to the next session. An important point to reinforce; many believe that stretching increases flexibility (it might do a bit) or prevents injuries (it might do) but the main thing it does do is reduce the stiffness and aches felt the next day. That's why I stretch. Eddie took one of the group stretching sessions on the track and put a handful of runners (including Mike Gratton, who rarely stretches) through our usual club post-run stretching routine.

"Hot" Yoga on the hotel's track infield (photo from 2:09 Events' drone)

With such fantastic weather this year, all the non-running sessions were outdoors on the hotel's track. This provided me with the opportunity to demonstrate the only multi-tasking I am capable of, where one of the tasks is sun bathing and the other can be yoga, pilates, etc. The yoga sessions were taken by Sue Wainwright, the multi-talented sports masseuse and saviour of several Harriers over the years, were geared towards runners and took account of the fact that we were in the midst of a heavy week of training and were mostly on very tired legs.

Core stability Algarve style - my core is very stable here - its going nowhere!

The pilates session was taken by Algarve resident and former English National Ballet ballerina, Michelle Goyens. These sessions are also geared towards runners and were very well explained and demonstrated. We may even be bringing some of our findings to a session near you very soon.

Ready for 5k marshalling action

On some of the morning runs, we ran to the orange grove circuit, a flat loop on trails accessed by a set of high rise stepping stones (or an ankle deep run through the river). It was during this run that Eddie's knee packed in (not the skint one) and he had to walk back. On the same run I had one of my dizzy spells and also had to abandon early and jog back. Meanwhile, Frances was trying out various routes on my mountain bike. The Harriers were doing well!

The Falesia 5k road race took place at 10am on the first Tuesday of the training camp as usual. With various training groups from club to international level in the village at this time of year, the quality is always high. As the only Harriers' survivor by the Tuesday, I was the only one intending to run, although even that was a morning of the race decision as this was the first day when the headaches and dizziness had gone. However, Frances and Eddie were not at a loose end as they were gladly swept up by the race organisers to help marshal the race!

End of lap 1 of the 5k

This is a benchmark race for me each year and gives me an idea of where I am form and fitness wise. Well the answer is a not unsurprising rubbish! As I found at the Scally, from the word go I could not get a deep breath in and was struggling throughout. So not only did I record a course worst but also a personal worst 5k road race time of 19:07, over a minute slower than last year in around 30th position. The race was won in 15:30 by one of our (younger) training camp members. Although I was the first M50 from our training group, there was one other M50 from another group a full minute ahead of me. So a bit disappointing but not surprising.

The race was soon forgotten after a post-race swim in the sea, not something I usually manage in March as the sea is normally much colder. I am pleased to say that the two Calderglen race marshals also cooled down with a swim.

Post-race cool down Algarve style (Frances is behind the wave, Eddie is behind the camera!)

Nutrition always plays a huge part in an intensive training camp such as this, as illustrated in the following photo:

Long run #1 recovery breakfast - breaking in gently

Considerable restraint is needed on these training camps. It is easy to get carried away and do too much. So whereas we had the choice of this:

We showed remarkable self-control to order only this:

However, fuel is still required for the long-run:

Long run #2 - recovery breakfast

It wasn't all just running and eating. My good friend Dr Jonothan Williams, roped me into an improvised Casualty emergency scene to demonstrate what to do if a fellow runner collapses whilst out for a run. With my stage name "Mark" I did my very best impression of an unconscious runner (something that comes naturally to me):

DRS ABC

Of course there were other sports, not least the post farewell BBQ pool competition but there was too much cheating this year for my liking:
Bu

Doesn't look legal to me.

But most of all, despite all the training, the training camp is mainly about the relaxation and fun:

Taxi for Reid (his helicopter is too small!)

No wonder my heid is spinning!

And so we leave the pine cliffs for another year (or less hopefully).

An edited selection of photos from Frances and I are here with a few explanatory captions and some more photos from Frances are here.
Thanks to Frances and Eddie for making this another 10 days of fun in the sun (despite the various ailments).
Alan