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Sunday 29 December 2019
Pub Run - Dry and Balmy
31 Harriers and friends braved the dark streets of East Kilbride for our annual Pub Run. An approximately 7 mile circular route was planned around 6 bars/pubs starting and finishing at the Sports Club. Head torches and hi-viz gear were to the fore although there were also a few Ninja Harriers in almost complete black outfits who hadn't read the safety briefing! It was unseasonably warm though with temperatures nudging double figures so the need for running jackets was marginal.
As always, the evening becomes a bit of a blur to most as the miles tick by (or could it be due to the pubs rather than the miles). However, I can report that all were having a good time although unfortunately one heavy fall in a poorly lit section of footpath sidelined one of our closely grouped pack early on.
Once again our arrival at some of the venues was met with incredulous looks from the regular clientele as we provided an unexpected boost to the night's takings and a sudden spike in temperature and humidity! Fortunately we had a highly capable team of three taking the strain of driving ahead and getting the drinks orders in so all we had to do was run and drink. So a huge thanks to Frances, Davie and Hannah for volunteering for that high stress task. When all the running was done and we arrived back at the Sports Club (there may still have been some drinking to be done though) we were extremely grateful to Alison Searil for organising pizzas to soak up some of the liquid consumed over the preceding 3 hours. And so another very successful and well attended Harriers Pub Run rounds off 2019.
Happy New Year and here is to another great year of Harriers in action!
Alan
Saturday 28 December 2019
A Blast from the Past!
Many years ago, when we first started the Harriers web site (around about 2000/2001), I had put together a searchable database of Harriers' race results, compiled mainly from Grand Prix races but also including a few others. With several changes of web hosting providers in the intervening years the technology behind that old database became obsolete and no longer worked. However, I have now resurrected the data from the old database and re-formatted it into a searchable Google Sheet. The data cover races from approximately 1992 to 2002. Makes for some interesting reading. Use the drop down lists in the yellow cells to select the race and/or the person (you can leave either blank if you want to see everyone for a specific race or all races for a specific person). Here is the link:
If more than one person is accessing the spreadsheet at a time, it may go a bit haywire but you can't break it, so play away. If there is any interest, I will merge in all the race results from Grand Prix races from 2002 to the present day, all of which I have archived.
Alan
Turkey Trot 2019
I headed down the M77 on Boxing Day as I usually do at this time of year but this time the trip would be a little different from any of the ten previous Turkey Trots I've done in Ayr. For one thing I deviated off route slightly to collect Ruth from Kilmarnock as she was to be my minder for the duration, I don't think Alison would have let me out the door otherwise. The main difference of course was that it would be my first proper 'race', ten weeks and six days after the events at the West District XC.
I don't mind admitting I was a wee bit concerned myself, tossing and turning most of the night before - all part of the recovery process of course, like fitness, confidence in my heart will only come back gradually. On arrival at the seaside, aka the Citadel car park, I was told I could now open a Christmas present which Santa Claus, aka Jim, had left on my doorstep on Christmas Eve with the mysterious instruction 'not to be opened until you see Ruth on Thursday'. If you haven't guessed already they, Ruth and Jim, had arranged, with Russell's co-operation, for me to have a new club vest for my comeback race- nice one guys, thank you from the bottom of my...
Having arrived in plenty of time we stayed in the hall watching a few youngsters running around burning off all their excess festive energy until it was time to brave the cold and go for a warm up run which did seem a bit pointless given the pace I intended running but the importance of both warming up and cooling down has been emphasised constantly by my cardio physio (a sub-2:50 marathon runner himself) so who am I to argue?
After a lot of head-scratching we finally remembered that we last lined up together on a 5k start line at Troon way back on the 5th of January this year on the occasion of Kevin's first-ever parkrun so as well as keeping a close eye on me Ruth would have to take care of herself, being a wee bit rusty over such a short distance.
My 'escort' had instructed me to set the pace and so I tried to replicate the speed I have been doing on the Hairmyres treadmill recently and thought I did so quite well until I checked Garmin much later, see below.
The wee spike towards the end was the result of a deliberate speeding up to get past one of the afore-mentioned kids who should have kept some of that energy he wasted earlier as we took him down!
I had suggested earlier to Ruth that she shove another kid over the sea wall to keep him out of our way, knowing it would be a soft landing on the other side - she declined for some reason...
As we overtook a couple of ladies dressed head to toe in Christmas gear one spoke to Ruth and it turned out they knew each other from walking their dogs. I was amused to hear the introductions being made using the dog's names as they didn't know each other's!
We came home together in 75th and 76th positions, respectively, in 30.19. I'm not quite sure why Ruth was the leading harrier, maybe she dipped her antlers on the line! It turned out we had run at 9.8 kph, well faster than anything I've done so far and although I've run further this was my longest continuous distance post-heart attack. Ruth declared herself 'over the moon with that' but I strongly suspect she was being kind as I know she's capable of much faster. The winners were Reuben McDonald in 16.21 with Giffnock North club mate Cameron Green (cheered home by dad Neil) in second place gaining yet another pb, in a time of 16.30 - well done young Mr G. Hannah Terrance of Springburn Harriers was first female in 18.36. There were 116 finishers and 2 dnfs.
The later 10k was won by Alasdair Campbell of Cambuslang Harriers in 31.43 and Jill Smylie of Giffnock North in 39.06.
Very strangely a David Searle also ran the 10k in 44.42 for 67th place, even my namesake is way faster than me although in my defence he is apparently an MV40. Can I now claim to have run the 5/10k double again? Two David Searils, there's only two David Searles, two...
Earlier we had noticed the touching image of a young lad leading his blind dad through the hall at registration little realising that he would go on to lead him through the race too, lovely.
All pictures are by Kenny Girvan except the one after the race in the car park.
Here's a link to some more pictures from the day TT2019
I don't mind admitting I was a wee bit concerned myself, tossing and turning most of the night before - all part of the recovery process of course, like fitness, confidence in my heart will only come back gradually. On arrival at the seaside, aka the Citadel car park, I was told I could now open a Christmas present which Santa Claus, aka Jim, had left on my doorstep on Christmas Eve with the mysterious instruction 'not to be opened until you see Ruth on Thursday'. If you haven't guessed already they, Ruth and Jim, had arranged, with Russell's co-operation, for me to have a new club vest for my comeback race- nice one guys, thank you from the bottom of my...
Having arrived in plenty of time we stayed in the hall watching a few youngsters running around burning off all their excess festive energy until it was time to brave the cold and go for a warm up run which did seem a bit pointless given the pace I intended running but the importance of both warming up and cooling down has been emphasised constantly by my cardio physio (a sub-2:50 marathon runner himself) so who am I to argue?
After a lot of head-scratching we finally remembered that we last lined up together on a 5k start line at Troon way back on the 5th of January this year on the occasion of Kevin's first-ever parkrun so as well as keeping a close eye on me Ruth would have to take care of herself, being a wee bit rusty over such a short distance.
My 'escort' had instructed me to set the pace and so I tried to replicate the speed I have been doing on the Hairmyres treadmill recently and thought I did so quite well until I checked Garmin much later, see below.
Clearly steady isn't yet in my racing vocabulary, some work required |
Boy and (gran?)dad look askance at being overtaken |
As we overtook a couple of ladies dressed head to toe in Christmas gear one spoke to Ruth and it turned out they knew each other from walking their dogs. I was amused to hear the introductions being made using the dog's names as they didn't know each other's!
Finn's mum, I believe, on the right |
I completely forgot the cool down as we posed for pictures instead... |
Ian flying |
Our own Ian Hughes ran 39.40 for 28th place and Russell was 149th in 52.58, there were 235 finishers with 1 dnf.
Russell finishing strongly |
Earlier we had noticed the touching image of a young lad leading his blind dad through the hall at registration little realising that he would go on to lead him through the race too, lovely.
All pictures are by Kenny Girvan except the one after the race in the car park.
Here's a link to some more pictures from the day TT2019
Thursday 26 December 2019
The Pub Run
Remember that the annual Harriers' Pub Run is tomorrow, Friday 27th December, leaving the Sports Club at 6pm sharp!
Please come up early so that we can gather drinks orders and collect the kitty. Its a slightly different sequence of pubs this year so please be on time so you can find out exactly where we are going (I actually don't know yet).
Safety is our top priority, so please wear high viz and bring head torches. As we are in and out of pubs along the route and will be going from hot to cold, make sure you are layered up and can strip down a bit whilst in the warm pubs and wrap up again when out on the road. Have a change of clothes ready for after the "final" drink in the Sports Club.
Alan
Please come up early so that we can gather drinks orders and collect the kitty. Its a slightly different sequence of pubs this year so please be on time so you can find out exactly where we are going (I actually don't know yet).
Safety is our top priority, so please wear high viz and bring head torches. As we are in and out of pubs along the route and will be going from hot to cold, make sure you are layered up and can strip down a bit whilst in the warm pubs and wrap up again when out on the road. Have a change of clothes ready for after the "final" drink in the Sports Club.
Alan
Saturday 21 December 2019
GAA Cross Country Sessions
The next in this year's series of cross country training sessions hosted by Glasgow Athletic Association is at Bella Houston Park on 28th December starting at 1030 sharp. Details https://www.scottishathletics.org.uk/glasgow-xc-session-on-december-28/
Alan
Grant McLullich Sports Therapy Harriers' Prices
Note that Grant will be increasing his prices from 4th January 2020 to £40. However Calderglen Harriers are still receiving a £5 discount per session so we will pay £35.
Up to 21st December 2019 it is still £32.
Richard
Up to 21st December 2019 it is still £32.
Richard
Thursday 19 December 2019
Tuesday and Wednesday Volunteer Rotas
As discussed at the AGM, online volunteer rotas have been added to the senior and junior blogs. See the links at the very top left of the blog alongside the Home and race entries links. The idea is that anyone who has time available to help out the Tuesday and Wednesday coaches can leave their name against the date or dates they can help. Then Richard, John, Mark and Eddie can plan the session in advance knowing they will have some help.
Let's see how it goes.
Alan
Wednesday 18 December 2019
Christmas Greetings from NZ
Wishing all at Calderglen Harriers a happy, healthy and relaxing Christmas. I hope the New Year bring success and injury free running.
Sunday 15 December 2019
Costume no Handicap to Caveman Chris
A well dressed (up) group of Harriers gathered this morning for the annual festive handicap. Due to the on-going roadworks at the main entrance, the course was shortened from its usual 4 miles to just under 3 miles (4.6km to be precise), taking in the Tor Trail rather than exiting on to the Strathaven Road. 5 laps of the testing trail was just fine for the runners and supporters on a morning of sunshine and showers.
We were all glad to see Davie Searil making a return to running, having been cleared to start back gently through the week. Davie had the honour of being set off first in his easy access Harriers vest but was under strict instructions to stop after two laps and to walk the uphills, which he did. Making his debut on the event, Colin Banks should have been flying in his air force overalls but instead made steady progress around the course to finish in 29:02. Anne McLellan started off with big hair but shed that after a lap as visibility was becoming a problem. Anne finished in 29:42. Ever the gentleman, Andy Henderson was also an officer for today, smartly dressed in white but handicapped by the absence of a belt meaning a one armed running style whilst the other hand kept his trousers up. Andy finished in 27:28. Russell Couper is working his way through the super heroes and although we thought he had shot his bolt with a seemingly fast start, ran a well paced race, almost winning but being caught on the final lap to finish in 26:29. No one gave Billy Buchanan a ghost of a chance but he still managed to spirit himself around the course in 26:02. Gordon McInally has done this event a pharoh few times and is always there or there abouts and today finished in 24:53. Not content with having run the juniors race at 10am, Kai Wheeler was naturally our youngest runner and completed the tricky course in 24:18. Marrion O'Connor always runs well on this one and made cat-like progress around the trail to finish in 23:29. Jim Holmes thought that there were not enough Hills on the course and so Jim met Harry which resulted in 23:02. Kevin Farmer's prayers were answered with a problem free run, finishing in 21:51.
With the excitement building the last lap was where it was all change at the front. With Russell starting the last lap with a gap to Gordon and apparently big gaps behind, it looked like Russell might have it in the bag. This is one of the few Harriers' events that Allan McLellan has not won. A new injury earlier in the week made today just a get around effort except that the further Allan got into the race, the better he felt. With 100m to go, it looked like Allan might just win but even the pointy hat couldn't quite get across the line in front of a fast finishing Chris McCarron who had started so far behind the rest of the field he was almost in the stone-age but managed to pass everyone to dip Allan on the line. Allan ran a fine 21:44 with Chris crossing the line in 19:50, our only sub-20 run of the day. With no need for any Dastardly short-cuts, Martin Duthie brought Muttley to the line in third place with a time of 20:39 and second fastest time of the day.
The winners were delighted to be able to nominate a charity to receive the donations generously provided by the Duthie family. Refreshments, mince pies and the lucky dip prize giving for all rounded off the day. Thanks to John McIntyre for the official photography (look out in the EK News in the coming weeks) and Frances for the unofficial photographs which will be published here shortly. A hardy few spectators cheered the runners on and thoroughly enjoyed the new, shorter lap which provided the opportunity to cheer and warm the hands up more frequently than the old, long lap!
The "official" times and lap splits are here.
Alan
Saturday 14 December 2019
Harriers Handicap
Final details of the annual senior Harriers handicap are as follows (see the Junior Blog for details of the Junior handicap).
The event is tomorrow, Sunday 15th December.
Intention is to start the first runner off at 1100 from outside the sports club. Thereafter runners will be set off at intervals. Come up early to get changed into fancy dress.
As always, all finishers who bring a prize (approx £5 value) will be able to draw a prize at the end. A final course inspection tomorrow morning will be used to confirm the route. Total distance will be about 4 miles consisting of multiple laps. Due to the narrow entrance to the Sports Club caused by the road construction works, we most likely will come through the Torr Trail rather than out on the Strathaven Road. If anyone is able to come up and help marshal the exit from the Torr Trail to keep our runners safe, that would be appreciated.
Alan
The event is tomorrow, Sunday 15th December.
Intention is to start the first runner off at 1100 from outside the sports club. Thereafter runners will be set off at intervals. Come up early to get changed into fancy dress.
As always, all finishers who bring a prize (approx £5 value) will be able to draw a prize at the end. A final course inspection tomorrow morning will be used to confirm the route. Total distance will be about 4 miles consisting of multiple laps. Due to the narrow entrance to the Sports Club caused by the road construction works, we most likely will come through the Torr Trail rather than out on the Strathaven Road. If anyone is able to come up and help marshal the exit from the Torr Trail to keep our runners safe, that would be appreciated.
Alan
Sunday 8 December 2019
Facilitating Team Entries for Future Team Events
Following feedback received at the AGM, a few changes have been made to the blog to give members more advance notice of future events at which we should have a large team presence and to register your availability. The changes are as follows:
Alan
- the blog has been reconfigured such that it will default to full web view, even when viewed on a mobile device. Previously the blog would automatically display in a simplified mobile view if viewed on a mobile device and in that view the Calderglen Events and Training calendar widget would not be visible.
- at the top of the blog there are now two links:
- Home - Posts: this is the standard view where you can see all the usual posts.
- Entries for Future Events - this is a fixed page containing a link to all the Calderglen team entry forms for future events we know about. This gives you as much advance notice as we have and allows you to leave your name and get the event into your diary well ahead. Blog posts specific to each event will still follow on the Blog Home page as we find out all the details.
Alan
Devil's Burdens Hill Relay 2020
The Devil's Burdens Hill Relay takes place on 25th January through in the vicinity of Falkland, Fife. This is a 4 stage relay with 6 people in the team. Legs 2 and 3 require pairs of runners as there are significant navigational challenges (ask Kenny), particularly if the weather and visibility is bad. Teams can be mixed male/female. It is pretty much a full day out (or longer!).
The running is tough going and is mainly full-on hill running on open terrain. Slight lack of detail on the Fife AC web site at the moment other than the date. However, check this web link for further updates on the details as and when they become available. There may be changes to some of the routes compared to last or earlier years.
Please leave your name here if you would like to be included in a team. It is highly recommended that you also attend a recce of the difficult sections of the course which will take the form of a day out with a lot of running a weekend or two before the race (Saturday or Sunday to be decided). Possible recce dates are on the web entry form above. The recce is highly recommended (ask Billy). We may have to be a little bit selective in terms of pairing up runners to ensure safety and good matching of runners.
Names received so far are here. We shall make arrangements for the recce early in the New Year.
Alan
The running is tough going and is mainly full-on hill running on open terrain. Slight lack of detail on the Fife AC web site at the moment other than the date. However, check this web link for further updates on the details as and when they become available. There may be changes to some of the routes compared to last or earlier years.
Please leave your name here if you would like to be included in a team. It is highly recommended that you also attend a recce of the difficult sections of the course which will take the form of a day out with a lot of running a weekend or two before the race (Saturday or Sunday to be decided). Possible recce dates are on the web entry form above. The recce is highly recommended (ask Billy). We may have to be a little bit selective in terms of pairing up runners to ensure safety and good matching of runners.
Names received so far are here. We shall make arrangements for the recce early in the New Year.
Alan
NATIONAL XC CHAMPIONSHIP (Grand Prix)
This years event will again be in Falkirk on Sat 22nd Feb.
Its 10k for both Ladies and Men.
Provisional times are 13.00 for Ladies and 14.50 for Men.
Cost TBC
I will need names by Tuesday 4th Feb
If you wish entered please leave your name HERE.
Those already registered are listed HERE.
Its 10k for both Ladies and Men.
Provisional times are 13.00 for Ladies and 14.50 for Men.
Cost TBC
I will need names by Tuesday 4th Feb
If you wish entered please leave your name HERE.
Those already registered are listed HERE.
SVHC MASTERS RELAYS
The SVHC will be holding the Masters road relays at Strathclyde Park on Sunday 26th January.
Start time is 11.00am and consists of 1 lap of the park.
Anyone over the age of 35 on the day can take part.
Teams are 3 for Ladies and 4 for Men.
Cost is £7.50 each and should be paid in advance.
I need names by Tuesday 14th Jan.
If you wish entered please leave your name HERE.
Those registered are listed HERE.
Our numbers have dropped in this event in recent years. Lets try and get loads of teams out there.
Start time is 11.00am and consists of 1 lap of the park.
Anyone over the age of 35 on the day can take part.
Teams are 3 for Ladies and 4 for Men.
Cost is £7.50 each and should be paid in advance.
I need names by Tuesday 14th Jan.
If you wish entered please leave your name HERE.
Those registered are listed HERE.
Our numbers have dropped in this event in recent years. Lets try and get loads of teams out there.
MASTERS XC CHAMPIONSHIP
This seasons Masters xc championship will take place in Johnstone on Sat 8th Feb.
Its 6k for Ladies and M65 and 8k for Men.
This is for 40 and over on the day.
Ladies race at 13.45 and Men at 14.30.
Cost TBC
I need names by Tuesday 21st Jan.
If you wish entered please leave your name HERE.
Those already registered are listed HERE.
Its 6k for Ladies and M65 and 8k for Men.
This is for 40 and over on the day.
Ladies race at 13.45 and Men at 14.30.
Cost TBC
I need names by Tuesday 21st Jan.
If you wish entered please leave your name HERE.
Those already registered are listed HERE.
Saturday 7 December 2019
Club Captains and Vice-Captains
A motion in writing was presented and adopted at the AGM on Thursday to establish Club Captain and Vice-Captain roles for the men and ladies. The captains and vice-captains will work together to ensure that Calderglen maximises its participation in team events, particularly county, district and national championships and they will select the teams and running order for relays. The winners of the preceding season's Club Championship and Grand Prix are the Captain and Vice-Captain respectively.
This year your captains are Alison Lessells and Andrew Buchanan and the vice-captains are Lorraine Buchanan and Russell Couper. Please give all four your full support when they come to get you!!
Alan
This year your captains are Alison Lessells and Andrew Buchanan and the vice-captains are Lorraine Buchanan and Russell Couper. Please give all four your full support when they come to get you!!
Alan
Club Captain - Alison Lessells |
Club Vice-Captain - Lorraine Buchanan |
Club Captain - Andrew Buchanan |
Club Vice-Captain - Russell Couper |
Wet Wet West!
Alison and Lorraine embedded in the uphill charge. |
The great thing about the District championship events is that they move about from year to year bringing up new challenges and always a great level of competition. This Saturday we made the short trip to Balloch Castle Country Park on the banks of Loch Lomond. Conditions on arrival were merely slightly damp but rapidly deteriorated to full on monsoon conditions. Were it not for the efforts of Kenny and Jim bringing through the club tent, we would have been drier in Loch Lomond.
A quick look at the setting for the event confirmed that this was a "proper" cross country course with severe elevation changes and twists and turns spread out over a 4k lap, which the men and women would complete twice, with a 250m uphill lead-in to the lap and the same steep 250m descent providing a very fast finish for the brave and a total race distance of 8.5 km.
Alison early on and remarkably mud-free |
Lorraine sprints to the line. |
Andrew stretches away from a group |
Kevin makes a welcome return to racing |
Jim stretching away from Kenny |
Kenny flying! |
David cruises across one of the drier bits of the course |
Russell on one of the steepest ascents |
A load of my wishy washy photographs are in this album.
Alan
Presidential Prizes!
At last Thursday's AGM Anne McLellan was elected as the club president as Kenny Leinster stood down after a very active 4 or 5 years in the role. Anne was straight down to business, presenting the final set of prizes to those prize winners not at Brampton to receive them. Performance awards were won by Gerry McParland, Frances Ferguson and Julie Beveridge, whilst Julie stayed on the floor to pick up her prize for the Grand Prix along with Richard Lawton. Well done to all.
Alan
Thursday 5 December 2019
WEST DISTRICT XC
This Saturday were off to Balloch Castle country park.
The Ladies start at 13.15 and the men at 14.15.
Kenny and Jim are leaving from the Sports club at 11.30am if anyone wants to travel together.
Can I ask everyone to be there for 12.30.
I will pick up the numbers and be on the course.
Russell
The Ladies start at 13.15 and the men at 14.15.
Kenny and Jim are leaving from the Sports club at 11.30am if anyone wants to travel together.
Can I ask everyone to be there for 12.30.
I will pick up the numbers and be on the course.
Russell
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