Auldhouse 5k 2020

As we approach the month of May, we approach what is usually the first Auldhouse 5k Time Trial of the season. To ensure at least some continuity of the Auldhouse TT record book this year, I propose that the May TT will be a truly individual (solo run) TT over the usual course for those who live within running distance of the course. Sorry to exclude those living outside of EK in Rutherglen, Cambuslang, etc (or even Portugal), but maybe we will return to a normal situation in later months where more can participate. Subsequent Auldhouse TT's may also be run like this but we will announce as each one comes around. Sorry also to exclude those who are not on Garmin Connect but that is the only way to remotely verify the times.

The Start and Finish
Gordon very kindly went out and painted the start and finish lines for me last week. The start line is part way down the steep hill beside Langlands Golf Course and is marked with a red triangle around the existing survey "stud" and a short line on the left side (as you face down the hill) and also a short line on the right side, both sides also have a letter "S" painted.

The Start

Following the usual clockwise direction around the course, the finish line is at the change in tarmac from rough to smooth across the full width of the road just before the T-junction shortly after Langlands Club House (although it always seems a long way from the club house to the finish line). The finish line is marked in red with a short line and an "F" on both sides of the road.

The Finish

How to Record a Time
To record a time, start a new Garmin session on your watch when you are ready to start your time trial (so save your warm-up session and start a new session). Foot behind the start line and then press your start button (usually the top right button on Garmins that have buttons) and run like the wind for 5k. As you cross the finish line, press the start/stop button again (the top right button) to stop the session. Save your session. Then start another new session for your cool down. When you upload to Garmin Connect, you should have three separate runs recorded; the warm-up run, the TT run and the cool down run.

The Official Time
I will work out the official time from the raw GPS data recorded behind your Garmin session on Garmin Connect. That means that the timestamp (i.e. date and time dd/mm/yyyy hh:mm:ss) of the first point on the GPS track will be subtracted from the time stamp (i.e. date and time dd/mm/yyyy hh:mm:ss) of the last point on the GPS track when the session is stopped. This will avoid the errors and uncertainties caused by the "Auto Pause" function if enabled on your watch (where if you stop moving or go slow enough that the Garmin thinks you have stopped moving, it pauses the timer) or where people habitually press the stop button to manually pause the timer for a wee breather during a session. These pauses won't make any difference to the total elapsed time as I will be working from the raw GPS timing data. It will be as if I was setting you off from the start line and stopping the timer when I next see you crossing the finishing line during our normal TT's.

Submitting a Time
To submit a time, name your session May Auldhouse 5k TT on Garmin Connect and I will review and extract the time. Maybe also drop me a wee e-mail or text when you have uploaded the session just in case I miss it within the dozens of daily sessions coming through on Garmin Connect.

When can I run the TT
The eligible window for recording a time for the May TT is anytime from Monday 4th of May to Sunday 10th May inclusive. I will update the TT database during the following week.

All the previous times are here which you can also access using the menu down the left side of the blog. Looking at the way the Harriers are training and the fact that you are all getting used to running solo, I expect great times all round now and as the season progresses.
Alan