Harriers Xmas Handicap - Sunday 14th December

Just a reminder that this years Christmas handicap will take place on Sunday 14th December and will start at 11am. The junior handicap organised by Andrew and Lorraine will be on beforehand.

The total distance is about 6k and Alan will determine starting order and handicap.

It’s fancy dress. And it’s bring a prize to receive a prize. Round about £5-10. We’ll do the results in the lounge straight afterwards for those who need to get away and then those who want can stay for a coffe/chat afterwards. Any questions about it just ask at training or on here. Here’s last years group photo.

Club Training Thursday 27th November

Thursday's session is intended to put some power through the legs again following the long sustained effort at Brampton and the heavy slog at Brancumhall on Monday. The session is 10 x Avondale reps from the usual starting point on the broad pavement and finishing at the last junction on the right at the top of Avondale. Only the fastest pack should go to this junction and then immediately turn around and jog back down. As the other packs reach those faster runners, they also stop and jog back down. The efforts should be at 5k effort (not 5k pace!). The aim is to maintain good form to the end of each rep and not to fade as the top approaches.

Alan

Club Training - Monday 24th November - Brancumhall

Monday's session is a threshold session at Brancumhall. As threshold is a level of effort rather than a specific race pace, cross-country sessions are very good type for doing threshold, particularly when the weather is bad and sessions based on hitting a target pace are impossible without over-exerting. The session is 3 x 2 laps (approximately 1 mile) at threshold with a 2 minute jog recovery. Get into a slightly uncomfortable level of effort during each rep but do not finish bent over double and exhausted. Stay in control.

Alan

LONDON MARATHON 2026 CLUB PLACE

 Calderglen Harriers has been allocated 1 club place in the 2026 London Marathon. For all those that were unsuccessful in the ballot if you still wish to enter it we will do a draw from those that still want entered at the AGM on the 4th December. If you want in the draw let Russell know by the 3rd of December so we can prepare the draw,

Club Training Thursday 20th November

Thursday's run is another recovery run. It generally takes about a day of recovery per 1 to 2 miles of race distance (depending on the individuals powers of recovery, volume of beetroot juice consumed, etc), so we are definitely still in the recovery zone from Brampton.

The route is Greenhills Rd all the way to the Greenhills Roundabout, down Lickprivick, crossing over to the left side of the road and turning left along Westwood Rd all the way to Arnold Clark. Then turn right onto the Queensway and all the way back up to the club.

Alan

Brampton 2 Carlisle 2025

 

In the famous words of our former president - its a great day for a run and yesterday certainly was a great day for a run as was proved with the numerous PB's gained. We had perfect running conditions, cold, dry and no wind. We had 25 harriers running plus a few friends who had joined us on the bus trip down. Andrew Buchanan had decided he wasnt fit enough to run, however brought his bike and cycled along to offer support in several places along the route. I think all of us (except maybe Lorraine) really appreciated the support along the route so thanks Andrew :) I did ask him to do it again next year but he says he'll be running not cycling.

At 10am we set off on the fast downhill start which makes it easy to get carried away. Scott had said to me beforehand he hadn't been running much lately, was wearing his plodding shoes and wasn't going for it, however he took off when the gun went and I thought I'd better get after him if he's taking it easy!

Alan Derrick, Billy Buchanan and Colin banks weren't running today and took their usual supporting position at the top of the final hill before the downhill finish. Jordan Stewart has had an injury disrupted year since his Paris marathon this year so was no surprise he was slightly down on his time from last year, however he was still first harrier by a clear margin finishing in a chip time of 57:17. Robert Dewar has still been plagued with back problems and was also slightly down on his time from last year finishing as 2nd harrier in a time of 63:13, beating his target of 64:00, well done Robert. Jason Grant has been in PB form lately and this race was another where he gained a new PB running a time of 67:31.  The next harrier was Robert Pattison showing no signs of tiredness in his legs from his ultra 2 weeks ago running a fine time of 72:30, Andrew Higgins was disappointed with his run, feeling heavy legged from 5k onwards and was next harrier in, in a time of 73:38, Alison Lessells was delighted with her run (fastest since 2013) and faster than her target time running 73:54. The next harriers were close together with Scott Hair overtaking Gordon McInally in the final stretch finishing in a new PB of 76:03, not bad for someone who hasnt been running much. Gordon was another to get a PB in a time of 76:19. Gerry Connelly has been struggling with a knee injury lately and has been doing limited miles to get him round Brampton was next harrier in in 76:44 (having got carried away with the fast start). Frances Ferguson had a great run finishing as 2nd FV60 in a time of 77:18. Robert Gibson has been training consistently and running well in recent races and was rewarded with a new PB of 78:30. Kenny Leinster was next harrier in a time of 80:39 , Claire McSorley had said before the race she felt she was in personal worst form so was pleased to actually run a PB of 81:05, Richard Lawton is another who has been injured recently having to pull out the GSR lat month so was pleased with his time of 85:23, the next harrier was Louise McDowall one of  our Tuesday night runners having never ran as far as 10 miles before running a great time of 87:35, Jacqueline Balmer and Tarlochan Mothada ran together with both acieving new PBs and only finishing 1 second apart with Jacqueline running 88:13 and Tarlochan running 88:14, Vivek was next harrier with Vivek running a 10 minute personal best finishing in 91:22. Catherine Boyd was our next harrier in, also achieving her targetted time, finishing in 95:33. Gerry Mullen our Brampton stalwart completed an amazing 39th Brampton to Carlisle race in a time of 98:02. Gerry paced another of our couch to 5k graduates who had never ran as far as 10 miles before, Carolyn Donnelly round with Carolyn finishing in 98:13. Well done Carolyn. Lorraine Buchanan was not far behind (delighted to beat Russell) in a time of 98:50. Pam Rycroft another running 10 miles for the first time was next harrier in a time of 102:47. Russell Couper said he struggled round the course, however battled round to the end finishing in a time of 108:49. Andy Rycroft was not far behind (another running the 10 mile distance for the first time) finishing in 111:36. Well done Andy.

Well done also to Ross Mullen who travelled down with us finishing in 60:55, John Burns who travelled with us finishied in 85:30 and Sharon Gregg finishing in 87:53. Well done to all who ran - lots of target times and PBs gained. Thanks to those who travelled down to support and also to Iain who met us at the end on his way back from his cross country in Leeds on Saturday.

Another great day. Thanks Eddie for booking the bus and Gerry for organising dinner at the Star. Looking forward to next year already.

Club Training Monday 17th November

Funnily enough, Monday is a post-race easy run! This run is to get the legs moving to loosen off all the tightness resulting from racing. Then after the run (as you should do after every run) do a full set of stretches on these nicely loosened off and warmed up legs. Here is the club standard set of stretches.

The run is down the Kingsway (on the right hand side past the travel agent rather than the BP station) to the Whirlies; up to Calderwood Square; cross over and go down Maxwelton and follow the road round past Brancumhall pitches, up High Common Rd and turn into Mull and up the side of Colonsay Field to the club. The pace should be very, very easy.

Alan

Brampton 2025 - Some Photos

 

Great performances and pb's throughout the large Harriers' field today, all of whom are captured in these photos, mainly taken 400m or so from the finish line.

Alan

Brampton Final instructions

 

Brampton Final instructions

 The bus leaves at 7am sharp on Sunday morning. Dont be late.

Bring something to eat and drink on the bus as we wont have time to stop anywhere.

Race starts at 10am and you will have time at the finish to rehydrate in the Turf.

We will head to Moffat mid afternoon for dinner and be back in EK for 8pm

Remember a pound for the sweep and money for your dinner.

DONT FORGET YOUR RACE NUMBER

Club Training Thursday 13th November

Thursday's run is a pre-Brampton easy run with strides. With more than two days between this Thursday's run and the Brampton 10 miler on Sunday, it is important not to just rest. Two days of doing nothing will be detrimental to your race day performance with heaviness and stiffness in the legs being very likely. Keep the muscle memory active by light easy running on Thursday and Saturday. Take Friday as a rest day.

The run is Queensway to McDonalds, West Mains Rd, Lidl, Churchill Avenue, the Club. Squeeze in 6 x 50m accelerations to 10k pace on downhills and flat, starting the first of them on the Queensway at the town center and having finished them all by the time you get to the railway station.

Alan

Club Training Monday 10th November - Brancumhall

For this pre-Brampton week, the Brancumhall session is a relatively easy session to keep the legs used to a faster pace but with plenty of recovery and not too much total volume. The session is 10 x 200m at 10k effort with a 200m jog recovery. This is a continuous session. Think about running relaxed which is exactly how you should feel for the first two thirds of Brampton before then having to dig deep to keep the pace going for the final third of the race, heading towards the final few ups and downs into Carlisle.

Alan

National 4km XC 2025 - Lanark - Some Photos

 

Perfect conditions awaited the record field entered for the National 4km XC Championship at Lanark Race Course today in which we were able to field 3 women and 7 men in the senior/masters races. The firm, flat course meant that fast, sustained pace was possible, despite the wind picking up, coincident with a light shower, for the men's race. The 4km senior races covered two laps of the course. In the women's race, Alison Lessells lead the club home in 18:26 with Frances Ferguson finishing as 6th V60 in 19:17 and Lorraine Buchanan crossing the line in 23:55. The men's race was a competitive affair for Calderglen with our top 3 swapping places throughout the race. By the end of the final lap, Andrew Buchanan had established a small gap and worked hard for the final 300m to extend that lead, finishing in 16:17. With 150m to go, Jason Grant had opened a metre or two on Andrew Higgins, both sprinting hard. But by the line, Andrew had closed back up resulting in a photo finish, Jason and Andrew recording an identical time of 16:26. I can't remember a dead heat between Harriers in an individual race before, although it has happened in relay legs. Well done to the first 3 for making a real race of it. Then Robert Pattinson was not far behind in 17:34. Gordon McInally ran well, finishing in a time of 18:42. Kenny Leinster was feeling a bit heavy legged throughout, crossing the line in 20:03 and Russell Couper would probably have preferred a tougher course, finishing in 22:45.

Well done to all. There are some photos in this album although the tight competition made it difficult to get clear action shots of everyone!

Alan

CALDERGLEN HARRIERS AGM 2025

 This years AGM will be held on Thursday 4th December at 8.00pm in East Kilbride Sports Club

For those that can attend training will be at 7pm that evening for a shorter run to allow you to get changed before the meeting.

Any motions should be made in writing to the Secretary ( Julia Pechlof ) by 20th November.

Anyone wishing to be part of the comittee (Executive or General) should let it be known and in the case of the Executive will require a nomination. Anyone interested in being part of the comittee going forward please speak with any of the present comittee if you need information about whats involved. This will be for executive and non executive positions.

Please try to attend, this is your club and its important that you attend.

On behalf of your Comittee

NATIONAL SHORT COURSE XC (LANARK)

 Final instructions for Saturday. Ladies start at 13.30 and Men at 14.00.

I will pick up the numbers and distribute from 12.30.

Will someone pick up the tent and bring it for 12.30 to 12.45.

Please be there in plenty time to warm up and support Ladies race which is just shortly before the mens race.

Those running are A Lessells, L Buchanan and F Ferguson

A Higgins, A Derrick, K Wheeler, J Grant, R Pattinson, A Buchanan, G McInally, G Ferguson, K Leinster, S Phimister and R Couper

If anyone cant make it let me know so i dont need to collect the number.

WEST DISTRICT XC CHAMPIONSHIP (ERSKINE)

The West District XC Championship will take place at Barwood Park Erskine on Sat 6th Dec.

Junior races start at 11.30 onwards and are straight races U/13, U/15, U/17 and U/20

Senior woman start at 13.40 and Men at 14.30

Distances range from U/13 at 3.2k to Seniors at 7.5k

Cost is £7.50 for Juniors and £9.00  for U/20s upwards

Please make sure your SA number is up to date or the system wont allow the entry. If it expires before the 6th Dec it also wont allow entry.

I need names by Tuesday 18th Nov.

If you wish entered please leave your name HERE. Those registered are listed HERE.

Club Training Thursday 6th November

Thursday's run is a steady run with some strides. With some doing the National 4k XC on Saturday, the instruction to you is to take it quite easy between the strides. The route is down the Queensway all the way to the Holiday Inn and then along the Stewartfield bypass as far as Morrisons, carry on past Morrisons and then turn down the back lane to West Mains Rd and back to the club via Lidl and Churchill Avenue. Fit in 6 x approximately 100m accelerations up to 5k race pace on flat or gentle downhill sections.

Alan

Injury Prevention Talk

 NK physiotherapy who sponsor our trail races will be hosting an injury prevention talk after Tuesday night training next week (Tuesday 11th November). This will take place in the main hall of the club house at 7:30. All welcome to attend - would be good to get as many along as possible.

Club Training Monday 3rd November

For Monday, we just keep working at the basic sessions. Nothing fancy. We are back at Langlands Place for 6 x 800m reps this time. The pace is still 5k pace but the recoveries are relatively shorter. Packs 1 to 3 have 1:30 recovery; packs 4 to 7 have 2:00 recovery and packs 8 to 10 have 2:30 recovery. This is the session where you find out if the pace you were running the 400m reps at was really 5k pace or if perhaps you were going a little bit too fast.

Given the weather and the wet leaves, be particularly careful doing the U-turn at the 400m point on each rep. Consistency of pace is the name of the game.

Thursday will once again be a longer run but without any efforts given the National 4km XC on Saturday.

Alan