Grand Prix Races 2017-18 - initial list

The first few races for the 2017 - 2018 Grand Prix are listed here. The official calendar is a bit sparse at the moment for next year. Also note that the Allan Scally Road Relay is not in the SA calendar yet either.

Given last year's very close and competitive men's and ladies' grand prix, the format will remain the scoring and jokers will remain the same as last year.
Alan

Icy Hot Ironman 70.3 World Championships - Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA

I completed my first 70.3 Ironman in Phuket, Thailand last year and it was a shattering experience. I was convinced that it just wasn't my distance and was in no hurry to try another. However we had only been back home a few days when I got an email saying that the inaugural 70.3 Edinburgh Ironman would be in July. Five minutes later I had entered. I think I wanted to prove to myself that I could actually run a half marathon without having to walk in parts, after a 56 mile cycle and 1.9 mile swim.

Edinburgh was a much more satisfying experience. It went as well as I could've hoped and I finished second in my age group. The first and second placed athletes were offered a place at the Icy Hot World Ironman 70.3 Championships in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It was only 2 months away but, as we didn't have any other holiday plans, I decided to give it a go.

We ended up spending nearly 2 weeks over there and despite feeling some of the effects of hurricane Irma, we had a great time. Chattanooga is a fairly small city with more of a country feel about it, being surrounded by Lookout and Signal mountains. The people couldn't have done enough for the 4000 athletes and their supporters from all over the world coming to visit. They certainly helped me with my bike. I'm no bike mechanic and after rebuilding my bike after transit I thought I'd get the local bike shop to check it out. They couldn't have been more helpful although they must've been thinking I was a bit clueless. One mechanic certainly wasn't happy with how the bike felt. He looked at me and said "did you build this bike??" I said I'd given it a go but was no expert. He then spent another 5 minutes pushing and pulling the handlebars before again saying a bit louder "did you build this bike??" At that point me and Mandy started pointing at each other, it was her/it was him. Eventually they realised that Mandy had put part of the headset on upside down..........OK it was probably me. We did visit them a few more times before race day and each time they had the patience of Saints dealing with a couple of annoying rookies.

With no expense spared, training facilities had been laid on by race organisers at the local YMCA. To be fair it was really big, with a swimming pool and a huge gym. We were there one of the days sheltering during a thunder storm. I had hoped to use the indoor pool but, strangely, it was temporarily closed due to the lightning. Something to do with outside pipework being struck and the bolt finding it's way into the pool. We were all sitting about in the reception waiting for the lightning to pass over. I thought that it's not every day you are waiting alongside world champions Javier Gomez (the eventual winner) and Sebastian Kienle to use the local YM.

The race itself went well, although I'm never again going to rely on Facebook advice from local athletes. For weeks/months before the event competitors were asking if it was likely that it would be a wetsuit swim. Ed the local tri guy had said there would be no chance that the Tennessee river would be below the 76.1 degrees required for wetsuits to be legal. I had mine with me at Gatwick Airport and Mandy said take it just in case. I said no as Ed will know his stuff and decided to leave it in the car and not waste luggage allowance. Unfortunately Ed hadn't factored the earlier hurricane in Texas, which had cooled the river on race day to, surprise, surprise, exactly 76.1 degrees.

I could only see a handful of other numpties who had left their wetsuits at home. It wasn't crucial, unless you were expecting to podium. For me it maybe cost 3 or 4 minutes in time, as swimming with a wetsuit is quicker than just wearing a tri suit. On hindsight I should've just treated myself to a flash new one at the event expo.   There was a strong current in the river, which was very evident during swim reccies. However it was a sign of the impact the race had on the local community, when the local power station had agreed to switch off their pumps during the race to lessen the current. My 1.9 mile swim seemed to go well, most of which was upstream, the last third flew in swimming back downstream.

Then it was onto the 56 mile bike leg, where I had a couple of mishaps. I'd finally invested in a fancy time trial bike, just so I'd look like I knew what I was doing. It was obvious that I didn't actually have a clue when I tried to jump on the bike at the start. I didn't take into account that the seat was a lot higher and handlebars a lot lower than my previous bikes. So me and bike ended up in a big heap on the ground after my attempted flying mount. Not much harm done other than a big red neck. The second bigger mishap happened shortly after the first. I was about a mile into the course and was momentarily distracted by someone passing me. I took my eyes off the road for a second & didn't notice a big pothole until it was too late. The bike had taken a big whack, I was sure that the tyre would have punctured. Thankfully it hadn't, but when I went back on the tri bars they had come loose and were moving about. The jolt had dislodged a couple of the metal screw inserts from the carbon handlebars. I still had 55 miles to go with floppy tri bars. I obviously couldn't now use them so couldn't get aero. More worrying was that they might actually fall off. I was coping at first, but it wasn't long before I started getting really uncomfortable, as I was having to hold myself up on the low handlebars. It seemed to take an eternity but my bike time was 2 hours 55 minutes, which I was happy about as it included climbing up Lookout Mountain. I'm also guessing I must've lost about 5-10 minutes due to not going aero and being so uncomfortable.

Then it was onto the half marathon run. It was very tough, comprising of a 2 lap course with 3 big hills on each lap. The last hill on each lap reminded me of the vertical mile up to the first corner. I had hoped to match the 1.38 time I did at Edinburgh, as that was also a tough course, but Edinburgh wasn't 80 degrees. So I was fairly happy with 1.45.

There had been over 100 qualifying races for the world championships. Every time I've competed in an Ironman event it feels like a big deal. The standard at the top end is always high, so I knew all of the 200 who had qualified in my age group would be good. Before the race I had said that I'd be delighted with a top 100 finish, so I've got to be happy with finishing 58th.
70.3 Ironman events are growing on me and I'm sure I'll try a few more. As for the full Ironman..........nah don't need it, not my distance.
Martin

West District XC Teams and Running Order

The teams (3 per ladies' team, 4 per men's team) are listed here. A record representation from the club overall at a West XC Relay and a record by a long way for the ladies.

As Russell has to declare these teams and running order in advance and collect your numbers, if anyone is no longer able to run, then please let us know (Alan or Russell) this evening preferably and certainly by first thing tomorrow morning.  You will notice that we have spare places (2 spare for ladies, 2 spare for men). As virtually every SA member in the club has been named as a reserve, if you want a run, please let us know this evening and I will update the teams.

Conditions should be good tomorrow, so lets have a great day at the races!
Alan

TEAMS FOR WEST DISTRICT XC RELAY

Teams for the XC relay on Sunday will be selected from the following names.
Please arrive in plenty of time. I need Ladies at the course by 11.40 and men by 12.40 .

Anyone who hasn't paid please bring your race fee with you on Sunday.

Ladies entrants  K Allan, F Ferguson, S Hayden, K Wilson, K Conneff, J Beveridge, A Johnstone, L Buchanan, J McEvoy, J Thomson, H Rankin, E Craig and S Gregg.

Male entrants R Couper, A Derrick, R Lawton, S Waugh, M Howell, G McInally, J Boyd, A Buchanan, M Saez, K Leinster, A Henderson, D Watt, G Stewart, J Holmes, J Mearns, B Buchanan, E Reid, D Searil, M Duthie,

There is 2 Ladies places available and 1 Male place. Anyone that wants to run let me know and I will check if your listed as a reserve.

Anyone listed above that cannot race let Alan or Russell know asap.

Teams and running order will probably be posted on Saturday

NATIONAL XC RELAYS (Cumbernauld)

Still looking for more ladies to sign up for the National XC Relays. It is 4 for a team and we have only 3 names (Joanne, Frances and Emma). We should be able to get at least two full teams. Entries close tomorrow (Wednesday).
Alan

This years National XC relays will take place at Cumbernauld Park on Oct 28th.
Start times are 13.20 for Ladies and 14.45 for men.
Distance is 4k per leg and unlike the West District it is 4 legs for the Ladies
Cost will be £5.50 per head and should be paid before race day.
PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR SA REGISTRATION IS UP TO DATE.
I need names by Midnight Wednesday 11th Oct as this is pre entry.
If you wish entered please leave your name HERE.
Those already registered are listed HERE.

XXV Glasgow half marathons

An estimated 22,000 runners set out from George Square on the Great Scottish Run 10k and half marathon on Sunday. Once again the forecasts leading up to the event were much worse than the reality although I'm sure we would all rather have run in Saturday's weather!

Jim Holmes, former harrier David Wardrope and myself lined up on the start line each for our twenty fifth time in this race, myself consecutively since 1993, the other two having started in 1992 but having missed one year since - talk about feeling old, seventy five years participation between us!

The now familiar intentional bottleneck prior to the start line ensured plenty of space for all the runners but despite this I started to struggle on the way up St Vincent Street as my quads tightened and my breathing became ragged. A distinct lack of recent training had clearly taken it's toll and even the sound of a choir singing beautifully (acapella I think) at the top of the hill failed to lift my spirits as I quickly realised I was in for a long, long day. Although I recognised the song Graham had to tell me later it was Danny Wilson's song Mary's Prayer, I could have done with a prayer or two myself!

I won't bore you with the details (yay!) but suffice it to say my arbitrary target of 9 minute miling was out of the window by the time I heard the third piper, at which point I decided to drop my pace and simply run on feel. The rain came and went but fortunately the predicted high winds held off until most of us had finished.

Club results were as follows;

Leading harrier by a mile (or two!) was new/old member Gerry McParland in a cracking time of 1.21.53 for 128th place, followed in by Julie Beveridge finishing 311th overall in a fabulous 1:27:58, 6th in her age group, 19th female and a massive pb to boot! Stephen Phimister came home in 1.33.43 and 25th silver anniversary boy Jim Holmes in 1.39.59. We then had four finishers in the 1:40s - Robert Dewar in 1.42.35, Graham Ramage in 1.43.44, Richard Lawton in 1.47.08 and Sharon Gregg in 1.49.39. I plodded home in 2.03.20, not quite my slowest GSR (2014 was slower, also due to injury), followed very closely by Julie Thomson in 2.03.35, Lorraine Buchanan in a pb time of 2.07.57. and Mark Creasey who came home in 2.08.56. Very well done all.

I guess Graham and I both suffered a little from having other fish to fry, Graham doing 18 miles the week before as part of his Valencia marathon training (as is David) while on the same day I ran/walked 22 miles as part of my attempt to get to the start line of the Glen Ogle 33 early next month.

Ex harriers David Wardrope and Graham Lindsay ran 1.43.27 and 1.51.29 respectively.

Club times in the earlier 10k were

Martin Howell led the way in 41.01 (oh, so close Martin!), John McBride finished in 51.58 and Monica Houston ran 1.01.22
Former harrier and recent Islay half winner Stuart Gibson stormed home in 31.37 to take the win, superbly well done Stuart.

I wonder what Jim, David and myself will be doing on the first Sunday of October 2018? Answers, on a postcard please to...

PS Just found out Joey Shields time was 1.44.30, he was running under a pseudonym!

TTC 2017 Final Arrangements

Less than a week to go before the big weekend up the Trossachs! So a few final details.

1. THE VENUE IS THE SAME AS LAST YEAR  (BUT DIFFERENT TO EARLIER YEARS FOR THOSE WHO MISSED LAST YEAR)! We are staying in the Leny Estate Log Cabins. The entrance to Leny Estate is on the main road (A84) between Callander and Kilmahog about 150m before the first of the woolen mills (the one with the highland cows in the field for the tourists). The estate entrance is on the right hand side as you head towards Kilmahog from Callander and is totally hidden. You don't see it until you are at it as it is located on a slight kink in the road to the right. A white cottage marks the entrance to the estate. Here is a link to a map showing the entrance to the estate:
Leny Estate from Callander

This is a dangerous entrance on a busy main road. Drive slowly out of Callander so as not to miss it. The cabins are at the end of the drive which is about a half mile long and uphill (nice start/end to all the runs! Think positive).

2. Do not arrive before 4pm on Friday afternoon. There are no permanent staff or reception at Leny Estate. I have to pick up all the keys for the cabins from the estate manager earlier in the day and will be there at 4pm onwards to allocate rooms and keys. So look for me. If you are early, there are plenty of places to stretch the legs with a gentle walk or to have a relaxing coffee in Callander.

3. We have managed to squeeze everyone in who wanted to go to the TTC. This has been a bit of a jigsaw puzzle fitting people in to each cabin (couples in double rooms, others in twin rooms and one person per cabin on a very large sofa bed). I have a plan! You need to see me to find out exactly which cabin and which bed in each cabin you have been allocated.

4. The cabins are somewhat more luxurious and better equipped than our previous venue. Unfortunately, unlike previous years, I have a long list of terms and conditions and payment penalties to adhere to. Don't remove or move anything between cabins and be careful not to damage anything otherwise we will be charged. This is particularly true of the crockery and cutlery. The lunch caterers will bring their own plates and cutlery. Please be careful not to mix any of that up with those belonging to the cabins.

5. The estate owners have installed a new timber children's playground (swings, slides, etc) over the summer. Please, no adults on any of that equipment. I hate to think what we would be charged if we damage anything there.

6. Safety. All of our runs and walks to/from the Lade Inn will involve crossing the A84 at the estate entrance to join the footpath on the other side of the road. You have to cross this road 3 times just to get to the Lade Inn and to start all of our runs. This is a very busy road. Please always use the footpaths and be extremely careful crossing the road especially given that the estate entrance is on a blind bend.

7. We are a month later than usual and hence will have less time to complete the Friday evening run before darkness falls. The routes have been chosen accordingly, however please be ready to run at 5pm on the Friday evening. If you are going to be late arriving, please give me a call (07867863741). For the safety of all, we can't really delay the start too long but will try our best. Please don't take any risks to get there on time if you are late. Its only a run! Dinner is booked for 7:30pm at the Lade Inn.

7. What to bring:

• Any special medication you need (and let your room mates and pack leader know where and what it is).
• Running gear for 4 or 5 separate sessions over the weekend. If its wet, you will need more gear. Check the forecast. Maybe bring some old newspaper to put in your running shoes overnight on the off chance (!) it is raining. The last few weeks have been very wet and there are large puddles on some of the trails which may not have dried out by next weekend.
• All of the runs are on a mixture of trail and tarmac. I would say that road shoes are fine on all of the routes but some of you may also wish to bring trail shoes if you have them and are comfortable running 3 to 5 miles (5 to 8km) on tarmac in them.
• We don't have a communal hall for indoor sessions at this venue. However, weather dependent, we will be doing some outdoor core and stretching routines. Please bring a yoga mat or beach towel to put on the grass for these sessions. Do not use the towels from the cabins for this (see point 4 above).
• The cabins do have towels in the bathrooms but you may wish to bring your own extra towels given the number of sessions and showers (hopefully) we will be having.
• One of the cabins will be set aside as the main breakfast area. We have bought a selection of the basic cereals, porridge, bread, milk, marmalade, etc which will be available for you to come and prepare your breakfast and have either there or back in your own cabin. If you have any very special breakfast preferences, then please bring that yourself. Referring to point 4 again, please keep the cutlery, dishes etc in the cabin to which it belongs.
• The water from the taps is beautiful Trossachs water so is fine to drink. If you think you need any special gels for the runs, then please bring your own. We will be doing 5 to 8 miles on Friday, 7 to 10 miles on Saturday morning, 3 to 5 miles on Saturday afternoon and 8 to 17 miles on Sunday morning. You shouldn't really need gels during any of these runs except perhaps the longest route on the Sunday.
• Everyone has made their menu choices for dinner and they have been submitted to the Lade Inn. A printed list will be available on each of the dinner nights for those (like me) who can't remember what they ordered.
• Buffet lunches are provided as usual. As with the breakfasts, the buffet will be set up outside or inside one of the cabins for you to help yourself. The caterers will bring their own cutlery and dishes so please do not mix up with that which belongs to the cabins.
• We are bringing communal tea, coffee, milk and biscuits.
• Further information will be given out prior to each run and if there are any further updates, they will be added to this blog post through the week. If you have any questions, then ask me or put a comment on this blog post.

This is going to be a great weekend, so be prepared to enjoy yourself!
Alan