Ladies in the Medals at Lanarkshire Relays

Silver medals for Karen (Sandy is her photo stand-in), Emma and Kay

Calderglen's strength in depth in the ladies team was confirmed today as we swapped the A team members from last week and flew around the 3 x 4km laps to win the silver in the Lanarkshire AAA Road Relay Championship in Drumpellier Park, Coatbridge. Karen Allen stormed around the first leg in 16:18 in third place. Karen is obviously very comfortable on the roads. After a strong run last week in Hamilton, Kay Conneff was on the second leg and moved the team up to second place with a well paced leg timed at 16:57. The field was well spread out by the time Emma Craig started the last leg and as a relative newcomer, perhaps found the pace judgement difficult on such a lonely leg. However, Emma maintained second in 16:44, closing the gap on the winners Motherwell AC. Well done to the team for maintaining the Calderglen tradition of regularly medalling in this event.

Neil and Mark power away from the start

Our second ladies team was led off by Kirsty Wilson who found the company on the busy first leg to her liking, recording an excellent time of 16:30, second fastest of the Calderglen ladies. Frances Ferguson has competed here several times before and knows precisely how to pace it. Frances was the only one I heard complaining about the hills not being big enough but still recorded a great time of 17:13, keeping the team well up and putting some pressure on Sandy Hayden on the last leg. Sandy said afterwards that she struggled a bit on the hills but even the slightest incline is difficult when running flat out over 4km. Sandy finished in 20:13. Lorraine Buchanan was the solo runner in our third team and pulled a gap on several other teams despite having a cold. Lorraine finished in 20:33. Great performances from all the ladies and thanks to Karen and Kirsty for adjusting their schedules to fit the race in and hopefully not putting themselves under too much pressure.

Andy Buchanan sprints to the line

We had two complete men's teams today and with no veteran category in this race, the teams were based entirely on the finishing times at Hamilton Racecourse last weekend. Mark Saez and Neil Green were given first legs. Neil had a recurring back pain through the week and so was doubtful right up until the morning of the race. It felt safest to put him in the second team though just in case he had to hobble to the finish line. Neil doesn't do hobbling though and led Mark for much of the first leg before the hard breathing Mark eventually squeezed past Neil in the final half mile. Mark finished in 14:18 with Neil only seconds behind in 14:21, a Shettleston Harrier splitting them. I set off on leg 2 with Jim Holmes right behind. The Shettleston runner blasted past me right away but it didn't look like he was going to last and by 400m I had caught and passed him. I passed two more on the way back and handed over in about 5th position in 14:07. On the way back, I saw that Jim had also passed the Shettleston runner and kept it going strongly to the line in 16:39. Martin Duthie and Richard Lawton were on the third legs. Martin had a strong run and we forget that with his "flowing, youthful locks" he is now 56 and most likely the fastest M55 out there today. Martin finished in 14:47, holding the team's position. Richard got a real confidence boost from this run, with no physical problems and a solid 17:44. Andy Buchanan and Russell Couper were on the fourth legs. Andy hasn't raced here before and with the field well spread out, pace judgement was essential. After a very fast start, Andy settled back, passing one team but only to find that Shettleston had one of their top runners, Paul Sorrie, on the last leg, who caught Andy on the way back. In the final 100m, Andy over-reacted to our supporting shouts and sprinted to the line faster than anyone else, finishing in 14:19 and keeping the team in 6th position. Russell just needed a hard run today and this he delivered with a fine 20:17.

Russell on the initial climb

Many Harriers commented that this course made them feel as though they were flying and indeed they were as the pace is much higher on the roads than it is on soft cross country courses. Unfortunately, it looks like it might be the only road relay in the Grand Prix this year as a Shettleston Harrier unofficially told me that the Scally probably would not take place this year. So we are back to the mud next week at Cumbernauld. Well done to all for supporting the club again this weekend.
Alan

(Note all times to be confirmed from official results when available before the Grand Prix is updated as there are a few close ones!).

TTC 2017 - Warm Weather Training in October!

Although we were a month later than usual, the 11th annual Trossachs Training Camp got lucky once again with the weather. Only the Saturday morning run experienced a little drizzle but otherwise it was perfect for running and some even managed a little sun bathing.

Friday evening run

Leny Estate provided the log cabin accommodation for the second year in a row and, also for the second year in a row, our friends from Sweden returned for more of the same. This time Johan, Ljot, Mats and Thore were joined by Johan's son Jacob and Ulf.

A full house of 31 were signed up this year although a few last minute illnesses and other problems prevented some from attending unfortunately. The 31 comprised the 6 Swedes, 2 ATHelite Tri Club members and 23 Harriers.

Everyone (almost) arrived in plenty of time to be ready for the Friday evening run which was chosen to be just possible before darkness fell. Under the capable and enthusiastic guidance of pack leaders Russell, Frances, Eddie and myself we headed out past Bochastle and around to Coilhallan Woods for routes of 9 to 13km in length and various severities of ascent. The Friday run is always used as a try out for the pack members to find out who is (too) comfortable and who is not, advising on possible swaps up or down the packs for day 2. All looked reasonably OK on that first run with only Kenny complaining a little about the up hills in my pack. Not a good thing to complain about on the TTC as there are plenty of hills to run up!

Salad! No Way!

Friday evening was spent in the familiar surroundings of The Lade Inn where we were once again treated to more food than we could eat. It was at this point that we discovered that John McBride does not like salad. So I wonder how on earth his menu choice for dinner had salad for starter, main and dessert! Something suspicious going on there and not for the last time over the weekend.

By the time we left the Lade Inn, the rain had started providing a wet mile walk back to the cabins for most.

Saturday morning was damp but fine for running. First task of the day was to distribute the T-shirts and gather for the team photo. Second mystery of the weekend was how on earth Billy Buchanan ended up ordering and XXS T-shirt. Still, it fits him, so I don't see the problem, especially as this was not to be the most controversial item of clothing worn by Billy over the weekend!

The Saturday run routes took us up into the foothills of Ben Ledi, heading towards Loch Lubnaig, a route that normally affords fantastic views up the loch but not today as the cloud and mist were low, adding to the atmosphere but hiding the view. This morning's runs were of between about 11 and 15km in length with the longer runs again having some extra climbs thrown in for fun. Eddie and my pack ran the 15km route out to Loch Lubnaig before returning on the route of the old Callander-Oban railway line. Frances' pack descended a little sooner to pick up the railway line and Russell's pack descended earlier still.

As all of these runs started with a sustained climb over a few miles, everyone found the going tough. But what goes up must come down, making the second half of the run very comfortable, chasing the Leny Water rapids back towards Callander.

After a bit of a stretch, the favourite part of the day for most arrived in the form of the buffet lunches from Cafe Albert in Gargunnock. No complaints there! By this time, we were enjoying our lunch sitting outside in the October sun.

The afternoon kicked off with an excellent core stability session taken by Eddie on the freshly landscaped play area behind the cabins. At this point man of steel, Billy Buchanan, revealed his most dubious item of clothing of the weekend. The pictures speak for themselves.

With everyone's core suitably stabilised, we then moved on to some running form drills taken by me. Over the course of a half hour of drills it was fantastic to see everyone adjusting their running style and improving. I wouldn't say that it was like watching a well drilled parade but every so often it clicked with near perfect style and synchronisation within each group. Impressive!

The final training session of the Saturday took place on the undulating trail at Bochastle under the precarious Samson's Putting Stone. 5 minute threshold efforts are never easy but despite a long day of training, everyone showed total commitment to the session.

We were definitely ready for dinner # 2 at the Lade Inn that evening! What most were not ready for was the outstanding generosity of sorely missed Harrier and ever present TTC'er Davie Herbertson, now living in Australia. Unbeknownst to most, Davie had phoned the Lade Inn through the week and arranged for the first round of drinks to be put on his credit card. What a star! The many messages on Facebook to Davie show exactly how much we all appreciated that.

The refreshments and food were in full swing when Ulf, one of our first time Swedes, stepped to the floor to make a wonderful speech about the friendship of the Harriers and this being the best of many training camps he had attended. We were truly flattered and I was delighted to receive a portable hydration aid (hip flask) all the way from Sweden as thanks. Furthermore, we were cordially invited to Gothenburg for a training weekend next year (watch this space, plans are already being formulated). The traditional Calderglen Harriers Hoodies were our gifts to our Swedish friends although, surprisingly for October, it was way to warm to wear them.

Monica and Frances at the Lade Inn

And so to the Sunday long runs. With Russell unfortunately having to leave us early, Geo kindly accepted the invitation to lead Russell's pack on a run starting in Brig O'Turk and following the trail along the south side of Loch Venachar back to Callander. An 8am start provided perfect, still conditions with the loch like a mirror for Geo's pack.

Loch Venachar looking spectacular

This was a really well matched pack who made great progress and as they were running in the opposite direction to the other packs, were able to acquire a few new members when the packs passed, something that was not planned but which worked really well.

Geo/Russell's pack by Loch Venachar

The other packs were on for a full lap of Loch Venachar, a 16 mile loop with spectacular scenery from start to finish. The weather was perfect with virtually no wind to make the "undulations" more difficult than they already were. For some, this was their longest run ever, for others the hilliest run and for yet others, their fastest pace long run but we all managed it and many, including myself, consider this the highlight of all the running sessions. The reward for completion was another tasty and filling buffet lunch. However, as we had to be completely out of the cabins by 1pm, we were a little rushed. Nonetheless, an impressive quantity of soup and sandwiches was consumed, cabins cleared and we were off home after another successful TTC.

A huge thanks to the three coaches, Eddie, Frances and Russell for total commitment to the weekend and enduring horrendous weather during the recce on mountain bikes one week earlier! Thanks to Geo for stepping in to help at short notice in his inimitable, unflustered style. We couldn't do this for the price without the support of our club sponsor EKGTA; any thanks to them. The Lade Inn always make us feel so welcome every year in an atmosphere and with food that could not be bettered. Cafe Albert travel some distance to provide our lunches but once again did a fantastic job (if you are ever in the Stirling area, try their highly rated restaurant, The Gargunnock Inn, which, funnily enough, is located in Gargunnock, just outside Stirling). The Leny Estate rescued the TTC last year by providing a replacement for the original venue and once again helped the weekend exceed our expectations with luxury cabins for us and the very luxurious cottage for our Swedish friends. Finally, the spectacular scenery of my home town of Callander and the surrounding Trossachs did what it does best without even trying. And then, the final finally, thanks to all the Harriers and friends who signed up in their droves for this event and made it the success that it was. A special mention to Johan, Ljot, Thore, Mats, Jacob and Ulf for travelling across to Scotland and blending in just like the rest of Harriers. Without enthusiastic participants, the TTC would not take place.

Plans for next year are underway. We are trying to get our Leny Estate booking in early to ensure we can move back to September. Watch this space. Watch out also for details of a Gothenburg weekend.

There are many photos on FaceBook but here are some more, a few from me and many excellent photos from Geo and Martin Howell.

Alan

(ps - the only failing in the cabins this year was a report from Billy and Kenny that, whereas last year the washing machine in the cabin was fully automatic, this year, they filled the machine with running gear on the Saturday night, only for it to be still in the machine, unwashed on the Sunday morning. Perhaps Davie Herbertson can explain!

Lanarkshire Road Relay Teams

In possibly my worst ever attempt to organise relay teams (apologies), below are the names and running order so far.

The ladies A and B teams (3 per team) are fixed but we have two places for ladies in the C team. If any ladies want to run, send me a text (0786 786 3741) or just turn up before 12:30 at the venue before Russell and I register the teams.
Ladies A Team
Leg 1 Karen Allen
Leg 2 Kay Conneff
Leg 3 Emma Craig

Ladies B Team
Leg 1 Kirsty Wilson
Leg 2 Frances Ferguson
Leg 3 Sandy Hayden

Ladies C Team
Leg 1 Lorraine Buchanan
Leg 2
Leg 3

I am sure I had more men's names but my memory and the bits of paper I was noting them on are failing! I know that Kenny is injured and is not running. The men's A team is pretty fixed as Neil is carrying an injury. I will rejig the B team if Neil reports no improvement in his injury Saturday morning (going to do fitness test Saturday morning and let me know), in which case everyone in the B team shuffles up a place.
Men A Team
Leg 1 Mark Saez
Leg 2 Alan Derrick
Leg 3 Martin Duthie
Leg 4 Andrew J Buchanan

Men B Team
Leg 1 Neil green
Leg 2 Jim Holmes
Leg 3 Richard Lawton
Leg 4 Russell Couper

Men C Team
Leg 1 George Stewart (please confirm, I can't remember if you said OK)
Leg 2 Andy Henderson (I don't think he can do it but can't remember)
Leg 3 Spare
Leg 4 Spare

Men D Team
Leg 1 Spare
Leg 2 Spare
Leg 3 Spare
Leg 4 Spare

Therefore we have 6 to 8 places available for any male members who want to run. As noted above, send me a text or turn up before 12:30 at the venue.

This is race 2 in the Grand Prix. To keep the money simple, we will set the cost at £1.50 per person. Bring your change with you!

For those wishing to travel together, be at the club ready to leave at 12:15 sharp. The race is scheduled to start at 13:30 (men and women together).

The registration is at Drumpellier Park Visitor Centre, which is off Townhead Road as shown in this map.

Once again, apologies for the lack of organisation this time.
Alan

BRAMPTON TO CARLISLE ROAD RACE

Our annual trip to Brampton for the 10 mile race will be on Sunday 19th November.
It will be the usual format of the coach leaving the Sports Club at 8am to give us plenty time for arrival and warm up before the 11.30 start. Due to the early start time we will not have time for a pre race stop so bring something to eat and drink onto the coach.
To those new to the Harriers this is a full day out with the coach taking us to the start and meeting us at the finish in Carlisle where we will have a couple of hours to spend in the nearby hostelry to partake in some fluid replenishment then up to Moffat for Dinner in the Star Hotel and back to East Kilbride Sports Club for about 8pm.
The cost for your place on the coach is £15 and your entry for the race will either be £15 or £17 depending on your SA status. Dinner will be £12ish but will be paid on the day.
To reserve your seat on the coach please see me at the club with your £15 and bring your entry form and fee to me also and I will enter them as a block entry. Latest day for me to receive entry forms is Monday 6th Nov. Non participants and friends are welcome too.

Entry forms are here. http://borderharriers.co.uk/app/webroot/uploads/File/B2C-2017-entry-form.pdf

Seats on the coach will be reserved with the £15 payment

Grand Prix Updated

With one race done, the Grand Prix and Club Championships have been updated. Use the Grand Prix link on the left to access the score tables.

Note that, due to the significant increase in the number of Calderglen ladies competing, for the first time for many years the scoring system has been adjusted. The points now reduce from 7 to 1 rather than 5 to 1 and the maximum that can be scored with multiple jokers is correspondingly raised from 10 to 14.

The men's scoring system is unchanged.

Alan

Record Calderglen Field at the West Cross Country Relays

Davie Watt and Andy Buchanan to the fore

The West District Cross Country Relay Championships were held at Hamilton Park Race Course right on our door step at the site of the first ever international cross country race over 100 years ago. In a year of record rain we had a record more worthy of celebration with Calderglen's greatest ever number participating, due to a record turnout by Calderglen's ladies. Although I had described this course in the weeks leading up to it as good underfoot, the rain of the past few weeks had left the going "good to soft" over much of the course with the low lying, furthest away area and the finishing bend being particularly heavy. However, it was the same for everybody (unless you were on a later leg in which case the racing line was particularly churned up - getting my excuse in early). A 4km, gently undulating out and back course confronted all of us.

Julie Beveridge

Our top team of the day was our ladies A team, led by Julie Beveridge (17:11 and 22nd fastest individual) who crossed the line in 13th position, handing over to rapidly returning to form Karen Allen, complete with new spikes who slipped only slightly to 15th (18:37). The experience of Joanne McEvoy paid off on the final leg, pulling the team back to 12th position (17:56).

Our masters team was next Calderglen team across the line. Kay Conneff had led the team off (18:36, 9th fastest F40), handing over to Sharon Gregg in 5th position in the masters race. This was Sharon's first cross country race and she found the going a little slippy without spikes. Nevertheless, Sharon clung on strongly to 7th place (20:41) to hand over to Frances Maxwell. The usual tactic is to put your fastest and most experienced runners on the first and last legs to establish and hold on to positions when the field becomes more spread out. Frances judges these races perfectly and brought us in in 28th position overall and more importantly, 6th masters team (19:34).

Next Calderglen team consisted almost entirely of newcomers to cross country. This was comfortably our youngest senior team. Emma Craig had a tremendous run on the first leg (18:15) to finish 25th. Kirsty Wilson took off strongly down the starting straight, really covering the ground fast to bring the team through the line in 26th place (19:25). The final leg was entrusted to Sandy Hayden. Sandy is getting gradually back to form and ran a solid 22:08 to finish 34th. Another great team performance.

Julie, Joanne, Frances, Emma and Sandy

Our next team originated from our Tuesday night beginners section, proving that none of the Tuesday nighters are beginners anymore as they all competed strongly in this championship event. Lead off runner was Lorraine Buchanan (24:14), handing over to Holly Rankine who had completed a big weekend of training at the TTC one week before, crossing the line in 24:19. Julie Thomson ran a very isolated last leg and proved her quality by running the fastest time in that team (23:04) despite the lack of company. Alison Johnson had the luxury of a leg all to herself with nobody to hand over to after the first leg. Alison seemed to thoroughly enjoy her run over the country, finishing in 24:55. We surely have a very strong, emerging ladies squad for the future here.

Mark Saez on the home run

Our fastest men's team was our over 40 masters team (most of which was well over 40!). Fastest Harrier of the day and now in the M55 age group, Davie Watt made no allowance for his age and was near the front of the masters field at the turn. He slipped back only a little on the return journey, handing over in 5th position (15:16), recording the fastest M55 time of the day by a long way. Mark Saez, the youngest member of the team, is relatively inexperienced in these team events but you would never know it as Mark maintained 5th position in an excellent 15:39 (14th fastest M40). Martin Duthie was stepping down considerably in distance, having recently competed in the World Half Ironman 70.3 Championships in Chattanooga and is now in the M55 age group. However, experience and quality always delivers and Martin crossed the line in 6th place in 16:14 (6th fastest M55). Finally, Alan Derrick took off on the last leg with two masters teams visible ahead on the long start straight. Unfortunately, the gap did not really close and 6th masters team was our finishing position (15:33) and 5th fastest M50 in a very tight M50 field (except for the outstanding Bobby Quinn who was 1:18 faster than any other M50, finishing in 14:04)! The team was 29th overall.

Andy Buchanan was on first leg duty in our only non-veteran male team. Andy is really progressing

Andy Buchanan on the rails

well and ran an identical time to me (15:33), finishing 40th. We then stepped up more than a few age groups with Andy Henderson (M60) on second leg duty. Andy covered the course in 18:55 and 60th position. Stuart Waugh (M65) tackled the third leg, crossing the line in 19:27 and third fastest M65, setting up Richard Lawton to be chased down on the last leg by Jim Holmes in the next Calderglen team. Richard completed the course in a fine 19:50, showing no signs of the back spasms that floored him a month ago, the team finishing 64th.

Our team that pipped Richard in the final few hundred metres was led off by returning to health and form Martin Howell in an excellent 17:42 and 73 position. Kenny Leinster found this a bit short for a natural marathon runner such as he, but should be pleased with 18:31 and 71st position for the team. Eddie Reid is gradually getting back to form but looked a little stiff for this run. However, he made up plenty places, finishing in 66th (18:48). Finally, Jim Holmes had Richard Lawton to chase and this helped him to an excellent 18:36 and 63d position for the team.

Richard Lawton on the way out to the turn

Billy Buchanan continues to be oblivious to how good he is. On leg 1 for our next team, Billy set 2nd fastest M65 time overall (19:13) whilst happily smiling and waving to every one of the many photographers around the course (check Bobby Gavin's web site for the official photos of the event and the starring role afforded to Billy)!  Gordon McInally is getting over some recent surgery, which perhaps cost him a position on the line by a short nose. However, his time of 20:35 confirms that he is on the way back. George Stewart made a rare race appearance in the west but also proved that he is getting back into shape with a time of 20:57. Russell Couper ran the last leg in 22:02, slightly faster than the last time we were here a few years ago but effectively a vast improvement given the difference a few years make when you hit 50! Davie Searil had the no pressure role for the men, running a solo first leg in 22:20 with hopefully no reaction from his recovering knee.

Billy Buchanan has time for a wave

Well done to all for getting out there and making this our biggest turnout ever for a championship relay. Clubs who race and train together really bring each other on and I hope this is the start of a record breaking season for the Harriers. Speaking of records, it was a record breaking start for our neighbours up the road with EKAC winning the senior men's event for the first time in their history! Congratulation to EKAC.

Thanks to Jim Mearns and Charlie McDougall for copious photos which I have added to a few of my own in this album.
Alan

Lanarkshire Road Relays - Drumpellier Park, Coatbridge

We have not competed in these for a few years, but having missed Houston Road Relays, we need a bit of a short, sharp one to keep the speed endurance up before Brampton.

The race is on Saturday 21st October at Drumpellier Park, Coatbridge. The men and women run together, first legs starting at 13:30.

There are 3 legs in the ladies teams (£4 per team) and 4 legs in the mens (£5 per team). No veteran team categories so we mix our teams with seniors and veterans as we wish.

It's another nice and local one and very cheap entry fee! Our ladies have traditionally done well at this (Lanarkshire Champions previously) and have a great chance this year. Each leg is 4km on the roads within the park.
NOTE THAT ENTRIES CLOSE ON 16th OCTOBER - I SHALL SPEAK TO MOST OF YOU AT HAMILTON TOMORROW TO TAKE NAMES MANUALLY, GIVEN THE SHORT NOTICE.
Please leave your name here to enter.
Names received so far are here.
Alan