This year's first Auldhouse 5k time trial is on Thursday! As usual, please be at the club well before 7:30pm so I can collate participants and work out the starting order. As always, this is about tracking your response to training through the summer, not about the absolute time which will never be as fast as on one of the flatter parkrun courses. All previous times are available here and in the menu to the left of the blog.
Alan
Tuesday, 30 April 2019
VIRGIN LONDON MARATHON
Well after months of training through a fairly mild winter the day was upon us.
Joanne and Russell had made it to London ready for the Marathon.
Sunday morning 6am rise coffee in my room showered dressed and down for breakfast.
What to have? I know the breakfast of champions. Cornflakes with mixed berries followed by toast then Bacon, Eggs, Mushrooms. Hash Brown and beans washed down with a Latte. Well I don't want to get hungry and its still about 4hrs before im going to start running. Off to catch the train arriving at Blackheath at 8.15 and a wee text to Joanne to arrange meeting place. Theres a big church as you go onto the heath and away from the crowds so perfect to be able to find someone. Joanne's coming out on a later train from the city and duly arrived at 8.45. We went to a wee van for a coffee and tea and spent a little time keeping warm and giving words of encouragement to each other before heading into the Blue start arena. Definetely a lot more people at this start than before. It appears they've spread some from the red start into the Blue to try and filter the field out in the early stages. Off to the toilets and because of the extra numbers the queues where huge. Fortunately the mens was quick for me so back to the area of the baggage lorries and a breakfast bar and water, again I don't want to get hungry. Times getting near and I haven't seen Joanne back but trust she will be doing her own thing now. 10am and there calling for the last bags for the lorries and 10 mins before the start so changed and Vaseline on and bag away. Still very cold now in just the vest and cant wait to get moving but know its going to be a while as im in pen 6. Joanne wont have a long wait as shes in pen 1. Over to the pens and 1 to 5 get in the pens with 6 to 7 getting held back as theres no room until the first 5 have gone. Trying to get in the middle of everyone to stay out the wind (Penguins springs to mind).
The hooter goes and we watch the elite go on the big screen. Times flying by and still stuck on the grass and the pens are moving very slowly. Meanwhile Joannes running starting after 5 mins 8 secs and im worrying im getting cold. After about another 10 mins the pens have moved enough to let us onto the road but still in controlled pens. The new thing this year was they would leave gaps by setting off the field in waves so further delays which I found very frustrating. Desperate just to get running Joanne has gone through 5k in 23.04 and im getting nearer the start. Eventualy after 33.32 mins ive started and almost immediately I find myself almost tripping over slower runners I even had to pass walkers in the first couple of miles and the worst thing was the Thunderbirds 6 person costume ( how did they get to start before me as the where about 2 hrs slower). This was to be a problem for most of the first half, you see a gap to pass and then someone moves to block you and you have to brake hard and at one point I felt a sharp pain in my right knee due to a sharp stop but fortunately this eased. Joannes now gone through 10k in 46.39 then I went through 5k in 28.05 inside the pace I had set myself despite the zig zagging but I wasn't stressed or breathing hard so just let it go as I was really comfortable and knew the pace would settle to plan which it did after about 5 miles but that might be due to a toilet stop at 5.5 miles. Now feeling fully warmed up and the cool conditions were just about perfect for running with only a few points were you got a strong headwind. Joannes now through 15k in 1.10.39 followed shortly by myself at 10k in 58.00 and a minute inside target. Joannes flying and goes through 20k (1.34.42) then halfway (1.39.52) then me at 15k (1.27.49) 1.41 inside target and still feeling easy. Just after this Joanne hit 25k (1.58.35) and surprise surprise getting further away from me (guess im not getting a scalp today Ha Ha). Joannes now at 30k (2.23.03) before I hit 20k (1.58.40) and 1.20 inside target. Lost a bit there but that might have been due to extra zig zagging. then im at halfway (2.05.30) which if you forget the Strathaven half in February is my fastest half since 2013. I should have been able to see Joanne on the other side of the road at this point but with so many runners and spectators you cant pick out anyone. Joanne hits 35k (2.47.58) and still running a strong pace with that 5k split only being 22 secs slower than her first 5k. Ive now hit 25k (2.31.21) 3.39 inside pace as I had planned for a drop in pace by this point and I wasn't dropping as much as expected. Joanne hits 40k nearly there (3.13.20) and a big PB is on the cards with only a drop of 1sec per k from the previous split (impressive). Push to the finish for Joanne crossing the line in 3.24.52 and a big PB Well done Joanne. Meanwhile im approaching 30k and the soles of my feet are hurting so I stop to loosen my laces a little to try and ease the pressure on my feet hitting 30k in (3.06.36) still 3.24 inside target. Now it starts to go as the feet continue to get worse and I struggle to 35k (3.45.52) now 52 secs outside target and losing it. Hanging in now and my next 5k was my slowest with my mile times showing 13.02, 13.24 and 13.00. I really didn't want anything in the 13 minute range but these things happen. Went through 40k in (4.26.32) which was now 6.32 out of target. I had allowed for a six minute slip on the target pace so tried to pick up for the last 2k and did a bit crossing the line in 4.43.37 for a 21 min course best so will take that with bells on. Now it was time for the real race. How quick could I get to the pub. 3 pints later I better get a train back to my digs. Im on the 3rd floor I think I will use the lift. We all know stairs are your worst nightmare after a marathon. Shower and changed I now find ive got two white stripes over my shoulders. Despite the cold and cloudy conditions im burnt. A few more lagers with dinner will fix that and time to relax and reflect on the days events. Joanne over the moon with her PB and her performance. Me over the moon to have ran so well till the last 10k and when losing it did not falter as much as the last time and to improve by 21mins is a win win. To the London marathon team I have to say the organising skills to move that many people around the city are fantastic. To the many thousands of volunteers on the day Joanne and myself thank you.
Joanne and Russell had made it to London ready for the Marathon.
Sunday morning 6am rise coffee in my room showered dressed and down for breakfast.
What to have? I know the breakfast of champions. Cornflakes with mixed berries followed by toast then Bacon, Eggs, Mushrooms. Hash Brown and beans washed down with a Latte. Well I don't want to get hungry and its still about 4hrs before im going to start running. Off to catch the train arriving at Blackheath at 8.15 and a wee text to Joanne to arrange meeting place. Theres a big church as you go onto the heath and away from the crowds so perfect to be able to find someone. Joanne's coming out on a later train from the city and duly arrived at 8.45. We went to a wee van for a coffee and tea and spent a little time keeping warm and giving words of encouragement to each other before heading into the Blue start arena. Definetely a lot more people at this start than before. It appears they've spread some from the red start into the Blue to try and filter the field out in the early stages. Off to the toilets and because of the extra numbers the queues where huge. Fortunately the mens was quick for me so back to the area of the baggage lorries and a breakfast bar and water, again I don't want to get hungry. Times getting near and I haven't seen Joanne back but trust she will be doing her own thing now. 10am and there calling for the last bags for the lorries and 10 mins before the start so changed and Vaseline on and bag away. Still very cold now in just the vest and cant wait to get moving but know its going to be a while as im in pen 6. Joanne wont have a long wait as shes in pen 1. Over to the pens and 1 to 5 get in the pens with 6 to 7 getting held back as theres no room until the first 5 have gone. Trying to get in the middle of everyone to stay out the wind (Penguins springs to mind).The hooter goes and we watch the elite go on the big screen. Times flying by and still stuck on the grass and the pens are moving very slowly. Meanwhile Joannes running starting after 5 mins 8 secs and im worrying im getting cold. After about another 10 mins the pens have moved enough to let us onto the road but still in controlled pens. The new thing this year was they would leave gaps by setting off the field in waves so further delays which I found very frustrating. Desperate just to get running Joanne has gone through 5k in 23.04 and im getting nearer the start. Eventualy after 33.32 mins ive started and almost immediately I find myself almost tripping over slower runners I even had to pass walkers in the first couple of miles and the worst thing was the Thunderbirds 6 person costume ( how did they get to start before me as the where about 2 hrs slower). This was to be a problem for most of the first half, you see a gap to pass and then someone moves to block you and you have to brake hard and at one point I felt a sharp pain in my right knee due to a sharp stop but fortunately this eased. Joannes now gone through 10k in 46.39 then I went through 5k in 28.05 inside the pace I had set myself despite the zig zagging but I wasn't stressed or breathing hard so just let it go as I was really comfortable and knew the pace would settle to plan which it did after about 5 miles but that might be due to a toilet stop at 5.5 miles. Now feeling fully warmed up and the cool conditions were just about perfect for running with only a few points were you got a strong headwind. Joannes now through 15k in 1.10.39 followed shortly by myself at 10k in 58.00 and a minute inside target. Joannes flying and goes through 20k (1.34.42) then halfway (1.39.52) then me at 15k (1.27.49) 1.41 inside target and still feeling easy. Just after this Joanne hit 25k (1.58.35) and surprise surprise getting further away from me (guess im not getting a scalp today Ha Ha). Joannes now at 30k (2.23.03) before I hit 20k (1.58.40) and 1.20 inside target. Lost a bit there but that might have been due to extra zig zagging. then im at halfway (2.05.30) which if you forget the Strathaven half in February is my fastest half since 2013. I should have been able to see Joanne on the other side of the road at this point but with so many runners and spectators you cant pick out anyone. Joanne hits 35k (2.47.58) and still running a strong pace with that 5k split only being 22 secs slower than her first 5k. Ive now hit 25k (2.31.21) 3.39 inside pace as I had planned for a drop in pace by this point and I wasn't dropping as much as expected. Joanne hits 40k nearly there (3.13.20) and a big PB is on the cards with only a drop of 1sec per k from the previous split (impressive). Push to the finish for Joanne crossing the line in 3.24.52 and a big PB Well done Joanne. Meanwhile im approaching 30k and the soles of my feet are hurting so I stop to loosen my laces a little to try and ease the pressure on my feet hitting 30k in (3.06.36) still 3.24 inside target. Now it starts to go as the feet continue to get worse and I struggle to 35k (3.45.52) now 52 secs outside target and losing it. Hanging in now and my next 5k was my slowest with my mile times showing 13.02, 13.24 and 13.00. I really didn't want anything in the 13 minute range but these things happen. Went through 40k in (4.26.32) which was now 6.32 out of target. I had allowed for a six minute slip on the target pace so tried to pick up for the last 2k and did a bit crossing the line in 4.43.37 for a 21 min course best so will take that with bells on. Now it was time for the real race. How quick could I get to the pub. 3 pints later I better get a train back to my digs. Im on the 3rd floor I think I will use the lift. We all know stairs are your worst nightmare after a marathon. Shower and changed I now find ive got two white stripes over my shoulders. Despite the cold and cloudy conditions im burnt. A few more lagers with dinner will fix that and time to relax and reflect on the days events. Joanne over the moon with her PB and her performance. Me over the moon to have ran so well till the last 10k and when losing it did not falter as much as the last time and to improve by 21mins is a win win. To the London marathon team I have to say the organising skills to move that many people around the city are fantastic. To the many thousands of volunteers on the day Joanne and myself thank you.
Sunday, 28 April 2019
Hidden Glen 10k Race Report
So back in September/October I think it was Kirsty who said on facebook that the hidden glen 10k would be open for entry soon and you would have to be quick to get a space. I remembered seeing a photo of Sandy and Kirsty after the last one in the sunshine with a beer and thinking that looks good so I set an alarm to remind me to get on the computer for the race places opening up.
When it came to making arrangements to drive up there I started thinking why did I enter a race so far away. Google maps said it was a 90 minute drive - generally if a race is over 40 minutes away I class it as too far!!
Race day came and Davie W and Sandy met me at mine nice and early at 9am to set off for the race. Kirsty had warned us it was a long, slow, windy road in. We got there nice and early about 10.30ish for the 12pm race start. This gave us plenty of time to collect our t-shirts, warm up etc. We met Callum, Kirsty, Kirsty's parents and Winston the dog as soon as we got into the barn. Me, Kirsty and Sandy were all pleased with the race t-shirt colour - pink. Davie was pleased that he had opted not to pay the extra for it.
We also met Phil & Liz and Paul & Tanya before the race started.
The race went off in waves, the first wave being under 45 minutes. We tried to talk Callum into going in that wave but he wasn't having it. The next wave was under 55 minutes and me, Kirsty, Davie & Callum all set off in that wave. Sandy had made a last minute trip to the toilet and ended up in the last wave due to the queue.
I decided just to try and stick quite close to Kirsty and Davie. The first 2k is out and back along an undulating road, the first 1k more up than down and opposite on the way back. On the way back I came past Davie on a downhill section as I've been learning to let myself go and not hold back too much on the downhill.
The next 4k was pretty much uphill, you had to run through a pretty wide stream so after that I decided there was no point in running round puddles just to go straight through them sticking to the middle, tho there was one puddle which was knee deep that I avoided on the way back. I managed to overtake a few people who were going round the puddles and best of all I managed to pull away from the heavy breather who grunted with every breath.
I could see Kirsty ahead of me on the long drag up and I was slowly catching her, I had to walk at one point but ran again when it flattened out before it went up again. Tehre was a piper at the turning point and it was a welcome sound to hear him and know there wasn't much more of the hill left. I caught Kirsty at the turning point and pushed on down the hill. The last 4k was pretty much all downhill and I really loved running down it to the finish. This section really made the first 6k worth it. I finished in 45th position (15th female), in a time of 51:11.
Callum was first harrier home in a brilliant 21st position in a time of 47:25, next home was me (Alison), quickly followed by Kirsty in 52:02, and Paul not long after in a time of 54:12, Davie was next home (his marathons finally catching up with him) in a time of 58:35 and then Sandy, although with Sandy starting at the back she had a quicker chip time of 57:51. Phil and his wife Liz ran round together and both finished in a time of 82:00. Pauls wife Tanya also ran and finished in 72:37.
Everybody was pretty wet and freezing so we all got changed and got our free pint/juice before heading off.
Overall it was a well organised event - worth the drive and I would do it again. The route started and finished on the road with the middle section on forest road. I was glad I opted for trail over road shoes. There was 409 finishers and the winner was Matthew Sutherland from Central AC who finished in a time of 36:05 almost 4 minutes clear of 2nd place!
Thanks to Kirsty parents for coming to support and stand waiting in the pouring rain for us all to finish.
Alison
Wednesday, 24 April 2019
GRAND PRIX VICTORIA PARK
As I wont be at Victoria Park this weekend will someone who is going take note of any jokers that are played and pass them to me so I can collate the total together after all the runs are completed over the next 3 weekends.
Russell
Russell
Sunday, 21 April 2019
MEMBERSHIP FEES
We are now approaching the end of April and many Harriers have paid all their fees or are making regular payments through the bank.
Unfortunately there are many who have paid very little or nothing towards their fees and I would ask that those in that position bring their membership up to date in the next few weeks.
Anyone who is having difficulty with this then please speak to me directly as im sure we can work out a plan to bring you up to date. I have no desire to embarrass anyone by asking so please speak to me if theres a problem.
Russell
Unfortunately there are many who have paid very little or nothing towards their fees and I would ask that those in that position bring their membership up to date in the next few weeks.
Anyone who is having difficulty with this then please speak to me directly as im sure we can work out a plan to bring you up to date. I have no desire to embarrass anyone by asking so please speak to me if theres a problem.
Russell
Saturday, 20 April 2019
Grand Prix - Victoria Park parkrun Expanded!
So I contacted the organisers of that wee race down in London on Sunday 28th April to see if they were up for moving it to another weekend as we had a Grand Prix event at Victoria Park parkrun the day before and one of our key Grand Prix challengers was not able to do both. Anyway, that was a negative, so instead, I have added a third weekend of Victoria Park options. As before, only one of these parkruns will count towards the GP and it will be the first one you do that counts a), b) or c).
The options are:
a) 27th April
b) 4th May
c) 11th May
Alan
The options are:
a) 27th April
b) 4th May
c) 11th May
Alan
Wooed and Seduced – again!
Yir man Mearns should be a politician – defo!
You’ll remember in my last journaled ramblings of how he’d enticed me in to running (well at entering, at least) a marathon – well he’s been at it again, all for a good cause I must mention.
A good while back he’d asked me if I wanted “a wee role” at our Trail Running Festival. I quite like stuff like that so aye, I replied, I’d be up for that. How about taking on a race – no problem.
Facebook Messenger da da da!
“Morning everyone, how about a wee Trail Committee meeting Saturday 20th, 10am.”
The night before;
“Evening Martin, how do you fancy a Parkrun ahead of our Trail meeting.”
“Funny I was just thinking the same thing – yip good for that but come pick me up, having a barby, there’ll be drinking involved.”
“See you at 9”
Going about my morning pre-run routine a bit blurred and with a nagging thump in my frontal lobe, t’was a good barby, nine o’clock crept up on me from nowhere. Jim at the door, we gingerly made our way to the Strathclyde Parkrun, getting there with no time to spare to give any warm-up a slice of respect.
Lining up at the front like the elites we are, it was good to see a few other of our Harriers there too. Davie Wardrope, there with his daughter Rachel, Richard Lawton, Kay Conneff primed like a coiled spring for her upcoming marathon, Stuart Gibson, fresh from his track 10k at Crownpoint the night before, Stephen Phimister (aw naw – that means trouble), hill and fell runner extraordinaire, Mark Wheeler, my old mate and marathon legend Ian Birch and a few other running pals all out on a beautiful morning to take on the Lochside paths and the clouds of flying insects, a mouthful of which would have surely choked you!
Bang went the gun (or rather, the guy in charge shouted GO) and we were away like the Greyhounds at Shawfield chasing a tin of Chum, albeit momentarily. Jim went off so quickly he soon disappeared in the masses of sprint starters – ooft, I thought, the Pinot Noir has finally caught up with me.
“Morning auld yin” surely not directed at me? Phimi was alongside me, cheeky so and so!
The pace was blistering, Jim was leading our bunch, I looked at the watch, 5.40 m/m it told me, this is ridiculous, bloody hell never knew my Saucony’s were able to go that fast – far less with me in them!
Neck and neck me and SP were jockeying for position – don’t see that very often, he lied! Through 1k, we saw Jim walking at the side of the course “Felt a twinge” he hollered and waved us on our way. He has a busy season of big events lined up and so sprinting off at a Parkrun was probably not the wisest thing to have contemplated. Anyway, as it transpired his morning wasn’t a write off by any means.
Round by the trees, a mile done (6.10), the pace beginning to feel alien to me (you need to remember all of the Marathon training prep – I never done!) so speed only happens to me when I’m driving my car these days. SP is keeping the pressure on, I need a break, he’s relentless, I still need a break – that’s it, I’m coming off the gas, I’ll crash and burn if I try to keep this going. Half thinking that Phimi would take the opportunity to catch a breather too he swooshed past me, me conceding it was to be his day.
Approaching the turn, I saw the front runners heading back with Stuart in third place and looking very comfortable – almost effortless in fact. He went on to complete in third with a time of 16.28.
I stoated on trying to keep the speed up but the felt the pace slipping and the splits really back that up; 6.12, 6.24, 6.47. All starting with 6 all the same so not slouching too much.
As you all know the run in to the end at Strathclyde feels like it goes on for 50 miles. The finish line starts as a dot on the distant horizon. They’ve even moved it back a bit further these days. Trying to stay motivated, blawin’ oot yir bahooky is sometimes a big ask and especially when you’ve a wee whipper snapper breathing over your shoulder.
Anyway, the finish line beckoned and I crossed it, stopped the watch and it read 19.59.9. YES, sub 20! On the back of all that Marathon training I didn’t do.
Nah – no such fortune, Connect rounded me up to 20.00.00. Bloody hell – mind games or what! Going in the right direction though.
Phimi did manage to prevail on the day coming home in an impressive 19.32, edging his recent other 5k outing at the Scally (19.46) and looking good for an impressive season. He and I, it turns out, have the exact same PB on this course of 19.00.00. Long season it is though and old adversaries will for sure be on the hunt! Wonder who that could be?
Then me and then next home the previously seen “walking it” Jim Mearns. Somehow, he managed to administer some swift rubbing action to the sore bit and get on his way again not least passing three of the aforementioned runners in the process to come home in a really solid 21.22. No bad for having stopped off for cheese sandwich and a glass of apple juice!
Next home was Davie Wardrope looking steady and familiarly unfazed in a brilliant time of 21.42, less than a minute away from his course PB and an admirable burst of pacy running given that he has been concentrating on the long stuff this year. Rachel, his daughter ran home in an impressive 24.15, again less than a minute away from her PB.
Then a battle to the line between Kay and Richard with Kay prevailing at 21.50 with Richard literally two paces behind and crossing in 21.52 only 9 seconds behind his course record – I’d blame the heat and the beasties Richard!
Mark Wheeler was just behind me at 20.07 and looking strong and Marathon Man, Ian Birch was ahead of me and running to a new 4-year course PB of 19.42.
Strathclyde Parkrun, when I first started going about 4 years ago had a regular 250 weekly runners. Today there were 457 registered finishers and I believe both Pollok and Victoria are reporting similar growth. Great for our wee past-time but massive pressure on the teams of volunteers that turn up week after week in all weathers to provide this absolutely brilliant event free of charge and without overly prohibitive rules and regulations – I take my hat off to them.
Martin
You’ll remember in my last journaled ramblings of how he’d enticed me in to running (well at entering, at least) a marathon – well he’s been at it again, all for a good cause I must mention.
A good while back he’d asked me if I wanted “a wee role” at our Trail Running Festival. I quite like stuff like that so aye, I replied, I’d be up for that. How about taking on a race – no problem.
Facebook Messenger da da da!
“Morning everyone, how about a wee Trail Committee meeting Saturday 20th, 10am.”
The night before;
“Evening Martin, how do you fancy a Parkrun ahead of our Trail meeting.”
“Funny I was just thinking the same thing – yip good for that but come pick me up, having a barby, there’ll be drinking involved.”
“See you at 9”
Going about my morning pre-run routine a bit blurred and with a nagging thump in my frontal lobe, t’was a good barby, nine o’clock crept up on me from nowhere. Jim at the door, we gingerly made our way to the Strathclyde Parkrun, getting there with no time to spare to give any warm-up a slice of respect.
Lining up at the front like the elites we are, it was good to see a few other of our Harriers there too. Davie Wardrope, there with his daughter Rachel, Richard Lawton, Kay Conneff primed like a coiled spring for her upcoming marathon, Stuart Gibson, fresh from his track 10k at Crownpoint the night before, Stephen Phimister (aw naw – that means trouble), hill and fell runner extraordinaire, Mark Wheeler, my old mate and marathon legend Ian Birch and a few other running pals all out on a beautiful morning to take on the Lochside paths and the clouds of flying insects, a mouthful of which would have surely choked you!
Bang went the gun (or rather, the guy in charge shouted GO) and we were away like the Greyhounds at Shawfield chasing a tin of Chum, albeit momentarily. Jim went off so quickly he soon disappeared in the masses of sprint starters – ooft, I thought, the Pinot Noir has finally caught up with me.
“Morning auld yin” surely not directed at me? Phimi was alongside me, cheeky so and so!
The pace was blistering, Jim was leading our bunch, I looked at the watch, 5.40 m/m it told me, this is ridiculous, bloody hell never knew my Saucony’s were able to go that fast – far less with me in them!
Neck and neck me and SP were jockeying for position – don’t see that very often, he lied! Through 1k, we saw Jim walking at the side of the course “Felt a twinge” he hollered and waved us on our way. He has a busy season of big events lined up and so sprinting off at a Parkrun was probably not the wisest thing to have contemplated. Anyway, as it transpired his morning wasn’t a write off by any means.
Round by the trees, a mile done (6.10), the pace beginning to feel alien to me (you need to remember all of the Marathon training prep – I never done!) so speed only happens to me when I’m driving my car these days. SP is keeping the pressure on, I need a break, he’s relentless, I still need a break – that’s it, I’m coming off the gas, I’ll crash and burn if I try to keep this going. Half thinking that Phimi would take the opportunity to catch a breather too he swooshed past me, me conceding it was to be his day.
Approaching the turn, I saw the front runners heading back with Stuart in third place and looking very comfortable – almost effortless in fact. He went on to complete in third with a time of 16.28.
I stoated on trying to keep the speed up but the felt the pace slipping and the splits really back that up; 6.12, 6.24, 6.47. All starting with 6 all the same so not slouching too much.
As you all know the run in to the end at Strathclyde feels like it goes on for 50 miles. The finish line starts as a dot on the distant horizon. They’ve even moved it back a bit further these days. Trying to stay motivated, blawin’ oot yir bahooky is sometimes a big ask and especially when you’ve a wee whipper snapper breathing over your shoulder.
Anyway, the finish line beckoned and I crossed it, stopped the watch and it read 19.59.9. YES, sub 20! On the back of all that Marathon training I didn’t do.
Nah – no such fortune, Connect rounded me up to 20.00.00. Bloody hell – mind games or what! Going in the right direction though.
Phimi did manage to prevail on the day coming home in an impressive 19.32, edging his recent other 5k outing at the Scally (19.46) and looking good for an impressive season. He and I, it turns out, have the exact same PB on this course of 19.00.00. Long season it is though and old adversaries will for sure be on the hunt! Wonder who that could be?
Then me and then next home the previously seen “walking it” Jim Mearns. Somehow, he managed to administer some swift rubbing action to the sore bit and get on his way again not least passing three of the aforementioned runners in the process to come home in a really solid 21.22. No bad for having stopped off for cheese sandwich and a glass of apple juice!
Next home was Davie Wardrope looking steady and familiarly unfazed in a brilliant time of 21.42, less than a minute away from his course PB and an admirable burst of pacy running given that he has been concentrating on the long stuff this year. Rachel, his daughter ran home in an impressive 24.15, again less than a minute away from her PB.
Then a battle to the line between Kay and Richard with Kay prevailing at 21.50 with Richard literally two paces behind and crossing in 21.52 only 9 seconds behind his course record – I’d blame the heat and the beasties Richard!
Mark Wheeler was just behind me at 20.07 and looking strong and Marathon Man, Ian Birch was ahead of me and running to a new 4-year course PB of 19.42.
Strathclyde Parkrun, when I first started going about 4 years ago had a regular 250 weekly runners. Today there were 457 registered finishers and I believe both Pollok and Victoria are reporting similar growth. Great for our wee past-time but massive pressure on the teams of volunteers that turn up week after week in all weathers to provide this absolutely brilliant event free of charge and without overly prohibitive rules and regulations – I take my hat off to them.
Martin
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