X-Country

A great day at Bellahouston Park where the club hosted the Renfrewshire AAA Cross Country Championships. After helping lay out the course in the morning -- wellies required -- I was not at all sure of the wisdom of running -- the conditions were very muddy indeed, with all the rain we've been having over the past few days. Still, despite the fact that I am really poor at cross country, I promised myself to do as much of it as possible this year -- great winter training I'm always told. A steady nine minute mile pace -- with time added on for a few slips -- brought me home in a pedestrian 54.35. Huge fun I have to say, once the pain subsided. Bonus for me -- I produced a decent finish to see off an Inverclyde runner who tried to beat me to the line. Next outing Irvine on December 5.

It's Winter !!!!!

A lovely Mediterranean sunset, off St Paul's Bay in Malta, shot at the end of last month on my holiday -- to cheer me up in the midst of this cold Scottish winter.

Glasgow University 5 mile road race

Ran the above in a pedestrian 36.05. Quite happy with that on the day -- I had considered not running at all as I had not been well during the week. I'm a sucker for races though -- I just love the atmosphere !!! I ran this as a hard fast training run, so on reflection, not too unhappy with the time. A number of good Bella results including cracking times from Louise Gray and Mary Senior. (Yes that is me at the back of the pack !!!!!)

Pinched a super pic off my old pal Ian Goudie's blog. It's of Ian presenting me with a certificate of his own devising at the Bella annual awards night. He's been a great sport and friendly rival for the inaugural supervet championship and he's done a great job as Bella club statistician -- we're lucky to have him. We have been well served during my time by committee members. They do a great job and it's not always appreciated.

National Cross Country Relays - Cumbernauld - 24/10/2009

Took part in the National Cross Country Relays at Cumbernauld today -- weather was glorious, unlike last year. The club fielded seven teams -- another great turnout by the purple posse. PS official time of 19.53 more than three minutes faster than last time.

First Run

First post marathon run today a 2.5 mile cross country in Pollok Park. The Renfrewshire AAA Cross Country Relay. The course was a little short although I probably ended up doing extra as one of the stewards accidentally sent me the wrong way !!! These things happen. The course was a little confusing and I was not the only one to get a mixed up. Huge fun all the same. Time -- a slowish 13:53.

Review of the Year

Well it's effectively the end of the road running season for me -- some great cross country coming up, but the main road races are done and it's been a good year. Some good achievements. A new PB for 5 miles of 33.43; a 42.36 10k -- the magical 42.00 still eludes me; best ever glasgow half of 1.35.53 and a new marathon time of 3.39.56, a new PB by 4 minutes. To cap it all I won the first Bellahouston Roadrunners supervet championship and received a lovely trophy at the awards night. I think it was one of my better decisions to join Bella's purple posse.

Loch Ness

Well having had a good night's sleep and managed to get downstairs -- taking the stairs backwards does work, by the way -- time to reflect on yesterday. My official time was 3.59.56. Overall a great wee marathon. Highlights - the secenery; the pipe band marching through the massed runners at the start; the spectator dressed as a gorrilla at mile 16 and of course Bryan Burnett's great commentary - plus free food for the runners after the race !!!
PROBLEMS
There was a big hassle with the buses at the start which left a good number of runners standing in the cold for about an hour -- seriously not good., I was lucky having turned up early I got on a nice luxury coach with a toilet -- but not a good start to the day. The organisers held up their hands and admitted they were let down by the bus company who sent two too few vehicles -- also one broke down -- not their fault, let's hope it's a one off. The start of the race was delayed by 50 minutes so more hanging about, but there was free tea and coffee on the go.
THE RACE
The route itself is spectacular. Starting on a wee country road at Whitebridge, undulating down to Foyers, then flattish until the hill at Dores -- which was not too bad actually, then a nice downhill finish to the city itself -- not a car in sight until you get to Inverness and some of the most breathtaking scenery of any marathon I would suggest. I can see why people go back year after year.
TACTICS
I had pencilled in the idea that I might attempt 8.00 minute miles which I know is quick running all the way. I started pretty well, the first mile was 8.19 despite the narrow start, the next mile better at 8.05, mile 3 was 8.07 and already I was not really on the pace. Mile 4, 8.34. The hilly sections were slowing me down. By half way a re-think was needed. It was quite clear that 3.30ish was beyond me on the day so I refocusesd -- aimed to achieve a new PB and got it... by a good 4 minutes.
POSITIVE
The really positive stuff to come out of this race. I felt that I ran really well and strongly. I felt relaxed and confident and didn't get fixated on an arbitrary time. I finished well and strongly, the last 5 miles were 8.15;821;8.18;8.23 and 8.37 -- I was willing my legs to go faster on that last bit but they wouldn't. My fuelling and rehydration strategy worked -- I had plenty of energy and never felt thirsty all the way.
HILLS
What took its toll on my pace were the hills. I slowed noticeably on all the inclines and didn't pick up enough on the downhills -- perhaps I was too cautious -- but I was worried about taking off too fast and running out of steam at 20 miles. That didn't happen in fact it was me who was overtaking runners along the way -- that was good for my confidence. I felt much more in control in this race rather than the race controlling me.
NEXT YEAR
So more hill practice for me and perhaps next time I'll set a pace of 8.15 a mile. Berlin seems an attractive option next year -- not too many hills there