Mugdock Madness

I met Athole, Ali Winship and Ian Mennie for some post Christmas madness along the trails of Mugdock.  Cool.  After yesterday my trail shoes had more water than the whole of southern England in them so I could use my road shoes.  Although if I knew that Ian was coming I may have just went with the trail shoes.  Ian is an off road specialist and loves to run off the trail and today was his route.  The pace was faster than the boxing day run which suited me fine and I was glad that I felt no ill effects from the day before.  It wasn't long before Ian had us off the trail and I was jumping puddles and mud like a deranged ballerina.   All good fun.  I spoke to Ian about the Scottish Islands Peaks Race and also a route that he is trying to arrange that involves trains.  The plan is to take the train to Tulloch station and then run over 2 munros to Corrour station before the train comes back.  The plan sounds great and I signed up for it immediately.  Athole then asked him how the timings for the return train would be and Ian replied that we should have about 10 minutes to spare.  This in his view made it more fun.  Back to today's run.  It was a good run and I was pretty pleased to do 10 miles although nowhere near Debbie (and Lesley's) planned 16 miles for today.  Oh well, it's Christmas.  :-) .  Got back to the car with another set of soaking trainers.  Will send to southern England if anyone needs them.

Soaking Stoneymollan

I was really looking forward to getting out on this run with Paul today and we had arranged it weeks in advance.  The idea was for a tough hill session.  Something that would really test us, would separate the men from the boys.  A real blood sweat and tears run.  Paul arrived a little bit later and by that time the lure of the XBox had called.  With Debbie at work I had the house to myself and took full advantage of it.  Well after my chores. ;-)

Anyway in the end our 9am run ended up an early afternoon one, thumbs sore from XBox footy.  (which I won).  I had had a cold so wasn't full of beans for this and the weather was pretty miserable as well.  So I decided to pick the old faithful Stoneymolan route.  Something not too hard but also a good intro to Paul for what the Scottish Islands race may be like.

It's a great wee 7.5 mi run behind Alexandria with fantastic views over Loch Lomond when it is actually clear.  For Paul and I it wasn't with wind and rain and very wet under foot.  I think that Paul recognised the fact that he might need to spend some money on a nice shiny pair of trail shoes.  The route down takes in the Stoneymolan Road which is a good downhill section as the photo shows.

Time taken 1:07:51

 

Boxing Day Blues

 

Distance : 12.00 mi.

Time :  1:45:00 (8:45/mi.)

Weather : 8.9C

Equipment : Asics trubuco 10

Total for week 52:  17.40 mi.

 

After yesterdays food and drink extravaganza it was back to normal training today and an attempt to try to burn off yesterdays turkey.

As usual with the Garscube Boxing day runs we meet at 12 noon in an attempt to get over the drink from yesterday or in Robert MacFarlane's case for him to digest the 5 selection boxes he normally eats on Christmas Days.

Not as many people turned up this year, just the usual suspects and Paul who is up visiting for the Christmas period.  Debbie took some photos of the start with her new camera and for a moment I thought that she would take it on the run with her.

We all started at the Kirkhouse Inn in Strathblane and immediately headed up a steep hill towards the Carbeth Huts.  Nothing like a hill to blow away yesterday's cobwebs.  Paul and I decided to head towards Milngavie for a bit and use the tap at the huts for a little hangover re-hydration and then caught back up with the group.

The pace is nice and easy on these runs and is a great social event giving everyone time to talk.  Slow runners and fast runners showing off their shiney new Christmas presents.  By the time we where at the Beach Tree Inn the shiney new Christmas gear wasn't so shiney anymore.

At Killearn there is a big hill where we leave the West Highland Way and join the track along the Campsies and back to Strathblane.  The hill is a long incline and the group always separates here but we all stop for a breather at the top.

It was the first time that I have run with Paul on a longer run and it was good to see that he coped well with it.  We are running the Scottish Islands race next May and will have to get used to running together.

Knightswood Mile Reps

 

Distance : 5.40 mi.

Time :  42:01 (7:47/mi.)

Weather : 7.8C

Equipment : Saucony trigon 4

Total for week 52:  5.40 mi.

 

Back to Knightswood for the mile reps session.  This time Paul joined Debbie and me.

Between reps I had a bigger rest than last time so was able to go around faster.  I was wondering whether the rest time that I was doing before was perhaps too short.  Anyway I got a new record lap of 5:04.  Paul did well for his first time on this session and even managed 4 of them.

rep times : 5:08, 5:07, 5:04, 5:06

'ice to meet you all

Distance : 24.60 mi.

Time :  unknown (messed up the watch)

Weather : ICey cold

Equipment : Asics trubuco 10

Total for week 51:  44.97 mi.

At last it was time to run another section of the West Highland Way with the guys.  And get a chance to run with Ian Beattie and John Kynaston.  I know Ian from working with him years ago, but I had never met John.  It was weird meeting him and felt like I was meeting a film star, as I had only seen (and heard) him on the internet.

Debbie and I were a bit on the late side for the run, so didn't get there in time for the photo opportunity.  Nevermind, as soon as we got there it was straight into the run. Just as well, as it was freezing.  The weather all week had been cold and now a front had come in bringing rain, which froze on contact with the cold ground.

I started the run with the front group, but after stopping for a toilet break restarted at the back again.  Debbie was in-between the fast and slow group by herself, so I decided to run with her for a bit.  The route was treacherous and I was wondering how long it would be before someone got hurt.  A few of the group decided to call it a day but not Debbie and I.  Part of these runs is to increase endurance, but also part of it is mental toughness.  Not sure whether this run was increasing that or my stupidity levels.  By Drymen Debbie opted to  head straight back towards Milngavie, but I decided to run into the village and meet up with the fast group - who were having something to eat in the Pottery cafe.  When I got there they were just leaving so I got a flapjack and almond slice to take away.  It came in a fish and chip box, which must  have looked weird as I ran through Drymen

I managed to get some time speaking to Ian and John and we spoke about whether it was a good idea to still do speed work while training for the WHW.  They are the experts on it and really did suggest that the speed training should take a back seat if you should do it at all.  I didn't really agree as the last time I cut back on speed sessions to concentrate on long runs I felt all my running suffered.  Not just short stuff.  I do agree that the long runs becomes more important though.  It is great being on these runs, because you get to see other peoples view points and although there are not any rights or wrongs there is better ways of doing training.  It's just a case of finding what they are because everyone is different and responds to the training differently.

We passed Debbie at Dumgoyach where I started to feel that Gavin was picking up the pace.  (yeah Gavin, I am blaming you.  I am sure it was just as much my fault). 

It felt great to finish off strong and I had the ultimate compliment from John at the end.  He said that I should aim for under 20 hours for the WHW race.  I couldn't believe it and was slightly embarrassed.  Now the pressure is on, I just hope I don't blow up.

Some links to blogs of people on the run below.

Debbies blog on the run

Ian Beatties Blog on the run

John Kynastons Blog on the run

Tims blog on the run

Who's the new girl??

Distance : 6.71 mi.

Time :  43:46 (6:31 / mi.)

Weather : 3.9C

Equipment : Saucony trigon 4

Total for week 51:  20.37 mi.

 

Another freezing day, so it was definitely time to try my new running tights.  Even in cold weather I get far too warm so I bought a pair of  3/4 length ones.  Yes you know the ones that woman all wear.  These ones are definitely made for men and I had even seen another guy with a pair on so I thought what the hell.  Anyway on a serious side the main reason I got them was my quads get stiff in the cold and my hamstrings can get tight as well.

After some strange looks and presenting Lesley with a basket of goodies from everyone at the club it was onto the run.  Went out with Alex and Mark.  The pace seemed a bit slow at first, not because I was getting fitter but because I had a sense that Mark and Alex had had one to many sherbets over the festive period.  After about 2 - 3 miles I picked up the pace and pushed away a bit but they caught me again with a couple of miles to go, so I pushed again and managed to hold them off.  I caught up with wee Robert and he raced me to the finish so I was pleased to push the last bit.  Met Athole at the end who said to me "I saw you going past earlier and wondered who the new girl was" in reference to my new tights.

Fffreezin' ma bits aff

Distance : 5.00 mi.

Time :  32:48 (6:34 / mi.)

Weather : 5C (Felt much colder)

Equipment : Saucony trigon 4

Total for week 51:  13.66 mi.

 

It was bitterly cold this morning and Debbie had made the right move and gone to the gym.  I was wanting to run an 8 mile route with the last 15 minutes hard but I had a training course today and didn't want to be late.  I only ran 5 miles but did it at a good pace.  Left quad still stiff.  It is definitely the cold that is affecting it.

Playing with Speed

Distance : 6.22 mi.

Time : 54:18 (8:44 / mi.)

Weather : 5C Very cold

Equipment : Saucony trigon 4

Total for week 51:  8.66 mi.

 

I always find Fartlek a bit easier than a normal Tuesday Speed session and a bit of a cop out as you can really tailor the session to how you feel.  Tonight was no exception but was still a very good fun run.  The group was quite big and with Ali not appearing, Alex still not looking back to full fitness and Stephen not making it, I was the fastest runner.  Today's fartlek had everyone having a shot of picking the pace and the distance or time of the hard run.  Although this would normally make it easier for me there is still a few of the slower runners that can go at quite a fast pace on the shorter distances and so it was a good beneficial session for me.  The cold is definitely affecting my legs.  They felt stiff at about the 3/4 mark even although I felt warm enough.  I really need to bite the bullet and buy a pair of running tights.  OMG!

Step Right Up

Distance : 2.44 mi. (including warm up/down)

Time : 34:18 (14:04 / mi.)

Weather : 5C Very cold

Equipment : Saucony trigon 4

Total for week 51:  2.44 mi.

 

Back to the granite stairs at Kelvingrove Park for tonight's session.  Looks like we are going to do this session once every 2 weeks with the mile reps on the alternate ones.  I spent all day trying to get out of it and even going as far as saying to Debbie that we could go out tomorrow morning.  I felt a bit rough from last nights activities and felt like I had raced a half-marathon the day before rather than a 3 1/4 mi. Santa race.

Luckily this isn't a bad session to do on a Monday night and the idea is that we are trying to get some more speed into our legs.

Felt great after this session of 12.  A little slower than normal but Averaging on 34 seconds up and down.  Thought that I would include a picture this time as I have never seen it in daylight before.

REPS : (Unknown), 34,34,35,35,34,34,34,34,34,35,33 (sec's)

A Nightmare before Christmas

Christmas Handicap Race Results

Distance : 3.16 mi.

Time : 18:39 (5:54 / mi.)

Weather : 3.9C

Equipment : Saucony trigon 4

Total for week 50: 29.72 mi.

It's that time of the year for the Garscube Christmas Party.  That night on the calendar where everyone gets the pi$$ taken out of them by my wife who is also the event organiser.  Before that though we have the Christmas Handicap race where we all dress as Santa (or something similarly festive) and run through Westerton.

Last year I managed to get 17:58 for the course and fastest time so I was hopeful that I would be able to defend it.  While getting ready for the race I took out my trusty racing shoes to cries of despair from Debbie.  "You can't wear them for a SANTA race......   yah fud"  Suitably embarrassed we set out for Westerton with my training shoes on to find that at least 4 or 5 other runners had their racers on?!  Luckily there was no Alistair, Stephen or Lindsay so I was hoping that the fastest time was still in the bag.  Debbie looked fantastic in her elf outfit that had cost her a small fortune and all week to make.  Spending every lunchtime in Primark looking for bits for it wasn't fun but it was worth it when she dressed up and everyone thought she would win the best dressed prize.  Went out to get some photos taken with all the various Santa's when up popped Stephen in his evil Santa outfit.  He looked great in it and I was starting to worry about my fastest time especially when he got a better handicap too.

So I was scratch runner with no chance of getting the turkey (the prize for first) and I had to work hard to overtake Stephen and a few others.  A bottle of red wine coming back on me from the night before didn't help either and I ended up in 11th position with a time of 18:41.  Still the fastest time of the day but slower than last year.  Funny that I was slower especially as I am just off a PB for a 10k and also I feel faster.  Oh well.  There is always next year. 

I was glad that Debbie and I had booked a hotel so we wouldn't have to travel to far for a nice bath but first we had to go shopping in Asda.  This was fab fun dressed as an elf and Santa Claus with a lot of strange looks that got even stranger when we checked into the hotel.

The night out was great fun with a Ceilidh and really nice food.  Also met a couple of people that had gone up Kilimanjaro with Debbie.  Lauren and Alex.  They were a really nice couple from Hampshire.

The Pappert Show

Distance : 8.72 mi.

Time : 1:09:12 (7:56 / mi.)

Weather : 5.6C Cool with sun breaking through

Equipment : Asics Trabuco 10

Total for week 50: 26.56 mi.

 

Out with Lins and Glen today on a run that Lins has spoken about quite a few times.  Pappert Hill.  Was meant to meet Lins at 10:30 but his timekeeping is hopeless so I thought that 10:40 would be okay. Ooops I ended up late.  This route was fabulous and had an easy uphill section behind Bonhill through some woodland and up to the hill.  Then an easy downhill with some muddy sections.  Debbie will like this one so I will take her next time.  View from the top was good and I could see lots of potential for other routes toward the Wangie.  Maybe next year.  Left leg a bit stiff still but felt fine through out.

Friday Fun

Distance : 7.74 mi.

Time : 48:56 (6:19 / mi.)

Weather : 7.8C

Equipment : Saucony trigon 4

Total for week 50: 17.84 mi.

 

I have been really enjoying my Friday runs recently but I really wasn't looking forward to today's run.  2 evenings of committee meetings on the Wednesday and Thursday nights had meant no running and I was losing the will to live.  Decided to run the Crow Road circuit but not as a tempo.  Too lazy today.  Normal run and didn't feel like I was going to well.  Was surprised to find out that I had a new record for the circuit, 48:56 @ 6:19/mi.  Last time I ran this circuit in 50:42 @ 6:27/mi. on the 14/11.  Must be doing something right.

Par-hoofin' Round in Circles

Distance : 4.65 mi.

Time : 30.06 (6:28 / mi.)

Weather : 7.8C

Equipment : Saucony trigon 4

Total for week 50: 10.10 mi.

Okay, I can't spell it, can't say it, can't figure it out so why the heck did the coaches think it was a good idea for me to run this session.  Luckily I had my trusty helper Debbie to do all the hard work while the only thing I did when we showed the troops what to do was touch her bum.  Now on to the hard work.  The session.  In case you don't know the session is Parlauf and the idea is that each person has a partner of similar ability.  One runs at speed anti-clockwise around a circular route while the other runs a recovery the opposite way.  When they meet up they swap around with the fast runner now recovering and the recovering runner now fast.  The idea is to keep at this for 30 minutes.  I partnered up with sub-man who is a wee bit slower than me but that didn't matter.  30 minutes is pretty tough going for this session but it was good fun and it is great that the whole club is all out together and not separated into groups as most session are.   A good session especially after the mile reps yesterday.

Knightswood Mile Reps

Distance : 5.45 mi.

Time : 39:29 (7:14 / mi.)

Weather : 6.7C Cold

Equipment : Saucony trigon 4

Total for week 50: 5.45 mi.

I really didn't feel like running tonight and really hoped that Debbie didn't want to either but I think that although she probably didn't neither of us would ever admit defeat.  So it was back to Knightswood for mile reps.  Oh joy.

After once around the park as a warm up I decided to keep my hat and gloves on as it was so cold. (also thinking that the SportsTracks software reports the wrong temperatures as it was never 6.7C)

Not much to say except I am up to 4 reps now and the recovery is now 2 minutes AND I managed 3 of them in the exact same time.  Felt much better than 2 weeks ago when we last did this session.  Hope to aim for 6 of these in the not too distant future.

rep times with 2 min rest : 5:12, 5:12, 5:12, 5:08

Hard Horseshoe

Distance : 14.12 mi.

Time : 1:48:57 (7:43 / mi.)

Weather : 7.8C Cold

Equipment : Saucony trigon 4

Total for week 49: 37.12 mi.

 

Didn't get that much sleep last night so I was really shattered when I went out to meet Lindsey for a long run today.  Glad that I had organised it though or I so easily could have just skipped it.  Debbie was still in bed and made no secret of how nice and warm it was compared to outside.  I started the run with 2 layers and regretted it by the first uphill as I was sweating buckets.  Started off on the normal Balloch horseshoe today although we did it backwards.  On the way back towards Balloch we took a detour toward Gartocharn and now I was glad of the extra layers.  It was freezing and there was still snow on the ground.  Finished the run by going through Balloch Park.  Did have a laugh at Lindsey's motivational speech though.  He told me that my 10k times were rubbish.  I replied that I was less than a minute behind him at the East Kilbride 10k last week.  :-)  That aside I do like running with Lindsey and I do pick up a lot of wee hints and tips from him.

Felt knackered for most of the run today but so glad I went out.

Scottish Athletics West Districts CC Championships

Results

Distance : 6.00 mi.

Time : 36:37 (6:06 / mi.)

Weather : 7.8C WInd, Sleet, Very cold

Equipment : Saucony Kilkenny

Total for week 49: 23.05 mi.

After 2 days off and a works night out the worse thing to do was to get straight back into it and race.  Nevermind the sub-arctic conditions and high winds all in the lovely Irvine.

I struggled from the start.  Like the last 2 races I decided to start at the back and work my way up.  This didn't work so well this time as I got stuck behind some slower runners and had too keep spurting in an attempt to keep a good pace.  Managed to try some of the race tactics that I have been reading about and drafted behind one of the Bella guys.  This worked really well in the high winds and I managed to pass him later on in the race.  I could hear Andy Birnie's wife shouting for him so I knew he wasn't far behind and it wasn't long before he passed me.  Tried to keep up with him and I was until we came back around to the hills where he powered away from me and left me no chance of catching him.  I finished in 67th place.

Wild Wild West

Distance : 7.70 mi.

Time : 49:53 (6:29 / mi.)

Weather : 11.7C

Equipment : Saucony Trigon 4

Total for week 49: 17.05 mi.

 

Debbie, the thieving gypo, stole my original title of Wet n' Wild.  I will forgive her though because she did come up with my new title.

Today was back to the dreaded west end route for my Crow Road Tempo.  Last week I managed 50:41 for the entire circuit with the tempo miles at 5:59 /mi.  Today the weather was far worse  with wind and horizontal rain.

Ran it in 49:53 with the tempo at 5:54 / mi.  Back at work I was soaked and very tired.  I was going to increase the distance today but there was no way I was ready for it.  Maybe next week. ;-)

Weird Science

Distance : 4.02 mi.

Time : 35:01 (12*450m reps with 3min turnaround)

Weather : 15.6C Dry

Equipment : Saucony Trigon 4

Total for week 49: 9.35 mi.

 

Today the session was short reps and I was so glad that it wasn't on the winter warm-up.  Instead it was at the Science Park on Acre Road.  These reps are 450m each and we were running 12 of them with a 3 minute turnaround.  Met some of the local neds on the warm-up and met with the usual barrage of insults although Debbie seemed pleased that one of them called her fat tits.  I thought they all looked about 5 years old but I suppose if you start smoking and drinking early enough they could in fact be 15 and just vertically challenged.

Anyway onto the session.  I was pretty happy to be running well enough and even managed to keep up with Ali for the first few.  Okay he ran 2 races and ran a hard reps session yesterday but hey I will take it anyway.  By the 4th one though he was miles ahead but I managed to stay ahead of Alex even although I was really struggling by the last 2.

Rep times with 3min turnover : 1:21,1:12,1:14,1:17,1:16,1:17,1:17,1:15,1:17,1:17,1:16,1:16

Post Race Stepping

Distance : (3 mi Treadmill)(2.33 Mi Hill Reps)

Time : 25min treadmill 36.25 Reps

Weather : 6.7C Dry

Equipment Asics - gel - Nimbus / Saucony Trigon 4

Total for week 49: 5.33 mi.

 

After yesterday's PB run I was content to go to the gym for a recovery run on the treadmill at lunchtime and then leave the evening session to what ever Debbie wanted to do.  The recovery was uneventful and the usual boring treadmill session.  LA Fitness doesn't make the experience any better by having rubbish on the TV's that actually work (the one in front of my treadmill was missing), headphone connections that don't work, changing rooms that are manky with mould in the showers (which also sometimes don't work for weeks on end) and a temperature that I will need to remember will be good for when I train for the Badwater ultra in Death Valley.  I await the call from LA Fitness when they want me to do any PR work for them.

For the evening session Debbie picked the Steps at Kelvingrove Park.  Its a great wee session and is meant to be good for those fast twitch muscles.  Which I had most likely tired out a bit yesterday.  Anyway we elected to do 12 plus a warm up and cool down.  I averaged about 34 seconds with Debbie averaging about 37.  She is much better at the step parts and I probably only pull away slightly at the flat parts between the stairs.  Anyway I was beginning to suffer towards the end and was glad to get back to the car and home for some of Debbie's home made soup, central heating and my big Homer Simpson slippers.  My right foot has been causing me a bit of pain but I have had that before and its just a sign that I am increasing the mileage etc.

Hugh Wilson 10k East Kilbride

Results

East Kilbride Athletic Club

• Distance : 6.26 mi

• Time : 35:44 (5:43 / mi.)

• Weather : 7.8 C Dry during the race, no wind

• Equipment Asics - gel - DS Racer

• Total for week week 48: 39.56 mi.

Finally. I have a PB this year. It has only taken me until the last month of the year to get it but hey better late than never. After last weeks great XC run I was in good spirits for this race. Had an easy night before and taking some pre race advice from Alistair M and Robert Gilroy I drank a bottle of wine. On Sunday morning Debbie helped me out by doing her long run in the morning which allowed me to have a nice relaxed morning in the house. She even helped me with my pacing and optimistically guessed I would run 35:45. In the end she was bang on even although at the time I thought she was away with the fairies.

I decided that today I would like last week take it easy at the beginning and this strategy is really working for me. Instead of trying to get to the front of the pack at the beginning I start more conservatively and then attempt to pick people off later on in the race. When this race started I sat behind Ewan and Stephen from Garscube and after the initial spurt of the start was over I felt good enough to start to pass people and managed to put a fair distance between me and the 4th Garscube runner Stephen although later on in the race he caught back up with me. After 5km I managed to catch up with a group that also had Chris Upson in it. He is running the WHW race next year although I didn't recognise him during the race. He managed to push me along with one moment him leading and then the next moment me leading. In the end I managed to come in seconds before him. I felt really good because this was the first time that I felt that I really pushed a 10km and had a neck in neck race with someone and all this on a course that people said wasn't a PB one. Here is to the next flat, straight 10km. I am so wanting to break 35mins.

 

Figure of Hell

• Distance : 15.98 mi

• Time : 1:47:02 (6:42 / mi.)

• Weather : 11.7 C Drizzle at first but dry for the rest of the run

• Total week no 48: 33.3 mi.

• Equipment Asics - Gel - Kayano13

The sign of the devil shouldn't have 6's in it, it should be 8's. This was a very hard run and very hilly, so hilly that I even added Rannoch Drive into it as well.

After missing out on training on Thursday because of a trip down to London for work I decided that it was a good idea to do my Friday session with what I should have done as my Thursday session. This would end up with me running both the Crow Road circuit and the Ski Club club run together, before work. Debbie warned me that this would be 17 miles long. Thank fully she was wrong, it was only 16.

I always feel out of sorts after a flying for work. Not sure if its the early starts, long day, crappy food or the flight that does it but I do and it really annoys me because it messes up my training.

My left quad was giving me problems during the run. Sometimes it just feels stiff and I just cant get a good stride length from it.

In the end I was surprised that I got 6:42 / mi. Actually I was ecstatic. My best marathon pace was 6:30 / mi so in training if I can get 6:42 for 16 miles then I am well on my way to getting better. Even although I felt that it was tough today I recovered well and felt well all day in work.

Crow Road Tempo Torture

• Distance : 7.72 mi
• Time : 50:41 (6:34 / mi.)
• Weather : 10.5 C Wet and Warm
• Tempo 3.51 mi @ 5:59 / mi.

Total week no 48: 17.2 mi.

Equipment

• Asics - Gel - Kayano13

 

I decided today that it was time to bite the bullet and try something that Lesley had scheduled for me over the last few months but I had managed to shy away from saying that I had ran a tough session the night before or was feeling tired.  Anyway the session has really been helping Debbie over the last while and so it was time for me to give it a go.  I should have probably looked at the McMillan Pace calculator before telling Debbie that I was going to do it because I would definitely have shyed away from the session again but after telling Debbie, there was no turning back for fear of being branded a kiff or something much worse.  Anyway Mr McMillan said I had to run at 5:56/ mi for the tempo bit.  Enough said and after running hills under 12 hours ago I wasn't even sure it was wise.

I felt sick when I got up in the morning but this was probably due to lack of sleep the night before and if this session didn't make me sick it sure was gonna make me feel sick.

I ran all the way to Crow Road at 7:13 pace and then picked it up and managed to do 5:59 pace for the next 3.5 miles or all the way to St Georges Cross and then slowed down to 7:03 pace for the remainder.  The tempo part included a lot of inclines so I was really happy with this effort.  Next time I am going to try to reach over 4 miles and then progress from there.  I wasn't sick in the end and felt fabulous after it pity I didn't notice I had bleeding nipples before going into my work. God knows what they think I do in my spare time now.

On another note Celtic beat Shaktar tonight and look like they have a chance of progressing if we can do away with our terrible away record and get at least a draw against AC Milan. EEK!!!

Westerton Hill Reps

• Distance: 4.71 mi.

• Time: 38:32


• Weather: 11.7

Total week no 48: 9.3 mi.

Equipment:

• Asics - Gel-Kayano13

After last nights attempt to start running mile reps it was now time to run another favourite. Hill Reps. Although I had ran the hill at the porsche garage in Westerton before I had never done this session this way before. We ran up the big hill then a recovery loop and down a smaller hill and then back up the smaller hill at speed before returning down that to start the big hill again. Sounds complicated? Its not really but I have to say it's tough. Our group had to do 6 of these but after 3 I was ready to pack it in. Managed to finish it strong and caught up with Matthew who is running extremely well at the moment. Hey to be young again. Sigh!

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Knightswood Miles

• Distance: 4.30m


• Time: 32:15


• Weather: Cold and misty

Total week no 48: 4.5 mi.

Just did the 3 1 mile reps tonight. This was one of the nightmare sessions from a few years ago but was also the one I felt most benefit from doing. Glad I did it as I did the 3 of them in decent times 5.11, 5.10 and 5.10. with a 2.30 rest between. Next week I hope to able to run 4 of them and then I will hopefully increase them and slowly decrease the rest.

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East Dunbartonshire X-Country Champs

• Distance: 6.2 mi.
• Time: 43:00 (0:00 min/mi.)
• Weather: Cold / Rain / Wind

Total week no 47: 39.5 mi.

Felt fantastic on this. Started from behind and managed to keep overtaking people without being overtaken. Managed to go past Ewan on the last lap to come in 3rd Garscube and win the 2nd Team prize

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Make it a half for Ed then

• Distance: 13.2 mi.
• Time: 1:17:40 (5:49 min/mi.)

Total week no 45: 53.9 mi.

Felt very strong in this race. Kept the pace slow at the beginning and then picked people off. Was overtaken by a Lochaber guy with 1 mile to go and came in 5th

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The Winter Blues

Training Day : 60
Session : Run
Distance : 7.12m
Avg/mile : 9.01 / mile

Time : 1hr 04min 10secs

I had to run today even although it was meant to be a rest day but I had taken yesterday off.

I had been suffering with a cold and an upset stomach for the last few days so I really wasn't looking forward to it but I managed to get out of work early and headed out for a 7 miler with Debbie.  I enjoy running with Debbie but she hates it as for some reason I slow her down.  Not sure how that happens but it does.  Anyway the run went well and I was glad to take it easier as my upset stomach was giving me problems at even this pace.  Very glad to get back to the house especially as Debbie upped the pace at the end.  Normal service resumes tomorrow. Bah!

Catch up

Training Day : 31 - 58
Session : N/A
Distance : 95.2 m
Avg/mile : N/A

Time : A long long time....

First of all I have to apologise.  I am rubbish.  I haven't kept up at all with my blog over the last month.  Can I blame anything?  Can I blame Debbie going away to Kilimanjaro, can I blame having the cold (which of course Debbie doesn't think I had), Work?  No, I cant blame anyone or anything.  I got lazy and after falling behind I couldn't be bothered or maybe the word is ar$ed to up date it all.  Hey I couldn't even remember what sessions I have done recently.  So I have decided to update it all at once and then hopefully continue where I left off with a blog for every training day.

Anyway, what have I been up to.  I have ran a few of the relays and really enjoyed them.  Good speed sessions and some long runs.  I thought that I was running well and then I added up the the mileage to find out that I have only ran 95 miles in 28 days.  Hey what the hell, I feel good and that is all that matters.

Debbie just got rid of her car.  I may have mocked it cause it really couldn't pull you out of bed in the morning but I'll miss the wee thing.  It was a reliable car that always ran even though I mocked it and Debbie was embarrassed to be seen in it.

The Hills are Alive with the Sound of @%$£

Training Day : 30
Session : Hill Run
Distance : 23.84 m
Avg/mile : 24.01/m
Time : 9hrs 20min 24secs

For Debbie's article on first races for the My Race magazine we decided that it would be a good idea to go on a hill run as one of them.  But this is Debbie and I that we are talking about 1 hill isnt enough.  No. How about 1 Munro then.  Nah, too easy.  How about 7 munros.  The entire South Glen Shiel Ridge.  Yeah that sounds like something we should do.
Went up to the Cluanie Inn to camp on Saturday night but arrived after it had got dark and had to use the lights to put up the tent.  Debbie was a bit freaked out by some of the vehicles going along the road during the night and a rutting deer as well so it wasnt the best sleep but we awoke nice and early so that we could be home early that night.  Ok time to move the car to the start.  Nope it didnt start.  Flat battery.  Great.  So 2 hours later and £100 less well off the AA fixed the car and we where off.  Within 1 mile though my back was feeling a lot more sweatier than usual and I found I had a leak in my Platypus.
Today was just not going to plan.  So after the 7 mile run to the beginning of the hills we were finally on our way up.  I was photographer for the day 
and so would run ahead to get some shots of Debbie for the magazine article.
So far the weather had been great but by the time we got to the first munro the weather came in and we spent the rest of the 
day in mist and cloud and had a couple of issues with navigation too.
At the end I was tired but really enjoyed the day.  Ok it wasnt fast but this is what running is all about.  Going out with 
friends or family and having a purpose for the run.  Like I said to Debbie while doing it. Running on the hills is just like walking on the hills but with less clothes, less food and less grip. It is tough but certainly worth it and in the end 7 munros is not something to be laughed at.

George Cummings Race

Training Day : 29
Session : Road Relay Race
Distance : 2.70m
Avg/mile : 5.34 /m
Time : 15min 00secs

This is the first race of the winter season.  I had ran it once before and remembered that it was hilly towards the end.  I struggled to get there in time after getting lost on the way and was worried when Athole put me on the first leg but I was in the B team so not as much pressure on me.  I managed to stay with Stephen Mulrine, who was running the A team first leg, for the first mile and then managed to overtake him.  Maybe I shouldnt have because he overtook me a couple of hundred metres later.  I finished in 15 minutes dead.  Very happy with my time and very knackered after it.  This was Debbies first relay and she did really well.  I think that she enjoyed it.

Wednesday Training Run

Training Day : 26
Session : Tempo Run
Distance : 8m
Avg/mile : 6.50 /m
Time : 54m 41s

Crow Road Circuit.

5km Time Trial

Training Day : 25
Session : 5km time trial
Distance : 3.12 m
Avg/mile : 5.55 /m
Time : 18min 28secs

5km time trials are bad.  5km time trials after a tough half marathon are really bad.  I started this without much hope of getting a good time but I was happy with what I got.  It was tough and the usual people, Ali and Alex finished before me.  I had to laugh at the end when Debbie waited on my pal Dougie near the end who was struggling.  Then just before the finishing line he sprinted off and left her.  ooops.

Gone with the Wind

Training Day : 23
Session : Prestonpans Half Marathon
Distance : 13.12 m
Avg/mile : 6:29 /m
Time : 1hr 25min 02secs

This half was meant to be a training run but as usual I try to race it.  Started off well but after 4 miles I ended up running into the wind until the 10th mile where the course turned but ended up all uphill.  I really struggled through out.  A very tough race and not such a good time.  On a positive side the organisation of the race was first class with all the mile markers bang on.  I would definitly do it again if only they could promise that the wind wouldn't enter too.

Saturday Strides

Training Day : 22
Session : Strides
Distance : N/A
Avg/mile : N/A
Time : N/A

Went out with my wife Debbie today to do some strides.  Strides are a weird thing before a race.  I think that they are meant to loosen everything up but I feel like a wassack doing them.  So around the park we went and I actually felt quite good and ready for tomorrow.

Thursday Training at the club

Training Day : 20

Session : Tempo Run

Distance : 7.44m

Avg/mile : 6:43 /m

Time : 50 min 0 sec

Tonights run with the club was with Ali, Alex from Springburn and Mark.  Great.  I am meant to be tapering for the Prestonpans Half on Sunday.  Should I drop a group.  Nah.  I am too competitive for that.  So off I go and I found that the pace wasn't too bad.  Managed to stay with them for 4 miles and the Ali cursed it.  "How is this pace for you Marco?" and BOOM... I was 20 metres behind.  By Crow Road I could see that Alex was starting to lag behind the other two so this gave me the impedus to go faster and try to get to the end before him.  To be honest I also used my knowledge of the lights at Anniesland Cross as well and managed to finish before him.  I felt great.  For the first time I had finished not in last but second last.  Progress.  I then spoke to Ali Winship the fastest Female in the club.  "What time did you get Marco?" "50 minutes dead" I replied "What about you Ali?"  "Errm 49 minutes 27 seconds"  Ok she is running amazing at the moment but I thought that I was getting better.  Oh well.. Must try harder Marco.  

Jeely Legs

Training Day : 19

Session : Hill Run

Distance : 7.52m

Avg/mile : 8:07

Time : 1hr 1min 0 sec

Well its all a bit keen when you decide that it is a good idea to go and run the Stoneymollan route at 6:30 in the morning but it was totally worth it.  A beautiful fresh day with lovely views from the top.  After running the 1km reps yesterday it had crossed my mind that maybe I was biting off more than I could chew and it was really tough trying to run the whole way up the hill but I made it even although my legs where like jelly when I got there.  The reward was the view of Loch Lomond with mist over the Loch.

I broke the time that we normally run the route on a Saturday by 5 minutes so that was a bonus too.

Ready, Steady, GO!!!

Training Day : 18

Session : Recovery / 1km Reps

Distance : 4.8m / 5.49m

Avg/mile : n/a  /  7.10 /m

Time : n/a  /  39.19

So after a day off it was time to get straight back to it.  Last time during training I used to love doing a double session on a Tuesday.  A run in the morning with reps in the evening.  I missed the run in the morning but decided to go out with some of the lads from work and ran an easy 4.8 miles through Glasgow Green.

In the evening it was back to the club for some 1KM reps.  Lins, Stephen Mulrine and Alex made up the rest of the group for the session.  I ran the reps as following : 3:20, 3:19, 3:23, 3:31, 3:28, 3:35.  The recovery period between each rep was 1:30 which was a bit short for me.  Good session but I was knackered at the end.

On a worse note Celtic lost 2-0 to Shaktar in their first champions league game. bah!

...and on the 7th day he rested

Training Day : 17

Session : Rest Day

Distance : N/A

Avg/mile : N/A

Time : N/A

Ahh a rest day at last.  Not quite 7 days of training but it has felt like it.  Went to the gym with Debbie today and went on the bike.  I feel that my quads and muscles around the top of my left knee are a bit stiff and affect my running when I am tired.  Hoping this might help.  I did 25mins on the recline cycle and did about 10k.  Feeling great and looking forward to running tomorrow.

First Long Run

Training Day : 16

Session : Long Run

Distance : 13.45m

Avg/mile : 7.36/m

Time : 01:42.13

Well here we go.  Back to the long runs.  I like doing long runs but the problem is the time that they take.  Especially later on in training when you are over 20 miles but still doing them fast enough for them to affect you.  The run itself isnt too bad but take into consideration the preperation and recovery after it and half of the day is gone.  Anyway none of this on this run as it is only 14 mile. Only!!  Yes as later on in training I will be running 3 times this amount.

Back to today.  I went out with Lins and ran toward Cameron House Hotel.  The weather was really wet and windy and I felt sorry for the people running the Lomond 10k.  Not many hills today and it was good to just have a relaxing run.  Watched some of the 10k race and met up with some of the finishers.  Matt from Bella came in first with Alex from Springburn in third.

I started to feel tired after about 11 to 12 miles and was pretty happy to finish the run and get my wet clothes off.

The Empire Strikes Back

Training Day : 15

Session : Hill/Trail Run

Distance : 7.66m

Avg/mile : 8.37/m

Time : 01:05:58

Just like the second Star Wars film is way better than the first I was hoping that the second time on the Stoneymollan Run with Glen and Lindsey would be the same.  And I was right.

I got to the Polaroid bridge before the guys and I was actually hoping that they wouldnt appear.  After last weeks struggle I wouldnt mind doing this run by myself to save the embarassment of having to walk up the hill.  But late as usual Lins and Glen appeared.  Lins looked a bit off colour and it transpired that he had been up drinking laste last night with his sister.  Great, if he runs better than me today then I have no hope and may as well just take up knitting as a hobbie.  Anyway off we went and like last week I was perfectly fine on the first hill and was really not looking forward to the second one.  I didnt need to worry I was first to the trig point (although I am sure that Glen could still reach the top faster than me with one leg hoping backwards)  I even managed to pick up the speed at the top and to my amazement (and I wouldnt say I wasnt a wee bit smug) Glen even noticed.  The rest of the run was easy and I was pretty happy when I got back to the house.  Much to my amazment last weeks time was 30 seconds faster than this week.  I must have messed up the timing last week because this week was much faster and easier feeling with no issues at the end.

Keep on Smilin'

Training Day : 14

Session : Medium Run

Distance : 8.25m

Avg/mile : 6.42/m

Time : 55.14

I felt quite down this morning coming into town to do my morning run.  Sure the running was really coming together but the news of the guy we saved not doing too well, some pressures at work and the rain lashing at the car wasnt helping.  I was hoping that this run would pick me up a bit.  

Todays run was the Crow Road Circuit.  It takes me from my work in St Vincent Street, along to Charing Cross, past Byres Road to Crow Road then up to Anniesland and back to town via  Great Western Road.

Felt really pleased with this run and if it hadnt been for stopping at traffic lights then I am sure it would have been under 6:30/m.  All the stiffness and heavy legs feeling from last week has gone but I am still dreading going out tomorrow with Glen and Lins again after the terrible run I had had the week before.

Grinding out the miles.

Training Day : 13

Session : Medium Run

Distance : 7.12m

Avg/mile : 6.39/m

Time : 47.22

After yesterdays nightmare going into work and not being able to run  I decided to do a circuit from the house.  This was one of my circuits from last year and probable one of the reasons I lost my mojo.  I just hated doing mile upon mile of miles past grim looking houses and litter strewn streets.  Anyway it is better to do this than not run at all.  I couldn't run at the club today because I had Mountain Rescue training.  I also found out that the older man who we had rescued last Wednesday had had a massive stroke and then a heart attack in the hospital so things were not looking too good.

This run takes me out of my house over past Bonhill down to Dunbarton and then to Renton and back to Alexandria.

I felt great during this run but a bit of a boob with choice of running clothing seen me trying to replicate sub-tropical temperatures by wearing my winter top.  No problems though because I felt so good I tried to race a train over a bridge.  I lost. Funnily enough.  It can go at 90 mph and is powered by 4 motors.  I on the other hand have 2 legs, could maybe get over 10miles an hour and had a bowl of chips for dinner.  Not a fair contest but hey I am competitive.

Got back home and had to rush to work but I was really pleased with myself after this one.

To be or not to be

Training Day : 12

Session : Rest

Distance : 0m

Avg/mile : n/a

Time : n/a

This is when things go all wrong.  Got up at 6:30 to do a training run before work but I went into work before hand to find problems and for some reason a lot of visitors so was unable to run.  Oh no is my training going pear shaped already?

The hills are alive...

Training Day : 11

Session : Hills Reps

Distance : 1.15m / 2.88m

Avg/mile : 9.42 /m and 7.52 / m

Time : 11.08 and 23.11

Well after recovering from the hills with Lindsey and Glen on the Saturday and then the 5 munros and epic drive on Sunday what better way to feel even better than to do even more hills but this time as reps.  Got to garscube to find that Alistair M wasn' there.  Great I can take it easier.  Oh oh, the Welsh guy is back.  The Welsh guy being an ex commonwealth Welsh guy.  Luckily he is just getting back into running and is slower.  Well slow for him.  We went to Dawsholm Park and I was put in charge.  The hill we ran took about 50 seconds to get to the top and we had a 1min 30secs recovery where we would jog to the beginning.  10 of these were plenty and I felt pretty knackered after it but managed to keep up with the Welsh guy who runs the reps with his dog.  By the 8th one even the dog was knackered and I am sure it was slowing him down.  I felt fantastic after this session.  Really good.

Back to Work (for a rest)

Training Day : 9
Session : Rest
Distance : n/a
Avg/mile : n/a
Time : n/a

Ahhh Mondays. It always feels like I go back to work on a Monday for a rest especially after yesterdays fun.

Thats me been training for a week now and I have noticed that I am starting to eat a lot more again. The last time I was training hard I was eating breakfast before I left in the morning and then a bowl of porridge at 11am, 4 bagels for lunch, various snacks just before training and then a full meal at 9pm at night. With all the fruit etc as well that I was eating I was spending half my day running and the other half on the toilet. Oh well, lets see what happens this time. Debbie is being her usual insane self and is away to the gym this lunchtime so I am taking the easy option and surfin' the internet instead. Debbie and I have been talking about getting a caravan, (yeah thats us half way to becoming that old married couple) and I was sent this video by Paul. I wonder if Debbie's car could pull a caravan?

On a technical note I have now added a training Calendar to the side bar that has all my training on it.  Just click the Google button on the right.

Gone with the Wind

Training Day : 8

Session : Hillwalking

Distance : 11.6 miles

Avg/mile : n/a

Time : n/a

I decided that this time with my training I would incorporate a lot of hillwalking as well, so that I was hill ready for the WHW race.  It also helps to be hill fit for any Mountain Rescue callouts that I am involved in.  Running and hillwalking are different and although my fitness in general is normally good I have found that I never seem to be 100% fit at both running and hillwalking at the same time.  At the moment I feel hill fit but not running fit and hopefully by still doing hillwalking at the same time I can get fit at both.  So I thought that this would be an easy day and far more interesting than a long run.  When I planned the trip I decided that it would be fun to do the 5 munros at Ben Lawers.  Joining me for todays jaunt would be Debbie (of course), Jill and Carol from the running club, John (who I have known for years and taught me about the hills), Gus and a girl that I hadn't met before called Therese.

Debbie and Jill had invited Therese to come because the 3 of them are away to do Kilimanjaro next month and this was a get to know each other day out.

So the plan was to meet at 7am at mine and then head up to Killin for 8:30.

Apart from starting at completely the wrong place and having to walk a little bit longer than anticipated the first munro passed without any hitches.  Then on the way up the second munro the wind really picked up and we ended up spending the whole day being blown about the hill with little or no conversation because noone could hear anyone else or even walk beside each other without falling over them.  I was a bit worried about Jill, Carol and the new girl because they werent too experienced but they were totally fine.  Anyway Carol had just bought a load of Ski wear (?!?!, I think she got confused somewhere) and I think she was glad to be getting bad weather so she could test out the waterproofness and wind resistance of her new gear.  Jill on the other hand had decided to borrow a £250 brand new looking all bells and whistles "I'm going up Everest" jacket from a guy called Benny at the running club.  More on this jacket later.  The munros on the Ben Lawers ridge are pretty easy and Debbie and I were looking forward to getting back early, having a nice meal and an early night.  It was after all our one month wedding anniversary.

Back at the car I had to give Gus and Therese a lift back to their cars at the beginning of the ridge and as there was not enough room in the car for everyone I left the girls to get changed at the Ben Lawers visitors centre.

15 minutes later I picked the girls back up and off we headed home.  We reached Crianlarich to find that the road along Loch Lomond was closed.  Great. There goes the early home.  OK, we arent too bad, we will still be back by 8pm.  So off we drove towards Loch Awe with the plan to go to Inveraray and then back over to Loch Lomond via Arrochar.  The weather by now was getting pretty stormy and everyone was getting tired and hungry.

Just as we passed Kilchurn Castle I was pointing out to everyone that that was the place that Debbie and I first camped when I heard this "OH NO" coming from the back.  Everyone was like "What?"  It was Jill.  "I have left Benny's jacket at the Visitors Centre" (an hour away)

So Jill.  I know I said I wouldnt say anything but does posting it to my blog count?  So we ended up having to drive all the way back to get it and then all the way to Callendar to get home and so the early night home turned out to be getting back at 10pm.  To be fair, Jill is black afronted with her mistake but I am sure that we will all get some milage from this.

Anyway training wise it was a good day out but not too strenuous.  I would like to start doing some running on the hills so that I can get the best of both worlds but with the weather the way it is that might be difficult.  My legs feel great and I am looking forward to the next session on Tuesday.

Run Fat Boy Run

Training Day : 7

Session : Hills/Trail

Distance : 7.6 miles

Avg/mile : 8.37min

Time : 1:05:23

Ok today was my big day and I failed miserably.  I finally got to run with local legend Glen Stewart who can run under 30 mins for a 10k.  Nothing like making it hard for yourself after one week of training.  Well why not make it harder for myself and choose a torturous hilly trail run which we call the Stoneymollan Route.  Cool.  I met Glen and Lindsay Cunningham at the Polaroid bridge in Renton at 8am and what a beautiful late summers morning it was.  So after being introduced to Glen off we went to the first major hill of the day.  Glen and Lindsey where yapin' away while I was in oxygen depravation but I still managed to keep up with them.  Not bad so far and maybe they dont notice that the sweat is pouring out of me.  Have they even started to sweat?  Maybe I ran to fast in an effort to be at the meeting point in time.  Yeah that was it.  Next there is a a lovely flat section past Carman Reserviour and then on to Cardross Road and then on to the tough section over Overton Muir and the trig point at 304m.  On the way up I was really struggling with Glen and Lindsay still yapin' away I slowly lagged behind and had to take a couple of short walking breaks which I am sure didnt go unnoticed by the guys.  We finally reached the trig point and and stunning views of Loch Lomond, the backs of the Campsies, Ben Lomond and Conic Hill with Glen and Lindsay discussing all manner of new and even harder routes I was content with getting my breath back and trying to compose myself.  Now my favourite bit, downhill.  Lindsay has been having some problems with a dodgy ankle for years so I know that I can hold my own on downhill sections and so off I went ahead and I started to really enjoy the run.  We met Debbie at the top of the Upper Stoneymollan Road and I now felt slightly embarassed as I thought that it might look like I was only showing off on the downhill cause I knew that my wife would be there.  It didn't help when Debbie shouted over to the other lads when they came down "Call yourself the elite team!"  EEEK, if only she had seen me spluttering on the way up. We said bye to Debbie and continued back down to Balloch and then home.

Just a short note about the film Run Fat Boy Run.  I found it pretty good especially the part with the blister.  Ok it was slightly predictable especially during the marathon race that was shown but all in all it was good entertainment.

Also on a technical note, I have decided to list each session at the top of each blog.  I noticed John Kynaston does this and so I thought that it was a good idea.  Thanks John.  Also I just wanted to mention that I watched John Kynaston's video on the WHW race and I just wanted to say that it really inspired me.  Thanks again John.  There is a link to John's blog on the right.

Training Day 6 (Rest)

Woohoo.  At last a rest day.  I am talking as if I have been doing mega milage when in fact I have hardly done anything but it is tough starting over from scratch again.

Anyway no rest for the wicked.  I am going to see Run Fat Boy Run in the cinema tonight for motivational purposes.  I think that it is about some guy that tries to run the London Marathon so that he can get a girlfriend.  A good enough reason if you ask me.  It stars Simon Pegg and is directed by the guy from friends David Schwimmer.  I hope it is good cause I didnt like the other film about the police guy.

http://www.runfatboyrunmovie.com/

Ok back to thoughts about training. I had a nice long lie but my crazy wife was again up at 5:30am. I really dont

know where she gets the energy from. After waiting on me hand and foot, cooking and cleaning and then up at the

crack of dawn to train. As she keeps saying to me "Your a lucky lucky man"

Today I feel so much better and lighter on my feet. It really is amazing to think that after only following the

Training plan for 6 days I already feel so much better.

Training Day 5 (Thursday Club Run)

After the fun and games of yesterday I am now feeling very tired.  I spent the whole day half asleep at my desk with even a Venti Caramel Macchiatto from Starbucks unable to keep me awake.  I was so glad when it was home time but I still had to go to the club for my Thursday night run and on the schedule tonight 7 miles.  Great.  I am half sleeping and my muscles are really complaining from upping the training and the Half on Sunday.

Arrived at the club to find good news though, Alistair Morrison isnt coming tonight as he is going to a wedding.  Great, maybe the pace will be slower.  Nope spoke to soon.  Who turns up, its Lindsay Cunningham.  He never comes to Thursday night training runs so why is he turning up tonight when i am a broken man.  Ok he isnt as fast as Alistair but he likes to train hard.  Alex from Shettleston and Stephen Mulrine complete our pack.

The route was from the Garscube estate, then all the way along Maryhill Road to St Georges Cross then back along Gt Western Road to Morrisons in Anniesland then back to the back gate of Garscube.  At least the route was easy to remember for a change.

We set off in what felt like at least 30 mins after the first pack.  Maz was in charge of the timing for when each pack went out and has only 2 weeks to go until the birth of her first child.  She must have been having a bad day and so kept us back for ages before letting us go.

I felt brilliant the minute we started.  All the stiffness in my legs dissapeared.  After what felt like an age I was beginning to wonder why my Garmin hadnt beeped to tell me I had covered a mile.  I took a look to find the battery dead.  It must be tired like me.  And the tiredness caught up with me when we got to St Georges Cross and I started to lag behind the others.

By the end I felt very tired but I completed the 7 miles in roughly 45 mins so again I was happy with that.  The rest of the group completed it in about 42 - 43 mins and Robert McFarlane who is always trying to race me but is running really well at the moment came in about 49 mins.  He really should join our pack because I think that time unfairly reflect his fitness as the pack below us probably took it slower at the start.

After the drive home I again got out of the car feeling very stiff and a bit cold.  Just happy to get a shower and perk up again.

Training Day 4 (Things can only get better)

Let me tell you about Debbie. Debbie is crazy. And this craziness gets her up at 5:30am to go to the gym. So as part of my new found training mojo I decided that I would join her and get up at the same time as her and go for a 6 mile run in town. We would only need to take one car with us and so it would save the environment too. Bonus. So off we go at some God awful hour with me half asleep and when we get to town I notice I have forgotten to wear my shiney new Wedding ring. Oh oh. Being newly married this wouldn't look to good so I ended up driving all the way back to get it. Mmm, so much for the environment and so much for getting up early. I still managed to do 5.5 miles before work at an average of 7min/mile which included a lot of stopping for traffic lights so I was happy with that. My legs are starting to recover from the half but I was still happy to finish and it was good to know that todays excercise was finished. Or was it?

I am a member of the Lomond Mountain Rescue Team. I love being a part of it but you do seem to get call outs at the most inappropriate times. Never when you have a wee afternoon off but always when you are in the middle of working late, out with the kids, having a romantic dinner, going to the cinema or having a domestic. And so as I prepared to leave work at 6:30pm knackered and away to see the kids I was called out. There hasnt been much activity in the way of call outs for a while and so I felt more so that it was important to get to this one. Anyway off I drove to Ben Venue at Loch Katrine. It ended up that 2 people required rescuing after one of a party of 20 walkers had had a suspected stroke and then another of the party had had a fall. So it was a late night and I finally got home at 2am.

It is on the BBC website




http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/6982287.stm

Training Day 3 (Club Reps)

Today at the club Debbie and I where given a new training schedule by our coach Lesley at Garscube Harriers.  It was great to finally get some direction with our training and I left the club with a loads of motivation and what I felt to be a new outlook.  Thanks Lesley.

Anyway back to tonights training and I was asked to take the top group out on a Fartlek run and told to take it easy with about 6 miles but with only fast bits of 100m to 200m.  I was so glad as my hamstring was still very sore and stiff so I hadn't been looking forward to tonights session but a nice stretch my legs Fartlek was just the thing.  Alistair Morrison wasnt so happy though.  He wanted a tough session and I was just in awe of him.  He had come in 11th place at the Glasgow Half in 1hr 09min 38secs and still wanted a hard session?  I left him to it with Alex from Shettleston and my group of 4 ran out to do our easy Fartlek.

The fartlek went ok but part of the route was up Boclair Road which with sore legs is a bit of a struggle.  The route ended up 5.5 miles with about 8 fast bits of 100m to 200m.

I was glad when the end came and felt very sore when I got home but so glad that training is now getting back on track.

Training Day 2 (Rest)

Cool.  Day 2 of the training plan is a rest day.  I really need it.  My hamstring on my right leg is really sore and stiff.  I have trouble walking.  So much so that Debbie was wondering what I was up to.

Results for yesterday are up.  I was 110th.  Not bad.

http://www.runglasgow.org/pdf/race-results-2007/gsrhalfmara-2007-pos.pdf

Debbie has signed my up for the Prestonpans Half Marathon on the 23rd September.  Its over beside Edinburgh somewhere.

Glasgow Half Marathon

Excellent.  What a way to start a training plan.  With a wee half marathon to see how out of shape I have become during the summer.  Last year I managed to run my PB for a half (1hr:16:53) but there was no way that I was getting that this year.

Just a little background information for everyone to why I am having to restart my training.  In March this year I ran the Paris marathon which although not a PB I still managed to get under 3 hours (just) which I was happy at because it was 30C.  For the marathon I had decided early on in the training to do an 18 week schedule and increase my weekly milage to 70 miles.  Bad move.  I think that I peaked at about 10 weeks and rarely ever reached the 70 miles per week.  I constantly felt fatigued, tired and felt that I was losing my mojo for running.  Anyway fortunatly for me I had entered the Devil of the Highlands 43 mile race from Tyndrum to Fort William in June this year.  I just wanted to finish it and wasnt really bothered about my time or place.  I had never ran over 28 miles so it came as a big surprise to come in 4th overall.  My mojo was back.  I had found something new.  Ultra Marathon running.

Only one thing stopped me immediately going back into full training again.  I was getting married and so I have been ticking along for the last few months running twice a week and going hillwalking.

So 3 weeks married and it was back to training, and to start with it would be the Glasgow Half Marathon.  This was also symbolic for me as it was the first race that I had ever done and so the start of my running "career" and so this would now be the start again or rebirth.

Anyway back to the half.

I decided to start back a bit in the white section so that I wouldnt feel the need to race off and try to keep up with people I used to be able to keep up with and so I thought that I would take it a bit easier.  This worked and I was soon running along feeling really great and starting to overtake some members of my running club and other familiar faces.  But soon the lack of long runs took its toll and I could feel that I was struggling.  Then a second wind at 8 miles and I managed to keep up with a guy called Kenny from Bela.  When I reached 10 miles I thought that I had enough in the tank to go for it to the finish and try to get under 1hr 20 mins.  This would be such a result for me after so long not training.  But no.  The minute I pushed I felt a shooting pain up the back of my leg.  My hamstring.  Lay off.  It went away.  Ok push again.  Ouch.  Lay off.  Still ouch.  Errm I hope I can finish this.  So I limped and spluttered along for the last 3 miles and finished in a time of 1hr 23min 05 secs.  I was happy enough with that.  But then I found out that Debbie my wife was at the finishing line too.  She shouldnt have finished for another 25 mins so something must be wrong.  I was worried.  I finally got through the finishing area and got to talk to her.  She hadnt been feeling well for the last couple of days and had struggled today because of it and pulled out after 6 miles.  I felt really bad because this was her first day back to training too.  But she is a brave wee soldier and she will be fine.

Welcome

After being embarassed by my wife into starting one (I thought that I was the technical one in the family) here is my attempt at blogging.  Really it is to help me with my training for the West Highland Way 96 mile race and beyond but if anyone finds anything interesting even a small bit then that is a big bonus.

So to all you runners, hillwalkers, athletes and couch potatoes, welcome to my Blog