2011 Race Roundup

I ran my first marathon, trained with great people, joined the Bellahouston Harriers and set personal bests on all distances. My Windermere Marathon experience will stay with me forever. Here's to 2012.

March - Balloch Clydebank Half Marathon
Distance: 13.1 miles
Chip Time: 1h:26m:02 (pb)
Position: 67 / 447
GPS Data

March - The Mighty Deerstalker Hill Run
Distance: 8.6 miles
Chip Time: 1h:32m:43
Position: 45 / 1673
GPS Data

May - Edinburgh North Berwick  Road Race
Distance: 20 miles
Chip Time: 2h:25m:05 (pb)
Position: 24 / 127
GPS Data

May - Windermere Marathon
Distance: 26.2 miles
Chip Time: 3h:05m:18 (pb)
Position: 26 / 676
GPS Data

June - Seven Hills Of Edinburgh
Distance: 15 miles
Chip Time: 1h:56m:36
Position: 28 / 179
GPS Data

June - Brian Goodwin Memorial 10k
Distance: 10k
Chip Time: 36m:58
Position: 21 / 195
GPS Data

August - Paisley 10K
Distance: 10k
Chip Time: 36m:43
Position: 18 / 998
GPS Data

October - Dalbeattie Hardrock Duathlon
Distance: 10 mile trail run, 16 mile mountain bike
Run Chip Time: 1h:06m
Bike Chip Time: 1h:32m
Position: 4 / 44

October - Cairngorm Charmer Duathlon
Distance: 4 mile trail run, 4 mile mountain bike, 4 mile trail run
Overall Chip Time: 01:14:34
Position: 9 / 177
GPS Data Run
GPS Data Bike
GPS Data Run

October - Southside Six
Distance: 16 mile
Chip Time: 01:40:47
Position: 7 / 220
GPS Data

November - Jimmy Irvine 10k
Date: November 12th
Distance: 10k
Chip Time: 36:15 (pb)
Position: 12 / 389
GPS Data

November - 3K on the Green
Distance: 3k
Chip Time: 10:26 (pb)
Position: 6 / 35
GPS Data

December - Kielder Duathlon
Distance: 7k trail run, 24k mountain bike, 6k trail run
Chip Time: 02:19:05
Position: 11 / 96
GPS Data Run
GPS Data Bike
GPS Data Run

3k on the Green - November

Results

First attempt at running this short Friday lunchtime race.

A 12.30 start requires a quick change in work followed by steady jog down to Glasgow Green. Feeling good I start fast and hold onto 5th until the turn point (a large tree) where I drop two places to 7th. I keep 6th place in my sights and once past the boathouse I open up and sprint past.

I finish 6th in 10:30.

Renfrewshire AAA Cross Country Championships

Results

Bellahouston Harriers

So.. cross country running is as hard as I remember it at school. Cold at the start, muddy and painful during and pure elation when it's over. I managed to keep it strong for four loops, a total of 6 miles and finished 11th in a time of 32:34 before heading over to the new Giffnock Wholefoods Supermarket to EAT.

Jimmy Irvine 10k

Results | Garmin Data | Photos

The Achilles Heel Jimmy Irvine Bella 10K takes place in Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park every November.  I'd been looking forward to this race all week so I meet team BBC (Bryan, Alan and Graham) early for a quick warmup before making our way up to the start.  There's a good buzz about the park and the weather is perfect, crisp and clear with blue skies.

By the time we get to the start there's around 400+ runners lined up, the front row a hotch potch of club vests and brightly coloured race shoes.  After a quick race brief from Robert McEwan the air horn sounds and we're off..

3, 2, 1.. 

Start - 3km
I stay wide on the left hand side watching my footing and jostling for position.  As we approach the first tight left hander I'm in a group of four consisting of David Hunter (Perth Road Runners #483), Scott Kennedy (Bellahouston Roadrunners #123) and Alex Chalmers (Garscube Harriers #481) and me #117.  We speed past the Palace of Art and Bellahouston Leisure Centre towards the park's south exit gate (3km).  I hear words of encouragement from coaches Tony and Erica which gives me a lift.

4km - 6km

Over the next km I feel strong and maintain my position.  I look ahead and see Robert Gilroy leading the race (how did he get so far ahead so quickly?) then catch my first glimpse of Rosie, Hannah and Holly standing by the 5km marker, big smiles all round.  Scott Kennedy slows down and stops on the sidelines. Injured or binned it, dunno.

5km - looking towards Rosie with David Hunter and Alex Chalmers

7km - 9km
Everythings going great until my left lace comes undone.  I deal with it but lose two places, schoolboy error.  At 7km I'm tiring...  my breathing is heavy and my form is going, I question whether I can keep the pace going.  David Hunter seems to be pulling away and negative thoughts are starting to infest.  I need a plan fast.  I look up, bare autumn trees everywhere.  I lock onto them, every corner bringing a new outline.  It seems to work, at 8.5km I've closed down David Hunter and pass Alex Chalmers on a small incline.

Finish
1km to go and Graeme Croll of Giffnock North pulls up beside me.  I can hear he's tired so I increase the pace enough to see him off.  With 200m to go I start sprinting towards the finish...

Sprinting for finish

I cross the line and press stop on my garmin. I finish 36:15 and position 12th, my best 10k result to date and a great end to the year.

Team BBC - Bryan, Alan, Cris and Graham

Splits

Parkrun #145

Results | Garmin Data | Photos

I got up early on Saturday 5th November with the plan of running 10 miles but got side tracked by a 3 year old demanding breakfast and attention. Realising time was slipping away I binned the 10 miler in favour of a quicker 5k parkrun in Pollok Country Park.  Lots of people had the same idea as they was a great turnout of 300+ runners. Just time for a quick hello to friends before the race gets underway. I kept George Taylor (Giffnock North) in my sights for the first 2km but couldn't really get close to him. Chris Devine (Garscube Harriers) and I run together until the last hill when he kicks past me, ah well.  I finished 8th in 18:14.

The start

Battling with Chris Devine

He won

The Southside Six

Results | Garmin Data | Photos

The Southside Six is a 16 mile road and trail race through the south side of Glasgow taking in six of the most scenic parks. The event was the brainchild of six friends who became tired of following routes that entailed stretches of suburban roads in favour of Glasgow's numerous parks. This was their first year of putting the event on.

The Route.

• King’s Park - 2 Miles
• Linn Park - 3.7 miles
• Rouken Glen Park - 7.3 miles
• Pollok Park - 11.2 miles
• Bellahouston Park  - 13.4 miles
• Queen’s Park - 16 miles

Garmin's tracked route

The Race.

After a short race brief from orgainisers Nick and Alan, myself and my fellow circuits mates made our way down to the start near the flagpole in Queen’s Park. The weather was crisp and I was feeling good so decided to start near the front.

"3, 2, 1, Go!"

The first ever Southside Six start.

A mad 5:40 min/mile sprint down through Battlefield towards King’s Park ensued much to the bewilderment of a few hungover freshers milling around outside Spar. During the next two miles I passed a steady stream of runners before it slowly dawned on me I might not be too far behind the lead runners. This wasn't really my plan but it felt good.

Entering Linn Park (3miles) I quickly tried to cobble together a new strategy for the next 13 miles given the pacey start. This is what I came up with: maintain 6.20 min/miles until Bellahouston Park (13miles) then just hold on...

At mile 4 George Taylor of Giffnock North and the lead women Jenny McClean of Edinburgh AC passed me whilst I was watching my footing on wet leaves. I let them go knowing I could probably pull them back on the long uphill of Clarkston Road.

Leaving Linn Park the route passed through Clarkston Toll and onwards to Rouken Glen Park (7.3miles) where Rosie was waiting with a much needed lucozade. I had moved up couple of positions having passed Jenny McClean and George Taylor on the hill as planned and was still feeling strong. I maintained 6:20 min/miles for next 3 miles through Thornliebank before entering Pollok Country Park (11miles) where my mate Graham offered some support for the final 3 miles, thank you mate. 

Running free in Pollok Park with Geroge Taylor chasing

Graham Ghillies mobile support

I kept it going through Bellahouston but was passed again by George Taylor on Nithsdale Road. I couldn't respond this time the pace and distance having finally taken their toll.

Burst welly.

I held him in my sights as we entered Queen’s Park, both trying to summon up one last push for the uphill finish at the flagpole. He groaned when he saw the two flights of steps so I took my chance and passed him with just enough pace so he couldn't respond. It hurt but it worked!

I finished in a time of 1:40:32 and in sixth position, delighted!

All smiles and handshakes at the end - 5th, 7th and 6th.

This was a superb event. Stunning route, brilliant organisation, very supportive friendly marshalls and a super tasty spread at the end. What more could you ask for? Well done Alan and Nick and everyone else who helped make this happen. Looking forward to SS6 2012.

 Stats

Round 3 Mugdock Cyclocross

Results | Photos

I took part in the 3rd round of the Scottish Cyclocross Series hosted by Glasgow Mountain Bike Club today. All I knew about Cyclocross was what I had heard from my friends Graham and Alex and what I had read online. 

"Races are fast, furious and muddy. Normally lasting around hour, a typical race will take short laps of singletrack, grass, tarmac and hurdles with short running sections. Although less technical than XC mountain biking, the courses used in the Scottish series are a stern test of rider's abilities."

And they weren't lying. The racing was action packed and completely relentless. I slipped and slided my way round each lap holding on as best I could. The muddy course had the pit teams working hard with bike swaps almost every lap for the leaders. I didn't have that luxury but did have an awesome support team in the form of Alex, Oran, Lexi, Seonaidh and Rosie. More cowbell! 

I finished 21st out of 62 riders in the mens senior race.


Footage from the race shot and and edited by my friend Alex on a GoPro HD camera.

The Cairngorm Charmer

Results | Garmin Data - Run 1 | Garmin Data - Bike | Garmin Data - Run 2 | Photos

My good friend Alex and I joined over 120 competitors from all parts of Scotland to completely ignore the wet and misty weather at Cairngorm Mountain on Saturday and take part in the fifth annual Cairngorm Charmer duathlon event.

The event sees teams of two complete a 12 mile lap by running and biking around the Cairngorm and Glenmore forests with a challenging (but charming) last mile hill climb back up the Allt Mor trail to the finish line at Cairngorm.

We both put in fairly respectable times and ended up finishing in 4th position overall, 2 minutes away from a podium place. Overall fastest time went to Inverness pair Ross Nixon and Donnie MacDonald who set a new record time of 2.19.13 retaining their title from 2010.

There was a great social and competitive atmosphere at the event (despite the weather conditions…) and we'll definitely be back to try and get on the podium!

The event is organised as a fundraising event for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and through generous donations we raised £400.

Team results:

1. Dangermouse and Penpusher - 02:19:13
2.  Bald and Balder - 02:27:00
3.  Third Again? - 02:30:35
4.  Dangerous Brothers - 02:32:34

Individual performances:

1. Cris (9th overall) - 01:14:34
2. Alex (16th overall) - 01:18:00

On the gun - Me and Donnie MacDonald of team Dangermouse and Penpusher start run 1

Run 1 - Elevation Loss: 1,004 ft.

Run 2 - Elevation Gain: 994 ft

Handover with Alex

Alex finishing

The Dangerous Brothers! 4th place is underated.

Dalbeattie Hardrock Challenge 2011

Results | Photos

Freshly recovered from my injury I took park in the 2011 Dalbeattie Hardrock Challenge at the weekend. A 10 mile trail run followed by a 16 mile mountain bike.

It was muddy, it didn't stop raining and I suffered cramp on the bike part but thoroughly enjoyed it. In the solo category, out of 40 entrants I was 4th overall with the 2nd fastest run and 10th fastest bike so delighted! Perhaps leave a little more in the tank for the bike part next time and not forget my Gamin watch.

(Not so) Great Scottish Run

I was feeling great!  My 1:26 half marathon pb was set to be smashed at the GSR on Sunday and I had the Kilmacolm Half a fortnight later. Running wise, things were going well. 

Certainly no need to train hard in the week leading up to the race, my fitness levels and pace were there.  But oh no. I went along to circuits and pushed it on the shuttle runs without warming up properly. I sprinted hard and felt a sharp pain in my Achilles when braking and turning. Race over.

Physio says it's a small vertical tear so I'm looking at around 4-6 weeks of recovery with cross training from next week and light running from week two.  Could be worse I guess.

We wandered down to Bellahouston to watch the race with Barry Dave and Liz. Well done everyone who ran it!

Elite Runners

As close to running the race as I got

Support Crew A - Liz, Rosie, Holly and Hannah

Paisley Vision 10K

Results | Garmin Data | Photos 

I woke up on Sunday morning feeling pretty excited: Rosie, H1 and H2 were coming along to support me and it would be my first time racing in a Bellahouston Harriers vest. 

After feeling pleased with ourselves for finding the Piazza car park with little strife it turned out it wasn't even open. So after a short reverse down the ramp we abandoned the car in St James Street and hot-footed it back round to the start at County Square.There was a great buzz in the air with plenty of spectators and supporters for the runners. After a short spiel from the Lord Provost and a warm up act that seemed only to be fully appreciated by two synchronised stewards busting some moves by the side of the stage it was time for the off.
 

Start
I got into position a few rows back from the starting line and bumped into Bellahouston  Harrier Iain Burke who encouraged me to get right up to the front with Mark Paterson and Brian Douglas so I nudged my way forward in time just in time for the starting gun to fire.  The race started with a mad sprint through the streets and around Paisley Abby before heading under Gilmour St. railway bridge and onto St. James Street. I tucked in behind Shettleston Harrier Denis Williams and tried to settle into the run.

Miles 2 – 3
As I turned onto a windy and exposed Feguslie Park Avenue the leaders were moving just out of sight but I could still make out Ronhill Cambuslang Harrier Shazad Hakeen in 10th. Shazad is on fire at the moment. I stared to feel the sub 6:00 pace at this stage but stuck with it and kept up with Brian. Mark Paterson breaks away and starts to close down the distance between him and Shazad. 
 
Miles 4 - 5
Beneath an underpass into Linwood Road the route then turned up the N75 cycle path for a mile and half. As expected the pace increased. Sweating, I check my Garmin, there was a good chance I would beat my 36:58pb. So I gritted my teeth and held on.
 

Finish
We burst off the N75 at 5:45 pace, crossing Canal Street, onto Lady Lane and past the 1km to go marker. I turned into the last hill and gave it one final push passing Brian with Donald Petrie of Kilbararn AAC in my sights.

I turned into Gilmour street for the final 200m but Brian Douglas and Peter Gallanagh had already started sprinting and flew past. Part of my brain said "let them go", but the other part yelled back, “start sprinting!!” So I opened up with all I had and tore down the last 200m. I'd left it too late to catch Brian but focused my eyes on Peter Gallanagh and chased him down. 

Final sprint for line. 
Bryan Douglas (724), Peter Gallanagh (1004), Myself (740) and Donald Petrie (992)

We crossed the line at full speed together before slowing down and grabbing the cold steel barrier so as not to fall over. As I got my breath back I felt the adrenalin flow around my body and felt completely elated. 

I finished 18th in 36:41, a new pb.

Bellahouston Harriers Session

Great session this evening. 10 x 400m, 1min recovery,  felt good. Chatted to another Harrier Iain I hadn't met before on warmdown. Paid Erica cash for vest and put name down for Great Scottish Run night out, just need a pass now!

Park Run #135

Results | Garmin Data

No long run this morning so I took part my 16th parkrun. Lovely sunny morning so rode the bike down to the park, locked it up and warmed up with 2x1k loops on part of the route. Got chatting to Paul from circuits before making my way over to the start line.

After the race briefing it was the usual fast start which bottlenecks on the first corner before settling down after the first climb. I caught up with Mark Paterson of the Bella Harriers by this point and stayed with him until he pushed on from 3k. Managed to hold it together for the next loop myself but by the time I got to the final climb I was tired. I heard Matt Brown shout "only a minute to go Cris!" from the trees which picked me up so kicked from the top of the hill all the way down to the finish line 200m away. Final time 18:19 and a new parkrun pb.

Bellahouston Harriers 2 Mile Time Trial

Results | Garmin Data|

"Why should I run practise running slow? I already know how to run slow. I want to learn how to run fast"
  Emil Zatopek

I ran my first 2 mile time trail this evening as part of Bellashouston Harrier's summer series.

After sitting behind a desk all day looking outside wondering if the heavy rain was going to stop, what pace I should run at and had I eaten too much at lunch I logged off and rode the 2 miles from work to Pollok park.

After a quick change and catchup chat with others it was outside for a 2 mile warmup. Legs felt a little fatigued from Saturday's long run, a few lunchtime 10ks and circuits the night before but this disappeared by the time we all lined up on the start line.

I pushed the first mile running a 5:30 to keep up with a comfortable looking Mark Paterson but knew I was going a little too fast given the second mile had a hill. I kept the foot down but by the time I got to the top of the hill with 500m to go I was tired. I couldn't do anything to hold back the strong finishing sprints of Matt Brown and Brian Douglas and finished 7th with a 11.18. I wasn’t entirely sure of how to run the distance if the truth be told. I knew it would be fast but therein lies the risk, go fast and burn up or hang back but leave yourself alot to do. Never had these issues with marathons, just sit back and enjoy the views for 3+ hours! Really enjoyed the race though and delighted with result.

The Three Lochs Way

I've kindly been granted permission by R to join my running friends Barry, Ronnie and Paul for a long run this Saturday. The route were planning is a long distance footpath linking Loch Lomond, Gareloch and Loch Long and can be broken down into 4 stages.

 

Stage 1 - Balloch - Helensburgh - 9 Miles

Stage 2 - Helensburgh - Garelochhead - 7 Miles

Stage 3 - Garelochhead - Arrochar - 13 Miles

Stage 4 - Arrochar - Inveruglas  - 6 Miles

Total distance for all four stages is 34 miles and shown in red on the map.  

Really excited about this trail run. I've been reading "Born To Run" by Christopher McDougall which is a really phenomenal book and full of pure inspiration.

Brian Goodwin Memorial 10k

Results | GPS| Photos 

"Run like hell and get the agony over with"
  - Clarence Harrison DeMar

These words of wisdom flew through my mind soon after the starting gun fired at the Brian Goodwin 10k in Pollok Park on Friday night.  I'd chosen to start close to the front and immediately felt the blistering pace after sitting behind a desk all day.

We sprinted along by the stables, up past the mountain bike trails entrance and onto the long straight towards Pollok house. I could see the lead group of 8 - 10 guys disappear around a corner whilst the small group of Harriers and Roadrunners I was in jostled for space. I knew I would blow up at the current pace of 5:45 minute miles, so dropped it down a little heading onto Haggs Road at 3k tucking in behind an unaffiliated dude wearing all black.

I failed to match his pace and the floodgates were now open being ovetaken by Bellahouston Harriers and Roadrunners for the next 2k. Edit: I met the runner afterwards, his name is Shazan Hakeen and finished in 16th in 36:40.

I managed to stem the flow at the sharp left turn at Cartha Rugby Club which marked the half way point and the start of another loop through the park. I was tired at this point but my spirits were lifted when I saw Rosie cheering me on at 6k.

I managed to maintain my speed and position for the final 4k knowing I was going to smash my previous PB of 38:45 but too weary to try and catch anyone at this point. I crossed the line 21st in 36:58, a pb to be proud of!