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