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.