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!

The Seven Hills of Edinburgh

Results | Photos |GPS data

Hello. Thought I'd start a wee diary to document the training and races I've been getting into this year. 


First up, "The Seven Hills Of Edinburgh" held on Sunday 19th June.

The course is a combination of road-running, cross-country, hill-running, and urban orienteering. The total distance is a little over 14 miles, and there's about 2200 feet of ascent/descent. There are, unfortunately, many road-crossings, quite a few of them major roads.

Carlton Hill the start and finish point and competitors have to find their own route, as the course is not marked, but they must pass through the 6 checkpoints in the correct order and punch their race-number there with clippers.
My strategy of steady on the hills and fast on the roads worked quite well although facing Authurs Seat at the end was ridiculously hard. 


I dug in and finished 14.7 miles in 01:56:06 taking 28th spot.