Virgin London Marathon 2012

Results | Photos  | GPS Data

After a great couple days in London with Rosie I found myself outside the Fast Good for Age Zone on Blackheath Common on Sunday morning ready for the start of the 2012 London Marathon.

As I lined up with the other club runners the behind the large timing clock I was a little nervous but mostly excited. At 9.35 and with 10 minutes to go I closed my eyes in the sunshine and visualised my race ahead.

My plan was a 02:45:00 marathon which is 6:15 pace which I managed consistently for the first half, passing Chris Upson (Westerlands), Scott Kennedy (Bellahouston Road Runners) and George Taylor (Giffnock North) just after Tower Bridge. All quality runners.

At mile 15 when people were starting to fade I opened up to put down 4 miles at 6:06, 6:01, 6:08, 6:06, high fived Rosie at Carnary Wharf before shifting down slightly for the final 10k.

I completed the race (and my second marathon) in 02:43:32 finishing in position 291st and smashing my pb of 3:05:03.

An amazing experience and a result that gets me into the UK Athletic Championship start next year.

Splits

I ran the first 13 miles in 1:20:55 (6:13 pace) and the second 13 miles in 1:20:04 (6:10 pace) achieving a negative split of 51 seconds. I had aimed to run the first two miles at 6:40 but increased my pace after 1 mile, probably getting caught in the race a bit.

Hydration and Fuel
I had started carbo loading 48 hours before the race - rice, potatoes, crackers, muffins, orange juice and expo freebies, little and often.  I sipped on water as we walked around London prior to the race but had already drank litres of the stuff during the week.

During the race I took water bottle at every third station and an isotonic drink at 10, 19 and 23. I carried six gels and used 5, taking one on every 45mins or so. This strategy seemed to work well. Post race grub was a brillant meal at Leon's before heading back out to meet friends, swap stories and booze it up into the night in the Hard Rock Cafe.

 

 

Alloa Half Marathon

Results | Photos  | More Photos

My last half marathon was the 2011 Balloch - Clydebank where I set a pb of 1:26:06. I was hoping for something around the 1:21 mark having trained over winter with the Bellahouston Harriers but as the starting gun fired in the bright spring sunshine my plan went straight out the window.

The Ochill foothills - credit: runpics.com

The first 4 miles were amazing, much faster than I had planned for but hugely enjoyable, passing the 3 mile marker in 17.40. Ahead of me was a strong group working together which included George Taylor (Giffnock North), Ewan Jack (Central Athletics) and Rodger Clark (Carnegie Harriers). I kept them in my sights and once passed the 10k point (36.40) took on a gel and focused on Ochill foothills ahead. I sensed I could go faster so hung onto the shoulder of a pacey Anster Haddie runner called Dell.

Dell (Anster Haddies), Crispin Walsh (Bellahouston Harriers) and Jennifer Emsley (Central AC) - credit: runpics.com

We picked off flagging runners along the foothills until the long hill at 11 miles, I couldn't match his pace here so shrugged it off and blasted the last 2 miles with what I had left!

I ran a 1:18:19 and finished 30th overall, 10th M40.

From left - Craig Lamont, Crispin Walsh, Angela Campbell, Kristina Greig, Stewart Mullholland. - credit: Claire Lamont.

Scottish Nationals XC Championships - Falkirk

Results | GPS data | Photos | Photos

As tough as expected. 12k of undulating hills, thick mud and a strong field made for a lung busting afternoon race around Callander Park. I should have started nearer the front but I'm pretty happy with my run overall.

I ran the 12k in 47:12 and finished 120th of 505 runners. Top 100 next year. 

Renfrewshire 5 mile Road Race Championships

Results | GPS data

Feeling a bit tired from the Scottish Masters XC race yesterday but still buzzing from my result, I wasn't sure what to expect today. After the short drive to Greenock I meet Bellahouston Harrier clubmate Matt Brown who fills me in on what lies ahead before making my way over to the start line.

The guns fires, the adrenaline surges and I complete my first mile in 5:29 with clubmate Mark Paterson and George Taylor (Giffnock AC).

Once out onto the esplanade I drop off the pace a little letting and Mark and George Taylor get ahead before reeling them back in after the turn point. At 4 miles I make a move on a small incline to pass Mark and close down George Taylor, not really sure if I have enough left in the tank to pass him. We complete another full lap of Battery Park together before turning into the finishing straight where I give it the full welly to finish just in front.

I run the 5 miles in 28:22 and finish 14th, 2nd fastest M40. Great runs from all the Bellahouston Harriers.

Scottish National Masters XC Champs - Kilmarnock

Results | GPS data

My first National Masters Cross Country Championship. I line up in the driving icy rain in Kilmarnock with another 178 club runners and go out hard - I lose places, I make up places, I sprint for the line. I complete all three laps of the tough 5 mile course in 31:27 for 15th position.

LSK Supplies Veterans Relays

Results | GPS data | Photos | Photos

I was on the first leg for the Bellahouston Harriers male B team in the the Veterans relays in Strathclyde Park on Sunday.

After an icey start I settled into position behind the 12 strong group chasing leaders Robert Gilroy (Ronhill Cambuslang) and Andrew Wright (Carnegie Harriers).

I look down and see my Garmin has gone flat so I run to my heart rate and the other runners around me. Lesley Chisholm (Garscube Harriers) pulls up beside me looking really strong and we pace each other for next half mile til the halfway point.

I've no idea what pace I'm running but it's hurting. I empty my mind and focus on my form. I can see the water sports centre across the loch but its still at least a mile and a half away. Lesley Chisholm pulls away and I try to match her pace. We close down and pass Westerlands runner Chris Upson. With half a mile to go I can see Robert Gilroy and Andrew Wright have reached the finish, I just have to hold it together. My legs are burning now. I don't have a sprint left in me but can sense other runners behind me are gearing up for theirs. I turn into the last corner and sure enough Chris passes me. I cross the line and tag Mark Paterson before bending over and trying not to be sick.

I finish the 3.8 mile loop in 20:53 (average pace of 5:30) which helps the Bellahouston Harriers male B team come 7th overall.

Glentress Duathlon - Short

Results | GPS data - run leg | GPS data - bike leg |  Photos

The Glentress Duathlon is a series of three (medium, short and long) winter races in the Borders. Each race consists of a hill run and a mountain bike ride. 
My friend Graham and I had entered the "short" distance which consisted of a 5k hill run followed by a 8k mountain bike ride.  My plan was to finish in the top 8 for the run, swift transition then put in a good bike leg with no traffic. That didn't happen.

The Race
The start was a bit of a scramble and I went out too fast, leading into the first corner only to be over taken by Tom Owens (the winner) and two other runners. I tried to settle myself but was breathing heavily and thinking too much. After a mile we hit a steep path and my legs turn to jelly and my pace drops dramatically. Around ten runners pass me on this climb and I was powerless to stop them. Any chances of a top 6 finish are well and truly gone. I should say at this point I had ridden 125 miles the week before this race and naively thought 24 hours would be enough recovery!


Finally we top out and I see the snake of runners descending in the distance. I quickly glanced at my Garmin; 1.5 miles to go, mostly downhill. I open up and hurtled down the moor making up some time and gaining a few places. 

I manage a fairly swift transition; spot bike, helment on, slip off left trail shoe, slip on left bike shoe, repeat. Around 45 seconds in all. I put in a solid bike leg making up a few places but don't ever fully recover from the run. 


Lesson learned. It's not possible to maintain big midweek bike miles, train for a marathon and expect to place at wee races. Something has to give, in this case, it was my legs.


I finished 15th overall with a combined run bike time of 52:02.  On the up side this was a good enough time to pick up 1st Place in my new age category (40+) so not altogether too disappointing!

Finished!