bedlam_g

I knew at the start it would be between me and last year’s winner Ben Kemp. I also knew Ben was a battler who had won many races over the years and had won 4 out of 5 of the Heb 3 series races last year. I had beaten him for the first time by a minute in Stornoway two weeks ago but up until now I’ve had a pretty successful life of never winning at anything and choking whenever I get close. I decided the night before to try to take the pressure off myself by treating it just as round 2 of the Heb 3 series. With Andy Joyce not running in what weather permitting can be the fastest course of the series I maybe had a chance to close the gap if I could post a time close to his 1.16 winning time at Stornoway. Unfortunately as we warmed up it was blowing a gale and it was, as it apparently frequently is in Benbecula, coming off the sea from 3 sides so at least 9 miles were going to be into a stiff headwind.

We lined up and off we went and just as he did in Stornoway, Ben sped into an early lead, I again held back to try and stick to an even pace and another previous winner, Terry Coyle, stayed at my shoulder. For the first two miles the gap stayed the same and my splits were 5.50 and 5.56. We turned a corner at this point and the wind became almost impossible Ben seemed to slow a little so I pushed to close the gap and go past him and in doing so left Terry behind with Ben. The next 4 miles were in 6.09, 6.03, 6.10 and 6.10 added to the constant win were a few hills which were killing me. I was really losing the will to live I’d no idea how far in front I was I just wanted to stop and go home. Then I started having a real go at myself this was the furthest I’d ever led a race every mile would be an achievement. I looked around for the first time and saw I had about a 30 second lead, still to be leading at half way was another huge achievement.

Then there was another turn and hallelujah at last the wind was at my back for the first time in the race, it felt so good. I knew I couldn’t relax, this I told myself was where the race could be won or lost and if I felt good so would Ben and he had a visual guide in me to gauge his progress. Mile 7 was 5.50 and mile 8 was in 5.49 everything felt great. Then another turn and it was back to war with the wind and another climb 5.59 and 6.14. 10 miles in 1.00.15.

I was back to the ‘just get to the next mile marker still in front’ tactic, managed a 5.58 for mile 11 and then came one of my worst moments, I started to get really negative again and my legs started to feel like they would give way, I started to think about “when” I’d be overtaken, would it be better if it happened now and saved myself the blow of getting beaten in sight of the finish line? I was worrying about how tough mentally the recovery would be the closer I got to the finish. My horrible 12 mile split was a 6.07. Final mile its long, flat and straight I pushed and pushed I could see the 13 mile marker ‘just get there still ahead’ I told myself ‘let dd see how close you came to winning’. Still the bloody wind howled I passed dd she didn’t say anything was that good or bad, I felt certain if Ben was on my shoulder she’d have shouted. My 13 mile split was 5.51. Now I just put my head down gave it everything then thankfully there was the finish, I could tell the crowd at the line were only watching me there was no one behind me - I’d done it. What do you do as you cross the line in first? do you raise your arms, do you smile, punch the air? It would have disrespectful not to do something so up went the arms (just a little bit).

It was over I’d won. Bloody hell. I turned around to watch Ben finish in 2nd about 50 seconds behind me. I was so relieved to have won, nothing went wrong and the ground didn’t open up. I just kept running and came in first. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so physically and mentally wrecked after a race but what a great feeling.

Pos 1st Time 1.18.34 Splits 5.50 5.56 6.09 6.03 6.10 6.10 5.50 5.49 5.59 6.14 5.58 6.07 5.51 0.21
5k splits 18.35 19.01 18.25 18.57


More pics - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=81788&id=535208753&l=8ff73a0a99

The first race of the Heb 3 Half Marathon series and with perfect timing I had completely lost my mojo, I honestly can’t remember ever feeling so low before a race. I couldn’t even get nervous I was pretty sure it was going to be a disaster. It probably made it worse that I was trying to look and sound positive to avoid making Danielle's nerves any worse before her first half.

In the end I decided the best way to get through it was to try and switch off to pretend it was just a fast training run nobody else mattered, no matter what position I was in as long as I ran a credible time. We gathered in the grounds of Lews Castle, my Bella teammate Andy Joyce running for his 1st claim club Stornoway was, I reckoned, the favourite after his 57 minute 10mile at Tom Scott and 1.16 at Inverness, probably followed by last years winner Portobello’s Ben Kemp. I had a feeling Andy would go out very fast and I knew if I tried to go with him my race would be wrecked early on so my target was a disciplined 5.50ish minute miles and hope that him and anyone that went with would come back to me.

The gun went and it went exactly as I imagined only it was Andy and 6 others disappearing of into the distance I did my best to keep the brakes on but still somehow managed a 5.38 mile so god knows what pace the front group were going at. I made sure it was target pace from there onwards and soon passed a couple of runners and the gap between me and the Portobello pairing ahead of Ben Kemp and Peter Buchanan started to slowly narrowly for the next couple of miles. Andy Joyce and Gordon Lennox were running side by side and stretching their already considerable leads. It was pretty tough going into what seemed like a constant head wind and my confidence was swinging wildly between ‘this is dead easy I’m in great shape’ and ‘this is hellish, I can’t sustain it, I need to quit’.

Around mile 5 I reached Peter and Ben on one of the many little hills and my initial reaction was to draft behind them for a minute and try and relax a bit. But they split one on the left side of the road and one on the right and as there isn’t enough fat on either to shield a sparrow from a Stornoway wind I went through and away. Suddenly at the end of the next street the other front runner appeared, he seemed to be going backwards and in no time I found myself in 2nd place. I could see Andy up in the distance and I seemed to be closing on him as well.

Now we turned back into the forest trails in the grounds of Lews Castle and immediately came the soft gravel path, the twisty steep hills, rocky paths, narrow foot bridges and marshalls facing the wrong way and having to be shouted at for a direction at junctions. It was still going surprisingly well until a fork with no marshall at it, I went with my gut instinct and chose left, it got narrower and steeper and started to feel like the wrong way - what now? I kept looking over my shoulder and there was none behind me, I was slowing down thinking if it was the wrong way the faster I went the more off course I would be. I decided I’d turn back if there wasn’t a marshall or a mile marker soon, it had now been almost a mile I’d felt lost. I kept going until the next corner thinking I’ll turn back then and finally there was a green arrow on a fence post. I’d lost time but was still in 2nd and the chances were the guys behind me had been going through the same thing.

The next few miles went by much quicker it was still twisty and hilly but at least I was going the right way and I knew it was crucial to stay out of sight of 3rd place and not give them something to chase. Finally I reached 13 miles and could see the stone arch at the finish and gave it my all to the line for 2nd place in a time of 1.19.28. Andy was waiting to greet me at the finish, he’d become not only the first local to win the race in 25 years he’d also broken the course record winning in 1.16.17 an astonishing time. Next it was Ben Kemp for 3rd in 1.20.24 almost a minute quicker than his winning time last year.

Now I had the nervous wait for Danielle, she was just aiming to get round but for someone who isn’t very confident on rough terrain this course was going to be a real challenge. Eventually she appeared looking strong and surprisingly happy for a time of 2.22.55. Quickly we speed along to the prize ceremony, my prize for 2nd was a lovely Lewis chess piece with the race name and my position on the base and a Stornoway black pudding (which with me being a veggie, my dad appreciated).

Then the organisers kindly produced a mini bus to whisk the group of us needing to catch the last ferry back to the terminal. Despite my prerace head stuff I’m really pleased with my performance, I reckon the trails took at least a minute off the time and I probably lost more thinking I was lost, and I beat some good runners on a course most of them had run before.

But I can’t help feeling a bit down about how negative and lacking in confidence I felt before the race – it’s kind of tarnished what should have great memory. I was clearly in decent shape and reckon 133 other runners would have gladly swapped places with me. Hopefully my head will be sorted for Benbecula in a fortnight and I can start enjoying things again.

Time 1.19.28
Position 2nd/135 runners
Splits – 5.38 5.51 5.55 6.00 5.50 5.59 6.12 6.21 6.13 6.13 6.00 6.07 6.02 1.06
Results - http://www.srac.org.uk/half2009results.htm

My 100th race and thankfully it was a rather enjoyable one.

A little niggle in my right knee from my (he who dares, Delboy Trotter’s Guide to Running) pointless 20 mile run, had been the focus of most of my attention in the days leading up to this race. It didn’t feel too serious just a tracking thing but I couldn’t pinpoint the leg muscle that was causing it and probably aggravated it on more than one occasion by my constant stretching, prodding and trying to be careful on stairs.

I'd set myself a target of sub 59 minutes which required splits of between 5.50 and 5.53, I thought I was capable of doing it but my last 4 races have all been disappointments. DD was doing the 6k so we had a double preparation I think we are getting better at the double pre race nerves thing because for once we didn’t fall out in car on the way.

The weather was absolutely perfect for a change and after a gentle warm up the runners from both races lined up at the start. The Tom Scott has a rather odd start where both the 10 mile and 6k start together, it makes early pacing a bit difficult as you don’t know what race the people around you are doing until the 2 races split at about 3 miles.

The 1st mile was at a silly pace but I took a bit of a gamble that the usual faces running around me were hopefully dong my race and went with it which resulted in a very fast 5.34 split. I decided to try and slow it down a bit in mile 2, its really tough to let the people around you get away but I was worried I’d suffer later on for another 5.30 something split but at the same time I also had to try and not to drop the pace too much as it would be tough to pick it up again, the mile 2 marker appeared and the split was 5.45 I was happy. The 3rd mile despite all its twists and little climbs and dips was bang on pace, I was starting to relax and got a perfect 5.50 split. Now I had to deal with the hill between miles 3 and 4, I remember this hill wrecking my legs last year and my race being really rough from that point onwards. Just before the hill an Edinburgh runner appeared beside me and started to chat, I’m surprised he persevered because talking while racing isn’t one of my talents, but trying to reply to him in sentences that required 6 breaths per word seemed to take my mind off the hill because without to much distress I was up and over it and clocking a very pleasing 5.55 split.

Now it was pretty flat for 6 miles, a Motherwell runner started to drop off the group up ahead and over about the next two miles I steadily closed the gap then passed him with a couple of 5.51 paced miles. I was now really tired, there was a big gap ahead to a lone Fife AC runner I closed on him slightly but it was just too far, my next 3 miles were 5.57, 6.06 and 5.57 I,ve got a feeling may have settled into the Fife runners pace which is easy to do especially when your focusing on someone in the distance. The final mile now started and I knew had to try and get moving again to make sure of that sub 59 my Edinburgh friend now reappeared no chat this time he went flying past and I hung on for dear life, not catching him but grateful for the late tow which got me a 5.45 final mile and a time of 58.32 for a 1m 35s pb and 31st place at a Scottish Athletics Grand Prix event. At the finish line it was a relief to find DD had also had a good run getting her 1st sub 30 5k on the way to a 6k pb. So after a few disappointments I reckon I’m back on track and with more disciplined early pacing I reckon I could stretch this out to a 1.16 half, which is handy considering I got a few of those looming on the horizon. A special mention to Eyespy32, ClaireT, Bodo and others for the support during the race and to all the Fetchies running the opposite way in the 6k who either waved or shouted, I did my best to try and respond.

The omens weren’t good for this race, after a great training session on Monday night, I awoke on Tuesday with a bad cold complete with sore throat and aching limbs and was reduced from being confident of a sub 1.18 to doubtful if I should even start on Sunday morning. The driving sleet that was hitting the car windows as we drove up the A82 didn’t exactly inspire, but there I was on the start line at 9.30 pretending to be the hard/silly bastard with no base layer, gloves or hat.

Off we went and much to my relief right away I felt good for my target 1.17.30. I needed mile splits of 5.55 and despite a head wind for the first miles they came and went pretty quickly. In training sub 6s feel much tougher so it was a great feeling to be ticking off the miles and feeling good, even this early on I started to feel my target could be achievable. With the first 4 miles (warm up) out the way I was now into the (as I kept telling myself) comfortably paced middle 10k even if it was at sub 37 10k pace. As each mile went by they got little bit tougher and at around 8 miles I started to get a little panicky that I’d gone for too fast a pace and had to remind myself that’s what this stage of a half should now feel like, I also remember thinking “why the hell would I ever want to do a marathon”. The aim at this point was just to stay focused and keep this pace until 10 miles and let the final 3 should take care of themselves.

I haven’t mentioned any other runners up until now, basically because in my race from about 3 miles there weren’t any, I wasn’t aware of anyone behind me and the ones ahead were too far in the distance to affect me. Finally at about around 9 miles I caught and passed a Bella team mate Steve Reid quickly followed about a mile later by Garscube runner Marco Consani both of them at the time seemed to be tiring an little and I was glad neither tried to race me as I was really at my limit, in fact as I went by Marco at the top of the hill at mile 10 my legs were now alarmingly heavy.

I reached 10 miles in 59.08 bang on 5.55 minute miles and almost a minute off my Brampton Carsile PB but almost immediately my pace was over 6s. I pushed and pushed but it just wouldn’t happen, mile 11 in 6.03, 12 in 6.02 and 13 in 6.01. My garmin was still showing a 5.56 average but this course measured 13.2 for me last year and I had a feeling it would be the same again I could see Hankies ahead in the distance and I thought to myself I bet he gets a sub 1.18 and I don’t. I was right as I crossed the line my watch was at 1.18.20 still a 1 minute pb and about 4 and a half minutes quicker than last year.

Agonisingly when I enter a 13.1 split for the race in Sportstracks it comes up with 1.17.47. So it looks like i’m going to have to do Alloa now once i’ve got the small matter of a new 5k pb out of the way at Clydebank next week.

Well done to Sunbed Athlete on his win and my teammates on winning the team prize which included 2nd placed Colin McGill (Jake Ha Ha) plus Al MacLeod and Scott Kennedy (Scobos) and finally my little sister Karen who was 4th lady and broke 1.30 for the 1st time.

Time 1.18.20 Pos 12th

Mile Splits - 5.54 5.53 5.55 5.58 5.50 5.55 5.56 5.52 5.53 5.55 6.03 6.02 6.01 1.04
5k Splits - 18.22 18.23 18.22 18.41
5 mile Splits - 29.33 29.34
10k Splits - 36.45 37.03
10mile time - 59.08
13.1 - 1.17.47

Even if I do say so myself I had a great race on Saturday. Last year was my first nationals and I had a shocker, I tried to go with someone who was on the day far too quick for me, I was in a bad way by the end of the first lap and still had two murderous laps of this tough 12km course to go, mercilessly getting passed by what seemed like about 500 runners until the finish line finally made it stop.

This year for some unknown reason I just seemed to get into the zone and ran for fun, from start to finish passing people I’ve never ever come close to in races and somehow staying steady and quick to the end. I didn’t look at my watch once, just focused on various runners ahead in the distance and patiently moved through the field. I knew I’d ran well but I was still gobsmacked at the end by my time of 44.12 over 3 minutes quicker than last year despite it being a longer course with an added hill, an average pace of 6.07 min/miles and lap splits of 14.40 14.42 14.48 (only 8 seconds difference - woohoo).

As ever though I’ve managed to dig out a few moans, should I have pushed harder? I was only 14 seconds away from a top 100 place, I heard it mentioned before the start that you need to be a 34 min 10k runner to make the top 100 in this race and a sub 35s my current aim. And I was beaten yet again by my current Nemesis Bella Harrier Andy Campbell, 3 times I led him, each time for a little bit longer, each time I focused on my own race and each time as he passed me back he seemed to be having to work much harder to pass me. I thought my steady paced strategy would win in the end but stupidly didn’t respond when it really mattered and he went past me for the final time with about 600m to go. I’m a total idiot even I’d finished 2nd best, the race to the line would have probably got both of us into the top 100. He’s a great runner and on Saturday’s showing real battler so I’m looking forward to some great races ahead.

So its hopefully all looking good again with the Balloch to Clydebank Half Marathon in just 11 days followed by the Clydesdale Harriers 5k a week later. These were my two big breakthrough races last year, huge PBs in both, and I still don’t think I’ve had a better feel good experience in a race than that day at Balloch. Could I do it again? Well with my sexy new black racing shoes are currently making their way over from America, I reckon it would be a bit silly not to.

Don’t really understand my general mopeyness about this race it was my 4th ever sub 36 10k and (4th in a row) and I went from 38.43 and 53rd out of 208 last year to 35.58 and 13th out of 347 this year, in far tougher conditions. Yet still I feel disappointed at least I’ve left it a few days to blog and sort out the nonsense in my head. Here goes grab the cleanex/andrex -

The race starts with a lap around some houses then down to the canal towpath where it stays for 3 miles then crosses a bridge over the canal and back along the other side for the final 2 miles finishing at the canal side. I did this for the first time last year when the paths were frozen and sneaked 1 second 10k pb of 38.43. It was quickly evident in the warm up through the mud and large puddles that this time it would take an exceptional run to even come close to a pb.

At the start I was stupidly caught on my heels a little, not a good idea here as the field bunches at the first canal gate then passing becomes very difficult on the narrow towpath just as the runners who have gone off too quickly begin to struggle and slow. A few team mates had judged the start rather better and were visible up ahead in the distance, then I was passed by Bella Harrier Andy Campbell he’d narrowly beaten me in the last few races, until the last one at Ayr when he beat me by almost minute for an amazing low 34 minute time, I had a cunning plan if I can hang on to him I’ll get a great time. It kind of worked I just ignored my watch and worked to stay with Andy and sure enough as others were struggling in the mud and against the head wind my pacer was guiding me through the thinning field.

I/we were now approaching the 4 mile canal crossing point and we were now gaining on my 3 team-mates 2 of whom I’d never beaten before in a race. If I’d been running my own race I reckon the pecking order syndrome would have made it tough mentally for me pass them, but a Bella Harrier had no qualms about passing a Bella Road Runner and I just focused on my pacer and went past them with surprising ease. Now with only a mile to go it felt like Andy was slowing so I overtook him for the first time, he immediately hit back.

Oddly I wasn’t really that bothered about beating him I just wanted to keep to the pace up (whatever that was). After about another minute I went past him again, this time my lead lasted a little longer before he overtook me for the final time.

There must have only been about a quarter of a mile to go when a marshal shouted to me I was in 11th place. Andy then went by another runner quickly followed by me to make me 10th, I remember thinking to myself “top 10 at Jack Crawford that’s a great achievement”. At that point I seemed to just switch off I didn’t even notice Andy disappearing into the distance to take 8th place and the prize for 6th senior male. As I approached the line I was overtaken by 3 runners (including Ticketyboo for a brilliant PB).

My time was 35.58, which in those conditions I should be quite pleased with, but somehow I still couldn’t help feeling disappointed, maybe it was just the losing focus at the end.
Time 35.58 Pos 13th from 347 Mile Splits 5.38 5.47 5.46 5.58 5.53 5.56 0.58 (5.28 pace).

A great start line photo from Marco Consani’s blog-

3.bp.blogspot.com/_LfqQXrAf4U0/SXO3rN_J5rI/AAAAAAAAAhU/kVRvdOk9AR8/s1600-h/Jack+Crawford+2009+006.jpg

Why did we drive to Dunbar to run in the cross-country?
1. We’ve got a new car and we wanted to try it out.
2. The weather at home was awful, blowing a gale with driving rain and although windy the forecast for Dunbar was at least dry.
3. My weekly mileage was 48 and I wanted to do over 50 (see 2).
4. The dogs needed a really good walk (see 2).
5. I got my first pair of Walshies on Friday and needed to try them out.
6. And with this description on the website why would I want to do anything else –
“Could be forest trails, could be sand, could even be swamp looking at the map. Turns out its all of the above with a lovely river crossing to boot if the tides not quite as high as this year, Water wings recommended.”

The race was great fun starting with a half mile run across a swamp marsh, included river crossings, sand dunes and forest trails. I put in a decent effort but intentionally didn’t kill myself, I finished in about 20th place with a time of 31.25 for the 4.63 mile course.

We then took the dogs for a great walk through the John Muir Country park which allowed Dot and 2nd birthday girl Tibbie the chance to indulge in one of their favourite pastimes, sea swimming for sticks (brrrrrrrrr!). And we finished our trip with a nice lunch in the visitor centre.

Did my final run of 2008, a lovely frosty 8 miles with some clubmates from Strathclyde Park around the grounds of Chateleraut and back to Strathclyde park for Coffee and cake.

Running wise its not been a bad old year, looking back to January my main goals for 2008 were a sub 37 10k to win my first running prize of any sort and consolidate my place in Bella’s group A. I can safely say I’ve managed all of those.

In 2008 among my 17017 minutes and 2166 miles of plodding around the country I've somehow (between injuries) managed to squeeze in 42 races which have included 8 half marathon’s and 12 10ks. These resulted in 18 pbs, 17 top 10 finishes including a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place and 11 where I picked up either a place or a team prize, the highlight for me being my 2nd place at the Benbecula Half Marathon and the 2nd place overall for the Heb 3 Half Marathon Series.

I’ve managed to get my 5k down from 18.56 to 17.44 (since beaten twice at the Ayr 10k last week), 10k from 38.45 to 35.17 and my Half Marathon PB from 1.27.24 to 1.19.18.

In the process I’ve learned so much about my body, racing, training, diet etc. And had highlighted how lucky I am to have such a supportive wife and be part of such a brilliant club full of inspiring team-mates and hard working coaches. And of course have access to an invaluable resource in Fetcheveryone with so many lovely people and great runners full of support and top advice.

Next years goals are a sub 17 5k, sub 34 10k a London elite standard sub 1.15 half and to win the Heb3 series, bring it on.

Happy New Year

My 37th race of 2008 didn’t get off to the best of starts first a puncture then we couldn't find the place I mean how many blooming streets can Strathaven have? We eventually ran out of streets and the last one was full of runners, result. In the stress dd decided after last weeks bug she still wasn’t up to racing again, hopefully her health bad luck can now change for the better. I did a 30 second warm up, then climbed onto one of the fleet of buses for the journey to the race start. The buses destination turned out to be a grim muddy clearing in a forestry plantation which kind-of resembled a Siberian labour camp, only much colder. The first hint of soldiers and I was legging it.

We lined up and someone fired a gun and I was off and so was everyone else, the start was downhill and I just went with the flow. A start like this was no place for sensible pacing I’d have to gain as much as I could from the downhills and hope they canceled out the ups. The first mile was good 5.24 and feeling strong, 2nd mile 5.36, then a tough 1 and a half of uphill resulting in 5.55 for 3rd mile and 5.59 for 4th. During the long uphill I’d closed the gap on the two runners up ahead of me, one of them a Calderglen Harrier and with the first Bella (Nick Reid) in the distance just in front of the first Calderglen runner it began to dawn on me that if I could catch him it could be a big deal if there were team prizes to win. Another mile of downhill where I battled hard to stay in touch and a 5th mile split of 5.38. Next was the toughest section, a left turn into the wind and a tough half mile climb, in this stretch I closed the gap completely and as we turned out of the wind and over the brow of the hill I made my move and overtook the pair of them for 5th place now it was half a mile of eyes out downhill to hopefully hold onto my place.

The final section was a sharp left uphill into a football ground which involved crossing a very slippy grass verge where I almost went arse over tit but just managed to keep my feet and slither my way across the muddy football pitch and towards the line just getting caught by the non-Calderglen guy on the line for 6th place and a time of 35.19. So it looked good for a team prize. I didn’t have long to wait for Bodo who seemed to have sealed things with a huge PB. 3 more Bellas - Bruce Carse, David Weatherhead and Alan Scott finished followed by Bella girls ClaireT winning the ladies race with Shona Donnelly in 2nd.

Afterwards we gathered in the local hall for soup, rolls and the prize giving. Lots of prizes for our table a big vase for Claire, a glass for Nick and two glasses for Shona but no team prizes for the men or woman so no pot hunting for me this week But I’ll settle with the big PB and which just happens to be the pace I’ll have to do for a sub 1.15 half next year if I want to qualify for the London Marathon as an elite. Today’s time is the beginning of that challenge, if have a good year injury wise I’m convinced I can do it.
Mile splits - 5.24 5.36 5.55 5.59 5.38 5.41 1.03

From our temporary residence in our cottage at Glendinning we drove to Langholm then down the A7 and then over the Border to Brampton for my first attempt at the Brampton to Carlise 10 mile road race. Again I had 3 plans A- Sub 59 (5.54s) B- Sub 60 (5.59-6.00s) and C- Well actually there wasn’t a plan C my current 10 mile PB was 1.00.48 from the 9.71 mile Tom Scott and I’d already gone through the 10 mile point at Eddies Half in 1.00.22 just 2 weeks earlier.

We arrived at the School in Brampton (we actually took a wrong turn and drive straight into the last parking space behind the school) I changed into my running shoes then we went in search of the 50 or so other Bella runners who were doing the race. They weren’t difficult to find ClaireT, BryanB, Bodo were already milling about and the rest were out at the front of the building using the Bella bus as a mobile clubhouse. I went off to warm up alone, being a serious fleet now I hate to spoil the image by letting rivals see my clumsy attempts at strides high knees etc..

Then we gathered near the start for a Bella team photo and some Fetching with OldMum, Flip and Slowboy (who gave me a very accurate and useful guide to the course). The start was a bit strange hundreds of runners bunched on one pavement until there was a gap in the traffic then everyone formed an orderly crowd on the road the starter fired the gun and we were off.

Immediately we were running into a stiff headwind it dawned on me that as this race was point to point and east to west, this wind was going to be against us for the whole race. Would I adjust my pace for the tougher conditions? Would I hell, I was in race mode and common sense is unnecessary weight. As is now the norm I had also started way behind where I should have been and spent the first mile and a bit gradually working my way through the field eventually reaching my probable club rivals BryanB at about two miles and Andy B at about 3. BryanB came with me and we swapped places and egged each other on practically until the finish line.

Things were going according to plan until the hill at about 3 and a half miles when the little group I was in slowed a lot and the group ahead slowed even more causing a lot of bunching with no way through when I eventually made it through to the front which resulted in a 3 mile split of 6.05 then a 4 mile split of 6.00. I got my pace back at 5 miles for a 5.54 and a big 5 mile PB of 29.40. Then I had a good mile 6 of 5.55 followed by a 10k split of 36.53 (only my third ever sub 37 10k). At some point in the next mile things got tougher we turned of the road down a path straight into the worst of the wind my mile 7 split was 5.59 I think I knew the sub 59 was a definite no-no and sub 60 would be tough. I remember at this point saying to BryanB its a 5k now and him replying with the slightly more positive “Only a 5k”.

Mile 8 and into Carlisle I reach the big hill Slowboy had warned me about, I was working really hard at this point I could see my lap pace had dropped to over 6s but I was now passing more and more runners, It gave me the sense of going much quicker than I was. I got to the top and my split was a disappointing 6.07. The strange thing was although I was now really tired I was running well still passing more people than I ever remember doing late in a race. Then came another hill same story again still passing people but I could see my average race pace was edging up towards 6 min miles, this is the mile I’m most disappointed with I should have pushed harder I knew it would make or break my race and I obviously didn’t want it enough the split was 6.09.

As I went along the road I saw my average race pace go over 6s for the first time, which at last gave me the added extra bit of fight. The last bit was down hill and I worked and worked to get that average race pace down under 6s again I could see the crowd at the finish and DD right at the corner, just as my watch changed to 5.59 my Garmin’s lap counter beeped for its 10 mile split and unfortunately I hadn’t reached the finish line yet. It took another 12 second to go round the tight last corner and cross the line to give me a time of 1.00.05, 3rd Bella and 38th overall out of 572.

I was so tired but not as disappointed as I’ve been when I’ve narrowly missed a target in the past. I could see from the state of the people finishing around how brutal a race it had been, I’d run a 10 mile undulating course into a head wind and just about managed to do it at sub 6 minute mile pace. I was doing 10k at this pace earlier in the year. So many Bellas were crossing the line now with lots of PBs and displaying varying degrees of fecked.

It was such a high standard of race and being in 38th place I didn’t even consider the prize giving, so after a warm down with Bodo and Beef I said my goodbyes and collected our very patient dogs to take them for a well earned walk along the banks of the River Eden. It was only afterwards I was surprised to learn that we had taken 2nd male team and I’d won a prize as the 3rd counter with Nick Reid and David Tamburini. The club had had quite a day as we also won 1st Ladies team with ClaireT, Emma Birnie and Shona Donnelly counting 3rd male vets with Bryan Burnett, Andy Birnie and Alastair Maclachlan. And 2nd ladies vets with Emma Birnie, Shona Donnelly and Katie Padgham overall a great day all round. 6 seconds and it would have been perfect.

Splits
1 mile 5.53 5.49 6.05 6.00 5.54 5.55 5.59 6.07 6.09 5.57 0.12
5km 18.22 18.30 18.59 (Current PB 17.44)
5m 29.40 30.09 (Current PB 29.56)
10k 36.53 (current PB 36.21)
3km 10.53 11.13 11.03 11.14 11.28 (current PB 11.03)




Some of team Bella pre-race

The start line

Near the finish in Carlisle

Rush hour in Glendinning the next day.

450 years ago an ancestor of mine left from Glendinning in Eskdale raised a small army and crossed the border to Carlisle to wreck the place and steal Bishops daughter. This weekend I'm staying at Glendinning then meeting up with 50 Bellahouston runners for the Brampton to Carlisle 10 mile race. I'm not greedy I’ll be happy leaving Carlisle with a sub 60 and a PB.

Here’s the ancient border ballad “Glendinning’s Raid” the final part is lost so I never know if he got his PB.
Glendinning's Raid, An Ancient Scottish Ballad, c1530.

Glendinning was a valiant Scot,
A valiant Scot I wot was he.
And Glendinning lov'd the fairest May
That dwell'd in all the south countrye.

"Get up, get up, my brother John, 5
Get up and draw your sword for me,
For Marjery Faucet shall be mine,
Or home again I shall never see.

I'll ride the muirs and Liddel side,
The Esk and Ewes ye maun bring with thee,
Whae winna fight for my true love,
Let them never look for help from me."

"Aye, brother, we may run and ride,
And warn both high and low degree,
But we'll never raise enow of men
To set young ladye Marjery free.

Were it the kye on Dirden fells,
Or Bastwet ewes ye long'd to see,
The Armstrangs, and the Elliots both,
And Scotts would bear ye companye.

But or they'll fight for a lady fair,
Where one can only the gainer be,
Ye had better try to raise the deil,
To help to gain your fair ladye.

Ye might have had that ladye fair,
With right good will and honestye,
But ye brought away the bishop's kye,
And left your love most trait'rously."

"Now hold your tongue, my brother John,
And of your taunting let me be,
It was Sandy Jardine me advis'd,
And that's the thing that grieveth me.

But I have sent him a broad letter,
To come and speak with me speedilye,
If he winna fight for my true love,
By Saint Mary he shall fight with me."

His brother John is to the Cassway gane,
To raise the Esk to join the fray,
And Glendinning's out by the Teviot stane,
As fast as he can post away.

The first he saw was auld Fanesh,
A gurly man I wat was he,
"Get up, Fanesh, with all your men,
And help to gain my fair ladye."

"Is there ne'er a lady in fair Scotland
Of equal rank and fair beautye?
That we maun go fight for an English quean,
And risk my merry men and me?

I have three daughters of my own,
Although the worst's o'er good for thee,
Before I lose my gallant men,
I'll give you the wale of a' the three."

"Keep ye your daughters, auld Fanesh,
And keep your men till need may be,
And next time you cross the Ramsey burn,
Ye may bring them all your guard to be."

Fanesh he turned him on his heel,
And I wat a loud laughter leugh he,
"I wish ye joy of your English whore,
And a bonny bairn-time may ye baith see."

But Sandy of Sowerby join'd the fray,
And his billy Wat of the Frosty lee,
And Wattie of Cooslep, and young Jock Grieve,
As fearless lads as well could be.

Glendinning's on to Liddesdale,
And he sent the word to tow'r and ha',
"The fray is up, and the march begun,
Rise for Glendinning ane and a'."

When they came to the Liddel ford,
They were a comely sight to see,
There was thirteen score well mounted Scots,
The wale of all the south countrye.

Each man had a skin pock on his back,
Which with his buff doublet became him weel,
A twa-fac'd sword hang down by his thigh,
And a braid bonnet with a bar of steel.

Their saddles were made of the good green ruff,
And their bridles of the hemp so free,
Their horses' tails hang down to the ground,
And their manes were plett with the rowan tree.

And John of Milburn he was there,
And Habby Potts in his companye,
And Elliot of Breaken led the van,
The bravest knight in the south countrye.

And when they came to the white cross-stane,
Then there was joy and muckle glee,
For Sandy Jardine he was there,
With threescore men in his companye.

"Ye're welcome, lads," Glendinning cry'd,
"Ye are doubly welcome, lads, to me,
There shall few toom wallets come back again,
Although we fight for a fair ladye."

Then they have ridden the lee-lang night,
Glendinning well knew all the way,
And they reach'd the gates of merry Carlisle,
Just at the dawning of the day.

When they arrived at merry Carlisle,
And lighted down upon the green,
The bells they rang, and the guards they ran,
And such a fray was never seen.

For all was hurry and all was fear,
And all was uproar, noise, and din;
There was naked men, and naked women,
All rinning as fast as they could rin.

And ay they cry'd, "The Scots! the Scots!"
And ay they grat most bitterlye,
And ay the owr word of the fray
Was "The Scots! the Scots! Oh wae to me!"

But they neither touch'd man, wife, nor bairn,
For never man durst them 'gainstand,
But each man fill'd his trusty wallet,
With what came readiest to his hand.

When they came to the Bishop's yett,
There all was still as still could be,
But out then turn'd the young Jock Grieve,
Saying, "My lord bishop will get a fley."

Then he pull'd down a massy stone,
It was a marble, polish'd fine,
And he made bolts and bars to flee,
And he and his fifteen men went in.

"Get up, get up, my good lord bishop,
Get up and pray for you and me,
And pray we may all return in peace,
And laden with spoil to our countrye."

The bishop started from his bed,
And down he kneel'd upon the floor,
And he said his creeds, and tell'd his beads,
He knew it would be his hindmost hour.

"Get up, get up, my good lord bishop,
One question only answer me,
How many Scotsmen have ye hang'd,
And how many chain'd is here with thee?"

"Away, away, thou haughty Scot,
And of your talking let me be,
I have more serious things to mind,
'Tis not a time to prate with thee.

My life is but a single life,
I'll scorn to beg that life of thee,
But if I have a friend in all England,
This outrage shall revenged be.

I know my days are at an end,
Then do thy worst, and put me down,
But mind, ev'n now, and evermore,
That I'm lord bishop of Carlisle town."

Jock Grieve he turn'd him round about,
A brave and generous man was he,
"My good lord bishop, ye are so brave
In faith I fain your friend would be.

I winna wrong a hair o' your head,
Your goud and gear untouch'd shall be;"
"May God thee bless," the Bishop cried,
"'Tis more than I could hope from thee.

May all the saints and angels good,
And all the blessed Trinitye,
Shower down their blessings on Jock Grieve,
For what this day he has done to me!

I'll never wrong a Scot again,
Since for my life I'm bound to thee
And while I have power in Cumberland,
The Scots shall find a friend in me.

Your men shall all return again,
With gold and gear to their countrye,
And all the Scots in prison here,
This day shall join your companye."

"I give you thanks, my noble lord,
For my countrymen ye have granted me.
Now would ye grant us your bonny niece,
How happy would Glendinning be!"

"Glendinning is an arrant thief,
Of horse and kye he has herried me, 170
Before I grant him my bonny niece,
I'll grant my niece, Jock Grieve, to thee."

"But fare-ye-well my good lord Bishop,
Before the sun shine on the tree,
We'll either lay yon castle low,
Or make them yield the gay ladye."

They rendezvouz'd beyond the bridge,
And counselled what to do and say;
Then they are on to the double tow'r
As fast as they can post away.

The watchman paced around the wall,
But gave no credit to his een,
When first he saw our Scottish lads
Come scouring o'er the dewy green.

But up then rose old Joseph Rook,
And stood upon the castle wa';
"What's yon I hear so loud and oft?
I think it is the warder's blaw."

"Oh no! Oh no! old Joseph Rook,
I heard it ere the dawn of morn;
The bear on Eden holms is ripe,
'Tis nothing but the harvest horn."

"Away away ye drowsy watch,
They're fools who trust their life to thee,
For that's the Carlisle warder's blast,
Or else my lugs deceiveth me."

He looked ow'r his left shoulder
Between him and the rising day,
There he beheld our Scottish lads
As they came riding out the way.

"Now Christ us save!" old Joseph cry'd,
And struck him sharp above the bree,
"For yonder comes the Scottish bands,
And herried men I fear are we."

The gates were barr'd, the men prepar'd,
And every thing in order set;
But ere they got the draw-bridge up
The Scots were rallying round the yett.

"Who keeps the key?" Glendinning cry'd,
"Come throw it o'er the wall to me,
Or laigh shall lye your lofty towers,
Before the sun sink in the sea."

But up then spoke auld Joseph Rook,
And O but he spoke angrilye,
"What want ye here, ye hungry loons,
Go hame and claw your doups," quo he.

"There's neither gold nor booty here,
For which you grene so greedilye,
Nor ought for you but sword and spear,
And a stiff and stately gallows tree.

To lay our castle laigh on earth,
You'll find is easier said than done;
I'll tell you what will suit you more,
A haggies and a gaby spoon."

"We neither ask your gold nor gear,
Nor will we sey your gallows tree;
We only want a maiden fair,
Your bonny lady Marjorye."

"That lady's here, and that lady's dear,
And that lady's face you shall never see;
Were there never a lord in all England
That lady should not go with thee.

Her mother was a king's daughter,
Her father heir to earldoms three;
Were there never a lord in all England,
That lady should not go with thee."

"But I will have that lady fair,
In spite of thee and all her kin,
So either bring her forth to me,
Or loose your gates and let me in.

My men are all to battle bred,
They're learn'd to fight, but not to flee,
And here we'll stand and force you forth,
Though Carlisle rise in thousands three."

But up then spake Sir George of Smale,
His growth was like the cedar tree,
"The man that claims the lady fair
Shall first and foremost fight with me.

My brother woos her for his bride,
And my brother's bride she soon will be;
Who likes to stay a fortnight here
A merry wedding they shall see.

I will not hear her claim'd nor nam'd
By any Norland loun like thee,
Unless a knight among you dare
Here fight and bear the palm from me."

But out then came the young Jock Grieve,
And Johny Armstrong out came he;
But both their offers were refused
For lack of equal dignitye.

Young Elliot of Breaken heard the vaunt,
The face of man ne'er feared he;
He crys, "I'll wager Tarras hills
Against the Smale for a bout with thee."

"And who art thou? and what art thou?"
Sir George replied right boistrouslye,
"For all your bold and warlike brow
Ye're but a child where fighters be.

The earl of Lonsdale was my father,
My mother a lady of high degree,
I'll never fight with a common man,
But one of worth and pedigree."

But up spake noble Elliot then,
An angry man I wot was he;
"Which of us two's the common man,
Proud Baron, thou may'st shortly see:

Sir William Elliot was my father,
His name I bear, and his heir I'll be;
My mother, Lord Maxwell's third daughter,
Ye'll tyne no honour by sticking me."

Between the ranks these champions met,
To fight on foot they did agree,
But I cannot tell you the anxious looks
Was then expressed by each armye.

Sir George began so fierce and fell,
That Elliot's helm and buckler rang.
"Now by my faith," brave Elliot said,
"But thou wilt list ere it be lang."

Young Elliot ay the ground did win,
Though never a drop of blood was seen,
But the third round these heroes had,
The blood was sprinkled on the green.

Sir George's breast was stained with blood,
But whence it came no man could see,
Till Elliot twirl'd his sword from his hand,
And near the lift he made it flee.

He took him by the cuff of the neck,
And round his head he gart him ree,
And he threw him over the English ranks
Full more than twenty yards and three.

"Now take you that, you saucy Lord,
We'll let you feel what drinkers dree,
Ye'll never bragg a Scot again,
Ye're but a child where fighters be."

The Scots they shouted, the Scots they leugh,
They leugh, and shouted three times three,
And the Englishmen were forced to smile,
To see their champion o'er them flee.

A quite stunning day and absolutely perfect for running. In this kind of light the scenery on the drive up especially the Loch Lomond and Glencoe areas was absolutely jaw dropping, driving was verging on dangerous as every window had a view that took your breath away.

We arrived in good time to register met and 80 plus old man from the Peek District who was running the race, Bodo, Llamadance Tigger (who Tibbie was very very rude to :O) sorry Tigger. Then after a brief warm up with Bodo we headed over to the shinty ground for the race start.

After my failing to do sub 1.20 at Glasgow by just 14 seconds my plan was to smash it this time, whether this was a sensible race tactic or reckless wishful thing it was my last Half of 2008 so what was there to loose. I had 3 pace plans - A 6.00 min/miles for 1.18.39, B 6.02 for 1.19.05 and C 6.04 for 1.19.31. All of the would get me sub 1.20 a and B would give me a chance for 1.18. I decided to gamble with Plan A and hopefully I'd sense quickly enough if it was beyond me and move to B or C. I new all of them would could possibly be right on the edge of my current Half Marathon limit and if it went wrong early on it would spell a horrible race.

The race started and within half a mile I felt like chucking it my legs felt heavy and I couldn’t see this having a happy outcome. The first marker appeared and the watch said 5.57, need to slow down, I’ll give it another mile. On I went and my right calf started to get tight, I've not had a problem with it and I’ve had two days of rest so I reckon its been the two and a half hour drive that’s to blame. The miles ticked by 6.04 6.01 5.53 6.02 6.01 6.02 reasonably happy with that it was quite narrow and easy to get stuck running at the pace of the guy in front than pass on the edge of the pavement or the busy road.

The first mile after the turn around seems to have been a problem for most it was a long steady climb I was disappointed to get a split of 6.12 and the runner in front looked like he was starting to struggle and watching him was affecting me, so when I was overtaken by Greenock Glenpark runner Thomas Loehndorf I decided if I wanted that first sub 1.20 i'd have to grit my teeth and try to hang on to him. It worked and the next split was 5.57 and I felt good again. Mile 10 another small hill and problems getting past some cars cost us time and resulted in a 6.08 split and a 10 mile time of 1.00.22 a PB. The next mile I was back on track with a 5.58 if I could stay with this pace to the finish it would be 1.18 something.

Then things went a bit wrong we came to the end of the road and suddenly there were two possible routes no marshals or route signs. Thomas turned around to ask me the way, I hadn’t a clue. I asked the runner behind me Pawel Jarzebowicz and he didn’t know either. The options were - stay on the current road which looked like it headed away from the finish area or turn down a path which looked to me was the more obvious direction and looked like one we’d ran along at the start. So we opted for the path, then after a few seconds the runner behind Pawel changed his mind and shouted to us to go back. It was horrible as I ran I was still worried we were going the wrong way and apart from the time we’d lost coming to a decision I just could get the pace back again. Finally after a 6.08 12th mile there was at last a race route sign and we knew we were on course again. One mile to go but still I couldn’t raise the pace, my legs had gone and I laboured through the last mile in another 6.08 and crossed the line in 1.19.18 and in 5th place.

I was shattered at the end but delighted to see teammate Bodo cross the line in 10th to smash his recent Aviemore PB and then the other Fetchies came in one by one, a PB for Son of a Pronator Man followed by Llamadance, Big Al Widepants, Tigger without a watch bouncing over over the line to discover she'd PB'd and then Karend.

I then did an attempted warm down with Bodo but my calf was really bothering me had a bite to eat, let the poor patient dogs stretch their legs at Glen Nevis. Then the long drive home in the dark for Pizza and Beer.

So I'm now a 1.19 Half Marathon runner untill a couple of months ago I wouldn't have thought it possible, I mean running a 37 min 10k is still quite daunting to me never mind doing it twice in a row. On top of that I'm certain I’d ran well enough for a sub 1.19 if it hadn't been for the route problems. Onwards and upwards now to attempt a sub 60 10 mile at Brampton and a sub 36 10K at Strathaven.

Mile splits - 5.57 6.04 6.01 5.53 6.02 6.01 6.02 6.12 5.57 6.08 5.58 6.08 6.07 0.39 5k splits - 18.42 18.35 18.42 18.53 10k splits - 37.18 37.46
5mile splits - 30.00 30.22
10k splits - 37.18 37.46
10 miles - 60.22



Getting ready to start in Fort William

In years to come the survivors of this race will probably form support groups and organize reunions forget all the OMM stuff at least they were somewhere nice, we were in Cumbernauld. The weather was absolutely horrific, non stop horizontal rain and a freezing cold wind that would have had polar bears stealing scarfs let alone a bunch of skinny runners standing about in a running vest and shorts.

We normally drive straight to the race venues but with the morning news bulletins announcing bridge closures, ferry cancellations, flooding, sporting event cancellations and generally asking people not to travel, we decided to head first to the Team Bella HQ at the Glasgow Ski centre in the vain hope it might have been cancelled. Not a hope, this was Cross Country and I could sense a kind of sick glee from my teammates over the conditions we were about to endure.
So we meekly drove on to Cumbernauld High School for registrations and number collection.

Bella had 4 men’s teams of 4 and 3 ladies teams of 3, I was demoted to the B team this week on the account that there were 5 much faster guys than me representing us, simple really. We had some very strong looking teams, but it being the Nationals the big guns from every corner of Scotland and Eritrea were out and there was very little chance of any of our teams achieving too high finishing position. It would be all about pride and seeing how much cold our bodies could endure.



The course was a good mile walk away from the high school in the grounds of Cumbernauld House and by the time we arrived the many junior races had reduced an already waterlogged course into a an angry brown swamp. Our senior ladies were the first to race coping admirably and posting some really good times finishing in 19th, 31st and 47th places.

Then it was time for the shivering men’s race. I was the 3rd leg and decided to keep my waterproofs on for as long as possible and for had only the briefest of warm-ups. First up for us was Dougal Ross who finished his lap in 17.08 followed by Brian O’Donnell running his first Cross Country in a time of 17.43, then it was my go. After last week’s race where I started too fast and died later on in the mud, this time I wanted to hold back for the first section and run a much more disciplined controlled race. It isn’t easy to judge in a relay like this, there’s a huge urge to chase after the runner up ahead but I think I’ve found its better to focus on your own race and have confidence that they’ll come to you when they blow up later. After the initial flat muddy section came the first of the many hills a long steep and even muddier climb straight into the icy wind. My spikes did their job giving me as good grip as you could hope for in shin deep mud, I was soon at the top and seemed to be covering the awful ground better than the runners up ahead, without having to push too hard I was soon passing people and feeling good.

A couple of runners then flew past me but I’ve found that you have to be prepared in these large relays for very fast runners running later legs for slower teams and bombing through the field, you have to run your own race and avoid the temptation to try and stay with them. All too soon/not soon enough I was approaching the tented area that served as the start/finish area but the route planers had one last treat in store for us a 180 turn away from the finish line and up probably the biggest hill in the race then finally another loop back and down to the line to hand over to our 4th and final runner Raymond Farrell. I was quite pleased with my run, my time was 17.38 with a negative split and I’d gained 3 places for the team. Our final runner Raymond did 18.57 and our team finished in the top half in 43rd place with an overall time of 1.11.26. Our A team was 17th in 1.05.56 our C team 61st in 1.14.43 and our D team was 89th in 1.30.13.

Afterwards our weather beaten teams sat in the warm shelter of Cumbernauld High Schools cafeteria eating cakes and drinking coffee and hot chocolate some of us already thinking of distant days ahead when we’d bore our future grandchildren with yet another tale of the day we survived Cumbernauld, and probably moving up a couple of places with each telling.



Some of the Bella survivers.

My first cross country event of the season, a very short journey from my house to the neighbouring town of Linwood. Bella had 2 men’s and 2 woman’s teams, I was selected to run the 1st leg for the Bella A team. While the junior races were going ahead a few of us went out to warm up by running the course, it became quickly evident as we trudged through long grass and very boggy ground that apart from the area around the football pitches this was going to be a tough slog.

We lined up and from the gun the Kilbarchan A and B teams were off and out of sight. I settled at the back of a group of 4 for the battle for 3rd. It was very tough going especially as we’d gone off at sub 6min mile pace and the group soon began to stretch out, I began to panic a little that that I might lose touch with the others, but a mixture of me working harder and maybe the others tiring meant the gap began to close and one by one I began to pick them off.

After about 2km I was in 4th place and pushed harder to eventually pass the front off the group to go into 3rd place, unfortunately I then almost immediately ran into an area of very deep bog, it was almost impossible to keep moving in a forwards direction. When I we hit the firmer ground with about 400m to go a couple of runners - Andy Campbell (Bella Harriers)and Steven Campbell (Glenpark) flew past me. Unfortunatly the effort I’d put into catching the front runner and getting through the bog took quickly took their toll, as we sprinted down the home straight my legs had gone and I couldn’t respond and had to settle for a rather disappointing 5th place in a time of 12.51. At least I’d stayed close enough to 3rd and 4th to allow our second leg runner Alasdair McLeod to quickly pass the next Harrier and Glenpark runner and build up a cushion with a time of 12.17. 3rd leg for us was Gordon Durnan who increased the gap with a time of 12.51 exactly the same me. Our final leg it was Marcos Sanz Gomez who did really well to hold off a couple of real speedsters and clinch us the bronze medals by just 4 seconds with a time of 12.41.

Running the 1st leg meant I was also able to see the finish of the woman’s race where our team of Jane Simpson, Emma Simpson and Claire Blue went one better by taking silver medal again behind Kilbarchan. A great day all round and an unexpected bonus to pick up a medal. Next week it’s the National relays in Cumbernauld with the forecast promising heavy rain and gale force winds, lovely :)

Photo by Ian Goudie

My clubs annual awards night at Café Source in Glasgow and I was nominated for awards in 3 categories Member of the Year, Pot Hunter of the Year and Geek of the Year (For being a Fetchie and being photographed racing with a Garmin on each wrist).

And I’m delighted to announce I won the pot hunter award, despite stiff competition from ClaireT and Scobos. I’ve now decided this is actually the most prestigious award to win, to be club champion you just have to run fast, to be member of the year you only have to be nice to few people and work hard for the club. But to be the top pot hunter takes true dedication it costs a small fortune in travel and accommodation and hours of painstaking research, on some occasions I even had to run fast as well. So I’m very happy with my new title, I will work tirelessly to defend it and carry it with dignity and honour.



Unfortunately I seemed to have had an allergic reaction to something I ate at the meal so by the time I went up to collect my prizes I was already feeling quite light-headed and only managed to mumble something about it all being all DDs fault for my acceptance speech. By the time she’d driven us home I just about managed to get in the front door and pass out on the stairs, before finally making it up to the bathroom where I thankfully think I was able to bring up whatever it was that had caused my awful condition.

I was still rather under the weather the next morning and getting very little sympathy from DD she drove me to work muttering something under her breath about some ridiculous number of beers Whisky and Red Wine.
Great night though, and a fun end to a brilliant season.

Early start to Saturday to load the car for our long drive to Inverness (or Drumnadrochet to be more precise), mostly with dog beds food bowls and various doggy accessories followed by 3 excited dogs.

Took a detour to Blairgowrie to visit dds mum which gave the dogs the chance to eat their own body weight in cake, I did draw the line at toffees. Then it was back in the car and on to Killiecrankie where we were able to the dogs off leads for a run around the lovely forest paths followed by a coffee and more cake for us.
All aboard again and up the A9 and through Inverness and along the shore of Loch Ness to Drumnadrochet to our lovely dog friendly hotel The Benleva. We unpacked walked the dogs then had dinner chilled and then all to bed. All was well until the resident Collie decided to have a sniff under our bedroom door and set our three off, Tibbie in particular was on edge for the while and for the peace of the other guests we had to eventually move her and her bed into our bathroom where she thankfully calmed down and fell asleep.

Early start again for feeding, dog walking, packing and race preparation. We drive to Inverness and park at the finish area car park where we bid farewell to the dogs and meet ClaireT for a lift to the start car park area. Unfortunately the car park traffic jam took 40 minutes to get through due to one over officious little man who needed every car facing the same way and parked to the nearest inch. This ate into everyone’s warm up time but I really felt for the poor people in the distance still in their cars well back in a completely unnecessary traffic jam.
On the way to the start each was a real fetchiefest I met Llamadance, Phantom, LorrainS, IainS, RooA, Tubbyrunner and at the start my coach Scobos and Baza.

For some reason I really wasn’t up for this race maybe it was because I knew I couldn’t beat my short course Paisley PB time (now deleted, sorry betters) and unlike my training before the Bella 5k, Paisley 10k, Glasgow Half series where I’d been aiming high and succeeding, in the last few weeks I felt like I’d been aiming higher and repeatedly failing. I was also 3Ilbs heavier than at Paisley in case if I needed another incentive to do badly.

The race started and I settled in with a small group going a little quick for my planned 5.50 min/mile pace but they soon settled and as I was feeling remarkably good by the second mile I decided to leave them and push on a little bit quicker. Miles 3 and 4 went by and the splits were still either sub 5.50s or bang on and I felt so relaxed; it strangely felt easier than HM pace. Then somewhere after 5 miles my breathing start to get heavier though no worse than I would usually feel much early on in a 10k, my pace dipped to about 6min/miles pace and disappointingly I didn’t respond, I remember thinking to myself – it doesn’t matter even at this pace I’ll get about 36.20 it’ll be a proper 10km PB and if it’s a tiny bit short that should take care of the rest. Why didn’t I start thinking about how close I was to a sub 36 or appreciate how great I was feeling and really go for it?

So I’m left with very mixed feelings a sense of disappointment at my own attitude and surprise at the shape I seemed to be in. Afterwards I was introduced to Boab who got a great PB met more Fetchies including Llamadance who was looking very calm despite his first sub 40 and cheered on LorraineS on her way a brilliant first sub 60 and dd to a really good post limes disease effort but not the sub 60 hour she’d been hoping for. Then after a warm down where we managed to cheer on some of the marathon runners we dropped ClaireT off at her car then headed home via lunch at Culloden and another dog walk at Killiekrankie.

The facts
Loch Ness 10k - Garmin Distance 10.04km time 36.21 Average pace 5.50 Position 26/2100
Mile splits - 5.45 5.40 5.50 5.48 5.54 6.00 1.17

Paisley 10k - Garmin Distance 9.71km time 35.27 Average Pace 5.52 Position 20/622
Mile splits - 5.44 5.53 5.55 6.00 5.50 5.49 0.14

So I’ve run my fastest paced 10k race got a new legit 10k PB, took 57 seconds off my 5 mile PB and ran a sub 18 5km in the process and I’m still being bloody miserable about it.

Going along the cycle path between Johnstone and Kilbarchan I encountered a lone sheep. Unfortunately the path being quite narrow and fenced in on either side it had nowhere to go but away from me. Eventually we got to the disused Kilbarchan Train Station where it ran off towards the Kilbarchan’s main street. I don’t know where the poor thing stood a better chance, against Kilbarchan’s traffic or the Cycle Path which is probably the areas busiest dog walking route.

A little further on I met a woman with a dog and warned her about the sheep, luckily she knew the phone number of one of the local farmers, so you never know. A few times at about the same spot I've also come across groups of chicken’s wandering about so there’s a dodgy fence somewhere that needs fixing.

Apart from that my run was fab, which considering it was the morning after a 10 mile interval session, doesn't really make allot of sense.

*While at a wedding in Kintyre last week between a German Girl and an American Man one of the German guests kindly taught us the German word for the noise a sheep makes, hence the title. It feels pretty good to be one word closer to being fluent in German.

Recovery Run 7.19 miles 55m32s

George Cummings Road Relay

I travelled the 3 miles from our house to the pretty little Renfrewshire village of Houston for the annual George Cummings road relay. 48 men's teams of 4 and 27 women's teams of 3 took part over a very hilly 2.75 mile* course. Bella had managed to enter an impressive 4 men’s and 3 women’s teams which would ensure great support and a good social occasion.

I was selected to run the 2nd leg for the A team and although this was the 3rd time I’d ran in a relay, in the other two I’d ran the first leg which makes it just a normal race, the other legs make pacing a bit trickier as you’ve got no idea what kind of pace the runner ahead or passing you is doing. Being picked for the A team also added a bit of pressure as I knew I was the slowest of the four in my team and all of the B team runners were capable of beating me so I had to justify my selection and make sure they didn’t.
After warming up with Brian O’Donnell who was running the 2nd leg for the B team we got in place at the start to wait on our respective first leg runners to appear, Craig Ross for my team appeared first and I was off passing the B teams 1st runner Raymond Farrell about 10 seconds in as he was finishing his leg so I knew Brian wouldn’t be far behind.

With the pressure now on I dug in deep to produce a textbook shocker of a race - the 1st mile - 3 seconds inside my recent 1 mile track PB, 2nd mile slower than the average pace for my last 10k, 3rd section slower than my average pace for my last Half Marathon. Just being a much faster runner than last year ensured me a 20 second PB but considering that I’ve taken a minute of my 5k and a couple off my 10k PBs I really should have got a better time and definitely under 15 minutes. Thankfully I didn’t lose too many places as I finished to hand over to our 3rd runner Marcos Sanz Gomes and we were still the 1st Bella team. A strong run from Marcos despite a few navigational issues and a great final leg run of 14.23 from Nick Reid gave us a respectable 14th place in what was a very high standard field.



The start of leg 1

Nearing the end of my leg
 
A Kilbarchan video of the day with a little bit of me in it.
www.kilbarchanaac.org.uk/photos/30cummings08.htm

A new PB by over a minute and it all almost went perfectly. I managed to keep the average pace on my Garmin to 6.06 minute miles, held back to stick to that pace early on, gave it more effort in the middle and worked my arse off in the final few miles to finish with the 6.06 average. It should have got me 1.19.55 unfortunately either the course or the Garmin were slightly out and I recorded a time of 1.20.14.



The start went well even up the big St Vincent Street hill, it’s a great feeling in a race even at the start to feel like I’m holding back, but I’m a believer in the “every second too fast at the beginning costs two at the end”, Half Marathon theory, unfortunately I don’t always follow it myself and often pay the price.

This year due to roadwork’s the course went out around Finnieston and onto the Kingston Bridge up a pretty steep on ramp I caught up with Springburn's Joe Chambers at this point and could see RachE from Fetch in the distance around about this time fellow Bella teammate Kenny McBeth appeared alongside me and as we’d done in the Paisley 10k a week earlier for a few miles we ran together. Then at about 5 miles it was into Bellahouston Park where I noticed my pace for that mile had slipped a little so I pushed a little and somewhere around here Kenny fell back a bit and I caught and past RachE. As were going through Bellahouston Park I came across the rather disturbing sight of my teamate Peter Gallanagh getting treatment at the side of the path. He had blood pouring down his face. I shouted over to see if he was ok he said he was and sounded fine. It later transpired he had hit a low branch as he entered the park and although it looked horrific it was just scratches, once he was cleaned up and happy he didn’t need stitches he was able to get going again and managed to finish in an incredible 1.22.

The next stage went into another of my main training haunts Pollok Park. Its certainly not my favourite section, its hilly and every stretch in a race seems to look the same. It appears to last forever taking up the bulk of the race. I caught another couple of teammates in this section Bruce Carse and then Andy Birnie. Looking back I’m happiest with my performance here it took a lot of concentration to keep my pace up on the various hills, I know if I’d allowed it drop at any point it would have been impossible to get it back.

Finally we left the Park I caught sight of Kilbarchan’s Leanne Hamilton up ahead, she seemed to be struggling and I focusing on catching and passing her quickly. By now there were only about 3 miles to go. Another half marathon theory I’ve read is – “10 miles for pacing and 3 miles for racing”, if only! it was now 3 miles for hanging on. Around this point I caught a small group of runners lead by a guy from Central AC. I stayed with them for a bit until they started to slow so I turned my attention to one of Shettleston’s Eritrean girls a good bit ahead in the distance, I thought if I can gradually close the gap it would probably push me to the finish. Unfortunately her pace must have already dropped a fair bit and I passed her much sooner than I wanted.

2 miles left and I was now running alone and into a strengthening wind, after all those lonely and windy Heb 3 races I couldn’t believe I was now in the same situation in the Great Scottish Run. Thankfully the Central AC runner caught me just inside Glasgow Green, he was flying so I got my head down and tried to stay with him to the finish.

I was gutted to see the clock showing just over 1.20 as I ran to the finish, but as the hours have passed the disappointment has given way to pleasure at even coming so close. I know I can do it now and considering my huge PB here last year was 1.27.24 on what in my eyes was a much faster flatter course I’ve so much to celebrate. When I look at the bigger picture if someone had told me at the start of the year I’d even attempt a sub 1.20 never mind come so close to achieving it, I’d have laughed at them.

Mile splits - 6.06 6.05 6.02 6.04 6.09 6.04 6.03 6.10 6.06 6.10 6.08 6.08 6.05 0.51
Time 1.20.14 Position 77th out of 7055.

I was determined to PB here and after failing 3 times in a row and I was determined to get under 37 minutes. My trainings continued to go well, Wednesday in particular where we were doing 650 reps where I was recording an average pace of between 5.30 and 5.33 min miles. So I had no excuses on a fast flat course I knew well not to be able to sustain 5.53 min/miles which would give me a 10k time of 36.29. I was very confident and in a good place mentally to go for it.

Sunday morning came and with it the nerves and the self doubt, I got to Paisley town centre with dd nice and early for my warm-up said a few hellos then headed of on my own to prepare. Warm up completed I made my way to the very sociable start area, joining the many other runners I seem to know now were lots of fellow Bella runners and supporters, fetchies and a few Kilbarchan runners including my sister Karen who was using the race as a tempo run in preparation for next weekends Monaco Half IronMan. Got in position wished everyone well and we were off.

For the first couple of miles the race leaves the town square and loop around the Abbey and headed out through Ferguslie Park went well 5.44 and 5.53. I was happy with that not too fast for the start of a 10k and feeling good.

Mile 3 I was still feeling great my and Garmin giving me a current average mile pace readings of things like 5.49 and I wasn’t wheezing yet. I must admit I started to get concerned at this point that my Garmin was wrong. I decided to ease off a little in case rather than pay for it later, I got a 3rd mile split of 5.55 I had plenty in the bag I could spare the 2 seconds.

For the 4th mile we headed into a new part of the course and for the first section it got pretty narrow and twisty then it went onto the cycle path the toughest part of the race about a mile and a half of gradual climb. Now I was wheezing I new this section would make or break my race. I dug in and got a 4 mile split of 6.00 which was ok but I new I couldn’t allow that pace to continue for too long.

At this point I got passed by Bella team-mate Brian Burnett who was looking really strong, rather than mind losing 1st Bella place I was quite relieved to have someone I knew to try and hang onto for the last section of the cycle path, and as I was aware the finish at Paisley was very fast if I could give my all now it would set up a great finish. Now was the time to fight for my PB, my watch beeped for the 5 mile split and it was showed 5.50, I’d done it. One fast mile and a bit to go it was now all about margin of PB. Brian had started to pull away from me but as I ran up the last little hill past Paisley Uni and onto the High St I managed to close to gap a bit. Finally it was round the war memorial and over the finish. The average pace on my Garmin had 5.52 I’d done it that should be a new PB of around 36.22. There was lots of celebrating going on everyone around me had ran a great race especially team-mate Grant Edmonson who I was completely unaware had stayed close behind me the whole way round and had destroyed his previous Clydebank 38.06 PB. I was stunned at this point to find my watch time showing 35.27 then I saw the distance 6.05 miles it was a little short which explains the extra minute.

Team-mate after team-mate then finished most getting great PBs no matter what distance the course, its just a pity it takes a little of the gloss off great performances. But hey I missed out on 2 sub 37s this year due to long courses so I and everyone should take it, it’ll just makes it tougher to beat in the future, but bring it on.

An unexpected bonus afterwards was winning the 3rd male team prize with Grant and Brian and seeing our ladies win take 2nd place with 3 new girls, Rebecca Johnson, Deborah Gray and Amanda Wilson.

Now it’s onto the Glasgow Half next week sub 1.20? Four weeks ago I was running badly and lacking confidence. Since then I’ve achieved 2 of my long term goals - to beat 17.45 in a 5k and 36.30 for the 10k so who knows.

Time for Mk V yet?

Time 35.27 Position 20th total runners 622

My Paisley 10k history
2004 49.31
2005 45.10 PB
2006 42.59 PB
2007 38.45 PB
2008 35.27 PB



Towards the finish line with Grant close behind


Receiving our 3rd Place male team prize from the Provost of Renfrewshire.