What a year its been for me!
This time last October 2008, I was just starting up running again after 4 years where I was just doing drips and drabs. I would still go to the gym and cycling but had no real goals. So for 2009 I set myself a target of doing a marathon by the end of the year. To start with I would train for the Balloch to Clydebank half marathon in March. This was a tough race and those last 4 miles it was tempting to walk but I managed to keep it going through the pain. I was happy with my time of 1.51 and made me more determined to complete a marathon. So I booked up for Loch Ness straight after it which was early October. April and May were just ticking over months and apart from the Balfron 10k I struggled to get motivated because my training plan didn't start till late June.
So I booked up for East Kilbride half marathon in June. Due to not having done much I took it easy on the first lap. But then I found I had so much more energy and blitzed the second lap and finished in 1.51 also. This was the turning point and got me motivated to start my training plan. Unlike London in 2004 where I did the long runs but did a max of 5 mile runs during the week. This time I followed a Runners World training plan pretty much to the T. I absolutley loved training for it. In August I did the Helensburgh Half marathon in 1.45. Which was by far my best performance of the year and I felt I could have gone on longer.
September was the most fun month for me as I had my 2 weeks off. Where I did 2 races - Mugdock trail race and Great Scottish run. I also supported by brother and fiance do the West Highland way. By taking there bags to the next destination and running back to meet them.
Then the big one in October - Loch Ness Marathon. After my first marathon experience in London in 2004 where I blew up at 14 miles and hobbled ran to the finish. This went brilliantly. I took it easy to start off with and the hills between 16-22 I nailed. I hit the wall after that but I didn't care. I finished in 4.07 which is a PB by 40 minutes. I know I am more than capable of running faster but this wasn't really about that. It was about enjoying my running again and get rid of the experience from London with new positive expereiences. Ones which I can take with me in future marathons.
In late October I decided to give my running a boost and to maintain it over winter. So I joined Giffnock North and have never looked back. Its great to run with people of similar pace and similar goals. In November and December - I completed my first hill race, cross country and club handicap. All great experiences and ones that I am looking forward to doing more of next year.
Monday 28 December 2009
Sunday 27 December 2009
Lochaber Marathon Training week 1
Well this was a week with a difference!
After spending the last few months ticking my running over. This week was the return to an actual schedule. This is without doubt the best condition I have been in going into a training programme so I am excited to see just how good I can get. Having not done much endurance over the last few months, the aim for the week was to get back to doing longer runs as I have not done anything over 10 miles since Loch ness marathon in early October.
This was also a transition week as I finished up work on Tuesday which meant going from night runs to morning runs. Monday saw a thin layer of snow falling so I was pleased to get an easy 8.5 miles in. On Tuesday I had planned a light run at night so I could do an easy run on Wednesday morning and that would be the transition. However the weather decided otherwise as more snow fell meaning I didn't get home from work till half 7. So I decided just to take the night off and focus on running the next day. I still did an easy run and managed 10k in some tough conditions underfoot because of the snow. Thursday I went easy again and went towards Pollockshaws as I thought it would be easier going towards town and I was right. So managed just under 10 miles which I was pleased with.
Then Christmas day where I stayed up at my parents. I had planned to run to the park run, do it, then come back. But I got up slightly too late so just drove down and parked 1.5 mile away. Giving me a good warm up. I decided I wasn't going to race this as it was still snowy underfoot. But at the same time thought I'd try and go at tempo run pace. It was an altered course due to the conditions and it was a nice change. Also there was only about 30 people doing it because it was Christmas day. I set off at a steady pace and felt very comfertable going up and down the hills. Since it was an out and back route it was good to see the faster runners going the other way and also see who you were near. I was in a group of 3 which turned into 2 as we reached the foot of the hill on the return. It was a long climb back up but I still felt comfertable so pushed the pace a bit. At the corner you go in the opposite direction to the way you usually go and thought he might catch me going down the hill but no sign. I kept pressing on the steep up hill then sharp down hill until it flattens out alongside the Burrell collection. I was pleased with how comfertable it felt and even more pleased when I found out I was only 2 seconds outside my PB which felt a lot tougher. So 6 miles in total including the warm up and warm down.
It is not often where I hit 30 miles during the week so when Saturday came I wasn't too bothered whether I did my 5 miler or not. I helped out at the Park Run today where I did the timer. It is kind of the pressure job and I think is seen as the one which people have to earn by volunteering a lot. Being my ninth time it was nice to do it for a second time. It was a lot easier than last time too as there was only about 50 people running and as always it was a good laugh. I decided to take it easy for the rest of the day and save myself for tomorrows long run.
As usual I slept in, so didn't make it to the Club's long run. Whether it was actually on is anyone's guess! So I finally set off about 12. I decided to take the pressure off given the conditions and just see how far I could go. I did my tactic of heading towards town, to give me the best start possible and just took my time. Once I got out of Shawlands heading south, the snow just got deeper and deeper. Though the tempreture was actually fine and I could have easily got away with shorts. The toughest stretch was going past Roukenglen and up past Patterton station. You can't really run on the road here as the traffic goes too fast and the snow along with the climb it felt like I was going 2 mile an hour. At 8 miles which was Asda, I did it in 1 hour 21 minutes which given the conditions I was pleased with. I also now had a target of trying to get under 10 minute miles. I planned the route from here going in some back roads which helped. As it meant I could run on the road which almost felt like I was cheating because its so much easier than the snowy pavements. But when you think about it, its just how it would be normally! So after going up past Mearns Castle I was confident of completing the run and I did. Its great to be back doing long runs again and its good that I have not lost my endurance.
I am planning another easy run tomorrow and hopefully it will be ok given today's run but I'm not too bothered if its not. I'm pleased with the 45 miles I have done this week even if 95% was easy running. The aim of building up endurance has been fufilled. I plan on having another similar week this week, then start building in the tempo runs and the speed work with the club in the new year.
After spending the last few months ticking my running over. This week was the return to an actual schedule. This is without doubt the best condition I have been in going into a training programme so I am excited to see just how good I can get. Having not done much endurance over the last few months, the aim for the week was to get back to doing longer runs as I have not done anything over 10 miles since Loch ness marathon in early October.
This was also a transition week as I finished up work on Tuesday which meant going from night runs to morning runs. Monday saw a thin layer of snow falling so I was pleased to get an easy 8.5 miles in. On Tuesday I had planned a light run at night so I could do an easy run on Wednesday morning and that would be the transition. However the weather decided otherwise as more snow fell meaning I didn't get home from work till half 7. So I decided just to take the night off and focus on running the next day. I still did an easy run and managed 10k in some tough conditions underfoot because of the snow. Thursday I went easy again and went towards Pollockshaws as I thought it would be easier going towards town and I was right. So managed just under 10 miles which I was pleased with.
Then Christmas day where I stayed up at my parents. I had planned to run to the park run, do it, then come back. But I got up slightly too late so just drove down and parked 1.5 mile away. Giving me a good warm up. I decided I wasn't going to race this as it was still snowy underfoot. But at the same time thought I'd try and go at tempo run pace. It was an altered course due to the conditions and it was a nice change. Also there was only about 30 people doing it because it was Christmas day. I set off at a steady pace and felt very comfertable going up and down the hills. Since it was an out and back route it was good to see the faster runners going the other way and also see who you were near. I was in a group of 3 which turned into 2 as we reached the foot of the hill on the return. It was a long climb back up but I still felt comfertable so pushed the pace a bit. At the corner you go in the opposite direction to the way you usually go and thought he might catch me going down the hill but no sign. I kept pressing on the steep up hill then sharp down hill until it flattens out alongside the Burrell collection. I was pleased with how comfertable it felt and even more pleased when I found out I was only 2 seconds outside my PB which felt a lot tougher. So 6 miles in total including the warm up and warm down.
It is not often where I hit 30 miles during the week so when Saturday came I wasn't too bothered whether I did my 5 miler or not. I helped out at the Park Run today where I did the timer. It is kind of the pressure job and I think is seen as the one which people have to earn by volunteering a lot. Being my ninth time it was nice to do it for a second time. It was a lot easier than last time too as there was only about 50 people running and as always it was a good laugh. I decided to take it easy for the rest of the day and save myself for tomorrows long run.
As usual I slept in, so didn't make it to the Club's long run. Whether it was actually on is anyone's guess! So I finally set off about 12. I decided to take the pressure off given the conditions and just see how far I could go. I did my tactic of heading towards town, to give me the best start possible and just took my time. Once I got out of Shawlands heading south, the snow just got deeper and deeper. Though the tempreture was actually fine and I could have easily got away with shorts. The toughest stretch was going past Roukenglen and up past Patterton station. You can't really run on the road here as the traffic goes too fast and the snow along with the climb it felt like I was going 2 mile an hour. At 8 miles which was Asda, I did it in 1 hour 21 minutes which given the conditions I was pleased with. I also now had a target of trying to get under 10 minute miles. I planned the route from here going in some back roads which helped. As it meant I could run on the road which almost felt like I was cheating because its so much easier than the snowy pavements. But when you think about it, its just how it would be normally! So after going up past Mearns Castle I was confident of completing the run and I did. Its great to be back doing long runs again and its good that I have not lost my endurance.
I am planning another easy run tomorrow and hopefully it will be ok given today's run but I'm not too bothered if its not. I'm pleased with the 45 miles I have done this week even if 95% was easy running. The aim of building up endurance has been fufilled. I plan on having another similar week this week, then start building in the tempo runs and the speed work with the club in the new year.
Sunday 20 December 2009
20/12/09 - Club Christmas Handicap
Today was a race like none other I have entered before for a number of reasons.
1st - Its 4.6 miles
2nd - People start at different times based on ability
3rd - I reckon there was 20 people racing max!
I arrived in plenty of time for the 11am start running 2 miles from home to the club for my warm up. When I got there I was the 3rd person to arrive. So I got my number and checked out when I would be starting. To my surprise I was predicted to do it in 30 minutes 30 seconds! Now as much as I would absolutley love to be able to do it in that time, I checked out some calculators before the race and I would be happy to get under 35 minutes and thought I might be able to get below 34 minutes. I asked if the times were fixed and they were, so too late to change it. Just to give you an idea of where I was positioned in the pack. There are 5 training groups A-E with A group being the best. I train with group C and fit quite nicely into the middle of the group during sessions. My predicted time meant I was starting after most of the B group!
So mentally I just treated this race like any other and just focused on my own race. Baring in mind there was a strong chance I would get overtaken very early, the question was, how early! The conditions were actually very good considering it had been icy the last few days. A thin layer of snow overnight meant slipping was not a problem and provided some grip. The sun was out and there wasn't much wind. So after 10 minutes of watching people set off at intervals, I was off. I got into a good pace early and was pleased to get to over a mile without being overtaken! Heading up Clarston Road, I was being overtaken regularly by the 5 or so runners who set off behind me. When I got to Clarkston Toll, everyone had overtaken me and out of sight! I was just over half way and had 2 miles left. It was a really weird position to be in. I kept thinking, maybe someone elses handicap was off as much as mine or someone might have gone off too fast and be struggling. So I kept pushing up to Eastwood toll. It was really surreal moment when I realised I was wearing a number indicating that I'm in a race. But people passing would be wondereing who I m actually racing! lol. Then the last mile I realised I wasn't going to catch anyone and accepted what I knew was highly possible in the first place and that is that I would come in last. Funny thing is I really wasn't bothered. I have read quite a few stories about people coming last and the way I see it is someone has to be! So going into the finishing straight I had a big smile on my face (at least inside!) and came into everybody clapping which was nice.
It almost felt like a right of passage in the end, a kind of initiation into the club. I was pleased with my time of 34.29 which meant I was averaging about 7.24 a mile.
1st - Its 4.6 miles
2nd - People start at different times based on ability
3rd - I reckon there was 20 people racing max!
I arrived in plenty of time for the 11am start running 2 miles from home to the club for my warm up. When I got there I was the 3rd person to arrive. So I got my number and checked out when I would be starting. To my surprise I was predicted to do it in 30 minutes 30 seconds! Now as much as I would absolutley love to be able to do it in that time, I checked out some calculators before the race and I would be happy to get under 35 minutes and thought I might be able to get below 34 minutes. I asked if the times were fixed and they were, so too late to change it. Just to give you an idea of where I was positioned in the pack. There are 5 training groups A-E with A group being the best. I train with group C and fit quite nicely into the middle of the group during sessions. My predicted time meant I was starting after most of the B group!
So mentally I just treated this race like any other and just focused on my own race. Baring in mind there was a strong chance I would get overtaken very early, the question was, how early! The conditions were actually very good considering it had been icy the last few days. A thin layer of snow overnight meant slipping was not a problem and provided some grip. The sun was out and there wasn't much wind. So after 10 minutes of watching people set off at intervals, I was off. I got into a good pace early and was pleased to get to over a mile without being overtaken! Heading up Clarston Road, I was being overtaken regularly by the 5 or so runners who set off behind me. When I got to Clarkston Toll, everyone had overtaken me and out of sight! I was just over half way and had 2 miles left. It was a really weird position to be in. I kept thinking, maybe someone elses handicap was off as much as mine or someone might have gone off too fast and be struggling. So I kept pushing up to Eastwood toll. It was really surreal moment when I realised I was wearing a number indicating that I'm in a race. But people passing would be wondereing who I m actually racing! lol. Then the last mile I realised I wasn't going to catch anyone and accepted what I knew was highly possible in the first place and that is that I would come in last. Funny thing is I really wasn't bothered. I have read quite a few stories about people coming last and the way I see it is someone has to be! So going into the finishing straight I had a big smile on my face (at least inside!) and came into everybody clapping which was nice.
It almost felt like a right of passage in the end, a kind of initiation into the club. I was pleased with my time of 34.29 which meant I was averaging about 7.24 a mile.
Tuesday 8 December 2009
05/12/2009 - Scottish Athletics West District CC championships
Title sounds good doesn't it?! :-) I always fancied doing a cross country and knew that the only way I would be able to run one was if I was a member of a club. So having been a member of Giffnock North I was now eligible. I only found out about this race a couple of weeks before at training when one of the guys mentioned it. So I went home to investigate and entries were closed. Fast forward a week and just before training started in the get together. Bruce said that they had a drop out, so there was a place free if anyone wanted to run on the Saturday. I waited a bit to see if anyone stepped forward and didn’t so I put my hand up.
So Alan Stewart the Men’s team captain kindly sorted me out with a vest and said to turn up at Irvine by 1pm. I arrived about 12.45pm in time for the Senior Women’s race with an impressive turnout from Giffnock of 8 runners. It was a good team spirit as we cheered them on. The way the course is laid out meant the Senior women run 2 laps which add up to 6,400 metres. Each lap consists of first of an out and back section, so we were cheering them about half way through the lap and then they go on a big loop round the out and back section back to the start. Generally the course is pretty flat with 3 very short sharp hills which slow you down but you can make up for it with the short sharp downhill. I would say about half the course was muddy which was fun.
Next up was the Under 17 men where Giffnock literally ran away with the team prize, setting the scene for the Mens race. There were 4 of us from Giffnock running – David, Derrin, James and myself. As expected as soon as the gun went off, people took off very fast. Unlike other races I have run this year where people go out to fast and I catch up with a lot later in the race. I knew that the people in this race are more than capable of maintaining the pace the set out at, such is the standard at these things. So I got into a nice rhythm and completed the first lap in 15.30 which I was pleased with as it had shown I hadn’t gone out too fast. Just at the start of the second lap James passed me and was running strong. Throughout the first 2 laps David was always in view and my aim was to try and stay with him as long as possible. To my surprise as we were running back towards the finish on the third lap before completing the last big loop I was quickly gaining on him and caught him. I shouted some encouragement and he shouted some back and I edged away and started focusing on the next person in front. I over took a few more people and ended up finishing in 46.44 which I was delighted with as although it was 9,600 metres, it was a cross country so it is meant to be slower. My 10k PB is 46.50 so I sense a 10k PB may not be far away.
90th Derrin 39.45
149th James 45.20
156th Stuart 46.44
159th David 47.22
So Alan Stewart the Men’s team captain kindly sorted me out with a vest and said to turn up at Irvine by 1pm. I arrived about 12.45pm in time for the Senior Women’s race with an impressive turnout from Giffnock of 8 runners. It was a good team spirit as we cheered them on. The way the course is laid out meant the Senior women run 2 laps which add up to 6,400 metres. Each lap consists of first of an out and back section, so we were cheering them about half way through the lap and then they go on a big loop round the out and back section back to the start. Generally the course is pretty flat with 3 very short sharp hills which slow you down but you can make up for it with the short sharp downhill. I would say about half the course was muddy which was fun.
Next up was the Under 17 men where Giffnock literally ran away with the team prize, setting the scene for the Mens race. There were 4 of us from Giffnock running – David, Derrin, James and myself. As expected as soon as the gun went off, people took off very fast. Unlike other races I have run this year where people go out to fast and I catch up with a lot later in the race. I knew that the people in this race are more than capable of maintaining the pace the set out at, such is the standard at these things. So I got into a nice rhythm and completed the first lap in 15.30 which I was pleased with as it had shown I hadn’t gone out too fast. Just at the start of the second lap James passed me and was running strong. Throughout the first 2 laps David was always in view and my aim was to try and stay with him as long as possible. To my surprise as we were running back towards the finish on the third lap before completing the last big loop I was quickly gaining on him and caught him. I shouted some encouragement and he shouted some back and I edged away and started focusing on the next person in front. I over took a few more people and ended up finishing in 46.44 which I was delighted with as although it was 9,600 metres, it was a cross country so it is meant to be slower. My 10k PB is 46.50 so I sense a 10k PB may not be far away.
90th Derrin 39.45
149th James 45.20
156th Stuart 46.44
159th David 47.22
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