Still Running...

New Blog

2010-01-18T12:50:00.000-08:00

This 2009 blog is now retired, and in its place there is a shiny new 2010 version with my buildup to the London marathon on 25th April 2010:

www.timrunning2.blogspot.com

This time I'm collecting sponsorship for the run for a change so there will be details there about how to contribute to a good cause.

See you on the new blog!

Recovery

2009-07-05T14:35:00.000-07:00

I tend towards the view that after a marathon you deserve some time off from running, so I barely bothered during June. But while the evidence is that your physiology is impacted for about 6 weeks, after 5 weeks I was ready to run again. Of course starting with a 5km Parkrun race (I am in Glasgow for the weekend) may not have been a great idea, with that and a fast 5 mile plus hash run in the afternoon I was very sore today. Problem, I left my car 6 miles away last night after a 4th July party. In the end I did run over to pick it up, but with a mile of "warmup" walking before the legs felt up to anything swifter.

And what impact did 5 weeks off have? Well time wise I was almost exactly where I was on March 14th, or after a couple of weeks of a 12 week training schedule. It will be interesting to see if I can get my 5 and 10km times down again this summer.

31/5/09 - Edinburgh Marathon

2009-06-03T12:55:00.000-07:00

Distance: 42.2km/ 26.2miles
Altitude: 55m/ 160ft
Temp: 20°C/ 68°F
Weather: Clear and hot

After all the training in the cold of the northeast US and the cool of Scotland the day of the race dawns clear and bright with a forecast of unusually hot weather for this part of the world. I'm up early for my usual marathon breakfast of muesli, coffee and a couple of pieces of toast before the short walk to the bus and the ride into the middle of Edinburgh. The start is at the foot of Carlton Hill and organisation seems very effective as I drop my bag to be transported to the end, grab a sports drink and take a walk around the mustering area. We even have some good views of the city and Arthur's Seat to enjoy. I time my visit to the Portaloos well (no queue when I arrive, queues forming quickly as I exit) and find a good spot at the front of my mustering coral where we all enjoy the antics of a team of Spaniards who are giving the MC more audience participation than the rest of the assembled company put together.

With 5 minutes to go to the scheduled start we are walked close to the starting line, just behind the elite runners, and the race begins on the dot of 9am. The first section is all downhill and everyone at the front seems to get off at an even and easy pace despite the temptation to speed along in the perfect conditions. The pace continues to feel good and easy as we pass the Scottish Parliament and get a flat stretch on Queens Drive which brings us to Meadowbank Stadium where we pick up the route of the Edinburgh Half Marathon I ran. Another downhill stretch brings us to the only significant uphill on the course but this is easily overcome before the long downhill towards the seafront. My split for 5km was about 19:18 (at which point I accidentally turned off my stopwatch, ending self timed splits), probably about right given the considerable drop in altitude until the course reaches the sea after the 4 mile marker.

Once on the seafront the race settles down as we find the right pace in the calm conditions with just enough headwind to help keep us cool, and I pass the 10km timing mat at 38:26, only a little slower than the 10km race I ran a few weeks ago in appalling weather and 1 minute 40 faster than my last marathon in New York. This part of the course through Portobello and Musselburgh has plenty of spectators to cheer us on, especially around the first relay changeover at 8 miles (and near the eventual finish line at Musselburgh racecourse). The next stretch is more rural but with the road lined by hedges and trees there is quite a bit of shade, a boon as the temperature climbs. As we come through Musselburgh I hear cries of “come on Superman” and I'm duly passed by a runner wearing a costume. Having seen a very athletic looking “Elvis” complete with wig and white jumpsuit disappear ahead of me near the start it was dispiriting to get behind another costume!

The miles pass slowly as we continue relatively flat through Prestonpans and the halfway point (1:25:44, 55 seconds ahead of New York and maybe a little faster than ideal but I am still feeling strong) and then past the enormous Cockenzie Power Station, a landmark visible since we hit the shore near mile 4. Somewhere past mile 15 the two front runners pass me on their return west, well ahead of the third man. Here we turn inland for a “make up the distance” stretch, a short climb on a side road followed by a U-turn and a return to the coast road. By this time more of the lead runners are heading past (including one I recognise from Parkrun) and we get to see how many “Elite” (better than 2.30 predicted time) runners were being beaten by my fellow “Orange” (2.30-3.15 finishing time) athletes. Apparently in previous years the race featured a simple U-turn on the road but now they circle us around the grounds of Gosford House between miles 17 and 19. This is a pleasantly peaceful stretch for me, despite a sharpish climb in the first section on a dirt track that has been covered in a layer of dirt and gravel to level the surface, and the lack of any cooling breeze. Not so pleasant for those in the main pack with hundreds of feet kicking up dust I would guess.

Our loop brings us past the House and out at the gatehouse to begin the final stretch of 7 miles west back to Musselburgh. My expectation here pre-race was for a struggle into the prevailing wind like in the half marathon, but in fact we are running away from a slight tail-wind. This makes for some very warm stretches with not a breath of breeze, and a few low moments. Getting to the point where we are running opposite other runners with much more work to do gives a boost of sorts but this was one of the worst sections of the race for me as the temperature begins to combine with the usual tiredness to drag at my resolve to keep on pace. I also find that on a couple of occasions a slight increase in my breathing leads to sudden tightness in my chest, possibly as a result of the hay fever I always suffer a bit of in the UK spring. Luckily however easing the pace a fraction allows me to breathe again.

Now is the time in the race to take it one mile at a time as the cliché goes. On the positive side I am on schedule for the sub-3.00 time, passing 20 miles before the 2.15 mark and putting in sub-7.30 miles for the next 4, helped by a good dose of water on the head and soaking the hat at each water stop. I also have Superman back in my sights and I'm gaining on him, and overtook a girl about mile 24 to compensate for another who had pulled past me a mile or two previously. Not being beaten by too many women is up there in the unwritten rules along with men in costume!

The lowest point of the race comes near mile 25 where I briefly feel unbearably hot and sick and long for the final water station which arrives just in time to resurrect me for the run in. The final stretch is enlivened by increasing crowds as we return into Musselburgh and spot the racecourse, with the furlong markers to plot our remaining distance. Past marker 5, check, past marker 4, check, past marker 3, then the 26 mile sign and the cut though the perimeter onto the racecourse. Here the half marathon had seen us running on a range of surfaces, but today there is a plastic cover laid either for our benefit or to protect the racecourse surface. If it was the former they could do without it, I found it awful to run on and probably looked pretty wobbly for 200 yards before we got back on tarmac and the glorious sight of the finish... and a clock reading 2:58 and counting. A final sprint just failed to get me in under 2:59 but that was immaterial, I'd succeeded in running the race in under 3 hours and that's all that mattered.

The post race organization was good at this point (don't know how it held up a the crowds of finishers increased) as I was swiftly dosed with water , rehydration fluid, bananas, a medal and had my chip removed. Then the magic words “there is beer over there” and I stroll over to a table where angels in Stewarts Brewery shirts dispense samples of their Marathon Ale. It would seem like many fast runners are not convinced of the healing value of beer (shame on them!) so there was a small number of us at the table, allowing me to chat to a few who had finished in around the same time and knock back a few of the little cups of amber nectar. Then it was off to pick up my bag and walk into town to find a bus to Haddington to meet Tracy and the rest of the Edinburgh Hashers and sink a few more beers.

Overall the toll on the body was tolerable. For the first time in 4 marathons I get a little foot trouble (no blisters, just a couple of toes that get sore around mile 22 and suffer a little bruising) but suffer no chafing despite eschewing Vaseline for the first time. My excellent Nike shorts have never rubbed and a couple of plasters (band aids) protect the nipples perfectly. The knee and ankle joints never give a moments trouble, the leg muscles don't cramp at all and only the butt muscles get really sore on the course. Plus for the first time my IT band does not seize up within minutes of the finish. I have even kept my fluids and electrolytes topped up well despite the heat.

Later in the day (after a reviving shower) we meet a collection of Edinburgh Hashers who had competed in the 4 person relay and a considerable number from London who had done the full race... including Superman (actually Superwoman he told me), a Hasher from London who had ended up finishing just behind me. And what was the toll on the body the next day? Very sore quads and butt muscles, fairly sore calves and two bruised toes. I'll take that!

27/5/09 - Inverness

2009-06-03T12:43:00.001-07:00

Distance: 13.06km/ 8.12miles
Altitude: 20m/ 66ft
Temp: 17°C/ 63°F
Weather: Overcast

My final outing before the marathon and I again aim for an hour of steady running with a few periods at race pace. I'm also taking a look at potential hash trails in the area so I follow some of the pleasant route I used 4 days ago down to the point where the river and canal diverge, then follow the canal to the A82 bridge where I cross and investigate options on the west of the canal. This features some trail and some residential streets before I climb to get good views over the city and Moray Firth from the Scorguie area of town.

Dropping back to the canal I cross the last lock gates before it projects out into the Firth and follow the coastal route around South Kessock and back into town where I cross to the east bank and follow the River back home. All in all I feel ready for the race, though I have been suffering some muscle soreness and cramps ever since the Ben Nevis climb. I'll make sure I get plenty of rest and salts, especially Potassium, before the race.

25/5/09 - Hill of Binns, near Garmouth

2009-06-03T12:31:00.000-07:00

Distance: 7.25km/ 4.5miles (approx)
Altitude: 10m/ 33ft
Temp: 16°C/ 61°F
Weather: Damp and humid

We drive out east of Inverness to meet up with the local hash runners, at a wooded hill near the Moray Firth. The demographic of the group is quite old so the pace is slow, but we cover some tough terrain with climbs, dense undergrowth and uncertain footing. It is a good prep in the last week before the marathon (if I watch my footing), easy paced but with a few chances to work hard.

Generally we make out way clockwise around the wood, but the trail twists and turns confusingly for a long period of time until we finally reach a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the Moray firth with expansive views of the coast east and west. Then we drop down near sea level and skirt a firing range before climbing back over to our starting point.

The map approximates out route, it was a lot more convoluted!

23/5/09 - Inverness

2009-05-24T12:17:00.000-07:00

Distance: 12.25km/ 7.61miles
Altitude: 20m/ 66ft
Temp: 17°C/ 63°F
Weather: Spitting rain

A showery but warmish day and I set out when a series of heavy showers finally relent, expecting to get a dousing at some point. We biked 42.3km (26.3 miles) around the Beauly Firth earlier so I don't push the run and stick to flat ground around the River Ness. I head first for the paths over the islands, then run around the edge of Bught Park and all the way past playing fields down to the point where the River and Canal diverge (using so pretty muddy paths on the riverside).

I use the canal towpath to return as far as the A82, then cut back past Queens Park athletics stadium, across Bught Park again and north along the river. Next I plan to run over to the canal but my dodgy sense of direction fails me and I wend my way in residential streets (and past a host of B and Bs) until I find myself back at the river where I cross and take the route home along the river.

I still have 15 minutes to kill so I run along the pedestianised High Street and climb up to Crown Circus before meandering on the streets near our house to complete the hour. And amazingly the real rain never arrived!

21/5/09 - Inverness

2009-05-24T12:01:00.000-07:00

Distance: 12.51km/ 7.77miles
Altitude: 20m/ 66ft
Temp: 15°C/ 59°F
Weather: Pleasant evening

I have given up on my training regime for the final tapering to the marathon as it seems a little intense, and instead I'm taking the advice from several sources to ease up on mileage, mix in some race pace and do some cross training. The 70 minute run on Tuesday went well so I decide to repeat the one hour dose by taking a similar route but shortening it by not running south to start and varying the directions to and from the bridge.

This time I head west to start, over the river and then north on the river bank until I pick up the A82 to the A9. Once again I run north on the east side of the bridge (passing the Inverness Caley Thistle stadium, the only Premier League venue I've mixed into a run - for 2 days at least; and until such time as Partick Thistle get promotion) to get the daytime views and back on the west side.

Now I follow the bike path into the city (approximately), following the shore road, then cutting through the city centre and up the steep final section to the house we're staying in in the Crown area of town.

19/5/09 - Inverness

2009-05-24T11:34:00.000-07:00

Distance: 13.08km/ 8.13miles
Altitude: 20m/ 66ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Cool evening

I haven't yet quite sorted out the logistics of running and working so after a lateish dinner I finally feel like hitting the road about 11pm, after dark even here. Tracy isn't due in from Glasgow till after midnight so I won't bother her and so off I set. At least it will be quiet at this time, which prompts me to head south and east on residential streets, past Raigmore Hospital and out onto the A9 highway.

The plan is to run for about an hour, mixing in periods at marathon race pace with easier stretches and this plan goes pretty well. The legs are sore to start with, they took a beating climbing Ben Nevis and even with two days off the knees are complaining. Things loosen up after a while and I find a track on the grass verge by the highway to follow before picking up the bike path heading for Kessock Bridge and the Black Isle.

There are footpaths both sides of the road over the bridge but it is easiest to follow the bike path so I cross onto the east side for the run north. It is a fine time to run across the bridge with night views of the Moray Firth looking east, and views of the lights of Inverness and the Beauly Firth as I return on the west side of the bridge after crossing the highway. After this I follow the A82 into town before working my way onto the River walkway, into the centre of the city and up the hill home... arriving just as Tracy gets in. A 70 minute run in the end with the legs feeling better for the exercise.

15/5/09 - Fort Augustus

2009-05-15T14:55:00.001-07:00

Distance: 11.63km/ 7.23miles
Altitude: ?m/ ?ft
Temp: 10°C/ 50°F
Weather: Dull, drizzle

The weather has returned to normal Scottish conditions, cool and damp, but I want a look at Fort Augustus (scene of a few fine sporting and drinking memories from the early eighties, our cricket club toured their annually) and drag myself out. The marathon plan suggests 5 x 5 minute reps with 2 minute breaks so I use the Caledonian Canal towpath for some reps at marathon race pace.

I jog to the canal and up the “staircase”, a linked set of locks as the canal rises from Loch Ness (the water on the right of the picture) for a warmup before running southwest on the canal for two reps, crossing at the next lock and running on sheep paths on the west side for one rep and returning to town for the last two. I then add a gentle jog to look at the hotel we used to frequent and the old cricket pitch (still set up for play despite the derelict state of the old and rather fine pavillion) before returning to our hostel. Glad to see the old town still looks as pleasant as I remember it.

13/5/09 - Inverness

2009-05-15T14:54:00.001-07:00

Distance: 17.23km/ 10.71miles
Altitude: 0m/ 0ft
Temp: 11°C/ 52°F
Weather: Cool but gorgeous

The first chance to run after our move north and the weather couldn't be more perfect, clear, cool and still. I set off at 9pm which might seem a little late to get out when most of my trail is off road... but this is northern Scotland (~58° latitude) so I have plenty more daylight. I want to check out the options for running and crossing the Caledonian Canal and River Ness, both of which run through the town.

I begin by running from the house we are staying at (just above the middle of town) down the Market Brae steps, through the centre and across the river into the old dock area of South Kessock. Following the mouth of the river I get out onto the Beauly or Moray Firths (one become the other somewhere here!) with great views north to Ben Wyvis and east to the Kessock Bridge. Then I follow the coastal path around to the Canal and follow the towpath up a set of lock and long to the next bridge crossing, returning back to the locks on the east side.

Next I cut over to the River and follow it south on the west bank as I have a map that indicates that you can get over the river on footbridges before you get too far out of town (even though the bridges are not indicated on the map! Sure enough there is a park created from a number of islands in the river, and these are linked to the east bank by three bridges (two of which are small suspension bridges that bounce impressively with the weight of one runner). This brings me out near home for a short uphill finish.

11/5/09 - East Kilbride

2009-05-15T14:53:00.000-07:00

Distance: 4.91km/ 3.05miles
Altitude: ?m/ ?ft
Temp: 16°C/ 61°F
Weather: Beautiful evening

The perfect easy run to begin my marathon taper.

More soon.

10/5/09 - Two runs

2009-05-15T14:48:00.000-07:00

Bishopbriggs
Distance: 12.81km/ 7.96miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Pleasant, wet underfoot

Blackness
Distance: 9.8km/ 6.1miles
Altitude: 0m/ 0ft
Temp: 14°C/ 57°F
Weather: Blustery and sunny

9/5/09 – Two runs

2009-05-09T06:39:00.000-07:00

Glasgow (Pollok Park)
Distance: 5km/ 3.11miles
Altitude: 30m/ 98ft
Temp: 11°C/ 52°F
Weather: Wet underfoot, spitting rain

Not a good day for this week's Parkrun, although the worst of the rain holds off until after I finish the course is very wet after days of poor weather. The start is very smooth this week (or I get a good position) but the initial road section is covered in puddles and the feet are soon wet. I have several runners with me for once and this encourages me to keep a fastish pace on the first lap, though I have to contend with a dog running right in front of me and the wet patch at the low point of the course is a morass of mud and water.

I am still with two other runners well into the second lap and continue to feel good, though one guy gets ahead of me on the flat. I get ahead of the other two and drop them on the final tough climb before a quick finish on the downhill. Good thing I finished quickly too, as my time is 18.39, just 2 seconds inside my race PB.

Bishopbriggs
Distance: 9.25km/ 8.85miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 10°C/ 50°F
Weather: Bright sun closely followed by heavy rain

Today's plan is to kind of replicate an interval session I missed somewhere in the week, 8 x 5 minute reps. I reckon the race covers half the effort so later in the afternoon I jog myself down to the canal bank for the remaining 4 reps. Clearly I've been living abroad too long as I forget what several days of rain is likely to do to the towpath surface and sure enough though the mud is tolerable the puddles across the whole path are an obstacle.

Undaunted I run 5 minutes at between 5 and 10km pace, jog 5 minutes as the rain starts and pick up the pace for another 5 minutes which neatly brings me to the Lambhill Bridge at Balmore road. By now the rain is coming down hard and I'm tempted to stay under the bridge but I'll likely seize up and jog back towards Bishopbriggs, once again breaking out a couple of 5 minute pacy stretches with some hopping and leaping to avoid the deepest water.

7/5/09 – Bishopbriggs

2009-05-08T04:54:00.000-07:00

Distance: 19.07km/ 11.85miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Dull, dry

Another steady 90 minute run called for today, so after diverting to the newsagents for a paper I head for the canal bank, but with the intention of checking out some new terrain. I take the towpath to Cadder and the path across Cawder golf course to the Kelvin River, but today I head east on the path atop the River levee. This brings me close to Torrance where I pick up the road back to Balmore and the path across the fields to complete a loop at the Kelvin Bridge. Returning to Cadder I cross the canal and run east on the south bank, I've never been here but see walkers regularly from the towpath. The path is pretty good and leads to a large area set up with fences for horse riders to test their mounts on. This makes the track pretty muddy but I can continue on paths to the back side of the Marley Tiles factory and skirt a field back to Kirkintilloch Road.

I stay on the road past the front of the factory and decide to cut back across wasteland to the equine jumps. I fall at the first hurdle though, as I hop over a low fence I slip on mud and pitch onto my right elbow and thigh in a stinky muddy puddle. Bleugh, ouch! Not too much damage done other than a skinned elbow (though I must look a sight with my mud stains!) so I get going again, back onto the canal, crossing at Cadder and running back to the Leisuredrome on the north bank towpath.

From here I divert onto more new running territory/ old haunts by turning north up the hill and west again on the dirt track that runs south of the Wilderness Woods and past the old mining village of Mavis Valley (I'm sure there are still signs of the foundations somewhere, there were 30 years ago). I continue to the waste transfer station where I turn down the hill over a capped rubbish dump and pick my way over boggy ground back down to the canal, startling a deer on the way. Once on the canal I return to Bishopbriggs and complete the 90 minutes with a tour of nearby residential streets.

6/5/09 – Troon

2009-05-08T03:33:00.000-07:00

Distance: 10km/ 6.21miles
Altitude: 0m/ 0ft
Temp: 10°C/ 50°F
Weather: Wet and very windy

I haven't run a 10k in over 18 months so take the opportunity to enter a largish (1000 entries) event in this small seaside town on the west coast of Scotland. I can also catch up with a friend there afterwards, who I haven't seen in years.

With my recent Parkrun times I have hopes of getting under 38 minutes for the first time since 1992, but the weather is wet and windy in Bishopbriggs and with its exposed position Troon is worse. I'll be glad to get under 39 minutes in this.

The setup for the run appears minimal as we arrive in town, just a small warning sign on the road we'll be on, but there are plenty of runners milling around the Walker Hall where we pick up timing chips. The start is on the promenade outside which would be pleasant on a good night, today the only advantage is ample toilets and some much needed shelters. With 5 minutes to go to the gun the start is nearly deserted, other than a bedraggled timing mat, a few of us under a nearby shelter and some brave marshals clinging to timing signs to tell us where to line up, but then the runners who've been sheltering in the hall appear and I get in position just behind the fast looking folk. The marshals spread out fast too, by the time we get on the roads they are everywhere with police stopping traffic and the course is very well organised.

The first section on the promenade is quite exposed to the wind blowing off the sea but we soon get into the welcome lea of a wall and some dunes, then turn east for a stretch beside the world famous Royal Troon golf course with the wind at our backs. From km 3 to 4 we are sheltered by trees on a pleasant park road while the section back west into the wind between 4.5 and 6.5 km is not too bad with houses blocking the worst of the storm, though it is still a head down slog (and more excellent practice for the last part of the Edinburgh Marathon). A section close to the Troon Municipal golf course (where some golfers nearly as crazy as us are playing) brings us to km 8 and the turn back into the worst of the wind.

The capricious weather gods decide that this is the time to teach the fastish runners a lesson as the rain increases and forward progress becomes extremely tough, seeing where you are going tougher still. I'm pretty much on my own and glad to be as a group would be more of a hindrance as I'm buffeted and keeping my head down with only occasional glances ahead. At last near km 9 comes the turn onto the Esplanade and welcome shelter... and I feel strong so up the pace despite the long distance to those ahead. My speedy finish doesn't improve my position but does drop anyone close behind and I sight the finishing clock with the disappointing thought that it already reads 38.14, just outside my best in the last few years of 38.12. My final time is 38.20 (good for 51st place out of 795 and 16th 40-49 male), which would probably equate to sub-38 on a good day and I'm happy with it. I feel good after the run, it is my fastest 10k in the UK and I have dry clothes. So it's time to change and head for a couple of restorative pints of Guinness.

4/5/09 – Glasgow (Thornliebank)

2009-05-06T04:22:00.000-07:00

Distance: 8.0km/ 5.0miles
Altitude: ?m/ 16ft
Temp: 11°C/ 52°F
Weather: Windy, threatening clouds

The legs are pretty stiff today but after a slow start I soon get into the groove and maintain a steady pace all day. We begin the hash run at a bar on Thornliebank Road (the map is missing the first 1.2km (.75 miles), thinking that it'll be a cold wet run, but the rain stays away and the route is pretty well sheltered from the howling wind.

The route mixes residential streets with paths, tracks and some very wet and muddy playing fields, managing to fit in quite a few hills on the way. All in all more fun than anticipated looking at the weather!

3/5/09 – Wick

2009-05-06T03:42:00.000-07:00

Distance: 36.87km/ 22.91miles
Altitude: 5m/ 16ft
Temp: 13°C/ 55°F
Weather: Windy, bright, occasional showers

I'm staying with friends near the northern tip of Scotland, where the countryside is fairly flat, the traffic is light but the wind howls over Caithness with little to get in it's way. The training plan calls for a 20 mile race or "pace practice" so I decide to do a 3 hour run with spells at race pace. Our hosts suggests a run west from Wick, ending at a loch deep in "Flow Country", which should be testing against the northwest wind but will provide ample practice for the last 6 miles of the Edinburgh marathon which will likely have the same headwind.

I begin by running a mile or so along the sea coast into Wick, then turn onto the Thurso road for an 8 mile stretch into the wind as the fairly straight road crosses farmland to Watten. In Watten I get some energy food and a drink at the little shop, before a respite from the wind heading south for a while. Turning back north of west I again get to "enjoy" a now stengthening headwind despite hedgerows lining the road for a while.

Finally the road turns south of west and the wind is less of a problem. The farmland begins to recede and I see more of the combination of peatbog and forestry that dominate the scenery around here, especially after crossing the A9. I'm feeling pretty good (despite a few minutes of driving rain) and note the passage of miles by my relationship to several areas of forest, while some distant hills gradually come more into view and I pass a wind farm on my left.

By the time I cross the River Thurso at Westerdale after nearly 30km (18 miles) I'm starting to get pretty tired but I try to push the pace on for the last stretch, and even after Tracy catches me up in the car near Stathmore Lodge I opt to complete the three hours with a final few km to Loch More. I'm tired by the end but the legs are not too bad and I feel fairly well prepared for the race in 4 weeks.

Totals

2009-05-05T16:09:00.000-07:00

I realize I've never added up my monthly efforts so here is a summary:

January 101.8km (63.3miles)

February 145.4km (90.4miles)

March 296.7km (184.3miles)

April 269.6km (167.6miles)

30/4/09 – Rogart

2009-05-05T16:07:00.000-07:00

Distance: 11.4km/ 7.29miles
Altitude: 18m/ 59ft
Temp: 13°C/ 55°F
Weather: Occasional drizzle, overcast

Tonight we are staying on an old train in Rogart station that's been converted into an excellent hostel. The village boasts a sign indicating a number of tracks in the area and I opt to use the most substantial looking, labeled “Hill Road”. For a warm up I jog along the (none too busy) road linking Rogart to Lairg, having decided to use the “road” to do 7 five minute reps with 3 minute recoveries.

The track features considerable climbs and drops but is actually reasonable underfoot, though I have to be nimble on my feet to both keep up a fast pace for each rep and avoid twisted ankles. A few muddy sections also require care and some cows at one end of the track take a while to move despite a swift moving man in orange approaching.

I run the full length of the track, timing 5 minutes fast and 3 minutes easy and turning back at each end. This will allow me to accurately estimate distance while giving me about the same amount of up and down over the 7 reps. The steep climb on the last rep is tough but I survive and jog back to the train before the rain gets too hard.

29/4/09 – A Castle and a Battlefield: Carbisdale Castle

2009-05-05T16:02:00.000-07:00

Distance: 15km/ 9.3miles (estimate)
Altitude: 22m/ 72ft
Temp: 15°C/ 59°F
Weather: Mild, occasional sun

We are on a northern trip looking at jobs and it's always worth staying at one of the worlds' great Youth Hostels when traveling this way. Not only are you accommodated in a castle complete with some beautifully decorated rooms and plenty of artwork, but there are trails nearby to run and bike on. The knee seems fine after a day of rest and I have decided to rearrange this week's training to try and make the most of whatever conditions I find, opting for a longish run today.

The long loop trail goes generally upwards on forest road, track and recently constructed dirt bike paths until you hit a small lochan, then continues flat through woods to a view over the Dornoch Firth on the site of the Battle of Carbisdale (where the Royalists were soundly beaten by the Parliamentarians in our civil war). Now forest paths carry you on a long gentle descent.

I did about three of these loops and mixed in some variation including an attempt to take small paths to circumnavigate the lochan (which ended in retreat from a bog). Then I ran down to the valley floor and over the railway bridge (a footbridge was added in 2000 which makes this less of a lottery than it once was) to check out the pub opening time... which turned out to be June! A final run up a forest road takes my run to 90 minutes and a bit of navigational trouble while trying to shortcut take it to 95. A very pleasant hilly run.

27/4/09 – Lenzie

2009-05-05T16:00:00.001-07:00

Distance: 7.83km/ 4.87miles
Altitude: 67m/ 220ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Dry

A dull drizzly day finally clears up late afternoon and we get reasonable running conditions. The trail is from Carriages bar at Lenzie Station and begins by wandering around Lenzie Moss, a wetland area north of the rail line, before we skirt the houses on the west side of town. After zig-zagging on some residential streets we end up in Kirkintilloch at the new Sports Centre where we repeat our trail from a few months ago by basically following the bike path back to Lenzie. We run under the railway again and spend a little more time in the residential streets south of the line before making our way back to the bar.

I have taken the run very gently today and again the knee is OK during but stiff afterwards. Tomorrow we head north and will have a busy day so I'll take a rest day and see how things go.

26/4/09 – Denny

2009-05-05T15:56:00.000-07:00

Distance: 11.86km/ 7.37miles
Altitude: 67m/ 220ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Cool, windy, occasional sun

An Edinburgh hash run relatively close to Bishopbriggs (19 miles) so we decide to bike there which can mostly be accomplished on the Forth and Clyde canal with only a steep final climb up to Denny. Conditions are good for biking despite some black clouds around and we make good time to the Denny Centre where the run begins.

We begin on playing fields to the east of town before cutting back west past the new high school and south to Head of Muir where we run east again into an area of woodland where we head basically east to the M876 utilizing a maze of paths and trails. Turning north at the motorway we pick up a path on an old railway line which brings us back west and north, then turn north to run in another small wood before crossing a graveyard and getting back on a bike path back to the start.

The ride back is cold with the headwind getting up but the threatened rain stays at bay and we make the journey without any great problem. The canal towpath is busy on a Sunday afternoon though! The knee is now better after today but no worse.

25/4/09 – Two runs

2009-05-05T15:53:00.000-07:00

Parkrun
Distance: 5km/ 3.11miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 14°C/ 57°F
Weather: Mild, pleasant

Saturday again and time for Parkrun. The weather is fine (other than the odd cold gust of wind) and the turnout huge (238, over 50 more than the previous best). The start is better today and I'm soon in stride pacing beside a girl who obviously knows what she is doing. She gets away on a couple of downhills while I pull back on the ups and just after half way I get ahead for good. A man ahead gives me something to aim for and I gradually reel him in until the last climb, where he has clearly saved a little more energy and gets away from me. Another runner just ahead of both of us has stopped to walk on the last steep up though and I get past him and stay just ahead although he finishes hard. He was on his first run here and had misjudged the tough section just before the finish, I assured him I was 30 seconds quicker second time around this run for the same reason.

In the end I get another Parkrun PB and 18.41 is getting near my actual PB of 18.30 from last year. My age graded performance is at 74.75% on their system... the big 75 is only a few seconds away! The only downside, my right knee is a bit stiff although I don't remember anything traumatic.

Bishopbriggs
Distance: 10.52km/ 6.53miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 16°C/ 61°F
Weather: Warm, hazy

Today the plan calls for a one hour hard hilly run. I reckon that the Parkrun is certainly hard with some hills so that counts 19 minutes leaving 41 minutes to go. While we live in a mountainous country and can see plenty of hills around, but Bishopbriggs is actually a rather flat place to run. I try and work out a route using what hills I can find and it makes for a good course. Beginning by warming up on the jog to Huntershill I start by climbing that hill I usually use for hill reps from a different direction (from Kirkintilloch Road. Then I run down to St Mungo's Ave and up the usual way, down the other side then on a short flat to the bottom of Balgrayhill Road in Springburn. This is a longer climb and usually boasts good views but today the atmosphere is unusually hazy.

At the top of Balgrayhill lies Spingburn Park and this gives me some up and down paths before I run down the hill though Stobhill hospital and repeat the climb of Blagrayhill Road. A slightly different run in the park brings me back to the road where I backtrack down Balgrayhill Road, over Crowhill Road and up and over Hunterhill back to Kirkintilloch road for the warmdown home.

The knee loosens up on the run but stiffens later, which is a little concerning. I'll see how tomorrow's gentler pace affects it.

24/4/09 – Bishopbriggs

2009-05-05T15:50:00.000-07:00

Distance: 10.79km/ 6.7miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Mild, still

22/4/09 – Bishopbriggs

2009-05-05T15:43:00.001-07:00

Distance: 16.5km/ 10.25miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 10°C/ 50°F
Weather: Cool, dry

An 80 minute steady run.

21/4/09 – Bishopbriggs

2009-04-25T15:43:00.000-07:00

Distance: 8.66km/ 5.38miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Mild, dry

Another day of hill reps (actually carried over from last week when I was sick) and I use Crowhill Road again after jogging there for a warmup. I alternate 9 hard climbs (taking me 1.40 at the start and about 1.55 at the end - a little faster than last time) with a 2 minute jog down. Nice views from the top to compensate from the pain!

20/4/09 - Glasgow (Anniesland)

2009-04-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

Distance: 10.87km/ 6.75miles
Altitude: ?m/ ?ft
Temp: 14°C/ 57°F
Weather: Warm evening

19/4/09 - Edinburgh (Cramond Brig)

2009-04-21T12:33:00.000-07:00

Distance: 7.04km/ 4.37miles
Altitude: ?m/ ?ft
Temp: 16°C/ 61°F
Weather: Warm and sunny

18/4/09 - Two runs

2009-04-21T12:02:00.000-07:00

Glasgow (Pollok Park)
Distance: 5km/ 3.11miles
Altitude: 30m/ 98ft
Temp: 9°C/ 48°F
Weather: Clear, cold wind

A pleasant morning... if you stay out of the wind. I'm not sure how I'll go today with the after effects of the virus still affecting the breathing a little so I go off slower than usual. This is also a sound tactic as the organisers are trying to coral the runners a bit more at the start so we are out of the way of cars arriving at the Burrell Collection, and with another big turnout the start is a bit of a cavalry charge. I'm soon going well though on the first long slow climb and in touch with a young guy who was well ahead of me last week, and I continue to feel OK as the race goes on, even if the lungs are working hard. For the first time the low part of the course is dry and not the usual slippery area of mud and I have another runner right ahead to pace me so I'm only mildly surprised to get another Parkrun PB (by 3 seconds) of 18.50. Not as good as Tracy, she breaks through the 30 minute barrier with a 67 sec PB!

Bishopbriggs
Distance: 25.43km/ 15.8miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 14°C/ 57°F
Weather: Mild, pleasant

Today's schedule is a 3 hour run at a "very steady" pace, whatever that is. I guess somewhere between "easy" and "steady". I take the race as 30 minutes so I need to put in 150 minutes this afternoon. We explored the old railway from Kirkintilloch to Strathblane on bikes yesterday (40km/ 25 miles) and I decide to run north from Bishopbriggs today (which will get me a good hill climb) and pick up the trail in Kirkintilloch.

First I run along the canal to Cadder and take the path over to Balmore before picking up a very quiet back road north towards Lennox Forest. When the road becomes a steep stony path I have a tough uphill section, then pick up a trail with excellent views southeast which brings me to the forest. I have a history of getting lost here on Scout hikes (not always my fault) but the forest roads are easy to follow until I suddenly arrive at a cleared area on a north facing slope where any roads or tracks have been obliterated. I can see Lennoxtown so I'm where I should be (the sun was useful for keeping basically north through the trees) and luckily I see an old path at the bottom of the slope, so I hop and jump over the remains of felled pines and pick it up.

This quickly brings me east and north down to the old Lennox Castle (until recently a mental hospital) gates where I pick up the road east and down to the rail trail. By now I'm tired and regret forgetting a sugary snack or money for a drink (Scotland is not well supplied with drinking fountains) but the rail trail is easy, running flat and shaded along the course of the Glazert Water river with quite a bit of old railway architecture to look at (including a quite complete - for a line that shut in 1963 - station at Milton of Campsie and the remains of an extensive bridge that once carried another line over this one). By the time I reach Kirkintilloch I'm really down on energy and walk for a short while on the canal bank before the familiarity of this stretch back to Bishopbriggs allows me to pick the pace up to a reasonable jog for most of the way back. I'll remember energy and water next really long run though!

16/4/09 - Bishopbriggs

2009-04-21T11:44:00.000-07:00

Distance: 22.41km/ 13.92miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Overcast

The running schedule has been messed up with a virus that hit me Monday, but I feel up to running today and decide to go with a long(ish) easy run, the distance determined by how I feel. I start on the canal to Kirkintilloch and loop into the centre through residential streets on the west side of town. Feeling OK I rejoin the canal, then cut east up Hillhead to Harestanes and winding my way back on the paths through and area of scrubland then along the Luggie back to the canal and the return to Bishopbriggs.

A combination of pleasant running conditions, a very easy pace and feeling good mean my mileage is higher than I'd planned so I feel ready to get back on schedule come the weekend.

12/4/09 - Two runs

2009-04-21T03:08:00.000-07:00

Bishopbriggs
Distance: 12.86km/ 7.99miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 8°C/ 46°F
Weather: Overcast

Rather than complete my long run a few hours after the Parkrun as I've done recently I opt to add a 90 minute run on Sunday morning before the hash run, which should give me 150 minutes running as specified in the training schedule. So as not to tax the pathfinding sectors of my brain so early and to get a hill or two in I do a simple loop along the canal to The Stables then back on the road into Bishopbriggs. Finding myself with about 20 minutes to spare I add a second loop up to Huntershill then back down through Woodhill and home. In just about 90 minutes.

Edinburgh (Corstorphine Hill)
Distance: 5.85km/ 3.64miles
Altitude: ?m/ ?ft
Temp: 15°C/ 59°F
Weather: Clear and sunny

The day has cleared up wonderfully and is spectacular in the sun. We begin by criss-crossing a park before heading up to Corstorphine Hill, a wooded mound rising to 170m (550ft) and with a network of paths at the top. Most of the run involves wandering these trails with a confusing set of checks and false trails, so my estimate of mileage is on the low side. We emerge occasionally above grassy slopes where families are rolling easter eggs and finally find our way to an old tower on top of the hill from where trail heads generally north and down back to the stop. 55 minutes running in great conditions.

11/4/09 - Glasgow (Pollok Park)

2009-04-21T03:00:00.000-07:00

Distance: 5km/ 3.11miles
Altitude: 30m/ 98ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Mild, pleasant

The best weather yet for a Parkrun and this week's turnout of 186 runners reflects the good conditions. I run a pretty good race with a number of guys around me to actually compete against, and put in a quick finishing burst to keep ahead of a guy who is catching me fast. Another Parkrun PB of 18.53 reflects the effort.

Instead of running this afternoon we get the bikes out and ride 66km (41 miles) on the canal to Falkirk and back. With the bonus of a couple of pub stops!

9/4/09 - Bishopbriggs

2009-04-10T06:38:00.000-07:00

Distance: 16.67km/ 10.36miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Mild, blustery

The training plan calls for an easy 90 minute run, and what could be easier than running on a flat canal towpath? Unless the local troublemakers enforce a stretch of tempo running by aiming airguns, catapults or random missiles... A run on the canal southwest does not take you through the best bits of town but today it was a very pleasant route.Starting on the south bank I pass Bishopbriggs golf course, skirt the back end of Milton and cross to the north bank path at Lambhill Bridge. From here I continue past a lot of new flats to Stockingfield Junction where I cross onto the southern spur of the canal and run as far as the Nolly Bridge at Firhill. On the return leg I stay on the north bank the whole way that brings me past Possil Wildlife Reserve and Possil Loch.

8/4/09 - Bishopbriggs

2009-04-08T15:05:00.000-07:00

Distance: 12.2km/ 7.58miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 10°C/ 50°F
Weather: Gusty wind, spitting rain

Back to the reps, today's plan is 10 repeats of 2 minutes. The wind is gusting so some laps are easier than others, but generally I start strong (nearly 1.5 laps in 2 mins)and slow up quite markedly as the weekend's efforts take their toll. The legs are also pretty sore by the end but I get through the session.

6/4/09 - Glasgow (Shawlands)

2009-04-08T15:03:00.000-07:00

Distance: 12.63km/ 7.85miles
Altitude: ?m/ ?ft
Temp: 7°C/ 45°F
Weather: Drizzle

A long hash run tonight. We begin in Shawlands running east around residential streets towards Landside, before reaching a stretch along the River Cart and eventually looping back to Pollok Park. Here we skirt the east side of the park before spending a while trying to find trail in an area of football pitches, eventually finding our way to the Burrell Gallery. A check point here has us confused and regroups the pack before we pick up trail again for a long fast stretch with minimal checks past Pollok House, skirting the west side the park near Haggs Golf Course and heading back east to pick up Haggs Road. From here trail leads us on a zig-zag course past Shawlands Station and quickly back to our start. A tough run after yesterday.

5/4/09 - Two runs

2009-04-08T14:55:00.000-07:00

Edinburgh Half Marathon
Distance: 21.1km/ 13.1miles
Altitude: 55m/ 179ft
Temp: 7°C/ 45°F
Weather: Cool windy morning, warming later

My first real test of the marathon training and I feel pretty good as I get the bus close to Meadowbank Stadium and walk maybe a km in the early morning (I was out last night with Hash friends but headed home after one pint and quite a bit of non-alcoholic hydration). I'm soon organised for the run with number attached (they'd run out of safety pins when I picked it up) and timing chip secured to the shoe so I go out into a blustery and cold stadium for a lap of the track (to say I've done it) before retreating to the warm. We are supposed to group by expected finishing time in the middle of the track for a 9am start but they are slow to move us and we endure a cold 20 minutes before a pipe band leads us out onto the road for the start (conducted by Chris Hoy, triple cycling gold medalist). I take what seems like 15 seconds (officially 29) to get through the start and then enjoy the usual task of getting past the slower runners who insist on getting to the front of the pack (while this annoys most quick runners the disorganised start here was not conducive to getting us all in the right place so I won't complain... but why don't the results for all runs get sorted by chip time so there is no advantage of pushing up too far?).

It is a quick opening 2.5 miles as we drop from about 55m down to the sea (there is a map here and the route is on MapMyRun.com) and I go through 2 miles in about 12.15 (no km markers here) and settle down to hit 4 miles at about 18.45. The run along the sea through Portobello is very pleasant with a considerable tail wind making conditions seem quite warm. I have settled into a good pace by now, I think in the next 6 miles I maybe get overtaken by three runners and catch two, all the while staying a little behind three guys running together.

Around halfway we leave the coast for a while in Musselburgh and hit the out and back part of the course where I reach 8 miles in about 50.15 and make it past 9 miles before the leader passes in the opposite lane. The wide turn-around at 10 miles (about 63 minutes) has a sharp uphill followed by a rough few metres on dirt and the even rougher discovery that the headwind is going to be stiff. The three runners ahead of me have split with two increasing their lead and the other dropping back with me before I pass him at 10.5 miles and I'm encouraged by seeing all the runners streaming on their way out, but the wind means it takes all my effort to keep a good pace. At the toughest point just before 12 miles three things lift me: a hasher shouting on-on when he spots me, a stretch with a little shelter and a runner who passes me and allows a little slipstreaming. I run close with him for most of the rest of the route which brings us past the long straight of the Musselburgh Racecourse before leading us onto the course and up to the finish where I outdistance him in the final sprint and finish as the clock says (I think) 1:24:58, outside my best but a good time for this point in my training (and the passage of 18 months!).

I'm disappointed to note that my timing chip has gone when a helper comes to remove it. Looks like no official time for me. In fact I do get on the list so another helper must have removed it while I surveyed the scene, caught my breath and drank the water passed to me. Overall I get a chip time of 1:24:36 (gun time 1:25:05), good for 52nd place and only 30 seconds outside a PB. After the run there is a delay in getting our bags out so I rest in the sun before heading out for the Lothian Bus back to London Road and the short walk to Jenny Ha's.

Edinburgh (Jockhash)
Distance: 6.95km/ 4.33miles
Altitude: 60m/ 195ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Windy and pleasant

After maybe a 90 minute break I'm running again, trying to keep it steady but not stop long enough for the legs to seize up. We begin in the back lanes south and west of Cannongate, negotiate some major streets and run past the redevelopment of the area around the old Edinburgh Royal Infirmary. After running across "The Meadows" we take a while to find trail before veering basically east towards Holyrood Park.

Close by we get a confusing circuit of Edinburgh University's Pollock Halls of Residence before a squeeze through a narrow turnstile brings us to the Park and the lower slopes of Arthur's Seat. Here a confusing series of false trails keeps us guessing as to which track to take but eventually most of the pack find a very scenic spot below the Salisbury Crags where a keg of beer awaits. This break is enough to persuade me that my legs have had enough, so the rest of the trail is done at a gentle walk.

2/4/09 – Camelon

2009-04-03T07:09:00.000-07:00

Distance: 7.74km/ 4.81miles
Altitude: 30m/ 100ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Beautiful evening

31/3/09 – Bishopbriggs

2009-04-03T07:07:00.000-07:00

Distance: 10.2km/ 6.34miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 8°C/ 46°F
Weather: Windy

30/3/09 – Kirkintilloch

2009-04-03T07:01:00.000-07:00

Distance: 4km/ 2.5miles (approx)
Altitude: ?m/ ?ft
Temp: 7°C/ 45°F
Weather: Drizzly, dull

29/3/09 – Stirling

2009-04-03T06:59:00.000-07:00

Distance: 10.1km/ 6.28miles
Altitude: ?m/ ?ft
Temp: 13°C/ 55°F
Weather: Clear, sunny

28/3/09 – Bishopbriggs

2009-04-03T06:57:00.000-07:00

Distance: 24.51km/ 15.23miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Mild, pleasant

Due to a night out with old friends yesterday I skip the Parkrun (and any semblance of consciousness in the morning) but still feel up to getting in two hours of a long run on a pleasant afternoon. The route is obvious today, I am setting the trail for our Monday hash run so I run out to Kirkintilloch on the canal, follow the prospective trail and check out some options around town, then retrace my steps on the towpath.

I begin in the middle of Kirky on the canal, then follow the Luggie River through the eponymous park and head up to the Old Aisle Cemetery. Running down through the graveyard I pick up the path that runs alongside towards Woodilee Cottages then cross the field and climb up to the old Woodilee Hospital. There are still some remains preserved of the impressive hospital buildings so I pass them all by before running back down the hill and picking up the bike path back into Kirkintilloch.

Once back in town I pass the new Sports Centre, then cut left to check out the new developments on the south bank of the canal I've mentioned in previous posts, crossing the water by the new bridge and doing a lap to look at the new St Ninian's High School before finishing back on the canal at Townhead and heading home.

26/3/09 – Bishopbriggs

2009-03-26T12:50:00.000-07:00

Distance: 13.4km/ 8.33miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 7°C/ 45°F
Weather: Windy, stormy

Another set of reps like the 19th, but this time I have to do 5 repeats of 5 minutes. If anything the wind is worse than last week, but blowing from the opposite direction so again there is a tough straight and an easier one. I manage to complete the program on the track, though I'm slowing by the end, and I also opt to shorten the day by only doing 3 minute recoveries (5 mins hard then 3 mins recovery is an easy to remember 5 laps) as the weather is threatening. In fact the hail storm that finally arrives is timed perfectly for a recovery period which is a good thing as running into the wind is hard enough without stinging ice missiles.

25/3/09 – Bishopbriggs

2009-03-26T12:40:00.000-07:00

Distance: 8.4km/ 5.22miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 8°C/ 46°F
Weather: Cool, dry

The first day my plan calls for hill reps. As mentioned above Crowhill Road fits the bill and the jog there is a good warmup. I alternate 8 hard climbs (taking me 1.45 at the start and right on 2 minutes at the end) with a 2 minute jog down. I'm sure the locals think I'm mad, though I can't be the only person who uses this slope for the purpose. To make up the few seconds of climbing I've missed I run hard up the 30 second slope in Bishopbriggs Park. I've walked that way countless times, have I ever run it hard before?

24/3/09 – Bishopbriggs

2009-03-26T12:38:00.000-07:00

Distance: 8.82km/ 5.48miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 7°C/ 45°F
Weather: Cool, dry

A “just putting in the miles” run at a steady pace for 45 minutes. I check out a couple of hills for hill reps, I'm supposed to do 2 minutes and there are a shortage of sustained climbs in the town. Boclair Road where my (field) hockey team used to do hill sprints in pre-season training is too small (though I do see a fox at the top) but Crowhill Road fits the bill pretty much if I begin on a slight incline and build up to the steep upper section.

23/3/09 – Glasgow (Kelvingrove)

2009-03-26T11:24:00.000-07:00

Distance: 6.31km/ 3.92miles
Altitude: 10m/ 33ft
Temp: 4°C/ 39°F
Weather: Cool

A colder night for a Hash run in the west end of Glasgow. We begin with a confusing array of city streets before looping around the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and onto some dark paths in Kelvingrove Park around the River Kelvin. I save a fellow runner from impaling himself on a railing ( I remember it is there at a point where the path suddenly narrows – I used to walk this way regularly in my student days – and shout in time) before we climb up to the Park Circus area and loop back down to Argyle Street.

22/3/09 – Dalgety Bay

2009-03-26T11:23:00.000-07:00

Distance: 8km/ 4.97miles
Altitude: 5m/ 17ft
Temp: 7°C/ 45°F
Weather: Windy

A dry day for a hash run but the wind is blowing stiffly from the west. This makes the early stages easy as we wind east on the coastal path that follows the north shore of the Firth of Forth with some good views of the famous road and rail bridges. After a couple of miles we cut inland on roads for a little while before picking up a trail on the edge of a field which brings us into some woodland. We pick our way slowly among the brush that covers the woodland floor (there has been quite a bit of felling here) before getting back on town streets on the edge of town. From here we head approximately west into the strengthening wind which makes for a tough finale even at a gentle pace.

21/3/09 – Two runs

2009-03-26T11:15:00.000-07:00

Parkrun
Distance: 5km/ 3.11miles
Altitude: 30m/ 98ft
Temp: 9°C/ 48°F
Weather: Hazy sun

The best day yet for a Parkrun, and this is reflected in a turnout of 133 people. Surprisingly there are actually fewer other people in the Park today, maybe the good weather forecast has them traveling further afield? I run the best race yet saving energy early for a strong later run where I pass the fastest woman and a twentysomething man between km 3 and 4. The time is good too at 19.04. We follow the run by taking time to check out the art and artefacts in the Burrell Collection museum.

Bishopbriggs
Distance: 25.47km/ 15.83miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 13°C/ 55°F
Weather: Sunny

A wonderful late afternoon for a long run with blue skies and sun. I begin by watching the local rugby team Allan Glens win easily vs Waysiders before opting to run out and back on the canal all the way to the north-eastern edge of Kirkintilloch. This gives me great views of the Campsie Fells to the north and a look at some major developments on the canal west of Kirkintilloch town centre including a college, a fancy marina and a very substantial footbridge shaped like the prow of a boat (apparently). This is the longest run I have done in a while and even with 6 hours recovery after the 5km I'm pretty tired at the end. A few complaints from my right ankle after the run too. This has always been a strange joint, giving me very occasional sharp pain, mainly when not running, but no trouble the rest of the time. Hope it's not something that will give trouble down the line. I've been working harder than at this stage for previous marathons and do not seem to be suffering; the piriformis syndrome is still there and the left achilles sometimes aches but nothing serious.

19/3/09 – Bishopbriggs

2009-03-26T11:14:00.000-07:00

Distance: 11.8km/ 7.33miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 7°C/ 45°F
Weather: Overcast, windy

Once more back on the training regime. I jog gently up to Huntershill and put in 4 x 5 minute hard reps which take me about 1300m around the track, with a gentle 5 minute recovery between each. For a change I do one of the middle reps around a football pitch lying perpendicular to the track... I'm sick of running straights into a strong wind! Another tough session. I've invested in new shoes, sticking to the favorite Asics Gel Nimbus and hoping the version 10s do me as well as the 8s.

18/3/09 – Edinburgh (Stockbridge)

2009-03-26T11:12:00.000-07:00

Distance: 8km/ 4.97miles
Altitude: 10m/ 33ft
Temp: 9°C/ 48°F
Weather: Mild, still

For the last of four consecutive Hash runs we have a beautiful spring evening in Edinburgh. The run starts at a bar in the Stockbridge area and stays fairly close to the local river the Water of Leith with the trail repeatedly using the path on the river for short stretches. We also use several stretches of old railway line which Edinburgh has in abundance.

17/3/09 – Grangemouth

2009-03-26T11:11:00.000-07:00

Distance: 7.25km/ 4.5miles
Altitude: 10m/ 33ft
Temp: 7°C/ 45°F
Weather: Cool, still

Another day another hash run. Tonight we get to look around Grangemouth with a few views of the lights of the huge oil refinery and quite a lot of wandering around unattractive modern Scottish housing. It is at least a very pleasant evening for a run.

16/3/09 – Glasgow West End

2009-03-26T11:06:00.000-07:00

Distance: 9.59km/ 5.96miles
Altitude: 37m/ 120ft
Temp: 7°C/ 45°F
Weather: Dry, still

Tonight's hash run begins near my old university at Tennants Bar, but heads away west and north. We wind confusingly around Dowanhill and Hyndland before crossing Great Western Road and continuing into Kelvindale. From here we cross the Kelvin River and wander around some less than classy parts of Maryhill before running southeast paralleling the river and the Botanic Gardens and crossing back over the river on Queen Margaret Drive for the run in down Byres Road.

15/3/09 – Peebles

2009-03-26T11:05:00.000-07:00

Distance: 8km/ 4.97miles
Altitude: 337m/ 1106ft
Temp: 10°C/ 50°F
Weather: Overcast

Another drive out into the borders for an Edinburgh Hash run, this time in Glentress Forest near Peebles. We arrive late and find a car park full of mountain bikers but after doubting the venue we spot an arrow showing the direction of our trail. We begin by running uphill on forest tracks and soon catch the rest of the runners trying to find the right way in a maze of walking and biking tracks. The run continues in this vein switching back and forth on tracks but tending generally uphill. Eventually we get to the edge of the woodland and see our destination in the distance, but also well below us; from here we are on good trails heading mostly downhill with some very fine views of Peebles and the Tweed Valley.

14/3/09 – Three Runs

2009-03-26T10:59:00.000-07:00

Parkrun
Distance: 5km/ 3.11miles
Altitude: 30m/ 98ft
Temp: 10°C/ 50°F
Weather: Overcast, windy

A tricky wind for today's race and quite a bit of standing water on the course. I feel similar to last week and run a pretty consistent race, but only have one runner in my sights most of the way and the leading lady close behind for most of the run until she overtakes me on the last uphill. I do better my time by 8 seconds to 19.21 which is OK in the conditions.

Glasgow Argyle Street
Distance: 3.5km/ 2.17miles
Altitude: 5 floors up in Debenhams
Temp: 21°C/ 70°F
Weather: Indoors

We stop in Glasgow after the race to look at running shoes in the specialty sports store in Debenhams department store. They are doing a fundraiser for Comic Relief trying to keep their treadmill going all day so as I'm properly attired I volunteer to take a turn. I've never run this far on a treadmill but soon get the hang of it and crank up as far as 4 minute kms with a good warmup and warmdown.

Bishopbriggs
Distance: 14.15km/ 8.79miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 11°C/ 52°F
Weather: Overcast

I have to do another 70 minutes according to the plan so I decide to pretty much reverse my run from Thursday and cut out a small section to allow for a slower pace. I take it easy and though the day's exertions have taken something out of my legs it is easy to keep a steady speed and complete the required mileage.

13/3/09 – Bishopbriggs

2009-03-26T10:58:00.000-07:00

Distance: 11km/ 6.84miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 12°C/ 54°F
Weather: Overcast, drizzle

A very mild day with a hint of drizzle. Sticking to the training program I jog gently up to Huntershill and put in 6 x 800m reps at about 3 minutes per 800m, with a gentle lap in between. Hard work! I have the company of another runner training on the track and as she insists on mainly running clockwise I do have to avoid her on several laps. Muscles are quite stiff today after two hard days. I'm sure they'll be worse for the Parkrun.

12/3/09 – Bishopbriggs

2009-03-26T10:54:00.000-07:00

Distance: 14.71km/ 9.14miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 7°C/ 45°F
Weather: Dark, rain

It is a miserable evening as I head out for what the plan calls a one hour steady run. Usually I plan a route and ignore time so I have to work out how to occupy the hour as I go along. I begin by running through Bishopbriggs Park to the Kenmure housing estate and follow a circuit via Brackenbrae Ave, St Mary's Road and Kenmure Ave before taking a right on Brackenbrae Road and getting back on Kirkintilloch Road into Springburn. A sharp left takes me down past Stobhill Hospital and I hope I don't dead end in the hospital grounds, luckily there's a path taking me over an old railway and onto the Littlehill Golf Course. Here I'm chased by a dog... not a problem for me as it is small and cute but I'm sure the owner envisages her little munchkin disappearing with me and gives chase. Taking pity I stop till the dog is caught then continue onto Auchinairn Road and run out as far as Letham Drive which brings me to Angus Ave, Wester Cleddens Road and back towards the centre of town.

Being about half way through my time I aim back to Kirkintilloch Road and run out to the Torrance Bridge to pick up the canal and see how the towpath works for a night run. The early section is easy with light from the Marley factory nearby and even the stretch from Cadder to the Leisuredrome presents no problem (other than wet feet from the huge puddles) and I take the most direct way home having overun by 10 minutes. I was unsure of what a “Steady” run meant in my training plan but guessed somewhere between easy and tempo so I kept up a good pace all the way.

11/3/09 – Bishopbriggs

2009-03-26T10:52:00.000-07:00

Distance: 10.2km/ 6.34miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 10°C/ 50°F
Weather: Overcast, drizzle

I opt to take yesterday off as it is a busy day with paperwork and the legs are sore, so I just move my program back a day and take Tuesday off rather than Friday. Today calls for 12 x 1 minute reps so I decide to try out the blaize running track at Huntershill, a sports complex where I played football (not that well!) about 35 years ago. The run there is a bit over a mile which makes for a good easy warm-up, warm-down. I do the legs purely by the clock with a minute gentle jog between reps and it's tough. This is one training method I've avoided but no doubt it helps the legs and the speed. The track is not that well maintained but adequate for my needs, I'll be back quite a bit I'd guess.

9/3/09 – Glasgow

2009-03-26T10:44:00.000-07:00

Distance: 7.8km/ 4.85miles
Altitude: 5m/ 16ft
Temp: 5°C/ 41°F
Weather: Cool and dry

Today we begin our Hash run from the Crystal Palace, a bar beside Central Station near the River Clyde, and we begin by nearly lapping the station before cutting through the centre of the city to George Square (the natives were amused by our shouts of “on-on to alert slower runners to our location) and heading east towards Townhead and the Royal Infirmary. We climb steeply through an unfamiliar park which I later discover was built on the site of the old Rottenrow Hospital demolished in 2001 (they have left a few features including an entrance arch), before zig-zagging around Strathclyde University and emerging on High Street at the Hospital. From here we aim approximately south, passing many of Glasgow's historic sites (Cathedral, Barony Church, the city's oldest house Provand's Lordship etc) as we wind on a less than straightforward trail.

Lower on High Street we cut to the left towards Gallowgate, and after a short interlude with the Police (they've had a call about the mysterious white powder that marks our trail) continue onto Glasgow Green and down to the Albert Bridge which brings us across the river. Here we follow the river west past the Nautical College, divert for a run around the Sheriff's Court and get back on the river path until we reach a footbridge back to the north bank and a short run in to the bar.

Today is day one of a twelve week program provided by the Edinburgh Marathon organizers to prepare for the race, and I'm supposed to do 45 minutes easy. The run is a little less than 45 minutes but with a fairly straightforward course it has been fast for a hash run and anything but “easy”!

8/3/09 - Devilla Forest, Kincardine

2009-03-26T10:39:00.002-07:00

7/3/09 - Two Runs

2009-03-26T10:39:00.001-07:00

6/3/09 – Bishopbriggs

2009-03-06T11:57:00.000-08:00

Distance: 9.15/ 5.69miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 4°C/ 39°F
Weather: Drizzle

Some typical winter weather at last, cold and a steady drizzle. Decided to keep the route finding simple, heading straight down to the canal and then following the towpath all the way to the Stables, a bar on the road between Bishopbriggs and Kirkintilloch. That stretch was downwind, and conditions were not pleasant when I climbed onto the main road for the return into the wind and rain. Time to put the head down and keep a steady pace up and down the slightly rolling route home.

Running after working hours meant I saw a few other runners today, and I've been impressed by generally seeing more people out training than I ever remember. Maybe the famously bad health statistics in the area will improve down the road.

5/3/09 - Two Runs

2009-03-05T03:38:00.000-08:00

Bishopbriggs
Distance: 8.37km/ 5.2miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 0°C/ 32°F
Weather: Snow

After a couple of days to rest sore legs from the combination of squash, racing and hard Hash runs I revisit the run along the canal to Balmore (see Feb 24th). Today the scene is livened by a good dusting of snow (which is still falling gently as I run) and I take along the camera to capture the scene. This makes for a fairly gentle run as I break at the Leisuredrome, Cadder and the Kelvin.

See more pictures here.

Larbert
Distance: 6.4/ 4miles
Altitude: 30m/ 97ft
Temp: -1°C/ 30°F
Weather: Cold and still

We take the train east to meet up with the monthly "Forth and Clyde Around Falkirk Hash" run on a cold but not unpleasant night, and actually run in Larbert and Stenhousemuir on the western side of Falkirk. We begin at the Larbert railway station and head north through residential streets towards the old Bellsdyke Mental Hospital, where I once played cricket with an interested audience of patients. I'm doing a lot of checking for a small pack and get well ahead on Falkirk Tryst Golf Course, running by the light of the Stenhousemuir Football Club floodlights swithched on for a training session. Back on residential streets I take a few wrong turns which keeps the group together before we find ourselves back at the rail line for the run in.

If you remember the first post I mentioned that I'd try and keep ahead of last years mileage, which lasted about 3 days! I've been close for a few days and tonight's run finally brought me back ahead of target, with the prospect of staying ahead for a while as I didn't up my 2008 mileage until mid March when we were about to leave New Zealand.

2/3/09 – Glasgow Bothwell Street

2009-03-03T16:04:00.000-08:00

Distance: 9.85km/ 6.12miles
Altitude: 5m/ 16ft
Temp: 5°C/ 41°F
Weather: Cool night

Another day, another hash run, this time from the Edward Wylie bar just west of the city center. We began by zig-zagging through a few back lanes, bringing us down to the River Clyde where the walkway is being upgraded and we had to dodge the barricades as we run under the Kingston Bridge, then cut back north, crossing the Clydeside expressway on a footbridge and climbing through west end streets up to Park Circus.

Trail now continued north and west through Kelvingrove Park bringing us out on Gibson Street, across the Kelvin River and up as far as Hillhead High School (designed by Edward Wylie, there was a theme for the evening) where we double back (at last) towards Charing Cross and the end. We take a while to find trail around the motorway but finally continue south, cross the M8 at St Vincent Street and wind our way among office buildings and back to the start.

1/3/09 – Carlops

2009-03-03T15:54:00.000-08:00

Distance: 8.8km/ 5.47miles
Altitude: 265m/ 872ft
Temp: 7°C/ 45°F
Weather: Sunny intervals and showers

For a bit of a day out we drove down to the Scottish Borders for a run with the Edinburgh Hash. We met on the western edge of the village of Carlops and the run began as more of a hill walk up a dirt road and then steeply up an extremely muddy hillside. This proved to be a very long false trail so we dropped steeply down again to join those on the right trail along a stream, emerging at the eastern end of the (very small) village. From here we wound eastish following the approximate course of a stream through fields and woodland, with more thick mud and a cold stream crossing.

After a couple more miles we suddenly got onto good quality tracks among woodland in what must have been land belonging to a wealthy landowner. The running became easier and the snowdrops carpeting the ground added an attractive element as we climbed away from the stream north back towards the main road and picked up a small road then footpath back to the starting point. An excellent run with some fine views.

28/2/09 – Glasgow Pollok Park

2009-03-03T15:38:00.000-08:00

Distance: 5km/ 3.11miles
Altitude: 30m/ 98ft
Temp: 6°C/ 43°F
Weather: Overcast

Tracy and I both decided to have a go at the Glasgow Parkrun. This excellent concept features a weekly 5km race on a measured park course with no frills and no cost. There are 10 runs now in England, this one in Scotland and a run in Zimbabwe. Anyone can set one up with help from the central organization and it all works with one employee, sponsorship funding and volunteers.

The course is quite hilly with a couple of longish climbs and one little steep up, and quite demanding. Pleasant running though on proper paved paths among the woods. I clocked 20:07, poor for me and a minute slower than this time last year when my training had not been enormously different. Blame it on advancing age, the course or a bad day. I'll be back for another try next week though.

25/2/09 – Bishopbriggs

2009-03-01T10:01:00.000-08:00

Distance: 9.76km/ 6.06miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 8°C/ 46°F
Weather: Overcast

Amazingly yet another dry day. Today I opt to run out of town east along Wester Cleddens Road until the houses run out, then turn left onto Westerhill Road to see what the Low Moss Industrial Estate looks like. Collins (now Harper Collins) the publishers and long term mainstay of employment in the town is still there but the area once occupied by an oil depot is empty and looks like it is undergoing soil rehabilitation. The area smells of oil too. From here I get back on familiar ground running out on Kirkintilloch Road to pick up the canal on the road down to Torrance, and returning the usual way on the canal towpath.

24/2/09 – Bishopbriggs

2009-02-27T02:01:00.000-08:00

Distance: 8.37km/ 5.20miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 8°C/ 46°F
Weather: Bright

Today I finally opt to revisit a training run I used to use occasionally (I only ran occasionally in those days) as a student. It takes me down to the canal and east to Cadder on the north towpath, then turns past Cadder church along a short access road, onto a footpath past Cadder Golf Club and onto the banks of the Kelvin River. A small footbridge crosses the river and the path takes a long straight route between fields, ending in the village of Balmore. The return is only varied by running on the south bank of the canal, but the route is still pleasantly rural and off road while the paths are in good condition.

23/2/09 – Glasgow Green

2009-02-24T04:24:00.000-08:00

Distance: 8.08km/ 5.02miles
Altitude: 6m/ 20ft
Temp: 10°C/ 50°F
Weather: Mild

A pleasant night for a hash run, and a good venue in the spectacular Templeton Building (pictured) on Glasgow Green (a riverside park).

We begin by running down to the pedestrian river bridge but trail actually heads east along the river. Several checks keep us guessing but basically we follow the river until we reach Shawfield Drive where we do cross, running past Shawfield Stadium (greyhound racing), turning right into the Gorbals and crossing Rutherglen Road to follow several steets whose houses have recently been demolished (shades of the Glasgow of my youth).

Trail continues into the thoroughly redeveloped and gentrified Hutchesontown (I'd have been running fast here in the 80s!) and we zig-zag around the flats, coming out at Albert Bridge to cross back to the north side of the Clyde. From here we cut back onto Glasgow Green for the run in to West brewery and Bar. All in all a great night to run and a fine trail.

22/2/09 - Kirkintilloch

2009-02-22T13:41:00.000-08:00

Distance: 13.71km/ 8.52miles
Altitude: 62m/ 206ft
Temp: 9°C/ 48°F
Weather: Bright and breezy

A bright and sometimes sunny day for my first Scottish race since slogging around the school cross-country course in the early 80's (I was not much of a runner then), but the cold wind will not be fun in our faces. The course crisscrosses a series of ridges on small roads SE of the town so there is almost no flat ground (the organizer mentions that several runners reckon this the toughest course for a Scottish road race... but he mentions this after we run), just 12 hills to get up and down. The headwind is also tough as we run west from 2.5-6km, but we get some help on the eastbound return. I keep quite an even pace, though a number of runners pass me on the ups as the miles go by (more hill training needed I guess) and towards the end I find myself just ahead of the first woman runner. This spurs me on for the final 2km into the wind and a final downhill for 500m allows us all to finish looking good.

Overall I feel pretty good and happy with a time of 52:20 (25th of 179 in a field with many good club runners from the West of Scotland). The start is 1.2 km from the parking so I enjoy a nice gentle warmdown jog back to the car.

21/2/09 - Bishopbriggs

2009-02-22T13:40:00.000-08:00

Distance: 9.24km/ 5.74miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 8°C/ 46°F
Weather: Overcast and mild

Another run to look at former haunts, with the intention to go easy as I'm racing tomorrow. I start down around Westfields (I can just about remember when this was fields but the houses look old now!) and past the Leisuredrome. Today I take the south towpath of the canal west and see that an area of scrub and woodland on Bishopbriggs Golf Course land where I spent many of my pre-teen days has been obliterated to extend the course. The best feature here was a “burning bing”, a slag heap where the pressure of the waste material led to a slow burn deep inside: dig into it and the hole was hot which is very cool when you are 9 or 10. Sadly it was razed years ago.

Again I continue to the power lines, past some fishermen settling down for the day with a good fire going, and return back to the Leisuredrome, over the road and continue on the towpath to Cadder. I return via the usual boring run on Kirkintilloch Road and am surprised to find I ran over 9km.

20/2/09 - Dingwall

2009-02-22T13:39:00.001-08:00

Distance: 5.41km/ 3.36miles
Altitude: 2m/ 6ft
Temp: 6°C/ 43°F
Weather: Dreich (dull and drizzly for the non Scots)

I have a short time to run from our friend Stewart's house before driving over to look at potential jobs, and the location is excellent. However the weather is distinctly Scottish!. A trail leads down to the Cromarty Firth and south along the coast (beach would glorify the mud flats a bit) towards the village of Pitglassie. Another track cuts over the railway back to the main Inverness road and I return north into the town with a last stretch down the attractive main street.

18/2/09 - Dufftown: 6 distilleries and a castle

2009-02-22T13:37:00.000-08:00

Distance: 7.85km/ 4.88miles
Altitude: 252m/ 818ft
Temp: 7°C/ 45°F
Weather: overcast, mild

We stop for a night in our northern travels in Dufftown, the self styled capital of the whisky industry. True to this designation my run takes me down past the Glenfiddich Distillery, doubling back at the edge of town close to Balvenie, then back past Balvenie Castle with Parkmore Distillery on the left. A right along the River Fiddich brings me past Glendullan and Mortlach before I double back into town at Dufftown Distillery. On a second shorter loop I take a dirt footpath up the hill past the castle and over through some woods (where I run back and forth trying to keep to an unmarked trail) before dropping back into the town.

Glenfiddich Distillery

Balvenie Castle

Dufftown Distillery

16/2/09 – Two runs

2009-02-22T11:44:00.000-08:00

Bishopbriggs
Distance: 3.96km/ 2.46miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 6°C/ 43°F
Weather: Overcast

A short run to pick up our new car over past Auchinairn. Singularly uneventful

Glasgow (Hyndland)
Distance: 6.3km/ 3.9miles
Altitude: 5m/ 16ft
Temp: 7°C/ 45°F
Weather: night, mild

Our first hash run since returning to the UK and it does not disappoint. We begin just down the road from Tim's alma mater Glasgow University, at the Lismore bar on Dumbarton road. The run begins by taking us down to the river walk before zig-zagging up through residential areas of the west end, passing through Hyndland Station, crossing a couple of small parks and bringing us back down the hill to the bar.

14/2/09 - Bishopbriggs

2009-02-22T11:42:00.000-08:00

Distance: 13.93km/ 8.66miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 5°C/ 41°F
Weather: overcast, damp

Today the legs are feeling the effects of the recent increase in mileage so I decide to see how I feel as I go along. The start is delayed by watching a dull and error strewn first half of the France vs Scotland Rugby international, prompting me to avoid the second half. Once on the road I head past the local rugby club to see if they are playing (no, maybe the scheduled game was called off due to the recent cold, or the desire to see the game on the TV) before getting lost for a while in a maze of streets behind the ground and finally escaping to the main road. From here I run out of town towards the neighbouring village of Torrance, picking up the canal part way for a run back along the towpath.

Feeling good I continue for a while past my turn for home at the Leisure Centre (now the Leisuredrome) on the towpath, can't ever remember being on this side of the canal before. The area to my north used to be the town landfill, but with it now capped this is probably a better route than it used to be! Overhead electric cables allow me to turn while being able to identify where I am on a map and the final run home takes in a new set of streets near my boyhood home.

13/2/09 - Bishopbriggs

2009-02-22T11:38:00.000-08:00

Distance: 10.92km/ 6.79miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250ft
Temp: 5°C/ 41°F
Weather: overcast, slushy

Today's route is designed to take a look at a car we are buying, running through the centre of Bishopbriggs, over a hill to Auchinairn and along a long straight road to the easternmost part of Bishopbriggs, an area which was all fields when I last lived here. The return brought me past the building site that will be the new Bishopbriggs Academy (successor to the High School I attended) and home past another selection of the suburban streets where I grew up.

12/2/09 - Bishopbriggs

2009-02-22T11:29:00.002-08:00

Distance: 8.15km/ 5.06miles
Altitude: 76m/ 250 feet
Temp: 5°C/ 41°F
Weather: Overcast and drizzle

Having survived an overnight flight from the US via Dublin I took the chance to run for the first time in over 20 years in my home town of Bishopbriggs. Surprisingly there was more snow (or at least slush) around here than when we left the US and not every pavement had been cleared, but generally progress was much easier than around Endwell even with wetter feet. I also had to sign on with a doctor so first stop was the surgery in the middle of Bishopbriggs before I meandered around a series of familiar streets out to Cadder where I could pick up the old canal towpath for a while before a final stretch through residential streets.

Felt pretty good in the cool damp weather, and despite forgetting the I-pod I could take my mind off the distance by checking out old haunts. Left achilles is still grumbling, but otherwise I'm fit.

11/2/09 – Wilton CT

2009-02-22T11:29:00.001-08:00

Distance: 5.05miles/ 8.13km
Altitude: 335 feet/ 102m
Temp: 61°F/ 16°C
Weather: sunny

A glorious day for New England in the winter with warmth and sun. There is little ice left underfoot but the roads are pretty wet. Again to avoid the narrow roads in the area I repeat my last route here, running the 1.2 mile semicircle on the side roads around our friends' house out and back a couple of times.

8/2/09 – Skaneateles NY

2009-02-22T11:28:00.001-08:00

Distance: 2.93miles/ 4.72km
Altitude: 884 feet/ 270m
Temp: 30°F/ -1°C
Weather: clear

I take the chance for a short run around dusk while we are spending a night with friends at a nice spa on the edge of this pretty New York town. The other option was an upmarket hot-tub so I think I'm showing dedication. Conditions are not ideal as the sidewalks are not well cleared other than on the main street right in town so I run east through town and a little way beyond, then double back with an extra loop through a cemetery with cleared roads.

Nice views of sunset colors over the frozen Skaneateles Lake, but I am not tempted to jog on the ice despite seeing an ice fisherman a short distance away and plenty of footprints.

2/5/09 – Endwell NY

2009-02-22T11:26:00.000-08:00

Distance: 7.05miles/ 11.34km
Altitude: 846 feet/ 258m
Temp: 14°F/ -10°C
Weather: overcast, windy

A really cold day and I resort to the full fleece balaclava again. Conditions are similar to yesterday with a little less snow, a little more cold and a stronger wind. At one point I see a guy with his thumb out ahead trying to hitch a ride, but the car that pulls up is a State Trooper (State Police). I can't hear what is said with my earphones in but he prospective hitchhiker quickly and without fuss drops to his knees and puts his hands on his head. Last I see he's being cuffed, so I guess he was wanted for something.

More soon.

2/4/09 – Endwell NY

2009-02-22T11:25:00.000-08:00

Distance: 7.05miles/ 11.34km
Altitude: 846 feet/ 258m
Temp: 18°F/ -8°C
Weather: overcast, breezy

It is a cold day but not as bad as forecast. I have missed a few days as the cold made a comeback with plenty of coughing, but with symptoms abating it is time to get out again. I take my new favorite long route and weather conditions are OK other than on Hooper Road which seems to funnel the wind. Some recent light snow has covered the sidewalks which makes footing tough where people have not cleared... the new snow is OK but it obscures the older ice and hides the clear dry patches I've depended on.

1/30/09 – Wilton CT

2009-02-22T11:19:00.004-08:00

Distance: 5.05 miles/ 8.13km
Altitude: 335 feet/ 102m
Temp: 30°F/ -1°C
Weather: Some sun

We have finally got rid of our possessions to the shippers and have a day to relax so I venture out for a run on a day that is warmer than we've had recently. I can't be bothered with negotiating the narrow rural roads around our friends' house so I plot a 1.2 mile semi-circle on residential streets nearby. Two repeats out and back with a short extra stretch will give me the required 5 miles. The route actually proves to have a good mix of hills and flats to compensate for the repetition, and the patches of melting ice where the sun has warmed does not prove to difficult to negotiate. The pelvic pain is minimal too.

1/27/09 – Endwell NY

2009-02-22T11:19:00.003-08:00

Distance: 7.05 miles/ 11.34km
Altitude: 846 feet/ 258m
Temp: 17°F/ -9°C
Weather: Sunny and crisp

1/26/09 – Endwell NY

2009-02-22T11:19:00.001-08:00

Distance: 5.67 miles/ 9.12km
Altitude: 846 feet/ 258m
Temp: 18°F/ -8°C
Weather: Sunny and crisp

1/19/09 – Washington DC

2009-02-22T11:14:00.000-08:00

Distance: 3.4 miles/ 5.47km
Altitude: 66 feet/ 20m
Temp: 32°F/ 0°C
Weather: Clouds and sun

1/17/09 – Newark NJ

2009-02-22T11:08:00.000-08:00

Distance: 4.97miles/ 8.0km
Altitude: 30feet/ 9m
Temp: 18°F/ -8°C
Weather: Overcast

1/16/09 – Harrison NJ

2009-02-22T06:38:00.000-08:00

Distance: 4.03 miles/ 6.48km
Altitude: 30feet/ 9m
Temp: 11°F/ -13°C
Weather: Night, very cold

1/14/09 – Endwell NY

2009-02-22T06:31:00.000-08:00

Distance: 6.16 miles/ 9.92km
Altitude: 846 feet/ 258m
Temp: 14°F/ -11°C
Weather: Overcast, cold

1/10/09 – Mechanicsburg PA

2009-02-22T06:29:00.000-08:00

Distance: 2.5 miles/ 4km
Altitude: 446 feet/ 136m
Temp: 30°F/ -1°C
Weather: Overcast, snow

Our first hash run of the year. The ride down to southern PA passed through some serious snow but the promised storm never really arrives with us. The run is cross country and extremely stop-start with a number of beer and liquor stops which really exacerbated my hip muscle and by the end I had to limp along slowly.

More soon.

1/9/09 – Endwell NY

2009-02-22T06:17:00.000-08:00

Distance: 5.67 miles/ 9.12km
Altitude: 846 feet/ 258m
Temp: 18°F/ -8°C
Weather: Cloudy, threatening snow

1/6/09 – Endwell NY

2009-02-22T06:16:00.001-08:00

Distance: 6.97 miles/ 11.22km
Altitude: 846 feet/ 258m
Temp: 18°F/ -8°C
Weather: Cloudy with snow flurries

1/4/09 – Endwell NY

2009-02-21T08:46:00.000-08:00

Distance: 3.6 miles/ 5.8km
Altitude: 846 feet/ 258m
Temp: 32°F/ 0°C
Weather: Clouds and sun

A better day for running, except that with some melting ice it is actually more difficult to spot the patches of dry pavement that are guaranteed ice free. I run along the ridge from Tracy's parents' and then on a steep downhill before cutting down steps and onto the High School grounds. A short uphill brings me out on Farm to Market Road and a gentle run downhill then flat on Hooper Road back to Country Club. I do a detour round an extra block for an extra half mile then get the usual tough uphill finish on Country Club. Feeling OK after the long run yesterday other than a sore muscle in my left pelvis. Maybe I tweaked it a bit slipping and sliding a couple of times yesterday.

1/3/09 – Endwell NY

2009-02-21T07:47:00.000-08:00

Distance: 8.22 miles/ 13.23km
Altitude: 846 feet/ 258m
Temp: 22°F/ -6°C
Weather: Overcast

Two days into the New Year and I finally sum up the energy to get out in the cold and work off some of the calorie consumption from the festive season. My plan is to try and keep my mileage a little above 2008, which will be a challenge initially as we were in New Zealand in the middle of summer at the time and I got in regular mileage (training for the Canberra Marathon in mid-April) until we began traveling in mid-February.

I set out on a route I've used quite a bit which features enough stretches where the natives clear the sidewalks outside their homes, and today while there are areas of ice it is cold and dry enough to step in the clear gaps between the ice even where the shoveling was pretty inefficient. This takes me down Country Club Road into Endicott, and over several small hills before I extend the mileage by climbing at the end of the road with views over the old IBM plant. From here I drop down towards the railway and follow it to Rt 26, taking a left onto the main street, cleverly called Main Street. This is largely well cleared and I backtrack on the same road several miles back to Endwell, turning onto Hooper road for a good climb and ending with the seriously steep climb to Tracy's parents' road.

I'm not feeling at my fittest, maybe it's the holidays, the cold weather and the altitude, but I'm glad to get in a good long run. And the weather could be worse!

Why Blog About Running?

2009-02-21T07:35:00.000-08:00

The obvious reason is that a lot of other people I know are doing it, and like me I'm sure their idea is to provide some extra impetus in sticking to a training program, or at least to get out and put in enough miles in to reach the next goal. I'm currently encouraging myself to train properly for the Edinburgh (Scotland) marathon at the end of May, with a short term goal to survive the worst of the winter running as much mileage as I can be bothered with in January and February followed by adopting a prescribed 3 month schedule in March, April and May. I have never run in the New York winter before and expect I'll need as much encouragement as I can get before we fly to Scotland on Feb 11th.

Had I bothered to blog my last training schedule for the New York Marathon in November it might have made for more interesting reading. We were traveling in Australia, first up the east coast, then through the outback, along the South Coast, over to Sydney then home to New York via Hawaii, and a month traveling up and down the west coast of the US. Final preparation was completed while visiting friends and family in the Midwest and it certainly gave me variety when I rarely ran in the same locality twice. The whole schedule went very well until I succumbed to a bad cold a week before the race. So now I know I can run a similar marathon time (3:03:02) when sick but well prepared as I did healthy but with more limited preparation in two previous shots at the distance.

I'm not someone who loves running per se, but I do enjoy being fit, seeing a bit of the world as I pass by and catching up with podcasts and music on the I-pod while I'm pounding the road. So I'm certainly not going to be forced inside by the New York cold, though a lot of snow might be a problem. My goal is to fit in a half marathon in March/ April in the UK, then try and run under 3 hours in Edinburgh. It is supposed to be a fast course so lets hope I can combine a good preparation with staying healthy up until the day.

As I start this blog I'm reasonably fit: after the Marathon on November 2nd I took 18 days off then did a couple of gentle runs in Virginia, a few trails with assorted Hash House Harrier groups in Florida (in increasingly warm weather) and finally four very nice warm runs while staying north of Tampa. A couple of runs near Philadelphia reminded me that it's winter, then a couple of New York outings went OK before I “enjoyed” a run in Endwell in driving snow (file under “it seemed like a good idea at the time”). A couple of more gentle runs to build an appetite at Xmas and a long slog around the woods near Ithaca bring us to a couple of days after New Year...