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.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
25/3/09 – Bishopbriggs
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?
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
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.
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)
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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)
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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”!
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”!
Friday, March 6, 2009
6/3/09 – Bishopbriggs
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.
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.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
5/3/09 - Two Runs
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.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
2/3/09 – Glasgow Bothwell Street
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
25/2/09 – Bishopbriggs
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)