Scottish Runners

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  • Hullo Ianjames I think I remember you. We were both on this thread back in 2011 prior to the Edinburgh Marathon then you passed by me on Porti prom slowing down for a wee natter before heading off down the road. You are tall dark haired. Have I got this right image

     

  • Yep, I remember that, Gillian. I quite enjoyed the first 20 miles of that race.  Haven't done it since - have you?  How's it going?

    I haven't done a marathon since 2013.  Hoping to do Brampton to Carlisle 10 miler in November, and that will be long enough.  Hopefully not too long.  The stamina isn't so great, at the moment.

  • Hi IanjamesThat was my 5th and final marathon. Decided I didn't get enough of a buzz at the end to make the training worthwhile. I still run and enter races but my 57 year old knees mean that i don't go beyond a 10k these days. But goodness knows plenty of them to choose from. Might just see you scooting past me again one fine day ! You got a lot planned apart from the ten miler ?

     

  • Hi Gillian, I haven't gone beyond a 10k for a while either.  Still got a bit of plantar fasciitis, so I'm not feeling like pushing my luck with a longer race.  That said, I've entered 2 10ks in 2 weeks, which I hope is not a stupid move: a 10k in Southport this weekend, and the GSR next week.  Mixed feelings about GSR, but I usually enjoy these big events once I get into them. 

    What's your next event?

  • Hi guys, I'm doing mainly ultras these days- so far this year it was D33, fling, clyde stride, still to do- wee 'eck, glen ogle, plus a couple of marathons-, but good to hear of others doing other stuff. Gillian- longer races are slower, and less stressful on the knees! (especially if you go for trail, rathe than road)

  • Ianjames I am doing the GSR 10k in Glasgow as well. Look out for me. But I have a 50th birthday party on the Sat night so will be crossing the finishing line about 65 mins after I start. Wearing a white Edinburgh Running Network vest. Still got dyed red hair which will probably be in pig tails.

    tricialitt not a bad years work for you. My physio tells me the same. Run on grass or track not the pavement so I do find myself looking at trail races with more interest than I used to. Doubt I will ever do an ultra but what an achievement for those of you that do.

  • Good luck to anyone doing GSR today, bit foggy and chilly first thing but hopefully it will warm up a bit soon! I missed the closing data so just watching on tv image

  • Hi. Well, that's Southport 10k (windy, tougher than expected, slower than hoped) and the GSR 10k (great, enjoyed much more than expected, faster than hoped) done.  I haven't got any more planned for the moment, although there's talk of cross country.  Will probably make do with parkrun this weekend!

    Didn't see you Gillian.  How did it go?

  • So...anyone racing this weekend?  There's a lovely cross-country in Bellahouston Park!  (if you're racing it, I'll be one of the people stood pointing you in the right direction!)

  • Good to see occasional life on the thread! Welcome back Ian and Gillian, that would have been my early days here in 2010.

    I still enjoy the full gamut of racing from parkrun up, though WHW was a bit far even for me! The body is still holding up after 50 years, but the aches and pains get more annoying.

    Personally I have nothing planned for the rest of the year other than some cross country, don't much enjoy it but I like the social aspect of running for a team. Might even appear at the relays next week in Cumbernauld if my club can rustle up an old man's team.

  • Hullo again. Great Scottish 10k for me in 63 mins which is about what I would expect. Take it you were miles ahead of me ianjames.

    I remember you as well 575. There is a story behind your name ........... which I have forgotten !

    Away on holiday tomorrow. Back early Nov when I will have a look round for any other 10k's I could squeeze in this year.

     

  • Well done on the GSR Gillian.  Did you enjoy it?  I did, more than I expected!

    I'm also looking for other races before the end of the year.  Good luck with the cross country, 57.5.  I feel a similar way to you, in that I don't like it really but the team aspect is fun (what team is it??).

    That said, watching it on Sunday, it didn't really look like fun.  No, perhaps 'fun' is a poor description.

    I made it down to the Great Run Local on Wednesday.  Nice midweek 5k. 

  • Hello... has anyone ever done the Stranraer 10k/ half?  Your thoughts?  Its on the same weekend as Edinburgh Men's 10k.  Possibly leaning towards the second but it does look a bit commercial.  Although apparently I like commercial more than I'm prepared to admit.

    Had a tough Great Run Local last night.  Made tougher by large groups of males, heading towards the footbal game, becoming involved in the race.  Don't think I'll do it when a certain team are playing again.

    So, how are YOU??

  • Let me know if you decided on Mens 10k in Edinburgh IJ. Planning to support so will give you a cheery shout at the end. Long as you tie a balloon round your wrist so I recognise you that is image

  • I did Stranraer Half some years ago and really enjoyed it!It was March and the snow was piled up along the side of the roads but I somehow managed a PB!

    The race was a Saturday and my dad and I went to Portpatrick for the night!

  • Popped by again and pleasantly surprised to see this thread have a new lease of life.

    We both did GO33 recently. I'll post Elspeth's account of it

  • From Elspeth:
    Glen Ogle Ultra (not really a race report!)

    Now once there was a rail line up Glen Ogle
    But Mr Beeching put an end to that.
    They tarmacked over the sleepers for a cycleway,
    Let’s have an ultra thought BAM, Bill, Mike and Cat.

    The first year they signed up a hundred runners
    For some frosty running fun for 33 miles.
    Next year more people want to join the party..
    …cut to 400 ‘odd’ to start with smiles.

    Well I’ve run it twice before but for this autumn
    I told my partner in crime that it was flat.
    So he signed up and we set off down from Orkney,
    As we sailed off to the start, the seas were flat.

    Registered and set up home in Killin
    We met some folks that we had met before,
    And some new faces but you saw that all were willing
    To run, jog walk and then to run some more.

    An early start was what the starters ordered
    And briefed, pipers played for us at the start,
    Down Killin street and past the Falls of Dochart
    Such scenery could only lift the heart!

    Well we started all together and soon spread out down the trail
    With more familiar faces seen the first miles passed so well.
    Along the trail then up and up and once or twice a stumble,
    Then down and down to meet the road and greet our favourite Womble (sorry).

    Safely we all crossed the road onto the railway of yore,
    We’d heard about the Killin Wolf that roamed these hills before.
    So when we ran across the viaduct and the wind did howl below
    Some thought it was the wolf or so the rumours go!

    The sun was out the wind was chill, the views they were sublime,
    We trundled down that railway path, some of us took our time.
    Loch Earnhead spotted then the steep switchback to leave the glen,
    Now what was in my dropbag? A banana went down well.

    We’re all spread out , we chug along the little country road
    Past Rob Roy’s final resting place, now weary feet all trod.
    A stunning view along Loch Voile and we turn towards Strathyre
    Where hills a plenty lie in wait just as we’ve begun to tire.

    Now some say an apparition in blue saw them across the road
    But I didn’t see him myself so that may not be so!
    I did see the marker tape that sent us up the hill.
    Twas steep and went on for a while and the wind was getting chill.

    Still we chatted and we plodded on and a walk in the woods was fine,
    Then sped up down the other side, some sun began to shine,
    Back to the road, under bridge and so to checkpoint three,
    Was then surprised the birthday boy Mr Robertson to see.
    (“… birthday greetings, bottle of wine”).

    Now fuelled up and homeward bound up to the path above
    I must keep running told the legs, they didn’t want to know!
    I must run across that viaduct to cheat the howling wolves,
    Well at least I called it running though by now was rather slow.

    The last road crossing and we know it is all downhill to go
    The morning it has come and gone, now to reach Killin below,
    Shuttling back and forth with other folk the miles ticked by,
    The houses are getting bigger, for a course PB I try.

    The welcome village of Killin, across the bridge again
    This place looks great in autumn sun and not a drop of rain.
    Down the main street, into the part, the finish now in view
    Around the park, it’s far enough but soon I’m finshed too.

    So the ultra is now over but there’s still a lot to do,
    Drink tea, eat cakes and chat and see Noanies’s dog’s antics too.
    Now I’m looking out for Peter but it’s getting rather cold
    He comes through the street to the finish line – it’s then that I am told….

    “You are a liar ‘flat’ you said

  • “You are a liar ‘flat’ you said. I think that it was not!”
    But I found him chips and tea and stuff and that helped things a lot.
    Back for a shower, to rest our legs and don the dancing kit.
    Cos if you think the day was over there was an extra bit.

    A ceilidh for the ultra runners, weel we reely wad be jiggered,
    But join in and have some fun was what all assembled figured.
    With reels and tunes we danced and spun,
    A fine bottle of whisky was won!

    Raffles drawn, prizes won, a new course record made,
    Orkney strip the willow, Auld Lyne Syne then we were off to bed.
    With grateful thanks to marshalls, BAM team and helpers all,
    It would be fair to say that we have had a ball!

    Our weary way home we wend next day via Birks of Aberfeldy
    To the gray town of Aberdeen to board the Orkney ferry.
    The autumn leaves were a treat to see for us northern treeless folks,
    Then the less was said the better of the 6 hours on a rolling boat!

    Alas last ultra of the year, it feels a little sad.
    Lets hope to be fit in 2017 though many would say we’re mad.

  • And my irreverent rant:

    With apologies to The Scaffold, Ian Rennie and Peter Stuart (wouldn't scan right) and every one else that I will offend!image

    We'll drink a drink a drink
    To Lily the pink the pink the pink
    The saviour of our ultra race
    For she invented, Thistly Cross Cider
    Most efficacious in every case

    Cat 'n' Mike Adams, solved a few race problems
    Some were on the Beaufort scale
    So they had a Thistly Cross Cider
    And just sent the last BAM email

    We'll drink a drink a drink 
    To Lily the pink the pink the pink
    The saviour of our ultra race
    For she invented, Thistly Cross Cider
    Most efficacious in every case

    Mr He-irs had so many ha-irs
    That stretched down to his waist
    But they gave him Thistly Cross Cider
    Now he's neatly shaven, all in haste!
    ...

    Johnny Duncan was terribly hunkin'
    He would always take his ta-aps aff
    And so they gave him Thistly Cross Cider
    Now he's racing in the buff!

    ...

    Alan Robertson, now just a young un
    When he's ... six...ty ... four
    And so they gave him Thistly Cross Cider
    Now he's going for runs galore!

    ...

    Ian Hoss'ck, had a mean look
    His face led some folk to deeply fear
    And so they gave him Thistly Cross Cider
    Now he's smiling, ear to ear!

    ...

    Now Elspeth Fay, had a great day
    Told her husband it was all gae flat
    But then she gave him Thistly Cross Cider
    And now he cannae mind ..., any o' that!
    ...

    Fiona Rennie, had pics in plenty
    Would she drop the cam'ra and have nae fun
    But they gave her, Thistly Cross Cider
    Now she's back snapping on the run!

    ...

    Robin Wombil directed the ensemble
    To the wolf howling viaduct
    But then they gave him Thistly Cross Cider
    So when we came back, we were lost!

    ...

    Mr Munro, he felt the cold so
    And it made him awfully blue
    And so they gave him Thistly Cross Cider
    And now he's guiding the whole BAM crew!

    ...

    Daile Sipple had liked a wee tipple
    Just the odd one on the fly
    As when they gave her, Thistly Cross Cider
    ... well now she's dry!

    ...

    Peter John Fay, had had a hard day
    And wasnae up for any more
    But they gave him Thistly Cross Cider
    Then he had to polish the BAM dance floor!

    ...

    Marian Clark, liked this ultra lark
    Gave out smiles to help folk on their way
    But they gave her Thistly Cross Cider
    And now she's snoring the night away!

    ...

    Thought Zander Beggs, I've miles in my legs
    Even though me minds no willin
    Then they gave him Thistly Cross Cider
    He gave the Southside Six a Killin!

    ...

    Audrey Mac'tosh, had run out of dosh
    So she had to sweep the whole course through
    As they paid her in Thistly Cross Cider
    She got more than, a little bit foo!

    ...

    Lorna Mac, ran there and back
    Yet Strathyre was not quite far enough
    And so they gave her, Thistly Cross Cider
    Then another park lap was just the stuff!

    ...

    Janice Millar began to wither
    And her legs they did fade
    So they looked to Thistly Cross Cider
    Then for home she, quickly made!

    ...

    Strip the Willow, when dance in flow
    And in true Orcadian tradition
    But when they added Thistly Cross cider
    We were rather less in condition

    ...

    Weel the band was Reely Jiggered
    And a string began to fray
    But they gave them Thistly Cross Cider
    And they played on to the end of day
    ...

    (Softly and slower)
    Well G O 3 3, had brought us much glee
    But too soon it was time to gae hame
    despite our saviour, Thistly Cross Cider
    Sadly Auld Lang Syne came

    ...

    Up to bed now, our feet did drag so
    All our heads they did ring
    We took it

  • Up to bed now, our feet did drag so
    All our heads they did ring
    We took it with us: Thistly Cross cider
    (Pause. Suddenly louder and more discordantly)
    LOUD the ALARM BELLS, they did SING

    We'll drink a drink a drink
    To Lily the pink the pink the pink
    The saviour of our ultra race
    For she invented, Thistly Cross Cider
    Most efficacious in every case.

    [All characters are fictitious and any resemblance to real life persons is entirely co-incidental]

  • Well done OH!!!!

    Anyone describing GO 33 as flat needs their head examined- I did see you come into the hall at the end, but didn't get to speak again before I went back home. (My OH is willing to bring me to races, but won't hang around too long after, so I was on a short leash to get away).

    In other news................obviously not running much this week after all those races, so I went shoe shopping on thursday- I'm going to try doing my tready runs in minimal shoes, to see if it helps with the various niggles in my feet- so I have a pair of ero drop shoes, instead of my usual ones- ran/ walked for 10 minutes in them today, then did some cross trainig. We will see if I can build up to running my regular 5k tready sessions in them, and whether it improves anything. I wouldn't try a longer run, but I am hoping it will strengthen my feet to avoid problems in my normal trail shoes- don't nkwo if this is logical.

  • Els: sorry to miss you, Tricia, but maybe not so sure about having my head examined by a neurosurgeon! image

  • All gone quiet again on here!

    XC this weekend (provided kidney stone behaves itself)

  • Looks like people are posting on the old forum despite being told their posts will not migrate!
  • At last the new forum has apperaed- keeps crashing, though.
  • Got myself up and out the door this morning for a very cold and dark 4 miles ... and that's officially my first 'bad day at the office' of the year. Nothing in the legs, no motivation, felt like someone had poured lead into my thighs - if the run had been planned for further I'd have cut it short or maybe even stayed in bed.

    I guess the 16 miles on Sunday took a heck more out of me than I thought - ah well - roll on tomorrow and an 8 miler which I hope will restore my belief that I'm getting stronger.
  • Don't worry about the occaisional tough one, Steven- we all get them, they prove that you have strong willpower, and I'm sure the next one will be better.
  • Took the target pace down and just made sure I reached the office in one piece, 8.25 miles done nice and easy - what was I worrying about? lol

    Now if I can just convince my six month old to sleep through the night - I might actually get some rest.

    4 recovery miles for me tomorrow and then I can start to think about Sat & Sun and my 5 & 17 miles.
  • Hi guys, I'm based just outside Edinburgh, just been having a quick read through the last few pages and its good reading :-). I'm doing the London Marathon in April, so just working towards that. Done 13 miles at the weekend and got a nice 7 miler tonight to look forward too. Keep up the good work everyone.
  • Welcome Rossi71- hope the marathon training is going well, are you doing any local scottish races in the run up to London?- nice to do a half or a  20 miler, if possible- there's a few about, I think.
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