Balloch Park Cross Country

Good turnout for the last race in the Millies 25th Anniversary Championship, 3 laps of Balloch Park, great conditions for the run, cool, no wind and nice and soft underfoot. 25 set off just after 10. Started out in 8th place for the first lap and a half then dropped to 9th and stayed there till the end finishing in 39:49. Millie breakfast of soup and mulled wine after.

10 Mile Handicap

19 Runners took part in the annual Milburn Harriers run round the Hoseshoe. Run as a handicap, an undulating 10.4 miles, my time was set at 78 minutes, I hoped for 76. Set off along the main street through the Vale, 1st mile too fast as usual then settled into a steady pace over the next 3 miles with the wind at my back. Just before half way the runner in front came into view, someone to catch at last although I was through Blairquhomrie before I caught him. I managed to pick off another 4 by the finish. Getting caught by a runner from behind with about 2 miles to go got the concentration going again. Finished in 77:16. Good day for running, sunny but not too hot, breezy on the way back.

5 Mile Handicap

The Millies Grand Prix continued tonight with event No 9 the 5 miler roon the Vale. Handicap start gives you someone to chase or be chased by or both. Tried to catch the two guys in front within the first half mile, nearly got to the first one then had to ease back or implode. Kept it steady round the cycle path and onto the Jamestown road, slowly recovered and as we entered Jamestown managed to catch the nearest runner. Faster runners started to catch and pass me on the run up towards Tullie. Then I caught another few on the run along towards Christie Park and along Middelton St taking a final scalp with a bit of effort 20 yards from the finish. 20 Runners finished, handicaps worked well as most of us were within 3 or 4 minutes. Finished in 34 mins 10, which is 7 min 20 pace for the 4.75 miles.

Fairy Glen

Club 3 mile race with a difference, a 3 lap 5k route in Balloch Park each lap taking in a wee steep bit up the bottom section of Fairy Glen. 17 of us set off on a perfect sunny morning for this short sharp roller coaster run. Happy to finish sub 24 minutes, followed by a Millie al fresco breakfast. Some pictures here.

Ted Baker

9th running of the Club Hill race up to Pappert Well, hosted by Pete n Mo, runnable at about 5 miles and 1000' of ascent. 17 Millies set off in 6 groups, the idea is we all finish together, pretty good grouping as all but a couple finish in order and the first 8 finishing within a couple of minutes of each other. Started off nice n steady along the road then tried to keep a good effort on the new hardcore path through the woods beside Pappert. The moorland path is not too steep so just keep as high a tempo as my wee legs allow. Slowed slightly before the trig point then tried to pick the pace up again on the way back down past the Well. A steady run on the hardcore path through the woods before a short down, up, down on the road, the bell welcomes us back, finishing 3rd in the handicap but 4th by time in 43:43. Post run chat, cakes and tablet, courtesy of our kind hosts, how to run and put weight on!

Riverbank 5k

Third running of the Clubs 5k starting from the rear gate to Cameron House, through Lomond Shores and onto the cycle path on the Leven finishing just past the Vale Academy. 18 of us set off in 5 groups, we all had someone to run with and chase, tried to run at an even pace and thought I kept the first mile steady but struggled on the second mile. Managed to keep it going with a good effort for the third, please to finish in 20:48. Photos Here.

Stoneymollan

18 runners set off on the handicap hill race, first off about 6:30 last after 7. A cool and clear evening, good for running. The first 1/2 mile is on the road then onto tracks and paths. Good running up the Stoneymollan then nice n boggy along Bromley and Overton Muirs. Reeled the runner ahead in at the top of the Stoney but he tucked in behind and would overtake me before the finish. Good run along to the fort catching three as I jumped the wall. I can hear runners coming up behind but hold them off until back on to the road when a couple pass me. Jog the last two wee hills then push downhill to finish in just over 43 minutes a couple of minutes slower than last year. Tea and cakes in the hall once everyone gets back.

A Team Challenge and Bishop Hill

Saturday and the first team race of the Millies Grand Prix, didn't run instead helped and harassed the runners as they worked their way round the 12 miles from Balloch to Cardross and back to the Vale Leisure Centre via the trig point overlooking Bromley Muir, route included 2000' of ascent and three team challenges, a few pictures here. Hopefully the runners had as much fun as we did. At night we all got together again for the clubs AGM and a wee social after. A good day.

Sunday and 2 of us went along to the Bishop Hill race, a short one at 2 1/2 miles with 1000' of ascent, a bit of a lung buster, if you have time to catch your breath you are not trying. Undulating woody start where they send you through a ditch to join a narrow path winding up and around Bishop Hill, mostly runnable only the first and last parts of the climb reduced me to a walk. Fresh breeze when we got above the tree line, several gliders from the local airfield wheeling overhead as we pant and pech uphill.

Gradually force a jog between the two summits at the top then plummet off the edge thankful as gravity takes over, a couple of good grassy descents with a few jumps if you like that sort of thing then the trail levels off for a couple of hundred yards before rejoining the outward path for a couple of minutes of good fast downhill running. A steep descent back into the woods and a sprackle through the ditch to finish in just over 27 minutes.

Soup, rolls n tea in the village hall while you catch your breath. Photos here.

Weekend races

Saturday, to kick start the season, the Carnethy 5. Arrived at Beeslack school without any detours. Registered, changed and off we went. The guy who thought up the race and has run them all wearing No 41.

Wet underfoot with blue sky overhead and a cool breeze. At 2 pm 500 runners set off across a boggy bog, the field soon spread out on the 1st climb up Scald Law, around 22 minutes of puff pant wheeze for me to reach this first top, brief respite to re-oxygenate on the run along to South Black Hill then two sharp intakes of breath that make up the Kips. Steady descent and run along to the Howe before the struggle that is the gulley on Carnethy's western side, the slope eases for a jog then one last push to the top. Round the trig point and downhill all the way, through heather, scree and don't forget the bog to finished 307th in 82 minutes. Lots of pictures.

Sunday, the clubs rescheduled Cross Country, 2 laps round Polaroid Industrial Estate, cloudy and wet although similar underfoot to yesterday. Good field of 13 runners and a few helpers made the effort on this cold and sodden morning. Jogged to the start to help get everything moving again. Felt my way round the first lap looking for the best way round the puddles, usually straight through. Our small group of five runners broke up, one away in front, one off the back and we were down to three by the end of the lap.

Lap 2, slower run along the side of the Leven then back to a steady pace after climbing the steps. Round the pond, eased up the short climb closing in on the runner in front, tucked in until we turned down the road towards the finish where a few short bursts of pace took me clear over the last couple of hundred yards, 4th in 36:18.

Whinney Hill

Late home on Friday and instead of a rest for Sundays race went for a run round the Stoneymollan, at least it was the short version, took it easy and my headtorch for a dark descent. Sunday, Whinney Hill race, cool and dry made for good running. 16 runners, all doing the full route. Pictures here. Set off in 5th position, Number 4 gradually drifting away ahead, no one else near me so it turned into a bit of a time trial. Plenty of energy for the run back from the seat just nothing to drive me on a bit faster. Finished just under 43 mins. Pennance was found on Monday via 4 Stoneymollans, first two in 14:50, second two in 14:20.

Time Trial

Club time trial, 4.3 mile road run, starting at Christie Park along Middleton St, down to Bonhill Bridge, through Jamestown, Lomond Road, Luss Road through Christie Park and along Middleton St again looping back to the Leisure centre via Upper Bridge St.

This has been run off n on since 2003, once a month usually from Sept to April, races taking precedence the rest of the time. Performance varied, you would maybe have the opportunity to run one or two fast each year the rest would be brisk or tempo type training runs.

Over the last few years the TT became an occaisonal run. It was ressurected at the end of last year and the Dec outing was to be the first race of the clubs 25th Anniversary GP Series. Snow and ice in Dec made it less than safe and it was rescheduled for last night.

 As I hadn't been under 30 mins since Sept 06 that was my target, ended up reasonably close 30 mins 10 seconds equal to my fastest time since March 07.