Balloch Park Cross Country

Last race in the clubs annual grand prix, the heavy rain in the last couple of days exacerbating the pounding it took at last weeks Scottish Western District cross country championship. 4 of us attempted to run round the muddy park, managed second even though I slowed by 30 to 40 seconds per lap.

10 mile handicap

Clubs 10 mile road race, run as a handicap, 1st time I have run it since 2014, was looking for 80 minutes, route is just over 10 miles, pace on my app gave me 8:01/mile and finished in just over 81 minutes, so not too far away.

5 Mile Handicap

Next race in the club GP, 6 of us set off, slowest first, steady run but eased off slightly in the 4th mile and lost about 30 seconds, good run.

Ted Baker Pappert Well

Good night for the next race in the club GP Series, just over 5 miles with nearly 900' of ascent and descent. Quite muddy on the hill section, good turn out with 9 running in handicap format, times from 40+ to 60+ minutes.

Fairy Glen

Next race in the clubs annual GP, a 5k, 3 laps about 1 mile each taking in the bottom part of Fairy Glen joining Heart Attack hill about half way up each time. Every year you are determined to smash the hill and it just has a wee chuckle and you end up happy at just being able to keep running, finished in just over 24 minutes, good fun.

Stoneymollan Hill Race

Next race in this years GP, run as a handicap, 6 of us took part, finished 2nd, in just over 43 mins, just under 5 miles and 1000' of ascent, good wee race

Whinny Hill Cross Country

2nd race in this years Club GP, 5 of us. 2 had set off early leaving three to race, we had spread out by the first few hundred yards and stayed in that order to the end. Pretty good conditions cool but with a slight drizzle, started too fast which made the climb up harder than it needed to be, happy to reach the seat, from there its mostly down hill. Finished inside 47 mins.

Polaroid Cross Countrry

First club race of 2019, two laps round the Polaroid Industrial Estate. Starts in the field in front of the council buildings, through the trees to the path alongside the River Leven, follow this to the back of Strathleven estate, the path comes out near a small pond, round the pond and follow a narrow path up, down and along to the Ind Estate exit road, take the tussocky verge back to the start, repeat. Happy to finish inside 39 minutes.