Balloch Park Cross Country

Last race in this tears club series, 3 laps round Balloch Park, 8 of us set off, took the 1st 2 laps steady and if I had maintained the pace would have been under 40 mins, not fast but ok, slowed a bit on the third until the climb back up to to the castle, ran better after the climb but still lost 30 or 40 seconds, finished 3rd.    

Duathlon

Club Duathlon, a 4 mile run round the Vale followed by a 12 mile cycle round the Horseshoe with a loop through Gartocharn. Only 4 of us this year, a bit chilly but a dry road, no ice and not much wind. Last on the run section, managed to pass a couple on the bike, new recycled Carrera Srixus 2 encouraged a more aggressive ride, Good fun!

10 Mile Handicap

Club race, wet and windy when we arrived at the start, consensus was to start together to save waiting about in the rain, probably didn't suit me as I like chasing/being chased to give a sense of urgency and raise the effort level. Felt OK for 3 or 4 miles then eased off a bit until about a mile to go when a couple of runners closing in behind spurred me on to a slightly quicker finish. Although wind and rain at the start the weather improved the second half drier and a bit of sun to finish.

5 Mile Handicap

Club race , just under 5 miles, 5 of us set off in reverse order, finished 3rd over the line, 2nd on time, a few seconds slower than last year, cool evening, perfect for a road race, 

Club 10K

After a couple of postponed races we finally managed another race in this years Club GP, a road 10k. Only 5 of us tonight, Started in second place, dropped to third within the first half mile, stayed there until the end. 30 0r 40 seconds slower than last year, need to try some more regular and faster road runs if I want to improve. Lucky with the rain, stopped just as we started running, staying off until we finished.

 

Fairy Glen

Short trail race in the club chamionship, 3 laps, just under a mile per lap with a steep climb at the end of each lap. Midgies in feast mode as 6 of us set off, settled into second place and stayed there without too much trouble, gradually moving ahead of 3rd while slipping behind 1st, too dry underfoot for the downhill at the start of each lap, about a minute quicker than last year.

Whinny Hill Trail Race

5 of us for tonight's trail race, a lap of Balloch Park to start then up Fairy Glen and out round the Whinny Hill lollipop route, on the way back follow a path through trees behind the park coming out at the castle. A couple of minutes slower than last year on this trail race that used to be a cross country before the hardcore paths were built. Started in third place, made it into second at the seat and kept that until the end.

Stoneymollan Hill Race

First club hill race of the year, just under 5 miles and 1200' of ascent, 6 of us set off roughly in reverse order, finished a few seconds quicker than last year, ok as it felt pretty heavy going out there tonight, the run up to the trig and down from the fort suffering from bike ruts, the boggy bits boggier than usual made for a good run.

Riverbank 5k

Club 5k race, 5 of us set off from Old Luss Road, through Lomond Shores onto the cycle path to St Martins, tried not to start too quick and maintain a steady pace, seemed to work out ok, nearly a minute quicker than last year, finished 4th out of 5.

Pappert Cross Country

Last cross country race for this season, 3 suitably muddy laps round the moorland behind Pappert, managed 3 even paced laps, slightly slower than last year due to a wee route error on lap 2.

 

Polaroid Cross Country

First race in this years club GP. Five of us set off for the 2 lap , 4 1/2 mile run, a sixth joined when he saw us disappear into the trees. The muddy bits were very muddy but the rest was dry making for quick times. Finished 4th out of 6 a couple of seconds quicker than last year. Good morning for a run.