Odds and Ends

I see that there is a website at www.clydebankrestoration.com (or even.co.uk - I've found it at both addresses) which has a fairly comprehensive gallery, or series of galleries, containing pictures around the Burgh many of which are of interest to the Harriers - four of the Bruce Street Baths for a start. At least two Scottish Internationalists reckon that they were the best winter training headquarters in Scotland. An email from Allan Faulds last night added his voice to the praises. The big room down in the basement was always very warm, there was enough space for everybody to change, the massage table was in the corner, some exercise mats on the floor when we wanted them and there was still enough space to go for a jog around before or after the run. If it were icy or foggy outside, there was another basement room which was as long but not as wide as the changing area where we could get some running done. There were also hot water pipes running round the room above head height where you could hang the towels while you were running and they would be warm for your return. The communal showers were excellent. The women who chose to train there used the upstairs baths area and could have a bath when they finished. There was even the option of a swim if you were not too late back and the Baths did not have a synchro club session on. All very civilised. And the fact that it was closed to the outside world with only true believers (ie Harriers) there added to the club team spirit. Any memories of the Baths out there?

I see from today's 'Herald' that Alex Ferguson is banning the wearing of snoods by his players. (Snoods are tubes of warm cloth that can be worn round the neck like a scarf and/or pulled up over the head and neck for added warmth), He is dismissive of players wearing gloves and leggings as well! Good for him. I reckon that all sports people these days (except Bobby Young) are a bit soft and generally wear too much clothing. If you are running for any length of time, any normal circulation will warm up your hands and feet pretty quickly. I won't go into the "I mind one time ...." line but we do mollycoddle ourselves too much these days. The reverse is also true - how often in the summer do you see runners with tops tied round their waists? It it is cold enough for a top, wear it; if it isn't then go without it in the knowledge that you will within five minutes be more than warm enough!!! The only exceptions I would make would be for serious hill runners - by the time you get up there (a) you are tired; and (b) it really is colder than at sea level. A cagoule round the waist on an elastic loop in these situations is not anything like a bulky top tied round the waist and dangling behind your knees!

Running in the snow: I note that Callum Hawkins was running round a golf course last week with snow 'up to my shins' in places; I further note that Steph Twell's group ran round the trail beating the snow down with their feet and then doing the session in long spikes. Good for them: in bad weather the question is, as ever, "HOW do we get the running done?" and not a feeble "We can't get the running done because it is cold, wet, snowy, slushy, etc." If it is worth doing or needs to be done, find ways to do it.

Sorry to see that the Hannah Cup was postponed because of snow - this time I will say it - I mind one time when we had an inter-club with VPAAC and Garscube at Milngave after several days of snow but it went ahead over the four golf courses in snow which was very deep; I also mind one time (actually at least two) when we ran the Hannah Cup in the snow, and I even mind one time when we ran the Club Championship in the snow, and, furthermore, I have video footage of the Christmas Handicap being run in the snow!!!