A picture from the Wee County News of Johnathan Farrell receiving the John and Maree Hendry Sash after winning the Open 90 metres at Alva Games.
Showing posts with label Racing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Racing. Show all posts
Sunday, 11 July 2010
Alva Highland Games
A picture from the Wee County News of Johnathan Farrell receiving the John and Maree Hendry Sash after winning the Open 90 metres at Alva Games.
Monday, 17 May 2010
Well done, Johnathan
At the Inter Regional Championships at Wishaw at the weekend, Johnathan Farrell had a good couple of days competition. On Saturday he won the B 100 metres and then on Sunday was part of a winning relay team. Two days, two races, two wins. Doesn't get much better than that!
All being well he wil be running in Dumfries at the weekend in the Central and South of Scotland League where all age groups and both sexes compete as a team - albeit with an abbreviated programme of events. There were also good results at the weekend in the Parkrun in Glasgow with Roisin and Claire both performing well alongside several of the senior club members. Roisin and Claire will be at Dumfries and it will be a good day's sport. Seniors are reminded that they don't need to take the car - a bus has been organised and it is usually good to travel as a squad.
All being well he wil be running in Dumfries at the weekend in the Central and South of Scotland League where all age groups and both sexes compete as a team - albeit with an abbreviated programme of events. There were also good results at the weekend in the Parkrun in Glasgow with Roisin and Claire both performing well alongside several of the senior club members. Roisin and Claire will be at Dumfries and it will be a good day's sport. Seniors are reminded that they don't need to take the car - a bus has been organised and it is usually good to travel as a squad.
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Just Go To The Pictures
Colin Youngson (Forres) has the story of the teenager who approached distance running legend Alastair Wood and said that he wanted to give up football and take up running, did he have any advice for him? Alastair who was known for being direct said "Son, running is harder than football - do yourself a favour - go to the pictures!" That running is harder than football is not in doubt. A local example is that of Gary Higgins who had been a professional football player before taking up running after a series of injuries. Within two years he was running 1:53 for 800 and 3:56 for 1500 and could do a good 4 x 4 relay leg as well as run cross country. He then just gave it up in favour of playing Junior football. When asked why, he said that to be even mediocre in athletics you had to train at least 6 times a week but you could do two nights of 'noddy' training (his words)and get your place in a team. You could of course do two nights of noddy training and try to be a runner as well but you wouldn't get very far. If all you want to do is keep fit then do your two nights, go for the occasional walk and eat properly and you'll be fine BUT...
if you want to be a good runner, it IS harder than football and you DO have to do at least six sessions a week. When Peter Fleming was at Langside College and just starting out as a senior athlete, he normally ran to College (two and a half miles) and back (two and a half miles) with a run at lunchtime as well and on one day a week he did four runs in the day. And of course there was the race or hard run on Saturday and the long run on Sunday. Donald MacNab Robertson of Maryhill who won the first ever SAAA Marathon Championship in 1946 and then again in 1947 is said to have done four 20 mile runs in the week and a 25 miler on Sunday. I could list the people who have done well in road and distance running and they all did some things that were their own but the one thing they had in common was that they 'got the miles in'. And strength builds speed - all the top runners said so and all the top coaches say so.
We are fortunate that we have in the club just now a couple of runners who also believe in that work ethic. Paul Carroll is running in the Tom Scott 10 this weekend and should do well - he has the strength for it and has run well in the Six Stage Relays being well inside his pb from last year and picking up four bodies on the way round. He then goes on to the London Marathon where given reasonable weather and, although you can never tell with the big one, the right pace early on he is capable of another pb. Gerry has had a good winter but does not have as many races under his belt as Paul but he should do well in London too. I don't know who else is competing at either race but I was impresed with the whole team at Livingston with Kevin's time jumping right off the page at me! The c;lub seems to be on the right track for some good distance running results and with the return to active service of Mark Rudzinski, the future's bright, the future has a big C on it!!!
if you want to be a good runner, it IS harder than football and you DO have to do at least six sessions a week. When Peter Fleming was at Langside College and just starting out as a senior athlete, he normally ran to College (two and a half miles) and back (two and a half miles) with a run at lunchtime as well and on one day a week he did four runs in the day. And of course there was the race or hard run on Saturday and the long run on Sunday. Donald MacNab Robertson of Maryhill who won the first ever SAAA Marathon Championship in 1946 and then again in 1947 is said to have done four 20 mile runs in the week and a 25 miler on Sunday. I could list the people who have done well in road and distance running and they all did some things that were their own but the one thing they had in common was that they 'got the miles in'. And strength builds speed - all the top runners said so and all the top coaches say so.
We are fortunate that we have in the club just now a couple of runners who also believe in that work ethic. Paul Carroll is running in the Tom Scott 10 this weekend and should do well - he has the strength for it and has run well in the Six Stage Relays being well inside his pb from last year and picking up four bodies on the way round. He then goes on to the London Marathon where given reasonable weather and, although you can never tell with the big one, the right pace early on he is capable of another pb. Gerry has had a good winter but does not have as many races under his belt as Paul but he should do well in London too. I don't know who else is competing at either race but I was impresed with the whole team at Livingston with Kevin's time jumping right off the page at me! The c;lub seems to be on the right track for some good distance running results and with the return to active service of Mark Rudzinski, the future's bright, the future has a big C on it!!!
Friday, 26 March 2010
Steve Jones at Scotstoun.
As I said in an email just now, it was worth every penny in petrol money just to get to see him. Ith's a pity more from the west end of Glasgow/east end of Dunbartonshire weren't there - I only counted Duncan MacNeil, West Dunbarton, myself, Graeme Smith, Joe Doyle and Peter McGregor from VPAAC plus Stevie Cullen and his friend from Garscube. Phil phoned to say he couldn't get away for 6:30 but I had anticipated a couple more from the general area. However, what did he have to say?
Well one of the best moments was when someone asked if sports science had a lot to do with his success and he got a look that said a lot before The Man spoke. What you need for success is hard work, toughness and the right attitude. he then held his forefinger and thumb about an inch apart and sai that science had about that much to contribute! The face of Mike Johnston at that point was a study. he was asked about speed of training runs and his reply was that "you were always pushing the envelope." They were all hard. He ran himself to exhaustion a couple of times a week, You have to put the body under stress, there is too little stress in running nowadays and the results are seen by everyone. Even if he went out with his mates from Newport Harriers and someone upped the pace, then that was it. They just all went with it and it became serious.
What he teaches people is to keep it simple. You run regularly, you improve regularly and build up year on year. One chap asked if he ever did weight training, plyometrics or circuits on an organised basis and he said that he never did either of the first two and the only circuits that he did were some wee ones of his own that he did in the RAF gym. Running action? He quoted Zatopek saying that running was not a beauty contest, once you have been running for a while your body knows how to run!
What did he teach his runners? What did he bring to the table? (I hate these expressions - B McA) Relaxation and a calm approach. Running was not the be-all or end-all but a part of life.
He had started running in 1970 when he was 15 because the ATC Cross Country meant a day away and a free tea, etc. He had not trained at all but had a generally active lifstyle and didn't start real training until he was 17 or 18 when he was doing 4 or 5 days a week. By the time he was 21 it was 6 days a week and after he was married he put in the odd double session. he had a coach and did excatly what he was told and improved at every distance as time went on. He didn't query why he was doing something - if asked why he was doing a hill session his reply would be "Because the coach said so." He ran his first marathon at 29 years of age and when asked if he thought that was too late, replied it was maybe too early! The thing was that he had improved and done well in every event from 800 up and reached pretty well his potential at the shorter faster distances before moving on up.
So - not too much science, hard work, keep it simple and calm. That's just a summary from almost two hours that sped by. I have eight pages of notes and if anybody wants any of that elaborated, ask me!
Well one of the best moments was when someone asked if sports science had a lot to do with his success and he got a look that said a lot before The Man spoke. What you need for success is hard work, toughness and the right attitude. he then held his forefinger and thumb about an inch apart and sai that science had about that much to contribute! The face of Mike Johnston at that point was a study. he was asked about speed of training runs and his reply was that "you were always pushing the envelope." They were all hard. He ran himself to exhaustion a couple of times a week, You have to put the body under stress, there is too little stress in running nowadays and the results are seen by everyone. Even if he went out with his mates from Newport Harriers and someone upped the pace, then that was it. They just all went with it and it became serious.
What he teaches people is to keep it simple. You run regularly, you improve regularly and build up year on year. One chap asked if he ever did weight training, plyometrics or circuits on an organised basis and he said that he never did either of the first two and the only circuits that he did were some wee ones of his own that he did in the RAF gym. Running action? He quoted Zatopek saying that running was not a beauty contest, once you have been running for a while your body knows how to run!
What did he teach his runners? What did he bring to the table? (I hate these expressions - B McA) Relaxation and a calm approach. Running was not the be-all or end-all but a part of life.
He had started running in 1970 when he was 15 because the ATC Cross Country meant a day away and a free tea, etc. He had not trained at all but had a generally active lifstyle and didn't start real training until he was 17 or 18 when he was doing 4 or 5 days a week. By the time he was 21 it was 6 days a week and after he was married he put in the odd double session. he had a coach and did excatly what he was told and improved at every distance as time went on. He didn't query why he was doing something - if asked why he was doing a hill session his reply would be "Because the coach said so." He ran his first marathon at 29 years of age and when asked if he thought that was too late, replied it was maybe too early! The thing was that he had improved and done well in every event from 800 up and reached pretty well his potential at the shorter faster distances before moving on up.
So - not too much science, hard work, keep it simple and calm. That's just a summary from almost two hours that sped by. I have eight pages of notes and if anybody wants any of that elaborated, ask me!
Thursday, 25 March 2010
An Evening with Steve Jones
On Wednesday I was at Scotstoun to hear Steve Jones talk about endurance running in general and marathon running in particular. He was vey good but very quiet and could hardly be heard at the back of the room. Fortunately Peter McGregor grabbed me and had me sit at the front with him so I heard almost everything. I'll return to what he said before I go on holiday on Saturday but I'll pick up on two kind of controversial things he said in the hope of getting a response! First off: he was asked about the state of British marathon running and what could we do about it. The reply was as expected that the figures and times sepak for themselves. He reckoned that one reason for the poor state of affairs was the number of fun runners and charity runners. You can't criticise charity runners for running slowly and their numbers are growing while those of quality are decreasing. That trend will have to be reversed. He went further and said that last year in the States something like $55,000,000 was raised in charity races and none of it went back into the sport. He thought that that was wrong - the money raised by runners for charity was earned specifically for the charity but surely some of the profits earned by the organisers should go back to the sport? Any comments? Not to me, on the blog!
The second thing was when he was asked why the British Women do so well in the marathon and road racing generally when the men are not producing the goods at all. His comment was that the Africans had appeared on the men's scene but not on the women's racing circuit in anything like the same numbers. The men's ranking lists are totally dominated by Africans and it has had a demoralising effect on the men. It used to be that if a guy was ten seconds ahead of you in a race you would have a go at changing that the next week but now the men don't do that. The scene might be changing in the States because there are several projects working that might see the Americans doing it. The women do better because they still have the carrot of Olympic medals and big race prizes.
These were a tiny part of a whole evening's presentation (I have eight pages of notes and these two took up half a page between them) but have a think about them! I'll be back with some of his comments on training and racing.
The second thing was when he was asked why the British Women do so well in the marathon and road racing generally when the men are not producing the goods at all. His comment was that the Africans had appeared on the men's scene but not on the women's racing circuit in anything like the same numbers. The men's ranking lists are totally dominated by Africans and it has had a demoralising effect on the men. It used to be that if a guy was ten seconds ahead of you in a race you would have a go at changing that the next week but now the men don't do that. The scene might be changing in the States because there are several projects working that might see the Americans doing it. The women do better because they still have the carrot of Olympic medals and big race prizes.
These were a tiny part of a whole evening's presentation (I have eight pages of notes and these two took up half a page between them) but have a think about them! I'll be back with some of his comments on training and racing.
Another Busy Weekend
Last weekend was another very busy one for the Harriers. I was down to do a training session with Johnathan on Saturday morning and then went to see the Dunky Wright 5K road race. On a great day for the race, a change from some recent years,it was a good race to watch. Unfortunately there were only two club members running in our own race. It has become a habit to use our own officials and it should be possible to persuade members of other clubs to come along and assist to allow our own runners to turn out. I had a look up the arrs web site (www.arrs.net) when I came home to see what the top prize money on offer for 5K's was. If you haven't looked up this site and you are interested in road running it is well worth a visit with information on record times, largest fields, biggest earners (Haile Gebre with life time earnings so far of $3,530, 603) and so on. 24 of the 30 top highest earners of all time were Africans. The biggest pay out was a total of over $51,000 for the Rogaine 5K in 1991, the highest total payout for a 5K in 2009 was $42,500 in Downtown Rhode Island. So who's the club's top earner???? As for the two pics that are on the blog - I sincerely hope that you noticed me talking to Jim Wright and watching the runners come in?
On Sunday it was the Scottish Road Running Championships for all age groups from Under 11 to Under 20 and we had a few runners out. Another great day and they all continue to improve - Roisin setting an excellent example at the start of the day with a really fine run in the Girls race and a welcome return to racing for Caitlin. Claire ran well after missing a week when her school did not enter her for the Scottish Schools Championship and Peter is setting a good groundwork for the summer and is a well known face among the best in his age group. The Under 20's had two men running - Ryan Nelson and David Brown who had missed some time because of other commitments and it is good to see them back. But the numbers were small and maybe a wee recruitment drive is required for the summer season. Maybe an early club championship would get some of those missing over the winter out of the woodwork and back in harness.
On Sunday it was the Scottish Road Running Championships for all age groups from Under 11 to Under 20 and we had a few runners out. Another great day and they all continue to improve - Roisin setting an excellent example at the start of the day with a really fine run in the Girls race and a welcome return to racing for Caitlin. Claire ran well after missing a week when her school did not enter her for the Scottish Schools Championship and Peter is setting a good groundwork for the summer and is a well known face among the best in his age group. The Under 20's had two men running - Ryan Nelson and David Brown who had missed some time because of other commitments and it is good to see them back. But the numbers were small and maybe a wee recruitment drive is required for the summer season. Maybe an early club championship would get some of those missing over the winter out of the woodwork and back in harness.
Friday, 19 March 2010
Races - Last Week and This
The Scottish Schools Cross Country Championships were held at the Beach Park in Irvine last Saturday and we had several athletes taking part. Both of the Under 13 girls, Roisin McShea and Rachel Busby ran well and it was good to see Roisin doing her usual hard working run and it seems clear that as she gets older she will only get better. Rachel ran a very steady race and worked her way through well - at one point I was slow in getting to where she crossed in front of me but could watch her for a while as, away from where any of the club representatives could see her, she worked hard and had a tussle against a bigger girl which I think she won. If these girls can run together for a few more years then, as with good club runners in the past, girls from all over will be wanting to join their team. Connor Ewing had a very good day apart from a wee fall near the start but it didn't stop him from running well - he really is a good prospect for the future if he can get regular training and racing in. I missed Tony Dolan's race - I hadn't seen Phil or Tony anywhere before that but it's not surprising because you walk, jog, trot all over the trail at Irvine to keep in touch with the race and see the runners as often as possible. Peter Bowman had a good run and we can look forward to a good summer and an early breaking of the two minute barrier for the 800.
I was walking along a windy stretch near the Dragon Hill when one of the bigger girls dressed inappropriately for the weather in the tiniest of crop tops with lots of flesh on display in a very cold wind suddenly stopped and looked around for a bit and then hurled herself to the ground. Ten, maybe even five, years ago I would have gone to see what is wrong - but not any more. There were lots of girls running round and past her and teachers were only 300 yards or so away but I didn't think there was anything wrong since she had actually stopped and looked around before going to ground. I spoke to a couple of Sports Development Officers subsequently about it and they said I was right not to go to her assistance - the only explanation necessary being "It's 2010!" Mind you had I thought she was seriously hurt I would probably have done the wrong thing and gone to her assistance.
Then on Sunday the Under 20 Men were in action in the Kelvin Hall in the final of the Indoor League. They performed nobly although Peter Bowman was very tired after Saturday's exertions in Irvine. Results will be elsewhere on the blog but the timing of the two fixtures was not good for anybody. Simultaneously the Balloch - Clydebank Race was being held and officials were being sought - or rather stewards were being sought. Officials can be obtained via the governing body if you approach them early enough and you don't need to use your own for road races. Were we to write to graded officials as soon as we had the date for the Dunky Wright for instance then we would probably have more club members running in the race which does count for the Dunbartonshire Winter League.
This weekend we have the Dunky Wright on Saturday and I'll be down to see how the race goes and to shout on any CH member doing their bit for the club. I'm also available to steward or whatever if required. Then on Sunday there are the Young Athlete Road Race Championships at Rouken Glen and according to Phil we have a number of runners out there as well. I won't be there - I'm coming down to do a training session at Linwood in the morning on Saturday then going straight to the Dunky Wright in the afternoon. Having done that I'm reluctant to do the journey down from Lochearnhead the following day so good luck to all who are running - I look forward to seeing the results.
I was walking along a windy stretch near the Dragon Hill when one of the bigger girls dressed inappropriately for the weather in the tiniest of crop tops with lots of flesh on display in a very cold wind suddenly stopped and looked around for a bit and then hurled herself to the ground. Ten, maybe even five, years ago I would have gone to see what is wrong - but not any more. There were lots of girls running round and past her and teachers were only 300 yards or so away but I didn't think there was anything wrong since she had actually stopped and looked around before going to ground. I spoke to a couple of Sports Development Officers subsequently about it and they said I was right not to go to her assistance - the only explanation necessary being "It's 2010!" Mind you had I thought she was seriously hurt I would probably have done the wrong thing and gone to her assistance.
Then on Sunday the Under 20 Men were in action in the Kelvin Hall in the final of the Indoor League. They performed nobly although Peter Bowman was very tired after Saturday's exertions in Irvine. Results will be elsewhere on the blog but the timing of the two fixtures was not good for anybody. Simultaneously the Balloch - Clydebank Race was being held and officials were being sought - or rather stewards were being sought. Officials can be obtained via the governing body if you approach them early enough and you don't need to use your own for road races. Were we to write to graded officials as soon as we had the date for the Dunky Wright for instance then we would probably have more club members running in the race which does count for the Dunbartonshire Winter League.
This weekend we have the Dunky Wright on Saturday and I'll be down to see how the race goes and to shout on any CH member doing their bit for the club. I'm also available to steward or whatever if required. Then on Sunday there are the Young Athlete Road Race Championships at Rouken Glen and according to Phil we have a number of runners out there as well. I won't be there - I'm coming down to do a training session at Linwood in the morning on Saturday then going straight to the Dunky Wright in the afternoon. Having done that I'm reluctant to do the journey down from Lochearnhead the following day so good luck to all who are running - I look forward to seeing the results.
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Jack Crawford Springburn Cup 27th February
Here are photographs taken at this Event and sent to us courtesy of Brian McA.
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| This free photo slideshow made with Smilebox |
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
National Championships
It was a glorious day at Falkirk for the National Cross Country Championships on Saturday. Bright, sunny, a bit cold but nothing like recent freezing weather and an eminently runnable trail all made for good racing and the biggest turn out for several years. We as a club could have done with more runners on the start line but those who came all ran well up to their ability and the club should be pleased and proud of them. In the senior men's race the runners from the club totalled seven, we could have done with more but never mind, and after Gary Dick had to pull out injured we still had a counting team. The women were represented by Marina and Kath who seem to be the only ones prepared to race in the District or National Championships but four were needed to make a team. In a field where 186 women finished the course the girls were 66th and 86th - over 100 women behind them! Peter Bowman ran well in his race but was disappointed to be out of the top 20 - never mind Peter you will improve as time passes and many of those in front are pretty well guaranteed to drop out of the sport. A sad but true reflection on the sport! Less than 10% of those competing at Under 15 level survuve to the Senior Ranks. How's that for a statistic? Claire Reid did her usual solid run and with more experience and maybe some hard parkruns she should surely improve for next year. She could also have done with a couple of team mates - where were Kirsty and Dianne? There were two Under 20's running - Ryan Savage ran well but is currently concentrating on the 400 metres (although he missed the race in the Kelvin Hall in Sunday), David Brown dropped out and Ryan Nelson was stewarding at Celtic Park. With Rachel out ill Roisin was the only runner in the Under 13 race and was 63rd out of 113 athletes who finished. David Campbell again started a bit slowly but time will improve that and he can be happy with his fitness after the cross country season satisfied that he is in good shape for the summer season. Tony Dolan and Lewis Wood each had solid enough runs but it was unfortunate that club champion Connor Ewing was away playing football on the day.
In fact fourthe club champions from last week missed the National Championships for one reason or another.
Peter Rudzinski is the example to us all - I think it is 28 National Championships and a finisher in every one of them. Several times he has been a counter and without him there have been many occasions when Clydesdale Harriers Senior Men would not have finished a team. Placings in the National to a large extent decide how a club is regarded in the wider field of Scottish Athletics and placings in the National are decided by numbers. For some years now the numbers of club representatives in these races has been low. We need to do something about it whether it means recruiting new athletes or using the current members more appropriately for next year. I should say that it is not just a CH problem - I was speaking to a guy from an Eastern club on Saturday who had a team member out shopping with is wife (on the day of the National???) and another on holiday (on National day???) That doesn'r of course alter the fact that we do have a problem. Well at least those who were there all had a good time!
In fact fourthe club champions from last week missed the National Championships for one reason or another.
Peter Rudzinski is the example to us all - I think it is 28 National Championships and a finisher in every one of them. Several times he has been a counter and without him there have been many occasions when Clydesdale Harriers Senior Men would not have finished a team. Placings in the National to a large extent decide how a club is regarded in the wider field of Scottish Athletics and placings in the National are decided by numbers. For some years now the numbers of club representatives in these races has been low. We need to do something about it whether it means recruiting new athletes or using the current members more appropriately for next year. I should say that it is not just a CH problem - I was speaking to a guy from an Eastern club on Saturday who had a team member out shopping with is wife (on the day of the National???) and another on holiday (on National day???) That doesn'r of course alter the fact that we do have a problem. Well at least those who were there all had a good time!
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Races
I enjoyed the races at the club championship on Saturday. The trails for the races while difficult for the runners are great for the spectators and the scenery is among the most spectacular I have seen at any course. The competition was good too with a lot of quality on show among the young athletes. The girls, led by Rachel, Roisin and Claire, all seemed good and only need more racing. Rachel made a wee mistake in not listening too hard to the marksman at the start (the marksman is the chap who describes the course to the runners and tells them to keep their toes behind the line) and misjudging her finish. All runners make these mistakes it is a question of limiting how many you make - she's young enough to learn and next week is after all more important than last week. I once fell out with a club official after the West District Championship in Bellahouston Park in a similar situation. It was an Under 17 Boys race and Phil Dolan ran well but John Tonner had a poor run to finish inside the first ten but out of the first five and one of the club officials went across to him while he was still dripping sweat and started an inquest on his performance. I just barged in and told him that immediately after the race wasn't the time for the post mortem - John knew he had not run well and was even more upset and annoyed than he was. I told him to leave it to tomorrow when they had both calmed down and it would be more productive. He didn't speak to me for a week or more. "You're no in your classroom the now, you know!" was one of the milder remarks!!!
In the Seniors Paul Carroll deserved his win and rarely have I seen such determination in a race: may in Scotland will run faster this year but none will run harder. Gary Dick and Ian Robertson both ran well and if Gary can get his knees back into a painfree condition he will be a real threat. Ian just needs more conditioning and racing, I think. Pamela was a worthy winner of the Ladies race from Marina and Kath who both ran steady races on a difficult course.
Roll on Saturday - Falkirk is not as difficult as our trail.
In the Seniors Paul Carroll deserved his win and rarely have I seen such determination in a race: may in Scotland will run faster this year but none will run harder. Gary Dick and Ian Robertson both ran well and if Gary can get his knees back into a painfree condition he will be a real threat. Ian just needs more conditioning and racing, I think. Pamela was a worthy winner of the Ladies race from Marina and Kath who both ran steady races on a difficult course.
Roll on Saturday - Falkirk is not as difficult as our trail.
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Medals or What?
There is a wee article in Athletics Weekly this week called 'No prizes just for finishing please'. The writer goes back to the 1970's and prizes that were on offer then mentioning TV sets and fridges. It was certainly the case that in the big continental race such as Hannut in Belgium or San Sebastian in Spain that the prizes were things like those mentioned above. The race was on a Saturday and because there was difficulty in transporting the prizes back home, there was an auction of the prizes on the Sunday. (No law against a man selling his own property even if he has only owned it for 24 hours). The athletes won the prize on Saturday and sold it on Sunday. But it was also true in Scotland as well - where prizes when I started in the sport were things like rose bowls, fireside carpets and coffee tables (I won a Schreiber coffee table for the first handicap in the Clydebank to Helensburgh), by the 70's the prizes were becoming quite exotic. I know that we gave a TV as first prize for the Dunky Wright one year and on the understanding that the second prize was as important as the first in attracting talented athletes, the second prize also came in at over £100. A lot of money in the 70's.
The guy in AW this week goes on to say that nowadays runners find their house full of medals obtained just for finishing. He objects to this - and I do too - on the grounds that medals available to everybody mean nothing. He concludes 'If someone has just completed their first 10K then let them be justly proud of themselves. However the reward should come firstly in that achievement and secondly in being quicker next time round.'
On the other hand I feel that the Scottish Marathon Club when it existed encouraged budding marathon runners by having their own championships incorporated in open races - the Springburn 12, the Clydebank to Helensburgh 16, the Strathallan 21 and the Scottish Marathon which HAD to be included. They awarded certificates (first and second class) for these races and these were given to the athletes on the day. They provided documentary evidence of the time that the athlete turned in and they have proved very useful to many athletes and historians since. Examples of these certificates can be seen at my own website at www.ardbruach.org.uk/ATHLETICS.htm in the SMC section. They were much more useful than a tin medal or a cheap T shirt!
The guy in AW this week goes on to say that nowadays runners find their house full of medals obtained just for finishing. He objects to this - and I do too - on the grounds that medals available to everybody mean nothing. He concludes 'If someone has just completed their first 10K then let them be justly proud of themselves. However the reward should come firstly in that achievement and secondly in being quicker next time round.'
On the other hand I feel that the Scottish Marathon Club when it existed encouraged budding marathon runners by having their own championships incorporated in open races - the Springburn 12, the Clydebank to Helensburgh 16, the Strathallan 21 and the Scottish Marathon which HAD to be included. They awarded certificates (first and second class) for these races and these were given to the athletes on the day. They provided documentary evidence of the time that the athlete turned in and they have proved very useful to many athletes and historians since. Examples of these certificates can be seen at my own website at www.ardbruach.org.uk/ATHLETICS.htm in the SMC section. They were much more useful than a tin medal or a cheap T shirt!
Saturday, 16 January 2010
Glasgow Park Run
The email that just popped into the inbox just now indicated that only one club member took part in the Glasgow Parkrun this morning. Iain Robertson was having his first ever run in the event and finished fifth in 20:52. Well done, Iain. There might even be a picture on their official website which usually has a lot of good photographs.
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
Winter Training
I have had a couple of emails about the training some guys have been doing over Christmas and it is very encouraging to hear of club runners still getting the miles in. There's no real substitute for regular training and it is all too easy to miss a session because you don't like the weather (too cold - don't want to breathe in all that cold damp air, too icy - might slip and fall or injure myself, too foggy or misty - can't be good for you, or the worst of all is your girl friend, wife or partner saying "You're not going out in THAT!!!" I had an email at the weekend from a veteran marathon runner with 40 (yes, FORTY) marathons sub 2:30 of which nine were sub 2:20 to his credit. He had gone out for 8.5 miles and it had taken him 75 minutes because of rutted snow. The point is that he did it.
I have been looking recently at training programmes for runners like John Graham, Allister Hutton, Don McGregor and company and they were all at one time or another doing 100+ miles per week. Even guys like Cliff Brown and myself were up at 3000 miles per year at one point. You need to get the base work done. You don't get it done by not going out when it gets tough.
Some of the best fun was had in snow - there was the year when I went for a run over the very snowy Kilpatricks with a very young Bobby Shields and Ian Logie and after getting as far as the Stockiemuir Road we turned back and Ian decided to run across a frozen lochan. Even before health and safety I decided it wasn't a good idea and hurried things along - no way was he getting the kiss of life!!! Then we used to have an inter club with Vicky Park and Garscube at Milngavie the Saturday before the National - there were no races the week before the National or on the weekend of the National - in February. I used to run over from Faifley where we lived, do the run and get a lift home from David Bowman. One year there was serious snow but didn't realise how deep it had drifted in places on the Moors. On the run down to Craigton Schoolhouse there was a well concealed snowdrift and I went right in up to my hips: the legs stopped running but the body kept going! Face first into the snow. The inter club was a bit of an ordeal that year! I have a video clip that I got from Johnny B MacLachlan of the Christmas Handicap in snow - it started in Killers' Lane, went up and the down Barnes Street, left up Mill Road and on to the canal bank and back along the canal bank to the start at the Killers' Lane. (It as called the Killers Lane because there was a slaughterhouse near the Kilbowie Road end). There were about 20 participants that year - all men and youths (Under 17). One or two sank to their knees after the race - I'm not sure whether it was fatigue or a prayer of relief that it was over. I also had - maybe still have - some pictures of Derek's boys throwing snowballs at each other before a race just north of the Boulevard.
Despite all the fun that we all had, there have been several race cancellations this year already - the Nigel Barge!!!! - including the relay at Strathclyde Park this weekend. I was hoping to get along if the thaw helped me get the car out - it hasn't been out since 22nd December and neither have I. I believe the Jack Crawford is still on ....
I have been looking recently at training programmes for runners like John Graham, Allister Hutton, Don McGregor and company and they were all at one time or another doing 100+ miles per week. Even guys like Cliff Brown and myself were up at 3000 miles per year at one point. You need to get the base work done. You don't get it done by not going out when it gets tough.
Some of the best fun was had in snow - there was the year when I went for a run over the very snowy Kilpatricks with a very young Bobby Shields and Ian Logie and after getting as far as the Stockiemuir Road we turned back and Ian decided to run across a frozen lochan. Even before health and safety I decided it wasn't a good idea and hurried things along - no way was he getting the kiss of life!!! Then we used to have an inter club with Vicky Park and Garscube at Milngavie the Saturday before the National - there were no races the week before the National or on the weekend of the National - in February. I used to run over from Faifley where we lived, do the run and get a lift home from David Bowman. One year there was serious snow but didn't realise how deep it had drifted in places on the Moors. On the run down to Craigton Schoolhouse there was a well concealed snowdrift and I went right in up to my hips: the legs stopped running but the body kept going! Face first into the snow. The inter club was a bit of an ordeal that year! I have a video clip that I got from Johnny B MacLachlan of the Christmas Handicap in snow - it started in Killers' Lane, went up and the down Barnes Street, left up Mill Road and on to the canal bank and back along the canal bank to the start at the Killers' Lane. (It as called the Killers Lane because there was a slaughterhouse near the Kilbowie Road end). There were about 20 participants that year - all men and youths (Under 17). One or two sank to their knees after the race - I'm not sure whether it was fatigue or a prayer of relief that it was over. I also had - maybe still have - some pictures of Derek's boys throwing snowballs at each other before a race just north of the Boulevard.
Despite all the fun that we all had, there have been several race cancellations this year already - the Nigel Barge!!!! - including the relay at Strathclyde Park this weekend. I was hoping to get along if the thaw helped me get the car out - it hasn't been out since 22nd December and neither have I. I believe the Jack Crawford is still on ....
Sunday, 10 January 2010
BUPA Inter District Races in Edinburgh
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For an armchair watcher from the comfort of the home fireside one of the highlights was to hear Brendan Foster telling me that Tirunesh Dibaba was "literally skating along...." which might have had some bearing on the final result. That will be the same Brendan Foster who reported one athlete in a race last winter to be "literally ploughing his way through the field ...." on a day of serious mud underfoot. My own favourite of all time was when Harry Wilson was a pundit at the Olympics and commenting on a race won by Dick Quax of New Zealand his line was "Quax running second off the bend....... then a quick change of legs and away he goes." A change of legs in the finishing straight would be welcome to most runners I think.
Changing subject - last night I had a phone call from a former Harrier who has been in New Zealand for about 40 years, maybe more. Donald MacKenzie phoned from Auckland just for a blether. He had copies of the last three books and commented at one point that Mike Ryan, ex-Forth Valley AC, who has also been in NZ for about the same time, had snaffled one of the books - he had been quite friendly with Ian Donald and pinched the book with the bit about Ian in it. Mike was a top class athlete who emigrated to North Island and took New Zealand citizenship. He ran marathons very successfully: he won in Fukuoka in Japan, he was second in the Commonwealth Games and third in the Olympics. I remember him coming down to the Baths in Bruce Street with the Forth Valley club for an inter club. Inter clubs were held to fill in blank Saturdays on the calendar with clubs coming together for pack runs with slow, medium and fast packs going out over the same trail at about 10 minute intervals. The slow and medium packs had left when Mike arrived late, we waited for him to get changed and then he ran away and left us at the start of the second lap of the country. Thanks, Mike!
Why not bring back the inter club fixture? They were great fun and got us around the country and providing new trails and varied training throughout the winter. We used to have home and aways with Greenock Glenpark, Springburn, Victoria Park and at times Garscube Harriers. There were also runs at other times with Forth Valley, Dumbarton AAC, Vale of Leven AAC and even Shettleston Harriers.
Anyway, Donald says that if any Harier is in NZ on holiday then to get in touch and he will be glad to meet them and show them around or just have a chat. There are Harriers everywhere but I know of at least four in North Island right now. And then there are the half dozen in Canada.................
Wednesday, 30 December 2009
A Couple of High Points
It's traditional at this time of year to look back at the old year and comment on its high and low points but I'll stick to the high spots. The first is what was to me the performance of the year by any Harrier of any age in any event and that was Aileen Scott's win in the 24 hour race at Tooting Bec in London. She came through the marathon in about 4 hours, 100 miles were done in just over 19 hours and in 24 hours she covered 117 miles 610 yards. Quite outstanding. Next year the dates for the race are 25th/26th September at Tooting Bec so how about switching from Brampton to London for the occasion? Aileen has of course also run the West Highland Way Race three times setting a pb every time.
For the men, well for me Prasad's win and record setting in the uphill only Aonach Mhor race was the best single performance - and he almost beat the timekeepers to the finish too. The gondola taking the officials up the hill broke down and they sat there for a bit watching the race before it got back into motion and got them to the finish. His feat of running up Ben Ledi over 100 times in a year is also pretty breathtaking. After a year bedevilled by illness he is hopeful of running in the National.
Among the boysI think that Peter Bowman was the athlete of the year with a series of personal best performances and consistently operating at a high level. With steady regular incremental improvements he will get there. He might not have it all his own way in future though with boys like David Campbell and others all performing well. Tony Dolan is in the unfortunate position that while he seems eminently suited to running the longer distances his competitive outings are restricted by what scottishathletics deem suitable. There are many boys in Scotland with this problem but so long as he keeps working away and developing his speed as well as his strength, we'll see success come our way. Among the girls, the one who caught the eye with her regular competition outings and frequent pb's was Roisin O'Shea and her progress over the longer distances should be watched carefully. Rachel Busby was a bit unfortunate in her year with progress impeded by Sever's Disease but she should come good in 2010. There are also many good girls who, if we can keep them working should do us as a club proud - Claire Reid, Diane Nicholson, Kirsty Alexander, Kirsty Kelly and Beth Atkinson are the main names here.
The most intriguing group of the year is the Men's Under 20's. With the talent of Johnathan Farrell and Ryan Nelson any foursome could do well, add in Ryan Nelson and David Brown if he is fit and there is a group of four that could challenge any Senior group of four in any race on the track or over any distance up to 10000 metres. Then next winter Peter Bowman joins in with them and you have five yougnsters that any club would be delighted to have on board. Roll on next year.
For the men, well for me Prasad's win and record setting in the uphill only Aonach Mhor race was the best single performance - and he almost beat the timekeepers to the finish too. The gondola taking the officials up the hill broke down and they sat there for a bit watching the race before it got back into motion and got them to the finish. His feat of running up Ben Ledi over 100 times in a year is also pretty breathtaking. After a year bedevilled by illness he is hopeful of running in the National.
Among the boysI think that Peter Bowman was the athlete of the year with a series of personal best performances and consistently operating at a high level. With steady regular incremental improvements he will get there. He might not have it all his own way in future though with boys like David Campbell and others all performing well. Tony Dolan is in the unfortunate position that while he seems eminently suited to running the longer distances his competitive outings are restricted by what scottishathletics deem suitable. There are many boys in Scotland with this problem but so long as he keeps working away and developing his speed as well as his strength, we'll see success come our way. Among the girls, the one who caught the eye with her regular competition outings and frequent pb's was Roisin O'Shea and her progress over the longer distances should be watched carefully. Rachel Busby was a bit unfortunate in her year with progress impeded by Sever's Disease but she should come good in 2010. There are also many good girls who, if we can keep them working should do us as a club proud - Claire Reid, Diane Nicholson, Kirsty Alexander, Kirsty Kelly and Beth Atkinson are the main names here.
The most intriguing group of the year is the Men's Under 20's. With the talent of Johnathan Farrell and Ryan Nelson any foursome could do well, add in Ryan Nelson and David Brown if he is fit and there is a group of four that could challenge any Senior group of four in any race on the track or over any distance up to 10000 metres. Then next winter Peter Bowman joins in with them and you have five yougnsters that any club would be delighted to have on board. Roll on next year.
Tuesday, 29 December 2009
Festive Feet!
Despite the dreadful weather in the past couple of weeks, those who wanted a race seemed to get one. In the Turkey Trot in Ayr, John McArthur was the only club man running and he finished sixteenth in 38:41 to make him fourth M40 veteran. There were more involved at the Cambuslang Down by the River races over 10K and 3K. In the 10K Alex McDonald (40:53), Marie Rippon (41:14) and Christine Duncanson (41:56) were 48th, 49th and 50th. I believe that Roisin McShea had a run in the 3K and although the results are not on the website my information is that she was second in a good time of 11:15. Meanwhile with an eye on the upcoming indoor league match, Rachel Busby went into the Kelvin Hall meeting where she ran in the 800 and ran 2:53. Looking good for a pb she stitched badly near the finish and had to slow just a bit. Nevertheless she's one athlete up for the League Match on Sunday, 3rd January.
It was a pity that the Christmas Handicap had to be cancelled - it's the first time in my memory that it has happened and being so close to Christmas there was no opportunity to redate. It is more disappointing because the Seniors and The Juniuors don't mix much these days and for one of the few opportunities for this to happen to be sacrificed to the weather is a pity. Never mind - the Seniors can give Donald and Phil a hand in the Kelvin Hall on Sunday morning - we are obliged to put up four officials on the day and the more hands on deck the better. Of course you might just want to go up and give the athletes your support.
It was a pity that the Christmas Handicap had to be cancelled - it's the first time in my memory that it has happened and being so close to Christmas there was no opportunity to redate. It is more disappointing because the Seniors and The Juniuors don't mix much these days and for one of the few opportunities for this to happen to be sacrificed to the weather is a pity. Never mind - the Seniors can give Donald and Phil a hand in the Kelvin Hall on Sunday morning - we are obliged to put up four officials on the day and the more hands on deck the better. Of course you might just want to go up and give the athletes your support.
Saturday, 19 December 2009
..... And Peter!
After me saying I'm taking a week off, there are two bits of news that need to be posted here. First I heard of Roisin and now the word is that Peter Bowman has also been chosen for the West team at Holyrood as well! Roisin is Under 13, Peter is Under 17 and it has been a while since we had ONE member on the West team never mind two at the same time. Congratulations to both of the athletes concerned as well as their back up team of Mum, Dad and of course Phil! There were a couple of others who couldn't have been far away so next year could be even better.
Well Done Roisin!
I've just had news that has cheered me up quite a bit. Roisin McShea has just heard that she has been selected to run for the West of Scotland at Holyrood Park, Edinburgh on ninth January. The experience of racing on the trail and in the presence of the best of athletes should be really good for her. Given her recent form on the country she should do well and bring credit to herself, her family and the club as well.
She celebrated by running in the Parkrun 5000 metres this morning where the icy roads affected all the times. Club times were Gerry Montgomery, 5th, 18:31, Bobby Young, 19th, 20:13, Marina McCallum, 20th, 20:24, Michael Diver, 23rd, 20:46, Roisin McShea, 25th, 21:17, Marie Rippon, 73rd, 25:27.
Well done Roisin - gi'e it laldy!
She celebrated by running in the Parkrun 5000 metres this morning where the icy roads affected all the times. Club times were Gerry Montgomery, 5th, 18:31, Bobby Young, 19th, 20:13, Marina McCallum, 20th, 20:24, Michael Diver, 23rd, 20:46, Roisin McShea, 25th, 21:17, Marie Rippon, 73rd, 25:27.
Well done Roisin - gi'e it laldy!
Thursday, 17 December 2009
SVHC Christmas Handicap
The Scottish Veterans Christmas Handicap was held at Cartha Rugby Club on the thirteenth of December with three club members taking part. Pete Cartwright was the first to finish when he crossed the line in ninth place with a time of 36:47 just three places up on the younger Bobby Young who was timed at 36:11. The only woman from the club racing was Pamela McCrossan who was third woman, fourteenth overall and recorded 38:42.The men were first and second in their class and Pamela was first on her category. Well done folks.
Monday, 7 December 2009
Two points about the West District
There were several interesting points about the West Districts such as the mix of older and younger members in the team and Michael's excellent performance but I want to draw attention to two in particular. The first Harrier to beat an Eritrean racing for Shettleston Harriers was on Saturday. Step forward Marina! Amleset Tewelde is a class athlete who performed well for most of last winter. Now it's up to the men to follow suit.
Second the men's teams were the first local club to finish in the men's races being 63 points ahead of Garscube and with no VP team out the question has to be "what happened to us the week before?" The Men's Vets were also first County team to finish - they were fifth with 199 points while Westerlands were seventh with 267. Helensburgh ninth with 288, Garscube eleventh with 326 and again no VP team out. so how come we were so far back the week before?
Finally I have had an email from Frank McGowan in Spain where he has set up a training camp with John Graham (the Olympic and Commonwealth marathon runner) and they have started on a website of their own at www.jfpacemakers.com where you can get some of the details of the area and their abbreviated life stories. One of the stories is that John Graham wants to join the club. John was a notoriously hard trainer and at one time he took his dog with him on training runs to give it some exercise but it had a heart attack and had to be restricted to less demanding walkies! Watch this space!
Second the men's teams were the first local club to finish in the men's races being 63 points ahead of Garscube and with no VP team out the question has to be "what happened to us the week before?" The Men's Vets were also first County team to finish - they were fifth with 199 points while Westerlands were seventh with 267. Helensburgh ninth with 288, Garscube eleventh with 326 and again no VP team out. so how come we were so far back the week before?
Finally I have had an email from Frank McGowan in Spain where he has set up a training camp with John Graham (the Olympic and Commonwealth marathon runner) and they have started on a website of their own at www.jfpacemakers.com where you can get some of the details of the area and their abbreviated life stories. One of the stories is that John Graham wants to join the club. John was a notoriously hard trainer and at one time he took his dog with him on training runs to give it some exercise but it had a heart attack and had to be restricted to less demanding walkies! Watch this space!
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