Steve C's 30th Birthday OCP, and Ice Bucket Nonsense

On Friday we ran to OCP to have a beer in celebration of Steve Carnie's 30th birthday.  We don't normally need an excuse to run to the pub on Friday but it just so happened that on this occasion we had one.  This was the 2nd of at least 3 birthday celebrations that Steve had that I know about!  Good effort - it is a landmark birthday after all.

Wait...who is taking the photo?!

Kata and I ran Arthur's Seat on Monday.  It was good to run with Kata again and she needed the run to boost her confidence ahead of The Beast this coming weekend.  She is still recovering from her injury.  We ran 10km in a nice time (not to fast, not to slow) and I am certain that The Beast will not be a problem.  In fact it'll be fun! 

Not running related but also in the news is all this ice bucket stuff that has over-run my Facebook feed like a Russian aid convoy in Ukraine (and about as welcome).  I was eventually and inevitably nominated and not wishing to b a spoilsport, I partook of the challenge along with Kata and Jess.  Here's the evidence.  

Sporting my "I Believe in the Blerch" shirt

If you think you hear bad language in this video, you don't.  It's actually Hungarian for "cold".  Yeah. That's it.  Hungarian for "cold". 

5km PB and Animal Print

I've discovered the secret to the perfect pre-race preparation.  I managed a 24 second PB at Park Run today (20:56 - broke the 21 minute barrier!) and that was after a night of lager and Chinese food.  I think I owe it to myself to drink lager and eat Chinese food every day now - my running performance depends on it!

Progress!

And this time it counts.

Delighted with the PB.  Beating 21 minutes was something that I have been aiming for for weeks.  Today the conditions were alright (slight breeze) and I had ran a 21:01 during the Soup Run race so I knew I had a good chance.  Also I started the day with an Alka Seltzer and was loaded on carbs, sugar, and MSG so what could go wrong?!

My PB was somewhat overshadowed (rightly) by the Trotettes celebrating Amelia's hen do by running the race dressed in animal print.  It was pretty funny.  They took it easy and jogged the race (to avoid chafing I imagine) and I heard them before I saw them on the way back!  Hen-dos are always noisy affairs.  I also got a high-five from Kata when I passed her on the way back which was nice.

Why is it so hard for Trotettes to hide?  Because they are always spotted.  

I ran back home from the race with Rachel.  At first when she suggested it seemed like madness but once I thought about it for a moment I decided, "why not?".  It was a good run back at a good pace and I enjoyed it.  So that's two runs today but unfortunately I can't store them up and have a rest tomorrow.  :-)  Rachel suggested finishing the 365 running challenge (optimism - I like it) with a marathon.  Not a bad idea.  I'll think about it.  Then Kata suggested I organise MY OWN marathon.  Hmm.....  I'll wait until a bit further into the challenge before I think about the end.  There is still plenty that can go wrong between now and then.  In the mean time, it's all going very well.

I had to crop this picture for the sake of decency.  Children might be reading this blog!  I think I might need to bin these shorts :-/

The ACTUAL Soup Run

According to The Runner's Rule Book, the definition of a "route" is:

"When two or more runners in your group can refer to it by name without confusion or need for further description". 

Well Soup Run is a route, but it's called 'Soup Run' because it's the route of the Royal Bank of Scotland charity 4 mile race and you get soup at the end.  Simple really.  It's sponsored by local cafe/bistro The Roamin' Nose who provide the free soup.  Roamin' Nose is great for lunch and also for quiet drinks of an evening with live music the last Sunday of every month.  

This is my best race photo ever (just started though).  Kata needs to take ALL my race photos.  

Today was the race and despite not working for RBS anymore I rocked up, paid my £2 and took part.   The race was a success for the organisers and also a personal success for me.  I actually ran a 5k PB during this race (21 mins exactly) but obviously it doesn't count as an official PB because it wasn't a 5k race.  It is encouraging for the next Park Run though.

Damn it!   Doesn't count.  

I did get a haircut yesterday which probably made me more streamlined and shaved a few grams off.

I finished the race in 28 mins 06 secs and was actually first to cross the line.  I didn't win however because I mis-judged my handicap and went off in the middle group of runners, 5 minutes ahead of those that expected to finish < 30 mins.  Rachel for example finished 3 minutes after me but in a time of 26 minutes.  Well done Rachel.

2 minutes faster than me but 3 minutes behind me...
(Also she's 'doing a Steve' and has her eyes closed for the photo)

Some credit for my time must go to the guy that I ran with the whole way round.  At first I was in a group of 3 or 4 but after about 3km it was just the two of us the whole way around.  He certainly pushed me on and fortunately I still had some energy left at the last 500m to up the pace and finish in a very good time for me.  

Thanks to this guy for pushing me on (whether he knew it or not). 

Day 76 is completed and despite a niggling pain in my right hip,  the running run runs on.  I'm looking forward to day 78 when we run OCP (another route with no explanation required) for Steve Carnie's 30th birthday.  

Pechin'

PB and ICE ID

Cant do a PB every thine I suppose.  Park Run was completed in 21mins 30secs.  It wasn't too bad a time actually considering that it was 10 seconds off my PB, that I had ran a 10km PB the evening before, and that it was very windy.  I mean even for Edinburgh Park Run it was very windy.  In the words of the official race report, "Mr wind was in da house".  :-/

Here's me running that super windy race - why do I always have my eyes closed in race photos?

Note the swept back hair - weather induced and not deliberate! Who's the smiley guy two behind me?  Why can't I look like that in race photos?  He's either the world's happiest runner or else he's not trying hard enough!

Also on the way back from the Park Run, I went by the post office to collect my RoadID wrist band (not a bracelet, definitely not a bracelet).  Here it is.  

It's like a little collar for cats but for joggers.  I think you can buy a bell attachment so you can't sneak up on cyclists.  

When reading The Runners Rule Book there was a section on wearing ID bracelets wrist bands when out running.  The author said that he always wears one when he runs and that so should you.  I thought this was good advice.  Twice through a combination of exhaustion and stupidity I have ran out on to the road in front of a car and both times I actually thought to myself that I should carry ID in case my luck runs out.  I didn't know that ID bracelets wrist bands existed and now that I own one I will be wearing it all the time.  I have tested it out a couple of times now and it is comfortable to run in. Hopefully I will never need it but now that I am running EVERY DAY, I suppose I am statistically more likely to have an accident or fall ill while running.  At £12 plus P&P it's a no-brainer.    

Bella Belter 10km Road Race - New PB!

This was the  PB that I wanted!  The 10km PB of 44:52 set in 2012 at The Mens Health Forum 10k in Glasgow.  I have never got below 45mins since and it's always been the target.  In 2013 at the same event I ran a very annoying 45:02 (and nearly vomited at the finish line in the process).  I have been running really well recently, and the conditions were perfect on the day of the confusingly named Bella Belter race in Pollok Park (named for the organising Bellahouston Harriers I believe, not the venue).  It was dry, cool, the course was flat, I was fit and light (all things are relative) and I was hopeful if not optimistic that I could run a PB.  And I did.  By some margin.  I ran in at 43:02.

Still taking start line selfies. Number 113.  Yesterday I was 213.   Spooky!

My Garmin Forerunner 310 is being repaired at the moment so I am using my old Garmin Forerunner 10.  The Forerunner 10 is really neat, it's small, light, and simple, but it doesn't tell me all the information I want on one screen.  It was telling me my lap times every 1km and I calculated in my head at about 8km that I might be able to do a 43 minute something.  Prior to the race I had no idea what pace I had to run to do 43 mins because I was aiming for sub 4:30 per km to get below 45 mins.   So when I crossed the line and I heard the nice lady say, "something, something, blah, blah, :02", my first reaction was "NNNOOOO!!!!!".  I thought I'd come in at 44:02 and just missed out on 43 mins something.  Then I checked my watch.   At first I was delighted and then I was a bit annoyed because if I'd just checked my watch 30 seconds ago I'm certain I could have found 3 seconds to bring my time in under 43 mins.  Lesson learned.  But I am very happy.

Baby Hielan' Coos at Pollok Park.  Surely the cutest thing ever? 

I know that the hardest race you've ever ran is the one you have just ran or the one you are still running, but having now run a few half-marathons and many 5km races, I think 10km is the toughest distance.  It is for me anyway.  It's the mixture of distance and speed that the other two don't have that make it so tough(for me) .  10km is still my favourite distance and that's why  despite recently setting 5km and half-marathon bests, this PB means the most to me.

The finish line.  Not many people here yet because I was so fast! :-D

Very well organised and friendly race again and I really hope to run the full Tour of Clydeside next year if it is held again.  I only ran the last two races of the series but they were both excellent and a credit to the organisers.  They deserve more than the relatively small number of runners that took part - but maybe the intimate nature of the runs partly make them what the are?  Also I love the starter pistol.  You don't get enough starter pistols at races.  

So that was Day 71 and I keep on running.  Next up is the 250th Edinburgh Park Run and 21mins 21secs to beat!!!

N.B. A significant improvement on my 2009 time!

Mugdock Meander Trail Race

I wasn't able to run the Tour of Clydeside due to my rubbish, weak back.  But I was able today to run the Mugdock Meander which is part of it.  It was a really nice, intimate race.  Well organised and friendly.

It was my second ever trail race and I enjoyed it.  There were great views overlooking Glasgow and the park itself was nice.  I'd like to come back and check it out when I am not pegging through it like a polyester clad idiot.  

Earlier in the day the rain was biblical!  It had thankfully stopped by the time of the race but the conditions underfoot were to say the least.....wet.  There were huge muddy puddles that were unavoidable so off we all went straight through the middle of them.  The first 1km I could hear the laughter as racers splashed happily thorough the water obstacles, by 3km I couldn't hear laughing anymore.  :-)

The...ummm....start.  

The course was a loop but I never checked it out properly because the 2nd time I passed the ruined castle I realised it wasn't ONE loop.  Never mind.  No matter.  

2 loops

As a note, I had a sore right shoulder when running.  This used to happen to me years ago when I played at running and was total rubbish.  It's a one-off at the moment so I won't worry but I'll keep an eye on it.  

Milling about at the start.  It's wet underfoot. 

Experience gained from this race.  If the organisers advise what type of shoe to wear.  Wear the shoes they advise!  It was said that road shoes were fine despite it being a trail race.  Well I have trail shoes so I am damn well wearing them.  Wrong!  It was a trail race but it was basically tarmac.  I mean it looked like it had been laid as part of the 1901 (Googled it) tarmac pilot scheme and since then had been used for the annual Highland Cow migration route, but it was tarmac of a sort.  Trail shoes were a bit stiff and a bit slippy.  

Proudly wearing my race number.  I need to race with friends though.  I can't be that guy taking selfies of himself at the start line.  

At the end of the race I noticed that all the runners were absolutely steaming!  You could tell by looking at them!!!!!  At first I though someone had a barbecue on the go (in this weather) then I though someone was smoking (after a race?), then I noticed the haze of steam rising from all of the assembled finishers.  Science!

I finished the race in 32mins 13secs and I know this is the official time because I heard the nice lady say it when I crossed the finish line.  

Oh yeah, and this is Day 70 of consecutive running.  

Run to the Hills! The Caerketton Hill Race

Wednesday I ran another hill race.  It's becoming a bad habit.  I only discovered I was doing this race at about 11 o'clock on the day.  I am still a bit gutted that I am not running the Tour of Clydeside so any excuse to race really.

On the way up near the start.  I started too slowly.

So it was a short race distance wise but it was a very challenging climb.  It was 3.6km but a 300m climb.  To put it into perspective, Arthur's Seat is about 250m.  From the top of Caerketton Hill the view was beautiful and it was a bit unsettling to be looking DOWN on Arthur's Seat and The Craggs.

Arthur's Seat & The Craggs.  Photos from Kata - I was too busy running.  

Very efficient from the organisers, Carnethy - the results are already in and I completed this ordeal in 27mins 14secs.  I'm quite pleased with that actually.

Kudos to my shoes!  They are amazing downhill and really grip into the mud.  I have total confidence in them and can just concentrate on running fast.  The only time I nearly lost balance was when I saw an alternative and better route at the last minute and tried to change direction too sharply at speen on a steep slope.  I recovered my balance and took the better route.

Kata was there again to cheer me and others on and again it was great to see and hear her on the home stretch.  She took my by surprise because she actually made it quite far up the hill and I saw her well before I expected too.

Love this picture.  It's just me because everyone else is so far behind me.  Or something.  

Red and green should never be seen....

But the shoes are so awesome! 

Could have taken the chair lift? 

This wasn't the steepest bit.  This is also a false summit.  

 Overtook quite a few people on my way down.  Partly down to my shoes awesomeness and partly down to mine :-)

My take-away learning from this hill race (and in hindsight from Berwick Law too) is to set off fast to get ahead of the slower folk.  You tend to get stuck behind them at narrow sections of the uphill and it really slows you down.  I was able to overtake again on wider bits, but I feel I let myself down a wee bit on the uphill.  Ah well - racing is about experience too and I'll know next time (next time!!!!).

Almost Makes Me Want to Run a Marathon.... sad News about Robin Williams

Sadly, Robin Williams passed away today.  Shocking news to wake up to - I'm sad.

Anyway, this is him being funny and (kind of) telling a joke about running.

Injuries or Whinge-uries?

The purpose of this blog is to record my progress towards 365 days of running.  So here's an update on progress - I am injured.  Nothing too bad, it's not going to stop me, but it's worth noting in case it becomes significant.

I think it was Carrie Craig that once described an injury to me as a "whinge-ury" and I thought it was hilarious.  I am not sure where my current afflictions sit on the injury/winge-ury scale. 

First of all - my toe.  Second toe on my right foot is bruised.  Kata says it's from the hill race because it's the toe that sticks out furthest and it gets pressure applied to it going down hill.  It's sore when I run in my Mizuno Wave Rider 16 shoes, but my slightly looser Mizuno Wave Rider 17 shoes don't bother it.  Problem solved!  Verdict?  Whinge-ury.  

Second, my lower back is sore.  I have had a bad lower back for years and years and last September I was badly afflicted to the point I couldn't get out of bed, so I am always wary of feeling anything in my back.  Today I just went out for a wee 5km run and it was manageable but I am super paranoid.  I did pilates this morning after the run and I am going to try to keep that up every day.  I do not want a sore back again full stop, never mind the devastating impact it will have on this challenge.  I have also decided best not to run the Clydeside races I was going to this week.   I am going to take it easy this week and see how it goes.  Verdict?  Injury.  

In the mean time here is a picture of Kata out running for tho first time since her own injury.  We managed a wee 3km yesterday easing her back in and an easy one for me too after Saturday's half-marathon.  

Haddington Half Marathon - New PB!

Yesterday I ran the Haddington Half Marathon and recorded a new PB for the distance.  Results aren't in yet but I timed myself at 1:41:34 which is a significant improvement on my previous PB at Harris of 1:47:11. UPDATE:  Results are in and my official time is recorded at 1:47:31.  I'll take it!

Haddington Half Marathon by laverst1 at Garmin Connect - Details

The course is described as undulating and it is.  It seems to be constantly up and down like a roller coaster.  There are not many flat sections and there are a couple of big hills, but compered to the hills on my previous half-marathons on Skye and Harris, it was like running on a salt flat!  It was a really tough race though.  I pushed myself hard and was aiming to beat my PB and even get under 1hr 45mins.  I knew that to achieve 1hr 45mins I had to do every kilometre in 4:59 or less so I was racing myself and my Garmin the whole way around.  Between kilometres 5 and 6, I slowed right down from 4:32 to 5:05.  After seeing 5:05 on my Garmin I slightly panicked and upped the pace again, finishing kilometre 7 in 4:50.  Of the 21 and a bit kilometres I ran, I only went above 5mins 3 times, and it was this that produced the time that I am so pleased with.

Concentrating?

My quads were stiff and sore from the Berwick Law hill race on Wednesday and at about the 4 mile marker I really started to feel them and had to toughen up mentally and push myself on.  I can't really use my stiff quads as an excuse, because that's basically like using the excuse that I wasn't fit enough!  It was one of the hardest races I've ever ran due to the challenge I set myself and the distance.

The weather was typical Scottish running weather.  I was able to at any point in the race complain to myself about the wind or else it being to hot!  

This race was also remarkable for being the first time I tried an energy gel.  There was a water station just after 7 miles and I decided I would take the gel just before that, allowing me to dispose of the packet at the water station, and also I can get rid of the taste if necessary!  I don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't this.  It was OK.  Bit weird and a lot more liquid than I was expecting.  I have no idea if it helped.  The only way I would find out is if I re-ran the race without it and I have no intention of doing so.

So it was tough, but I had a great result and it's a great race.  It's small, intimate, and the course is nice.  I'd recommend it to anyone thinking about a half marathon.  The standard seemed to be quite high and it's mainly club runners that take part.  I didn't notice anyone running in flippers or dressed in a deep sea diving suit!

Still loving the half marathon distance and looking forward to my next challenge of sub 1hr 40mins.

Delirious?

Berwick Law Hill Race

Last of today's 3 updates....

Yesterday I ran the Berwick Law Hill Race.  It was my second hill race and the first one where I didn't get lost.  It would have been quite difficult to get lost as it was only 4.8km and in the middle of North Berwick.  Great race.  Really enjoyed it and completed it in a good time of 27mins 21secs.  Or at least I think that was my time - I am not sure where the finish line was :-D

UPDATE:  Results are in - 27mins 23 secs is the official time.

Cool number.  And upside down it compliments my Hell Fell Raiser shoes!

The run up the hill is brutally steep but there were a few wide sections where I was able to run past slower, walking speed racers. I mean I was walking up it mostly too, but it was a short race so I decided that the pain of running a short burst to get by people was worth it because...well...it's a short race.  On the way back down my Salomon Fell Raisers did their job brilliantly.  I totally trusted their grip and could just concentrate on a speedy decent without worrying about falling to my death or embarrassment.  Kata's advice on running down hills (lean forward, tiny steps) worked well and I kept it in mind.  It'll be a long time before I am as confident running downhill as Kata, but her coaching did me proud.  Also, Kata was photographing her friends and I (she's still injured) and it was great to hear her cheering me on as I ran into the park at the home stretch of the race.  I heard her before I saw her and it was a nice boost.  The whole town seemed to be out to watch and cheer the runners on, and there were a few pipers too.  I felt like a hero on final straight.  There was a gentleman trying to catch me on the final straight and he sounded like he was on the verge of a heart attack.  He was really forcing it.  I decided he deserved it and maintained my speed and so kind of 'let' him past.  Maybe pushing someone harder who is already on the verge of cardiac arrest wouldn't have been wise?!

Great race.  It's tough but nice and short.  I'd definitely do it again. 

Oh yeah, and lest we forget, that was day 62.  

Couple of Trotters.  They guy on the right (Don) in the REALLY crappy vest won the race.  

This girl won the race too.  First lady.  A good day for HBT.  

This is Brian.  I caught and passed him at the top.  Collecting an extra band (the band proves you made it to the top) by mistake, then dropping it, then stopping to pick it up helped me pass him.  :-D

There's me.  Looking cool?

Blurry because I am running so fast......

There's Carrie.  

That's YP (Robin).  

Home stretch.....

Everyone that takes part is a winner.  There are no losers at the Berwick Law Hill Race.

Abby is laughing.  I am almost certain that's what Abby is doing - laughing.  Or maybe sneezing.

Abby and I.

Long Run and Celeb Spotting

On Tuesday I went for a long run down to Silverknowes, on to the Park Run course and back again.  17km give or take.  I have in my head that I am going to run the Haddington Half Marathon on Saturday so I fancied a long run to get my legs used to being out for that long.

It was a decent run, and when I reached the turning point which is normally 2.5km into the Park Run, but was about 8 or 9km into this run, I felt fresh.  It was at this point I realised that the run back uphill was going to be murder!  2.5km into Park Run I am normally wheezing like the penguin from Toy Story.  The run back was indeed tough, but I enjoyed the run while I was running it, and was quite pleased with myself when I was finished it.  I also ran around the loop at the top of the Park Run course anti-clockwise just for a laugh and to mix things up a bit.  :-/

The run was also notable for being the end of my Jaybird Bluebird earphones.  Frankly they having been doing my nut in!  They will not stay in place.  Sweaty ears men they slip out all the time.  The controls on the wire mean that when the wire inevitably bounces up and down, the extra weight helps pull the buds out of your ear.  Plus when running in the rain they were randomly turning themselves off and dialling the last number I called (see Glasgow blog entry).  For a £150 pair of earphones that are marketed at runners, not good enough.  I have since replaced them but more of that later.

The run took me through Edinburgh Good and Edinburgh not so good.  See the pics for details.  Also, just as I was running back into Comely Bank, who did I run past but none other than Commonwealth Games 800m silver medalist, Lynsey Sharp.  When I say "ran past" I mean going the opposite direction, I didn't overtake her or anything!  As I looked up to acknowledge another runner with a nod or a raised hand, I did a double take when I realised who it was.  By that time she was almost past me but no matter, what could I have done anyway?  You can't really stop an elite athlete in the middle of their run to shake their hand can you?

Anyway, good run (apart from banging the top of my head on an overhanging brach - my forehead made it under, the top of my head did not).

Glasgow Commonwealth Games and Manning Up

A lot has been happening recently and I am a bit behind with the blog.  I want to record a few runs though so today I am going to do 3 updates.  Here's number one....

So Kata and I went through to Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony on Sunday 3rd August.  It was poring down pretty much all day.  We went early to watch Kata's friend Claire ride in the cycling road race and we saw her a couple of times on her 7 laps of the course.  It was a good day out and I am so glad we made it through to soak up (Ha!  A pun!) the atmosphere.  We saw the medal ceremony after the race at Glasgow Green so that was cool too.

So anyway, it was pouring down.  This doesn't do it justice believe me, but here's the view from our hotel window...

To make matters worse, there was no hot water in the room (broken boiler apparently) so no hot shower.  Faced with a run in the pouring rain followed by a cold shower, I was sorely tempted to use the treadmill in the gym.  I just couldn't make myself do it though.  I felt that it was cheating, that to be running "properly" I had to be moving forward.  I felt like if I ran every day for a year but one of the days on a treadmill, then there would always be that 'but'.   Ran 365 days in a row*

*one day on a treadmill. 

So I manned up and ran through the rain.  So glad I did.  Saw David Millar our doing his race and the atmosphere was still good despite the downpour.  

All in all, a great day and the running run runs on.