A Quick Question

What colour does a Smurf go if you strangle it?

Answers on a postcard please…

Beer, It Doesn’t Just Taste Good, It Also Does Rugby!

With a bit of luck you’ve already noticed that I’ve changed my header photo. If you haven’t, then I can only suggest that you should have, “gone to specsavers”. The photo is of me approaching Auchtertyre Farm during this years ‘Fling’, and was taken by Billy, part of my support crew.

This afternoon, between waiting for a plumber and then an electrician to come around and make our house work properly again, I went for a nice easy 3 mile run with Mrs p and the boy. It was nice and easy, neither of us timed it, and Harvey seemed very happy to be back out on the trail!

Tomorrow I’m meeting PC Plod(der) for our last longish run (about one hour or 8 miles-ish), before heading off to watch the rugby in Edinburgh, where the Heineken Cup Final between two teams that sound the same will be taking place at Murrayfield Stadium. Said teams being Leicester and Leinster, it’s gonna get tricky after a few pints!

Laters!

Why Don’t I Eat McDonald’s?

Normally when we’re out walking, if Harvey finds something to eat that he knows he shouldn’t have, like a chicken drumstick or some chocolate, we have a fight. He clamps his mouth shut, and I struggle to prise it apart. I always win, eventually! However yesterday, when Harvey found half a McDonald’s cheese burger, and I prepared myself for battle, he spat it out and continued on his way. That’s why I don’t eat McDonald’s!

Anyway, tonight I was at the club for a run…

19:15 8.5 miles 1:01:09

1-2 15:08 3 7:13 4 7:15 5 7:00 6 7:13 7 7:07 8 6:45 8.5 3:27 (7:05 pace)  Average 7:12 min/miles

Under strict instruction from coach DP, myself and PC Plod(der), ignored the hilly route the others had planned, and headed off up the cycle path for a run of about 1 hour. We were joined for the first 3ish miles by JK and WeirRunner who were out for an easy run. Myself and her PC-ness were a little quicker than we should have been, but I think we both saw this as our final effort before Edinburgh. A quick chat with coach DP afterwards, arrangements made to run together on Saturday morning, and off home. Job done!

Is that better JK? Two posts in two days

Rebel Against JK!

The blogs have been quiet of late, so, JK asked that we all blog over the weekend. Hence, I waited till Tuesaday!

In the words of Eminem… “Guess who’s back, back again?”

After my last post, I continued with my post Fling recovery. The Wednesday night (6th May) was the Troon 10k, a race I usually run even if not at full pelt, but this year I decided it would do me no good. I was still going over for the evening to watch my Mother-in-law run, so to make sure I wasn’t tempted to try and sign up on the night, I took Harvey for a wee 5 miles (not timed) around Pollock Park before meeting up with everyone and heading to Troon, where the weather was pretty wild. Me and Harvey had a great time in the rain on the beach though. Harvey chased Seagulls in and out of the sea for about 15 minutes, I stood getting soaked (I might as well not have been there) but I was constantly laughing at him. That’s the joy of having him, he makes me smile every single day for one reason or another. The photo below of my father-in-law about sums up the weather though…

 

Shelley had a great run, and the post race fish and chips were great! Anyway, after this I rested up until the Saturday (9th May), when my one week Edinburgh Marathon training Schedule was to begin! To save you, dear readers, from boredom, I’ll list what went on in said one week training plan…

9th May – 20 miles, with Harvey, Average 7:54 min/mile pace.

10th May - 5 miles, with Harvey and Crazyboy, Average approx 7:10 min/mile pace.

11th May – 8.65 miles, speed session at the club.

12th May – 5 miles easy with Harvey, not timed

13th may  – 9.75 miles, Wednesday club run, Average 7:35 min/mile pace.

14th May – 5 miles easy with Harvey, not timed.

15th May – 5 miles easy run on the trail with Harvey, not timed.

16th May – 13.1 miles (Average 7:52 min/miles), not the planned 20 miles I was hoping for but after meeting PC Plod(der), my Edinburgh Marathon partner, who was only aiming to run for about 1hr 45mins, and dying a slow and painful death from 6 miles onwards, I too stopped. I felt ill all afternoon so something had clearly not been right!

PC Plod(der), as she will now be known, is fellow Kilbarchan runner Lorrain (a member of them that do us for speeding and stuff) who is aiming for a sub 3:15:00 in the Marathon to attain elite lady status. I’ve decided to just go for a sub 3:10:00 (PB 3:10:39) so she’s going to join me for the race. The way things are looking though, she’ll be pacing me!

And so endeth my training plan, let the tapering begin…

I’d planned to run on the WHW on Sunday (17th May) but felt rotten after the Saturday, so instead I settled for the role of support to Mrs pacepusher (Harvey joined her for 11 miles).

Now I know all them support crews moan about the role they do, and I know them moaners have just cause, but today I realised the real problem in being support… FOOD! It’s everywhere, and you constantly want it!

I fell at the first hurdle in Milngavie and stopped at Tesco for my second breakfast of the day. But the subtle hints that you might be hungry are never ending…

Leaving the Tesco car park, I saw my first sign. A Chinese restaurant offering ‘Charming Cuisine’ – Blimey! How can you not want some charming food. If the place had been open, I’d of been off in search of some charming chicken satay, or sweet and sour pork balls or something. I’m sure they would have been presented with a charming parsley garnish, serviette, and cocktail stick/toothpick to help you get every last bit of that charming meal into your stomach!

Not long after this, as I headed toward Drymen, I see sign number two… “Credit Munch”.Yeh, I’m skint and yeh, I’m hungry, tell me more! Drive on says the wee voice inside my, Stop says the other! but on I head toward Drymen.

Next stop, waiting for Mrs p, I’m looking at the Buttercups in the grass below. Do they really taste of butter? They look good, I should have stopped for a credit munch! Onwards ever onwards, and sign number three! The place proclaims a, “fine food larder”. Now even if this is a foreign car filled with fine food, I’m interested! Fine foods, and a larder full of them, seriously… Yes please!

But no, I must get to the next meeting point in time. I’m seeing things now, Hot dog bushes, burgers that look like dogs (or was it the other way round?), Hot Chocolate rivers, and then the “Magical Oriental Cafe”. No I’m not seeing things, it really says that! I’ve got to stop, it might be like a Harry Potter buffet where the food never ends and the roof turns into the night sky. No, stop it. Get to Drymen, then eat your egg sandwiches. This support role is tough!

At Drymen I see the wee guy below…

…I couldn’t. Could I? He looks tasty!

Anyway, Mrs p had a good run (too fast for the camera), and I remained just about slim!

Monday night I headed to the club for the usual speed session. I was supposed to meet PC Plod(der) for a marathon speed training session designed by coach DP. However, her PC-ness, cried off with some typically woman like excuse and I joined the usual crowd for the session. I was very pleased with myself though as I stayed steady, trying not to let the GPS drop below 6:20 min/mile pace throughout. I finished feeling fresh, although knowing I’d worked hard, and was happy to return to the club having followed DP’s orders! Nothing much happened on the run, unless you include one of the guy’s getting a knife pulled on him by a wee Ned… Oh the joys!

Back to Drymen though. Ever fancied getting some free running kit from a clothng bank as shown below?

Well, if the answer’s yes, heed the warning below…

…and so to today. No running, but a wee swim. 50 lengths at a nice steady (lazy arse) pace. Tapering has begun, and now that I don’t have so much running to do, you might be subjected to some more frequent waffle and/or wind-ups on this blog as I have nothing running related to discuss! Stay tuned folks, and stay away from those banks!

Attack Is The Best Form Of Defence

You sit down, you turn on the telly, your night ahead is planned. Arsenal v Manchester United in the Champions league semi-final, Man United one nil up after the first leg, it’s going to be a belter! …and then Arsenal’s defence lasts less time than Ricky Hatton’s and it’s 0-2 within 10 minutes! 0-3 on aggregate, Arsenal need to score 4… game over… might as well update the old blog then eh?

So, to quote Nessa from the brilliant ‘Gavin and Stacey’, “oh, what’s occurring?”

Well after a tough 53 mile race, not that much, although I have been running…

Last Wednesday (29th April) I joined JK, WeirRunner and Stevie (who had a half-marathon the following weekend) for an easy run…

19:14 6.12 miles 51:09

No splits  Average 8:15 min/miles

A nice easy run with lots of post Fling chat, and lots of me being told to slow down!

Then on Sunday (3rd April) I was forced to run having left my car at the gym by accident! I’d met Mrs p at Bellahouston gym after a couple of hours work on Sunday morning. We then headed off in her car to watch her Aunt (and Fling backup specialist) Lesley in the Bishopbriggs Triathlon. We then came home, just about to head to ASDA (other supermarkets also available!)when I pointed out we’d forgotten my car! Uuummm? Shop or run, run or shop? “You go to ASDA, I’ll run and get the car” says I… and so I did!

16:50 9 miles 1:04:02

1 6:56 2 6:51 3 6:55 4 6:55 5 7:12 6 7:18 7 7:11 8 7:16 9 7:30  Average 7:07 min/miles

OK, perhaps a little quick just a week after the Fling, but I felt great as I set off. The sun was out, and I wasn’t in ASDA! I guess a few days off meant that my legs felt almost tapered so the early miles felt easy. It was when I hit the first real hill, a long drag up Gallowhill Road, that my legs suggested perhaps I was being a little silly, and the rest of the run was an effort (the last mile was deliberately slower than the rest, although I was pretty gubbed anyway!). Further more, I guess compensating for knackered hamstrings, my quads have been sore ever since… yep, me, sore quads… I know, crazy!

Ah well! As a result, rather than visit the club for the Monday night speed session, which I would (supposedly) have taken easy, I reckoned a wee easy 5 miles (not timed) around Pollock Park might be a better option. I took Harvey with me, the first time his physio (me!) has allowed him to run since the Fling, and we had a ball. I really enjoyed just watching Harvey go nuts in the woods, returning every now and again to check I was still running in the right direction, then shooting off again. Then, as an added bonus, as we headed up the hill away from Pollock House my easy pace took me past the Bellahouston Road Runners group that were on a hills session… that felt good… nasty purple vest wearers!

Anyway, Harvey had so much fun that for the two miles on the road back to the gym he was lagging 20 meters behind, tongue hanging out, with a look that said, “OK Dad, I’ve worn myself out”, and like the true child he is, “are we there yet, Dad?”

Which brings me back to today. No running. A busy days work and a couple of long walks with Harvey before sitting down, turning on the telly, the night ahead planned. Arsenal v Manchester United in the Champions league semi-final, Man United one nil up after the first leg, it was going to be a belter!

The Montane Highland Fling 2009

It’s 4:30am in Harvey’s Granny and Grandad’s house, and I’m woken by three alarms in quick succession of each other. I think to myself, ‘I don’t want to do this today, and I don’t have to!’ As a walker would say to me later in the day, “Is there a better way to spend your Saturday?”, he was in positive mode, but my reply was negative, although only joking, I said, “yes, I could be at home watching the football with a beer!”. That’s how I’m feeling now lying in bed though. I don’t have the desire to do this today. Nobody cares, it’s Mrs pacepusher’s day as she goes for her first ultra race, I’m just along for the ride. She’s first to rise, ‘I’d better at least go and cheer her on’ I think, and follow her out of bed. Pete provides the coffee and it tastes good, I’m up now at least!

I get dressed (into my running kit), I’m not going to tell them I’m pulling out until I get there, then I’ll admit defeat, I’m just not in the mood! I eat a couple of scones on the 10 minute journey to Milngavie. They don’t go down well! I have some egg sandwiches for later, I’ll save them for lunch though as I’m not going to run.

Arriving at the train station, a very relaxed Mrs p registers, gets ready, and is soon set for the off. I’ve seen a few familiar faces and I’m starting to think I’d better run now that I’m here and people have seen me, but I still don’t want to.

Before I know it, the 6am start is away and I need to sort my head out. I see a few more faces, some old friends – The Consani Three, Davie Bell, WeirRunner and friends, John Steele et. al. – and some new – Subversive Runner and Ultra Running Collie and his Dad! – and I’m registered, wrist band on (with some help from Sonic) and I’m now officially starting! I look at an excited Harvey being looked after by Pete, and I think, ‘alright boy, let’s do this!’.

Milngavie to Tyndrum 

07:00 53 miles 09:24:57

Average 10:40 min/miles

Let’s break it down…

photo courtesy of Subversive Runner

Milngavie to Drymen

12.12 miles 1:39:00 Average 8:09 min/miles

I’m waiting to start at the front of the pack, what am I doing? It’s 7am and we’re off. Harvey is waiting for me a little way up the track with Pete to avoid the busy start. I can’t wait to get him… he’s the reason I’m doing this now. I have some banter with The Crazy German over the first few hundred meters, I’ll not see him again until the finish now. I grab Harvey and settle into a decent pace witha couple of English lads, one from Manchester (I didn’t get their names) and we chat away. The Carbeth Huts come and go, as does the Beechtrees Inn, and we’re soon approaching Drymen, a little ahead of schedule. As planned, I’d run the whole section, including the big hills, and was now feeling up to the challenge… “Let’s do this!”. Just before Drymen, there were about 6 of us running together (all team England!) and we were talking Marathons. I asked Manchester bloke what his time was, “2hrs 50, this year”, was the reply. ‘Oh Shit!’ thinks I, and a tactical stop at Drymen let the group head off without me. I can’t get caught up in other peoples races today. It’s my run… in my time!

I would see all of the group again bar the original two (Manchester bloke and his mate) and would pass them on my way to the finish. I forgot to stop my watch at first, so was actually into Drymen in just over 1:38:00, I also didn’t lap the break so my times for this and the next section include whatever time I spent refuelling. I swapped water for sports drink, grabbed an egg butty and headed off towards Conic Hill.

Drymen to Balmaha

6.88 Miles 1:07:53 Average 9:52 min/miles

Total time – 2:46:53

I ran to the climb, and then ran a majority of it, before walking and starting to eat my egg sandwich. 2 small bites and it was donated to the birds. I just couldn’t stomach it. I started to run again, and ran as much of the section as I could before the climb up Conic Hill, although I ran some bits of the climb too. Things were not good though. About 2 miles short of Conic I’d begun to feel sick, really sick, and my head had started to pound with every step. I couldn’t carry on feeling like this, could I?

I met Billy The Shoe and a guy I would later discover was called Craig during the climb. I didn’t know either (other than Billy’s blog) but chatted to both as they ran up the hill past me. Running up Conic? nutters! Craig, hearing I was struggling, said, “you’ll pick up, you’ll be fine and you’ll catch me later”. Whatever! Talk to the hand! I was having none of it!

I passed Billy again on the way down the otherside of the hill, he didn’t want to damage his quads so early on (I’m so lucky with my quads… I can batter down hill and never (touch wood) have any problems). Although Billy finished less than two minutes ahead of me, I didn’t see him again until the finish. Another mile and I would of had him though!?!?! …just wait till the WHWR fella!

Ariving in Balmaha, I was surprised to see Mrs pacepusher at the cars, our support crews being parked together. Mrs p’s parents were looking after her for the day, whilst her Aunt Lesley and partner Billy would be looking after me and Harvey. She was running well and enjoying it, but I hadn’t expected to see her so soon. Billy tried to get me to eat, but I explained that I couldn’t… I think my words were, “I feel like shit, Billy. I can’t stomach anything”. I drank water, and took water, a gel and some grapes with me, leaving ahead of Mrs p. Billy looked concerned! My break had been 2 mins 29 secs, just the kind of length I wanted any breaks to be, although I wasn’t planning on having many if I could help it!

Balmaha to Rowardennan

7.83 miles 1:22:12 Average 10:30 min/miles

Total time – 4:11:35

I tried to eat my grapes on the climb away from Balmaha but I couldn’t stomach them. I was biting them and taking the juice then spitting them out. I figured it was better than nothing, but in the end, I donated most of them to the compost heap. My head was still pounding and I was drinking loads. I was wearing a base layer and a T-shirt as I had been from the start, at no point did I feel too hot, but I was drinking much more than I would normally, and this was worrying me. I think certain WHWR doctors have (quite rightly) made me a little too aware of some of the dangers us ultra runners face!

I plodded on, still maintaining my speed and my targets, but I wasn’t in good shape. I would be one of many to suffer today, but unlike Ultra Running Collie’s Dad, I’ve been here before, and was sure it would pass. I played cat and mouse with a guy from the Marines and shared some friendly banter – his tattoo gave him away! There was no way a guy from the Navy was going to beat me given my current waiting game on my application and (non) dodgy knee, even if he was a hardcore soldier rather than a guy that sat around on a boat or a sub all day! I didn’t see him again after Rowardennan… victory numero uno for the day!

Almost exactly halfway to Rowardennan, I was pleasantly surprised to see both pacepusher support teams parked up. I guzzled from my 5 litre water bottle and poured some on my head, again not because I was too warm, but because I hoped it might ease my pounding headache. I also filled up my water bottle ready for the next few miles. Pete and Lesley heard me moaning to Billy, and suddenly pain killers were thrust upon me. I hadn’t even thought of that! But from now on, they will always be a part of my supplies. They eventually cured the headache, but the sickness remained. I’d also waisted a couple of minutes here (well not wasted, they were invaluable, but I’d lost time!) Without this stop I would probably have been exactly on schedule. Thinking about it now, without this stop, I may have been 10 minutes slower to Rowardennan, and thus, behind schedule!).

Over the next few miles I passed a few 6am starters. One female commented on my attractive pacemaker (Harvey), I felt too ill to reply, ‘you’ve got a better looking one now!’ as I passed her. I also saw Davie hall and Race organiser extraordinaire, Ellen, through this section… apologies for moaning both! Ellen was great, and was really supportive. I thanked her afterwards for her comments, they really kept me going at the time. Rowardennan finally arrived, and I ran in feeling headache free, but with a pain in my stomach that would remain until Tyndrum where Dr Crazy German (as she has now been tagged) would tell me to, ’step away from the coke’, and take some indigestion remedies!

I spent 6 minutes here. Much more than intended, but as the photo below shows, they were needed!

 

I managed to eat a Muller Rice, but never believed that I wouldn’t see it again soon, drank some full fat coke (actually Pepsi, it was on offer in the supermarket!) and Harvey had some dog biscuits. Reading what Charlie (Ultra Running Collie) ate throughout the day, I feel almost guilty about the measly 4 gravy bones that Harvey ate here!

Rowardennan to Inversnaid

7.26 miles 1:15:37 Average 10:25 min/miles

Total time 5:33:13

Leaving Rowardennan I met a guy that introduced himself as John (I think!). He was a Geordie, living in London, and running with Sonic for the Italian team! I was confused. He was a nice guy and we pushed on together to the hill. I ran as much of the hill as I could, though at one point had to let John head off. he was better on the hills than me. He said, “You’ll catch me on the downhill section”. Did he know me better than I thought? Was he an avid reader of the crap that I type into this blog? No! he was just (in his words) rubbish at running downhill! He was right and I did catch him, and by the second hill he seemed happier to walk. We pushed on together (thanks mate, you kept me going!) until the path narrows and the real fun begins. Hitting the really steep short descents, I was leaving him for dead, and I felt like he was fighting to stay with me. Eventually, I was on my own and running well. I suddenly felt well too, and was now really enjoying things…. and I was still on target!

I should perhaps point out that my ‘running time’ target was 9 hours. This did not include breaks, and was pushing it a bit, so my actual aim was to break 9 hours 30… hence the punching of the air when I finished!

About a mile short of Inversnaid the guy ahead said, “told you”. It took me a moment, but it was Craig again. he was a really nice guy and we ran into Inversnaid together. If I’m honest, I slowed a little to run with him, but I was happy of the company and there was still a long way to go. At Inversnaid, I dumped my potato (still no appetite), put my peanuts, raisins and chocolate drops in my pocket (where they would serve only to pull my shorts down until Beinglas where they were dumped, uneaten!) guzzled water and refilled water, and took sports drink, then off, after 2 mins 46, still with Craig.

Inversnaid to Beinglas

6.64 miles 1:26:15 Average 13:00 min/miles

Total time – 7:02:15

We continued to run on together, the company always appreciated through this section. Harvey was running well and was finding plenty of places to grab a drink, but as always the going was slow. I was leading, and we were doing OK, but as a guy wizzed passed us, Craig said he would take the lead to try and catch him. I didn’t care and figured I’d just let him go. But as he seemingly wasted energy running over bad ground, I walked, and stayed right with him. At this point though, I cracked my toe off a large rock. I won’t repeat what I said but it hurt and I couldn’t feel my toe anymore! Craig was concerned, “you ok?”, to which I think I said something again unrepeatable about the pain! “Do you want me to send someone back for you?” said Craig. Now I know he meant well but, Blimey! It was only the wee digit on my left foot. Did he not know I ran further than remained on a badly sprained ankle last year? No. He didn’t! I said I was going to finish now whatever, especially with only 15-ish miles to go. He made reference to Drama Queen’s exploits in the WHWR and my wee pinky toe felt all proud of it’s little self and got a new attitude – he stopped hurting so much and let me run… past Craig, past the aforementioned guy that flew past us, and past a relay runner (to whom I said, “all down hill from here mate”, as we turned the corner up a hill – oops! wrong bit! – sorry!) and into Beinglas. The support here was the equivalent of reaching Manhattan in the New York Marathon – amazing (actually I am moved typing about it! yeh, smaller scale but truly fabulous!). I know there were problems with parking etc. but WOW! superb… in an ultra! (seriously Mr Beinglas Farm, wake up and smell the coffee you could be selling, charge for parking if you want, light a barbeque, whatever… you could be making a fortune and helping out a couple of races, Fling and WHWR, and supporting tourism and your campsite at the same time).

I stopped here for 3 mins 40 for some fuel (liquid… aahh Pepsi!) then set off again… then came back again! I thought Harvey was limping, and a guy sat with his bike (who I later discovered was supporting Geordie John) agreed. I handed Harvey to Billy – he apparently went back to the car and promptly fell asleep on the back seat. I was heart broken to leave him, his big eyes just said, ‘I’m alright, come on let’s go… don’t leave me’, it still upsets me now! He didn’t care about his medal, or being first dog (I did though!) he just wanted to keep on running and exploring. I was gutted, but I couldn’t risk injuring him anymore. I think that the fast downhill to Beinglas had awakened a problem he had after the last 42 miler we did that had obviously never settled. So on I went without him… devastated!

Beinglas to Carmyle Cottage

4.03 miles 45:43 Average 11:21 min/miles

Total time 7:51:39

There’s now a fair amount of people to chase, some 6am starters, including American Jamie, who I’ve got to know during training runs, and a couple of fellow 7am’ers. My mind set is now saying ‘I want this!’, ‘I want sub 9 1/2 hours!’, ‘I want (sorry JK – purely friendly competition) to beat JK, and I want his club record’. I repeat to myself, “I want this” in my head as I start to pass people. I meet Mr Red (I was running with him into Drymen, I don’t know his name, but he was wearing a lot of red, including his cap!) and chat, then pass him, I’m running well. I’m strong… I F***ING WANT THIS!

Thanks to JK (Mr J ‘too much time on his hands’ K - only kidding!) I would later discover that I was the 19th fastest person over the final stretch from Beinglas to Tyndrum!

I run through Derrydarroch Farm, ‘You can’t do it without back up’ the lovely Allybea is there, “are you not too hot?” she asks. I don’t care now if I am or not, but I think I said yes! Pete and Shelley are there, prior to returning to Beinglas after the parking issues have calmed down, “you’re catching John (JK)”, he tells me. I don’t believe him, but I like the idea… I REALLY F***ING WANT THIS!

I stop at Caryle Cottage for 3mins 44secs, and despite the pain in my stomach, I know I need to eat. Gels have kept me going until now, but I need something more solid. I force down a rice pudding and request my club vest be ready at Auchtertyre Farm, then off I go, with a “see you in an hour”…  Harvey is OK, I’m told, although I worry that they are just telling me this. Many runners have gone back past me, including Jamie and Mr Red, but I know I’ll pass them again.

Carmyle Cottage to Auchtertyre Farm

5.53 miles 1:02:18 Average 11:16 min/miles

Total time – 8:57:43

Sure enough, after the initial climb I pass Jamie and co. No time to stop and chat though, I’m on a mission. I reach the Nasty Farmer’s area having run as much as I could, as fast as I could. There’s a woman sitting there, “I think you’re all mad”, she says. I reply, “we’ve been promised free beer at the finish”, and she seems to understand! On I go… I see Mr Red… I’m not stopping running until I reach Bogle Glen, I think about TV show Monarch of the Glen again, as I always do here. I start the climb and I think about how Hector looks like my dad, how Duncan makes me laugh, and how Lexie, well… I go back to wondering how Mrs pacepuher is getting on! Last time I was updated she was going OK… she was going to finish I knew it. I’ve given her stick in her training, but only to try and push her on (sometimes only those closest can be the harshest!) . I pass Mr Red at the top of the climb and push on. I pass George Reid, “can’t stop, I’m on a sub 9:30 mission”, I say. He tells me he’s settling for 10:30 and I push on again. I love this section, I love the downhills, I’m flying… I WANT THIS, I’M HAVING THIS!

I cross the A82 and decide I’m not walking until the gate after the farm. I’m still hitting just over 8:00 min/miles, and I’m still strong. For the first time I’m glad I don’t have Harvey with me. Having him on the lead through the farm would have messed with my pace. Too fast if he felt good, too slow if he was struggling, ‘He hates being on the lead’, I think to myself. I pass two groups of kids. Living in Linwood I await the abuse, but both crowds give me a huge cheer and it feels good. I’m almost there, Auchtertyre Farm is in sight, as is Billy with his camera, producing one of my all time favourite photos of me running (although Billy would later say he was concerned that I was holding my side/stomach).

 

I didn’t lap the GPS here, but I quickly changed into my club vest, swapped water for a remaining half bottle of sports drink, and headed off… I thought I had about 31 minutes to break 9hours 30mins.

Auchtertyre to Tyndrum

2.64 miles 27:14 Average 10:19 min/miles

Total time 9:24:57

I ran like a man possessed out of the farm… I was not going to miss out on a sub 9hr30 now! the whole way I worried that I might not make it. If I walked, I walked fast, and when I ran, I ran hard. Upon first sight of the forest (one of my favourite wee sections of the Way) I spied a bright orange wig. This guy had shot off at the start and I hadn’t seen him since. He was now my motivation. I ran hard, seeing that he was struggling… I wasn’t going to be beaten by a clown! I ran as fast as I could through the forest section that I love. Orange Wig saw me coming and started to run, but he was spent, and as I passed him, I knew he wouldn’t follow. To the final gate, “is the finish on this side of the road?”, I ask, the reply of yes spurs me on, and I’m pushing and pushing to the finish, I call Harvey to follow me to the line over the last few meters, but Billy holds him back. I worry about him, but drive on to what is now one of my favourite race finishes! As Debs would later say, “you looked very determined at the end there”. I’d looked like that for the last 12 miles! I REALLY F***ING WANTED THAT!

photo courtesy of ‘Fling’ web site

Oh Yeh! …and Kilbarchan AAC (Me and JK with a big chunk of help from guest star, ‘The Crazy German’) came second in the team (1st 3 runners count) competition…

It’s not a small trophy, we’re all just very big!

…and tied first for the Coors Trophy (largest number of finishers) with Central and Newport and District. Newport taking the trophy as we and Central were demoted to runner-up spot as they had two females to our one… a Stewards Enquiry on that one I think!

Thanks go to Ellen and Murdo for organising such a fabulous, friendly, (more than) value for money race, and to all the marshals, time keepers, race doctors, sponsors etc.

A huge amount of thanks to Lesley and Billy for supporting me… you were first class, and to Pete and Shelley for supporting me and Mrs p throughout!

Congratulations to all finishers, first timers and 4th timers alike, and commiserations if you had to pull out. If you ran your socks off (The Crazy German), ran them off too soon (Sonic), Hit the dizzy heights of the podium (Sharon, TCG), ran your first ultra (Mrs p, WeirRunner) or didn’t perhaps get the time you hoped for (JK – two sub 10hr finishes in 2 years… can’t knock that!) well done to all!

Unless I’m stuck on a submarine, I’ll be back next year with bells on!

Too Hot For Fur!

11:48 5 miles 38:28

no splits  Average 7:41 min/miles

I didn’t run yesterday, I settled for a walk with Harvey, then I taught the Wii how to play tennis! So a nice easy run today, but I seem incapable of running at 8:00+ min/mile pace on shorter runs. I tried, but I just feel slugish and uncomfortable any slower than I ran today over the shorter distance. Not to worry! I might do another wee run tomorrow (no more than 3 miles) otherwise, that’ll be it till the Fling. 

In answer to WeirRunner’s comment about Harvey’s fitness, he’s looking good. No recurrence of that limp, and he’s been protein loading – Dogs don’t do carbo loading, they do protein loading. Think about what they would eat in the wild… meat, not pasta! I do have a concern though, he seems to be struggling with the heat, and the puddles/streams are drying up. He lagged behind me a bit today with his tongue sticking out of his mouth at right angles, and he took a big drink as soon as he got home. He’s been laid out since! I’m going to have to watch him carefully on Saturday, and if he’s really struggling, then I’ll withdraw him from the race. My support team have two girlie dogs so he’ll be happy enough!

The answer might be to have him shaved before the race, but unlike Ultra Running Collies dad, I just can’t bring myself to do that to my wee boy - I’d ruin his devilishly good looks!

However, if all goes well, he’ll be first dog home with me just lagging slightly behind!

It’s Been A While…

…since my last post, and what have I been doing… well…

A week last Friday, 10th April, I headed out for another easy 5 miles with Harvey who had already run 7 miles with Mrs pacepusher that morning. Again the run was not timed, and again, it was with the aim of getting my hip working better. It felt fine throughout and has been no problem since.

Not long after I returned from the run, Mum and Dad arrived for the weekend, so no running, but we did enjoy a walk up Conic Hill on the Saturday in glorious weather.

I didn’t run again until Tuesday 14th, when I decided I wanted to go and run on the WHW. Mrs p decided to join me so we headed to Drymen for an out and back. Mrs p would run to the top of Conic and turn back, whilst I would run to Balmaha before heading back.

15:20 14 miles 2:19:30 

Out – 6.86 miles 1:06:25  Average 9:41 min/miles
Break – 1 minute 
Back – 6.85 miles 1:12:04  Average 10:32 min/mile

Just reaching the top of the hill out of Drymen I saw two people (and Mrs p, who had set off ahead of me) ahead. They turned out to be Crazyboy and Boyracer. Boyracer is doing the Monster Bike and Hike and has been training hard. We chatted for 5 or 6 minutes before we headed off – hence my time out would have been considerably quicker.

I had a good run to Balmaha, but found turning back and heading back up Conic Hill really hard work. Once back at the top I soon got going again and could see Mrs p in the distance. It didn’t take too long to catch her but she really made me work for it!

Once back at Drymen, I ran a wee bit extra to make it up to 14 miles, although that’s not included in the timings above.

This run was perhaps not the greatest preparation for what me and Mrs p had planned for the following day… a walk up Ben Nevis!

We set off to Fort William a little later than intended as we were both really tired and just kept hitting that magic snooze button! On the journey up, the skies began to clear, and by the time we’d reached Glencoe it was a beautiful day – not a cloud in the sky!

We made it up Big Ben in 3 hours and 7 minutes, which included a lunch stop of 10-15 minutes. We were pretty pleased with that! Coming down took 2 1/2 hours – I was too fast, Mrs p was too slow – we’ll beg to differ! There’s a pub at the bottom of the Ben which serves real ale and it would have been rude not to!

 

So after a quick pint, we were off to the campsite to pitch our tent at the foot of the Mountain. Camping in Scotland in April? It seemed strange but the site was really quite busy.

The next morning I felt fine, but Mrs p’s quads were shot. Rather than bagging another Munro, we settled on stopping in Glencloe for a wee stroll up to the magical ‘Hidden Valley’. The weather wasn’t quite so great, but it was still a nice day and Glencoe’s Hidden Valley looked fabulous.

At this time of year, there’s a river that has to be crossed approaching the Hidden Valley. There are stepping stones, but Mrs p felt that she didn’t need to use them, much to my and another couples amusement! 

          

Stopping at Bridge Of Orchy for a drink on the way back, who should we meet in the carpark but our stalker Boyracer who’d been walking to Kingshouse and back!

Mrs p has continued to struggle with her quads which is not great, so on Saturday, when I planned another run on the Way, she offered to support me. The plan was to run from Milngavie to Drymen to check out the new gates. 

11:41 12.15 miles 1:38:12

Milngavie to Beechtrees Inn – 7.13 miles  Average 7:55 min/miles
Break 2:29
Beechtrees Inn to Drymen – 5:01 miles  Average 7:51 min/miles

OK, so this may have been a little faster than race pace, but it felt easy. The reason I was faster was largely due to the fact that I ran the entire way. I found the hills towards Drymen were actually perfectly runnable if I just slowed right down. I really enjoyed the run, especially given that the weather was continuing to be glorious.

Mrs p had spied a book sale in Drymen Village Hall, so we headed there after I finished. About 20 books and £14.00 later we headed home! One of the guys selling the books was the twin brother of one Tim Downie. We both had to look twice, and I now know how during the WHWR last year, Tim managed to be behind me going into Drymen, and yet ahead of me some miles later without pasing me – and we all thought there could only be one Tim! 

I had Sunday off, then me and Harvey went to the club last night to Join JK and WeirRunner for an easy run…

19:13 6.02 miles 46:43

no splits  Average 7:45 min/miles

We spent the whole way chatting about the Fling on Saturday (if you don’t know, that’s a 53 mile ultra race from Milngavie to Tyndrum that we are all, including Harvey and Mrs p, running). I told the guys my target time, although it will remain a secret on this blog until after the event. John felt I wasn’t being unrealistic, but I always aim high! We’ll see what Saturday brings.

So the plan from now until then – maybe an easy 3 miles tonight or maybe just another walk, then an easy 5 tomorrow. I’ll then rest until Saturday. Bring on race day!

More Frustration!

Having had a good run on the WHW a week last Sunday, I did the sensible thing and had some time off. I didn’t intend having a full week off but that’s what happened, and to be honest, I felt it would do me a lot of good. So it was on Monday night that I returned, not just to running, but also to the running club for the Monday night speed session… it’s been a while!

19:15 9.5 miles 1:15:03

1 min (1 min) 2 mins (1 min) 3 mins (90 secs) 4 mins (2 mins) 5 mins (2 mins) 5 mins (2 mins) 4 mins (2 mins) 3 mins (90 secs) 2 mins (1 min) 1 min

I really enjoyed the session, and worked as hard as I could throughout, but the truth is I should have stopped and headed back just after the first 4 minute interval started. My hip has been fine for ages now, and seemed fine again on Monday, but as the 4 minute interval started, something went ‘ping’ in the general area of my hip. It wasn’t a pain, just a discomfort, but I really should have stopped and headed home. On Tuesday morning I was struggling to walk, and once again I was unable to run… my knee was fine though if anyone from the Navy is reading this!

Anyway, for a change, here’s the stats… 

time in grey/pace in red/distance in yellow

1 5:54 0.19 2 6:00 0.33 3 6:03 0.49 4 6:08 0.65 5 6:10 0.81 5 6:16 0.80 4 6:08 0.65 3 5:56 0.50 2 5:42 0.34 1 4:55 0.20

JK always adds up the total distance for the 30 minutes, I never have before but did on Monday, and was pleased to see I managed 4.96 miles… almost there, and with a limp for 24 of the minutes!

So no running on Tuesday, and although I really wanted to go to the club, no running on Wednesday. My hip still wasn’t feeling good today but I wanted to try a run, sometimes with this stupid ongoing hip saga, it actually makes things better. Harvey was coming with me, his second run of the day after doing 4 miles with Mrs pacepusher this morning, so off we set. To the end of the street, where to Harvey’s disgust, I turned back. It was sore and I was being stupid… wasn’t I?

“Stop being a woos!” said a small voice in my head and we turned around and carried on through the discomfort… for 5 miles (not timed). After about a mile it started to ease off, and after about 3, I was pretty much pain/discomfort free. This evening I’m sitting here with a slight discomfort, but nothing to what it was before I ran. The solution? keep running!

A woos, incidentally, is defined in the Urban Dictionary as…

“someone who is a wimp; afraid to do something that he should do”

Never a truer word said eh? As for Mrs pacepusher’s Nintendo DS challenge on the Brain Training thingy… I don’t care! It’s stupid and it can’t read my writing!

Inerview News

Yesterday morning I was at the Royal Navy Careers Office in Glasgow for my interview and medical. The Interview went really well and after answering a number of questions relating to the submarines and the Navy’s training, the guy interviewing me asked, “how do you know all this?”. As I told him, the Internet is a wonderful place. He was clearly impressed with my research, and after my medical, I was informed that I’d passed.

However, back to that medical. I was fine with all the various checks performed, including the embarrassing standing there, pants around ankles, and being asked to cough routine, and all was well. The problem came from the initial questioning. “Have you ever had any surgery?”, “yes” I said, “only minor, but I had a camera in my knee for exploratory reasons when I was about 12 years old”, “What was the problem?” asked the nice Doc, “Chondromalacia patella”, I said. Well this suddenly became a problem. I have never had any problems relating to this since it fixed itself all those years ago, and, as you’ll all know, I run. Indeed, I run 95 mile races on this knee! The Navy guidelines state that my application be rejected as my knee might break down during initial training. However, due to my lifestyle, the Doctor is contacting the Head Medical Navy bloke to appeal, and hopefully get me accepted.

It’s doubly annoying as I was informed afterwards that it wasn’t in my records. Had I not been honest, they would have been none the wiser! I just didn’t think that a problem I had when I was 12ish, would be a problem now that I’m 33, and it’s never bothered me since. Aaaaarrrggghhhh! So now I’m playing the waiting game, and I could be waiting for up to a month. Without this little problem, I could have potentially started training in May, although I was informed that there is a chance that I still could!

So here I am, typing with my fingers crossed, and it’s not easy!