Monday, 13 April 2009
Stumble
You know how it is. Sitting on my backside thinking of where to run and Stumbling through the interweb when I find this
Thursday, 9 April 2009
Club Night - Solo Run for Davie Naepals
The usual Thursday session is hill reps but I am looking to fire in some steady mileage so opted out. A few wavered about coming with me but team spirit prevailed and I was on my own. Set off on a slightly extended Horseshoe, avoiding Main St as it's usually busy at the shops and we usually run along Middleton St anyway.
Nice steady pace catching the men's jogging group by Tulliechewan and plodding through Balloch reaching the Gartocharn Road and the first of the hills in about 17 minutes. Soon moving quite steadily, even on the hills and as usual getting faster than I should.
The wee hill at Caldarvan Station did my legs as usual but by then I'm heading back to the Vale and shortly afterwards the Haldane came into sight. Not the nicest part of the Vale, although far from the worst, but always a nice sight on this run as it means you are well on the way home. Pretty breezy, but on my back for the first few miles and when it started to hit me head-on I had reached the mainly downhill section. Back into the town and pleasantly surprised to finish in 87 minutes. Missed the rep crowd but back well before JR whose run was extended by a police incident on the Leven. Apparently they found a body in the river near the golf club at Dumbarton.
Never a dull moment with Milburn.
Nice steady pace catching the men's jogging group by Tulliechewan and plodding through Balloch reaching the Gartocharn Road and the first of the hills in about 17 minutes. Soon moving quite steadily, even on the hills and as usual getting faster than I should.
The wee hill at Caldarvan Station did my legs as usual but by then I'm heading back to the Vale and shortly afterwards the Haldane came into sight. Not the nicest part of the Vale, although far from the worst, but always a nice sight on this run as it means you are well on the way home. Pretty breezy, but on my back for the first few miles and when it started to hit me head-on I had reached the mainly downhill section. Back into the town and pleasantly surprised to finish in 87 minutes. Missed the rep crowd but back well before JR whose run was extended by a police incident on the Leven. Apparently they found a body in the river near the golf club at Dumbarton.
Never a dull moment with Milburn.
Double Run Wednesday
Back to running twice on Wednesday, a five mile loop of Bonhill, LionsGate and Renton before picking up my Jog Scotland group for a six mile run along the cycle track to Lomondshore, a climb of Cameron Hill and back along to the CE Centre. Six miles there in just over an hour which is faster than some ran their recent 10k race. Although a bit faster than they should have been running, they set the pace and seemed comfortable, other than when at the top of the climb behind Cameron House. Mind you hey "flew" the downhill. Next week is their "target" run week when they will be runing for an hour and a half. Should be easily achievable for all of them.
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Club Run - Sorry Mr Farmer
A few faces missing tonight with the Easter break obviously affecting the turn out, and a few of the regulars off walking and running on the WHW.
Whilst driving round to the club I passed Debbie and Cairn off to meet Marco off the train. The plan was to hand the boss to Marco and Debbie was coming with us on our 12 mile run, with the promise of some off road running. I got changed and then all three Consanis appeared loking a bit like drowned rats from the walk from the station. I introduced Cairn to the ladies and listened to the ooos and aaas. Last time Debbie saw them she was a little larger! I'll keep the details short to encourage Debbie to post her views of the run! Suffice to say she got wet, muddy and maybe a bit tired. We ran to the Alexandria/Renton boundary at the Vale academy where we went onto the cycle track to Balloch. Across the bridge and into Balloch Park at the hotel,following the path along the Leven to the loch. At the far end we had a discussion about whether we went to the Whinnie Hill, but the response was "12 miles, as much off road as possible". So I eschewed the usual run up Heart Attack Hill for the trail alternative, and soon the group stretched. By the time I got to the top, Whinnie Hill was off the menu, and I suggested a route JR took me on New Years Day. As I say, I'll leave Debs to fill in the details, but I will admit that a farm gate, climbed on the hinge side as recommended failed the Big Davie Test. Sorry.Back to Balloch by a more direct route and back along the cycle track having run 2 hours for the 12 miles (almost exactly, Debs!) See me, see navigation...
Whilst driving round to the club I passed Debbie and Cairn off to meet Marco off the train. The plan was to hand the boss to Marco and Debbie was coming with us on our 12 mile run, with the promise of some off road running. I got changed and then all three Consanis appeared loking a bit like drowned rats from the walk from the station. I introduced Cairn to the ladies and listened to the ooos and aaas. Last time Debbie saw them she was a little larger! I'll keep the details short to encourage Debbie to post her views of the run! Suffice to say she got wet, muddy and maybe a bit tired. We ran to the Alexandria/Renton boundary at the Vale academy where we went onto the cycle track to Balloch. Across the bridge and into Balloch Park at the hotel,following the path along the Leven to the loch. At the far end we had a discussion about whether we went to the Whinnie Hill, but the response was "12 miles, as much off road as possible". So I eschewed the usual run up Heart Attack Hill for the trail alternative, and soon the group stretched. By the time I got to the top, Whinnie Hill was off the menu, and I suggested a route JR took me on New Years Day. As I say, I'll leave Debs to fill in the details, but I will admit that a farm gate, climbed on the hinge side as recommended failed the Big Davie Test. Sorry.Back to Balloch by a more direct route and back along the cycle track having run 2 hours for the 12 miles (almost exactly, Debs!) See me, see navigation...
Monday, 6 April 2009
A Christening
Back out tonight after a lengthy time stuck within easy reach of the loo. No more information as it's not a pleasant story. Pulled on the new Mizuno Wave Harriers to break them in and set off across the golf course in an effort to find a few trails that I knew were there but just couldn't nail down. As a result I had a poor mileage of 4 miles on the Garmin but given that mile 2 took 20 minutes to run you'll realise that I found some toughies. There were however a few dead ends and non existent ones, having overgrown since I saw them from the fairways a few years back. I lost count how many tree trunks I had to scramble over and combined with some burn crossings, where the Harriers, by now well and truly christened, scored lowly on slippy rocks, it turned into a tough run all in. Finished off along the shore past the sawmill in just over 50 minutes. The shoes were great on and brilliant on the trail and in the fields I crossed, but slipped on the aforementioned stepping stone and on the concrete breakwater at the sawmill where I stepped on to avoid a pothole and promptly slipped back off again.
Most of the new trails I found were pretty well worn and were within the grounds of the old St Peter's Priest College, long ago abandoned and which really should be pulled down. It is beloved of those who worship the concrete and steel architecture of the 60s and always the subject of this appeal or that appeal to have it restored. Not worth it! Pull it down and give the ground to the community who can develop the grounds and paths for recreational purposes.
The trails, to get back on subject, link up to the road that formed part of the Farmyards run of last Tuesday so I'll use them from the house to get onto the Carman without having to take my life in my hand running on the hill road. It's bad enough driving it and as I went across tonight to take my son to the Vale nearly got wiped out by a clown coming round a blind bend on the middle of the road. He was lucky it was a car he met, the next vehicle was a small lorry that wouldn't have made it through the gap he was trying to leave. A regular occurrence I'm afraid as many people can't judge where their nearside wheel is in relation to the edge of the road. The worst are the 4x4s, yep, the ones that are built to drive off road!
Most of the new trails I found were pretty well worn and were within the grounds of the old St Peter's Priest College, long ago abandoned and which really should be pulled down. It is beloved of those who worship the concrete and steel architecture of the 60s and always the subject of this appeal or that appeal to have it restored. Not worth it! Pull it down and give the ground to the community who can develop the grounds and paths for recreational purposes.
The trails, to get back on subject, link up to the road that formed part of the Farmyards run of last Tuesday so I'll use them from the house to get onto the Carman without having to take my life in my hand running on the hill road. It's bad enough driving it and as I went across tonight to take my son to the Vale nearly got wiped out by a clown coming round a blind bend on the middle of the road. He was lucky it was a car he met, the next vehicle was a small lorry that wouldn't have made it through the gap he was trying to leave. A regular occurrence I'm afraid as many people can't judge where their nearside wheel is in relation to the edge of the road. The worst are the 4x4s, yep, the ones that are built to drive off road!
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Stonymollan Hill Race 2009
Unable to run because of the trots, I was the nominated timekeeper and drove along to the start at the bottom of the footpath to Cardross on Old Luss Rd between MacD's and the Lomond shores. 5 miles with 1060' of climbing over three tops. A turnout of 10 ladies and 9 men with Stevie Cowper the back marker 38 minutes after the first group left the start. Results here click on 2009 Hill Race results. Marion was first handicap by a wide margin, Stevie first scratch in a PB for this race. Three years ago he broke the course record and it is now held by Al Morrison a guest from Garscube who won last year. Special mention to Peter who was second scratch, still only 20. Unfortunately he is a student who works at weekends so his race opportunities are limited, but he will do well when he gets going. Several "new" routes taken tonight due to the good weather bringing out those who think it's fun to move the markers, but everyone seemed to enjoy themselves although I did hear one "never again". Thanks to Steph for organising. Managed to survive being away from the loo for a couple of hours.
No Running!!
Damn. Wednesday night turned into a bit of a bourach (or should that be Boruc?). A bourach (gaelic) is a mess or a muddle hence the new spelling. Two of the jogleaders called in sick and another is in the US so I ended up with the beginners group for what turned out to be a slow mile on the cycle track and a walk back to the club before setting off anti clockwise to meet my own group for the final part of their own run of 1hr 20. Ticked all the boxes then headed home to watch the footie. Bed after that as I felt a bit tired but when I woke in the morning to take my wife's car to Lindsay's for it's service I had to make a loo stop. No more information, unless Dr Silke wants it! Suffice to say I haven't eaten since breakfast and have had sweats, shivers and other symptoms you don't want to know. So I must miss the club hill race (oh dear how sad never mind) although I have to go over to see the previous secretary (nearly said old secretary but she'd take that the wrong way) before she sets off to walk the WHW. If need be I'll hold a watch but I really think I'd better stock up with fluids and some tummy stuff......... men!
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