Many thanks to, Ryan McKenzie, Irene Fentimen, Barry Davie, Ian Murray, Stewart Ollis, John McIlduff, Julie Humphries, Lorna MacKenzie for their efforts on the first class of the week!
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This post was written by Tommy on April 28, 2008
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This post was written by Tommy on April 27, 2008
Pete Humphries and I had a chat last week to potentially have a look at running the Stoc before the race this coming Saturday. I thought it would be be wise to do so as Clachnaben was a disaster not allowing enough respect for the tracks we were on how hard it actually was, when and where to quicken and slow down and conserve through the Heather.
So a Recce of races is probably prudent especially on the hills as anything can happen as I found out taking two places at Clacnaben and chasing another then going the wrong way.
So Stoc O Chroin, when you mention the word it’s normal response is always started with a hugh breath and the words “O the Stoc O’Chroin” now there’s a race, a few people have compared it to their hardest hill race unless you have done Jura.
Anyway this is what I found:
Left this morning from Dunfermline at 7am, sun shinning no wind, perfect so far, gets to Strathyre 1 hour later, bumps into another two idiots like us preparing to run the route. It was interesting to be here as I had read so much about this race and saw the pictures on the SHR Website some pictures are located here: http://www.shr.uk.com/Photos.aspx
So gets to the start, a steep narrow track which leads into a double vehicle track about 400 meters from ther start, this carries for 2.3 miles on a gradient of around 5-10 Degrees, into the woods a steep and narrow and darkened area of dense wood then break track and into a steep bumpy soggy grassy climb for 100 meters 45 degree turn left onto the break in the fence, turn left here and a further climb no a 40 degree camber right to left pretty steep at this point and not wise to fly up it here! Undulating and pretty energy sapping stuff until we get to the top of the first hill which has probably taken us to 3.25 miles with a steep descent down into Glen Ample valley. You need to watch here as it’s a bit rocky with the tendency to slide on your bum as it does get pretty wet here even on a dry day like today!
Down into Glen Ample 4 mile marker this is where the race starts an 800 meter climb, which people have told me about holding onto the Heather and wire, don’t completly rely on the wire as there is a few spots where there is no attachment to the ground or otherwise and you could become a cropper.
Right 10 mins into it breaks to the right very hard however there is no Heather now single track but still climbing hard, you can see the top of what you think is the top then once you traverse to it’s right shoulder there more behind it, it looked like being about 200 meters away how wrong can you be, climbing and climbing and the sun goes away and we are covered by clouds and getting a bit colder, but what views today behind us reminds me of pictures I’ve saw of the Lairig Ghru. Finally at the top of Beinn Each very very tough!!!!!
Got a bit lost trying to find the right path, lost 15-20 mins but retracked and got moving due North down to Beaclach nan Caber which is where we could see the rocks starting, you are completely surrounded by beauty but dangers lies everywhere as a stone, boulder or rock can put you off or potnetially out of the race, gets up and over then we drop down and a sharp right turning east towards the final part the the Chroin, pretty Peaty soggy then the climbing begins again very tough but not quite as tough as the what we have down 30 mins previous, gets to the top, sun is out the sweat on the top is actually drying off in the sun on top of a Scottish Munro which I couldn’t believe the views are to die for 360 Degrees of Pure Concentrated Beauty!!!
Stayed at the top for 5 mins it’s only taken up 3 hours 15 mins to here and I’ve got an appointment at my house which is an hour’s drive away in 3, which took the shine off it as I started hurrying poor Peter. Got down then up then down then back in 90 mins, the sun was beating down on us which at Glen Ample I had to take my top off as I was roasting.
But the last 2.3 mile was Braw!!!!!!! Pure Desending stuff, I hope I can make it to there next week then I can begin to enjoy the beginning of the end of the race!!!!!!!!
I shall let you know how we get on Race starts this Saturday at 1pm from Dunfermline you need to give yourself 90 mins steady driving.
Good Luck to all who are running! Details on http://www.stucachroin5000.org.uk/
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This post was written by Tommy on April 27, 2008
A tremendous day out for Carnegie Harriers with wee Ricthie Cunningham coming in on 4th Overall in 8hrs 23 mins.
Very well done to Gail Murdoch who made her debut in this event reaching the finish in Tyndrum in 10 hrs 10 mins 54 secs to place 2nd lady and 25th overall. Lynne Kuz also put in a superb run placing 27th overall and 3rd lady in 10 hrs 21 mins 54 secs.
Further details can be found on: www.highlandflingrace.org/ This race was 54 miles long and one half of the 96 mile West Highland Way Race which take 21st June details can be found on http://www.westhighlandwayrace.org/
Sadly Stevie King had to pull out due to an injury problem.
No doubt like me we would like to say A very well done and best wishes for the Full Race in June!
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This post was written by Tommy on April 27, 2008
What happened to you this week, with 22 last week have I frightened you off???? Ryan & Sharon McKenzie I knew were out celebrating, Stevie King and Lynne Kuz keeping themselves for the 54 Mile Race the following day, Barry Davie not seen of late, that reminds me anybody looking for an Entry Form for the Forth Road Bridge in August can collect one in Step UP!
With 13 in the class we managed to have 3 teams, with Malcolm Smith being spare, I looked about the gym for bodies and to my fortune I saw and asked Robert Milton if he and his son Ross would join us, luckily for myself and Malcolm they did and we made up for the forth team!
There was no points tonight as I was taking part in the class however there was plenty of competive spirit with the crews on the Stability Balls willing to show me that not only can they get their four bodies standing on the balls but they love to show off by standing on one leg to do it, Show OFFS, you know who you are!
Anyway a good atmosphere again and I hope we can do the same on Friday! There may be a consideration this Friday as I believe the Black Rock is on!
A week on Wednesday the Auld Toun 10k shall be taking place so again a consideration shall be made!
Hope you have a great weekend!
Posted under Circuit Classes
This post was written by Tommy on April 27, 2008
All classes this week again been well attended with over 15 in each class.
Wednesday had a slightly different set up whereby a lot of Steps were introduced instead of running, a lot of you were flagging so a few interval break were put in to assist your recovery.
Hope to see you Friday 6pm.
Posted under Circuit Classes
This post was written by Tommy on April 27, 2008
As a club counter I thought I would give it a go after all when Stevie King said it’s a good race I was converted, how wrong could one be, I like a challenge but what a race. I stayed with Brian Marshall for the inital mile on the track which was on a slight gradient of about 7 degrees, the sun was out in all it’s glory and I could feel my face getting burnt by the reflexion of the red glaze that covered the first mile of the course. He took a slight advantage after climbing the 7 foot stile into the flat heather terrain after the red glaze where is where the race really starts, cross a small stream, Brian was away however I was deciding which crossing I would take without getting my feet too wet, after taking 10 secs to decide I fell in anyway, brilliant,I havn’t got a clue!
Already 50 meters now behind Brian going up Threestane Hill which is the same elevation as the Lomonds, the track was very very tricky with the Heather was up to mid shin, it was hard going, anyway lying in second at the top and moving down slowly on the other side, after going over on the ankle last week I was protecting it a bit now, we were in a valley heading NEN the ground was sloggy and the hill in front was techincal with marshy uneven spots all around, I was then overtaken by a Lochaber vest which was a kick in the teeth as the guy was cruishing by, by this time I was walking a bit as the Heather was murder. Heading up to the second climb of Mount Shade the terrain was easier as there was a distinct track, in third but not feeling very full of energy……Starts to head up for Clachnaben I thought I could hear breathing behind me, turned out to be the infamous Alan Smith from Deeside Runners he beat me up the Ben as we started down the decline, bog and more Heather before the next river crossing and a flat section for 200 meters to see Mount Shade all 507 meters of it in its wake…….Sun beating down I could see Alan 200 meters in front but walking I could run I felt Ok I managed 200 meters then walked I could see Brian and the Lochaber boy in front I got 8/10ths of the way up when I got caught by the Dutch guy then by Ritchie Cunningham there was no response from me I could only hope I could get back at them on the flat.
Came off Mount Shade, still more Heather, legs were caving in, I’m going slower, managed to get down into flatter ground where I got taken twice again I was about 800 meters from the glazed road kept in together and managed to keep going.
Onto the road and the Cosmics guy in 400 meters in front, flew down the decline and managed to get the Cosmics guy who laughed at me when I passed him then the Lomond boy where was the finish I crossed a stream which was the wrong way to lose 2 places and 2 mins wasn’t good married up with another runner who directed me in! I could see the finish stayed in front of the Pathfinder and managed 7th?
A learning experience, character building I think it’s called, I enjoyed to be finished sugar level was very low but glad to get it over with! Carnegie got the 1st team prize for Mens!!!
Posted under Post Race Feedback
This post was written by Tommy on April 23, 2008
Back to work which after the first day which flew by was better than expected, first Circuit Class was smaller than normal but the second class made up for this!
Wednesday’s Classes were unlike Monday’s as the first class was busy with the second only holding, Stevie King and Gail Murdoch on their return for the great run’s at London Marathon, Lynne and Simon Kuz, who are doing the 54 miler Highland Fling this weekend, Campbell Logan with his friend Iain, Glen McArthur from the gym, Stevie Greer and Maryann!
Friday’s class was classic, with 18 names in the pot, I had set up 5 stations of 4 people per station, my intention was to have some fun yet to try and get the guys to work hard. Once we got the station change over sorted after the initial confession, the competitive streak started coming out of you, once I said there would be a prize for the team who had the most points things became a bit more serious, with people pushing other teams,points being given for good effort and the opposite for not……..What a laugh and a continuation of the same this Friday, in the end up the winners on the night were both the Malcolm’s Weir and Smith, Stuart Ollis and Gary, well done to them and the rest of the group who made up the other 16 places!
Posted under Circuit Classes
This post was written by Tommy on April 23, 2008
Back from my family holiday break from the Highlands yesterday so back to business tomorrow with both classes on at normal times, the rest of the week has the classes as per normal including Sunday night!
Saturday afternoon’s Knockfarrel Hill Race.
Travelled the 45 miles from Aviemore to get to Strathpeffer near Ullapool to compete in the second race in the Scottish Hill Running Championship callendar, a few people travelled the whole 150 miles from Fife to do the 5 miles to travel the same distance home again…….Some commitment…….
Checked out the route before starting, started off from Aviemore at 1230 only allowing 90 minutes before the start of the race which was not the best, roads were clear and directions easy to follow, got to Strathpeffer 40 mins before kick off so normal registration and warm up, married up with Neil Campbell who helped me with the start route and location of the first bend.
Last year there were bearly 60 runners I think the organisers said there were 154 at today’s race a 200% increase!!!!! Race got started over the flat 600 meter muddy track which was flooded in areas, then a 45 degree turn right on a steep climb for 100 meters, then a more generous less technical stretch over a farmers field with the camber of a 40degree tilt from right to left. Over a stile then up a steep incline for 300 meters sharp left flat for another 400 meters then up what seemed like a bloody cliff face for which seemed to be 100-150meters got to the top still felt pretty good, a decline section which I had lost a place to Des Crowe as I’m crap at desending still, pretty flat for 400 meters then a 200 meter climb 45 degree left into the woods getting a bit tired here two Shettleston in front yet wasn’t making much headway on them…….Then being cut on the quads by overgrown bushes up and down mainly down for about 2 mins distance unknown as I was travelling pretty fast at this point, marshall was MONKING it at the stretch going back up the hill, no not another one, I could the boys in front yes lets get them, but this climb was again extremely tough and lasted for about 2-3 mins then the next section was like the section from the top of gate of leg2 Devils Burden turning left towards the monument really tiring here I could here the guy behind me catching, over a stile going into the woods, two guys flew by me I could do nothing but think of damage limitation, beautiful wee stretch in the woods soft underfoot, sharp left back onto the flat, started to catch the gut in front now slight unhill coming to a stile about 400 meters from leaving the forest, got over and back into the farmers field, now I know I don’t have far to go, slight downhill section catching the guy in front, caught him and now catching the guy infront of him, marshal standing at the joining point from the start, great I know how long I’ve got to the start, the Lochaber boy clears the stile I try the same and skids into it with my shin, shit I shouted losing time, the guy that I just overtook on my back, a 400-600 meter downhill section about 20 degrees to my liking catch back up with the guy in front the guy behind skids on the next stile I ask if he is alright he shouts go on, back onto the farmers field overtakes the next guy, final downhill section I know the Lochaber boy will be faster so I put a burst in, coming back onto the flat which is really wet and muddy I went right over on my Left Ankle shouting from the pain started limping and running together the guy who was chasing me souts, keep fighting which was great motivation, I did and managed to hold him off to the last 600 meters to the finish line about 10 at the finish line when I went over so I hope to glean a few points for the cause, bloody swollen ankle today to show for it.
Ran today, ran 8.7 miles 1hour 7mins over Townhill Forest and into Loch Fitty last two miles on the road from Bowershall to Townhill. Average HR 145, Max 172, Averaging 8 min miles best 5.09 which was on the last 2 miles heading back to the car.
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This post was written by Tommy on April 13, 2008
Please Note: Yesterday Morning Joe confirmed that there be 3 classes this week!
One on Monday night at 5.30pm from a well respected Instructor George Orr who has a great repututation in Circuit Classes.
On Wednesday night both classes are going on as normal!
Friday night there is no classes and normal business resumes next week! See you soon!
Tommy
Posted under personal trainer, massage therapist
This post was written by Tommy on April 6, 2008
We have George from Saline who is a great instructor who has been Circuit Classes you many a year, Wednesday and Friday are not on! Please contact the club to arrange the classes.
Posted under personal trainer, massage therapist
This post was written by Tommy on April 5, 2008
Brilliant Class last night with 15 of you taking part even though it was a cracking night!!!!!!
Just want to say thanks to all of you who have constantly been there at the classes you know who you are! Remember classes off next week as I’m on holiday!
Posted under personal trainer, massage therapist
This post was written by Tommy on April 5, 2008
