Mud Mud Glorious Mud

16th Glasgow Park Run on Saturday -- but not so sweet, we as regards time anyway. Because of the the icy conditions underfoot the 5k became cross country with three laps round some very muddy fields. Hence the slowest time yet for that particular race of 27.56. Having said that it was probably my most enjoyable Park Run, with a great sense of camaraderie among the runners, which came to the fore when my foot sank into a particularly muddy bit and I measured my length in the soggiest bit of field I've seen in a long time. Great fun and I ended up covered from head to foot in mud. Haven't done cross country for a while, due to injury and a general lack of fitness during the winter season -- Saturday reminded me of what I'm missing.

Park Run No 15

Christmas Eve Glasgow Park Run this morning as part of my nine mile long run. Felt good and pushed it a little. Crossed the line at the front of the veterans pack of Ian Goudie, Watson Jones and Murdoch Rodgers. Ian commented that he wasn't racing today as I passed him on one of the downhills -- that didn't prevent him from breathing down my neck all the way down the finishing straight to the line -- he's a competitor is Ian:-) A good day.

Festive 5k 2011

Fantastic, Fun Festive 5k with my Bellahouston Roadrunners Club mates this morning round Bella Park in the snow. Great fun, great costumes, mince pies and mulled wine plus a host of other home baked goodies -- and £120 for a deserving charity. Christmas has officially begun. Oh by the way my time was 25.50

Back to Work

Easy week over -- back to work next week building some pace !!! STOP PRESS -- return to speedwork somewhat hampered by the appalling weather -- managed a treadmill session on Monday, but did get out for a short sharp speed session with the club on Wednesday. If the weather holds a 10 miler on Saturday -- fingers crossed !!!

Great Poster

Great poster my friend sent me

-- done in 1911 -- some folk might

say it's remarkably up to date..

St Andrews Hospice 6k

Well what a contrast with yesterday. Bright sunshine and no rain for this annual charity fun run. Very cold and windy though. Trotted round in a pedestrian 27.49, didn't really push the boat out as my legs were a little tired from yesterday's race and my asthma doesn't like these kind of conditions, but it was a great fun day out with lots of mums, dads and families running. I'm beginning to enjoy these non-competitive outings -- I think I'll do a few more, I used to do loads in the past. Fantastic speedwork training session and a donation to a very worthwhile cause. Nice medal too although it's been a long time since I was at school !!! What more can you wish from a race ? Apart from a PB that is :-)

Hugh Wilson 10k

Torrential rain, gales, mud and puddles up to our oxters -- pretty tough conditions for an out and back tour of East Kilbride's more scenic roundabouts and dual carriageways -- and I had a ball. Small field of lunatics took part and there was a real sense of camaraderie. Well done to the local running club for providing plenty of marshalls on the day -- I would much rather have been running than standing around in the cold and rain. Slowest 10k in a while at 47.49, bit I consider it one of my best efforts in years -- howling gales, which seemed to be in our faces all the way, the wind didn't even get behind us after the turn. My old mate Murdoch Rodgers pressed me close in the 2nd half of the race but I managed to hold him off. All in all a very satisfactory day -- charity 6k tomorrow at Strathclyde Park.