New Running Groups

In the next couple of weeks we are intending to launch THREE new running groups:

Monday evenings at 7:15:  Intermediates – jogleader Paul Thompson. (443 7529) starting Mon 7 May

Tuesday mornings at 9:30: Jogscotland Beginners group .. “Running Mums” – jogleader Norma Bone, (449 2384), starting Tue 15^th May

Wednesday evenings at 7:00: Jogscotland Beginners group – jogleader Anne Douglas (449 6105), starting Wed 9^th May

All meeting in Balerno HS car Park

All the other groups will continue;

Weds at 7:00:         All levels (Paul /Tom)

Thu at Sughton at 6:30: Hard track session (Bob)

Sundays at 10:00: Long run groups (self-led) and Intermediates (Bob)

Pass the word out, especially to those friends who always said they wanted to start. Group leaders need group members for the new groups to be viable groups.

Modelling Kit

We’ve had some fleeces & jackets made up with a club logo, so catch Anne or Tom if you want a look. Once we get an idea of the preferred garment & style, we’ll want to know who’ll be wanting to order one.

Social Evening

What:     Who fancies a night out at Fountain Park Megabowl??

When     Friday 8th June at 7pm-ish 

Cost         £10.75p for two games or £14.75 with a basket meal,

Alternative Eating option:  New Orleans restaurant and bar is next door if people would rather eat there instead of the basket meal at the bowling.

Contact: Tom White 346 1458 / or eMail tomhwhite@hotmail.com / or grab him (nowhere painful) at training.

By            Tom will need to know numbers by Sun 13th May to book the food option most people would prefer.

Running Route booklets

The office photocopier has been busy photocopying the updated running route booklets, aso if you’d like a copy, catch me or your jogleader.

Great North Run - performance related places.

There are club places reserved for males who have done 2 x sub 1hr 25 and females who have done 2 x sub 1hr 40 half’s in the last year, so if anyone is interested and has done the qualifying times, let me know.

Club Annual Returns

We’ve just completed our annual club membership census returns to Scottish Athletics. At the census date the club membership stood at 94 folk paid up … 48 Adults, 46 juniors, with a few to chase up, and new folk coming along all the time. Last year we reached about 120 by the end of the membership year. It would be great to top that.

RUNNING PERFORMANCES

Edinburgh Forthside Marathon, Sun 1 Apr

Note; Times given are by Chip time, positions reported are by gun time and therefore incorrect (ie inconsistent with chip time positions)

323 Caroline Dunn                01:33:00  

313 Kenneth Tindall             01:33:27  

412 Bill Stobie                        01:34:09  

469 Hugh Chalmers               01:37:02   

702 Verity Missen                 01:40:53  

791 Paul Thompson              01:42:02  

769 David Gillespie               01:42:19  

1013 Frank Tooley                01:45:47   

1324 Peter McGavigan         01:50:24   

1367 Catherine Barr               01:50:55   

1693 Norma Bone                  01:55:57   

2095 Beverley Dodgson       02:04:07   

2339 Lorraine Shekleton       02:09:58  

2341 Alison Smith                 02:09:58

Several folk did impressive pb’s. Some have commented that the course may have been slightly short of a full half, but the first round of handicap target adjustments will assume a valid course.

Congratulations to Lorraine Shekleton on her first half, having started running as a jogscotland beginner only six months earlier.

Dunbar, Sat 7 April

Sunny Dunbar-sur-mer lived up to its name with glorious sunshine for our first real taste of spring. There was an early breeze with a chilly nip in the field outside the clubhouse, whilst one of our number prepared with a chilly nip inside the clubhouse. First big decision: vest or t-shirt? Vest was the correct answer. Black T-Shirt (Gail): wrong answer. Fleece was an even worse answer and I felt sorry for the fleece-tied-round-the-waist brigade, well only until I went past them.

I failed miserably in my attempt to overtake Bev at the 4 k point, so had to try again at 8.5 k. I was really pleased to overtake some guy in a Hearts strip at 9k after he’d gone past me at 1k. Maybe he was a spare Lithuanian. 

Some sod wanted to overtake me on the run-in. Hell, that last 60m is my distance, no-one gets past! The official photographer missed me.

Some folk have wintered better then others, and there were some serious pb’s here! And there’s a new challenge for the summer: Kenny v Tom. Current score 1:0.

This was our first handicap event of the summer and the winners were:

Bev Dodgson        2m 56 inside target (a massive pb)

Kenny Tindall        1m 31 inside target (an endorsement for that magic potion)

There were a couple of hiccups with the medal supplier, but we hope they’ll arrive soon!

Future handicap Medals events:

Sun 6 May             Edinburgh 10k

Sun 17 June            Beltane 10k, Peebles

Sun 5 Aug              Scottish Gas / Granton 10k

Sun 5 Aug              Scottish Gas / Granton 5k (a target for beginners & lazy 10k runners)

Sun 19 Aug            Club 10k-&-a-bit pursuit handicap race

Sun 29 Sep             Linlithgow 10k

Sat 14 Oct               Aviemore Half

Grangemouth 10k, Sun 15 April

The ever popular trot round the scenic delights of Grangemouth attracted a couple of runners……..

304           Paul Thompson    48:34

324           Alex Gordon          49:18

677 finishers

…….. those who couldn’t make it to Grangemouth had to make do with …

Paris marathon, Sun 15 April

By Bob (The bag carrier’s tale) “Eleven worthy souls and an equal number of unworthy hangers-on journeyed over for a gentle run in the temperate ambience of the Paris Springtime. Or so we thought. The weather forecast was chaud, tres chaud and getting encore plus chaud all the time.

Caroline pulled rank with the World’s Favourite Airline and got her own personal pilot to fly the main group of us over. Getting out of Charles de Gaul airport was reminiscent of the weekly Sunday morning “where shall we go discussion” as we split into various groups to tackle the trip into the city and made hurried arrangements for meeting up again.

The afternoon was spent getting to the Registration to collect stuff, and sitting in the shade. Using the Metro was reminiscent of the weekly Sunday morning “which way shall we go discussion” .All the time it was getting hotter. I made an executive decision and bought a floral club flag (!) at a florist to assist our runners and other bag carriers to spot me.

The day of the race dawned with a soft hazy freshness we knew would soon disappear. We were spread over various hotels, with various numbers of randomly allocated stars, but all near the Arc de Triomphe, where the race started. It was a short stroll for everyone to gather together. Apart from Norma who cycled from the camp-site. Nothing like a cycle through a strange city to prepare for a marathon.

We (David Boyle, Joanna McGavigan and I) saw the runners into their pens and ambled down the Champs Elysee to the 1k point. It was now sunny.

The wheelchairs, elite runners and a running model of the Eiffel tower went past…. then came the hordes. Approx 35,000, but we weren’t counting.

The 1k point is not a good place to stand. It is the first point on the course where there are a lot of trees. Runners who had consumed a lot a fluid, and had been penned up for ages, made for the trees like greyhounds. And used the trees like greyhounds.

Once the hordes went past I was getting too warm and I took off my Currie top. It was shorts and T-shirt weather, and I was prepared. “Coffee time” we agreed. A pleasant stroll over the Seine took us to a corner café in the shade and there we parked. David noticed it was a Rugby Café, and I spotted a Melrose top.

A telly in the corner was covering the leaders. “They’ve only six miles to go”…. “Our lot will be nearly half-way”….  “Time to walk up to the 30k point”, which is where we said we’d be cheering.

The 30k point had a high wall alongside the course that allowed us a good view of the runners coming along. Our “flag” interrupted the view for a lady further along the wall and we got some traditional Parisian abuse. Zut alors! We shifted along a bit. I put some sun cream on.

One by one we spotted our runners, or they spotted us, some looking and sounding fresher than others. It’s just as well we were carrying some water, as the organisers hadn’t seen the weather forecast. Or maybe they had but couldn’t find a Tesco open on Sunday.

It was time to move up to the finish area. The reunion pen was rather crowded and we had to squeeze in through a narrow gate against the flow of hot, sticky humanity (and that included other bag-carriers).

Caroline had already finished. One-by one most of the others arrived at the gathering point. Eventually everyone was accounted for. Verity had required treatment on the course and hadn’t been able to finish. We walked, slowly, out of the post race gathering pen and past the various hot-food stalls. Yum-yum, just what runners want to smell when they’re hot, sore, exhausted and dehydrated. I was quite peckish but decided I could wait.

Thankfully everyone was able to make the evening meal, and complete the replenishment of lost fluids. We even had the pleasure of a traditional Parisian hissy fit from the waitresses until they realised that large party + lots of wine = good tip (maybe)…

PS: Did I mention it was hot? About 27 deg C.

PPS: The flag is in our conservatory. It may re-appear for ceremonial duties.”

6321 Caroline DUNN                            03h 41' 27"

12617 Frank TOOLEY                           04h 06' 39"

14795 Carol  BLAMIRE                        04h 16' 05"

15399 Lindsey BOYLE                          04h 18' 43"

18134 Anne DOUGLAS                       04h 30' 43"

22004 Elaine SCOTT                             04h 52' 15"

23366 Norma BONE                              05h 01' 52"

25474 Pauline WHITE                          05h 25' 39"

25475 Thomas WHITE                         05h 25' 40"

26879 finishers

London marathon, Sun 22 April

By David Syme: “I took part as a club runner representing Harmeny Pentland Athletic Club, after a coin toss for the club's place between myself and friend Hugh Chalmers in December 06. Training had been good, mainly with club members who were training for the Paris Marathon.

Pat and I flew down to London on Saturday 21st.  We had been warned about the crowds at Registration, so Pat went straight to our club while I braved the throng.  There were queues to do everything, many queues consisting of runners and their entire families!  I shuffled forward to collect my number, shuffled again to get my chip, and was pushed gently by the flow round the exhibition stands, none of which looked very attractive by this late stage.  Queuing again for a pasta meal was one queue too many, so I picked up a goody bag and headed back for a quiet night.  The goody bag was full of the usual free samples.  I mistook the shower gel for skin cream, and rubbed a large dollop into my face (in anticipation of a sunny day for the run).  My face soon started to nip, so I washed it off quickly enough!  After a pasta meal and a stroll round Marble Arch I laid out all my kit for the run and settled in for a long night watching snooker and Match of the Day.

I awoke at 6 after quite a good night, and dressed carefully.  Shirt and shorts I had trained in frequently were trusted friends, socks and trainers also.  I wore a cap and had 3 small squares of towel hung from my shorts on safety pins.  Rather than use the Marathon clothing bag, I carried only some water and money in a plastic bag, and went down for breakfast.  This was a Soreen malt loaf and an energy fruit drink.  I felt conspicuous walking to the tube station with my number and running kit, but the platform and trains were full of runners (and their families) so I was just another runner from then on.  From Marble Arch to Bond Street was crowded, from Bond Street to Charing Cross more so, but from Charing Cross to Blackheath was chaos!  I was wedged next to Damien, an Australian living in Putney who was running his second marathon, but had his eye on the Comrades Marathon later this year.  He hoped to finish in 4 hours. The walk from the station was relaxing, as we divided into red and blue starts and the sun was shining.  The holding area for runners only was vast, and it was very pleasant to wander around in the fresh morning sunshine.  Toilet facilities were excellent, drinking water plentiful and the voice on the loudspeaker system not too excited.  I missed my family fellow-runners at this stage, as most runners were in groups!

The race was due to start at 0945hrs, and at 0900hrs they opened the start pens.  I was the first into Pen 8, so sat at the very front.  I chatted to a young lad from Blackheath, whose wife's baby was overdue.   He had a mobile on his arm in case of any development. Being so far back we missed the pre-start chat and warm-up (if there was one) and only faintly heard the start, which was done by Mary Peters (I remember her) and Ronan Keating (who he?).  Of course nothing happened for a while for us, then we shuffled forward, crossing the start almost 9 minutes after the gun. 

Boy!  Was it good to be running!  Sadly we were down to walking pace after a minute or so, and had to walk for 2-3 minutes before daylight appeared between us and the runners in front.  Even in the first few miles it was clear that many had overstated their ability on the entry form; some were walking after 2 miles, others were in it for laughs, milking the crowd and making phone calls.  On this note, I would say that the most negative aspect of this run was the need to weave in and out of slower runners and walkers (even although I had to walk at the end).  I was one of the few runners at my level not wearing a charity vest, and this is the lesson I learned.  For a runner of my ability London is not to be taken too seriously.  Train hard for the 26 miles, of course, but dress up, chase some sponsorship and raise money for a good cause, and, above all, enjoy the terrific atmosphere.  

I chatted up a lady alongside me with the unlikely line:  "Excellent water stops here, aren't there” and we talked for a while.  She came from Nottingham and was another non-charity runner.  She said that she enjoyed running behind me because she "liked my running line."   She kept on my heels for most of the course, to my astonishment.  I was up on the kerb, squeezing between groups, ducking and diving, yet she kept right behind me!  We parted when she needed a toilet and I needed a walk.  I also chatted up a Serviceman raising money for the Airborne Forces Association, and ran alongside a huge bottle of Lucozade being worn by Lisa  "Come on Lisa!"  "Well done, Lisa!" I heard this from the enthusiastic crowd for much of the route. The spectators offered sweets, oranges, chocolate and wee hands to be touched.  Many runners had their names on their clothing, and they received individual encouragement. Eventually I left Lisa behind, but could not overtake the heavily-perspiring Scooby-doo.

Pat and Fiona had told me to look out for them at miles 11 and 21, and I was looking forward to some support.  Mile 11 came and went with no sign of them, but I saw Fiona at mile 21.  I learned later that I had passed within 2 feet of them at mile 12.  They had screamed my name, but I had missed them.  Going too fast, I suppose. 

My longest training run had been 18 miles, and it was at this point in the race that I began to feel like a poor swimmer out of his depth.  For the first time I walked at a drinks station, then trundled forward again.  Then I slowed for another walk, ran, then walked again.  Up to this point I had been running well, but my running deteriorated into a flat, stubbing style, which caused my toes to press at each step against the front of my shoe.  Both big toes suffered, and I may lose the nail on the right one.  Other than that, by the way,  I have come away from the event intact, no abrasions worth speaking about, and - apart from a couple of cramping twinges - no muscle tiredness at all.  My expert but callous children attribute this lack of suffering to not having tried hard enough.  Maybe they are right, but what the hell! 

Crossing the finish line was the usual physical relief, and then came the slow realisation that I had achieved my goal. The finish arrangements for 36,000 runners were very good, and I picked up a bulging goody bag and went to meet Pat, Fiona and her friend Elizabeth, with whom we had run in Paris a few years earlier. An interesting selection of goodies in the bag, but I was disappointed with the finishers' T-shirt, which seemed to be designed for the one-off marathon runner.  

So, job done!   And yet.... Why did I have to walk towards the end?  What time might I have made if I had kept on running all the way?  Should I have put in a longer training run? These questions will haunt me until I have had another bash at this distance.”

David’s time was 4hr 31m 06, placed 12978

If anyone is interested in entering the London marathon… The club gets at least one allocated place (this year we got two), and first priority in our ballot for palces goes to club members who have tried to get in via the public ballot, which opens to applicants in the summer.

(Our other place went to Richard Gray who had to withdraw a few weeks ago, but he has been able to defer his place to next year.)

Forthcoming Events

Sat 12 May             Penicuik 10k

Sun 13 May            Britannic Women’s 10k. The largest fun run (& walk & chat) in Scotland

                                Enter at www.runglasgow.org      (I’ve also got forms)

Sun 13 May            2nd Annual H.W.U Round the grounds 5km run, Riccarton Campus

                                Why not do a fast 5k in the afternoon instead of, or as well as the usual yomp.

Sat 19 May             Loch Leven Half

                                A taper down event for those doing the Embra marathon

Sat 26^th May           Stornaway Half     Contact Iain (449 6546) for info on weekend trip

Sun 27 May            Dunfermline Half

Sun 27 May            Edinburgh marathon             http://www.edinburgh-marathon.com/?home

                                Entry for club members until 5 May

Mon 28^th May        Rigg race               

                                Harmeny will be organising this – offers of help will be expected from most of those not running in it! Contact Alex Gordon (335 0379)

Sat 2 June               Trossachs 10k      A wee gem. Highly recommended

Wed 6 June            Corstorphine 5 K road race, Turnhouse

Sun 10 June            Dechmont Law 10k Up-down, Up-down, Up-down, Up-down. I think that's four times

Sun 17 June            **** Beltane 10k & junior 3 k races, Peebles

                                An addition to our club medal series

Sun 17 June            Edinburgh Seven Hills

Sat 23 June             Rob Roy Challenge               Info at www.robroychallenge.com

                                Contact Iain (449 6546) if interested.

Tue 26th June     JogScotland Challenges (5k) Edinburgh:  Inverleith Park / Botanic Gardens

                                Split into 2 races (Fun runs) Enter online at   

                <http://www.scottishathletics.org.uk/index.php?p=80&itemType=fixtures&itemId=696>

                <http://www.scottishathletics.org.uk/index.php?p=80&itemType=fixtures&itemId=697>

Sat 28 July              Musselburgh 6 mile road race

Sun 5 Aug              **** Scottish Gas / Granton 10k & 5k We’re making the 5K a club handicap event as well.

Sat 11 Aug             Haddington Half

Sun 19 Aug            **** Club 10k-&-a-bit pursuit handicap race.

                                (Avoiding the Bank Holiday Week-end)

Sun 1 Sep               Great Scottish Run / Glasgow half & 10k

Sun 29 Sep             **** Linlithgow 10k

Sun 7 Oct                Loch Ness Marathon / 10k / 5k

                                www.lochnessmarathon.com (& entry forms available)

Sat 14 Oct               **** Aviemore Half

                                A good one to do, and as trophy winners, honour is at stake.

                                As an additional incentive, we’ll make this a club medal event.

Sat 10 Nov              Glen Clova half marathon.

                                Contact Ian (449 6546) IMMEDIATELY if interested

The Scottish Athletics fixture list for the coming summer is at http://www.scottishathletics.org.uk

Spare entry forms and race posters are available on the Games corridor notice Board in Balerno High School, at the Gymnasium end.

Race Previews:

Monday 28^th May: RIGG RACE REMINDER: Contact Alex Gordon 335 0379 to offer assistance, … or bring a sick note explaining absence…

Sat 2 Jun:                The Trossachs 10 k is a late addition to the fixture list. Anne and I did this last year and as quiet picturesque 10k’s go, this is a gem. Everything that the Edinburgh 10k isn’t.

NEWS FROM OTHER CLUB SECTIONS

Pentland Triathletes:

Now we are three! The tri club had a successful launch on 21^st April, and with Balerno HS pool re-opened the Tri club is open for business on Saturday mornings. … and they’re keen to get more men involved..

Contact Alex Gordon (335 0379) or visit www.pentlandtriclub.co.uk

Harmeny AC: Track & Field / Juniors

This is the business end of the year for us, and things will be pretty hectic for the next 2 months. We had a good turnout for the first track meeting of the year at Livingston on Thu 19^th where we were 4^th out of 7 clubs. The next meetings are at Pitreavie (Thu 17 May) and Livingston (Thu 14 June).

We are organising three mini-championship nights:  Mon 14 May (800m races and Shot Putt); Mon 4 June (100m races and Long Jump); Wed 13 June (Water of Leith Mini-marathon). Adult helpers are essential for these to be successful so any “Runners” not already involved with the juniors who can help let me know.