Here is the May Pentland runners newsletter.  Before you get to read all the great reports, on behalf of the runners council I would like to encourage you all to come along to the next meeting on Tuesday, 29 July 2008 at 7.30pm in the Riccarton Arms, Currie. The runners council was set up to help organise runs, races, social events and ensure we have leaders for all groups of runners (Jog Scotland beginners to the fast guys who are always at the front).  It is not a committee and you wont be asked to take on any difficult tasks, but it is your chance to tell us what you would like the club to offer and suggest ideas for the next few months.  However we do still need people to help organise events like the club handicap run down the Water of Leith, usually held at the end of August, and Verity and Pauline would like someone to take over the task of chairing the council meetings and taking minutes – ( only 4 a year so not a huge task to take on).  So put the 29^th July in your diary and hope to see lots of you there.

Reminder of  running group times

Sunday morning at 10.00 am Balerno HS Car Park:
Monday morning at 9.30pm Malleny Park (Currie Rugby club) Car Park
Monday evening at 7:00pm Balerno HS Car Park
Wednesday evening at 7.00pm  Balerno HS Car Park
Thursday evening at Saughton Track:  Harmeny AC track sessions for endurance runners. 6.30 - 7.30.  Anyone who wants to  try out a bit of track work to increase their speed (whether you’re a fast or slower runner) is welcome.

Friday morning at 9.00pm Malleny Park (Currie Rugby club) Car Park

New Training Session?

Some of the girls who can’t get to the track on Thursdays have been asking about speedwork sessions in Balerno.  So we’ll give it a go for a few weeks to see what interest there is. Bob has agreed to take this on Monday evenings at 7:05 (approx) after junior training in Malleny Park has finished. The first session will be Monday 12 May.  Open to all who want a hard session! 

Race reports

David Syme  reports on a 10k: 
I ran the Garioch 10km Race (started by the First Minister) in 55 mins 47 secs on Sunday 13th April.  Our son Andrew managed to do 37 mins 47 secs, coming in 13th overall.   It's a hilly course but well-marshalled, and offers a wee medal, T-shirt and a surprisingly generous goody bag.

London Marathon reports

Jackie Chalmers report on Hugh’s first marathon -  (first but not last??)

Hugh and I would like to thank all of you for contributing to the Teenage Cancer Trust Remember Zoe Fund by sponsoring Hugh in the London Marathon.  Donations, which are still coming in, have amounted to around £1500.00.  This sum will assist the Trust who have recently announced that, in October this year, they are to go ahead with creating a teenage ward unit at The Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh.  The ultimate aim is to build a hospice in the Edinburgh area.

 Hugh finished the run in a time of 3hrs 40mins, which was his target time - and not bad for an old man!  Fortunately the anxieties of the previous week ("I think I may have a sore throat starting", "don't think I've done enough long distance runs" etc) proved to be unfounded, and his finishing place was in the top 15% of his male age group.  (However, had the run been two weeks later, after his next birthday, his time would put him in the top 8% in his next age group!)

Hugh really enjoyed the atmosphere of the run and didn't meet the famous marathon "wall" until near the end. The Marathon route was like a carnival, and the support from spectators was wonderful.  That - and grim determination - carried Hugh through the last four miles and over the finishing line, but I don't think he could have run another yard, as his tank was well and truly empty!  Together we staggered down the Strand from the finish to our hotel, only for Hugh to get an attack of cramp and collapse just as the Hotel Doorman opened the front door for us.   I proved to be completely incompetant at massage much to the amusement of the surprised onlookers, but almost instantaneously a couple of passing Irish guys, who seemed to know their achilles from their ankle, took over and Hugh was quickly back on his feet, and guests could once more pass through the hotel entrance unimpeded!  

 Our trip to the Marathon was in the company of other members of the Balerno running club and their was a lot of hilarity and mutual support, especially afterwards as muscles and joints began to ache a little on the journey home.  By the time we got off the plane in Edinburgh last night they all looked more like OAPs, rather than a group of athletes(!).  Hopefully Hugh's obvious discomfort (pain?) when going down steps today will be only a short lived after effect.  However, he has no plans to run another marathon - not at the moment anyway!

 Again, many thanks for your support,

 Jacky

 An excellent day in London on the 13th April.  Quite a warm start to the day, although it turned rather chilly when some heavy showers descended upon us. As ever, this event remains the best organised mass race I have ever participated in.  I have done the London Marathon more times than I care to remember, and the organisation never fails to impress me.  There seemed to be even more water stations than ever, (possibly due to the high temperatures experienced in 07).  When you cross the line, there is an army of people waiting to congratulate you, and if necessary take care of you.  (For those of you who know my recent history of marathon participation, I was very pleased not to have to check out the medical facilities this year).  Unfortunately I did have to check out the portaloo facilities twice along the route.  I don't mention this because it is of any great interest, but as with all runners in their post-event justifications, I have to let it be known that I would definitely have been faster than 3.48 if it wasn't for these two stops.  I also 'bumped' into Hugh en-route which was a nice surprise to see a familiar face and to have a chat.  As with all running outings that involve Hugh though, it isn't long before you see the back of him.
Post-marathon recovery stories remain the same, i.e. how many black toe nails one has, versus how many toe nails in total.  Then there is the first 24 hours of brief sanity when you swear you will never do another marathon again in your life.  However, this lucidity is a passing visitor as one reaches the 48 hour mark and start to think maybe it would be great just to do one more marathon, just to see if you could do a bit better next time - after all, the last 2 miles weren't that bad were they?
Verity

13^th April Flora London Marathon: What other hobby allows you to take part in one of the World’s greatest sporting spectacles, waiting for the gun only 10s yds away from some of the fittest people on the planet? A real sense of occasion from the Expo on Saturday, through the special trains from Charing Cross to Blackheath at 8.30 on Sun and then the 36000 crowd at the start. Saturation crowds all the way around. The last 5 km along the Embankment then you round a bend and Big Ben bathed in sunlight looms ahead – mix of sadness and relief as nearly there and it’ll be over soon. Past Buck Palace and under a bridge with 2 m high figures- 385 yds to go (100^th anniversary of the distance). Big finish sprinting down The Mall. Thanks to choice of hotel, back in Hugh’s room for a bath 20 mins after finishing!

Frank

Hugh Chalmers 3.40
Verity Missen 3.48
Frank Tooley 3.53
Norma Bone 4.27

2 reports from the Heaven and Hell Half Marathon - Scone - 6 April 2008
Kenny Tindall - 1.34.52 (21st out of 115)
Iain Morrice -1.39.50 (31st out of 115)
 
 Kenny says:
The clue here is in the title and I had a fair idea when the guy giving the briefing said 'we have designed this to be a deliberately hard course'.  The course is not too bad until you get to mile 8 ('gently undulating') and for two miles you are on a steep climb, think perhaps of the Beech Trees or the path up the back of Black Hill....given I run about 7 minute miles for a half, miles 8 and 9 were about 9.30s.  And when you got over the top, there was a force 10 in your face on the way down, which was not much fun.
 
Worth doing (once) anyway but I will probably be back next year.  Well organised, well marshalled, nice route, good marathon training.  I did not hang about afterwards but did nip in to use the facilities and it looked like a fantastic tea was laid out...and you could get a pint afterwards as the bar was open.  [There was no need for the pre-run whisky this time as Tom was not running.]

Iain says:

This race is organised by the excellent Perth Road Runners AC.

The race was held on a very very cold Perthshire morning, Balerno had snow on the morning as did Kirriemuir where I was staying but the race did go ahead.

The route is a brilliant road race run over B class roads around the village of Scone. Think of the Rigg Road in Balerno and that is the kind of route that this race covers. It is hard and there are two very steep inclines in it. The steepest one is about 2 mile in length all the way up. The marshall at the bottom told us to be careful running up, I wondered why she should say this but I soon realised why. It was very steep but the views at the top over the Perthshire countryside were great. The biting wind made it even harder and the road surface at bits was tricky with some ice in places. The race is not called the Heaven and Hell for nothing and it is known as the hardest Half Marathon in the racing calender. Don`t let this put you off it, go and try it next year, it was a great race, friendly and fun( well almost).

Andrew Neilson unfortunately did not complete the race, he had to get a lift back at 3 miles from the marshalls due to him pulling a hamstring( I think it was because he had the hots for the marshall that he stopped). At the end we got a brilliant good bag handed out by a lovely wee girl aged about 3 dressed out in her pink sunday best. One of the best goody bags I have had.

 115 runners in the race.

Kenny Tindall 21st, time 1 hour 34mins

iain Morrice 31st. time 1 hour 39mins.

 Iain reports on THE MIGHTY DEERSTALKER 10k:   1st March 08

http://www.themightydeerstalker.com/

Well what can I say about this totally insane/mental/stupid/idiotic/crazy race, it was bloody brilliant and one that you must all do at least once. The 10k route is fantastic and is a great laugh as long as you dont take the race to seriously. There is also a 5k which would be good if you wanted to do the run in daylight.

Both races start at Traquair House near Innerleithen in the Borders. The first obstacles are massive straw bales which are 100 meters from the start ( thanks to Neil Wilson for getting me over). I arrived at the bales in about 8th place but by the time I got over the bales I was about 100th. What a laugh. Its done in fancy dress if you want and the dress can be anything and I mean anything so if you have any wee fantasies then go for it. The race does involve climbing straw bales, going through deep pools, very steep up and down hills, running along slippy logs, jumping into ,yes into large cargo netting. Oh and there are the 4/5 river crossings thrown in as well. God the water was cold, I have never seen Stephan so miserable. And the best part is still to come!!!!!. The last 5k is done in total darkness with headtorches. It’s some sight to see large a number of runners with headtorches bobbing up and down trying to ascend a steep scree hill on all fours then use their bums to get across two massive trees laid horizontal over a gulley!!!!.

Well worth the money.

Sally and partner and Neil and partner both said that they would not camp again due to the cold and the rowdy runners through the night.

Well done to all who took part, the times do reflect the route as Stephan and Andrew would normally complete a 10k in about 35mins.

 550 runners in the race.

Stephan Knupfer30th. time  1.43.26
Andrew Neilson  82nd, time  1.54.42
Iain Morrice 97th,     time    1.57.12
Sally May   258th,     time  2.22.52
Neil Wilson  369th,    time 2.40.26 

Kenny reports on the Edinburgh to North Berwick race (22 miles) on 3^rd May and Paul T sent in an addendum!
13 Paul Houston 2.25.07
59 Kenny Tindall 2.45.28
64 Tom White  2.49.35
88 Paul Thompson 2.59.47
122 Karin McKendrick 3.24.12
124 William Cummings 3.24.45

 131 finishers

Edinburgh to North Berwick, the best race of the year and for a few reasons.  Firstly, it is on a Saturday, secondly you get that post-marathon satisfaction but get to finish 4.4 miles early and finally the route is a cracker, well when you get out past the Pans it is.   Not so warm this year, so better times overall I think.  It would be poor form for me to point out that I beat Tom White but I did, so I will.  Also point out it must have been a sickener for Willie, surely he could see Karin crossing the line?   Top efforts by the Pauls (young to finish 13th and 'experienced' to get sub 3 hours).
[My usual measure of success is how many women over 50 beat me, if the answer is none, then its a good result.  The data is not quite available here due to the classifications but there were 8 LVs (>35 yo in this race) who beat me, and I know who three of them are, so I think I was OK.  In any case, 8 minutes quicker than last year, can't be bad.]

addendum to Kenny's Report
 
the stewards enquiry over the suspicious looking amber fluid he (ie Kenny)  "necked" before the start of the race continues, though it was reported it was something he passed earlier........

 and Anne’s comment is – well done Karin! and for those of you reading this who are not quite sure what Paul’s addendum is referring to, best to ask Kenny and Paul directly!

 Ian May reports on Dunbar 10k

There was an excellent turn out of members for the first of the seasons events nominated for the club handicap series, the Dunbar Boundary 10k.  The only surprise was that Paul Thompson was not there!  It was cold day with a strong north wind, the course is a mixture of road and track with some undulations and some tight corners – well those are my excuses! 

 A number of the clubs members had pbs – I know that Willy and Sally who managed to pace each round the course were particularly pleased with their times.  As usual with these events the organisation was first class with a good spread to enjoy after the race.   My highlight, apart from the can of Belhaven, was hearing my first chiff-chaff of the year about 1k from the finish!     Well done to Willy and Sarah who managed to walk off run off as winners of the club handicaps. 321 finishers

Position Time                                         Mar      Diff     Apr
                                                            h-cap                 h-cap
71         00:42:14 Andreas Wilhelm        43:00   -0:46     42:15
81         00:42:56 Thomas White             42:30   +0:26     42:45
113       00:45:26 Ian May                      43:30   +1:56     44:30
129       00:46:28 Beverley Dodgson      48:00   -1:32     46:30
133       00:46:37 William Cummings       50:00   -3:23     46:45
134       00:46:37 Sally May                   50:00   -3:23     46:45  
165       00:48:32 Fiona Donaldson        47:00   +1:32     47:45
179       00:49:46 Bob Douglas                48:00   +1:46     49:00
207      00:52:01 Anne Douglas              51:30    +0:31     51:45
212       00:52:41 Morag Tweddle           52:30   +0:11      52:30
262      00:56:06 Pauline White             55:30   +0:36     55:45
263      00:56:06 Norma Bone                56:00   +0:06     56:00
281       00:57:56 Liz Cargil                    57:56                58:00
290      00:58:48 Morag Leitch              55:30   +3:18     57:00
292      00:59:05 sarah Nodwell            1:05:00 -5:55    59:30

 Results from April races
Galashiels 10k 20 April 08

84 Alan Price  50.26

 Balmoral 10k 26 April 08

997 Wendy Gibson  58

 Lochaber Marathon 27 April 08

305 Karin Mckendrick  4.18.39

 Meadows 5K  30 April 08    99 Runners

57 Andreas Wilhelm 20.54

Monthly Club Handicap

For newcomers (and a reminder to everyone else) we designate some local races, plus our own pursuit handicap race, as club medal handicap events. “The Handicapper” maintains a list of 10k target times based on performances. For the designated races we calculate how everyone performed relative to their target times. The leading male & female win a very prestigious medal,…then get their target time reduced. It’s only open to club members. To get a Handicap please forward some verifiable times from recent 10k or half marathon races to Ian May (ianmay@talktalk.net). Handicaps are updated regularly during the season according to performances.

This year we’re including two 5k and one half-marathon and one marathon – see the list below for the designated events.

See the pentlandrunners website for more information and current handicaps.

 **** Club   Monthly Handicap medals events ****

Sat  Apr                        Dunbar 10k

Winners were Sarah Nodwell and  Will Cummings  - a lovely trophy will be presented to you both shortly!

Sun 4 May        Edinburgh 10k

Sat 11 May        Heriot Watt round the grounds 5k

Sun 25 May      Edinburgh marathon

Sun 15 June     Beltane 10k, Peebles

Sun 3 Aug         Scottish Gas / Granton 10k and 5k

Sun in Aug        Club 10k-&-a-bit pursuit handicap race date to be decided

Sun 21 Sep       Linlithgow 10k

Sat mid  Oct      Aviemore Half

May Paced Races

Some of the gals have been training hard the last few weeks, so to support them Bob has agreed to do some race pacing. Anyone else who would like to join us is welcome, as a few folk chatting makes the hard runs easier!

 Sun 11 May    Round the Grounds, H-Watt U: 5k             Target pace 28min 

                        1pm – enter on the day   

Mon 26 May    Rigg Race   appx 9.5 k                            Target pace 60 mins

Forthcoming races & events

 Sat 24 May: Second Family fun run around Harlaw Reservoir.

For children and adults of all ages.  Be at Harlaw car park for 9:55 am for a 10;00 am start. There is no charge for this, but we do require an adult for each family to accompany the runners or to marshal the route.

 Rig Race: 26^th May

Don’t forget  Balerno Gala Rig race on Monday 26^th – a familiar route and suitable for anyone to enter, whether  fast or not so fast.   And Bob pacing anyone who wants to get under 60mns.

 A few emails from other clubs with details of their races:

Hi there - we'd be delighted to welcome athletes of all abilities to our wee event on Sunday 8th June 2008 in Livingston, West Lothian.  We also have a 2.5K Fun Run for children and less experienced athletes.  Entry fee is very reasonable and everyone goes home with a race memento.

 Our famous "clootie dumpling" will be at the finish again and should keep runners going 'til dinner time.  We also have a special guest this year - a visitor from a far off land......

 To take part in our family friendly event, download an entry form from our website.  I look forward to seeing you on the day.

 http://www.lothianrunningclub.co.uk/trail_race.php

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me.

Mags Turnbull - 01506 418866

LOTHIAN RUNNING CLUB

The Corstorphine AAC 5 mile road race this year will be on:
Wednesday 11th of June 2008 at 7.30pm
Entry forms and course map are on the CAAC website www.caac.org.uk
or enter online
http://www.racentries.com/event/details/27-caac-5

 Dunblane Hydro 7.5 mile Road Race 2008
Date - Sunday 25th May 2008 at 1.00PM
Scottish Athletics Event Entry - www.entrycentral.com (No entries on the day)

 Forfar 10k in August www.forfarroadrunners.com

 And Iain Morrice has offered this suggestion for later in the year... 
http://www.eventfull.biz/marathon.html 

 See the club website for more races coming up this year.

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

 Next bog & burn run will be on Sunday 25^th May – probably a shorter run suitable for most runners to have a go.