Glen Coe Marathon Race Report

Well I completed it, pheewww what a course muddy, rocky, open, bog, forests it had it all.

Website 

http://glencoemarathon.co.uk/

Results

http://results.sportident.co.uk/home/event.html?eventid=978002fb-ca76-451a-94fa-b438d2a74f38

Pictures
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildfoxevents/

Position:           102 of 150 starters

Category:	MV40
Course:	Marathon
Time Taken:	05:50:39
Start Wave:	Golden Eagles
Location Leg Total Kinlochleven 02:35:46 02:35:46 Finish 03:14:53 05:50:39

Glen Coe Marathon is pegged as the toughest marathon in the UK and a claim they likely have the justification for!

Start was well organised and really friendly which I really like with smaller events, water and High5 as well as sweets and other goodies at the start.  200 runners entered but only 150 turned up on the start line; shame really as they missed a great race.

Usual race brief and we were off....  Red Squirrel campsite near Glen Code village and on road for the first half mile till we cross the A82. The path here was really nice and I was hoping this would be the norm for the route .... I really was kidding myself.

Steady climb up Glen Coe to the pass and within 2 miles my feet where wet and would stay wet for the next 24 miles or over 5 hours running.  Top of Glen coe was the first water stop at jut about mile 5. I removed a layer and drunk some water. Station had some sweet and other goodies which was good.

Another mile or two and put through a bog, orange guide arrows seemed to be a bit scattered, we were all following each other all over the place with no clear path over the bog. I got wet and often my whole leg vanished underneath me into the peaty goo. Hit the West Highland Way path at last I could have kissed it to get out that bog.  Back on terra-firma a steady climb to the foot of the Devils Staircase. 

I like everyone round me walked up the Devils Staircase my legs, hips were burning and I slowed a bit even while walking. The climb snakes up the hill and is longer than it looks. Got to the top and it flattens out.  Now I was running again and the down hill section back to Kinlochleven.

The downhill is steady most of the way and was very rocky, quite a few misplaced footing and ankle twists ensued but nothing serious enough to stop me running or cause any serious issues.

Ran past my bed at the Blackwater Hostel to the checkpoint and was half way and 2hrs 35mins down. Not bad since I have a massive climb and a faltering run down the hill.  

Ran through Kinlockleven and started another climb up and up again, this knackered me and I was exhausted once I reached the top. Only had 10 miles to go and no energy, really really drained. I ran/walked for the next 7 miles or so along Glen Nevis and got to the 17 mile check point. OMG I thought how am I going make the next 9 miles.

So I ate some jelly babies took the last of my flat cola and started running at much as I could. The miles crawled passed and I reached the last check point at 20 miles. Which I went the wrong way and have to be redirected. There was still some climbs which were not bad but given my state seemed like mountains.

The path dropped the last few miles and I ran as much as I could and had to stop for micro breaks as I call then (5-10 seconds walking pace) and plunged on. My Garmin said 26 miles, then 27mile and still no sign of the end.  At 27.5 miles the end was in sight (this over mileage is quite common in Garmins over long distances and they are a guide not 100% right).

The Finish was also well organised with free soup (just the one cup) for runs and unlimited hot tea, sweets and biscuits for runners.

Over all the race was good, I was very very under prepared for it and only signed up a month or so before so didn't have my usual 16 week marathon build up.  The first runner across the line did it in 3:50 and I was in at 5:50 so my time was not too bad considering.

Would I do it again........ I might.

Clyde Stride Ultra 2012

Well unlike last year I finished!!!!!!!

Garmin map and stats here http://connect.garmin.com/activity/201949964

The sun came out and the it was dry and a nice day, temp was reported to be up to 17C but in places it felt warmer and others a little colder.

Kit 

• Normal Road Shoes
• Shorts with inner compression built in
• Light top white
• Race Number on my leg to get max ventilation 
• Back pack with bladder 
• Bottle 700ml filled with flat cola
• Gels, crisps, choc, bag crisps

Check Point 2 Drop Bag

• Flat coke rest of 2 litre bottle
• Gels
• Sandwich : chicken, sweet-chilli
• 2 x Choc bars
• Crisps

Section 1  Partick to Cambuslang 10 Miles

Registration and bag drop was well organised and their was a chatty relaxed feel. Race brief over and we assembled on the start line, time to go. Assembled and chatted to a runner or two. 10k and marathon  starts seemed tense by comparison.

The aim of this for me was to keep slow and I mean really slow as I did not want to burn up too fast. So I totted along and followed the crowd through Glasgow and the onto the path towards Cambuslang. Kept path between 9:30 - 10min/miles. Within a couple of miles you are in almost countryside running along the river. I bumped into two jog leaders from the Glasgow Running Network Bob and Caroline which I did the marathon training with over the last couple of years. This was great and gave me a real boost. Later met Ann another jog leader who was running the last section of the relay. This section is flat and and easy run on tarmac tracks and its ever so tempting to increase your speed.  Chatted to a couple runners along the way.

At the check point at Cambuslang I chatted with Ann for a few mins and grabbed a bottle of water (provided by Morrison's, cheers) to supplement my flat cola.

Section 2 Cambuslang to StrathClyde Park: 9 Miles

Gentle jog on the path past the new fire station till we hit raw path at the heron. Chatted along the way to another runner who was a sweeper last year.  He left me as we left the path for the trail. This part is my least favorite. As it leaves the tarmac the path is very narrow and very rutted it is not wide enough to get good traction on. I was left to hobble and stumble along for a few miles into the rolling hills and a couple of steep climbs nothing to big but with undergrowth tugging at you constantly it was draining. Once you drop down on to the miners bridge on the Caulder it gets easier. The cycle route via Newton and road seems like heaven but this would not be the Clyde walk way and quite possibly cheating. I did use the uphills to get a drink or two and eat some crisps.  Always amazed as you are running through sections like this you come across really warms bit lasting a few seconds and really cool bits a few seconds later. Finished my flat cola and filled up my bottle with the water from check point one.

Feeling tired at the Bothwell castle section and started to flag a bit, I was not even half way yet. Just past Bothwell castle I took the path up and over and miss out a rather bad section that runs right next to the clyde, some of the path is in the river and you have to hang onto branches to get past a few bits. If you fell in you might not get out as the clyde is fast flowing.

I've run that Newton section a few times and it always drains me.  Got a gel down my neck and pushed on. Across the Livingston bridge  passed a few runners and the weir looking stunning with a good head of water and cut down toward Blanytre. Took the stairs up rather than the route round here and bumped into my sisters ex-man who was drinking on the path with some mates. He never recognised me at first, it has been quite a few years.  A runner going in the oposite direction gave me some jelly babies; always impressed and thankful for these smalls gifts. 

The Blantre to Strathclyde park section is on road and you have to follow the signs on the road and seems longer than I remember. Down the big hill and across Bothwell bridge back on the path and avoid the smashed and broken board walk.

Section 3  Strathclyde Park to Maudslie Bridge 10 miles

Hit the check point and picked up my drop back, which was handed to me (nice). I decided to eat my sandwich here and take on some flat cola. Gave my extra choc bars away to some kid who was helping with the bags. I never ate the ones I had taken so didn't need them. Could only eat half my sandwich. Was hot, really hot and my pack was sticking to my back. Other runners where zipping about with water proof jackets and me with me lightest teeshirt on dripping with sweat (yip I'm Scottish).

Time to push on and over Strathclyde park, it was still hot here (well hot for me) and the park seemed long. This is also not one of my favourite sections either as the path over the park is open and has no shelter from sun nor wind nor rain.  Back in to the trees after the park and it gets a little cooler. Take on some gels and some flat cola along the way. Miles 20-25 were tough and this is were I chucked it last year. I dig in and push past it.  I'm exhausted, no really exhausted. Now I'm not keeping my pace down I fighting not to walk all the time.

Mile 25 and I start to pick up again, I run to near exhaustion then walk for 30 seconds and then repeat.  This section also has a cow field along the river or is this before the 25 mile mark, its hard to tell as I'm on autopilot for some of it. The cow field is open and its hard to get a grip on and makes any real progress difficult, but at least its dry and quite short about a mile. I pass the runner I was chatting to just after check point one who left me at Newton. He's a bit bust and walking, still cheery though.  I push on and hit stairs, these drain me but I suspect they are better than a very steep rough trail.

I start talking to another runner who I think is South African and we play tag for a good few miles walk and running and swapping positions when not chatting. He encourages me along as I'm faster running and he's faster at walking.  We together push onto Check Point 3 where I hang about and fill up my bladder (from my pack) with water. I like and don't like bladders on packs, it's handy to get a quick sip and bad for drinking too much (drinking too much is much worse than not drinking enough).


Section 4 - Mauldslie Bridge to New Lanark 12 miles

I get badgered to get a move on push on. More stairs and they are steep and then a drop and steep section then a big climb. Runners are thin on the ground now and I don't see any of them. I'm knackered with the climbs and drops and my toes start to really ache as they are getting bashed off the top of my trainers, convinced I'm getting serious blisters and a few bruised toes (not as bad I thought in the end).

We cross a road near a mini steam railway  with a runner is on his bum at a corner. He's bust, really bust and we chat for a few mins, I am hesitant to leave him even though he insits I push on.  He been sick and can't keep down water or food and is going to get a taxi. I call the number for race control and tell them he is quitting, I put him on the phone to get his bag collected by a mate.  He's not got a phone with him (bad); if he buggered off he very well may has started a full search and rescue.

I leave him and within 50 feet get talking to a couple who ask about the race (about the 5th time this happened so far), I ask if they could get a taxi for the runner I just left and they offer to take him home to Carluke. Amazing how good, nice and helpful some folk are.

I push on and after a few miles of flat and gates we start to climb and I walk most of the climbs and run some of the gentler ones. The climb up to Stomebyres Weir is grassy and slippy and wet, I can't run on it and walk. After Clydeholm bridge it drops then climbs again I'm knackered I'm panting after every climb and force some runs. This is followed a series of hair pin drops through the forest back onto the river level which I jog down as my toes scream at me to stop.  This section is really really beautify and has a certain calm. There are a lot of stairs as you climb towards Lanark village and the finish. I get a lift as I haul myself up stairs and spot New Lanark.

I get some energy and run down the hill toward the finish line, only to remember that I have to loop the falls of clyde and back to the village. This seems cruel and I push up I hope to be the falls of clyde and my final climb. This is hard as I'm beat and want to finish. I've 15 mins to make the final mile to get under 8 hours. I push on and up and drop down to the clyde level. I know I've no more climbing and near the start I push on and sprint (well seems like a sprint) toward the finish with my garmin reading 7:59:12.

THE END .... FINISHED...... JOB DONE.

I get my goodie bag and a cupa tea and head over to the Hotel to get a couple of pints of beer. Only to tell my sister I saw her ex-man.

Post Race 

Really good day out, knacked and really chuffed with my time.  The race was super and the runners and race crews were really friendly and chatty. The flat cola worked really well and I would use it again. Not having my bladder (in backback) filled too early stopped me drinking too much too early.

Next day I was slightly stiff and my toes seemed to have settled down a bit.

2nd Half Clyde Stride by fkerrigan at Garmin Connect - Details

Well I done the 2nd half of the Clyde Way on Saturday pass and it was an experience.

HOT: It was hot and sunny and I finished my 2 litres of hydration liquid by mile 18.

I started at the David Livingstone Centre and got lost within a half hour, no really I did!!! I missed turning at Craig End and ended up in a large industrial field. Not the best start to but I circled back and found the path via the a very large gate which I thought I would have to climb, as luck would have it there was a hole to the left. Lost #1

Back on the path I proceeded to the Bridge at Bothwell, where some smart arse has turned the sign to it points up hill towards  Hamilton, I tend to follow my guts and it seemed wrong so I asked a cyclist who pointed my across the road.  So at this point you want to cross the road (fast traffic here)  and head to the other side of the bridge #Lost2

The path pops you out at the Raith Interchange at StrathClyde Park. There are no signs and I nipped across to the middle to cross to the Park. Wrong again.... this would take me a week at this rate..... I nipped back with cars playing hunt the runner (why do the bastards floor it when they see you crossing a road).  So at this point once you hit the Raith Interchange you stick to the path and turn right.  #Lost3

Through the park sticking to the right side of the loch with the clyde on the right as well. There are toilets  in the Water Sports Centre which are better than bushes.  Follow the Clyde all the way down and keep going.  If you are unsure then keep the clyde to the right and don't go straying left at some of the more inviting paths.

The path effectively ends and your in a field near Carbarns farm, just follow the clyde and watch for the cattle, sheep and poo. Locals in this area just stair in disbelief as you run past (at some points I thought I was mad as well).

By Overton the path heads into woods with one of the first sets of stairs a small one this time though. You see a sign Woodland walks and Clyde Walkway west and no sign for Clyde Walkway east... I went with my guts and headed right moving upstream. This was right and I hit the A71, this is a very fast and scary road. Do I cross ?? do I stick to the pavement and head into the houses below???  I head down hill as I see a bunch of walkers with sticks and walking poles. I fail to ask them if this is the right way. #Lost4

I should have cross the road and headed down the B7011 Brownlee Rd (traffic was popping over the brow of that hill like nutters so that felt wrong). I head down the hill and knew it felt wrong but continued regardless keeping the clyde to my left after I passed the junction after the bridge and headed to Lanark on the A72 which by luck placed me on the Mauldslie Bridge and back on track. This was via a large hill and a little more distance.

Just passed Mauldslie Bridge there is a little steep section which was hell on my tired legs and a bit of a scree bank where I nearly fell. Pass that its flat till Crossford with a mix of flat track and lots of gates (ever 100m at some points) and steep climbs and drops a lot of which I couldn't run on and walked a lot.

After Crossford its climbing and single track with lots of steep stair sections up to Stony Bridge power station which has a temp bridge across it, oh did I mention all the stairs.

Another little lost Section at Kirkfieldbank where I found a wild cherry tree and munched on some trying to find the path again much to the bemusement of the locals. Go through the Gate with the CCTV sign on it. Why it's fenced off and the signs are missing I can only hazard a guess (moody locals?). This path does not feel right and I thought I was lost but a Cylde Walkway sign appeared on St Patricks Road in Kirkfieldbank and I was back on track (was never really off it).  This is where the path is a collection of hairpins which drop and drop till the clyde.

Another small wood section with more and more stairs and climbs and you come to a viewing platform overlooking new Lanark with the end in site.

Summary: Lots of missing signs with climbs and stairs. Not a big climb but on tired legs and really hot day it starts to tell on you (well me anyway). The path is quiet and your alone a lot, did have a chat with a few old biddies along the way (you always do).

Mens 10K Glasgow 19th June 2011

Done the Men 10k on Sunday, this is my third year and this year I was on form and the weather was kind; cloudy cool and dry. I was aiming for a constant 7:30 pace through the whole run but I knew I would lose some on the uphill and gain it on the down hill.  Although the weather cool and dry it was a bit muggy (humid) and I was sweating fairly early on.  I skipped the first water station as about 3km and picked up some water at the second 7km which I poured over myself and took a small sip. I managed to sprint the last 0.2 miles with a final time of 47 mins 09 secs. Which is now a personal best.

Below is my 10k history

RESULTS
Date	Event	Position	Category	Chip Time	Finish Time	Age Perf %
19/06/2011	MHFS 10K for Men - MHFS 10K for Men	776	Vet Men	00:47:09	00:47:09	58.32
20/06/2010	MHFS 10K for Men - MHFS 10K for Men	1543	Vet Men	00:53:55	00:53:55	48.26
21/06/2009	MHFS 10K for Men - MHFS 10K for Men	1235	Vet Men	00:51:24	00:51:24	52.69

The 2009 event was my first ever road race, I've ran on and off for years but never really bothered getting in to races.  My 2010 result was due to not eating for 3 days earlier that week due to illness and I felt gutted with my results. Overall I'm improving nicely and this is the first year I finished strong.

Next race is the Ultra Clyde Stride which is only 40miles. I've been taking it easier over the last couple of weeks mainly to increase my 10k time and to build some mental strength for the next bout of Ultra training. Mental strength for this is just as important as physical fitness and I need to steel myself for the upcoming challenge.

Well here is the splits and data

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Big Run this week : Glasgow to Gourock

Big run this week was on Saturday from Glasgow (well near Rosshall Park) to Gourock and the then the train home.  I followed the national cycle route 75 all the way.  It was 99% tarmac and is a good path. I saw lots of bikes but only a handful of runners. There was a steady but gentle climb from Johnstone to Port Glasgow.  I took it very easy and I sorted out my fuelling a bit better this time.  I stopped in Kilmalcolm as used all my 2 litres of hydration liquid and bought 2 bottles of sports drink which done me to Gourock.

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I'm getting used to running on tired legs or tired everything as it really feels and it will take another few runs to get into the grove of this I'm sure. 

Points of Note:

Glasgow - Paisley:  Cuts though parks and schemes with hitting the river white cart and hugging this via Pollock Park, Pollock, Ross Hall and Levendale to Hawkhead.

Paisley:  Odd mix of small roads and bad road crossings until you reach the Paisley canel railway station. This is where the real path starts and it between to hit country side fairly quickly.

Paisley - Johnstone: fairly flat and the odd walker and bike. It all good path with a little glass here and there.  Once you hit Johnstone your back on the road. Stick to the right hand side as you rejoin the path again.

Johnstone to Kilmalcolm this is a steady climb up and the path at this path is the busiest section. I did notice the poor the area the more deserted the path was.  You pass a path with a few shops in Kilmalcolm and this is a good place to buy some water or juice.

Kilmalcolm - Port Glasgow: Another section of steady climb and the path starts to get a bit lonelier the closer you get to  Port Glasgow. There is the odd small steep climb and once you get to Port Glasgow you are the very top of the hill. 

Port Glasgow - Greenock: The path follows right at the back and you are at a good height above the towns and this is were it is really deserted I only saw about 2 or 3 people on this section and it certainly has an odd feel.  There are a couple of steep drops and climbs. Once in Greenock I got a bit lost and lost the path. I navigated down through Greenock onto the Esplanade.

Greenock - Gourock:  I got lost and I just went down to the water at the Esplanade and followed this to Gourock. I cut through the ferry terminal and  waited 20mins for a train back to Glasgow. If I done this on a Sunday then there was a good chance I would be on a replacement bus.

 The total milage was 26 miles and it took 4 hours 38 mins, I did take it fairly easy and did stop for some site seeing and a few chats along the way and a stop in the shops in Kilmalcolm.

Clyde Stride First Training Run

Ran the first half  of Clyde Stride or the Clyde walk way yesterday.  Well I ran to the David Livingston centre from the Clyde Tunnel which is just over 20 miles.

Route is well sign posted and is was very quiet, could have been the high winds put people off. 

There is a little diversion as Dalmarmock near Celtic Park and I'd advise following the signs on the lamp posts rather than big yellow signs as they are prone to spin in the wind.

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Running Moves

Didn't take me long to get back out running, 2 miles Thursday really slow and 10 miles Friday again really really slow.   I've been run walking in order to get used to this for the Ultra in July.

Edinburgh Marathon Review

4 hours 20 mins

My marathon did not go as the planned sub 4 hours.  The first 20 miles where bang on target at 3 hours exactly and I ran an average of 8:41 for the first 17 miles or so. I maybe tapered a bit too much and skipped a few runs and I took my 16 years old girl out as she signed up for a 5km in June giving herself less than 4 weeks.  I am not making excuses here  but rather getting down all my thoughts about it. For my very first marathon at age 43 with only 3 year running at any consistency this was a successful run.

First off I've managed to avoid almost all the bugs and colds that have swept my family over the last few months. Except for the gastric bug they had the week before the marathon. They all had the runs and lots of wind, but this got me the 2 days before the marathon with a pain in my lower guts and no wind or the runs. I was bloated and constipated and could not really eat at all.  In fact the day before the marathon I only had lunch and couldn't eat breakfast or any dinner. This is not like me as all.

So the day before the marathon I was concentrating on feeling ill and not getting excited or working out my plans or studying routes or maps for pacing. I was very unsure that I'd be running on the day and told the wife if this was a training run then I would skip it. I decided to run much against my own better advice as I thought it is better to try and fail than to not try at all.

Race day and my guts still felt like a solid lump and I couldn't tell if I needed a pee or not as nothing was coming out even if I tried. If you are reading this sorry. My big black bin bag was useful as the weather was horrid when I left the hotel as it was raining hard and very windy and the cold rain stung your face. Not pleasant at all in my delicate state.  I did my last preps drunk some SIS and waited for the start.  If I had to stop I would have to stop and would DNF (Did Not Finish); not the best mind set on the start line, but I was there and trying and that really mattered to me.

The run was good, my guts felt solid for the first 7 or so miles and I stopped for a pee and I lost few pints. I felt better and was trying to run at a consistent 8:45 or any under 9:00 was good.  I got a bit of a high at 14 miles and really felt great.  The weather was dull cloudy moving to windy hard cold rain moving to no wind and sun and then back round again. I stopped for another pee around the mile 17 and nothing came out. I was in a little less discomfort but still couldn't tell if I needed to go or not.

On the way round I noticed a few things;  Hats: three or more about every mile, Gels: a lost gel every 300 yards and an eclectic mix of abandoned tops, jumpers and jackets throughout the course. You could have run the course and just picked up gels on the way round, the runners behind you might not have been too happy though at your sudden stops.

 Things started to fall apart at mile 18 where I had a "micro rest" where I took a gel and some liquid. By mile 20 I was starting to really feel it and thought "I'm never doing this again" which I said in my first 10K, my first half marathon and now my first marathon. At mile 19 you leave a small forest which was dry and warm and you go straight back head first in to the wind and rain. I struggled on and got more and more exhausted, but mile 26 I was walking completely.

Lots of people shouted encouragement and I really thank them for it; but this has no influence on me at all and I'm out there for me and no one else. This is in my mind set and I see no other way to run any distance unless you want it yourself and need to prove it to yourself or it will just hurt more. I was hurting and I thought at one point in the last mile I was going to feint or be sick (I saw a lot of people being sick along the way) and a few people sitting with that horrid haunted look you see in the complete exhausted.

I ran the last few hundred yards and stumbled onto the very large queue to exit. I tried another pee and lost about 100ml of the brightest orange pee I've ever seen (orange gels?).  Put on my free teeshirt, drunk my juice and munched the jelly beans from the pack.

Would I have run better had I not been ill?; maybe or maybe not. Next time I will know what to expect and I will have to carry more gels and less liquid; weight for weight I think the gels are better as there is water stations on the way round. The bus back to the start and centre of Edinburgh was about a 100 miles away, ok more like a half mile but it felt much longer. Getting off the bus was not pleasant and half the bus hobbled off.

Back at the hotel I lay in a hot bath drank some vimto and ate some sweets.
Thankfully the wife dragged me to the pool in the Hotel which was bliss as I was pain free and managed to float without any pressure on my joints and muscles. After that we went out for a big feed of home cooked lamb shank pie and a few pints.

Next day and I was good, really stiff in the morning and my guts were starting to feel better and I managed a huge breakfast.

Anyway there is always next year I've already pre-registered. So much for never doing another one!!

Runs last week

Milage is creeping up and I'm putting myself in to a good state of mind by really looking forward to the long runs on a Sunday.  So far I've ran 105 miles in March, might not sound a lot but 32 of those where last week.

Tues:  3 mile 24 mins.
Wed:  7 mile, 60~ mins
Fri:     7.75 mile,   1:09 (slowing it down)
Sun:   15 mile, 2:13:01,  8:52 min/mi

Sunday run was great, really enjoyed myself, we left Scotston centre and headed up via Milngavie to Craigmaddie Reservoir. I stuck with the group all the way up, which meant quite a few stops and starts as there is quite a few climbs and dips.  my trusty Garmin 305 reported a total climb and dip of 2000ft; all those little hills do make a difference. Craigmaddie is a lovely place even for a stroll and if this your local running spot you are lucky indeed.

Once at the top I was very fresh and ready for my run down. I left the pack and decided to put a few fast miles in order to push my endurance up and to push myself a bit. Miles 9,10 and 11 where sub 8min/mi and 12,13,14 and 15 where sub 8:30. I am getting fitter and I noticed on my Friday run I was doing 9min/mi without even breaking breath.

Map is as follow as usual provided by Bob Porteous who is running the Running Network marathon training.

16 miles this Sunday; which is only 1 more than last week :)

Runs this week

Another week another series of runs, This is a rest week so only 22 miles in total

• Tuesday:        3.08 miles   24:27      pace 8:00/mi    Standard Road run; dry and cool
• Wednesday:   7.02 miles   58:39      pace 8:22/mi    River cart walk way mixed trail/road; sunny
• Friday:           4.04 miles   39:21      pace 9:44/mi    Rough trail Pollock Park Mbr tracks; dry
• Sunday:         8.39 miles   1:10:20   pace 8:29/mi    Road and Canal Path Scotston,  damp

My pace is certainly on the up, but there are some big miles coming up in the next few weeks so we will see how I get on with the 15,17,18 and 20 milers.

Clyde Stride : 40 Mile Ultra

I've signed up for my first Ultra Clyde Stride , I'm really looking foward to this 40 mile run and the tactics are very different from a 10K, half or full marathon.  Pace and logistics are the key to a successful Ultra or even a marathon, I will post more on this later.

There is a Nice video by Stuart McBeth below on 2010 Clyde Stride.

Clyde Stride Video by Stuart McBeth

Running Week 6 of Marathon Training

Running update from last week.

Tues:   3 mi, 25 mins,  8:12 mi/min
Wed:   6 mi, 52.57 mins, 8:32 mi/min : very wet cold and windy
Thurs:  New Trainers came: Gel Nimbus 2E
Fri:      4 mi, 31.21 mins, 7:48 mi/min; 2 mile split with 2 min rest
Sun:   13 mi, 1:53 hr:min, 8:42 mi/min; dry and fare, left foot wee bit sore.

I'm getting stronger and I'm working on my negative splits for the actual marathon, still aiming for sub 4 hours in Edinburgh in May.

This week is rest week so I am going to slow it down a bit; or try to at least :)

Running this Week.

This is my runs for this week I will up date my times once they are done.

Tues: 3 mile      23:06 mins  with 1/2 mile recovery added on.
Wed: 6 mile      52.99 with average 9:09mi/min pace. Mixed pace
Friday: 3 mile    25.24 8:32mi/min pace: Fast then slow with 1 mi recovery added to the end
Sunday: 12 mile 1:46:00  08:53mi.min pace:  Found it bit harder than last week,

Last Sunday run was 10mile at about 1:24mins (hh:mm) and I did a few sub 8 mins miles. Looking forward to my next Sunday Run which is a tour of 5 parks in Glasgow

http://grnmarathon2011.blogspot.com/2011/02/week-5-6-march-2011.html

Garmin 305 Review First Couple of Weeks

I've been using this on my Runs for about 2 weeks now and I'm beginning to really love this piece of tech.  For just over £100 at amazon I thought it was a complete bargain. OK it does look like you can use it to land helicopters on it and its not exactly small, but it is cheap and has more functions than you could use. The model I got also came with a heart rate strap so value is on the high side.

Charging
Initially I just charged it for about 5 hours after advice on other blogs; it is best to charge this overnight so it gets a full first charge. The battery lasts 10 hours which is far longer than I could every run, but if you are doing a very long bike then this could be limited and  you may want to bring a usb backup charger.  It does take a good 3-4 hours to charge and I tend just to leave it on charge all the time when I'm not using it; which is most of the time.  Remember to switch it off when you either stop running or get home as it will drain the battery and have a flat unit on your next run.

Using Forerunner 305
When you first put it on it looks huge and I mean really huge, but it does not bother you when running and fades into the background after a few minutes and after a few runs it's just eh... normal. The advantage of its size is the big screen and this makes it easier to read while on a run. The screen is excellent and comes with quite a few pre-set screens for you. The GPS is fairly accurate and I've used a few different ones and this is one of the better ones. I live in Scotland so the built in back light is very useful and gives off a cool green glow.

Functions
There are a lot and you can spend hours just fiddling with them. Some of the best are:

• Screen Customisable: Display just one item on the screen or up to four and you can switch between screens each with a different set items.  I tend to run mostly with Distance and Current Pace on a 2 display set-up.
• Lap / Stop Start buttons: I really like this for doing sessions where I will run a fast mile or run up a hill and take a rest. Simply hit the lap and start/stop buttons pause your session and split it between laps for viewing later on the software. I've also set up auto-lap every mile so I can see my splits.
• GPS Tracking: It takes about a minute to sync with the satellites which is ok and matches your actual route about 98% with a little drift every now and again.
• View History: You can view your history and laps on the 305 itself instead of waiting till you get home. You can also view your laps as well while on the go.
• Back Light: as mentioned above this makes it easy to read at night. Living in Scotland means I have to run all my mid weeks in the dark for winter. 

Software

The software supplied is very good and is one of the few that actually caters for macs (as well as a windows version on the disc). I opted not to install from the disc but downloaded the latest version from the Garmin website. The software is fairly extensive and you can view runs in details and I like the elevation against pace and distance. On my last 10 miler I climbed and dropped a total of 3,000ft all those small hills do make a difference.

If you don't like the software you can always hook your 305 up to trainingpeaks.com which also support device uploads from mac and windows machines. This is very similar to the Garmin software but you can add meals and other info and the maps are a bit better. TrainingPeaks.com can also pop your runs onto Twitter and FaceBook which I find quite useful as there are a few people following my current marathon training.

I am using both currently and to compare my runs on each.

Actual Usefulness
I go too fast  as times and I can't judge my pace well as all. I think I'm going either too slow or too fast and find it hard to judge. I also like to know my splits (actual pace or speed per mile or over a particular section) and this is very good for this. I can glance at my 305 and know my current pace, press a button and get distance, heart rate and other info. This has made my runs faster by allowing me to firmly control my pace.

Summary
The 305 Great piece of kit if you and it costs the same as a good pair of shoes and from speaking to other runners seems to be the choice over some of the newer models. Just remember to keep it charged and it will serve you well. The only moan I've really got is that the usb charging cable is a bit short, but this is fairly minor.

Marathon Talk

I've been listening a lot this last week to Pod Casts Marathon Talk. This has been going for about a year of so and involves two blokes Martin Yelling and Tom Williams who get together every week for a natter on running and as you've guessed marathon and training. They also have a fantastic line up of guests who bring a weird and wonderful mix of views and discussions on  running and training.
One of the most interesting things is that they do this on no or little budget and via skype including all the interviews; the quality is very good.  Best way to listen is via iTunes or you can just download the mp3 from http://www.marathontalk.com.