Cock-up at the Queens 5k

 

 

The Queens 5K held in the University Quadrant of Belfast was a race which I've fancied for a while. It looked like a good course, a good field and was accessible for Easyjet. I should add that Easyjets Belfast airport is around 20 miles away from Belfast proper and a return trip on the shuttle bus costs 13 quid and takes half an hour. However, the City is not too big and, at this time of the year, the hotels are not too busy so booking a twin room overnight didn't cost an arm and a leg. The Holiday Inn Express even threw in a cooked breakfast with the room rate. 

Speedy and I scrounged a lift to the airport (thanks, linds) on the Wednesday morning at 5.30am and by 9.30am we were enjoying the early morning sun and a latte in a cafe beside Bittles Bar. Quite a contrast to our earlier trip to Dublin in January, where it poured throughout the visit.  

We mooched around the town centre before opting for spag bol in Zizzi's. Early in the afternoon we had walked the mile to the Hotel and got into our room early. I crashed for an hours kip before chilling with a cuppa, half watching blah-blah-television. We made good use of the kettle and I nipped out to get some milk and biscuits to supplement what the hotel had provided. 

Before long it was 5.30pm and we got out gear on and strolled to the athletes village beside the University sports centre. The race is a two and a half lapper around the river. There is a 3k juniors race, then the Elite 5k for those who have gone sub20, then the public race. The Elite race, which both of us were entered into, was due to start at 7.15pm and was the Irish Championship 5K. The rules stated that anyone finishing in a time over 20 minutes would be DQ'd. 'Harsh', I thought. 'Me', I thought. Better make sure I picked up my heels. 

We arrived early and picked up our numbers. We warmed up with a lap around the river and then stretched and preened, making all those facial and body contortions that would get normal folk certified. 

The road was closed at 6.45pm and the Junior race commenced.  Fifteen minutes later, we were 'up'. 

We made our way to the start and with 10 minutes to go wished each other well. I disappeared off 100 metres away from the start to get in some strides while many of the 250 elite runners gathered around the start. I suddenly heard a klaxon and turned to see the mass of runners moving off. But how could that be? it wasnt even 7.10pm? I looked around and realised 'this was it' and galloped toward the line in blind panic, even as the back of the runners peloton cleared off at high speed. There were a troop of surprised and dismayed runners passing me and a few behind me. There was no option but to crack on. Not even time to set the old garmin.

It took me the best part of a kilometre to catch the back of the group.  I knew that almost everyone in the race was faster than me, so upon reaching optimum velocity and cruising speed, I sat in with a grey haired old fella in a yellow and black vest. He ran evenly and I reckoned he was in my category. 

We passed a handful of runners, but we were still rooted firmly in the bottom quarter of the field. I stuck to my new mentor like glue, only daring to move up side by side on occasion. Coming round the embankment turn for the last time, my buddy put in a spurt to pull away from me, and I couldnt react, having used my reserves at the start. However, I knew that I probably had 20 seconds on him, assuming he had started when the Klaxon sounded. I crossed the line in around 19.40. However, chip timing gave me a finish time of 19:12 with speedy finishing a minute ahead. The premature start was certainly a talking point. We got our t-shirts and goodies and cleared off back to the hotel, as the B race runners filed past on their first lap. There were a boatload of elite runners in the B race - runners who presumably had missed the start of the earlier race. Around 100 of the runners of the B race went sub 20.

After showering, we nipped out to the Empire for a pint and a good light hearted moan about the race; but there's no point in feeling short-changed. It wasn't like we were there for any medals. It was a fast race and a 3 year PB for me. 

Waking the next day to more sunshine, I trogged 4 miles around the waking city before breakfast. Afterwards, we sauntered to the town centre and took a trip on the open top tourist bus round the sights. What are we like!     

Birnam Hill Race 2025

I've blogged previously at some length about the Birnam Hill Race. We're often up in the motherland around this time of the year, and this year was no exception. Our weeks holiday was book-ended by Balbirnie last week and Birnam this weekend. Speedy intended to make an appearance but is currently not a hundred percent. So it was left to me to carry the Bella flag. 

After marg did the Kirkcaldy Parkrun, we scuttled toward the M90 to make our way up to Perthshire. However, we got caught up in a tortuous diversion which added 20 minutes to the journey and, initially, a pile of stress. As we made up a bit of time I relaxed and cruising up past Perth and Bankfoot, I was confident of arriving on time. My mind wandered to shoe choice. Normally I would stick with the IRocs which are solid in terms of grip. However, there is a good run-in on firm trails toward the finish line at Birnam and I wondered if the Asics Fuji trail shoes would lend me an edge. They have a carbon plate and provide a little extra bounce on firm ground where the normal studs are lacking. Ive enjoyed training in them. The question was would the Asics perform satisfactorily on the ascent and over the top on the wet and soft reedy grass? Would they slip on the hairy, eye//balls out descent?

As it was, on arrival I didn't really have time for contemplation on footwear choices as I parked up in the wee industrial estate and jogged to the nearby Hall to collect my number. 

I changed out of my tights to reveal my lycra OMM shorts. They have lost some of their shape (or I have) and are now baggy around the leg, which isn't a good look. I think they're for the bin or oxfam. I had a short warm up and said hello to one or two at the start.  From his appearance organiser Adrian D wasn't running. That was one less competitor to worry about. 

I set off in the middle of the pack and moved up a little as we hit the toe of the steep slope. I made good progress for around half of the climb, but then began to slow with Crowe of Penicuik and Mudge coming past easily. A few more got past, a couple of them with grey hair and I had to have a word with myself....but good news near the top - Gilmore of Carnethy, who had beaten me at Tinto last year, was just ahead and I kept driving, completely in the red. 

At the top, the rain had softened the ground and it was quite mushy in places. I picked my way acorss the roots and peaty puddles sitting in with a line of runners ahead of me. As the ground levelled out and the crest of the hill ended, Carnethy man came back to me. I didnt hesitate at the opportunity. I opened my stride and took off at high speed on the descent, a descent I know well. 

Once off the hill I told myself that the Asics had been the right choice and I needed to make the most of them on the trail through the woods. It was around 37 minutes at the end for 41st place and 3rd M60. A Musselburgh bloke won the M60 Class, with the Penicuik runner 2nd. The three of us were all within a minute of each other. That said, I was maxed out, both going up and then on the descent, so I couldn't have gone any faster. 

It was a roll and sausage and egg with a cuppa from the Hall and we made a quick getaway. Top race. A tough 4 miles, though.    

Balbirnie Nuts Trail Race

 

We were up at the first day of holiday aka the spring training camp. The location of choice was Largo in deepest Fife....the sea, the sand, the Law and the hotel. 

The cottage is not quite as cheap as it was 10 years ago, the last time we stayed here, but getting a cheap holiday in Scotland is nigh on impossible these days. Upon arrival it seemed to have changed little and after we unloaded the gear, we nipped out to the hotel round the corner for a nightcap. 

On the Sunday, we made our way to Markinch. It was cool and dry. Marg went to the hall and get the numbers and we then drove to Balbirnie Park and parked up. As the dog is with us, we took her out for a runaround before the race. 

There were around 100 pre-entered, but that translated to around 75 starters. The course was a 2 lapper around the undulating park. There is some woodland stretches and a stream crossing. We set off and I fell in around 10th or 12th. There was no one I recognised. I hadn't done a warm up around the course, so wasn't sure what to expect, but soon I was up to 6th, having caught the lad in front at the end of the first lap. 

The second lap was run alone. I nearly went off course, having become distracted at one corner, but didnt lose much time and I plugged on following the trail of white flour arrows on the ground to finish in around 32 minutes for the 4.4 mile course. 

Marg came in a little later and, after changing, we took the car back into the town for the presentation at the Memorial Hall where the scouts had organised tea and cake. I won a 'Nuts' T shirt and 2 bottles of beer. Happy days. Looking at the results, the M60 entry wasnt as soft as I originally thought and there were two other crusties within 2 or 3 minutes of my time. Marg was 2nd F60, so will need to be doing a few hill reps up the Law this week. After the race, we lunched at the Covenanter Hotel in Falkand where their steak pie is just the job. 

With Gilmore, Davis and Crowe down to run Birnam on Saturday, the Birnam Hill Race beckons and should be a stiff challenge. I'll be doing well to finish in the top 3. 

You can ring my Cowbell 5K

 I was going to be at a bit of a loose end last weekend. A number of family asked the loaded question 'What have you got planned this weekend, then?'...I was supposed to be doing a bit of insulation and cladding in the wee utility room, but I drilled through a water pipe a month ago; had to get the plumber out. He turned up after 36 hours. I never recovered from the trauma, so the project has tip-toed on at a slugs pace.  

The forecast was good for the weekend, and, on the Saturday morning, I was drawn to the local Parkrun. Its around the river and only down the hill from me. 

I have a recent history of using the Parkrun as a training run. I sometimes start with the crowd. On occasion, Ive joined in randomly and confused both the marshals and the runners. All good stuff. On this particular morning I did 2 miles and peeled off. Neil M was behind me using me as a pacemaker, I could hear him gently rasping the rhythm of a vet, behind me. But the 2 mile mark arrived and off I walked and left them all to it. I had bigger fish to fry, bigger bells to ring. Yes indeed. I had an entry for the Cowbell 5k at lunchtime. It's organised by Newcastle University and is held on the Town Moor. 

I walked back home and, at 10am, sat down to a plate of carrot soup - I find I run well on soup - although, not lentil soup - I presume something to do with the pulse (rate - get it!). I read the paper for a wee bit, then rounded up my trainers and vest. 

The 20 minute trip into Newcastle Central was easy enough. They have replaced all the parking meters now with 'flash your card' types and the parking charges have been ramped up accordingly. 

I jogged to the Uni. sports hall and got my number, then jogged up to the park. The crowd was pretty modest, and after a stretch and warm up, I counted about 80 or so starters. It was £11 to enter, so it couldn't have been the cost that put folk off. 

A few club mates were running and LR said she was aiming for a sub 19, which, if delivered, would be a P.B. It was a good day on a flat course, and she had TI in attendance as a pacer. I had a thought of jumping on this PB wagon and hanging on, but a wee dose of reality said 'don't be a numpty'  - you'll be doing well to go sub20'. 

We were counted down and off we went. I never saw them again, as they rattled off the front and into the distance. Instead, I put my head down and puffed my way around the course, having that continuous conversation in my head trying to keep the pace going and, all the while, distracting yourself from the absolute discomfort of being on the edge, all those old organs shuggling along and trying to squeeze out a convincing tune on an old body.  Squeezebox.

I hung on, feeling pretty reasonable halfway round, but by 4k my pace began to slow and I had to dig deep. 'Its only 2 laps round the track' came the voice..'Don't let him go'...said the voice.....' open your stride, its the same effort'...went the rhetoric. I managed to cross the line in 19.29. Fine. Sub 20 right enough. It took me a couple of minutes lying on the pavement to get my breath back. Old slapper.

There were celebrations by the tent - LR had managed a low 18 minutes, quite comfortably inside her P.B.   I came away with a warm glow that I'd equaled my S.B. from last year. I immersed myself in a short half an hour buying spree, a positive retail frenzy of new jeans and hoodie in the Toon. It was super busy, but its good to be good to yourself.  

This weekends extravaganza is the Balbirnie Trial Race - quite a different event. Should be a laugh.  Needless to say, no DIY was done that day.

Signals Relays 2025

It's been quite a while since I blogged. My last outing was the Royal Signals Relays in Mid February. This race, together with the Newburn Relays on Easter Friday, are about the biggest club events on the North East England Athletics Calendar. 

I can't quite remember how often I've run the Signals. For vets, its an Over 50 ticket for teams of 4. We run in a combined race with the Women, so plenty of runners on the course at any one time. 

I managed to shuffle in as one of four in a Morpeth team with Rob, Lee and Jason; all very decent runners. I was accompanied in the car to the event by Lornie, Cat and Linds who were variously in the women's senior teams. 

I felt pretty reasonable and collected my number  - 2nd leg. From what I heard there seemed to have been quite the discussion as to the most effective rationale in leg selection - who's to go first, who's to go last; but I don't subscribe to that, other than perhaps if you're on leg 1, you probably have more bodies around and in front of you to chase. As the race develops, the gaps ebb and flow, but generally stretch. 

This year they started the M50s around a minute behind the women, maybe longer, but I think I prefer it when we start together. 

We were sitting in around 8th position when I picked up the baton from Rob (there's not actually a baton - its just a term - so to speak). It's two rolling laps around the Hetton Lyons country park and there's a couple of good drags to deal with, although its true to say you also come down each hill after the ascent. 

It was cool and I started with my zebra arm warmers and thin kiddies wool gloves - you know the cheap ones. I find that cotton doesn't suit my hands. I soon had a grey haired runner from Crook in my sights, but I didn't want to over-cook it so it took me until the second lap to overhaul him. However, there was no-one else in sight, at least not in my race.  As it was I took it steady up the long drag around 200m from the end, and, as I came round onto the downhill and finish, I opened my stride, trying to look in control. 13.57 for 2.2 miles. Ten seconds up on 2023, but 20 seconds down on 2022. We finished 4th. Not too bad but no cigar. 

The girls did well and did even better after the race to wait 20 minutes in the snaking queue for the teas and coffees. ProTay came down from the frozen north to do the timing, so it was a big hello to Sharon for the second time in a week. 

I picked up the lurgy that's going around a week later and, although its not been a bad cold, its a clingy affair, so I was pleased to get out on the bike today for a slow 20 miles in the early Spring sunshine. Nearly finished 'The Hobbit', so I'm stroking my chin in eager anticipation of my next read.  

Bag O' Spanners

The Scottish Masters Cross Country was held last weekend in Dundee. I like Camperdown Park and thought rather than go 'tete a tete' (fnarr) with the youngsters in Falkirk, I would mix it with the oldies. My rationale was solid. I was old just like them, and am still wrestling with my competitive ego.  I just might not come last. Visoins of nearly making the the podium - laughable, I know. 

We had Master T, Marg and Lins up for the ride and after a sleety shower, the sun burst out of a grey leaden sky. It was still pretty cold. 

I got my number and bumped into 3 clubmates from the Bella club. They were all M40, so no use to me in my pursuit of Scottish Gold in the M60 team competition. The course was a 2 or 3 lapper and I was definitely not 'at the races'. I lined up. I had my hands in my pockets if I'd had any. I  commenced with faint vigour, tucking into the pack as they snaked up the first long grassy drag. There were isolated pockets of spectators, but otherwise we swept along and down one grassy bit and then grovelled up through the woods, stepping over the roots. 

I slowed and puttered:  idling mode. I was, not surprisingly, passed by a succession of folk keener than me. As we all had our age group labels on our backs, the first thing anyone does, is check out whose passing you (club) and then peer at their back with old eyes to see how old they are. If they're not in your age group, happy days. If they are, more heaps of misery.  On the second lap I let around five M60's past and had neither the interest nor energy to track them. Normally, I would have used each of them to tow me along for a good bit, but not today, no fight. I finished in 34 minutes for this 8 kilometre extravaganza and 12th M60, although the five that passed by were all within a minute of me at the end. 

We said goodbye to leafy Camperdown and we headed down to the Beinn Inn with the dog. It was dark when we arrived. We bathed, we dined and we crashed. 

More work on the core required. And perhaps a pep talk....!   

Free the (AXA) Raheny 5

I'm not a good flyer. I don't know whether to admire people who fly extensively and are impervious to the jeopardy of air turbulence, reverse thrust and the clandestine threat of the reinforced steel drinks trolley that they insist on wheeling out. I always feel I need to buy something from it to passify it, to appease the air gods. What is the Roman god of trolleys, anyway? 

So it was, last weekend, to be sure, as we took to the sky to Dublin to run the Raheny 5. The Irish National 5 mile Championships. A race that attracts 4000 competitors. A race that's got a reputation for fast times. A little bit of running tourism is what it was.

In fairness, our window of passage with Aer Lungburst was sandwiched between two low pressure systems, Eoywn and Herminia, so we had struck lucky. Cat had scouted out a small but perfectly serviced palatial next to Lansdowne Road on the south side of the City and I got a tad wet walking from the centre to the hotel.  I can add that I wasn't properly attired. We dumped the gear and the 3 of us ran four miles out along the dark, flat streets of the Suburbs for a shake-down before an evening meal in The Cow. From there we crossed the road and had a quick drink in the O'Shaugnessays. It was an early night. It was still raining outside. 

Come the morning we had a slap up breakfast and I helped myself to a pile of cheese to keep myself going until 3pm when the race was. We caught the Dart, the Dublin inner city train service to the centre. Wiping away the condensation with my sleeve, I sat peering out the window of the carriage. It was pouring. 

We had visions of spending an hour or two wandering around Dublin like the tourists we were, but the rain was so heavy, we repaired to cafe Nero. After coffee, I bit the bullet and took the gang to Primark to get a towel and umbrella. However, by this time the gear in my bag was already damp. After making a visit to Decathlon, where Ant made some purchases, we just hung around trying to keep warm. Shortly afterwards we grabbed a bus to Raheny on the north side, happy to be out of the rain again. 

We arrived very early and after picking up our numbers, we sat huddled in the corner of an old school hall trying to keep warm. As the crowd began to swell, folk were shaking the water off their winter jackets and dumping their wet bags all over the Hall. Behind us, on the low stage, was a wide assortment of housewares, such as sets of plastic plates, latte mugs and a toaster. I noticed the toaster was for the 1st F60. Crikey, I wondered if there was one for the 1st M60. If I was the lucky lad, would Michael O'Leary let me take it back across the Irish Sea without a 'extra baggage' surcharge? 

We changed into our vests and put our tracksuits back on and ventured out for a warm-up. The wind was dying down. Was it my imagination or was the rain receding also? By this time, with 15 minutes to go, the streets were jumping with all colour of Irish running vests. The Garda had closed the roads and there were plenty of supporters mulling around. 

We got back to the hall suitably warmed up and I jogged to the portaloos before the start, as there were no handy bushes to hide behind. Such were the queues, that I began to time the folk in front to see if I was going to miss the start, and I only just made it, squeezing through the gates with around three or four hundred in front of me. Not ideal. Was this going to be another start like Dribble Valley last month, where I spent ages trying to get past folk? The gun went and we began to shuffle forward. It was almost a full minute before I crossed the line, but after that I never looked back and it was full gas for 5 miles. I passed a rake of folk - always a mystery why they would be up front near the start. 

My pace was good and I felt fine. Both the wind and rain had dropped and we were cracking on. The course was mostly around the houses, with one stretch along the waterside. Difficult to anticipate the wind, but where I found it, I tucked in (as you do). 

There was a long drag a mile before the finish where I toiled, but overall it was a 32:18 for 5 miles, around 6.30 pace and 5th M60 place. I had a good dry boak at the end, much to the disgust of some of the unfortunates standing at the railings, but other than that, I was right as rain and up for a pint of the wet stuff. 

Cat did a quick 29 minutes for 15th, but both of us could have been quicker, as Ant pointed out, him being the trip team manager and all. 

We got the bus back and celebrated our runs with a set of dry clothes and a couple in the pints in the Flowing Tide on Abbey Street. The Dublin Publopedia website states that 'one barman takes no nonsense, and has been seen ejecting undesirables with considerable gusto and foulmouthed alacrity'. I don't know about that, but we were on our best behaviour. It was a slap up feed at the Old Spot on the evening. Top grub. 

We flew back the next day on Ryanhair. I didn't have anything from the trolley, cause as it came past, we were having some turbulence. Flying, eh? who needs it. 

Falkland Yomp 2025

I ran the Falkland Yomp in 2023 (link:http://runnerwanderings.blogspot.com/2023/01/). I wasn't in the best state, but I enjoyed the event and the course had a bit of everything. The youngster set the course record, but then she does that shit.  So we entered it again last year, but I had a medical, so none of us went. The organiser (Ian), however, advised that he would defer our entry until this year. That was pretty good of him - The Lomond Club are a decent bunch, so this year, we rocked up eager and ready to go. It was Cat, Marg and moi. Ant came along to shepherd us. 

There were 2 starts. One for the slowies and one for the fasties. Marg decided she would do the early start. I fancied it, but my ego hasn't quite deflated sufficiently.  The event, a 7 miler around the Falkland Estate in Fife is an adventure through Scots Pine, heather moorland and forestry gravel paths. This year,  Ian had even put on a bit of snow at the top of the hill to spice things up. Hill races are a little thin on the ground in Scotland in January. This event was oversubscribed, but we were in. 

The race HQ this year was at the Covenanters Hotel. Warm toilets provided and a small crowd. Very civilised. We got our numbers and said goodbye to Marg as she set off. I warmed up by running back to the car and then back to the start. The clothing choice was 2 layers, hat, woollen gloves and the i-rocs. Around 60 or so set off in the second group. After around 200 metres I was passed by Adrian from the Lomies. He looked comfortable and was in my age group, so I took my cue and tucked in behind him. And there I sat.  For 3 miles. We passed a few in front of us. He passed them; I passed them. I was attached like a limpet. He's a better runner than me, but I was up for a challenge. As I sat there, I fully expected to have to sit in for the whole race and take my chances in the sprint at the end. However, just as we ascended the second climb, he slowed. I assumed that he wanted me to take the lead, and I did, but he didn't follow and, not looking back, I ploughed on without any idea where he was. I finished in just under the hour. First V60 and 30 notes. Ego intact. Very nice. 

We caught up for a chat in the hotel afterwards and had a good natter. This is an ace race, and no wonder its in demand. The Youngster took another chunk out of her course record, which was impressive, and Marg enjoyed herself, so a good day all round. Thanks to Peter Bracegirdle for the excellent photographs.