Alloa Half 18/03/07
Douglas first
I never find Alloa an easy race – too many undulations, that long stretch from Tillicoultry and the final hill at mile 11-12 just to kill off any vain hopes of a pb. In fact, although I’ve always run poorly here, I do so consistently so I regard it as my base time for a half marathon, and always try to eke out a few minutes here and there over the season.
The race started in the sun and after a mile or so it didn’t seem that the weather would be a factor other than running into a headwind. My first mile was apparently 6:54 but I think it was short. The next few were in the low sevens and I managed to keep Paul in sight for about 4 miles. Things were going reasonably well until I left Tillicoultry and turned into the wind. As predicted, I virtually ground to a halt with people overtaking me every few minutes or so. And then every few seconds. By ten miles I was running so slowly I was losing heat and I had to put my gloves and hat back on. Andrew (Fraser) had already overtaken me and I spotted him ahead at the side of the road chatting to friends and stroking their dog before bounding back into the race and knocking 8 minutes off his pb. Clearly our coaches will have to extract at least 5 minutes more out of him before the end of the year. I battled on, by now mouthing oaths into the sleet and hailstones that were being swept off the Ochils. I fumbled a go-gel and dropped it into the gutter only to have a runner sweep past me a few seconds later pulling one out of a bum bag and pressing it into my hand. The chivalry of the road! I normally manage a sprint finish and re-take some places downhill into the school but this year only got past a couple. Strangely, my watch said 1:45, exactly the same as the last time I ran it 2 years ago under much better conditions and when it felt much easier. So at least I can say: IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE.
Report Douglas Young.
Sandi next
Yes, I approached race day with trepidation being told by various sources that the weather was going to be bad. In fact Alex heard on the radio that the weather for Sunday was going to be thundersnow and it was indicated there was going to be 12 inches of snow but at no specific location. Well, thank goodness it wasn't Alloa. However, for those who dont know, thundersnow is defined as "a particularly rare meteorological phenomenon that includes the typical behavior of a thunderstorm but with snow falling as the primary precipitation instead of rain." The hailstorm was bad enough - I don't know how I would have coped with lightning and, as for the thunder.....I almost jumped out of my skin when someone stood on one of the many metal road signs that had blown over!
The start was great and I had decided to use some new tactics. At one of Bert's training sessions which involved 15 x 400m along the prom he told us to take the first 5 easy then we would not peg out at the last 5. Hmm, perhaps Alloa half on Sunday 18 March was not the race to try that. The weather was fair when we started and I took it easy letting all the Porty runners disappear into the distance, the body felt good but the mind was a bit doubtful. I was right to doubt, by the time I was ready to speed up the weather was deteriorating by the mile. However, the quads behaved themselves and I am sure this must have been the training last Wednesday Bert! The wind was so strong it was head down, keep the rhythm going. I could see the weather coming off the hills but thought it was rain. When the hailstones hit me at mile 10 it was quite alarming. My face was nipping and at the end of the race I felt as though I had exfoilated with oatmeal!! My head was aching. ( I believe that some people were actually in tears with the pain of the hailstones!) I was so glad I had my shades on as it kept the hailstones out of my eyes. I could feel the wet seeping through my clothes and my legs began to go numb. My gloves were soaking but I didnt have the energy to take them off! However, my new "next to skin" top kept the wind out and the rain off and my upper half was cosy as toast. The snow after the hailstones was a relief but the wind was still so strong. I did feel I was maintaining a constant, steady pace and felt quite chuffed. The penultimate hill was so well manned with marshalls who were running up and down shouting encouragement. I was overtaking other runners on the hill and the quads were still okay. The skies had stopped downloading on us and I managed to do my usual sprint at the very end and was gutted to see the clock at 1:54! my first personal worst!! As Catherine Tate aka Lauren Cooper would say "am I bothered?" Well actually, no. I, believe it or not, enjoyed the race as I ended it feeling strong. So Bert, you are going to have a lot of hard work ahead trying to get me out of my comfort zone now!!Report Sandi Bomphray
Janet's version
I was looking forward to Alloa Half and felt I was on target for a PB. When we arrived with a strong wind blowing I thought "No chance of a PB," but I still wanted to run well and get a good time. The first 6 miles I thought "Hey the weather's not too bad & I'm feeling good," but before long at mile 7 the wind was unbelievable and it started to snow, (hailstones were hitting my face) as well as the wind but I said to myself, "Hey it's like this for everyone."I knew my target time was definitely not happening so decided to try and relax and just dig in. I seemed to switch off and started to pick off people along the long windy road but I think that made me get through the race well. At mile 10 I looked at my watch - 65 minutes. I overtook a female in front and headed toward getting the next female; she was a bit more competitive but at the 11 mile mark I managed to get away at the hill.
I am happy with how I felt in the race and felt I finished strongly but it was absolutely freezing. I felt I couldn't talk as my lips were so cold. I was 3rd lady, won £60 and my time was 1:25:59. Even though it isn't the time I hoped for I'm still happy as I felt I ran a good race, just praying for no wind in London.
Report Janet Dunbar
Amanda's turn
When I took up running, I was looking for a gentler and altogether safer sport (my other big passion is rock climbing). I did not consider running an ‘extreme sport’ by any stretch of the imagination. After the Alloa Half Marathon this year, however, I fear I may have to re-set the boundaries on the definition of extreme sport.
Racing in gale force winds, sleet and snow is most definitely extreme.
I spent Saturday night tanking up on pasta and praying that the high wind rattling the slates would die down. It didn’t and I got out of bed on Sunday with a distinct sense of dread.
We arrived in Alloa in plenty of time for a warm up, which was much needed given the circumstances. There had been much debate in the car about what to wear – shorts or trousers, vest or long sleeves, water proof or thermal down jacket… We all opted for the aerodynamic shorts teamed with long sleeved tops and the team strip.
This was the 25th Alloa Half Marathon so the organisers certainly knew what they were doing – shuttle buses from the official car park, free cookies before the race, brass band and a flower at the end for all the ladies. Unfortunately though, this isn’t a chipped race; a fact which had somehow escaped me until about 10 seconds before the gun. I was well back in the field with a girl dressed as wonder woman in front of me.
The first three miles are in Alloa, taking in a loop to make up the required mileage. I spent most of this dodging runners and parked cars before finally heading out of the town towards Tillicoultry. So far, so good. In fact, it was so warm I was starting to regret the long sleeves. The route out of Alloa is a gradual uphill with undulations before a long downhill to the Ochills.
On hitting Tillicoultry we swung left for a long, straight section through Alva and up towards Menstrie. This section was probably 3.5 – 4 miles but it felt more like a long 8 mile climb. If you’ve ever driven this road, you will know that there is no shelter from the elements and it runs East to West. We were running into gale force Westerly winds.
With Bert’s final words of pre-race advice ringing in my ears I tried to tuck myself in behind any runner who I could keep up with. I chummed along with Sally for a while (ok, the truth is, I hid behind her) before jumping onto the tail wind of some guy from SUAC. I tailed him to Alva before his long legs left me for dead. Somehow, I struggled on towards Menstrie willing the route to turn left back to Alloa. When it finally did turn the corner, I was relieved for the shelter and surprised that there was still energy in the tank. Clearly the tactic of sheltering behind runners does help.
The final stage of the race takes in a longish hill before descending back into Alloa. It was at this stage, that the heaven’s darkened and it started to sleet. In a horizontal direction. Nice. At least I was in relative shelter and had gotten off the Alva road before that hit. I made it over the line in much the same time as my last half marathon. I had been hoping for a PB but at the end of the day, the weather didn’t play ball. At least all my digits were still intact and the warm shower restored feeling to my legs.
For the first half marathon of the year, Alloa didn’t disappoint. I’m sure racing in such conditions must make you a better person or something. Well done everyone for turning up and comp(l)eting and thanks Bert for the lift. Maybe leave the Hibs CD at home next time though.
Report Amanda Henderson
Mary's account
Tall men were at a premium at the 25th Alloa Half Marathon yesterday. There's a new sport which might be called man-surfing or if you have a better name send it in on a postcard. Actually a big woman would do just as well but I couldn't see any. After prophesying doom to anyone who would listen about the force of the wind and its likely affect on performance, I thought that maybe I'd exaggerated the problem as I cruised into Tillicoultry just outside the 7.20 min/mile average pace I'd set myself as a goal. Turning the corner into the teeth of the wind everything changed.
I had prepared myself mentally for this being difficult and as my natural desire when running is to distance myself from people around me, my plan was to try to change this behaviour and to tuck in behind anyone who looked like they were keeping up a steady pace.
Man number one had a rather long stride so his heels were in danger of kicking my toes, which began to irritate me, and we'd slowed to 8 min/miles (How dare he!) So I ran round him and ran on. I played catch up for a while, running from one person to the next and resting for a while. For one stretch the distance was too far and I thought I was about to blow up. Giving-up thoughts flooded my mind as my legs cramped up. “I wish there was a bus, I would get on it.” I thought, pathetically. Then I rallied a bit. Tucked in behind some other tired souls and just slogged away for a while. Ironically (I thought), at 8 miles, a very tall man from “wee” county harriers ran up beside me and asked me how long we'd been running. He provided excellent wind cover and a good pace and we set off together along the road, passing quite a few people as we went; some getting in line behind. It felt a bit sleazy running this way - using others for my own gain - like going out and expecting to get all your drinks bought for you, but it also introduced an interesting social aspect to the race.
I thanked him as we turned the corner out of the wind at 11 miles and we ran on to the end, doing a fair job of tanking up the hills. The infamous last hill, as several other people remarked, was really not so daunting compared to the exhausting constant force of the wind against you. I ran in in just over 1:40 and although this was a fair performance given the conditions (and I don't really think I could have worked harder), deep down I'd wanted a pb and this was a fair bit outside it. I felt a bit flat and utterly tired. Back home I slept for 3 hours, then got up and ate and watched telly and slept some more from midnight to 10 this morning when I finally forced myself up.
I think I'll need a few more days to get this race into perspective.
BoohooReport Mary Hunter
“Alloa Alloa we are the Porty Boys (and girls)”
Well I didn’t have much to sing about at the weekend although I did do a superb version of Going Underground in the car on the way to Alloa. Blowin in the wind would have been a better choice I think.
I got there with a PB on my mind and the first Porty Runners I saw were Peter Buchanan (PB) and Posh Ben (sorry Ben but I once heard you say please and I’m from Whitburn so that makes you posh in my book) – another PB, I was going to make it a hat-trick. I was soon reminded about the weather and I knew I was practically beaten before I had started.
The race started and the first 6 went well, then I tried to tell myself the wind would be behind me – aye right!! I worked as hard as I could and even with Graham in my ear I couldn’t beat the wind. The hill at the end wasn’t too bad as I knew I was almost finished but the only PB for me was the Purple Blotches on my legs caused by the cold.
1:35:48 – not what I wanted but I gave it my best.
There is a great spirit in our club that we should all be proud of. Bring on the Edinburgh Half so I can try again!!
Positive Beliefs!!!
“ I’ve got sunshine, on a cloudy day”Alan Aitchison
Gerry's rendering
From the middle of last week the weather forecast for Sunday was for wintry conditions and strong winds. Unusually, how right the forecasters were. Driving towards Alloa I was aware that conditions were getting worse and a strong, cold wind greeted me when I reached the destination.
It was amazing to see so many Porty runners at the race, reflecting so well on how the club is flourishing. Also suggests there are many mad runners in the club who enjoy real hardship.
A new experience for me was to be involved in a serious conversation with Ben and Peter before the race started about what we would be wearing for the race. Sounded a bit like girls deciding what they'd be wearing for the Christmas night out - sorry ladies. Looking back it was really amusing, Ben deciding that he would brave it and run only with his running vest. I couldn't do that, I needed an extra layer and long sleeves at that - that's a first for me.
Also remember speaking to Alan Aitchison in the changing area who was still in shock from the Hearts display and result from the day before (0-4). Things were only to get worse for Alan with Hibs winning the cup!
On the starting line the race seemed to take an age to get underway. First the lady doing the proceedings gave a talk which I believe commemorated the 25th Alloa half marathon. I can't confirm that as I couldn't hear her. Then a minute silence, I don't know who for though glad that silence was respected then another minute for the countdown. I found it quite warm standing with so many people huddled together and enjoyed it while I could knowing things would change.
At the off, I found myself well up the field. I could see Ben just in front of me but that was fine, I expected that. Peter soon joined me and my thoughts turned to the same race two years before when Peter and I ran together for the first 8 or 9 miles before I finally got in front. That was some battle and I didn't know if I was ready not only to fight the conditions but also to run hard against Peter.
Surpirse, surprise. Around the mile mark a Porty vest came speeding by both of us and I realised Mark Picksley was in the race. Yes, Mark is an occasional runner for Porty, now living in Falkirk. He was going at a fair pace and I felt best to leave him to it. Peter reacted a little then I guess took the same view as me.
Conditions were fine over the first few miles. However I was aware that there was a long 4 mile stretch, starting around the seven mile mark, along the foot of the Ochils where I might be taking a rather different view. So too I knew that a long and quite steep hill followed this stretch so I wanted to keep something in store for the 'second' half of the race.
Around the four mile mark I was joined by the first lady, Jenny from City of Edinburgh. I felt I should keep her company for a while and see how that felt. At some point around the five mile mark, quite some time after Peter and I had overtaken Mark P, Peter dropped back from me. Until then it was a great help to have him at my side. I still wasn't at all sure I had seen the last of Peter, I was bearing in mind the long road to come.
Around six miles Jenny moved away from me. I had to let her move on. I felt reasonably comfortable, running steadily at 6 min mile pace but didn't want to tempt fate. What a wise decision that was.
Moving into mile seven and about to turn into the dreaded straight I could see 4 or 5 runners not too far in front. A chap from Central was running near to me and the others were a few yards spread apart. As soon as I turned the impact was immediate, a strong cold wind hit me, then some snow which turned to sleet. That was painful. I knew now I had a real battle on my hands to keep going steadily and try to maintain my position.
It seemd an age til I reached mile eight. Approx 6 min 40ish secs. The wind showed no signs of slacking and at times keeping my breathing going was proving tough. The chap from Central made a break from me and I wasn't interested. A group of 4 or 5 runners were huddled together in front and he was wanting to join them. That made sense to me but I couldn't get myself into the mindset that it might pay dividends.
The group in front were getting away from me, not a huge amount but certainly enough for me to notice it. I just wanted to keep my position at this stage as time had stopped mattering. Afterwards Peter told me that he and another runner whom he was running with, could see me in front and closed the gap to 70 or so metres. I am glad to have been ignorant of this at the time.
Mile nine passed, again around 6:45 or so then mile ten. More of the same, no less unpleasant. I was feeling tired and unsure how I would cope with the hill.
Turning into the 'hill' road I think the wind was on our backs, it must have been. I didn't feel good but repeated to myself 'only two miles to go, you can do it'.
The hill seemed shorter than I remembered, not easy though and by this time I had a sore side which I put down to being tired and drained of energy. Around a roundabout and into the last mile. The group of runners in front had split apart now and I could see two of them within 50 yards or so of me. Though I didn't think I would catch them I made them my focus to see if I could close some of the gap. I was in agony now.
I could see the 13 mile marker and got my final wind to make a late surge for the line. It was over, there was Ben to greet me, who had an excellent race in sub- 1hr 20 in these conditions.
Peter came in not far behind me, he seemed to drop back a bit from me once he got to the hill. Then Janet, who was third lady. Well done Janet. Then came a whole host of Porty runners and amazingly at least two got PBs for a half marathon: Sally Scott and Paul Edwards were certainly two. For those of you who did, just wait til you get decent conditions.
I enjoyed the coffee afterwards with Amanda, Lucy and others. An excellent bit of home baking from Amanda worked wonders for the recovery. Also I seem to remember Lucy saying she may not be at Wednesday's training due to an early morning 28 mile run with HBT that morning! Was I hallucinating, maybe something in Amanda's home baking, or?
Pleased also that two of my sisters took part in he race, great effort Louise and Marie and they had similarly difficult experiences. How nice it was to be treated to lunch afterwards at my sisters in a warm and cosy house.Report Gerry Scullion
Peter's view
During the week leading up to Alloa the forecast was bad. But it got worse. Recent PRC performances had raised expectations and a few of us were hoping to match these. I have a tendency to crash and burn in a headwind so wouldn't have bothered had it not been a championship race. The early start (Ben picked us up at 7am) also doesn't suit a nightowl like myself and I got to the start line feeling well below par. I have never before worn a long sleeved top for a road race but as soon as we hit the wind on the loop around Alloa I knew I had made a good decision. I tried to keep Gerry in sight but as we climbed up the hills out of Alloa he slowly got away. Also overtaking was Fiona Matheson. On the long downhill with the wind behind I got a bit closer to them both but as we approached the turn into the wind I was looking for a suitable candidate to run behind. A guy as big as a storm shelter door from Central AC went past and so I upped the pace to match his. Unfortunately on the climb after that famous furniture warehouse he left me behind. Then that long road. I could see Gerry way out maybe 200 yards ahead and knew as the wind smacked me to a virtual standstill that I was done for. I jogged along trying to work into the howling gale enjoying the occasional lull where you could instantly pick up the pace before the next blast. About then a runner pulled up alongside shouting words too indelicate to repeat here. I shouted back and he took the lead. I could see from the sweat on the back of his neck he was working (and breathing) hard but seemed undaunted. The small amount of shelter he gave me had a miraculous effect and I was able to pick up my feet and overtake him. I hoped he would read this not as a challenge but a favour returned. Less than a minute and he took the lead again. He probably had the slightly better deal as I was a bit taller and provided more of a windbreak but I couldn't have asked for a more hardy and tenacious partner. Every 100 paces or less we would swap leads giving the other a rest while the one in front pushed the pace. The recovery was considerable and instead of hating the weather, I felt we were now in a position to do battle. The obligation to retake the lead meant forcing the pace into the hellish conditions - it reminded me of fartlek-on-the-prom sessions where the back runner moves to the front - and soon we began to catch folk. I don't know if anyone stayed with us but we moved steadily along that awful road picking off some quality runners including Fiona Matheson and Jamie Philip running shoulder to shoulder (poor teamwork!) and even the big guy from Central. I could hear my sparring partner flagging as we got towards the turn and I tried to shout some encouraging words about the distance left and that we had passed the worst. We had got really close to Gerry and I suspected I could catch him now we were out the wind. I set off glad to be free of the wind which had been so noisy and all consuming along the back straight you felt like you had been out in a boat in a storm, and set my sights on Gerry. Unfortunately (for me) he was having a great run and seemed to speed up also. The last part of the course trundled past and I began to resign myself to the slow hills and a rather damp finish. I was happy to see my draughting partner catch up and finish directly behind myself. Angus Gallie* of Linlithgow (Lithgae) Harriers you saved my bacon. Without any verbal agreement we formed a team that pulled us both through a really grim race. A triumph!Apologies for not taking more photos - I could only hang around for a short time before the hypothermia set in and I had to shamble off to the showers. Fortunately Ben was not playing any football cd on the return journey. But sadly we were not entirely spared as later we were treated to a street awash with intellectually challenged fans, ugly as the night was cold. "Singing" flatters the braying noises they made.
Report & photos Peter Buchanan
*Great to be mentioned in dispatches for the Alloa Half (my first half marathon for seventeen years!).
My original sport (going back a while!) was cycling and 'spelling about' or slipstreaming is second nature to that sport. In fact it's an utter necessity in any non time trial events!
I had a fantastic feeling of satisfaction from Peter and my self's efforts along the foothills (all done with not a word spoken!). In all my years of running I have never known such well executed co-operation of the kind which is second nature to cyclists. It was exactly the same feeling, where you initially panic when the guy goes past, thinking he is going to drop you and then you settle in behind, experience genuine relief from the wind and then go again when you are ready. Both of us knew that the other guy was doing all he could for as long as he could at the front.
Brilliant stuff - and although it was not a day for pbs, I think we gained about one to two minutes on that stretch, compared to 'going it alone.' Angus Gallie
Ben Kemp 1.19.40
Gerry Scullion 1.22.36
Peter Buchanan 1.23.21
Janet Dunbar 1.25.59
Lucy Colquhoun 1.27.22 (City of Edinburgh)
Mark Picksley 1.27.35
Ricky Fraser 1.28.26
Scott Ferguson 1.29.36
John Blair (nom de guerre) 1.29.50
Amanda Henderson 1.34.59
Sally Scott 1.35.09
Alan Aitchison 1.35.46
Paul Edwards 1.37.58
Mary Hunter 1.40.14
Andrew Fraser 1.41.42
Douglas Young 1.45.16
Christina Hussell 1.46.16
Sandi Bomphray 1.54.52
Fiona Mayfield 1.58.25
Louise Kay 2.04.43
Cath Webster 2.09.44
