Bert's Page.
To celebrate 50 years of Bert....
Bert shows off his birthday suitLast Wednesday (15th November) Bert took the night off to celebrate his 50th Birthday.
Its been a tough year for Bert; a year ago an accident at work left him with months of recovery and he is, even now, not fully recovered. However with the determination he has always shown as a runner he is heading in the right direction. And judging from recent results, taking quite a few with him. He fits the new role of coach and mentor to the middle group (the A Team as he would have it) exceptionally well, with a great mix of enthusiasm and tenacity. And at the recent social to the bowling lanes at the Sheep Heid Inn he proved there was more to the man than just running. Happy Birthday Bert, hope the move to the new category brings you every success.
archive photo; neither of these gents can keep up with Janet these days.Logan's Run (by Bert)
As keen as any to get fit and fast, not knowing too much about running or training; for marathons, half marathons or any distance races, I started doing the odd run on my own. I thought I was fit because I played football, ha ha; any way back to my story...
London had the first mass marathon in Britain 1981. I watched it on the telly and thought to myself I could do that. The following year, 1982, Edinburgh decided to hold a marathon. The company I worked for at the time had asked if anyone was interested in doing it. 5 of us took part; terrible experience! Ran the first 19 easy, then a long 7 mile walk to the finish in the pouring rain. I wasn't sure at that time if running was for me but surely it can't get any worse. Anyway that's how I got started and into running. NOW FOR THE STORY...
As I said earlier I was keen to get going. A couple of years went by, I did the Edinburgh Marathon when it came round and started to improve. 1986 I was looking for a race this particular week-end. Saturday afternoon there was the 3 times round Arthur seat (10mile) race; that will do for me. My friend and running partner at that time, Clive Andrew, phoned me on the Thursday night and said, "How do you fancy doing the Prestonpans half marathon on Friday night?" What a half marathon on a Friday night? That will do for me; saves me training, and it will be a good wee warm up for the race on Saturday.
Oh I forgot to say I had already entered the Bellahouston half marathon the same week-end, but as I said before, I was keen to get into racing. There was one other twist in this story, my friend Clive had himself entered the Haddington half marathon on the same day as the Bellahouston half. When we looked at the starting times of the two halfs, one was in the morning and one in the the afternoon, we looked at each other and said let's do the two of them. (Not recommended.)
The weekend started well. Friday ~ Prestonpans half 1.23. Saturday ~ Three times round Arthur Seat (10 mile) 1.06. Onto Sunday morning same weekend Bellahouston half 1.23. Jump in the car down to Haddington arrive 1.45, race starts at 2.00 Started of at the back not to get pulled along too fast at the beginning but I was new to racing and started to chase after all who went by. Nothing much has changed. Back to the race; gets to the 9 mile marker and some person must have been out during the night and built this wall across the road because I ran straight into it. Not having a ladder with me I decided to have a seat on the pavement (or possibly a small nap.) When I looked up, the wall had disappeared. Better start running again, I so wanted that fourth medal. Hope there will be someone at the finish to give it to me. Got there 1.55 p.w.
Good weekend, four races under my belt. Next day (Monday always a rest day for me) training starts again. Check the diary... what's next, must be the London marathon. Hope it doesn't fall on the same day as Edinburgh, may have to do the two of them, worry about the transport side of it later.
Anyway that's my story, hope all enjoy it. (PLEASE DON'T TRY IT.)
Edinburgh Marathon 2004
Duke of Buccleuch's Run 12/11/06
One of the first places Bert returned to run was the Duke of Buccleuch's estate near Dalkeith. Although it was overcast last Sunday the sun fought to break through and shine up the brilliant russet and gold colours in the trees and on the ground. Mostly on soft tracks the estate forms a big circuit where you can lose yourself in the leafy wilderness. I've run it a couple of times with the club but still couldn't navigate around it without getting lost. So if its your first time there take a friend - or Bert - to show you the way.
We started at the Quayside Musselburgh....
and ran along the coast to the mouth of the Esk
following traffic free paths up the river
to the estate.
now that's a proper roofing bill
Back down the river
and along the coast
to the quayside again.
photos pb
