Race Reports
A busy week during which we saw the shortest and longest of the club championship races. First came the Silverknowes Self Transcendence 5k on Wednesday evening.
Reasonable weather meant a good turn out especially from Team Portobello, whose colours dominated the field. The course had been shortened from the usual 5 miler to accommodate people who would be running the Edinburgh 10k on Sunday and might not want to race 10 miles within the same week.
Being immersed in marathon training I took the opportunity to run to and from the race though I noticed this policy was not adopted by everyone. In fact when Gerry saw the start had been moved from the usual pavilion (due to closed toilets) he returned to his car to park nearer Cramond. He still trashed me in the race so what do I know.
A breeze was blowing round the headland as we lined up at Cramond. The Run and Becomers had marked out a new course that went 2½ kms along the esplanade then returned to the start. No cinder path towards Granton this year which kept things brisk. We were given a minute's warning then, as many still chatted, no ready, steady, go; just a whistle and we were off. You could almost hear the screech of shoe rubber as the front runners legged it like they were doing a hundred metres. And any plans to pace it were promptly binned as you got caught up in the stampede. I take it the esplanade had been swept for dogs on long leads and zimmering pensioners in the minutes preceding kick-off in order to avoid carnage. I noticed the first k went past in 3.09 and wondered if I'd live to see the second. Kenny floated past far too easily with Gerry not far behind. As we neared the half way turn I was overtaken by Angela Mudge, who has been doing flat runs while recovering from injury, unable to run in the hills as yet. She hadn't lost any determination and went on to win the women's race. As people turned round the cones you could see teeth gritting and fists clenching as the force of the wind was felt. What had been a light breeze on the way out was now a hurricane on the return. As I struggled into the gust trying not to drop the pace I wondered if Ben was far behind. I found out very shortly. Graham (in recovery from
Stuc A'Chroin) was standing shouting folk on, about a mile from the finish and he shouted Ben's name in the same breath as mine. Oh well, there goes Ben. I thought I might be able to stay ahead as he had already done some mileage that morning and could have been tired. Not so, and he steamed past with a tiny female runner tucked in behind using his slipstream. She even clipped his heels a couple of times before popping out in sight of the finish and blasting past the girl ahead! I think that might be against the Geneva Convention. I was now frothing like a horse but forced to sprint when I heard footfalls behind. I don't know who forced me into a dash for the line but it seemed neither necessary nor appreciated. I walked about in a giddy state noticing my throat from the back of my mouth to the top of my lungs felt like it had been scrubbed with a bottle brush. I tried to take photos but didn't have the sense to call everyone together for a team photo, so apologies to those I missed. Karen Young won a prize for first vet after a return to form - well done Karen. I hoped I hadn't blown Saturday's race. First and possibly last 5k. Run and Become jealously guard their results so I can only tell you what order folk went past me. Kenny did really well, then Gerry, Ben and I were between 17 and 18 minutes. The rest was a blur. Well done to all who ran. I limped off home feeling like I had had iron cycle bands surgically inserted into the tops of my calf muscles. I think I may have nearly transcended myself.
Report and Photos Peter Buchanan
Edinburgh to North Berwick 22 mile Road Race 7/5/05
We watched the weather forecast all week, glad to see the wind was going from left to right and would be behind us down the coast to North Berwick. A cool crisp day with the sun popping out now and again to redden shoulders and noses made for a great run. 22 miles is a long way and the golden rule is pace yourself. So I smiled when I saw Ben boldly take the lead on the circuit round meadowbank before going out onto London
Road and on towards Portobello. He hadn't run the race before and I was interested to see which way he would go. The leaders were taking it easy and so I enjoyed the cruise down Portobello Road to the prom. I caught up with Ben who had fallen behind the 3 leaders and we formed a second pod of 5 runners. There was great support going through Portobello from club members marshalling and spectating though I suspected my ego was writing cheques my body couldn't cash. I felt fine going past 5 miles in under 30 mins and only afterwards did it occur to me we possibly ran across the right hand bridge that is always closed. Or did I hallucinate that part?
They only put out markers every 5 miles but I did appreciate the “bring your own sports drink and we will put it down the road for you.” I took 3 quarter litre bottles with painted tall hats on so that I could recognise them as I galloped through the water stations at 10, 15 and 20 miles. I was disappointed not to have seen Ben's, which his wife had allegedly enhanced with pretty pink ribbons and Christmas decorations. I last saw Ben about the 'Pans power-station as I began to throttle back, knowing that if I tried to keep up the early pace I would combust. Ah, it was nice being a star, but all good things etc...
The downside of going out beyond one's ability is you face the repeated humiliation of hearing the pitter-patter of footsteps behind, then alongside, then some red faced joker says good morning or some other insult before turning the knife and sauntering off leaving you choking on their dust. Occasionally you are overwhelmed by 2 or more runners and the thought of losing so many places in one go, gets you motivated to pick the pace up and join this little gang. Together you head off, nobody speaking, but you have bonded; the syncopation of the footwork beating a rhythm in time to your heart which has started stomping in your chest. And your team - its now your team, have a greater momentum and you catch up the next guy who sees with horror he's about to drop 4 places unless he can pick up the pace. And there's still 10 miles to go. Hells teeth.
Actually I didn't run with the pack this time but I did get a gremlin in my shoe. Somewhere out there about halfway I felt a stone - or something, in my shoe. I was cruising along having given up the ghost of 6 minute miles, life was good, then I get a rub halfway along the outside sole of my left foot. After doing the rumba and a bit of cha-cha-cha to shift it, without joy, I decided there were too many miles ahead and I'd have to do a pit stop. Pulling my shoe off without undoing the laces I expect to see a stone or gorse bush but there's nothing. I rub my sock smooth and jam my shoe back on again without recourse to the laces, anxious to catch up the 60 yards I have given away. 5 minutes later and its back; it feels like a big crease in one of the layers of my twin skin socks. I am not going to take my shoe off again so get used to it foot. I feel the area get hotter and redder and from time to time over the next 11 miles wondered if its turning into a bloodbath.
There is a knack to grabbing the bottle, peeling off the gel with the left hand, biting off the top and swallowing the contents, then pulling up the nozzle and drinking, without either inhaling the wrapper or running off into the bushes. I'm not sure I have it. In a previous year I got so thirsty I tried to drink the sponge water only realising after a gulp that it was quite strongly flavoured with disinfectant.
Just after Gullane I overtook the only person I overtook successfully in the whole race; someone that had had the cheek to run past me earlier. It was good to see I wasn't the only chump overestimating their ability. Then round a couple of corners to Dirleton where I always get overtaken on that 50 yard hill. (Its not like I spend hours there.) It was 2 this year and though I took them right back on the downhill following, they ran past again while I was playing with my sports drink at the twenty mile table. I felt a deal fresher than I had in previous years, the marathon training miles definitely helping to shrink the distance
and ran the last 2 miles in 12.34. I remembered the cones always go round the corner for longer than you think but had nobody on my tail so kept the obligatory sprint finish to a minimum.
I was interested to find still nothing in my left shoe. Nothing except a huge blister. I am ashamed to say my mind then turned to thoughts of strong drink and didn't much sway until I had consumed large amounts of it. Oh and one other thing - due to an anomaly, although I only came 19th overall, I lucked 3rd o/40 vet and got a big shiney trophy. Fandabbydosey as they say. Julia Henderson also won a cup for second lady. An ex-porty runner, now running for Helensburgh she finds it hard to stay away from the joys of life on the east coast.
I think we were second male team but sadly the prizes didn't go that far. A great day out though. Cheers!
Results Here
Report and Photos Peter Buchanan
ps. This email was received from Tom Watson:
Just to thank Karen for her support along the way. Found myself running alone from Longniddry to finish, Karen's enthusiasm and support helped me immensely. Pity the timekeepers forgot to put my name and number into registration! I finished at 2:44:01, not bad for an old timer.
Not bad at all Tom, and I notice your time has been added on the new results page which also contains splits for 5, 10, 15 and 20 miles.
PRC was well represented in the Great Caledonian 10k with 17 runners taking part. The girls turned out in their numbers (well, 9 of them but only 8 guys). Everyone agreed it was a tough course with 3 gruelling hills spread unevenly and therefore unfairly throughout the course. Candlemaker Row at the 9k mark was a bit mean but the sight of wee Greyfriars Bobby waiting patiently at the top pulled everyone up! Gerry was the first Porty man in a fantastic time of 36.35. Janet did it in a wonderful 39.25 and was 13th female overall and first over-35. Shelagh finished in 44.15, with a pit stop in the graveyard at Kingstables Road, and was 11th over-35 - not bad for an oldie! Zoe did a PB in 47.59. At the time of writing I don’t have any more info on the performances of the other runners but I do know that Iain Duckworth struggled and was relieved not to have been overtaken by Shelagh!
Gerry Scullion 36:35
Janet Laing 39:25
Stephen Maley 40:59
Paul Eunson 41:55
Iain Duckworth 42:50
Shelagh McLeish 44:15
Richard Jones 44:23
Paul Edwards 46:04
Paul Ewing 46:12
Zoe Leitch 47:59
Marc Desmulliez 48:18
Karen Munro 50:46
Sandra Murray 53:04
Trish Foggo 53:10
Louise Patience 53:19
Catherine Webster 56:01
Louise Kay 59:23Full results here
Report Shelagh McLeish
Another Saturday, another road race with 8 Portobello Club members participating. A perfect day in Penicuik for the difficult 10k road race, warm but with a cooling breeze to prevent overheating.
For some, Willie Jarvie, brother Scott and Rick Fraser this was their first race since taking part in the London marathon, while for others it was a chance to take part in one of the most challenging, and scenic, 10k races in Scotland.
As ever the race set off at a terrific pace at the front. As I knew that there was a long hill ahead, not long after the start, I began cautiously, gradually picking off runners in front of me. Soon onto the hill, it seemed to go on for ever, winding ever upwards and we must have been at the 2 mile marker by the time the hill was out of the way. I felt relatively good at this point, perhaps the testing training session the previous Wednesday was coming to my aid (all that pain was worth it so OK I might be persuaded to do the Cooper run again).
For the following couple of miles the course was undulating, no sign of a long downward stretch to compensate for the early mountain climb. I continued to pick off a couple more runners... but there weren't many more to see as the front runners were out of sight. Then came the last couple of miles, in pleasant country surroundings, a long but gradual descent with the odd uphill burst just to make sure that all your energy would be drained by the finish line. Coming up to the 6 mile mark, I managed catch another runner and edge in front of him. I hoped to see him off, and coming into the park for the final 100m I thought I had, only to find him sprinting by me. I tried to react, with some encouragement from the small crowd, one guy shouting at me 'Go on, after him, you can do it', all right for those standing there to say this, but my legs just wouldn't go any faster and I finished around 10 yards behind the fella, in a really pleasing time of 36 min 49 secs, my best for this race by over 1 minute.
Shortly after I finished, Willie came over the line, then Ricky followed by Scott, Tom Watson, Werner Kittel, Karen Young and John Forker. Well done to all as we all came in the top half of the field.
We all seemed to enjoy the race. Though we may not have been able to say that straight after the race, but once we had drawn breath. It was well was organised, tough but well worth doing for those wanting a challenge and who want to practise running uphill.Results Here
Report Gerry Scullion
I ran this one last year after hearing people rave about this obscure race where you run through the sea, finish on a steep uphill and they give you a free beer. They had neglected to mention that despite the
brevity of the course it is much worse torture than the average half marathon. And yet over 600 runners braved the torrential rain to put themselves through this trial. I'm not sure why. Something to do with tough love maybe? Where you are thrashed soundly then given praise and rewards. The praise comes in the form of a fast time for “5” miles. And the rewards - those free beers and everyone spilling out of the Auld Hoose into the street where the rain stopped and the banter started.
About that five in quotes. The gps said 4.34 miles. But the “Black Rock 4.34” doesn't have the same ring to it. And who came up with the route? Starting up a near vertical slope which has you gasping long past the flat section and on to the steep road down to the beach. Nearly catching your breath you hit the soft sand and come to a halt. People run by, a
pparently untroubled by the uneven and frictionless surface, anxious to get paddling in the briney. Through a couple of big puddles and the sand is now flatter and more compact but there are shallow lagoons of sea to splash through. As the entry form says, you will get your feet wet. I wore Walshes for their grip and water-shedding ability but was surprised to see mostly normal trainers. I think the ideal would be somewhere between Walshes and a snowshoe; something that would stop you sinking into that terrible sand.
On the horizon there was a small outcrop - the eponymous rock. The first runners were rounding it but I had a long way to go; so its head down and chug along for fathom after fathom of wet sand. As you get to the rock you can see folk running through knee deep sea. I can't even remember if it was cold as I was so hot by then. But its not very refreshing either. Like trying to cool the engine of your car by running the tyres into a puddle. I found the quickest route round the rock was keeping to the shallows but there is the risk of tripping on the gnarly rock just under the surface and taking an early bath. Just to add to the already bizarre scene, a piper is playing “Cruel is the snow...” standing atop the rock. When I asked Mary what was he playing when she went past she replied “The bagpipes.”
Then back across the smooth sand, the puddles, the soft sand of the beach and at last back onto terra firma. Now for a spri
nt up that hill. In a cocked hat. Along the flat and down the start hill to the famous finish up another short but steep hill. A team of stewards coax us up to the top of the hill through the chicanes where, giddy with pain you finally get to stop and are given a bottle of water and a banana. I ran back to the changing area to get the camera, then back to the finish to try and catch a few Porties as they crossed the line but I was still a bit shell-shocked and wandered about like a zombie trying to carry the water and beer and camera and failing to snap people as they ran past. I gave up and went off to get a shower. I couldn't be bothered to wait for a hot shower and had the second cold shower in a week (see Stornoway report) packing away very wet and sandy kit, before heading to the pub for recovery drinks. Everyone congregates outside the Auld Hoose pub and spirits were artificially heightened with the free beers. Mr Maley couldn't believe how obsequious I was prepared to be, to blag a second bottle. I blame the oxygen deprivation. The train didn't leave till 10.17 which left a bit of time to kill. Not everyone could wait for their spot prizes - to be claimed after prizegiving - so Julia (ex-Porty) left us with hers. Sadly she didn't stick around to find that she won a bottle of wine and envelope for coming 6th woman, but Stephen Maley says he will pass it on. Slightly less reliable is the bottle of wine we picked up for her spot prize. I'd be surprised if she sees much of that. Now if she had been running in Portobello colours that would be different...
Full Results here
Report and photos Peter Buchanan
Post Race Result: Although we were stood drinking beers outside the pub we didn't hear the results because HBT refuse to use a public address system or even a megaphone. Consequently a raft of winners went home without their prizes. One such was Portobello's Mary Hunter who (by her own admission was surprised to hear she) had won a prize for FV35. First FV35 Andrea Preistley, picked up 2nd F overall so next in line Mary was awarded first FV35. Allegedly there is an envelope in the post. Well done Mary!
Seven Hills of Edinburgh Race and Challenge 19/6/05
My collection of 7-hills coasters now meets the needs of a small cocktail party but it is still my favourite race on the calender. This year’s race was not a vintage occasion, with numbers much down on last year, probably due to the marathon last week. Also, the weather was testing with a sultry heat dominating the leeward side of the hills relieved only by a breeze on the summits. I went off on the challenge comfortably, hoping to at least equal the slow time of last year knowing I hadn’t put in enough hill or distance training with my pb of 2:24 a distant memory. I knew I was slow when Graham Ackland and couple of other front runners from the race trotted by me at Braidburn Park, when in the past this annual humiliation took place on Braid or even Blackford Hill. Nothing daunted I pressed on, boosted by Jelly Babies supplied by Chris at Craiglockart and stung into motion by Gordon’s greeting of: “are you in the race or the challenge?” Coming off Arthur’s seat, having already been passed by Peter and Graham, Karen came up beind me and we found a fast route down. At this point I am normally racked with cramp but not this year. The secret is simple: RUN VERY SLOWLY. Staggering over the line in a pitiful 2:54 I was surprised not have been caught by Werner, who has a history of success in the race including a 9th place in 1:50 (I think) twenty years ago. In fact he arrived a few minutes later and more or less collapsed with heat exhaustion in a slow time for him, but notheless winning the 50+ prize.
(Werner recovered quickly and is now in Italy on business, but he thanks Karen and Gillian in particular for their assistance).
Race results in blue, challenge results in orange. Challenge runners set off 30 mins before Race runners.
Graham Henry 2.00.15
Peter Buchanan 2.00.54
Karen Young 2.21.10
Werner Kittel 2.24.55
Gillian McKelvie 2.29.59
Robert Henderson 2.32.33
Ben Carter 2.34.43
Sally Scott 2.39.24
Mary Hunter 2.44.13
Douglas Young 2.54.02
Zoe Leitch 3.33.33
Cath Webster 3.34.04
Janis Stirton 3.38.23
John Forker 3.38.26Report Douglas Young
Photos Chris MelvilleThe Seven Hills is one of my favourites also, though doing the marathon the week before made the latter stages pretty tough. Mary took a few strange route choices and ended by clocking up 15.8 on her GPS for a race "just over 14 miles long." I came down the mudslide at the hermitage a little too quickly and looked like a peat dipped potato at the river. I did something of a Karen Young to my arm (see photo) and have a similar pattern on my bum but will spare you the graphic evidence. pb
The young person in photo 9 (in the gallery) is Werner's son collecting his prize while
Werner was hors de combat
Three Porty runners (Gerry Scullion, Willie Jarvie and Stephen Maley) turned up in Gala for their running club's 10k road race event on Sunday 26 June, reports Gerry.
Results were good, Gerry recording a time of 36 mins, Willie just over 37 mins and Steve just beyond 41 mins. Very pleasing to say that Porty picked up 1st and 2nd vets prize, Gerry's first race in this category.
A hot afternoon with little breeze had the Porty runners concerned before the start. We had all faced these tricky conditions before and knew how tough they could be. However all runners would be facing the same conditions so this couldn't offer us an excuse.
Still, the race was set in splendid conditions,starting at the Netherdale rugby club, before heading to the river front and running along either side and doing a second loop before finishing back at the rugby ground. The course was fairly flat overall. A good race for a fast time, and this time, anyway, sports massages were on offer at the end, free of charge.
So, altogether a good day out, a well organised event and a bit of a sun tan too for those taking part.Report Gerry Scullion
Last year we discovered the joys of the Crieff 10k. A hilly route up into the surrounding landscape on trails and dirt paths before long descents and alongside the river and back through that long long grassy field. Its not one for a pb but more for the pleasure of running on a pretty route. And there's a couple hundred yards of tarmac for those that like that sort of thing.
Warming up on the grass before the race you could appreciate the warmth in the air - although not bright sunshine there was a muggy heat that was to make the race harder than last year; a sure sign of a heavy gravity day. And the number of entrants had gone from 141 to 266. I had come top ten last time but realised on the start line I'd be lucky to make top 20.
The start seemed to be an almost random point halfway along the field. A piper piped and we were set off across the grass along the tarmac and up a path that climbed steadily into the woods. As ever Ben was off quickly. Willie and I exchanged places a couple of times; himself stronger on the up-hills, I would occasionally catch him on the downs.
The course was bone dry but a few of us had worn trail shoes to cope with the rooty fast descents and rough stony ground. Overtaking could be tricky on the narrow winding trails, most settling in place and waiting until the riverside path to try to pass. Willie came past and I hoped I could stay with him through the field at the end. I had remembered it seeming endless last time. My plan was to push hard as soon as we reached it and maybe overtake a few who would be flagging by then. Unfortunately it was myself who was flagging and overtaken. The field is less than half a mile but it goes on for ages. I dropped 2 places to come in 19th. Slower than last year.
I had encouraged Willie and Ben to come along as I thought we might have a chance at a team prize; it turned out there was no team prize. (If there had been we would have won it.) However there was a good spread afterwards and I'm sure nearly everyone had fun.Ben Kemp 37.34
Willie Jarvie 39.12
Peter Buchanan 39.25
Mary Hunter 50.12Full results here
Report and photos Peter Buchanan
City of Edinburgh 10K 7/8/05
A race at the end of your holidays is always a good idea - just to demonstrate that if you really are relaxed and have had some good runs in the sun, you can get a PB. So I entered the City of Edinburgh 10k confident that this would be the day. It got even better when told that the killer hill up to Lauriston farm was no longer part of the route and it was to be a flat run out to Cramond and back. There was a reasonable PRC turn out - good to see the perma-tanned Willie Murray and his lovely wife. A rumour went round the crowd that Jim Scott was to be running - but alas, the crowd was to be disappointed.
The 5k and 10k runners start off together, so it can be difficult to judge initial pace by those around you. The start was gently down hill and then onto the road below Granton out to the prom at Cramond. How I hate that stretch of road - memories of blisters and torn muscles in Edinburgh marathons. After the 5k runners turned back - no stamina, that lot - straight off to Cramond with the Jarvies slowly disappearing into the distance. The wind was from the west, enough to be aware of but not too strong. At half way, I was 10 seconds outside 4 minutes per km and thought " Ah well, nice try, not going to be sub 40 minutes this time" But by 7 k, I was over a minute to the good. With a renewed enthusiasm, and being diverted onto the path below the smelly factory, I coped even with the short hill at the end to cross over the line, at last, in that magical, wonderful sub 40 minute time.
At last, I can look Gordon in the face and run with the big boys ( and Janet). With appropriate humility, I accepted the plaudits - "Good man, Paul, knew you would do it". All the PRC runners did well, few PBs, some getting back to near their former glories. PRC would have won the team prize if there had been one ( Gerry, Willie and Scott)
The wonderful feeling lasted 15 minutes until a whispered "short course" appeared like a cloud over the sun. "9.5 k , or 6 miles", some said. Well, I am taking the time, don't care what the doubters say. Been there, done it, got the T-shirt (rather fetching pale blue this year)
10. Gerry Scullion 34.56
12 Willie Jarvie 35.11
21 Scott Jarvie 37.27
24 Steve Maley 37.40
37 Paul Eunson 38.56
83 Shelagh McLeish 42.18
85 John Forker 42.26
100 Richard Dennis 43.13
110 William Murray 43.43
137 Teresa Cleary 45.09
Report Paul Eunson
