NOTICES and TACTICS
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RUN EVASION RHÔNE
A popular 14mile scenic route in Geneva 10thOct.
Details here
Tony Stapley emailed to say the following...
I plan to go to both these races if anyone would like a lift and an ‘easy’ introduction to hill running.
Birnam Hill Classic, 6.5km with 535m height on Saturday 6th March at 12:00 noon at Birnam, near Dunkeld.
Bishop Hill, 4km with 300m height on Sunday 7th March at 2:00 pm at ScotlandwellUseful websites for information on Hill Running in Scotland
For general information got to www.shr.uk.com
For past race results and % of winner’s time go to www.scottishhillracing.co.ukEmail this website to contact Tony.
Which leads me to say a few encouraging things about hill running: when I started running I did maybe 80% road races and 20% off road. I think it is probably the reverse these days as I find roads a bit humdrum compared to the challenges presented by going off road. Not that I find one easier than the other. For a long time I was much further away from the front runners off road (and on roads I was often in the age group awards) as it takes a while to transfer skills from one to the other.
However the benefit of off road running is that it takes you to more interesting places. I really enjoy being up the top of a hill taking in the scenery, or dodging through the trees at a gallop. Beaches, trails and woods are fundamentaly nicer places to run and the variety of gradients seems to allow one muscle group to recover while you bash another. In a hill race you march up a steep hill before flying down the other side. Often several times in the same race. In some marathons I've run (Lochaber frinstance) you pretty much set a pace and rhythm then try to keep that for about 3 hrs as fatigue and boredom wear you down. There is little in the way of a change of scenery and it becomes (for me) just a tiresome slog to try and beat your best time. Some people (no coaches named) like this but I find the variety of scenery and terrain you come across on a trail race or hill race much more preferable as it not only puts a joie de vivre in my stride but by continually taxing different parts of your system it means you are less prone to repetitive strain injuries. However you are more likely to break an ankle, neck or do serious damage off road so if you are a timid thing you might want to stick to the road running.
Off-road Tony can no longer run on roads as it does too much damage to the remainder of his knees, however he is just managing to keep turning out for off road races where the softer ground does less damage. (You don't want to hear about his face plant and subsequent dental repatriation at Goatfell a couple of years back though.)
Making monkey faces is an important aspect.In terms of kit the main difference for off roading is grippier shoes. Trail shoes would suffice (road shoes with gnarlier outsoles) though if its a wet hill race you might want to think about hill shoes (fell shoes in Englandshire) which have little in the way of support or cushioning and rubber studs on the soles. Popular brands are Walsh, Inov8, Salomon etc. Also most Hill Races require you to carry waterproof trousers and top; and a compass, whistle and map of the route. These are usually carried in a bumbag around the waist though on longer runs sometimes a camelbak or small rucksack can be handy. I have seldom had to use a map and compass (maybe about twice in 60 races) and while you should be aware of safety issues in the outdoors such as navigation, I suspect most hill runners would be taxed to take and follow a bearing in the mist.
What could be better?Another benefit of off road running is it broadens your range of abilities. Running over soggy turfy grass is tough. But if you practise it regularly you will find you are better at it than the average road runner. This is great in the cross country season when you will leave your fellow competitors ploughing through the mud as you speed away. Same on hills in half marathons. Nobody except the perverse few enjoys running up a hill. I find it really tough and don't have any gift for it. (I much prefer the downhills.) But if you practise what you are not good at you definitely improve to the point where you maybe welcome a hill in a race as you know it will trouble the folk around you more than yourself and you can use it to your advantage.
First few times in the hills go with someone experienced who knows what they're doing.
Sermon over. Any questions email here. Happy trails.
pb
My name is Stuart lee and i have recently started a Sports and deep tissue massage clinic at the new Jewel and Esk club. Last night an Aileen Ross came in for treatment and suggested that I get in touch with the club.I will offer all members a discount of £5 off all massages. I live locally in Porty and would love the chance to help and support a local club.
Yours sincerly
Stuart Lee
0131 669 9468
Non-members £40
Members £35
Now I kind of like the Pearl Izumi RUN LIKE AN ANIMAL campaigns of late. Some I heartily disagree with (I don't see a problem running with an MP3) while others I find amusing - slagging off joggers - though I would never actually champion discrediting those who exercise at a slower pace, and think its quite brave or misguided to risk dissing your potential clientele. Con
tinuing the strand at a less controversial level is the above advert (from the back cover of (June'09) TrailRunner, a US publication,) which caught my eye for a couple of reasons. I think its attractive, amusing and advertising a pair of shoes I bought a few months ago; the Pearl Izumi Peak XC.
Getting hold of them involved a month of emailing Pearl Izumi in their European headquarters where an enthusiastic Elisabeth Fritschi-Dwamena steered me towards their purchase. They were unable to sell a pair direct from their factory and suggested I buy through a dealership. Elisabeth put me in touch with various outlets who stock PI kit but time after time the suppliers said they were stopping stocking Pearl Izumi or cutting back on stock as they found the company difficult to deal with or unreliable. And they weren't terribly impressed with the shoes. Undeterred (spurred on by the challenge even) myself and Elisabeth eventually found a stockist in Edinburgh who agreed to act as middle man and take my payment for a pair of the shoes which were sent direct from the headquarters. The shoes (pictured here) arrived a full month after I first tried to buy them and although a half size larger than ordered they fit perfectly - which made me think either they know their sizes aren't standard or the shoe fairy waved a serendipitous wand over the deal.
After all that are they any good? Well to be honest I was buying them because I liked the look of them, and to wear them for lounging rather than running. On this count they are excellent. They are probably the lightest "running" shoes I have apart from a pair of DS Racers I bought years ago because they were orange and comfy as slippers (in the shop) and have run in twice - once on a track (very jolly) and once to run the Lasswade 10 where I felt every paving stone crack and piece of gravel (not very jolly.) I think I came across a review saying the Peak XC were suitable for running round golf courses. That's probably about their limit of offroady-ness. I can't imagine the 'XC' being even remotely connected to the Scottish Cross Country scene - I doubt they would survive one lap of any course here. And certainly wouldn't look as pretty afterwards. However apart from the price (£85 - the price was never clarified until they arrived) I rather like having probably one of the only pairs of these shoes in the country. I was going to wear them for the Heriot Watt 5k which is golf-course-like in its terrain but didn't want to risk spoiling my investment. It becomes apparent the difference between running off road here and the likes of the Dolomites or the US where a lot of trail running seems to be cruising along smooth dry dusty well defined trails and not wading through a peat hag between heathery hillsides.
In summary, a great shoe as long as you don't spoil it by running. (Though a bit pricey.)
pb
This from the SA Forum....
Last Friday, Scottish Athletics took the disappointing decision to
remove the forum section of their website, citing the protection of
sponsors and public partners as their reasoning.The forums were a valuable resource for everyone within the Scottish
athletics community to share and discus information on competitions,
training, coaching and athletics in general.It is our opinion that the removal of the forums is a major step back
for athletics in Scotland, and therefore today we have launched a new
forum website dedicated to athletics in Scotland:
In Runner's World (March) gotmine.co.uk advertised this unusual pricing strategy.
This invaluable information from April's Runner's World.
I am a remedial and sports massage therapist working from Proactiv physiotherapy, 54 Dublin Street, Edinburgh. I am also a long distance road/hill runner and cyclist and am well aware of the benefits of regular massage both from the point of view of maintenance as well as reducing and recovering from injury. I wondered if it would be possible to advertise sports massage services on your site or have a link to my website. I would be happy to offer a £5 discount to club members. (Reducing price of Sports Massage to £35)
Kind regards
Evelyn Courtney
t: 07737 750532
e: enquiries@evelyncourtney.co.uk
www.evelyncourtney.co.uk
Here is a picture of off-road Tony at Glentress recently. Being a shy and retiring sort he won't write reports for the website but sent this photo in. I think he might have been sharing a duathlon with a pal who cycles but we may never know. For those that don't know him that's him at the front between two girls which I believe is his preferred running style.
To make the video full screen size mouse over and click on the four arrows logo. Its not about running but you might like it anyway. To watch again refresh the page.
wingsuit base jumping from Ali on Vimeo.A comment on the original website was particularly amusing
- don't know if it was facetious or just misguided...
"My wife and I were thinking about having a go at this. Do they offer experience jumps like they do with hot-air ballooning and suchlike? It would be a great 50th birthday present for her."
Hi
I've just taken some old running shoes to Run and Become and thought I'd remind / inform people that they are involved in a shoe recycling scheme... Basically you take your old trainers (ANY condition) and the company, Nathan, pick them up and distribute to war relief areas/ 3rd world countries.. Time to clean out the cupboards.... !!!
Cheers
MandyTimely reminder - so next time you go shopping at Run and Become (everyones favourite running shop!) take along your old knackered trainers to hand back.
