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I decided a month or two back to take part the Polaroid 10k race series here in Scotland. I’ve heard nothing but good things about the series, and as the 10k has been a distance I’ve sometimes struggled with (compared to 5k and half marathon’s, my times are a bit below where they “should” be according to time predictors), it seemed like a great opportunity to try attacking my PB.

As there are four events in the series, I decided the first event was really more of a “see where I am” event. The Helensburgh course is also a bit hillier than the 2nd and 3rd events, so if I was going to dent my PB, a bit of patience was in order. My training over the last couple of months has been pretty well focused on the 10k events. A good few sharp sessions pushing my pace and making me feel comfortable. Fellow Glasgow parkrun race director Alan and I have met up on a few occasions now and sneaked in some decent sessions during the week, which complimented my running club sessions nicely. Throw in some good mileage, and I’ve been feeling pretty good about where I am.

So after collecting the chip for timing, lined up at the start, finding a spot at the back of a group of runners from my running club. Didn’t want to set off too fast, and thought keeping pace with them would work nicely. After the start, I was feeling very comfortable. Unfortunately I’d made the mistake of trying out a new setting on my race watch (Garmin 304), and that setting involved it beeping at me if I was under/over pace. Not bad when I’m out training on my own, but beeping watches annoy me in races. So I faffed about and managed to switch off the mode I was using (Virtual partner, if you’re interested), but in doing so noticed it inserted an extra ‘lap’ and also paused things, which threw things out a bit until I restarted it. Consequently my record of the run is a bit messed up, and it’s hard to be precise about km markers.

The course had been adjusted from usual, due to some gas works, and I understand it was a tiny bit hillier than normal. But the hill training I’ve done meant it was easy to keep my effort constant and make good progress in the slightly hillier first half. My pace in the first few km seems to have been around 4:25-4:30 mark (I’d been thinking of something closer to 4:20). But I enjoyed the wide, largely straight roads which gave great targets to head for and a nice bit of consistency, and room to pass runners.

After about 4k I realised my pace was a fair bit slower than I’d been after, so decided to pick things up somewhat. I’d long since past most of the group I’d set off with, so began creating targets, goals, picking off runners and reeling them in. I hit 5k at around 22m42s minutes (hard to tell exactly given my watch laps were out; basing this on Ascent calculated splits), and started to think a negative split was very much on the cards. The second half felt a bit flatter than the first half, so that helped too. Best of all though I felt like I was doing almost all of the passing. Perhaps a couple of people passed me, but if they did, they didn’t get far away. My average pace was falling nicely, and my last couple of km were safely in target 4:15-4:20 range. Broken out by my GPS software, it seems my mile splits were 07:17, 07:20, 07:14, 07:13, 07:09, 06:46 and an average of 06:25 for the last .2 miles. Tasty.

The only negative from the run was through a silly mistake I made as I neared the end. I’d got it in my head the finish was around a particular corner. When I rounded it, I was dismayed to see another 300-400m ahead of me before the corner! I did the right things though: dug deep, kept at it, didn’t lose focus (picked off a couple more runners) – and crossed the line in 44:07, which is a new PB by 20s from my previous best last year, and a negative split. 1st 5k at around 22:42, and 2nd 5k in around 21:25 (give or take a few seconds). I felt in fine form too. Tired from the last km push, but not overly exhausted.

Besides the negative split, I’m feeling quite pleased at getting my race strategy – bar the precise pace – pretty much spot on (a rare occurrence in my experience). Didn’t really feel like I put in my maximum effort, and certainly don’t really feel any adverse affects today. Plenty more in the tank (good job too, I’m running Strathclyde parkrun for the first time!). So the goal for the next event in the series next Thursday is to pick up the pace more to get my time down into the 43 minute range. Aiming for 4:17’s or so in the first half, and then see if I can pick it up any more in the second half.

All in all, a great event, and a superb way to spend a lovely evening. Some spectacular views over the Clyde, some great support out on the course, and a challenging route, and absolutely excellent organisation: Easily one of the best organised paid events I’ve taken part in.

Google maps rendering of the KML of my Garmin trace is here, although lap points messed up

My apologies for the continued lack of posts. When I’m not working, out running, doing Glasgow parkrun related things, or helping out with parkrun HQ techie things, I’m either cooking or trying to spend a bit of time with Frances.

I’ve also had a bit of a strain in my left foot the last couple of weeks. I suspect a too-tight shoelace a while back, and a slightly odd profile to my feet (oh the things you learn reading this), have bruised or strained something. So I’m doing the sensible thing and resting: Just a few easy paced runs. Think that’s done the job so hope to be back to normal soon and, most importantly, back to some speed training. A shame, as things were really starting to come together for a 5k or 10k PB challenge. Ah well.

Anyway, Frances had an early start on Sunday for work (which sadly lasted most of the day), so I grabbed the opportunity to go ‘give back’ a little and support a couple of friends, the many Bellahouston Road Runners, and plenty of parkrunners I recognised, who were running in the Balloch to Clydebank Half Marathon. I’d run this myself last year (1:40:57) as build up to my London Marathon, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I do hope to run it again next year.

Had a great time with fellow Bella Brendan snapping pics at the start, just managing to get out of the way in time after readjusting my position.

We then nipped down to Alexandria to support the runners after a few miles, before heading to The Hill (via the BP garage for a nice cup of coffee). I remember I got a lot of support from Brendan and Nick last year at this spot, as it’s the last notable incline before the descent into Clydebank.

I’d hoped to get to the finish, but managed to get into a bit of a fiddle trying to park up, so all the people I’d been hoping to support across the line had already finished by the time I got there. Everybody seemed to have a good run, and a few PB’s along the way. I think the Bella ladies got three of the top four positions, which is great. A great effort at the front of the gents event too, with a new-comer to the half marathon distance storming away.

But anybody completing the half marathon distance deserves congratulations. It’s a great distance in itself, but also great marathon preparation. Looking forward myself to trying to do a few more half marathons this year.

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I took part in the inaugural Edinburgh parkrun on Saturday, an event that was special in very many ways. The weather was absolutely perfect, the course was beautifully flat, it was exceptionally well organised, there was a huge turnout, I got a new 5k PB, and – best of all – it really felt like parkrun had properly arrived in Scotland, joining Glasgow parkrun, of which I’m one of the Event Directors.

It did require rather an early start to get over (never popular in our household), not least because I wanted to have a chat with the guys who were behind the event. I was also determined to keep my distance from them when things were getting under way, I know all too well how busy it can be being in charge of a parkrun event, and how much more stressful it can feel when it’s the first, and distractions don’t help.

Paul Sinton-Hewitt, the man who started parkrun five years ago, was along, so it was great to have an opportunity to have the first of many catch-up chats with him whilst we waited for the event to get underway. Sadly my warmup wasn’t quite as long as it should have been, but I was keen to join the start crowd for the announcements, and quite touched to get a mention in their acknowledgements.

I was feeling good for a PB, having been pushing myself in training recently, and am feeling increasingly comfortable running with the fastest group in my training set. The last 12-18 months have felt a bit ‘flat’ on PB’s. My 5k hasn’t improved at all, and my 10k has just settled into the low 44’s. Perhaps half-marathon and marathon training have taken a bit of the focus away, but mostly I think I’ve settled into a comfort zone and have been reluctant to push myself a bit harder, so I was feeling it was time to try that little bit harder, on a course that was conducive to a PB.

I set off and settled into what felt like a comfortable pace. It’s an out and back course, so great for being able to mentally break up the sections even without a GPS device giving me splits. There were also km markers at this first event, which was helpful to be able to lock on to targets. I was delighted to get a 3:57 split for the first km, but conscious that was perhaps a bit optimistic to maintain, so eased off slightly for the next km, which I managed in 4:10. A tough session on Wednesday ensured my mind was in the right place: I knew I could maintain this sort of pace for over 5k, all be it with recovery breaks, so it was all mind over body.

The half way point was naturally enough the turn back point, which is an immense boost; Really enables you to focus on the work ahead, and keep the effort up. My 3k split was 4:12, so pace was looking consistent, as I focused on what I find the toughest section of the race – the 3-4km where you’re really beginning to feel things, and need to dig in and battle those demons niggling away. 4km went by at 4:18, so slightly down, but easy now to focus on the end: It was in sight! A few supporters in the last stretch said I didn’t look like I was working too hard, but I knew I was, and somehow managed to find a tiny bit extra to cross the line with a 4:08 split, and a 20:43 overall time, a PB by 16 seconds from over a year ago, and the first PB of any sort for quite a while.

I’ve always felt it’s important not to push so hard that you’re sick at the end: I’m determined to enjoy my running first and foremost, times come after that! This time I pushed it a bit harder than I had done before, and kept my dignity (just!), and even remembered to take a token at the end of the funnel (the shame I’d have felt if I’d forgotten!).

Naturally chuffed to find myself with a spangly new PB, and feel there’s much more to come where that came from. I’ve a real sense of determination to push my times, particularly in the short-medium distance events, over the next six months, and a sub-20 5k and a low-40’s 10k time feels like it’s not all that ridiculous now.

The post-run parkrun chat went on for a long time – we finally headed back towards Glasgow around 2pm, having stayed for coffee and cake whilst the Edinburgh team did their results, and discussing various parkrun plans and ideas. The Edinburgh team did spectacularly well, and blew apart the first-event attendance record, with 204 participants. With Glasgow parkrun having 193 runners, that meant that almost 400 runners were taking part in parkrun events in Scotland on Saturday.

Huge congratulations to the Edinburgh team for staging a great event on Saturday, the first of many. And as the awareness of parkrun continues to grow in Scotland, we’ll surely see more events starting wherever there are determined individuals who fancy stepping up to make it happen. Sterling, Perth, Dundee, Aberdeen and Inverness are surely only a matter of time. Perhaps even a second event in Glasgow before too long (largely we just need an event director who wants to drive it forward). With coverage such as this piece in the Sunday Herald featuring parkrun rather prominently, awareness is growing all the time

When I joined my running club, Bella, I was keen to try different types of running event. Largely that meant different distances, and a spot of cross country and trail running. But hill running just wasn’t something I’d thought I’d find myself including. Hill runners, to me, seemed one stop short of ultra-marathoners, and to be looked at a bit carefully…

But as time passed, I’ve got to know one or two, and rarely heard a bad thing said about the activity. Whilst on holiday, I also read a wonderful book “Feet in the Clouds: A Tale of Fell-Running and Obsession” (highly recommended to any runner), which sowed a few seeds in my mind, and began to feel that perhaps it wasn’t quite so bad after all. After all, you don’t have to run up the hills – just do your best to get up and down again as quickly/safely as possible, and enjoy the experience.

So when my Road Running club decided to organise a hill run – The Bella Ben Venue Challenge – it seemed like a custom made opportunity to try it out. I knew there’d be plenty of hill-running newbies taking part, so I wouldn’t feel completely outpaced.

The weather forecast though, wasn’t too promising. High winds and rain seemed to be on the agenda, as a low-pressure decided to sit over the northern reaches of Scotland. The Forth road bridge was closed to high sided vehicles. 80mph winds. I’d been assured though that a run would happen, regardless of the forecast, so seemed rude not to go and see what it was all about. It was all in a good cause too, proceeds going to Lomond Mountain Rescue team, so despite a slightly concerned wife, and baffled comments from my Glasgow parkrun co-organisers, I set off up to Aberfoyle and into the Trossachs to run up a hill not that far from where I was married last year.

After parking up, I headed through the paths to the start area, and sorted out registration. £5 is incredibly good value for a race, particularly for such a good cause, and given the marshals had a heck of a way to go to get to their various points.

Given the high winds, the course was altered. Quite sensibly. That the marshals – Mountain rescue team members I should add – couldn’t stand up on the ridge, it was felt appropriate to adjust the course. Even though it looked delightful at the start, we were sheltered, and I’d seen how changeable the weather was.

After the start, we headed up through hard-packed forest paths, which were really quite delightful. For a road-runner like myself, quite a novelty, but the steep inclines were taken steadily, and it felt quite odd (for a road runner) to be “allowed” to walk as much as I did. I was also determined to enjoy the experience, and not push too hard. Nonetheless, I had perhaps set off a bit too fast, so deliberately eased off and let a few folk past.

The checkpoint at the edge of the forest marked the start of the ‘real’ hill running. We were out onto exposed hillside, which had a generally visible path up, but it was heavy going. Very muddy indeed, and quite disconcerting to place your feet into what looked like wet grass, only to sink knee deep into quite slurpy mud! Thankfully my shoes didn’t come off, but it was a close thing! I put the prospect of having to wash my clothes out of my mind and just enjoyed it: It’s not every day you’re able to get quite as muddy

It was tough going at points. A few scrambles required, and if not a scramble then a bog to navigate, but my legs seemed to hold their own, although I was very grateful to finally see the lead runners approaching in the opposite direction. Fellow club runner Matt Williamson was just in the lead, and haring downhill at quite a rate. Impressive stuff, but I knew I had nowhere near the confidence to do anything like the lead runners were managing!

The top was approaching, and I was passed by plenty more fellow club runners, one or two of whom warned about the winds at the top. And I was grateful for the warning, as no sooner as the cairn that marked the turning point came into sight, the winds hit, and it was quite something. I was blown in all directions, and it was everything I could do to get to the cairn and see the incredibly resilient marshal note down my number, before turning and struggling back down, passing on the warning about the wind to everybody I passed!

The descent was, at first, wonderful for the fact that I had my breath back and could enjoy the experience a bit more. But soon found focusing on finding a safe path at the higher speed I was travelling more than made up for it. A few slips and a nearly twisted ankle made me certain to be careful, but also not to think too much. Instinct felt more reliable than trying to rationalise which path seemed better. Just get on with it!

Getting to the bottom of the exposed hill and on to the hard-packed forest paths was a welcome relief, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable run down through the forest. Rather than belt it out, I decided to enjoy the run, and fell into an evenly paced run with another runner, and we had a lovely chat as we descended. Some absolutely stunning views out over the Trossachs, with Loch Achray in the distance. After a while though I felt strong enough to push on a bit harder, and set off in search of a needed cup of tea!

Crossing the finish line (a time of 1:22:09, the winner finishing in 51:17!) was a great relief, with an enormous sense of achievement, but nothing as compared to the wonderfully warming cups of tea the club had put on in abundance, and a marvellous spread of home baking. Plenty of post-run analysis with the many experienced (and newbies like myself) hill runners. All seemed to agree the decision to adjust the race the correct one, and all seemed to feel it was a great new addition to the hill running calendar.

Looking at the course profile here (via Chris Upson), it seems there was 860m (1,800ft) of climb involved, over a 6.4 mile (just over 10k course). A few years ago I’d have felt that would be quite a decent achievement for a hill walk, but the idea of running up and down just not something to ever consider. Madness. Yet delighted to have felt able to have taken on the challenge, experienced hill running for the first time. Amusingly I even now find myself with an athletes entry on the Scottish Hill Racing website!

My legs aren’t too bad, two days afterwards. Much better than I expected to be honest: perhaps the hill work paid off! Whilst not a hill running convert just yet, I’m absolutely delighted to have taken part, and certainly going to try another hill run in the not too distant future. Living in Scotland means I have some of the best scenery in the world on my doorstep, and being able to combine seeing it and experiencing it through my passion for running, just seems an ideal combination.

Just a public note to congratulate my good friend David Rowe. Whilst most of us took it easy today, David, er, didn’t. He completed the Swiss Ironman. It’s an immense achievement, the culmination of many months of training and effort. The London marathon – probably the toughest thing I’ve ever done in my life – was just a training run for David!

The Ironman competition is truly something else. A 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and then a marathon. To even complete that it is a huge achievement, but David finished with some amazing times. 1:08:25 for the swim, 5:36:01 for the bike, and a 3:47:27 marathon time, a total time of 10:37:39, finishing in position 537 out of 2,200 participants. Indeed, he came 11th out of the 85 other UK participants in his age group.

David’s wife Sharon deserves huge congratulations too, for supporting David and, I think, probably doing most of the worrying too

Well done David. Incredible achievement.

I spent this morning up in Balloch, supporting the hundreds of runners in the Vale of Leven 10k, the last race of the 2009 Polaroid 10k series. I’d have been running myself if I’d got my finger out and entered in time, but figured it’s just as important to do a spot of supporting on occasion to make up for all the cheers I’ve received when running myself! I took my camera along and snapped away quite furiously, and think I managed to capture a picture of almost everybody taking part in the process. My pictures are available on flickr here.

I had a great spot in the first 1k where the leaders were already edging ahead, and snapped most people as they want past, even chucking some money in Tommy’s collection bucket, before jogging to the 4k mark where the runners emerged out from their loop of the Balloch Castle park. After snapping most people there, I then headed back to the finish area to catch most of the finishers. I’d missed the winners, but my excuse is I’d foolishly not put on running shoes or gear, so was plodding along in jeans and heavy shoes. Not the best. Ah well. Didn’t do too badly.

It was wonderful to see so many participants, not only from my own running club, but so many from Glasgow parkrun too. My only difficulty is remembering names! So my apologies if I just cheered something generic. So many people seem to know my name as a result of giving the pre-race briefing to the 1200+ runners who’ve now taken part, I only know a fraction of your names. But great efforts from everybody taking part. It was a warm and sunny day, so looked like it was tough going in the second half of the course, where shade was in short supply!

Regarding the pics: As I say on the notes, please get in touch if you’d like higher resolution pictures, or if you’d like to use the pictures at all.

This morning I was up early (it’s starting to get a bit of a bad habit; Who’d have thought it a couple of years ago!) to help with the marshalling for the Ignis Asset Management Women’s 10k. Not a huge amount to do other than point a few runners in the right direction, and hold a rope to keep the pulses separate, but a useful job that the organisers keep asking my running club back to help with.

After watching the runners set off – all 12,000 of them – I headed out around the course to cheer on fellow club runners who were taking part, as many of the parkrunners as I could recognise, and take a few snaps. You can see all my pictures here on flickr. I’m glad the rain held off for most of the event – only coming on hard after a couple of hours, but still plenty of women out on the course, it can’t have been pleasant. But a great effort by all concerned.

I gather it may have even been a new course record from the winner (not seen that confirmed yet, just rumour). Plus I gather an age-graded world record holder was out on the course too. Excellent stuff throughout the field, from the first across the line to the last.

Yesterday I also rediscovered my photography passion, and popped along to watch the rain-soaked Dick Wedlock 10k, and invitational 10k for international firefighters.

I’m chuffed a lot of people are saying they’ll be coming along on Sunday morning (or watching on TV), so I thought it’d be worth saying a bit about my rough plans for the day, and point folk in the direction of a few websites that might be useful.

I’m hoping to get somewhere around a 3:45-4:00 marathon time. Whilst I hope I may be able to manage a bit faster than that (based on race predictor times), I’m conscious this is my first ever marathon. It’s so much more than a double half marathon: I also don’t know how I’ll feel after 23 miles, given I’ve never run more than that before. If I do find myself going a bit faster, I’m hoping I’ll have the presence of mind to back off and save my energy for the final 6 miles. But best laid plans have a habit of falling by the wayside, and I’ve also something of a history of underestimating my own race ability.

A sub-3:45 marathon time has me doing miles at a pace of about 8:30 (over a minute slower than my half-marathon pace). A sub-4:00 marathon time has splits of 9:10. If I’m careless, splits of 8:00 put me close to 3:30 – 30 seconds a mile difference roughly equates to fifteen minute time, which is quite easy to remember.

It’s fun to put my pace up against the elite runners. But when I quote these figures, I sometimes sense incredulity – even amongst runners – at just how fast marathon pace is. They’re running almost twice as fast as me. Faster than I can run even in short race, running flat out! And they’re running that for 26.2 miles! To put the world-records into perspective, the men are running with 4:44 splits (2:03:59 world record) and women in 5:09 (2:15:25 world record). I can’t even run a mile at that speed! The best I’ve managed is 6:09, about a year ago. Impressive stuff, so give them a cheer if you see them. They’re world class athletes.

Anyway, what does this mean for “Richard spotting”, if you’re thinking of coming along on the day. Remember that there are over 35,000 other runners, and it’s incredibly hard for runners and supporters to spot people in crowds, even when you’re expecting them! And that’s before the hours of running that may well have preceded my morning!

So drop me a note if you plan to be along, and roughly where. The course map is here, but best of all there’s also a spectator guide. If you see me, shout loudly. Even if I don’t see you (which is quite likely), the support still means a huge amount for me and every other runner, and really does make a huge difference. There are times when things will be really tough. A cheer can change that in an instant. Lots of support for other runners from my running club appreciated too (’Go Bella!’ works).

Start is at 9:45, and I’m on the ‘Blue’ start on Blackheath. I’ll post my number in due course. I’ll probably be looking something like this, although the size of my smile will be inversely proportional to the distance run, until I cross the line at least

Cutty Sark (~6.5 miles): 10:40am
Tower Bridge (~12.5 miles): 11.40am
Canary Wharf (~19 miles): 12.30pm
Tower of London (~22.5 miles): 12.55pm
Embankment (~24 miles): 1.10pm
Finish: (26.2 miles): 1.30pm

All this of course presumes I cross the line on time, which is unlikely, and also presumes a steady pace, which will be difficult given congestion on the course, especially at the start. The theory is similarly paced runners start at the same time, in pulses, with faster runners at the front, and slower runners to the back. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work like that

After the event, my goal is to go and meet up with Frances and fellow club runners, and then collapse in my very convenient hotel, for a few hours. I hope to go out for a celebratory drink or three later in the afternoon/evening, if you’re in town. Frances will, hopefully, be contactable on her mobile. I’ll probably be reunited with my iPhone on Monday morning

Tracking runners

Well, after 15 weeks of training, I finished my last long run on Saturday. Best of all, I bumped in to Frances who’s just starting training for the Race For Life she’s doing in June, and got an extra two miles with her. A great way to top off my training, and pleased to report Frances did very well too for her first run in almost a year.

The training has gone very well. My previous post summarised a few niggles I’d had, but all the issues have been put to bed. I’m only left with a bit of a sock and blister problem – something I’ve not experienced before – and one that I’ve not had a chance to properly sort out. So I’m going to have to take a tiny bit of a gamble with a pair of socks I think have been ok, and hope things work out ok.

My longest run was 23 miles, which I was very pleased with, particularly when compared to how I felt after a 20 mile run a couple of weeks before. The difference between the two was nutrition, and I’ve got that licked. I’ve also discovered that whilst I don’t have an adverse reaction to Gels, they’re not exactly nice, particularly if you get it on your fingers, and the sweetness is just icky. I really begin to crave solid food! So I’ll definitely be putting some food in my gear bag, something I can get my teeth into when I finish!

I’ve thankfully been injury free, which has meant I’ve followed my coaches training programme quite closely. The best thing about it having done that is I’m as certain as I can be that I’ll get around the course, and I’m told the atmosphere in London is something special, so should hopefully help pull me along when the going gets tough, after, I suspect, the 20 mile mark. It’s carb loading over the next week to ensure I’m as properly prepared as I can be.

The taper is certainly proving to be quite difficult. I had to stop myself running to pick up our car from the garage yesterday (a 30 minute jog away), conscious I need to be taking it easy and reducing my mileage and effort. It’s also confirmation to me that running is very much part of me these days. Certainly if I’m trying to find excuses to run places, and convincing myself not to!

I’ve also had so many great words of advice from fellow club runners, and park runners. Whilst I know it’s my own race, and I need to run it to my plan, I’ve absorbed as much from people as I can. It’s the only way a new-marathoner can really get an idea about what’s involved. I’m determined to enjoy it – I’ve heard a good few horror stories of setting off too fast, changing plan too early, or struggling through injuries. Finishing, I hope, with a smile on my face is my primary goal. Faster times can wait. I settled on a sub-4 hour time as my primary goal, with 3:45 as my ideal. Anything better than that would be delightful, but I’m not going to push myself too hard, at a distance that is such a serious test over the complete distance. I’ve never run more than 23 miles, and those last 3.2 miles will surly be the hardest.

This last week is busy on the work front, but I will find myself in London at the end of the week, and should be able to get registered with plenty of time to spare. An early start on Saturday to get out to see the Bushy parkrun so I can check out what a properly busy ‘funnel’ looks like, to take some tips away to Glasgow parkrun, where we’re experiencing phenomenal growth and, given we’re so far away from other parkruns, having to learn a lot through experience. Sunday morning I’m close enough to the railway station that will take me out to Blackheath it shouldn’t be too bad. My goal then is to get up, scoff my porridge, stuff a few things in my bag, and just get out there. I’d really rather be there very early, than stressing about not getting there at all. I’m a rotten traveller when there’s time pressure.

If you’re going to come along on Sunday to watch (and I’d highly recommend it even if I wasn’t running, it’s a great atmosphere), be sure to allow plenty of time to get around. It’s a bit busy, and crossing the course is very difficult. Drop me an e-mail, or a comment, if you’re planning on looking out for me. It’s hard for runners and spectators to see each other, given it’s so busy (and the runners can be a bit preoccupied!). I’ll post some rough times for key points if my race goes according to plan, but could be some way either side of that.

All that really remains is for everybody to keep their fingers crossed for cool and overcast weather. Sunny is not good. Rain is not good. But cheer everybody taking part, even if you don’t see me. The amount of training most people will (should!) have put in is, I can say from experience now, huge. The marathon is just the icing on the cake, and I can certainly say it makes a huge difference on short distances, it’ll be something else on a marathon course!

The Scottish Athletics forum closed down rather abruptly over the weekend, but I’ve just seen this rather ominously worded news item:

In order to protect sponsors and public partners, the forum section of the scottishathletics website is now closed.

Whilst the forum did sometimes feel a bit opinionated, and not particularly ‘relaxed’, it still seems rather a shame to take this rather drastic action, and shut it down completely.

Building an on-line community, particularly from one that is already well established off-line, can be a very hard thing to do. Sometimes discussions that might seem quite harmless off-line, can seem quite hostile on-line. Without a bottle of beer and a smirk to highlight somebody is making light of something, conversations can rapidly become far too serious. Plus, of course, there’s nothing quite like an empty or poorly populated forum to generate an empty, chill, wind, publicly emphasising few people care as much as you’d hoped.

In the Scottish Athletics case, it seems a bit harsh to shut it down entirely, and then to be public about its reasoning. I’d have thought it might have been a better first step to move to moderate posts, or review the forum setup (fewer categories etc). As it is, they’ve cut off a forum that was already being used by a fair number of people, and known about by a lot more. It may well be a calculated decision based on a number of factors (not least that it’s not hugely widely known about in the wider community), but I fear their abrupt closure, they really risk annoying athletics supports that – from what I’d seen on the forum at least – had valid contributions to make, even if it wasn’t always to the benefit of Scottish Athletics.

I’d certainly be interested to hear what others think.