TroonTortoises

Troon 10K, Wednesday May 9th 2012

Entries for the Troon 10K 2012 are now being taken. The race is at 7.30pm on Wednesday 9^th  May 2012. Registration, start and finish are at Walker Halls, South Beach, Troon KA10 6EF. Pre-entry by Friday 4^th May 2012 or when the race limit is reached whichever occurs earlier. Please enter as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Strictly no entries on the night of the race.

On line Entry  is made at http://www.entrycentral.com

£10 Scottish Athletics Members. £12 Unaffiliated (+ surcharge for card payment)

When you enter through Entry Central you should receive immediate e-mail confirmation of your entry from them, with notification of  your race number. Please take a note of your race number as you will need to provide this at registration on the night. If you do not receive e-mail confirmation you should contact Entry Central.

Postal & telephone entries to: John T McKinlay, 6 Solway Place, Troon, KAIO 7EJ. Cheques payable to Troon Tortoises AC.   Tel 01292 311447.  To download an entry form for Postal Entry click on: http://www.troontta.org/entry.pdf

Timing will be via a Race Chip. This year it is hoped to use race numbers with an integral disposable chip attached, but in the event of these not being available, reusable shoe chips will have to be returned at the end of the race. Please arrive early to allow time to get to the start of the race. All competitors must be at least 15 years old on the day of the race.

 E-mail contact: jmksolway@hotmail.com

Further information on the race is posted on our “Troon 10K 2012″ Page

Troon Tortoises News – Winter 2011

The Tortoises have continued to be active in a great variety of activities during the winter season:

Christmas Handicap Tuesday 29^th November

 

For the conclusion of this year’s season Tortoises gathered in the Marr College Gym for the Christmas Handicap. Members proved remarkably accurate in predicting their 4k times.

Nokia Coast To Coast Event, September

Ewen Walker and Gordon Dobbie completed the Coast to Coast race from Nairn to Ballachulish – a combination of running, cycling and canoeing.

Venice Marathon, October

 

Anne Noble continued her series of exotic marathons in Venice.

Everest Marathon, November

Once again Bruce Walker was a leader in the Everest Marathon.

 Cross-Country Irvine

 

The new Ayshire Cross-Country season got successfully underway.

Christmas Night Out, Saturday 3^rd December

These were just some of the activities. So there was much to celebrate at the Christmas night out. This year’s trophies for Cross Country and Road-Running were presented.

Troon Tortoises News – Autumn 2011

Butterfly Run

Autumn has seen the unveiling  of Bruce Walker’s “Butterfly Run” on Dundonald Hill. On 1^st September an intrepid group of Tortoise successfully pioneered the route…
 
The Happy Group Prepares To Set Off…
 
They Navigate The Route Without Difficulty…

And Everybody Finds Their Way Home.

New Committee

At the AGM on 25^th August 2011 the following were elected to the 2011-2 committee: President – Niall MacPherson.  Vice-President – Hazel McFarlane.  Secretary – John McKinlay.  Treasurer -  Ian McNee.   Membership Secretary – Gordon Dobbie.  Men’s Captain – George McGregor.  Womens Captain – Anita Johnston.  General Committee: Alasdair Skeoch, Moira Connell, Kate McKean, George Malone, Bruce Walker, Graeme McKenzie, Mags Barbour.

Troon Tortoises News – Summer 2011

Race Activity During The Summer

Tortoises have been active during the summer season, most recently in the Round Arran Relays on Saturday 23^rd July:

Our race activity during the summer season is recorded on our 2011 results page. This page has been subject to “technical problems” which account for the appearance and disappearance of photos, not to mention the page itself, from time to time recently. These problems are under on-going investigation and we hope to solve them eventually!

A Message For The Tortoises From David Harper of Troon St Meddans Parish Church 

I would like to thank the Club for their organisation of the Troon 10K each year (I’ve had the pleasure of running in 5 of the last 6 events).  In particular I would ask you to pass on the information that at this year’s event we formed a team from St Meddan’s Parish Church (including a runner from St Ninian’s Episcopal Church and St Quivox Parish Church in Ayr) and we raised through sponsorship the wonderful sum of £4244 for Combat Stress – the Organisation based in Scotland at Hollybush House which gives help to Service personnel who are suffering from that illness.  The idea of forming the team came from a chance conversation I had with one of my members who had already entered the Event and it just seemed to snowball.

 Thanks to everyone for making available to us through this year’s 10K the opportunity to raise this money for such a worthy cause.

 David Harper.

Annual General Meeting

The club Annual General Meeting will be held in the Marr College Gym on Thursday 25^th August at 7.00pm.

Troon 10K Wednesday 4th May 2011

Congratulations to all who took part in the 26th Troon 10K this Wednesday 4th May 2011.

To view the  results click on the link:   http://www.troontta.org/201110k.xls 

To see Tim Downie’s photos of the event click on the link:  http://www.zen31010.zen.co.uk/images/tt2011/Thumbnails.html

Thanks to Tim for providing these pictures despite having had to overcome acute  problems with his  camera’s memory card on the night.

Watch John Kynaston’s Video of all the runners passing the 0.5k point:

2011 Troon 10k from John Kynaston on Vimeo.

Anne’s Athens Marathon

I know that I usually recommend most marathons that I’ve run but obviously I’d suggest that any keen runner would want to run along the original Marathon to Athens route, especially on the 2500th anniversary. The Greeks are extremely proud of their marathon and the tone of the event was set at the Expo which was held at the beautiful Zappeion Centre in the National Gardens. It was built for the first modern Olympics in 1896 and the central courtyard is circular, perfect for the exhibition they had created with a history of the original tale of Pheidippides racing from Marathon to Athens to announce victory over the invading Persians. All this is quite inspiring, but their incredible passion became obvious as the details of their belief that without such a victory the history of the West would have been different as the Persians Eastern influence would have had consequences – “no democracy, no French Revolution, no American Revolution…” – who could fail to feel that they are part of history?
Everything was excellently organised and I caught the bus at 5.50am out to the start, not really knowing what to expect. Kerry had told me that the small stadium at the start is only opened for the marathon, and that made it special. There is a monument which everyone wanted to pose beside, but also a torch at the top of a flight of steps which drew a huge queue, and then a long row of flags from the various participating countries.
With only a short time to go, the announcer’s voice was breaking with emotion and then the Greek music was turned up with the result that we had a great warmup clapping our hands and dancing .
With high temperatures forecast, I had promised myself (and Alan) that I would take it slowly so there was no pressure. The route takes a loop in order to include the tomb of the Marathon fallen, and lots of people took time out for photos.
I hadn’t known what to expect re a crowd, but the enthusiastic Greek locals were at most parts of the route, waving their olive branches and shouting “Bravo” and “Thank you” – they seem to have great respect for everyone honouring their historic race. Quite a few people had dressed as Greek warriors and they received huge cheers.
The first 6 miles is flat, then upwards all the way to mile 20 (Loch Ness marathon definitely good practice for this!), with the final 6 miles downhill. I did wonder if it was all going to be too much heatwise, but I hadn’t taken plenty of water and there were water stops every 2k.
With about 3 miles to go, a Glasgow voice behind me said “What a wonderful sight to see the Troon Tortoise top after all these miles”. Whoever decided to add our club name to the vests made the right decision!
The finish is at the Panatheinikon Stadium (also built for the 1896 games) which made for a very special and emotional finish. Definitely an experience I shall never forget.

NB – PHOTOS ON FORUM.
Click here

Black Mountains Ultra – Karen and Stan

Karen’s Report

Where do I start? The Black Mountains 30 mile Ultra seemed like a good idea at the time. First I knew it was a 6hr 30min drive away was the day before when I checked on the route finder? 6hrs 30? I could get to London quicker!! Anyway we decided to try leave a bit earlier. Stan had an exam at college so it was just as soon as he could get away.

We set off around 1630 on Friday hopeful of getting there around 2300 at the latest. Best laid plans and all that!! What happened was a bit of a nightmare . I would say which town we were going through but have no idea, anyway it was raining, very hard and the roads were a bit flooded when we hit a pothole hard, ouch that was a sore one we commented. PS we were in Stan’s lovely big VW Phaeton which has 2 computer screens and loads of toys, but no pothole alert!!! On we drive until it became obvious that something was wrong with the wheel, we stopped in a lay-by 40 miles from Pengenffordd (our destination) to have a look. Puncture. Head torches on, into the boot getting all the gear to change the tyre and find this kind of pump thing, oh ok this looks good, put it on plug it in and we wait, and wait and wait but the tyre aint going up. So obviously this chemical and blow thing only works in the daylight when it’s not raining, so Stan goes for the spare wheel, yep you’ve guessed it, no spare wheel, why is it now an optional extra? You used to fail you’re MOT without a legal spare tyre!!! Only one thing to do, call VW assist, and we were very lucky to have a signal, I think we got the only hotspot for miles. They decide the RAC should attend and this would be within the hour…. 2hrs 30 later and we are still sitting in a lay-by in the middle of nowhere occasionally checking to make sure it wasn’t flooding all around us. Turns out they had given him the wrong road junction and he couldn’t find us. Anyway, he inflates the tyre, cuts off a bit of rubber as the tyre had shredded slightly, makes sure it’s holding the pressure and sends us on our way, following us for the first bit to make sure we were ok. Eventually we arrive at the Castle Inn car park at 0300 and can’t really go into the bunkhouse and wake everyone, so need must, sleeping bags out the boot and we end up having 2 odd hours sleep in the car.

Up at 0600 to cross over to the pub for registration and kit check. Gladly they let us have breakfast, supposed to be ordered evening before!! It was a continental breakfast but at least there was coffee!!! A quick change and ready for the race Meanwhile the organisers who were aware of the disaster we’d had offer to try source a tyre while we were running, could only be good.

Now onto the race
We started less than 5 mins form the pub on a tad mucky leafy trail path. Should have been about 100 starters but I think on the day more likely 80 and one gorgeous husky. The dog runner had to start one minute behind. The start was nice and slow on a downhill, the racing snakes disappearing and I settled in nicely at the back where I’m comfortable. Stan stayed with me for a minute or so but was soon away into the distance. I was happy to plod and even more determined not to go out to fast. The pain of Loch Ness was still fresh in my mind and there was no way I was wanting to feel like that again. The first uphill was a grass path through the heather meandering up the side of a hill, now if you went straight up it wouldn’t be that bad, but it was going round the side. Too steep to run but walking was taking ages, top of hill and you were rewarded with a lovely long grassy downhill, a bit boggy underfoot due to the amount of rain but really not that bad. Out of the hills and down a trail through some forest, now this was the first bit to go wrong. I followed the arrow up a trail path through the forest only to be met by a runner going the other way; she was convinced this was the wrong path, so we get out our maps and study, along come another few runners, one with GPS. We hook it all up and discover we are definitely on the wrong path going uphill north instead of downhill south.. Some lowlife piece of shit had moved the arrows, at 0900 in the middle of nowhere on a Saturday morning!!! Anna (her name) saw a male standing beside a car next to the arrow and had been a bit suspicious. So off we go again along a small tarmac road looking for the first checkpoint. All the others ran off and left me at this point but the one thing I didn’t want to do was try and make up for lost time, so I just plodded. This part of the route became like the part before, long uphill, having to walk and taking ages, there seemed not a lot of run able miles. I caught up with and passed the others as the route progressed, I seemed much more able to walk uphill faster than them. Then was almost lost again, small ruined farmhouse with 2 paths going different ways and no directions. Was told later someone had removed the arrow!! I stopped here as I didn’t want to get lost, Anna soon came along and we discussed again, deciding to follow the more obvious footprints, quite good navigation tricks here not be copied!! We soon found another arrow but neither of us were really confidant about using them. I soon pulled away again on a huge uphill climb. A really bad downhill followed, steep, slippy red clay and very rocky. Quite scary. Once leaving the fields it was a short tarmac road to the next checkpoint. Then the marshals sent me the wrong way, you seriously couldn’t make it up, I even went back and asked them if they were sure!! Oh yes keep to the left and follow the path, which took me back out on the same road a few hundred meters away, but thinking they knew the way I carried on, but it just didn’t feel right, so I retraced my steps, just to see the folks I was in front of 30 mins ago climbing up the bloody hill I was supposed to go up. By this time I was not a happy bunny, so stomped my way up yet another long bloody grassy hill. I reckon if I had ran 3 miles of the first 8 I would be lucky, have never walked so much in a race. Getting to the top of this hill seemed to be a bit of a turning point and the next few miles were along the top of the hill. Reminded me of the Rannoch Moor only not as nice. Now if anyone knows the Rannoch Moor they will know it’s a pretty open baron place. This is when the rain started, and then the wind got up then the sleet. Oh yes things could only get better. Stopped and got my jacket on, glad I put the hood on it, off with the headband and on with the fleece hat, it was freezing. Seeing as this was about the first run able section for a while I ran as much as I could, the wind regularly taking my breath away but I was mostly able to keep going. Through into the next checkpoint and I top up with water, first of the day, my new wee rucksack and bladder were doing fine. Off up the next hill and at last I’m catching people. I’ve only 8 miles to go and I’m feeling fine so top of the hill and I’m running happily along in the rain. Then the ground goes from bad to evil, and I mean you couldn’t go round cos it was all bog and grass so you had to go through.. My shoes sucked and sucked with every step and not one step went less than ankle deep in this bog/shit/slurry path. I was still actually finding this quite fun, then my leg disappeared up to my knee, both hands in to stop myself landing flat on my face, have no idea how my shoes stayed on. I glubbed my way out, couldn’t even wipe my nose now (which was running worse than a toddlers) as my gloves were covered in shit!!!! I plodded on towards a gate where 2 walkers were watching, and I couldn’t help but laugh at their faces, total utter disbelief I think it was. You ok they ask, never been better I reply and plod on. The last part of the race is where for me it all went wrong and I know I will never be back. It took you along ridges, and then down very steep descents, now I know I don’t like heights or edges, I just didn’t know how much. It was horrendous. I couldn’t stay cos it was making me dizzy and nauseous but I couldn’t go cos it was making me dizzy and nauseous. I got down anyway I could, didn’t care if it was the correct route of not, watched as others struggled over rocks getting cramp and I’m belting on with nothing in my mind except getting of this bloody hill asap. Then the sting in the tail it warned you about, one more steep hill then a ski run on the muddy grass on the way down finishing in the car park at the pub. I was glad to be done. 7hrs 15 for 30 miles. I felt good and didn’t run out of steam which was the main thing

Now back to the saga of the car. Stan met the marshal who was trying to arrange his new tyre with about 10 miles to go. We have to be in Brecon before 5 its 1230 now think you can make it? Stan ran as fast as his wee legs would take him to make sure he got back in time. 6hrs 28. He was showered by the time I finished, gave me the car keys and he got a lift to Brecon for the tyre. I went for my shower, then into the pub. Had a coffee and lemonade, saw the prize giving another coffee and another lemonade. Wow they’re taking their time I’m thinking. Then they were back, bit more bad news the alloy wheel was damaged and the new tyre wouldn’t seal, so we still couldn’t get home. We decided to have something to eat while Stan tried to sort out something with VW assist. This seemed to take hours while they continued to get all their files mixed up, anyway, very long story short, they said they would send out a recovery vehicle to take us home. Oh yes… a 20 minute tyre change turned in to a 24 hour nightmare and cost Stan a fortune. It appears VW alloys are soft so they don’t weld, but at the same time very bloody expensive.

Got home at 0330 Sunday morning, knackered with a sore back and creek in my neck. These wee recovery vehicles are not comfy!!!
Stan is thinking about going back down for the December 40 mile race. I most certainly won’t be back.. Too much walking for my liking, but the race marshals other runners and pub staff were just amazing and couldn’t do enough.

All in all an experience, just one I don’t wish to repeat

And now…. Stan’s Report

In terms of a journey, have to agree with Karen; a bit of a nightmare. In terms of race preparation not ideal for a hilly 30 milers across the Black Mountains.

It never dawned on me to check under the spare wheel cover for a spare wheel in a new car. In common with others Volkswagen deem it to be” not necessary and reduces our carbon footprint”. I am quoting what they told me. Offset that against 3 RAC visits including a round trip for the recovery man of 766 miles and I somehow doubt it! Anyway have now got 4 shiny new wheels for less than the price of one from Mr V and it did not take the 4 weeks to get it to me that they were quoting.

I cannot agree with Karen about the race though can understand how she felt as she doesn’t like heights and not had a lot of sleep to boot. Started nice and slow, chatted to Karen and to the organisers who took it upon themselves to try and get my car sorted while I ran. They went above and beyond. Toddled my way up the first hill at good walking pace to the top and then a superb grassy downhill. Lots of folk went too fast here and paid the price further on. The 3 big uphills were too steep, for me, to run though I never saw anyone else running them either. The main ridge run was at 2,000 ft which was where the weather changed. Felt a bit sorry for the guy in shorts when the hail started but not sorry enough to stop and help him into his waterproofs as I went past. Basically kept a decent pace and passed a fair few on this section. Lost a good 5 minutes as I came up to concrete monument (?) where the wind was fairly blasting the sign that indicated race route first, right and then left as the wind turned it. Retrieved my map form rucksack and luckily chose the correct route to come to the last checkpoint. The marshall then talked to me as I walked up the hill that they had found me a new tyre about 30 minutes from the finish. Had to be sure and finish in time to get there before they closed. That wasn’t to be a problem as I put head down and just kept running through the mist. Karen didn’t exaggerate about the final 13km! Erosion is obviously becoming a problem as the “path” broadened to over 30m wide as past walkers have sought to avoid the worst of the boggy conditions. Add thick mist, signs that were laminated A4 sheets at ground level and it was easy to doubt that you were on the correct route. No-one caught me though I did manage to clawback ground from guys in front to re-assure me that we were all getting lost together.

For me the finish was stunning. Coming out of the mist back into the sun we could bound down 4 subsequent hillocks before a little uphill to the remains of Powys Castle and the final downhill to the finish. I went meandering here and lost a good 4 mins before getting to the finish. A confusing sign caught me out or maybe just me being a little tired.(no pun intended)

A shower and straight to taking the wheel off and getting another runner to take me and said wheel to Brecon to the tyre place and you know the story from there.

I enjoyed the run and the route. It was steep in places and I can understand why Karen did not enjoy it overly much. The organisers and staff at hotel were really friendly and helpful and just as important, good fun. Even managed to chat to some fellow WHW runners over a beer and a good meal in front of a log fire. Hard to beat really. Could have done without the epic journey though.

RAW – Karen’s report

I had a good run, beating both Ian and Alex

Tim had made a very good effort at marking the course and the buses etc were all well organised.
As always I started at the back, last place again passing through the first stile. Just plodded, stomach held out… no problems here at all. Gave my bumbag to a complete stranger around the 30 mile mark as it was really hurting my back such a nice gent , he got it back to me no problem great when people are happy to help you out.

Passed folks almost all the way along the course finally catching Ian coming into Auchencruive, then letting him go again as I stopped to speak to Bryan & Munro caught up with him and Alex about a mile further on. I was really struggling at this point, but they were worse cool.

The gel I took at Auchencruive started to kick in and I got a wee boost. Stuggled on towards Ayr, met Paul along the side of the school which was a good boost as he ran with me for a bit before I went on into Craigie to meet George, Anne & Caroline hollaring like mad things at the bridge

Plodded on along the riverside met Tim crossing the last bridge before the finish. I was actually feeling pretty no bad here and managed to up my pace to almost a wee bit faster than a shuffle

As always it was tremendous to see the finish and Muriel waving like crazy…
Recieved my medal and water and a hug from Muriel, could barely stand up and my legs seized so quickly I was hobbling within minutes Bobby had finished 10 mins in front of me and we waited on Ian & Alex finishing.. did I mention they were behind me?? hehehehe

Thank you everyone for all the support…it is very much appreciated

The End.. of the SUMS series, but I have one more in Oct in Wales… yessss

AGM

The AGM took place on Thursday 26 August.

It was well attended and the President’s summary of the year was well received

The winners of the Road Running Championship and the Hill Running Championship will not be known until December.  However, the Cross Country Champions of 2009-10 are Gordon Dobbie and Anne Noble.  The winner of the Xmas Handicap was Anita Johnson.

The President also thanked his predecessor, George Malone for his two years tenure and excellent service.

This has been Owen Light’s tenth years service as club Treasurer and Owen has decided that it is time for another to take up the challenge.  When Owen first took on the books, the club’s financial existence was doubtful.  He is leaving the club with a healthy balance sheet which will now be picked up by our current Membership Secretary, Ian McNee.  Ian’s job as Membership Secretary will be taken on by past president, Gordon Dobbie.

The President thanked Owen on behalf of the club and led a round of applause.

Key office bearers for the next year are as follows:

President – Alastair Skeoch
Vice President – Niall MacPherson
Secretary – John McKinlay
Treasurer – Ian McNee
Membership Secretary – Gordon Dobbie
Club Captain – George MacGregor
Press Secretary, web updater, championships organiser and general dogsbody – Alex Drain

Subs for the coming year are now due and have been set at last years rate of £25 for new members and £10 for current members.

Craigengower (Straiton) Hill Race

Well, the weather gods were kind to us yesterday and gave the runners near perfect conditions for this grand wee race. Four Tortoises were there for the run, Anne, Alex, Ian (wearing a dress) and myself. Ian was hoping for a spot “fancy dress” prize but it seems you have to try pretty hard to impress the judges at the Straiton gala. Maybe a tutu next year Ian?

As per usual, the start line was a slightly chaotic mix of kids and adults all looking for a clear stretch of road ahead of us in a bid to avoid “doing an Andy” and flattening some poor waif. [1] I set of at the front with Toni just to try an put a bit of distance between myself and the nearest anklebiters and once clear, I backed off having enjoyed, oh, maybe 5 seconds of being *ahead* of Toni!

Of course, having led the Tortoises, they then all charged past me long before we reached the primary school. As we entered the field I gradually began to recoup some of the distance and as the field levelled out and we entered the woods, I was able to regain my place as first Tortoise by the time we reached the stile.

Then it’s time for the calf burning haul up the hill. Not too bad to start with but by the time I hauled myself up to the summit I was crying out “ouch ouch ouch ouch” with every step. I staggered over to the marshal and received my “post-it” note and started my descent, constantly wondering at what point Alex was going to come charging past me.

Whilst I’m pretty good at running down long shallow slopes, the technique for steep hills still evades me and I came down like a girly. (Apologies to all girlies in our club but you know what I mean). Despite this, there was no sign of Alex breathing down my neck when I reached the stile and I reckoned that if he hadn’t caught me by then, I could hold him off through the woods and field. I had a great gallop down the hill and once onto the road I still hadn’t been passed by anyone. As I neared the village hall a young lad I had been creeping up on suddenly realised I was behind and took off like a rocket only to slow down again after 100 yards clutching his side. Always one to take advantage of others’ misfortune , I quietened my breathing and starting sprinting quietly up behind him and flew by. He couldn’t respond again and for the first time ever, I actually moved up one position on the second half of a hill race!

I finished in about 22:31, Alex in 23:08, Ian 24:09 and Anne in 25:02. All times are approximate, not official. Congrats to Anne on what I believe was a big PB.

[1] Actually, this is a little unfair as if memory serves me right, I don’t think Andy knocked the kid over. I think he fell in front of Andy and Andy gallantly stopped to help the kid up and make sure he was okay.

Postscript from Alex

Actually, Andy did indeed trip the wee fella. I was just to Andy’s left when it happened. Unfortunately, I have to admit that it was an accident and not a ‘professional’ foul At the end of the race, the jammy sod got about 20 seconds knocked off his official finish time for his ’sporting’ behaviour (wish I’d remembered that for this year)