WEST DISTRICT XC...A SOLO AFFAIR

On Saturday 9th December I took part in the  4k cross country race in Irvine.  On the start line I was more nervous than usual as I was the only Harrier competing so had nothing to take my mind off what was coming next. 

 

I found the start fast but made sure I didn't drop of the back as I have a fear of coming last.  The weather was so cold the ground was crisp and icy in areas and muddy in others, certain areas were really hard to run on as it was past bushes on a single file track with loads of holes in the ground. The hills were short and steep and the course followed an interesting route, that part made it fun as the scenery took my mind off the cold!

 

I was glad when I finish the race as I found it hard, but I was proud of myself for doing it. I would recommend it to anyone who gets the chance to do it because the over all experience was good.              

By Renée Conneff 

TRAINING WED 13TH DECEMBER

Plan B for tomorrow's session. John and Mark won't be available to coach. Due to festive commitments not sure how many from each of the squads will attend tomorrow night plus not sure how predictable the weather will be tomorrow night.

So Frances & I are going to do a core session in the main hall where we meet. For the newbies that is working on balance, press ups, squats, planks for core strength etc.

Please note the session will be shorter starting at 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

Richard

JUNIOR FESTIVE TRAINING

There has been some enquries regarding when the club is stopping for Christmas.  The Wednesday sessions will be on until 20th December and back on Wednesday 10th January at 6.30pm.

The Saturday sessions led by Mark Saez will remain on during the festive period.  If there is any changes to these sessions Mark will post on facebook secret group page. If you want in the group just email to let me know.

See below festive training plan if you need some help.

Wednesday 20th December.....Last Wednesday club session of 2017, 1830 to 2000

Saturday 23rd December...... Training session @ Calderglen Country Park

Sunday 24th December.....Junior Parkrun at Rouken Glen Park in Giffnock or Victoria Park Glasgow @ 0930. Remember Sunday events are 2k and only for runners aged 4-14 years old...Your choice. Note look at their websites to double check they are hosting a run as usual.

Wednesday 27th December.......No formal session. For under 11s try a 1-2 mile or 15 minute steady run with parent supervision.  For under 13s and above try a 3 to 4 mile (about 35-40 minutes) steady run  solo run or with friends from your training squad.  Your choice.

Saturday 30th December.........Training session @ Calderglen Country Park

Sunday 31st December.....Junior Parkrun at Rouken Glen Park in Giffnock or Victoria Park Glasgow @ 0930. Remember Sunday events are 2k and only for runners aged 4-14 years old...Your choice. Note look at their websites to double check they are hosting a run as usual.

Wednesday 3rd Jan 2018.........No formal session. For under 11s try a 1-2 mile or 15 minute steady run with parent supervision.  For under 13s and above try a 3 to 4 mile (about 35-40 minutes) steady run  solo run or with friends from your training squad.  Your choice.

Saturday 6th Jan 2018......Training session @ Calderglen Country Park

Wednesday 10th Jan 2018.....Back to normal. Wednesday session, 1830 to 2000

Hope you all have a fantastic Christmas & New Year, and get all the Pbs you want in 2018.

Richard

CHRISTMAS FUN RUN 2017

Team Swans a Swimmimg

Another year another Christmas fun run. Hard to believe 12 months has come and gone. Now in its 5th year the junior Harriers Relay Christmas fun run took place on Sunday 3rd December with 24 athletes. 

 

This year we had 8 teams of 3 runners and this year's theme for the team names was the song 12 Days of Christmas.  Weather conditions were really good for the time of year adding a more pleasurable running experience without having to dodge snow and ice as in previous years.  So no change to the traditional route of starting on the main road in the park next to Sports Club car park running towards and taking a right to the Zoo car park then following the exit road to Strathaven Road and then along to main park entrance back to the start.

 

The winning team this year was Swans a swimming with Francis (Leg 1), Renee (Leg 2) and Callum (Leg 3) who all received their EK shopping centre vouchers for coming first. Well done Renee for be apart of the winning team now 2 years in a row.

 

The other teams finished in the following order:

2nd Drummers Drumming (Ben, Brooke & Ashleigh)

3rd Calling Birds (Ellie, Steven & Chris)

4th Lords a Leaping (Eve, Ava & Lucy)

5th Pipers Piping (Emma M, Patrick & Fergus)

6th Geese a Laying (Rachel, Louis, & Freya)

7th Gold Rings (Daisy, Emma H & Olivia)

8th Turtle Doves (Anna, Ruby & Sophie)

 

To add to the race we continued with tradition of handing out a selection box, secret Santa present and Calderglen Harrier brand training T-shirt.

A big thank you to all the parents for bringing their kids along and supporters who there to cheer them running.  The parents who volunteered to be marshalls around the course, Frances for taking photographs and to my family Team Lawton for pre, during and post race support to get this event going.

 

It is really appreciated. 

 

Merry Christmas

Richard

 

See senior blog for report on the individual Christmas Handicap race with results: http://calderglen.blogspot.co.uk/2017/12/christmas-handicap-2017.html

CHRISTMAS FUN RUN THIS SUNDAY

The fun run is this Sunday and we will meet in the Sports Club bar as there is another event booked in the hall. Remember the junior race is a relay race.

Junior Harriers (Relay Team)

 

Starts at 10am (arrive for 9:30am), each runner does 1 lap (0.8 miles / 1.3k per lap) and the team total distance is 2.4 miles or 3.8k

Each team will cover 3 laps with prizes for the winning team.  However all is not lost, everyone will get a treat at the end and for those of you wishing to participate, we will have a Secret Santa.

Participation in the Secret Santa is not compulsory but those who bring something will get to pick a present. Presents should be to the value of around £5, suitable for a boy or girl and wrapped.  We will do the lucky dip after the race in the Sports Club bar.

Richard

LANARKSHIRE XC CHAMPIONSHIPS

Last Saturday was the Lanarkshire XC championships and this year it was a cold & windy day for racing around the country.  As usual it was held in Drumpellier Park which provides a great choice of courses which helped this year with ice patches at the railway bridge meaning all the race course were adapted. This event is a popular but low key event for Lanarkshire runners to do without feeling the additional pressure of West District and National races.  Calderglen had 4 young athletes all trying this event for the first time.

 

Daisy in home straight

The under 11 event for both girls and boys was over 1.2k and first up was Daisy Blake for the girls. Daisy ran a great race and according to her Mum Zoe really enjoyed it.  She was rewarded with a time of 4 minutes and was placed 26th in a field of 49 runners.  Next was Steven Cooper and Francis Santangeli for the boys. Steven and Francis are good friends but like to compete with each other in training and racing.  Today it was Steven who came out on top finishing 13th in 3.34 and Francis was 20th in 3.41. There was 43 runners in this race.

 

Steven finishing fast

Last but not least Steven's brother Max was in the under 15 race running a distance of 3.7k.  Max had tough race against some high calibre runners from Cambuslang Harriers, East Kilbride AC and Cumbernauld AC. Max ran a good consistent race and crossed the line in 11:39 in 16th place and out of 22 runners.

 

Max running with great technique

Another great day out and even though there was no medals I hope everyone got what they wanted or deserved in terms of your performance, time, satisfaction and fun.  There are always diamonds in the mud for everyone if you look hard enough. Well done team, it's a privilege being with you at the races, and thanks to all who came along and supported the athletes, it is very much appreciated.

 

Thanks to Stuart Cooper for the photos it really adds to the event.

 

Richard

 

WEST DISTRICT XC ( IRVINE )

This years West District XC Championships will be held in Irvine on Saturday 9th December.

Race details are:

Under 13s
Girls start at 1130 and race over 3.2k
Boys start at 1145 and race over 3.2k

Under 15s
Girls start at 1200 and race over 4k
Boys start at 1220 and race over 4k

Under 17 & 20s
Women start at 1240 and race over 5k

Under 17s
Men start at 1330 and race over 6.4k

Under 20s
Men start at 1330 and race over 8k

I need names by Wednesday 22nd November as this is pre entry only.

Richard

Post Training meeting:LANARKSHIRE XC CHAMPIONSHIPS

Hi Folks

 

This Saturday is the Lanarkshire XC and this year it was an online entry so I am not fully aware who is doing the event.  Also the race organiser still needs the club to put 2 volunteers forward to help support the race.

 

Can anyone that has entered and parents stay back after training tomorrow night for 5 mins to organise who will volunteer and to get the names of who is racing.

 

Thanks

Richard

CHRISTMAS FUN RUN 2017 update

The deadline has passed now for anyone wanting to do the Christmas fun run and get a free t-shirt.  However if anyone missed this first deadline you can still enter up to Wednesday 29th November (that's next week folks) but you won't get a t-shirt.

 

If this applies to you then please give Sarah your name at training. After this final deadline we will be sorting the teams and running order so very important to get your name to enjoy this festive fun.

Richard

CHRISTMAS FUN RUN 2017

On Sunday 3rd December Calderglen Harriers will be holding their annual Senior and Junior Christmas Fun Run. So now is the time to get thinking of a costume which is optional.

 

We are hoping to continue with giving all juniors a free special edition Calderglen Harriers t-shirt. So to make this happen everyone needs to pre-enter the race and turn up on the day.

 

We need to submit a clothing order to our supplier in plenty of time and have all young athlete entries for the fun run with athletes t-shirt size by Friday 17th November at the latest.  T-shirt sizes are 7/8, 9/11, 12/13, small adult,  medium adult and large adult. Entries can be notified by email or to Sarah on Wednesday nights when everyone registers their attendance.

 

The Junior Endurance section will be doing a Team Relay race. Each team will cover 3 laps with prizes for the winning team.  However all is not lost, everyone will get a treat at the end and for those of you wishing to participate, we will have a Secret Santa. Participation in the Secret Santa is not compulsory but those who bring something will get to pick a present. Presents should be to the value of around £5, suitable for a boy or girl and wrapped.  We will do the luck y dip after the race.

 

Race Details

 

Please note a change to this year. We will meet in the Sports Club bar as there is another event booked in the hall.

 

Junior Harriers (Relay Team)

 

Starts at 10am (arrive for 9:30am), each runner does 1 lap (0.8 miles / 1.3k per lap) and the team total distance is 2.4 miles or 3.8k

 

Senior Harriers (Individual race)

 

Starts at 11am, each runner will do 5 laps (0.8 miles / 1.3k per lap) and the total distance is 4 miles or 6.4k.

 

I expect some the the young athletes in John and Mark's training squads will consider doing the 5 laps and challenge the "old " seniors or even do both events!  if an young athlete wants to the senior event please let me know so I can pass names onto Alan.

 

Thank you,

Richard

WEEKEND ROUND UP 11 / 12 NOVEMBER

Jimmy Irvine Bella 10k - 12/11/17

Under 20 Junior Harrier Morgan Beaton recently moved up to the senior Harriers training sessions and has been using these to help prepare for her first 10k which was the Jimmy Irvine Bella 10k in Bellahouston Park in Glasgow. Morgan crossed the line on 1:01:56. Great time to set for first 10k and a time she will beat in 2018.

Results: https://www.stuweb.co.uk/race/1J2

Victoria Park Junior 2k Parkrun #150 - 12/11/17

8th, Kai Wheeler, 8:36, 44th junior parkrun

117 runners in the field

Link to results:http://www.parkrun.org.uk/victoria-juniors/results/latestresults/


Rouken Glen Park Junior 2k Parkrun #50 - 05/11/17

Well done Emma for achieving a Pb.

26th, Emma Hutton, 10:12, 20th junior parkrun,  Pb by 5 seconds

158 runners in the field

Link to results: http://www.parkrun.org.uk/roukenglen-juniors/results/latestresults/

LANARKSHIRE XC CHAMPIONSHIPS 2017

This event will take place on Saturday 25th November at Drumpellier Park in Coatbridge (enter the park from Blair Road, arriving near Blairhill railway station & car park). All the races are individual. Ages as at 31 August / 1 September 2017. Details are as follows:

Event	Time	Age group	Distance
Race 1	12:00	U11 Girls	1200m (1 small lap)
Race 2	12:15	U11 Boys	1200m (1 small lap)
Race 3	12:25	U13 Girls	2500m (1 large lap)
Race 4	12:45	U13 Boys	2500m (1 large lap)
Race 5	13:00	U15 Girls	3700m (1 small + 1 large lap)
Race 5	13:00	U15 Boys	3700m (1 small + 1 large lap)
Race 6	13:20	U17 Men	5000m (2 large laps)
Race 6	13:20	U17 Women	5000m (2 large laps)
Race 6	13:50	Sen/Vet Ladies	7500m (3 large laps)
Race 7	13:50	Sen/Vet Men	7500m (3 large laps)

Age groups are u11 (9 & 10 yrs), u13 (11 & 12 yrs), u15 (13 & 14 yrs), u17 (15 & 16 yrs) and everybody else is Senior or Veteran.

Volunteers: The race organiser states that all clubs need to provide a minimum of 2 volunteers and failure to do so will result in club entries being declined.  So if you can volunteer please see Richard.

Race Entry

This year everyone needs to enter the race themselves. You can enter the race via Q-Buster using the code laaaxc. Entries close on Tuesday 21st November.

Link: https://www.q-buster.co.uk/xc-champs

DATES FOR DIARY

Here are the dates of the next few races for your diary...

Saturday 25th November is the Lanarkshire XC Championships in Coatbridge...everyone can run under 11 and upwards.

Sunday 3rd December is the clubs annual Christmas Fun run at Calderglen Country Park...everyone can run and in fancy dress if you want.  This is a relay race for the kids and there is adult straight race covering 6k.

Saturday 9th December is the West District XC Championships in Irvine...this is for runners from under 13 and upwards. 

More info for each will be on the blog hopefully by this weekend so keep an eye on the junior blog.

Thanks
Richard

BLOWN AWAY AT RELAYS IN CUMBERNAULD

Team Calderglen Harriers

The last Saturday of October before the clocks went back was Cumbernauld cross country race. To give it it's official title it was the 2017 National Cross Country Relay Championships organised brilliantly again by Scottish Athletics bringing together the whole Scottish running community descending on Cumbernauld Park and competing for those National titles.  Again this is an event the junior Harriers have experience at last competing in 2014 so another welcome return for Calderglen Harriers.  This year were able to put out a Young Male team covering all the required age groups of under 13/15/17.

 

It was a dry day with a mild and strong wind in some parts of the course.  First out on leg 1 duty to set the tone for the team was Lewis Moir. It was a crowded start and you always need to make sure you don't get spiked Lewis got caught up in the crowd and found himself slowing down on the first hill getting pushed back. However as the race progressed it stretched out as predicted giving Lewis the chance to open up to move up the field.  Lewis covered the 2.5k distance convincingly coming home in a great time of (11:30) for his first time at Cumbernauld. Patrick Saez was taking over on leg 2 with the ability to do well but was finding the hanging about before he started stressful and cold!  Patrick ran his leg in (11:44) putting a good time for a demanding course for all runners of all abilities.  The final leg went to under 17 runner Chris McCarron who was recovering from a chest infection and had missed some cross country training. Despite this drawback Chris crossed the line in (11:35).

 

Great running from all 3 boys showing they are all evenly matched on this type of terrain. All results can be seen on link below and there is video footage on Scottish Athletics website.

http://events.scottishathletics.org.uk/events/19966-17466-lindsays-scottishathletics-national-cross-country-relay-championships

Under 11 Boys storm to 4th place in Lanarkshire Road Relay's

On a wet Saturday 21st October was the Lanarkshire AAA annual road relay held in Drumpellier Park in Coatbridge.  Despite being at the start of the school October week it is a popular event with the Lanarkshire based athletic clubs and this year was a welcome return of the junior Harriers,  last competing there in 2014.  This year we had recruited 6 young athletes to form an under 11 boys team and an under 15 girls team.

First out was the boys contesting against clubs like nearest neighbour EKAC, Cambuslang Harriers, Cumbernauld and local club Airdrie Harriers. The task was to each run 1.2k distance around the park on an out and back route as quickly as you could. New to competition running Francis Santangeli ran the first leg with everyone at the start applying his best pace management amongst all the club the other runners. Frances competed strongly and crossed the line in (5:17) in 9th place.  Next up was Ben Buchanan, last competing in the Great Scottish Run, taking on leg 2 responsibility. Ben had a great run managing to claw back 2 places finishing in 7th with a time of (5:06) and last leg went to experienced runner Kai Wheeler who ran a time of (4:52, 4th fastest in his leg) and pulling in a final 3 places with the team finishing 54 seconds adrift in 4th place.

Despite being the most cruel position for any athlete missing out on a podium position in 4th place, a fine performance by all the boys who all showed good team spirit and grit to get to 4th place out of 13 complete teams.

Next up was the under 15 girls with sisters Brooke & Renee Conneff & Freya Kane flying the flag so to speak. All 3 girls were enthusiastic & excited about competing but showing a little pre-race nerves before they started asking twenty questions to Coach Richard about race protocol.  Brooke was on first leg duty for the team running the 2.4k out and back route coming in 6th place in (11:23). With no sister rivalry Renee was on the second 2nd leg and despite running a good time of (11:04) the team dropped back to 7th place leaving 3rd leg runner Freya Kane to pull back places. Freya competed while matching Renee's time of (11:04) and bringing the team back to 6th place.

Well done to all and there is was alot of pictures taken by Cameron Newall from another club.  See link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/camerons_pics/sets/72157687385868171

LANARKSHIRE AAA ROAD RELAY

We have 2 teams entered this year, an under 11 Boy team and under 15 Girl team.  The teams are:

Under 11 Boys: Francis Santangeli, Ben Buchanan & Kai Wheeler
Under 15 Girls: Brooke Conneff, Renee Conneff & Freya Kane

The under 11 Boys race starts at 11:50am.

The under 15 Girls race starts at 12:45pm.

Can everyone be there for 11am to allow me to pick up numbers and declare running order. Also gives people time to get organised and warm up before race. We will meet at the Visitor Centre and the address is Townhead Road, Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, ML5 1RX.

We need 2 volunteers to help support the race so we have Andrew & Lorraine Buchanan, Les Kane and myself to offer our services. When we get there tomorrow we can find out if they need more than 2 and the duties.  Myself, Andrew & Lorraine Buchanan are running in the senior event which starts at 1.30pm.

NATIONAL SHORT COURSE XC (KIRKCALDY) U15/U17/U20s

This years National short course XC will be held for the first time in Kirkcaldy on Saturday 11th November.

Start times & distance are:

under 15 Girls, 11:30am, distance 2k
under 15 boys, 11:45am, distance 2k
under 17 women, 12pm, distance 3k
under 17 men, 12:20pm, distance 3k
under 20 women, 12:40pm, distance 4k

This is the first of the straight races for cross country. Cost is covered by club.

I did send an email to parents of athletes who have eligible son or daughter on 17th October

I need names by Wednesday 25th October as this is pre entry only.

Richard

WEST DISTRICT XC......A DAY AT THE RACES

 



Lucy in good form on Leg 3

 



Eve after turning point

The first cross country championship of 2017/18 season had a welcome return to the Hamilton Park Racecourse last being there in 2013. The weather  forecast was to be dry and thankfully the weather forecasters were right. This meant the middle part of the course was firm underfoot but the start and end of course was like a quagmire of mud as the horses don't race on these sections of the course. This year was another first for our junior endurance section returning to this event after a 2 year absence last taking part in 2014.

 

During this period the club has been developing with longer training sessions, regular drill work, Parkrun participation, increasing age group to join club, 2 regular training sessions (Wednesdays & Saturdays) which is a minimum for all other clubs, performance and development training groups and coach education.  The relays for the juniors are always hard to recruit from my point of view as you need all 3 age groups involved u13/15/17 which is a juggling act if one person decides to pull out or take part can have domino effect in organising the entry forms for teams.  Despite this we entered 2 Girls teams and 1 Boy teams.

 



Olivia after turning point

First out on the course was the under 13 girls were we had Olivia Hendry for team A and Eve Lindsay for team B. Both girls are 1st year under 13s and acquitted themselves well over the 2.5k course.  First and quickest female Harrier of the day was Olivia in 12.53 followed by Eve in 13.34. Next up for leg 2 was the Conneff sisters, Renee & Brooke, who were not phased about running the same leg. Renee was first back in 13.08 followed shortly by Brooke in 13.45 and this left the leg 3 runners to complete the relay. Normally this leg is primarily for under 17s but you can have an under 15 so you are up against experienced and strong runners. As the rest of the teams did both Freya and Lucy put in a good shift against the other clubs. Surprisingly Lucy ran a great leg and was second fastest female Harrier with a time of 12.55 with Freya, only being an under 15, completing her race in 13.06.  Team A's overall time was 39.07 and Team B 40.14. Next up the boys.

 



Patrick at start of leg 2

There was a few call offs with the boys and some persuading to encourage participation giving us 1 complete team. First up was Lewis Moir who had a plane to catch to the sun so was under orders to get round quick to get to the airport on time! This was Lewis's first cross country in this age group so he didn't know how he would fair amongst his peers. Lewis got round in 11.18 with training partner Patrick Saez taking the baton for leg 2. Patrick has had a good season and coming back to full fitness with a great time of 11.41 and taking on the last section of the relay was Louis Blake who like the girls race was up against some stiff competition. There was some confusion with Louis starting and he ended up going before Patrick returned so the officials don't have a time he left but only when returned. His official time was 8.49 but in real terms likely to be 11.49. These mistakes happen and this one of many reasons we encourage people to race to understand how the event goes on the day.

 

Overall great return for the junior endurance section to Scottish Athletics National Championships and the club goal is we continue this as the club and young athletes continue to develop.

 

Richard

 

WEST DISTRICT TEAMS AND RUNNING ORDER

The teams are list here:

		Girls A	Girls B
u13	Leg 1	Olivia Hendry	Eve Lindsay
u15/13	Leg 2	Renee Conneff	Brooke Conneff
u17/u15	Leg 3	Freya Kane	Lucy Saez

		Boys A	Boys B
u13	Leg 1	Lewis Moir
u15/13	Leg 2	Patrick Saez
u17/u15	Leg 3	Louis Blake

I need to declare these teams and running order in advance and collect your numbers, if anyone is no longer able to run, then please let me know this evening preferably and certainly by first thing tomorrow morning. 

As I said in the earlier blog we have 2 Young Female teams and 1 Young Male team running but have capacity for another team of 3 Young Male Athletes.

So if you want a run, please let me know this evening and I will update the teams.

This is a club event with juniors and seniors running, the weather is anticipated to be like today so lets see what Calderglen Harriers can do!

Richard