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