last day of the marcothon done and dusted!

were we first to finish??? time will tell!

yes joanne and i met for our day 30 and day 31 runs starting at 11.30pm on the 30th with a wee 2minute break at midnight to commence day 31 run and finish 3 miles later!!  it was weird running that late but somehow didn't feel any different once we were out.  6 hilly miles in the very quiet suburbia watching the fog roll in over us. joanne admitted needing a coffee at about tennish to tay awake but i think i was so psyched up about it i had no problem with tiredness.  i dressed entirely in black so i didn't attract any undesirable attention from any potential drunken louts but looked more like a cat burglar. at the other extreme joanne was dressed to be seen in dayglo pink so luckily we only passed 2 people out walking their dog.  i wonder if they thought it was strange seeing runners at this time of night!!  i did get a fright when i heard heavy breathing and snorting running up behind me but soon discovered it was one of my neighbour's dogs trying its normal escape bid. so i quickly grabbed it and took it back to a pyjama clad frantic owner then caught back up with joanne!

we stopped at midnight to upload our pic to facebook as  evidence that we did break the runs into 2 separate 3 milers over 2 different days therefore still in the rules of the marcothon. i also checked with the boss debbie to ensure that was ok first!!

midnight break

then at the end we uploaded our pic as we finished our run.  last run of this month, last run of the year!

day 31 done!! 00h32m

the marcothon was certainly an icy challenge this year but i thoroughly enjoyed it and was amazed at what we achieved despite the weather and still managing to fit in long runs in treacherous conditions. i am proud of myself, donna and joanne for digging in on the long runs and keeping me going as i would never have bothered to do these biggies on my own! as a result this month i managed to complete 150 marcothon miles!!  much more than last year's marcothon when i did the minimum 3 miles most of the days!  nothing like a good marcothon to get you started into marathon training!!

so to bed now with a nice rest day the rest of today and all of tomorrow and back to running again on sunday!!

well done all you marcothonians!!


till then happy new year!!

on target.....

nearly there now.  after trotting all week on slowly thawing ice today was the day for the breakthrough to real ice free road surfaces.  having planned a long run since saturday and only managing 5 then only doing bare minimum 3 on sunday, monday and tuesday joanne and i at last put in a long run of 13 miles. a route planned by joanne [i must admit i was filled with trepidation as joanne's previous choices have never gone to plan] who had scouted by car and saw no ice seemed to be a good plan.  through a few badlands though at that time in morning we were possibly going to be safe enough not to be chased by neds [as had happened to me on that route before!] but just in case i told joanne to put her angry face one which proved to be impossible as we both burst into laughing at each others' grimace.  there luckily wasn't a soul around to see!

joanne confessed to me the routes she used to run alone that i would never consider on my own and this route today was one of them - obviously not a glaswegian or she'd know this was one to avoid! i must confess there are some places i would never run alone and some areas i love running alone in. it also reminded me of a run with my friend mo up the west highland way on route to the beech tree inn. just past carbeth early on a sunday morning as we crossed the road we passed 4 or 5 really drunk yobs who offered alternative ways to spend sunday with them!! as if, however mo was very vocal in her rejections which had me running for my life. don't worry she said they are pissed as farts they'll never catch us up this hill c'mon she says and takes off with me on her tail... yes she was right but i wasn't as confident as her about their ability to be too pissed to catch us. but then she confided in me it has happened to her before and she has always been able to outrun someone that's been drinking all night...

back to today, joanne and i managed to make it to civil-isation and relaxed enjoying the uphill journey we had homeward bound. in all it turned out to be different and enjoyable.  we planned some future routes for our coming months of training in the build to a half in march and the marathon in may! donna was still missing as she was still barking like a dog!! Hopefully on the mend to start training after joanne and i have had a rest after the end of the marcothon.

on that note with only 2 runs to go we are considering running both together with a 2 minute break at midnight in between to ensure we are doing 2 separate runs on 2 separate days!  is it cheating?? well just in case it is i will run 3 in morning of 30th so my night run is extra and is really 31st! then i will have no guilt over it and if by any silly chance i miss my midnight run i will only have 31st to do the final 3miles!

and my goal this marcothon was to do 150 miles in the month and with today's 13 plus at least 6 over next 2 days i will have achieved that too!! it's not over yet so i'll hold the excitement till then....

still game - not long now...

well i have had the usual week monday to friday doing the  daily 3 miles runs locally with my dog before tea! the stable cold conditions allowed the crisp snow conditions underfoot to be manageable for running without twisting me ankle or falling on my ass!  Though i am tired of running so slowly as it is hard to get any speed up on what feels like sugar underfoot.  Admittedly it was easy to be distracted by the sheer beauty of the frost formations on the trees like icy buds and the sparkling pavements and snowy blankets covering grassland like heavily glittered xmas cards.  the hint of smoky logs pervaded the air and clung to my dog's coat for hours after our run. coupled with the myriad of rainbow lights decorating houses these sensational delights will link my memories of the marcothon and xmas for ever more! 


andrew ran with me a couple of times during the week - well for a short while! his gym sessions are obviously now paying off as i can't keep him in sight now never mind keep up with him. even in my new shoes!!!! yes i gave in and bought a pair of trails on the advice of ultramarathoner debbs!  debbie's fabulous blog [by the by - do give this a read - debbie says it all on her list of things she is looking forward to once this marcothon and this weather is over with!! numbers 3, 4, 7, 8 and 10 particularly pertinent to myself!! to that list i would add: not being openly ridiculed of laughed at for running in these conditions by people struggling to walk in them, having nice smooth hair that isn't a frizzy mess being washed every day, wearing normal clothes for more hours of the day than running clothes, enjoying a long run on ice free terrain, and being able to not have to think about my plan for the day just to fit my necessary daily run in!] 


back to the topic in hand [or should i say on foot..] i ordered roclite 320 shoes for 3 reasons: debbie said they had great grip, they were grey and royal blue and they were on sale!! admittedly the soles looked fab and the heal had some cushioning - my normal trails are very flat and hurt my calves and hamstring if i use too often. so on thursday i gave them a try and the grip was great! i felt i could scale walls in them.  didn't make me any faster [well maybe slightly] but they did give me more confidence that i wouldn't slip on the downhills.  and i am positive i will be wearing them till the snow goes.

http://inov-8.com/Products-Detail.asp?PG=PG1&P=5050973189&L=26

Saturday normally out long run was xmas day so we went for 5 miles only to give us time for the family festivities. Donna was now barking like an excited dog so had to cop out and rest up. in fact, like the sympathetic nurse that i am, when she came over to swap pressies i kept her outside and at least 5 feet away! with only a week to go in the marcothon i wasn't taking any chances!! i'd already run through a cold at the beginning of the month and didn't want another!  so it was just jo-anne and i that ran saturday - and i was annoyed that i forgot my santa hat - not like me to miss out on a costume moment - was so jealous that jo-anne had hers on!! 

Long run was now planned for sunday but on saturday jo-anne had now hurt herself falling on  a family walk on xmas day on the whangie so just in case of injury she was icing up her ankle and resting up today. long run now planned for monday. Andrew was planning a run today so he said he'd do a few miles with me [if i can do a decent pace!!] so may do that.  Best get my umph, umph, umph music on my new nano he got me for xmas if i want to have any chance of decent pace! so today's run will turn into my first speed session in ages!!


Nope - andrew was too tired for speed session!! managed 3 x 9 min/miles with a few skating manoeuvres that would make torvil and dean proud!!  hopefully long run tomorrow!! want to get at least one more long run in before end of marcothon so monthly total milage over 150! 

Le weekend!!

Well Thursday and Friday I did the usual 3. Temp had dropped again and after the big thaw the big freeze produced roads and pavements fit for an olympic ice rink! JoAnne reported that she gave herself perfect tens for her dancing on ice performance that night and on friday she re-enacted bambi's first steps!

i faired a little better as i decided to add a pair of stockings over my normal trainers for grip as my waffle soles were useless on solid ice.  Also i looked like a homeless person according to my son when i borrowed his school shorts to were over my trackies to keep my bum warm! i had leg warmers on my arms and my legs that night!! it did feel colder than the minus 8 the thermometer was claiming!

Well saturday we had great intentions desperate for our long run i met joanne and donna at the usual place- only .2 of a skiting mile away.  donna was piling out of her car with her usual expedition kit - backpack with 2 litres of water no matter how small a distance she runs [and she drinks it!!], gels, phone, fek wouldn't be surprised if she had a space blanket in there too!!  jo-anne like me with nothing [tho she is sensible and brings water with her most long journeys and also has her phone on her] but i like to travel light!! 

needless to say the icerink called baljaffray had not improved any since the day before and doing my usual och we'll be fine let's go enthusiasm was met with no chance not on your life retorts!! as a compromise we agreed to drive down to morrisons and start from anniesland and head out towards town on great western road.  surely it must be gritted!!   is it hell!!  Trying to keep to rough bits for grip [i think i faired better because of my nylon coverings] i could hear yiping and squeaking behind me as i heard donna and joanne struggling.  i sped ahead knowing they'd want to turn back if they could catch me!! when i ran out of rough bits to run on i had no option but to run back to them.  true enough it was too bad to continue so we headed back carefully. however it had started snowing which did help the grip but it didn't last long so we decided 5 miles was better that none!! 

pissed off all 3 of us we needed some cheering up!! i noticed a xmas tree net wrapper and being on my bucket list of weird and wonderful things to do i asked if they would stick me through it!  they were most accommodating!! in fact they said i wasn't first!! i bet they have turns putting themselves through it every day!! donna and joanne were desperate to get me wrapped up to try slow me down!! we did get some weird looks on the way to the car but it was all worth it for the laugh it gave us! 

Desperate to slow me down Donna and JoAnne threw me in!!

Bagged it! - tho not the first to be bagged we were told!!

Still cannae catch me even in a net!! lol!

home delivery!!

thanks to kind staff at Anniesland Garden & Gift Centre Ltd, G13 1JD

They do have some lovely xmas trees!!

SUNDAY DAY 19!

luckily the snow had now fixed more securely to the underlying ice and grip was better than day before! Donna, Joanne and I went off to complete our long run.  This time we decided to try great western road again running from home down the switchback all the way into town.  Happily this time we had much better grip and once past morrisons at anniesland the pavements were completely clear.  A bit of skating on the switchback but wherever possible we ran on the road.  running back and forth to round up my buddies i managed to pack in 15 miles in 2hr 40mins which wasn't bad over the nasty bits. though we all got a great stretch out along great western road!! FAB!  In fact after all the short strides on ice my legs forgot what it was like to run normally and i ran with this inane grin on my face for most of it! the folk i passed must have thought i had escaped from the looney bin!!

the home run!!

that's it! day 16! beyond the halfway mark now! monday to wednesday was the same uneventful routine of picking my way between ice packed pavements and slippy slushy roads for the bare minimum 3miles.  i don't even time it anymore as i would be really disheartened by my slow speed.

today there was a thorough thaw then a big freeze then a smattering of snow so running wasn't too bad as the icy snow layer over the solid ice gave some grip. most places i ran on the crunchy grassy part of the pavement that luckily covers most the local mile loops. though in the dark this is risky as you have no idea what you are standing on!!

so nothing eventful to report.  did consider posting in my xmas cards while doing it but was afraid it would slow me down even further stopping and starting to post through doors. it is enough stopping for the occasional pee and poo [the dog - not me!!] without dragging it out longer!!  plus never run with a filled poo bag!!! the one i had in my hand had a tiny wee hole and leaked shit all over my gloves!! since my gloves are really socks [6 pairs for £2.50 in asda] i chucked it along with the bag and cleaned my hands in the slush puddles till i got home to sanitize them properly!  the dog is certainly enjoying her evening 3 milers!! think she'll miss the marcothon when it is over!!  might have to continue with a kirathon after that!!  NOT!

the ice lay on the ground...

Thursday did same as usual and more local loops!! Three slow miles [not timing it as too damn slow on the ice]!  But at least I did it.  Friday had a thaw all day but unfortunately left impacted ice on all the pavements and footpaths or slush puddles knee deep on grassy areas.  I did don my normal trainers which had been quite clean till then!! They are now the same muddy brown as my old ones! Sogging, slogging miles... Getting a bit repetitive but at least I am keeping up the challenge!

Saturday my 2 trainees had other plans so I joined my running pal who lives up the road [and runs with Clydesdale Harriers] and her pal Marie.  We had planned 8 along the canal from Yoker but the canal was solid ice so we decided to keep to the road. The company was a good distraction from the boring straight Dumbarton Road but footing was very skittery in places where we had to dodge in and out good patches like tyres on an assault course!  We decided to head over the Erskine Bridge to get up to ten miles.  Some parts of the path were treacherous but we took our time and it was worth it for 2 clear miles of normal ice free running over the bridge and back.  Happily we did it in 1hour 40mins which was fab considering the conditions.

Day 12 Marcothon Challenge Sunday - Joanne was not well so opted for a treadmill session of the minimum 25mins instead - wise with a sore throat and dizziness.  Donna and I wanted a long run so headed for town along Great Western Road hoping for ice free terrain.  Unfortunately Bearsden was icy in places and we ran on the road when we could.  After Morrisons in Anniesland we were able to stretch out and run normally as the pavements were clear.  I left Donna a mile from her home to complete 14 and I carried on till 15miles in 2 hours 45mins.  My excuse for such a terribly slow time is the icy pavements, the hilly route and legs that felt like someone had swapped the out for lead piping - I think the Marcothon is beginning to make an impression on them now.  I don't think I kept up the big miles last year at the weekends when doing the same challenge but I am determined that I will this year - even if I have to go slow.

dam-n!

Tuesday I was determined I was not going on the treadmill.  It was so sunny too so I wanted to be out there but at minus 6 with ice on ice it wasn't safe locally!  Andrew was off too so we decided to try the dam!  The dam was lovely - getting to it and back from Esporta car park was more of a challenge than the Marcothon!! Our ankles twisted like a rollerball dyson over great chunks of ice trying to keep a running pace.  I felt like throwing a tantrum and turning back at least 3 times that first half mile.  But thank god the agony was worth it for the pleasant 3 flat, smoothish miles on soft snow round the dam. It was deserted too. Only 2 folk with cameras taking pictures of the beautiful sunset over the water.

Wednesday I found my very, very old trail shoes at the back of my running cupboard!! I think I got them in the late 80s to go hill running but never liked them much always preferring my normal well cushioned trainers.  I thought I'd have a look at the soles and was delighted to find they might provide some grip on the frozen roads.   Having dropped to minus 11 last night and not gone above freezing today I thought i'd first try them out on dog walk and if fit for purpose wear them running later. They were perfect!!

That didn't give me incentive to do more than the minimum 3 though as spending half of it running uphill is enough in this!! Although running with a bag of dog poop for half a mile was a bit of a risk!!  Must admit, while I like the absolute beauty of the snow and taking pics of the icicles and being stuck at home because work closed I do miss a good long run on proper terrain!!

as Scotland grinds to a halt....

...the marcothonians face more arduous conditions to run in!  The last 3 days have certainly been a challenge! On Saturday, running mate Joanne and I, set out for 10miles heading up towards WHW.  Joanne kept getting cramp in her calves and had to keep stopping to stretch - leaving me to run on and back. If I stop I get cold so I always keep on running!

Eventually I noticed that Joanne was running with her leggings open baring her calves to the lovely minus 11 degrees so in my opinion this is why she was getting cramp.  Since i had long socks. long leggings and leg warmers on I told her to zip up her leggings and gave her my leg warmers.  She said it did help and by God I noticed the difference without them!! I managed 10 but it was at a 12 min mile pace on the ice and slush - but happy I got out!

Sunday there had been a big freeze overnight so the broken up snow had frozen leaving icy roads and solid chunks of snow.   Running was extremely hard work.  The plan was to do 15miles with Donna and Joanne too!  As Joanne had hurt her ankle the day before we decided that Donna and I would run 3 with her down to Kilmardinny and back, then we would set off up the WHW for rest.  I took the dog so headed off in front. I slipped at one point on great big chunk of snow, twisting my ankle; though it seemed to ease after a while, I decided after 4 frustrating miles to call it quits for the day! I had done my marcothon minimum so at least I was happy about that.  Donna agreed to have a rest after that too.  After all we had been running 25-26 miles every weekend for last month or so - so it was okay for a lesser milage this weekend!!


Monday however the weather decided to get worse! Forty centimetres of snow fell in a few hours in morning and ground Scotland to a halt! Schools were closed and my work was even closed too! I had planned to run 3 so ventured out about 4ish with dog to find I was running in knee deep snow.  The plough hadn't got near our place and even the roads were totally covered in fresh snow.  After about a half mile running on and off I gave up and came home and resorted to 25 mins on the dreaded treadmill - or the dreadmill as Donna calls it!

Let's hope the snow is runnable on Tuesday!!!

Early days....

Yes it is only day3 of the Marcothon, but the last 2 days have been a bigger challenge than they needed to be when I woke on Thursday as if I'd been swallowing broken glass! Very disappointing to say the least since I was looking forward to a karaoke work do that evening and was told I had to get up there to get the party started. A total exhibitionist at heart I was in fear that my tonsillitis would turn into laryngitis and my attempt at pink would sound more like pinky and perky! And I was feeling anything but perky! A paracetamol and brufen later the pain was dulled enough to consider a lunchtime run. And still go to the karaoke if i managed the run!

We were also a foot deep in snow now on top of icy base so even more of a mad challenge. Still love my volmero trainers even in these sloppy conditions I feel I get good grip.

So off I set for 3 miles looping local hilly circuit. Not sure about which suited me best but comments from other walking pedestrians ranged from idiot to brave girl and a couple of colourful ones in between! Needless to say I never saw another runner en route nor any local marcothonian!

So 30m34s later I managed 3 slow miles but glad I hadn't wimped out of the Marcothon! And after face booking my achievements there was no way I could stay home that night! Needless to say I sang my heart out stone cold sober (was driving) as no one would get up so managed to creek out 3 songs before someone else was drunk, I mean brave enough to have a go! and then sang all the way home in the car too. Who cares if I don't have a voice tomorrow!

Day 3 was happy to find that my sore throat was not as sore as day before and had actually moved further down my oesophagus! Unbelievably I have never run through a cold before ( though I did run through chemotherapy so a cold should be nothing!) so not being any worse for wares after yesterday's capers I had no doubt I'd being doing my 3 miles. Andrew didn't get home till 4 and I finished my work just in time to join him. He's been working out at the gym lately and running everyday too (tho I don't think he has added his name to the marathon list yet) so he is now so much faster than me that he pulled away during out first circuit of three. Of course it didn't help that the dog stopped for a wee which means I had to jog on the spot while I watched andrew get further away till she finished! So glad I didn't take the watch as I didn't want to know how slow I was tonight! All I know was it was 3 miles exactly! And that'll do for me! Hopefully a wee half glass of Rose tonight will sooth the throat in time for my long weekend runs with my mara girls!

Marcothon 2010 - Day One

Yes it is that time on year again!! In fact, the last time I blogged here was the last day of the Marcothon 2009! Sorry about that folks! January was spent nursing my sick dog Molly [my wonderful 3 legged collie] who died on the 18th of the month and it took me a few weeks before I could run without crying never mind blogging!! Every route I had ever run, I had at least run it once with Molly. So you can imagine what a cathartic experience it was to run these routes without her! Luckily I had Andrew who would tell me to get on with it and Donna who would let me greet about her until I could greet no more!!  Thanks for putting up with me guys!!

In February we got Kira, a five-ish year old collie cross.  I was so looking forward to running with her but was disappointed to find we had a battle ahead!! After getting over kennel cough [which we got her with] and losing 6 kilos to get her back to normal weight, we discovered once she got her voice back she had dog to dog aggression and taking her on runs off lead [and even on] was more of a problem than it was worth!  So in desperation we got out a Dog Whisperer to visit.  And after a few weeks we had her joining us on runs.  I could not have done this alone so I thoroughly recommend Ewan for anyone with a dog behavioural problem.

Dog Whisperer - Scotland

Anyway I digress.  Just giving my excuses for why I didn't blog for such a while.  Other reason was I had no focus for running so I wasn't training properly; just going out when I felt like it and just for pleasure.  But knowing me I needed a focus so I entered the Edinburgh marathon for 2011 so I would have something to concentrate on.  And glad I did.  My 2 running buddies Donna and Joanne also decided to run it too so we could all train together! In fact more so I could coach them too! Might as well put that coaching qualification to some good use!

So to date this year has been about regular runs with some speed sessions but mainly long runs Saturdays and Sundays.  We are now up to 16 miles for our longest run and 11 on the other day. With a couple of short ones during week.  Till today!! Today it all changes as the Marcothon begins. This year there are a couple of hundred runners on the challenge! What have you Consanis started?? Check it out on Facebook. JOIN!

Marcothon on Facebook

Last year, I wasn't very brave as I did 3 miles most days. I think I did a couple of longer runs at weekends but near the end of the challenge I was getting lazy and was happy I was going out every day.  And wasn't running much before the challenge.  This year I intend to keep up the long weekend runs and feeling stronger because of the previous months.  Only ran 114 miles in November!

Strathblane 131110 Donna and I running DOWN Cuilt Brae!

And like last December, not only will the challenge be to run every day, we also have adverse weather conditions again!!  And while I can resort to the treadmill, I do not enjoy it! I'd much prefer being outside in the cool air!  Having successfully run 16 miles on Sunday in 6 inches of snow, I was happy to get back out there remembering from last year what it feels like underfoot.  So here is my report for the first day!


Marcothon - Day one: Snow laden Bearsden - only 2.9 miles - 25mins. i had to run a contorted route [to get the distance] to get car parked at station so i could go to a meeting at work in pm only to get back to find out it has been cancelled! on the bright side i can work at home for rest of day and i have completed day 1!! wooohooo! 


and yes comments i got ranged from brave to idiot!! A bit of both I suppose!!