tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249770652011-11-29T17:45:06.552ZScottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.comBlogger2751100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-88196493284821091872010-07-16T13:43:00.001+01:002011-11-29T17:45:06.559Z

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-59888082710524438802010-04-01T09:50:00.003+01:002010-04-01T09:53:17.623+01:00

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-8749026131653190622010-03-31T22:14:00.000+01:002010-03-31T22:14:52.326+01:00

White Bridge, Chatelherault by spartacles57 at Garmin Connect - Details

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-7500960561657635352010-03-28T08:05:00.001+01:002010-03-28T08:05:15.256+01:00

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-87255922544822572302010-03-28T07:59:00.001+01:002010-03-28T07:59:46.440+01:00

As it says.

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-65771020857871913882010-02-21T11:27:00.000Z2010-02-21T11:27:51.675Z

I think the ultrasound and the short massage I had on the injured area on Friday have helped because the pain isn't quite so sharp and constant now. I've also been doing the exercises I was given - honest. The main one is to try to loosen my hips and given that I'm not the most supple of people, I don't find it easy to do. Needs must though and I'm going to stick to the regime. Off to see The

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-10918857563223664392010-02-19T13:31:00.001Z2010-02-19T13:33:18.660Z

A predictable outcome to the visit to Emma in the Achilles Heel clinic in Glasgow this morning ... London is out. There are a few things going on but the shin pain is coming from a possible stress fracture in the lower tibia. The cure is rest, ice and stretching and it's going to take at least six weeks to get back to somewhere near "normal". At the same time as treating my shin, she's keen to

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-89415524222727905192010-02-18T13:32:00.003Z2010-02-18T13:35:45.252Z

How can it be that it's coming up for two weeks since I did whatever I've done to my leg and it's still just as sore - in fact even more sore later in the day? The nearest I've come to breaking into a run is when I've had to dash to cross the road or jump onto a tube. Just doing either of those things causes shooting pains in my shin. The thought of trying to run is not a comfortable one.

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-19869631148878022732010-02-15T14:23:00.000Z2010-02-15T14:23:12.969Z

A new viral ad from Asics, not yet on YouTube, otherwise I'd embed it here. Very nice.

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-72081797492801315802010-02-14T10:06:00.000Z2010-02-14T10:06:19.533Z

Like it says. It's been a week now and still lots of pain. Common sense is starting to tell me that London is receding over the horizon but never say never. I'm planning to see a physio at the end of this week for some advice, mostly for a realistic view of how long I can afford not to run and still make April 25 although my instinct is telling me that it won't be good news.

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-73256766483114915882010-02-11T17:18:00.001Z2010-02-11T17:19:25.135Z

This is the offending limb. It feels a bit easier today but it's still mighty sore and any thought of running is a distant one. I'm wondering now how much time I could afford to lose from a 16-week training schedule and still do the marathon. If I lost up to two weeks, I might just get away with it. Any more than that and I think I'd have to cut my losses and run. Or not, as the case may be.

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-80975937894239911922010-02-10T16:40:00.002Z2010-02-11T17:20:53.434Z

This sign is outside the lifts in the flats in London and I've been pondering it since the day I first saw it. It's this bit: "Disabled persons (people, surely?) should: 1. Remain calm at all times 2. Wait here until assistance arrives" Isn't that hugely condescending? Doesn't the bit about "remaining calm at all times" apply to everyone, not just disabled people - or is everyone else

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-91007219076810565492010-02-10T13:28:00.000Z2010-02-10T13:28:09.406Z

If I thought this injury was ever even remotely amusing (as if), it certainly isn't any longer. During Monday and yesterday I couldn't feel where the centre of the pain was coming from. All I knew was that it was very painful even when walking and more so when bending my foot upwards from the ankle, tightening the muscle on the lower front of my shin. My hope was it was a muscle injury rather

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-80557483500268974392010-02-09T06:54:00.000Z2010-02-09T06:54:09.633Z

Lower right shin. Very painful even to walk on, never mind run. A few days of enforced rest then I'll see how it goes.

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-258557262594556322010-02-07T22:09:00.001Z2010-02-07T22:13:16.548Z

We came second again. A good day out though.

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-76806539349979452982010-02-06T17:16:00.005Z2010-02-06T17:47:22.806Z

This was the best run I've had in training for London and probably a fair bit before that too. The miles flew in - 9.19mi average across the 14.1 and 8.12mi for the last one, which was up the side of Strathclyde Loch to the Boathouse. I did have a familiar companion for part of the way, a grumpy right achilles, but it was no more than that and certainly not a huge hindrance. Was today's

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-40565992381313379792010-02-05T08:53:00.007Z2010-02-05T09:09:00.041Z

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-73333381916023210222010-02-04T20:27:00.002Z2010-02-04T20:32:43.729Z

A peculiar run tonight. I thought my legs would be heavy but they turned out not to be.To be more accurate, they weren't exactly sprightly but neither were they like lumps of lead.I can't get my bearings around Jordanhill, Great Western Road, Anniesland in the dark so I'll have to study the Garmin map to see exactly where I did go.Wherever, I misjudged the distance on the way back and ended up

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-8347127611558881482010-02-03T21:48:00.000Z2010-02-03T21:48:27.195Z

It's returned, but fortunately not until after I'd done just over six miles tonight. A few wee flakes fell while I was out but it didn't start properly until mid-evening, by which time I was in Glasgow. BMWs are useless in the snow, trust me.

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-38110805666188578242010-02-02T20:53:00.000Z2010-02-02T20:53:57.139Z

Now that we're into the second month of the year and more importantly, there are only 11 weeks to go until the London Marathon, I thought I'd resurrect this dusty old blog. So far, the training has been going well with only the expected niggles arising - my right achilles and a bit of pain in the right knee when going over 10 miles. No showstoppers, just irritations. I'm still struggling to

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-58060574256248562922010-01-29T20:02:00.004Z2010-01-29T20:06:10.848Z

This image shows leg four of the race this year. A bit more hilly than last year, which is below. Sadly I forgot to start my watch this year so the time above isn't accurate. The official time was 36.27.

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-83459804120102524412008-12-28T17:34:00.002Z2008-12-28T17:37:24.810Z

Tinto profile Originally uploaded by Sparks57 I’ve never done a run with a profile like this one.Well, perhaps “run” isn’t the most accurate description. Perhaps “run/walk/scramble” would be more accurate.This is Tinto Hill in South Lanarkshire, which I set out to run as much as was possible along with one other person from Motherwell AC (who had me well and truly beaten long before the

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-17316110704715864662008-12-27T12:14:00.001Z2008-12-27T12:14:12.641Z

3 x 1k efforts Originally uploaded by Sparks57 It was -5 degrees when I left the house at 8.45am to do this club session. Beautiful but absolutely baltic.I was first at the meeting point so I had a wee warm-up . No kidding, it really was absolutely freezing cold.The course was part of the Bellshll Golf Club fartlek run, also known as "The Rollercoaster" because it's so undulating. Correct

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-74109759435297190322008-12-24T19:29:00.003Z2008-12-24T19:32:38.718Z

Sometimes, you just know when something isn't right and no sooner had I pressed the button to enter the Berlin Marathon, I suspected it wasn't the right thing to have done.I'd had this hankering after doing Amsterdam again, just to see how I could fare over the same course and after at least a day of mulling it over, Holland has won out.So, after a 180 degrees handbrake turn, it's Amsterdam 2009,

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-76502802050807443902008-12-23T20:30:00.004Z2008-12-23T20:38:25.965Z

So nice to be back on home soil!Tonight's MAC session was the Figure of 8s on Hamilton Sports Ground. One effort of 0.52 of a mile at faster than 10k race pace with 90secs to two mins recovery followed by an effort of 0.35 of a mile. This repeated three times.First long effort ave pace - 6.24mi; first shorter effort ave pace - 6.14mi; 2nd - 6.15mi/6.15mi; 3rd - 6.21mi/6.11mi.Splits: 3.21, 1.34,

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-65882509331408112032008-12-22T10:49:00.002Z2008-12-22T10:52:45.501Z

Now how did that happen?There I was, just idly musing about having done more than 1,000 miles this year and the next thing I've entered the Berlin Marathon 2009!I must have been sleep-surfing or been suffering from some such medical condition.Sunday September 20 is the date, which means another summer of marathon training and that suits me fine.It'll be good to have the focus while working in

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-78851082037396249942008-12-21T13:59:00.001Z2008-12-21T13:59:08.700Z

Hilly run Originally uploaded by Sparks57 This was the run that saw me go through 1,000 miles in 2008 and it's a pity it was such an inauspicious event.We set out from Kirkfieldbank and within the first mile we'd tackled a serious hill in the form of a road up into Lanark.Then into the trails and an undulating route to New Lanark and back.I was drained very early on because of the cold,

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-61502554268253343582008-12-20T11:04:00.001Z2008-12-20T11:04:12.067Z

Highgate Originally uploaded by Sparks57 This is the first chance in three weeks that I've had to take the data off the Garmin - so this is what the Highgate run looks like.The lovely hill is at two miles and it really is a test of stamina. Very good practice for our friend, the Devil's Burden, in Fife next month.Very much looking forward to tomorrow morning's New Lanark run.

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-15476580126121696872008-12-19T12:24:00.002Z2008-12-19T12:28:11.471Z

It is indeed. But last night I hauled myself away from work and went to Camden for what I thought was going to be a track session.It turned out to be a slow Highgate run, which at 1hr 08mins was the slowest of the three times I've done it - and that was just fine by me.This bloody cold (not man-flu, I won't sink into that) is lingering on and is a pain in the nose.Home tonight for the first time

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-68413274075819289742008-12-11T11:00:00.002Z2008-12-11T11:04:55.795Z

A chilly night of intervals round Royal Victoria dock.Six x 400m at something like 10k pace with a mile on either side. My legs were a bit heavy from the previous night's run and the onset of a cold, which is a real pain in the arse. Or a pain in the head, to be more accurate.Splits: 10.08 1.48 1.09 1.46 1.08 1.44 1.09 1.44 1.07 1.42 1.15 1.42 1.55 9.21

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-59550691922873248762008-12-10T12:42:00.001Z2008-12-10T12:42:49.149Z

Sunny London day Originally uploaded by Sparks57 Walking along the Thames on the way to a meeting and it's a beautiful, cold day. There are loads and loads of runners outsnd I'm extremely jealous!I guess some of them are starting to train for the London Marathon in April. Others will be out just because it's a good route. There's a race going on as well. Looks like a lunchtime time trial,

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-92061967180142262552008-12-09T22:59:00.003Z2008-12-09T23:13:34.538Z

First run in exactly a week tonight and it went fine. I think the psychologists call it "slaying the dragon" or "facing the demons" ... after a bad experience, don't turn your back on it. Like falling off a bike, get back on as quickly as possible and go like the clappers. Last week's run wasn't quite that bad but I can't really think of a redeeming feature. Anyway, tonight I took it much

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-3739528502246660582008-12-09T12:13:00.002Z2008-12-09T12:14:51.415Z

More European behaviour Originally uploaded by Sparks57 A top weekend just past.Saturday was a 6.40am start from St Pancras, a station of stunning architecture, to Paris Gare du Nord.Have to say that I was knocked out by the exchange rate - £1 = €1.03! Bloody hell, that's way down even from Brussels a fortnight ago.A nice lunch was intended to be the focus of our day trip and so it turned

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-58782114137410469262008-12-05T14:00:00.005Z2008-12-24T09:19:06.689Z

It's a sunny, chilly Friday afternoon in west London and it's now the best part of three days since my last run. Shoddy, I know.I pondered whether or not to train last night but decided not to. I reckon a couple of days off running won't do me any harm and my quads are still a bit stiff from the hill exertions.I had a nice evening on Wednesday in a Turkish restaurant at London Bridge, followed by

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-51377684489030685622008-12-02T23:06:00.004Z2008-12-03T07:14:29.218Z

I was looking forward to tonight's run in north London. In the end, I was just glad to finish it. I did the longer of the two Tuesday night runs, Highgate, which turned out to be 7.48 miles on the Garmin. The choice was to go with a group doing c.7mi or one doing about 8.30mi. The first was too fast, the second too slow but I thought I'd go with the first and hang off the back. I wish!From the

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-78729465743244436412008-12-01T07:06:00.002Z2008-12-01T07:14:07.519Z

The walls between the berths (cabins) on the sleeper trains going to and from London are very thin. They don't have sound-proofing.How do I know this? Because the fellow traveller in coach K, 5/6, had an electronic device that regularly played about 20 seconds of drum and bass all night. The same 20 seconds. Over and over. I've no idea why. I'm trying hard to love the sleeper, really I am. It's

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-44179652831639608712008-11-30T11:24:00.004Z2008-11-30T17:08:04.693Z

I'm posting this as a reminder of what I look like with a 0 guard clipper.It was perishing when we went out for our 10 miles at 8.45am. The temp was -4c!Thank goodness for my Nike skullcap. The run itself was grand. Total time, 1hr 31mins, ave. pace 9.06mi.

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-53135457629690055032008-11-29T21:57:00.001Z2008-11-29T21:57:40.617Z

Coffee Originally uploaded by Sparks57 Aside from running in new places, there are of course advantages to being in continental Europe.I have a vice for strong coffee, particularly when drunk with red wine. Or is it the other way round?Whatever, there was a certain civility about it in Brussels and it would have been very rude not to have joined in.When in Belgium ... and all that.

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-50275287470219723462008-11-29T21:40:00.001Z2008-11-29T21:40:10.577Z

Brussels run Originally uploaded by Sparks57 This was it - 4.98 miles in the centre of a very chilly Brussels on Tuesday November 25.I walked from the hotel right beside the European Parliament's Berleymont building and scoped out the route the night before.I wasn't alone in running round the park. Other runners were doing a similar route. It's great running in foreign cities. It's a good

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-46852428041643822712008-11-29T20:28:00.013Z2008-11-29T21:04:22.753Z

The end of the year always brings a spell of reflection and this year is no different.I've run two races in the past week and both have brought significant PBs, which caused me to consider the last few months in particular.In all, I've recorded personal bests at 3k, 5k, 10k and marathon. Undoubtedly the highlight was sub-4hrs in Amsterdam - even if it was by just one second.But the 43.27 at

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-32419734081621165702008-05-26T18:46:00.001+01:002008-05-26T18:47:34.431+01:00

Two miles with S, out and back from the house.That's the kind of run that'll be squeezed in from here on to get the mileage up.Nice and sunny to boot!

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-86784494133225390572008-05-26T12:15:00.001+01:002008-05-26T12:15:58.084+01:00

Edinburgh Marathon Originally uploaded by Sparks57 Not a run as such, well not for me anyway, but worthy of writing about.This was the first time I'd volunteered to help at an event and it was a great experience.I was at relay changeover points 2 and 3 in Port Seton, which was at the half-way mark on the way out and about 22 miles on the way back.I saw blood, sweat, tears and a whole lot

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-25744496933675434632008-05-24T20:11:00.004+01:002008-05-24T20:18:56.634+01:00

Four days after my last run, I finally managed to get out today. It's just been that kind of week.I did a wee warm-up in the park before A. and I set out for an eight-mile run up to Chatelherault and back.After doing eight last weekend, I had 10 in mind but settled for nine with negative splits most of the way.1. 8.542. 9.033. 10.224. 9.395. 8.536. 8.307. 8.428. 8.369. 7.42Two runs in a week,

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-48743970092111562062008-05-19T21:10:00.002+01:002008-05-19T21:13:14.181+01:00

After running on Saturday (and a huge pizza shared with S last night), I had to get out tonight.Mr B and I hit the streets of Glasgow and ended up doing 7.48 miles, which was about 1.5 miles longer than we'd originally intended to do.I thoroughly enjoyed it although I can't say he did.There's a bit of jip in my right knee which is probably just the effects of two long-ish runs in three days.A

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-38330392311314564702008-05-18T16:40:00.003+01:002008-05-18T16:43:59.667+01:00

This week's runs finished with an easy-paced but hilly eight miles from Newtonhill towards Cookney. Four out and four back.It fulfilled a small ambition of mine, which was to run down the cliff path, along the beach and back up the other side.I think it was at about six miles that I started to feel a blister on my right instep, which feels like it's been caused by a very slight ridge in the

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-11632131222041557362008-05-15T23:07:00.003+01:002008-05-15T23:11:49.338+01:00

Two on Tuesday and two today.The morning runs with S and her group are settling down into a pattern, which is good.Tuesday evening was a 6 x 400m intervals run along Dalziel and tonight's was a three-mile out and three back along the same route.My legs were very heavy, perhaps a result of the fartlek this morning in Victoria Park (the word greatly amused the children!).The Nikes are settling in

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-10803475984297425852008-05-10T19:50:00.003+01:002008-05-10T19:52:15.400+01:00

Today's effort really was a plod. A shade over six miles round Chatelherault in 1hr.Little to be said for it other than the cause of the slowness was a sore head.It took the week's tally to 18.6 miles, which won't change because I'm not running tomorrow.

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-43191969661298309432008-05-08T20:44:00.002+01:002008-05-08T20:48:59.429+01:00

Another two runs today, the first again with S and the bairns - 1.75 miles in total from the school to Victoria Park and back.It's a real joy to get out first thing in the morning with the sun beating down. S reckoned it was very reminiscent of AMI! I wish.Not such a great run after work. I headed up from PQ to Kelvingrove Park but I felt very hot and heavy all the way there and back (3.92 miles)

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-41220229706334899202008-05-07T00:23:00.002+01:002008-05-07T00:27:01.414+01:00

It was a beautiful morning and I was really glad to get out in the sunshine with S and her running group into Victoria Park.There were 10 of them and it was a good chance to put into practice some of what I learned at the Level One coaching course on Saturday - so much so that S noticed and asked me if I'd been taught about motivation and encouragement.Answer - yes!That worked out at a total of

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-39501616327825148572008-05-05T09:43:00.001+01:002008-05-05T09:44:20.816+01:00

Btw, I was 809th overall out of about 8,500 runners so just inside the top 10%.That can't be bad, can it?

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-10947387418675900402008-05-04T19:35:00.007+01:002008-05-04T20:58:41.141+01:00

Here it is ... 47.35 and I'm happy enough with that. The miles went: 1 = 7.04; 2 = 6.59, 3 = 7.09, 4 = 8.30 (can you tell where the hill was in Holyrood Park?), 5 = 7.36, 6 = 8.11 (Cowgate + Grassmarket, still uphill), 0.32 = 2.27.Yes, that last figure is correct. At least that's what my Garmin measured. Whatever, I had a good run and I reckon that's about right for where I am at the moment.The

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-67612622451330296182008-05-02T07:45:00.003+01:002008-05-02T07:53:30.661+01:00

Another two runs today, the first with S and her super-speedy classmates.I didn't wear the Garmin for this but it was about two miles, starting from the school and into Victoria Park for a km dash then back to the school.It was looking like a nice evening so AB and I went for what was billed as a "very slow" four or five along the River Clyde but actually turned into a rather faster return

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-24297472496244178022008-04-29T23:59:00.002+01:002008-04-30T00:02:41.163+01:00

Felt a bit stiff after Sunday's guest run and I was determined to get out this morning so I went with S and her pals to Victoria Park.They went off back to school and I stayed in the park to do a mile warm-up, followed by three miles - 7.31, 7.40 and 7.48 - with quarter mile recoveries in between.I finished with a half-mile jog back to the car. All in all, 6.7 miles, which was just fine.Still a

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-33518540109997408612008-04-28T07:40:00.002+01:002008-04-28T07:43:40.263+01:00

This was the club's April guest run yesterday, which took place on a warm, sunny day - the kind of day that makes you say: "This is why we run!"We started in Bellahouston Park and went into Pollok Park, then round some of the trails in the middle of the latter park, and back to where we started.All in all, 7.34 miles and conducted at a very stately pace which is how it should be on a day like

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-27663016692620848572008-04-23T06:57:00.002+01:002008-04-23T06:59:52.974+01:00

Out twice on Tuesday. The first was with S and others for a fast mile round Victoria Park, which was good fun.The second was a fartlek in the evening round a midgie-infested Dalziel, which wasn't so much fun.That all accounted for just over nine miles.A bit of a niggle in the shins. All very familiar.

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-87981696173906854722008-04-20T22:17:00.001+01:002008-04-20T22:17:19.934+01:00

A late afternoon 4.08 miles.I thought about going a bit further but decided against because the route I'd taken would have meant going up a bloody big hill.Total miles for the week - just under 27.

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-12234861613857114342008-04-19T09:39:00.004+01:002008-04-19T09:44:23.795+01:00

A 4.34 miles run from the house and back in an attempt to push up the week's mileage a bit more. That makes just under 23 since Monday. As an additional bit of inspiration, I've been sorting out my past race numbers. They're my souvenirs, something I always keep and write a note of the race, the time and the conditions.Given that I live in a hi-tech world, I've scanned them all and put them here

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-58197909009602996882008-04-18T19:58:00.000+01:002008-04-18T19:59:14.566+01:00

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-27100236222852928472008-04-18T07:54:00.005+01:002008-04-18T08:34:08.366+01:00

The lighter nights bring more options for evening runs during the week and last night was a 5.4 miles spin round Chatelherault.I was pleasantly surprised to find myself running with JH although I'm sure he was being kind to me.Always a source of encouragement, he offers sage words if the going gets a bit hard.We ended up covering the distance in 43 minutes, not lightning speed but continuing to

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-39766768630091468532008-04-16T08:23:00.003+01:002008-04-18T08:40:42.722+01:00

Had a really good session last night. After a couple of miles up and down the side of Strathclyde Loch, we did half km efforts with half km recoveries right round the loch.I managed to keep the efforts to within 1.55 and 2.05 all the way and kept up with the back of the leading pack so I'm happy with that.Just the very slightest hint of tenderness in my left mid-shin, which is troubling but not

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-71728300111997228852008-04-14T19:27:00.002+01:002008-04-14T19:42:50.767+01:00

The sun shone today ... has summer arrived?Having missed the Tom Scott on Sunday because of a late night and a pretty ropey head, guilt got the better of me today.After parting with another ridiculous sum of money to replace a tyre - the second in six weeks - I had a nice run from Bellahouston Leisure Centre into Pollok Park.I thought I was being oh so clever and went along the White Cart Way

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-37199023661546352992008-04-10T14:17:00.002+01:002008-04-10T14:22:08.845+01:00

... since my last post. The main reason I'm writing now is because I have some time and I want to put down a bit of a running marker.Over the last couple of months, I've been managing to get out fairly regularly and have seen my times improving.Grangemouth in February wasn't a happy occasion and since then I've resolved to knuckle down.The Welcome the World 5k a couple of weekends ago was an

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-60017922971910436442008-01-13T09:59:00.001Z2008-01-13T13:40:49.853Z

It's been a good week for running.I didn't manage out until Thursday night, when AB and I did the Ravenscraig run at a fairly easy pace.Most significantly though, it was probably the longest run I'd done for a couple of months - just under eight miles.No problems with the knee but as a precaution, I'm wrapping it in a Vulkan ice pack after every run.Friday was a big day because we entered the

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-36759039037500064462008-01-02T21:32:00.001Z2008-01-02T21:33:21.144Z

Round Bellshill Originally uploaded by Sparks57 I guess my motivation is returning!This was today's plod at a relatively glacial pace ... a total of 5.7 miles.Much more importantly, my knee was fine throughout. There were only the slightest twinges from it.I must admit that it's been a bit achey since then but nothing that feels too bad.I'm aiming for another run on Friday or more likely,

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-32790651279049692642007-12-31T17:23:00.001Z2007-12-31T18:32:34.704Z

I'm coming out of the deep freeze because it's the last day of 2007 so it's a time for reflection, but I'll stick to thoughts about running.For the best part of the last two months, I've felt very negative about running and as a result I've done barely 10 miles a week, if that.The main problem has been my right knee, which has caused that vicious circle of: pain=reluctance to run=being unhappy

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-14354990048766309382007-12-19T19:02:00.000Z2007-12-19T19:03:48.730Z

No, I haven't forgotten about this blog but there's been an awful lot of stuff going on elsewhere.For anyone who cares to look, I'm going to put it into cold storage for the time being.Maybe I'll come back at some point in the future.Adios!

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-6565337498052201982007-12-06T00:35:00.001Z2007-12-06T00:37:36.413Z

As much as I love the Mac and Apple's clean-cut look, I keep coming back to my Blogger account.There's something strangely addictive about its ease of use. Pity I can't take its features across to Apple and bind them together.Anyway, it's been a long evening writing a document for work so that'll do for now.Got the Sunday Mail Sporting Heros dinner tonight so that should be a good evening.

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-48203443937204175542007-12-05T07:30:00.000Z2007-12-05T07:32:46.235Z

And that's because I'm fiddling around trying to figure out whether to keep a blog going a) at all and b) if I do, whether or not to move to the Mac blog here.Shiny, minimal ... all the Apple stuff we love.Answers on a postcard please.

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-80406187767715865032007-11-25T22:25:00.001Z2007-11-25T22:25:59.101Z

Allan Wells and I Originally uploaded by Sparks57 After weeks, if not months, of hard work, our club's annual prize-giving ceremony took place on Friday night.The common consensus was that it went really well. The star attraction on the night was Allan Wells and it was fascinating to hear some of the psychology he applied during his successful competitive years.We'd all hoped that his

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-60383144520535016282007-11-18T16:52:00.001Z2007-11-18T16:52:48.632Z

SAL awards dinner Originally uploaded by Sparks57 Mrs Coyle, imbibing in wine at the awards dinner last night.It was at the Marriott Hotel in Glasgow and began shortly after Scotland exited from the European Championship qualifiers, going down 1-2 against Italy.I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. We had to leave home with about 20 minutes to go and I still haven't see the Italians'

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-29291931954877825452007-11-17T16:07:00.000Z2007-11-17T16:08:04.289Z

Great new campaign with assistance from the makers of Creature Comforts

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-29513992193089433592007-11-16T18:57:00.000Z2007-11-16T19:13:19.107Z

Thank goodness (not quite the word I'd like to use) it's Friday. It feels like it's been a super-long week but it's not over yet. I'm now on call for a week for the whole newsroom so fingers crossed there isn't a major incident.The Peter Tobin story is rumbling on after the discovery of a second body at the house in Kent. The story's been a huge legal challenge all week such that the Contempt of

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-32299908278020825192007-11-11T17:15:00.000Z2007-11-11T17:42:52.975Z

So I took the plunge and bought an iPhone. Sad? Geeky? Couldn't care less! It works for me.One thing though, I didn't queue for hours for mine. There were a few folk waiting outside the O2 store at Glasgow Fort but it only took about 10 minutes to get in and out. I'd gone into the Carphone Warehouse there but their chip and pin system crashed at 6pm. There was no sign of it working 15 minutes

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-66512435451439692572007-11-09T07:52:00.001Z2007-11-09T07:54:20.379Z

2014 Commonwealth Games announcement at lunchtime and the iPhone out at 6.02pm.Which is the more eagerly anticipated?The former - no doubt about it. Come on you Glesca!Will I still be using an iPhone in 2014? Doubt it.That nice Kirsty in the O2 shop in Hamilton has put one under the counter for me. Such a charmer!!!

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-24212735704199728602007-11-07T09:03:00.001Z2007-11-07T09:09:53.548Z

The news from the right knee is not good.I decided against doing the club time trial last night because I hadn't run since a week past last Friday. I thought the best plan was to do a few miles on the treadmill in the Boathouse.I did about 4.5 miles and the knee wasn't really sore, just a bit "twingy".Unfortunately, by the time I got home it was bloody killing me and really hurt going up and down

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-33133488669767378692007-11-04T08:35:00.001Z2007-11-04T08:35:12.859Z

Gruesome twosome Originally uploaded by Sparks57 This was Sophie and Fiona on Friday night.There was a Halloween party in the street and we'd all been invited. Unfortunately, I felt like shit all through the afternoon and by the time I got home it was enough to lie down and go to sleep. That was me for the night.I had half a mind on Saturday because I had a Scottish Athletics awayday in

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-71333956681505689362007-10-31T19:18:00.000Z2007-10-31T19:54:02.009Z

This bloody cough! I don't know if it's the result of a delayed post-marathon lowering of my immune system, the time of year or perhaps a combination of them both but I've been feeling less than 100% with a buggy-type thing."Man-flu?", Fiona asked yesterday. "Perish the thought", came the answer.Talking of yesterday, I was in London to learn how to deliver the new Safeguarding Trust session which

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-24463670440489234402007-10-27T16:55:00.001+01:002007-10-27T16:55:21.996+01:00

Glasgow Green 3k Originally uploaded by Sparks57 This was a lung-bursting effort!It was the second of three 3K lunchtime races on Glasgow Green organised by Run-4-It.I did it in 12mins 52 secs, was very pleasing given that I'm still within three weeks of having done the marathon. I must admit to having heavy legs by the last kilometre though.This on top of two quite hard runs earlier in

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-41183336565577416932007-10-24T19:53:00.000+01:002007-10-24T19:54:15.334+01:00

Just can't get enough of them!

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-82827382554961842022007-10-24T19:49:00.001+01:002007-10-24T19:49:35.894+01:00

Building on fire? Originally uploaded by Sparks57 No, they're not real flames. The sun was setting and someone in the office spotted its reflection in the Skypark building across the river beside the Clydeside Expressway.Our building has inner and outer windows so the picture I took has a very slight reflection from the inside of the outer window but you get the idea anyway.A quick

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-4925877459835458492007-10-21T12:25:00.000+01:002007-10-21T12:35:24.000+01:00

This was a good afternoon out at Drumpellier Park yesterday for the Lanarkshire Road Relays.We entered three men's teams and three women's teams along with a good number of young members who ran in their age groups.One of the women's teams came third and the boys' under-11s won bronze medals as well.Each of the seniors' legs was 2.5 miles so I was aiming for seven minute miles, which would have

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-9279071713850786022007-10-20T09:52:00.000+01:002007-10-20T09:57:18.425+01:00

I was watching the France v Argentina RWC match last night and it included what must qualify as one of the most bone-crunching tackles ever seen in a game of rugby.This time though, it was Sebastian Chabal who was on the receiving end of it!The Argentinian player knocked him backwards horizontally and put him on the deck - then proceeded to be yellow-carded for his sins!Anyone who's ever stepped

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-59203874589270562802007-10-19T11:13:00.000+01:002007-10-19T11:22:03.713+01:00

Great news ... we've been able to tell people today that Allan Wells will be Motherwell AC's guest-of-honour at our club prize-giving ceremony next month.It's a bit of a coup for a club of our size and I really hope it goes down well with everyone.The event will come after we find out about the 2014 Commonwealth Games so if, as expected, Glasgow wins, it'll raise interest in athletics even

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-68352059971032097822007-10-17T17:36:00.000+01:002007-10-17T17:42:20.336+01:00

I took the plunge last night and had my first post-marathon run.Very enjoyable - 5.07 miles round Hamilton with the club at a very stately pace. There was a slight irritation in my right achilles but in every respect it was a good feeling to stretch my legs again.I've said I'll consider taking part in the relays at Drumpellier Park this Saturday but I'm going to leave it until Saturday morning to

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-15113513794545741392007-10-15T20:32:00.001+01:002007-10-15T20:32:11.091+01:00

Rush in Manchester Originally uploaded by Sparks57 The picture's not fantastic but it was the best I could do with my Blackberry. It was another great night but Glasgow edged it for me for two reasons.One, Glasgow is "home" so seeing Rush here was a much better experience.Second, the sound during part of the first set in Manchester was definitely a bit dodgy. It sounded like there was an

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-31439785397416642722007-10-14T18:10:00.001+01:002007-10-14T18:10:42.822+01:00

City Inn, Manchester Originally uploaded by Sparks57 No, this isn't them. Obviously.This is the lovely iMac in our room at the City Inn in Manchester, where we're going to see Rush tonight. In less than two hours in fact.Funny to think that by the end of today, I'll have seen Rush twice, run a marathon AND seen Scotland play fantastically at Hampden!!!One thing I'll be doing is going back

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-10382609832072312952007-10-14T08:10:00.000+01:002007-10-14T08:12:07.399+01:00

Hampden yesterday (Scotland 3, Ukraine 1), Manchester today to see Rush tonight.Marvellous!

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-47256055576329824912007-10-09T07:46:00.000+01:002007-10-09T07:59:06.836+01:00

Also known as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. It usually occurs on the second day after a hard race. Thankfully I'm okay this morning, possibly because of the swim I had yesterday.I'm paying a lot of attention to my right knee because that's where the real annoyance came from after the marathon in 2006. So far it's quiet and long may it stay that way.I've had more time to mull over Sunday and I

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-28264057076700230282007-10-08T09:00:00.001+01:002007-10-08T09:00:27.946+01:00

Loch Ness Marathon Originally uploaded by Sparks57 So, that's that then. My second marathon down and an altogether much more enjoyable experience than the first one.The stats first. My time was 4.19.46, which is some way off the four hours I've targetted for two years. My overall position was 923rd out of about 2,300 runners and I was 247th in M40+ category.The weather was great for

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-52919269296863446872007-10-05T11:20:00.001+01:002007-10-05T11:20:52.343+01:00

Rush Originally uploaded by Sparks57 I'm not sure what Alex, Geddy and Neil could have done on Wednesday night that would have prompted anything other than words like "awesome", "amazing" and "breathtaking" so you wouldn't expect anything less from me.And you won't get anything less.It was just a stunning night from start to finish. For me there's a whole emotional tie to Rush because I

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-42603008761494994672007-10-03T17:58:00.000+01:002007-10-03T17:59:32.031+01:00

One of their greatest tracks

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-58587918430595932812007-10-03T10:55:00.000+01:002007-10-03T10:56:55.438+01:00

The SECC is shrouded in mist and low cloud. It's raining.Do I care?Nope.Am I thinking about Sunday?Nope (I wish).Am I thinking about this evening?Yep.

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-78988636835574379312007-10-02T14:03:00.000+01:002007-10-02T14:05:25.632+01:00

"For the words of the prophets were written on the studio walls ... Concert halls ...". Spirit of Radio, Permanent Waves (1980). With a day to go before the Rush concert, I feel like I'm regressing to my teenage years. I well remember being awed by Rush the first time I saw them, which was at the old Apollo Theatre in Renfield Street, Glasgow, on the Permanent Waves tour in 1980. I'd bunked

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-21083370808961012252007-09-30T23:11:00.001+01:002007-09-30T23:27:59.886+01:00

Here's a question which truly mystifies me.When people get into a lift, why do they insist on pressing a button for a floor, even when they can see that it's already been pressed? Is it because they don't think it's been pressed hard enough? That it might not have been pressed at all - and the fact that it's illuminated might be a malfunction?I say this because I noticed this trait of human

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-73445608392854163112007-09-28T08:17:00.001+01:002007-09-28T08:17:49.927+01:00

Icy morning Originally uploaded by Sparks57 This was the view at 6.30am yesterday morning from the back of our house. The light was very low and I had to get the wee tripod out to steady the camera and stop it blurring.If I was going to be really arty about it, I'd say that I thought the plane's vapour trail adds a certain "something" to the picture.Anyway, all that nonsense apart, the

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-31431792290112397072007-09-25T12:50:00.000+01:002007-09-25T13:06:45.617+01:00

My nerves are starting to jangle, that familiar feeling of nervous anticipation ahead of a big event.I haven't had an adverse reaction to Sunday's race, which is a blessing.I'm planning to do a fast-ish intervals session this evening either, probably on the Hamilton sports grounds. The pathways there are level and good to run on.On a more practical note, I confirmed our rooms with the guest house

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-33287227767188991172007-09-23T14:04:00.001+01:002007-09-23T14:04:31.787+01:00

St Andrews Hospice 10k Originally uploaded by Sparks57 This was a really good run this morning, I was extremely happy with it.My left achilles, which has been giving me most grief, was absolutely fine and so was my right knee. No pain at all.The last three runs I've done have been with the gel heel pads in my shoes so maybe they're having an effect.Yet again though, a faster run seems to

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-5107476986629274132007-09-21T12:07:00.001+01:002007-09-21T12:12:39.388+01:00

PM talking Originally uploaded by Sparks57 I tried to find the time to write this post last night but there was the small matter of a run to do and a Motherwell AC committee meeting to attend so here we are now.Yesterday was quite a day, with the official opening of Pacific Quay.For security reasons, we weren't allowed to say until about mid-morning that the prime minister would be doing

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-83895521521471388102007-09-19T18:45:00.000+01:002007-09-19T18:53:20.648+01:00

Heathrow, waiting for the 7.25pm flight to Glasgow.Being back in London always reminds me of why I wouldn't be falling over myself to live here again.Far, far, far too much hassle even just trying to get from one place to another. I'll take the queues on the M8 during rush-hour any time.I didn't run today despite taking my stuff with me. I'm really not sure how confident I feel, even in doing a

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24977065.post-76526545822696088212007-09-18T18:16:00.001+01:002007-09-18T18:16:19.218+01:00

London Originally uploaded by Sparks57 I think a change of tack is probably needed on this blog.I'm prone to write factual accounts of what I've been doing but I steer well clear of work things and the reasons for that are probably obvious.There are times when a bit more expression might make it a more interesting read for anyone who's taking a break from slapping a few coats of vinyl on

Scottish Free Bikershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05943143446788702832noreply@blogger.com0