Mey 10k to double as district championship
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
ORGANISERS of the Castle of Mey 10K got an additional boost this week as they secured the hosting of the North District 10K championships for 2013.
This is the first time that the North Highland Harriers (NHH) have hosted a district event and is proof once again of the high standard of the course and organisation of the event.
This championship will run in conjunction with the 10K with all Scottish Athletics affiliated runners eligible to compete for district medals in three age categories: seniors (up to 34-years-old on race day), masters (35-44) and masters (45 and over).
With only 45 places left in the race, it is hoped the district tie-up will attract more runners from clubs throughout the Highlands and Islands.
Preparations are now at the halfway stage for the 10K for newer runners who have been following the training schedule on the NHH website.
This will see them completing the first phase of the training and turning now to sometimes running out of their comfort zone.
As they make this transition there are several key points to remember:
* Do not judge yourself by what others are doing: you alone need to determine if you are satisfied with where you are in your training.
* Listen to your body: just because there is a session due to be done on a specific day, does not mean it has to take place if you are not up to it.
* The best progress is made in small steps.
* Running out of your comfort zone is about an increase in pace relative to how fast you can run. It is not about 100 per cent for the first rep and then 50 per cent for the rest; 60-70% for all is the best approach.
There are lots of people out on the streets running and many personal goals being achieved as Caithness prepares itself for this year’s event. If you are struggling to get up and running, remember it is not too late to get prepared for May 12.
In our latest spotlight on some of those who are taking part, we focus on NHH chairperson Sandy Christie and club member John Harper.
John Harper
Age and occupation – 40ish. Engineering manager at Dounreay.
What type of runner would you class yourself as? Beginner/ experienced/ elite? I guess I would class myself as experienced as I used to run a lot when I was younger. I stopped for several years and took it back up again three years ago. They say you never lose it, yeah that’s right!
Why did you choose the Castle of Mey 10K? Initially it was the challenge. I wanted to see if I could still actually run 6.2 miles, which by the way isn’t nearly as daunting as it may look, but you have to train.
What attracted you most to the event? As I said initially, it was my personal challenge but this will be my third time and now I think it is more about the event itself and the build-up to it. I love that the streets of Wick and Thurso are crammed with people out training and getting fit for the race. On race day there is always a great atmosphere. Anticipation for the runners who all have very different targets and reasons for taking part. Because it is in Caithness, families and friends can come along and cheer them on and that’s a great feeling. So it’s the camaraderie among the runners and that this is an event for the community of Caithness where the people come out and support it. Just no more wind this year please.
How has your training been going? It’s going well, although my running partner thinks we are too slow. Last year was tough as I picked up a few injuries in the build-up to the race and really struggled. So far – touch wood – things are going well. My distance is building slowly, and so is the speed but don’t tell my running partner.
Any funny stories relating to training/racing you have done previously? Oh lots and lots – most not printable in this paper. Grannies with walking sticks comes to mind, but we won’t bother with any details on that. I guess like most runners you get the usual ones, banter from passers-by. ‘Run fat boy, run’ is the one I usually get or ‘Hey Shrek, where’s Donkey?’ Then there is the running into things because you aren’t looking. At last year’s Inverness 10K, I narrowly avoid running into a bollard that had been left in the middle of the road. Not sure why it was there, maybe it was to ensure that the runners went the right way. I have run into a tree before – that’s not easy to do but it hurts, I can tell you.
What time are you hoping to finish the Castle of Mey in? A few years ago Graeme Dunnett answered this same question by saying ‘just ahead of the ambulance’ and I still think that is the best and probably the most realistic answer I can give. However I would be happy with a time in the low 50s – that’s minutes not hours.
Are you planning any other races, either as preparation for Castle of Mey or after this event? I am running the winter trail series with the North Highland Harriers and they are excellent preparation, especially when the sun shines. I am going to tackle the Easter 10K in Wick this year and following Mey I will probably try to run two or three more 10Ks just to keep things going. Run Fat Boy, run!
Sandy Christie
Age and occupation – 50. Senior mechanical engineer with Rolls Royce.
What type of runner would you class yourself as? Beginner/ experienced/ elite? I think I would class myself as experienced as I have completed 10 London marathons since taking up endurance running in 2002.
Why did you choose the Castle of Mey 10K? Hey, it is the best 10k event in Scotland. Why wouldn’t you do it? Great loos, by the way!
What attracted you most to the event? Seriously, it’s a great atmosphere, the castle is a brilliant backdrop to the event, everyone is very friendly and you will always find someone to chat to on the way round (assuming you can speak). It’s also local, so no travel which makes it a really cheap event.
How has your training been going? Rubbish, been plagued with colds, flu and chest infections for the last three months, but getting there now and getting some consistent training in. Wouldn’t it be great to have a 400m track to train on. Next to the swimming pool would be great – nice and sheltered.
Any funny stories relating to training/racing you have done previously? Lots of stories, how long have you got? Best is probably during the Lower Alpine Mountain Marathon a couple of years ago. My map-reading isn’t great so I was depending on my “experienced” race buddy (Colin Earnshaw) to keep me right – two hours in the wrong direction! Not so much funny as devastating after 20 hours on the hill. Then there was Scafell Pike during the Three Peaks Challenge, again getting lost coming down the wrong side of the mountain, that didn’t seem funny at the time but I should have known we were in trouble when we couldn’t find our way out the car park, but it was 2am, thick fog and raining. Sense of direction is not my strong point.
What time are you hoping to finish the Castle of Mey in? If I can get 42 minutes, I will be happy, as swimming and cycling is not helping the running pace but it does seem to reduce injuries, so take up multi-sport events and stop those shin splints.
Are you planning any other races, either as preparation for Castle of Mey or after this event? Trying to do as many NHH trail series runs as possible, get on the bike and in the pool, until it gets warm enough to get in the sea for some open water swimming (will it ever get that warm?) Also planning to get a few triathlons in, the Loch Ness Monster Swim and if all goes well attempt a half Ironman later in the year.
