Runners take advantage of Harriers’ training advice
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
AS more and more people appear out running around Caithness in preparation for the Castle of Mey 10k, many newer runners are making good use of the North Highland Harriers’ Monday night training session.
This year’s group of runners started in January and now number about 30 each week.
The runners meet every Monday at 6pm at the Blue Door, Thurso Caravan Site, and anyone still out there running on their own should come along and take advantage of the company.
For those more experienced runners, the Tuesday night session led by the NHH endurance coach meets at 6pm at the Riverside hut, Thurso, and participants undertake various sessions to build a bit of speed onto their endurance base.
If you are not sure about which session is right for you, NHH would encourage you to go along and advice will be given. After three years of organising the Castle of Mey, the consensus of many runners was that you could only wear so many race T-shirts and it was time for a change.
The decision was therefore taken to provide drawstring bags as part of the goodie bags for
this year’s Castle of Mey runners.
Unfortunately, as the result of an administrative error by the online entry site, the link to select T-shirt sizes was not removed and all entrants should now have received an e-mail to explain this. However, for those who still wish a commemorative T-shirt, NHH is organising for these to be purchased direct from a Highland firm and details of this year’s design, costs and how to order will be available shortly on the NHH website.
On to our three featured runners and let’s see how they have been getting on with their latest two weeks of training.
Kirsty Mackay
Training this week; what, where, when and with whom?
Week three – February 12: two-mile run on my own around Thurso. February 13: NHH Monday night run, four miles. I actually managed to get to the lighthouse this week, I was delighted. February 15: three-mile run in the evening on my own.
Week four – February 16 – Thurso Amateur Swimming Club, masters’ training, first time in the pool for a few weeks. I normally train on a Monday and Thursday night but have only been going on a Thursday due to NHH running club on a Monday. I really felt my ankle when I was swimming but think it helped it loosen it out.
February 20: NHH’s trail run, Camster (four-mile loop). February 21: masters’ swimming training.
Has anything got in the way of what you had planned?
Week three – Yes, I had planned to run on Friday morning when all the kids were at school, so I could run in daylight instead of in the evening, but unfortunately my youngest, Megan, ended up not being at nursery as she had an altercation with a couch and the floor, which resulted in a trip to A&E on Thursday night and confirmation of a fractured arm.
Week four– Oh yes, I have had childcare issues this week so have been working in the evenings, which has meant I have not been able to get out for my runs and, on my last day, to top it off, Megan now has chickenpox so is not at nursery. Since keeping a log of my training I am now seeing how easy it is for training to slip when you have a family.
How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?
Week three – I have been really tired this week, due to Megan not sleeping great, so my runs were put off until the end of the week.
I was also nervous on my first run this week as this was my first time out since going over my ankle. It still feels a bit stiff but was actually alright on my run.
On my last run it was really windy and for the first mile the wind was in my face and I really struggled with my breathing. Then on my last half a mile it was back in my face; this was when I started questioning my sanity and wondered why I was doing it.
My high was getting to the lighthouse, I was absolutely delighted. My low is hills, they are my nemesis. I have yet to run up Scrabster brae without stopping and walking between a couple of lampposts.
I think before I have even start going up a hill I convince myself that I cannot do it, this is something that I am going to have to work on.
Week four – One mile into the trail run I seriously considered throwing in the towel and turning back, due to the never-ending hill and the fact that my calf muscles were screaming at me to stop. I had to walk up some of the hill.
I really wanted to run further than four miles but it was a tough course and couldn’t run any further. I think I might have to request some flatter routes! I then changed from running on the Monday to swimming due to my legs feeling tight. I hate not getting my runs in as I worry about my progress.
Are you seeing improvements in speed, distance, breathing?
Week three– My distance is gradually improving every week. I try to push myself on one of my runs to increase my distance that I am covering.
Week four – Have not done enough this week to comment.
Any injuries/concerns?
Week three – Ankle is still not 100 per cent but doesn’t cause any problems when running.
Week four – Again I still feel my ankle when swimming but thankfully not when I am running.
Are you feeling any benefits as a result of the training: health, toning up, more energetic?
Week three – I am feeling a difference on the tops of my legs (quads I think) that they are more toned than before.
Week four – This week has been so hectic for many different reasons and I have felt really tired, but this is due to other things rather than my training.
Any other observations, thoughts or comments?
Week four – I am disappointed with my training this week.
But a new week is just around the corner.
Graham Winkle
Training this week: what, where, when and with whom?
Week three – Well here we are for another report on this, the week that moves us up to the heady heights of three 11-minute runs!
However, our training this week has been really disjointed. I was away in England for a few days and managed to pick up a cold so I trained once with Jordan and once on my own.
I thought about the third run this week, but that was about as far as it got. My head, eyes and ultimately whole body felt extremely rough so running was out of the question.
Week four – We were supposed to move on to 20-minute runs this week, but we missed another day with a cold so we decided to do one day of 11-minute cycles and one day 20 minutes.
I ran one day with my wife and one day with Jordan. My daughter has decided to join us on some of the runs too. So we break up into two groups, one slightly slower than the other depending on how we feel. We started to run down to the local harbour from our house to give us a bit more interest. It’s also very dark and without a torch between us we ran into a passing place on the road... But we thought we were still in the middle of road and nearly dived over someone’s wall as we reached the end of the passing area. Anyway, it did give the run more interest.
Has anything got in the way of what you had planned?
Week three – We all got colds this week and I had to be away for a few days and when I got back everyone had a cold. It was difficult to know exactly when to restart and the longer we put it off the easier it seemed not to go.
Week four – After a having a cold for a few days it was hard to get back into it.
How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?
Week three – I really noticed the difference in having just one minute in between the three running cycles. My breathing seemed to cope quite well, but my legs were feeling the effects and by the time I got to the last 11 minutes I could feel my thigh muscles really tightening up.
Week four – Surprisingly after not running for four or five days I felt fine and got straight back into it, I was really pleased that I managed the 20-minute run without a problem. However, I’m still quite slow and don’t feel confident about increasing my speed until the end is in sight.
Are you seeing improvements in speed, distance, breathing?
Week three – Depending on the wind conditions we seem to travel a little further each night, but my speed still seems somewhere between slow and stop. Apart from the first three or four minutes my breathing is fine.
Week four – My breathing is much better overall, and even running with a high wind into my face it manages to regulate itself.
Any injuries/concerns?
Week three – I think I ache less in general this week and the new trainers are helping.
Week four – My thigh muscles are aching more consistently now so I’ve started to stretch them out more and hope that resolves it as it did my calf muscles.
Are you feeling any benefits as a result of the training: health, toning up, more energetic?
Week three – Still feeling quite tired the day after the run and coming down with a cold I feel even worse. Once I’m into the run though I feel much better.
Week four – I actually felt more active the day after the 20-minute run, for the first time!
Any other observations, thoughts or comments?
Week three – It seems no matter how I felt before each run it bears little comparison to how well the run goes. In general, there is a good response from everyone about my participation in the run. Some I think are just pleased they are not doing it. Someone asked me what the point of running was as "we all only had so many heartbeats". I told them that the general idea was to give yourself a few more...
Week four – I’m really enjoying the experience and the challenge. I’ve enjoyed seeing some beautiful clear nights and a hazy sighting of the aurora too. I’m sure I don’t need to run to spend good time with the family, but the sense of achieving something together is quite nice.
Maxine Whale
Training this week: what, where, when and with whom?
Week three–
Monday, February 13: I’m very pleased to say that I finally went to the NHH beginners’ running session. We did a 10-minute run and one-minute walk three times and ran three miles in total. I really enjoyed it (minus the hill behind Thurso High School). I was so pleased with myself for finally going along. It was great to run with other people and I can’t recommend it enough!
Wednesday, February 15: Went a run straight after finishing work in Wick. Following the NHH running plan, I attempted the 11-minute run and one-minute walk but struggled a bit. I don’t think it helped that I wasn’t sure where I was going.
Thursday, February 16: I attended Fiona Harper’s Thurso class at Mount Pleasant where we did a combination of combat and body bars – a brilliant work out and it’s helping me to tone up.
Saturday, February 18: Did a 2.5-mile run with Ross which helped ease the effects of Thursday’s class. Also did an exercise DVD with my mum. I’m hoping that these workouts will help with my overall fitness.
Week four –
Monday, February 20: Pleased to say that I went to the beginners’ session again. This time at the early time of 5.30pm. There were fewer runners but I enjoyed it all the same. We did a 15-minute run and one-minute walk twice, and ran just under three miles. I really enjoyed the run and even felt like I could have run more.
Tuesday, February 21: Attended Fiona Harper’s toning class (body bars) at Mount Pleasant school. I think it’s really helping me to strengthen my muscles which I hope will help with my running ability.
Has anything got in the way of what you had planned?
Week four–
Laziness on Wednesday evening meant that I didn’t go a run as planned. Going to run Thursday evening instead and do the third run on Saturday morning. I’d planned to run every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening but think it’s better to be more flexible with my running schedule otherwise I think I might feel like I’ve failed that week.
How did you feel during training this week? What were the highs and lows?
Week three–
Starting to really enjoy running again. I definitely enjoy it more when I run with other people – it really helps to keep me going.
Week four –
Felt great after the running session on Monday, thinking of attending NHH’s speed/endurance session on a Tuesday too.
Are you seeing improvements in speed, distance, breathing?
Week three –
The combination of running again and the exercise classes are really helping to improve my overall fitness. The tips that I received about breathing when I was out running with the harriers have really helped.
Week four –
Breathing and speed are definitely improving. I managed to keep up with Ross on Monday night and he’s normally running way ahead of me.
Are you feeling any benefits as a result of the training: health, toning up, more energetic?
Feeling great this week, lots of energy and starting to tone up.
Any other observations, thoughts or comments?
Week four–
I’m really pleased with how my running is coming on so far.
