club members blogs

Decided to run to club training as thought would do circuits. However, decided to opt for Nick's 8 miler instead (at Nick pace!). Ended up doing 12.1 miles at almost my half marathon race pace! Threw in a few fast reps including up Drum Brae at 10 miles. Really good session, and although legs were feeling it at the end (and today!) I felt good and encouraged for the upcoming races.
Owner:	jkirby13
Location:	--
Activity Type:	Running
Event Type:	Training
Distance:	12.16 Mile
Time:	01:32:41
Elevation Gain:	1,030 Feet

Position: 2nd
Time: 19:08
Last Saturday I took part in my third Edinburgh parkrun, and Neil also made his parkrun debut! I've been lucky with the conditions at these events so far as all three have been fairly sunny, calm days. There was a slight wind in our backs on the way out, so good to get in a couple of fast few kilometres at the start. My aim was just to go out as fast as possible and see how long I could keep it going. My aim is a sub 19 minute this year, so I wanted to get as close to that as I could. I realised in the last kilometre I wouldn't quite make it, but nonetheless was pleased with my PB taking off 14 seconds! Neil really enjoyed his first parkrun and is catching the running bug. A great time of 22min15! After a nice warm down, it was off to Costa for that well deserved coffee and piece of cake. Hope to run another parkrun in the next few weeks.

Next big adventure coming soon....cross country skiing in Norway...watch this space!!

Kitted out with a bike called "Scorpion" and some supermarket camping kit, Russ joined me on this fantastic cycling adventure. We shaked a bit in Santiago and then bussed to La Serena and set off to cross the Andes. You can see some of Russ' photos here.

The first stop was Vicuña. We'd cycled up a gentle slope all day and reached this pleasant little town. The campsite we found offered a pool, kitchen and ripe grapes for the princely sum of three pounds fifty. We chilled out.

The high mountains surrounding us grew closer the next day. Soon we found ourselves winding our way up a tight valley, almost a canyon. By the side of the road there were some stone shacks. We suspected these were used by goat hearders as there was a fair amount of goat excrement about. Russ got out his kite and I built a fire. We slept under the brightest set of stars I have ever seen.

The next day we continued on up the valley with dramatic scenery around us. In the afternoon we passed a "campamiento" and I enquired if we could buy bread. We were given a large roll free. Later, at another campamiento where some roadworkers stayed, I asked if we could camp. The man said no. There was a couple of beds we could have in an old shed. The room was plastered with posters of semi-clad women. Then, as I got out my stove on the front porch, the kind gent called us over and invited us for dinner too. Barbequed beef and empanadas. In the courtyard there was a fountain with a plastic barbie doll on the top. The water squirted out of her nipples. Quite a water feature. One suspects that these lads don't see too many girls up this way.

Passing the stunning, if not origionally named, La Laguna, we anticipated reaching the top of the pass. However, the tough gravel road, incline and fatigue got the better of us and we camped at around 4500m. We had just enough energy to wolf down some pasta and flake out. In the night I noted the temerature drop to -3C, not so cold really.

We woke. Both of us feeling well and with no signs of altitude sickness. After scoffing the remainder of our bread and jam and brewing tea with the last tea bags, we put in the last 10km to the summit.

We celebrated reaching the 4780m pass with some photos. Then we enjoyed 100km of free-wheeling downhill.


On our way down we stopped to make some rice for lunch. We were joined by a french cyclist, Christof, who looked as if he were a scubadiver. His cycling outfit consisted of a lot of black lycra. He sat down with us and told us the story of his life, his cycling and rather more about his recent sexual conquests than you would expect from a stranger.

Our freewheel ride continued on a tar road and we headed across a huge plain surrounded by mountian ranges. Then we arrived in Las Flores.

I asked Sergio if there was a campsite and he said we could camp in his garden for 2 pounds. Then he invited us to drink mate. After a bit of a chat he decided to show us how to make an asado, the classic argentinian barbeque. We bought a mountain of meat and local wine and he showed us the tradditional method to get the fire going. The wood is placed on top of the grill and as the embers fall through they are pushed under the meat and sausages. We ate, drank, chatted and it felt like a wonderful welcome back to Argentina.

It would be remiss of me, I think, not to mention something about the earthquake in Chile. I was asleep on the top bunk in a hostal in Santiago. At about 3:30am, so I am told, the earthquake hit. I woke up and the whole building was shaking. This lasted for a few minutes and was not unpleasant. When it stopped I rolled over and went back to sleep. A while later I was woken up by one of the hostal's staff and we were all asked to go outside, like a fire drill. After half an hour or so people went back to bed. It was apparent that the building wasn't falling down and there was little to be achieved by standing around outside. During the remainder of the night there were several aftershocks which felt like being in a gently vibrating bed.

In the morning more of the consequences became apparent. There was a power cut which lasted most of the day and most of the shops and resturants were shut. Russ and I wandered around the town in a search to buy him a bike. Several buildings were quite severely damaged. A few water mains had burst. Generally the damage didn't seem too bad.

On returning to the hostal the power was back on. 20 odd travellers were queueing to use the internet to let thier loved ones know they were ok. The BBC News website had the earthquake as the top news story and the photos were horrific.

The epicentre of the quake was off the coast of Curanipe, about 100km north of Concepción, a city where I had stayed in January. I was offered generous hospitality there by the owner of a bike shop. I am glad that he and his family are ok. Also, as I cycled along the coast from Conception, I met 3 lads from the area out on bikes and we cycled together for a few days. It was great fun, we crossed a river in a fishing boat, we sang songs by a fire and we went to see a chilean band perform in a small beach town, Cobquecura. These guys are also fine. Matias wrote to me and said:

"Nuestra ciudad se encuentra muy dañada y es una pena verla así... sin embargo ya comienza a mejorar todo por aquí... espero que pronto llegue la normalidad...Y todas las playas que recorrimos hoy ya no existen... es una pena pensar que esos lugares tan bonitos desaparecieron..."

"Our city finds itself very damaged and it is a shame to see it like this...however already everything has started to improve around here...I hope that things will be back to normal soon... and all the beaches we visited no longer exist...it is a shame to think that such beautifull places have disappeared"

Many of the small villages I passed along the coast were on gravel roads. These are easily damaged and make them hard to reach. To make matters worse many of the houses are made from adobe bricks that I imagine probably shake to peices fairly easily.

Perhaps worse even than the initial quakes, fires and tsunamis are the human chaos of prison breakouts, looting, riots, arson, vandalism, sexual assults, vigilantism. Intense grief, fear, confusion and panic drive people to extreme actions.

Chile is badly located when it comes to earthquakes. 6 of the 20 strongest recorded have been in Chile including the strongest ever (9.5 in 1960). This quake was 8.8 and the 7th strongest ever. Boffins think it has shortened the length of a day by a microsecond!

So far this year there have been earthquakes in Haiti, Chile, Venezuela, Solomon Islands, California, Hawaii, Japan, Argentina, Taiwan, Sumatra and Turkey. 2010 seems to be a year with bite.

Easy jog before heading to Costa coffee for celebratory coffee and cake!
Owner:	jkirby13
Location:	--
Activity Type:	Running
Event Type:	Race
Distance:	1.07 Mile
Time:	00:09:41
Elevation Gain:	240 Feet

My third attempt at the Edinburgh parkrun. Having felt good in my track session a couple of weeks ago, I decided just to go for it, and see how fast I could go. Did the fist km in about 3:30 which was perhaps a bit fast, but I didn't slow too much at the end and managed a PB of 19:08. 14 seconds off. Hopefully a few more over the coming months will result in a sub 19! Felt strong all the way round but couldn't see first place female for dust who finished in 16 something!
Owner:	jkirby13
Location:	--
Activity Type:	Running
Event Type:	Race
Distance:	3.08 Mile
Time:	00:19:08
Elevation Gain:	54 Feet

Steady 2 miles along the prom. Great conditions for upcoming race!
Owner:	jkirby13
Location:	--
Activity Type:	Running
Event Type:	Uncategorized
Distance:	2.00 Mile
Time:	00:18:06
Elevation Gain:	117 Feet

Run with Kerry. I ran from home to meet Kerry at RBS at Gyle Ind. Park. Did 5 mile loop then ran back home again.
Owner:	susanj21
Location:	--
Activity Type:	Running
Event Type:	Training
Distance:	8.86 Mile
Time:	01:12:19
Elevation Gain:	508 Feet

Went out for a steady run. Felt a bit sluggish tonight and was hanging on the back. Happy with the pace though.
Owner:	jkirby13
Location:	--
Activity Type:	Running
Event Type:	Uncategorized
Distance:	6.84 Mile
Time:	00:53:48
Elevation Gain:	446 Feet

Owner:	susanj21
Location:	--
Activity Type:	Running
Event Type:	Training
Distance:	7.15 Mile
Time:	00:56:04
Elevation Gain:	839 Feet

Run round the Meadows with Neil :-). Felt good, legs recovered from previous few days training, felt fresh.
Owner:	jkirby13
Location:	--
Activity Type:	Running
Event Type:	Training
Distance:	4.00 Mile
Time:	00:34:45
Elevation Gain:	776 Feet

Run with Nick. Took it at an easy pace as Nick's calf still playing up. Intention was to do no more than 6 miles. Ended up doing nearer 10. Went out via cycle path and returned along the shore. Mild still day so good running conditions.
Owner:	susanj21
Location:	--
Activity Type:	Running
Event Type:	Training
Distance:	9.58 Mile
Time:	01:24:30
Elevation Gain:	677 Feet

Owner:	susanj21
Location:	--
Activity Type:	Running
Event Type:	Transportation
Distance:	5.84 Mile
Time:	00:49:04
Elevation Gain:	724 Feet

Sunny but extremely cold day. Seemed to take ages before my legs were warmed up.
Owner:	susanj21
Location:	--
Activity Type:	Running
Event Type:	Transportation
Distance:	5.72 Mile
Time:	00:46:01
Elevation Gain:	1,263 Feet

Owner:	susanj21
Location:	--
Activity Type:	Running
Event Type:	Race
Distance:	3.81 Mile
Time:	00:32:04
Elevation Gain:	528 Feet

Went out for a long run in the pouring rain with Julia and Emma. Legs ok from yesterday. Had a slight dip at 7/8 miles but picked up again in the final few. Loads of London marathon people out training. Said hello to Jo Pavey in Bushy Park.
Owner:	jkirby13
Location:	--
Activity Type:	Running
Event Type:	Training
Distance:	11.52 Mile
Time:	01:41:29
Elevation Gain:	442 Feet

Easy warm down mile after track
Owner:	jkirby13
Location:	--
Activity Type:	Track Running
Event Type:	Training
Distance:	1.00 Mile
Time:	00:09:05
Elevation Gain:	30 Feet

Track session with Duncan. Ran with Faye. Dan and Stewart. Really pleased with the times, probably best set of 800s! 3:01/3:01/3:01/2:59/2:56/3:01/3:03/2:57
Owner:	jkirby13
Location:	--
Activity Type:	Track Running
Event Type:	Training
Distance:	4.58 Mile
Time:	00:35:32
Elevation Gain:	47 Feet