[bumpkin]

Today marks one year since I first started running with my local JogScotland group at Hazlehead.

Since that cold October night in 2015 I have amassed 660 miles of running, competing in 2 x 5K, 9 x 10K, 1 x 10 mile and 4 Half Marathons as well as all the training that goes along with it!

I have lost almost 2 stones of food baby (about 14Kg) and feel absolutely great with it.

The coming year sees a variety of races again but with the additional step up of my first Marathon in May 2017.

Here are some pics of the last year for you, hope you enjoy!


My first 10K - November 2015


Kim, Eilidh and I at the RunGarioch Festival, Kim did the half, Eilidh the 2K and I did the 10K - April 2016


My first (and only so far) 10 mile race, Perth April 2016.


10K at Balmoral Castle - April 2016



Aberdeen City 10K - May 2016


Almost at the top of a massive climb at the Oldmeldrum 10K - May 2016


Westhill 10K - May 2016




My first Half Marathon - Peterhead - June 2016


Dundee Half Marathon - July 2016


Dyce Half Marathon - August 2016


Hatton 10K - took my previous best of 57mins down to 55mins.


Crathes Half Marathon - September 2016

My last race was at Loch Ness in September where I further reduced my 10K time from 55mins to 52:24.


A summary of my year, showing my best times.


My medals.


EDIT - Forgot that I also ran 100 miles in August for a Virtual challenge, got me a nice piece of bling for that!

[Doggie 1]

I  take my hat off to you because with all of my good intentions, you have actually gone out there and done it.
Well done, Brian.   

[Dazzler]

Well done Brian. I like walking but will only run if a dog is chasing me... 

[FatBoy]

Again Brian, you are an inspiration.  It makes me want to run further than my current 5km.  I think I will set my initial target to just the 10km and then the half marathon.

I have however, started going to the gym with my eldest son as of today.  It was good to work out with him at the local PCYC.  Also, the whole family has agreed to do the parkrun again this Saturday.  We are all aiming for personal best times this weekend.

As a side note, my very good friend just won one of the toughest marathons in the world.  It was the Christmas Island marathon.  He has run a total of 4 marathons, and said that this was without a doubt, the hardest one.  Oppressive heat and humidity.  His time, 5 hours 27 minutes.  I don't think there were many runners, but he did it and is the reigning champion.  In his effort he raised over $3500 for "Soldier On", a charity supporting returned veterans.

[eye30]

Well done Brian, kim and eilidh.....

You never know, one day any of you may represent scotland in the marathon.

Did you know that i tried a marathon....... my it was chewy and full of chocolate
( now called a snickers) 

[neptune]

Well done Brian. I like walking but will only run if a dog is chasing me... 

I like to see that...........

[bumpkin]

Impressive stuff from your friend  Jamie, I should have mentioned that I ran the Balmoral 10K for charity, raising £500 for a trust which was setup to support the son of one of my running friends which is now supporting all sufferers of a very rare but crippling disease lymphangiamatosis.

Details here http://www.alfiemilne.org.uk/

[Asterix]

Well done..     

[bumpkin]

After a month with no races I ran in a half marathon at the weekend where I shaved 9.5 minutes off my previous best, getting round the 13.1 miles in 2.03.28.

Have now set my targets for next year, sub 50:00 10K and sub 2h 1/2.  Along with my first Marathon, I am already looking forward to it!

[FatBoy]

You know that I don't like you, don't you Brian?  You are making us mortals look less than ordinary.

In all seriousness though, you are inspiring me yet again.  I'm getting up for a quick run here in Broome tomorrow.  I didn't go the other day though when I got back from my flight, it was a mere 42 degrees C when I landed.  Too warm for a run.  Mind you, the minimum here is 29, still  warm!!

[bumpkin]

That is hot!!

The run I did on Sunday was no warmer than 6C with a 20mph wind from the North, bloody cold once I stopped!

Another interesting note about the last year has been not only my weight loss but my heart rate improvement;

Nov 2015 resting heart rate was about 85bpm, running heart rate peaked at about 180bpm running at 12 min/mile.

Nov 2016 resting heart rate is now averaging 64bpm, running heart rate 165bpm at 8-9 min/mile.

Can only be good!

[Dazzler]

If I did that much running I reckon my heart rate would go from 80/85 to 0!

[Shambles]

All I can say is... you've more guts that I have.

Or probably not, looking at my waistline

[The Gonz]

Awesome feeling, isn't it, mate?

I never believed in running and still don't, but get my aerobic value out of intense weight training, burning energy at a fast rate out of the big muscles (the big muscle groups, not saying my muscles are big  ).

For me the changer was 2011 in Afghanistan and a necessary daily escape to the gym built of a shipping container. When I came home I threw away my size 40 jeans (40 cm waist) and bought size 30. Today we did the same here in Bandung - still size 30. 

A bit of a flip is that my shirts are now too flappy around the waist to accommodate my broader shoulders! 

I learned from this that all those years having my jean bottoms taken up are behind me. I am now the unadulterated model of shape perfection according to Levi's, Lee Cooper, Burberry and Hugo.

[Phil №❶]

& Elena 

[eye30]

I prefer the bike to running.

Can cover more miles!

Plus you are sat down!

[bumpkin]

Awesome feeling, isn't it, mate?

I never believed in running and still don't, but get my aerobic value out of intense weight training, burning energy at a fast rate out of the big muscles (the big muscle groups, not saying my muscles are big  ).

For me the changer was 2011 in Afghanistan and a necessary daily escape to the gym built of a shipping container. When I came home I threw away my size 40 jeans (40 cm waist) and bought size 30. Today we did the same here in Bandung - still size 30. 

A bit of a flip is that my shirts are now too flappy around the waist to accommodate my broader shoulders! 

I learned from this that all those years having my jean bottoms taken up are behind me. I am now the unadulterated model of shape perfection according to Levi's, Lee Cooper, Burberry and Hugo.

Yup!

For too many years now various pairs of jeans and trousers have been sat in my wardrobe at 30 and 32 inch waist whilst I promised myself that one day I would get back into them.  I honestly can say that as my waist approached 36 that I hadn't a hope in hell - until I discovered running.

Now I have a load of 34's sitting there and I am back into the 32's which are now getting baggy and I am eyeing the 30's again. 

At least being Scottish I was too grippy to donate them or chuck them out

[The Gonz]

At least being Scottish I was too grippy to donate them or chuck them out

                    Dazz                                   Gonz                               Bumpkin

[AlanHo]

 

[The Gonz]

'Close' friend of yours, Alan?

[AlanHo]

'Close' friend of yours, Alan?

Bastard................

[bumpkin]

Final race of the year today, just a wee 10K around Peterhead, much more lumpy course than the relatively easy one my PB was on, but still managed to shave another 26 seconds off, leaving me with a PB of 51:58 for the distance.  Very happy man!

[Doggie 1]

I am eyeing the 30's again. 

Is that where the eye30 moniker comes from, I wonder?   

[bumpkin]

So the running year has been on the go since March for me, I have already beaten two of my targets for the year taking my 10 mile time to below 1h 30 and my half marathon time to under 2h.

Have been training hard for the Stirling Marathon which for some reason appears to have come around really quickly and is now only 4 days away - eek!

Longest distance I have done in the run up to this is 21 miles (just under 34K), only(!!!!) another 5 miles to add then!

[Phil №❶]

Sadly, those days are over for me now.   

[The Gonz]

William Wallace would be soo pro-ood.

[Dazzler]

Sadly, those days are over for me now.   

Happily I never got involved in those days... 

[asathorny]

Sadly, those days are over for me now.   

Happily I never got involved in those days... 

 

[AlanHo]

The only bit of me now capable of running is my nose

Well done Brian.

[Dazzler]

The only bit of me now capable of running is my nose

Well done Brian.

..and by powers of deduction I'm assuming your feet now smell.