Half way in 10 miles

Thanks to Ian Callister, Pete Costley and Alan Franklin I have located all 8 of the missing Northern 10 Mile results.

Tonight I have been working on inputting the database and got 4 years of the 8 input at the cost of putting off most of my emails (apart from the daily grind of turning down so many TT enquiries for 2013).

I've also improved the quality of the data quite a bit. Its only by sorting the database into different fields that you spot differences in name spellings etc.

I'm sure there will be some remaining errors such as my typing or simply because some of the newspaper cuttings jump from 13th to 15th!

Hope to get this task finished in the next couple of days and then I shall pass the data over to Kevin Deakes for the Northern AC club website.

High 5s

Every 5 years or so I have thoughts about making a comeback in the Parish Walk. The thoughts usually last about 5 minutes.

I had one tonight when, tired of tripping over Marie's over excited dog, I decided to wear it out tonight. My target was 5 miles in the hour which I missed by about three minutes. It certainly did the trick with the dog which is fast asleep but it took away most of the energy I thought I had for the website tonight.

Just time for a light hearted bit of publicity for the 10,000 metres races next week. More about them another time.

It leaves me with the same emails that I have been trying to answer for weeks and with several unreturned calls to my sister Margaid. Instead I shall return to a photo of her in the Mooragh Park in the mid 60s. I remember that slide and similar ones at Kirk Michael and Glen Whyllin. They were great when they were well used and they developed a shine. On other days though you would go about two feet and get stuck on a greasy surface.

Look at the surface behind the slide where some of us were running last Friday.

I'll put off the thought of the Parish Walk for another 5 years and go back to the event website tomorrow. I'm expecting to receive some files from the organisers and that will take priority over the another 5 miles with the dog.

I'm getting up soon after 5 so that's it for tonight.

Out of the sun

I went in search of the missing 8 results from the Northern 10 miles this afternoon.

It was a good job that Alan Franklin was at hand to help me master the tapes containing the old newspapers. Thanks Alan.

I managed to find 6 of the 8.

The missing ones are 1987 and 1992.

1987 was the year the newspaper industry was in the middle of a dispute and ultimately saw the disappearance of some of the old titles. The first Manx Independent was published in May 1987 and the race may have been caught between the old and the new papers - in the early years the Northern 10 was held on the last Sunday in April.

The 1992 result is a bit of mystery as I think I ran in it. I searched for several weeks in both the Isle of Man Courier and the Manx Independent, which were under separate ownership at that stage, but could not find the result. Normally I kept the results from events I was in but perhaps it was never published.

I therefore appeal again for anyone who may just have the results whilst I pop back into the sun to walk the dog.

Sunny tidings

I've just been out in the heat for a steady run as its a bank holiday in the Isle of Man. For those who follow this blog in the UK, the bank holiday over here takes some explaining. I've done it a few times already so here goes.

There has long been a tradition of two bank holidays in the summer in the Isle of Man. The first was "Senior Race Day", the final day of TT week when most of the locals would watch the races, and the other was Tynwald Day, the Manx National Day on 5 July. Before the arrival of the finance sector, most Manx people took these days instead of Whit Monday and August Bank Holiday the two UK summer holidays. It was probably only bank workers and government staff, who in those days were very small in number, who benefited from both UK and Manx public holidays.

Over time more people started taking both and after 1967 the Whit Monday holiday, which coincided with the religious festival seven weeks after Easter, was replaced by a fixed date on the last Monday in May and named the Spring Bank Holiday.

This year's UK Spring Bank Holiday has been moved to June with the Queen's Jubilee Holiday the following day. But the Isle of Man is sticking with the normal UK holiday that the UK is not taking this year!

It was deemed to be too much to take the two holidays that will be celebrated in the UK next Monday and Tuesday when we have the TT holiday on the Friday. So we are taking today, TT Friday and then celebrating the Queen's Jubilee the day after Tynwald Day on 6 July.

Lots of people still refer to the Spring Bank Holiday as Whit Monday when it isn't. This year it is!

I always hark back on the bank holiday weekend, whenever it is, to the great memories I have of taking part in the Bradford Walk. I've just re-read what I wrote in 2004 and, apart from a few typos, still reflects all my current memories.

http://www.manxathletics.com/2004features/Bradford.htm

Feeling the heat on my back this morning took me back to Pool Bank between Ottley and Leeds/Bradford Airport in the hot years of 1978 (in particular) and 1982.

Ennis in supreme form

Sometimes we have to look beyond the local scene for motivation.

Jessica Ennis' British record gives hope for gold in London.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/9293175/London-2012-Olympics-Jessica-Ennis-breaks-Denise-Lewis-UK-heptathlon-record-in-some-style-in-Gotzis.html

Hoping that there is not too much one way traffic

I've just removed all the recent features on the website and re-published them on separate pages.

 So far we have only had one practice session for the TT but by the time of the next fixture there will only be one race remaining. Let's hope the weather remains good for the visitors but, more importantly, that accidents are kept to the minimum.

I travelled over the mountain section of the course on Friday evening on my return from the Park Runs in Ramsey. I wondered whether I had strayed onto closed roads by mistake because I got nearly half way before I saw a single vehicle. But when eventually a car and half a dozen bikes went past I would estimate their speed to be about 120 mph.

I've heard stories about people riding at 180 mph on this section of public road and it fills me with dread.

I love watching motor sport and I can understand all the attractions of the TT. But I just hope that as many visitors return home as arrive. The almost inevitability that people are going to loose their lives in the next two weeks, either in racing or on the roads,  churns my stomach - as did the sight of a Parish Walk trainer walking against the one way system on the mountain road on Friday.

Off the results sheet

I've had some extra responsibilities this weekend as Marie is away for a few days staying with her friend in Southampton. Taking care of her dog is the main one.

Marie has been to the races at Goodwood today. It isn't the glorious Goodwood meeting  but I've taken Marie's  88 year old mother out for a drive and an ice cream in Castletown on another glorious Manx day. I was able to take Robbie out at the same time and later, whilst I did some gardening at the cottage in readiness for our TT visitors, Robbie sat and watched!

Robbie agreed that he would not compete in road events this year due to the concerns that race organisers had for his safety but he finds it hard to understand how he can do some events and not others and has declined to run in the Ramsey Park runs. He has now decided that he will not do the cross country league next winter which is a little sad.

In contrast to the daytime I have more freedom from family duties tonight but the time is  not being spent on the computer, other than this blog. I have been channel hopping between a meaningless friendly and 101 back passes from Scott Parker to watching a man that I used to detest as a singer going forward at the age of 76.

We used to give him a name that included segments rhyming with art and wit but I have learned to appreciate him and after a masterful performance tonight I hope to see him back at the top of  the results sheets.

Robbie has gone missing from the results sheets before and come back. I hope I don't have to wait until he is 76 because I won't be around!

All prepared for the TT

We are always being told that the TT fortnight is the most important time of the year for the Manx economy. Extra ferries have been chartered and most of the tens of thousands of visitors will be passing through the sea terminal.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I ran past the sea terminal at 7 am today to see that a team of painters had set up and they were just starting to paint the front of the building.

The Isle of Man track and field team had not long passed through the doors. They have just set off for their Northern League match. I will be a bit windy.

In need of a lift?

I managed to get out for a walk at lunchtime on the best day of the year so far. But I must have looked as tired as I felt because one of the Isle of Man's elder statesmen stopped to offer me a lift. Its always good to have a yarn with Manx Harriers president Noel Cringle, until recently the President of Tynwald.

Despite the fine weather I couldn't get lifted out of my chair tonight as I tried to clear some of my latest pile of papers listening to the Bee Gees in concert on Radio 2 (2001 recording).

The Gibb family gave the Isle of Man a big lift today with the news that donations in lieu of flowers are to go to Rebecca House, the Isle of Man's children's hospice. Truly uplifting.

If you are going to Ramsey tomorrow evening

Date:- 24 May 2012

NEWS RELEASE – Road Closure Details for TT 2012  - A Reminder

The Department of Infrastructure would like to remind drivers that from 9.15am tomorrow the A18 Snaefell Mountain Road will be closed to traffic between Barrule Park and the Creg-ny-Baa.  It will re-open from 4pm one-way to Douglas. The one-way system will remain in place until Monday 11 June when the road will again close between 9:15am and 4:00pm for its removal.

Other notable differences from last year’s arrangements include the reinstatement of the Saturday practice session on the evening of 26 May and the early closure of the course at 10:00am (9:30am for the Mountain Road) on Saturday 2 June to facilitate the Olympic Torch Parade between Quarterbridge and Braddan Bridge on the TT course.

In all cases the duration of the closure will be kept to a minimum and the road will be reopened as soon as it is safe to do so on completion of the work.  The Department apologies for any inconvenience caused during these closures.

Killer conditions

I was down at the NSC at 6 am yesterday morning and a team from Douglas Corporation arrived to spray weed killer along the edges of the road. Not seen that before.

I didn't see much sun after I left the NSC because the mist was down all day in Ballasalla. There was none around Baldwin this morning when I made another early start and conditions were about as good as they get.

We don't get many days like today in the Isle of Man so I shall be out in the sun at lunchtime and after work. Communication from me will be delayed until later tonight.

Less training but more training tips

A shorter than planned training session after an early rise gave me the extra half an hour of computer time to attend to another job on the list.

You can now read Allan Callow's Parish Walk training tips at http://www.parishwalk.co.uk/TrainingTips.html

At the other end of the day, I published a list of all the Manx resident performances in the BUPA Great Manchester 10km late last night. The Great Run site allows you to search by search code so the list I produced is entirely objective - if you entered with a Manx postcode you will be on the list. If you are Manx but have an address outside of the Isle of Man you won't be on the list.

Robin at the post office

We went for a lovely walk this evening, which kept me away from the computer for most of it, starting from Union Mills.

For those that don't know, the Gibb family lived there for a time during their stay on the Island when the three famous brothers that formed the Bee Gees were born. Sadly Robin passed away this week.

I can't think of any remote connection with athletics but it won't stop a couple of yarns. I liked the early Bee Gees ballads but neither I nor my two elder brothers bought any of their records. It was a few years later when one of school friends, Neil Richmond who is well known his his golfing, at one time as a professional in Sweden but now in Peel,  sold me three Bee Gees singles belonging to his brother - whether he had their permission or not I don't know!

That was in the early 70s  but despite having the largest record collection at school or later at North Staffs Poly I didn't add to the Gibb's income until I bought the "This is Where I came in" album (and its good too) in 2000. I also bought a couple of copies of Ellan Vannin for presents.

And then I saw Robin Gibb perform a fairly poorly supported night at the Peel Bay Festival in 2006 when he put on a great show. We saw him being driven away afterwards, he had just bought a house nearby, and he waved back to Marie when she waved. I'm not sure if was ever "cool" for a man to like the Bee Gees so I didn't wave! We saw him a couple of years later when he performed for hospice at the Gaiety and again it was a great show when he played most of the classic Bee Gees songs and many of his other compositions.

One common feature at the two shows was that he finished by saying "I'll bring Barry too next time." He never did and now its too late.

There might have been large chunks of the Bee Gees music that went over my head but their success over a long period with styles that that varied as greatly as hammer throwing does to fell running makes me appreciate how good Robin Gibb was.  

No bullsh*t

I've still not managed to attend the Race the Sun and this Saturday I spent the afternoon cleaning our holiday cottage. I could have left it until later in the week as we have an empty week but I always regret it when I do.

And I have a story to tell about my arrival. I know that much of what appears here may be bullsh*t but this one isn't - its horsesh*t - right outside out cottage. Any people complain about the things that athletes leave in their trail! 

Burnt out

I wish every night in Munich was as good

Liverpool fans might like this

Just been looking at my brother Mike's YouTube channel for the first time for a while. He goes to quite a few matches with National Express, not as a means of transport but to entertain their guests.

Who ate all the (American) Pie

When you plan to spend Saturday night watching football and to disappear early on Sunday morning to run the Northern 10 Miles you are a bit vulnerable to the comment that its a long time since we've been to the cinema.

When you go over a year without alcohol, have a few weeks drinking too much but without a drop of bitter, you are a but vulnerable to stopping off at the Woodbourne for a pint of IPA on the way home.

Its a long time since I've been able to write about pies and pints in the same post.

With no long run in the morning and cottage cleaning deferred until mid day, I might reply to a few emails in the morning.

Just a quick tidy up on the website tonight.

Hope everyone enjoys the Race the Sun tomorrow, if there is any.

Isle of Man Bank in Kirk Michael

News that the bank in Kirk Michael is to close gives me a chance to raid by late father's collection of bus photos. This one is taken outside of the bank which was probably the largest building in the village and I suspect not very long built at the time. 

As a child I remember playing, along with other kids in the village, in the garage below the bank with the manager's son. That particular manager's position was then taken by the father of a long time Manx Radio employee. Ring any bells?

Happier but dizzier..

Feel like I've had two bottles and not two glasses of wine after watching Peter Bradley's on board camera of last night's fell race. Great stuff.

Carraghan Fell Race 2012 - p.o.v. rear facing cam from Peter Bradley on Vimeo.

Before I got grumpy again

After three hectic nights of website dominated stuff, I made it a priority to go for a walk with Marie tonight. We went from Kewaigue past Middle Farm and the old cross country course to Quines Hill, Port Soderick just above where our holiday cottage is (and back).

It really is an underestimated country track so close to Douglas and at this time of the year is particularly scenic, with rolling hills, lambs, bluebells and trees in full bloom. And so close to Douglas.

My main target on the website was to publish the article about Gail Griffiths' wonderful run in Glasgow which I only learned about last night. Thanks to her husband David who provided me with all of the information I requested and the photographs. Well done Gail.

To make room for the above I had to move the Parish Walk analysis to a new page on parishwalk.com  and I found out that the numbers had changed again. In running the programme to find out the differences between the previous list of names and the new list I found that some of the entrants had added extra words between their forename and surname which is really unhelpful when you are compiling statistics with thousands of names. With tiredness kicking in I was glad when everything was back in place.

There are lots of others things that I would like to put on the website but I've had my fill for tonight.

Sunshine in Ballasalla...

...so some of the things I was going to do can wait until this evening. Going for a walk.

From A to about T

I'm hopeless following a film plot where they start in the current day and go back and forth between old times and current. I much prefer to see a film that runs from A to Z.

But I have to say that it is a bit boring to show every bit of every runner that I film for my videos and I try to do something a little bit different every time. Tonight, in my video of the Carraghan Fell Race I included some extended footage of winner Lloyd Taggart but then stopped there. So I took my film from about A to P.

I've added some extra film here which takes the story to about T. Time for a cup now,

One mountain climbed another to come

I've been through all the Parish Walk finishers with the organisers and I'll be adding another five to this list at lunchtime and maybe taking a couple off.

Charging batteries for Carraghan photos tonight.

Maybe I'll be glad I did it - next year

Spent several hours this evening trying to improve the formulas for calculating past performances of entrants in the Parish Walk for next year when they enter. For the majority, the system works well as I think was demonstrated when I had my analysis complete by 6 am this morning. But its always the same niggles that come   back to haunt me. They frustrated the life out of me tonight with not a lot to show but then I don't suppose I had to show for work spent in previous years that now makes things easy.

I'll be glad when the Parish Walk lists have gone to print and this form of analysis will be over until December - which is why I wanted to work on the formulas now when things were still fresh in my tiring mind.

The birthday card I got so wrong in 2003

Sent to my brother-in-law - one of many Man City fans who didn't expect to see the final league table the way it finished today, especially at the start of time added on!

On the shelf

Earlier in the week I wrote to three of the guys who ran in the first event to finish in the Olympic stadium. I had hoped to do a piece after the event on the Lottery 5 miles but I had sat on the story for so long that in the end I had to ditch the idea. I wonder if anyone other than Keith Green, Kevan Osborn and Alan Sandford ran.

Time seems to be getting shorter than ever. In my case its not helped by continuing to run every morning post London Marathon and having a few changes at work.

I seem to have been writing more emails again lately. I have just updated the Parish Walk blog and Facebook page, followed by a piece about Bridget Kaneen on the MA site so I'm afraid the sports  emails will have to wait as I have a couple to do tonight that might earn some money.

Plenty more stories on the shelf for another day.

Into the picture

I hope to use one of the photos I took this evening to illustrate one of the best stories of the year, I discovered that the top athlete I met for a coffee went to school with my niece.

Its quite an enlightening weekend. So many hours spent banging heads together to no avail and then finally ....an  Isle of Man team competes in the Northern League.

More than 100 to go

I set out tonight to try and clear some of my outstanding emails. At 7.30 pm I said I would get them down to 100 or stop at 10 pm. 10 pm has arrived first so if you are still waiting, well I'm afraid you are still waiting.

I try my best to help on a wide variety of subjects....but there is the forum.

Over 50s outing

Just checked the turnouts in recent years at what is now the Up & Running Ramsey Park Runs and the number of starters is definitely the best since 2009. The last couple of years have been pretty low so maybe having a couple of events on Tuesday has helped.

And there have been good turnouts of youngsters in their race around the Mooragh Park. My part of the race is, unfortunately, dominated  by the older athletes and young Shaun Moore would have been forgiven for thinking he had joined an old age pensioners day out. He started with three over 50s (Kevin Deakes, Andy Gosnell and myself) with Kevin Vondy 40 seconds ahead.

I managed to get the better of my group but Kevin V remained the same distance ahead or maybe slightly further ahead. And some of the people we passed in the handicap race were not so young either. At least those that came through to overtake us were the youthful Ollie Lockley and Andrew  Nash.

I drove past Ramsey Bakery on the way to the run last night. They are a long term sponsor of some of the Northern AC events and also of the IOMVAC's End to End Walk which I have featured on the front page this morning. Normally I enjoy home made bread for breakfast but we're supporting the sponsor this morning as our supply has run out.

MMM

We are in a thick of a congested fixture period with the third event in five days tonight. Take a bit of time to check the list at the top of the home page and let me know if there is any better links to use to make entering an event as easy as possible for someone new to the sport.

I've just added a link to entry forms for the Manx Mountain Marathon - to be held at the end of September for the first time this year.