no armband and no song clue!!

Just for the record this week we had no song clue and it wasn't worth wearing the armband!!!!

back at the boathouse!!

So for posterity must note what happened away from Spain and in a place called REALITY!!!

Carolyn did her run on Friday.  Her plan was for 18 miles.  However her garmin didn't work and she has no idea how far she went!!!!!!!!  (the plan WAS to work GARMIN FREE after the marathons!!!!!!)

The Dynamic Duo were joined by a guest runner (Maureen Reilly).  Hopefully she will survive longer than our other guest runner Ann Marie McGregor, who has subsequently given up running!!!!

We had a long lie and didn't start till 8am!!  We headed off through Twechar and over to Moodiesburn and back for a steady 13 miler!!  Sandra is on fire (not literally) and running really strongly finishing with an average of 8.19.  Well done too, to Maureen who stuck with her all the way! Sean finished in 8 minute average running a strong second half (was 8.17 at the half way point-so all in the 7minute+ zone)

Breakfast, chat etc and then home.

All good!!

more from Jim!!!

Just read my blog contribution again and notice reference to
squirrels. No idea where that came from, must be the wine and should
have referred to beavers.

And then there were 2!!!

Due to Carolyn's calf and Jim sunning himself in Spain the fantastic 4 ended up as a fab 2 this week.  However in an attempt to feel included Jim emailed over his blog contribution from sunny Spain.......

And then there were two.  We started as the Fantastic Sub Four, became
the 3 Amigos and now it's down to the Dynamic Duo, Sandra and Sean.
This week, as the marathons draw near, the FS4 are completing their
training albeit in their own way, Sandra and Sean keeping the team
together, Carolyn, yes, she's doing her own thing and me swanning off
to Spain for the weekend.
I've planned my weekend around a 13 mile run i.e get it over and done
with and enjoy the food and wine.
Rising early on Friday morning, I set off in the dark (just like our
winter runs). The sun soon appears over the horizon as I run along the
coast taking in the sea air.  This is the life! Only thing missing is
the FS4.
Just think about the variety of routes, the change of scenery and
climate. And what about the breakfasts, lunches and dinners? What are
we waiting for? I know. Reality.  Nice to dream though.
The run itself was challenging, not so much the distance, but the
changing terrain, road, track, sand and alongside the motorway.  There
was even a bit of an assault course where I went A over T and took a
bit of scrape and bashing.
The locals are pretty soft, all ski jackets and hats and there's me in
vest and shorts looking like a sweaty bag of crap.
Certainly missed the chat. No life stories, nothing about Sandra's
pony tail, no squirrels, no leaky bags or body parts and no short
stories.  I must be looking forward to our summer training.  Am I
mad? Missing you loads.

Breathless - Shayne Ward

and another clue from Sandra.....


We all get it at times
A dogs name, a film
In hospital?

Sam & Dave - Hold On I'm Comin'

another of Captain Sandra's song clues.....

What one of us may say
Pals like JIM n Sean? 
This is a 60's one

Example - 'Midnight Run' (Official Video) (Out Now)

and this weeks clue was...


Something we haven't tried yet as a group?
Its hard to do just now
De Niro did it

A few words from coach!!

Guys just wanted to say what a great effort you have all done over the last few months.  Hopefully you have enjoyed the training as much as I have.

Most importantly I think you have all done excellent and have really showed great progression over the weeks!! The pace we are all running at is amazing and I am sure that at the beginning you would not have thought some of the paces would be possible!!!!  Todays run at under 9 minute mile pace for 22 miles tells me that you are all in sub 4hr condition and also comfortably so-you just have to run even pace, run through the pain and BELIEVE!!!!! Because YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!

The challenge in any marathon training is to get to the start without any injuries and unfortunately we couldn't avoid at least one, with Carolyn having some calf problems.  However she has battled on and shown great tenacity to stay cardio fit and has inspired us all with her will to compete and complete!!!  On the day we hope the conditions etc are in her favour and she a) gets to the start line and b) completes.  If neither are possible she has been an inspiration to the team and a valuable team mate-we could not have done the training without her!!  I personally will get a huge buzz out of her finishing-so fingers crossed!!!

So the goals for the next few weeks are as follows; (5 to drive!!)

-stay fit
-stay focused (ease off but still go for quality runs, albeit slightly shorter)
-Carolyn to the start line
-Carolyn to the finish line
-Sandra and Jim in under 4 hours!!

If we achieve all we deserve I will be one HAPPY coach!!!

Thank you for inspiring me!!
x

Last long run!!! The taper starts NOW!!!!

Today was our last long run before we start to taper down, so an early start was the order of the day!!

Captain Sandra requested we be at Boathouse for 7am, which we all duly did! (other than Carolyn who attempted a fake "phone in sick" call, whilst pulling into the car park!!!)

As Sandra had failed to give us a song clue last time it was her turn, she attempted to make up by giving us 3 to guess this week! This was met with a number of moans and groans and in fact Carolyn left us after 2 miles to do her own thing!!! Allegedly because she wanted to only do 18 miles but possibly to avoid more song clues!!!

It was a beautiful morning and we had a lovely route out to Strathblane, away from the traffic and very sociable with loads of chit chat etc until of course we turned and headed home, when as usual the chat stopped and the we pushed for home!!!

Litter lout Jim dropped his gel pouch despite being only 15 metres from a bin-tut tut!!!

Captain Band was on fire pushing the pace on and had to be pulled back all the way (although she only managed to do this for about 3-4 steps and then battered on again-I think she was trying to run the sprint finish out of us!!!)

Jim took the easy option and ran back along the canal, whilst Captain and Coach took the hilly route home!!!

Carolyn and her dodgy calf managed an admirable 18 miles and met us back at the Boathouse!!  We were also met by Moira, Sian and Niamh-so a nice little end to our last long run!!!!!

As well as our last long run, it will be our last run together as Jim is away next weekend and Sean is away at Easter.  What a team though, it has been a real pleasure running together!!!

Candi Staton - Young Hearts Run Free

The weekend started in usual way with Carolyn issuing the song clue for the week.

 

A young SPL Club doing what we do every Saturday, at no cost! And our vocalist is every child’s favourite food on a New York ferry.

We must be getting better at this as Sean guessed correctly within minutes of issue – Candy Staten’s Young Hearts Run Free.

FantasticSub4 Blogger of the Week – Temporary Asst. Coach Jim Pettigrew

This week Coach Casey has bestowed the honour of blog writer to me.  What a responsibility!  It’s just a pity that Sean missed this morning’s run giving me the opportunity to give back to Sean some of what he has been dishing out over the past weeks.

 

As the marathon fast approaches, it was an “easy” 15 miler for the new 3 amigo combo.  Carolyn, this week’s captain, but still suffering from her baby cow syndrome, gave Sandra and I a choice of routes avoiding the summits of Cumbernauld.  Cumbernauld was never really an option for Sandra and I as we had already given Carolyn an ultimatum -  no friggin hills and the first sign of the need for oxygen masks and dummies were being spat.

The three amigos set off in high spirits towards Twechar but split soon after allowing Carolyn to do her own thing, whatever that means.  Sandra and I continued on to Kirky with Sandra picking up the pace almost immediately.  Heading out to Milton of Campsie, it was a very pleasant Spring morning, not that I noticed having to chase Sandra’s (pony)tail all the way round. 

Yet again, even though we had our pace plan, this was blown out the park keeping things on track for a sub 4 marathon.

Carolyn’s brother Gary joined Sandra and I for the last mile or so.  Unfortunately, it made Sandra run even quicker.

Chatter was not really the order of the day today.  Something to do with the pace I think.  Sandra did say this morning “thank god no blog, we can say what we want”.  Couldn’t hear you anyway.  Are we taking this running lark too seriously?  I’m sure post Lochaber and London, we can get back to talking nonsense, embarrassing one another and listening to Carolyn’s short stories.

Carolyn was there to meet us at the Boathouse where we enjoyed our usual breakfast.

It would appear that Sean couldn’t stay away completing a drive past the Boathouse.  Was this just to make sure that we did run or did he miss us?

Sean off to Liverpool today and running the half marathon with Sian tomorrow.  Looking for great times Sean.

Looks like a FanSub4 reunion next week for the “Big 22” and over to Captain Band and Coach Casey taking back the reins of blogger.

For Carolyn!!!

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/events/asics-target-262-calf-stretch-with-physio-sarah-connors/8058.html

lindisfarne, run for home

this weeks clue from Jim-

This band has a link to last week's clue and somewhere close to Sean's roots.
The song, as always, is something we do, always do, but we can only do it for a fraction of the time.




Too easy though and was guessed in minutes!!!

Skinflats! You asked and I delivered!!!!!

THE TRUTH ABOUT SKINFLATS

It may not be the most poetic name in Scotland; neither mellifluous nor romantic, and yes, it has been described as the ugliest name of any town in Scotland but, to those of us who are thirled to toponymics the name Skinflats is an intriguing one.

Skinflats in 1861

Skinflats in the 1920s

At a personal level, it is one that has become my bête noire: an unhappy circumstance that results from a local tradition which holds that the name was given by Dutchmen who reclaimed the carseland in that area at some indeterminate period. Having done so, we are told, they then looked over the results of their labours and proclaimed, “Schone flats”! Consequently, when involved in any local discussion on place-names someone will ask, 'Do you know what Skinflats means', to which my well rehearsed reply is, 'No, but I think you're about to tell me', and the Dutchmen, as you might expect, make their due appearance. My equally well rehearsed counter-questions follow: (1) when was this done? (2) who paid to have it done? (3) why is there no record of the event and (4) why does the increased value of the land not appear in any valuation? The answers to these are (1) “Dinni ken.” (2) “Dinni ken.” (3) “Dinni ken.” and (4) “Whit?” However, my favourite question is kept for last: “Who paid these Dutchmen to remain here long after they had completed the job? Which they would have to do in order to see the results: the process used to reclaim land from the sea did not produce an instantaneous effect; indeed it could take years and, fiscally speaking, Skinflats is only a very loud hail from Fife. It should also be mentioned that on one solitary occasion I encountered a variation of the story which states that that it wasn't land being reclaimed from the sea that brought the Netherlanders but the draining of an alleged moss.

So let's set the scene and look at the facts. Firstly, Skinflats is a small settlement that originated as miners' rows serving a local colliery. It was built sometime between 1817 and 1861 on a piece of land then known as Skinflat. Presumably, the –s attached through usage as the rows would have come to be known as *the Skinflat's rows to distinguish them from numerous others in the vicinity.

In 1841 the parish minister commented, 'There is no village in the parish, except a small portion of Carron Shore, the greater part of which is in the parish of Larbert'. Skinflats was described in 1861 as, 'Two rows of colliers houses, partly slated and partly tiled. It contains two public houses and one smithy. The parish school is situated near the north end of the village'. The earliest overt record I've recovered for the land on which its stands comes from 1714 when Alexander Johnstoune of Kirkland (of Bothkennar) took heritable possession of 'the parts and portions of the estate of Newtoun called Houkers, the Tiend Yeard, Skimflat and Bamershyre'. In subsequent sections of the charter the name appears as Skamflat. Five years later it reappears as Skameflat and in a sasine that specifies the extent of these pieces of land the notary has entered, 'Skameflat being [blank] acres of land or thereby'. A bit unfortunate on the one hand but, on the other, it is acknowledges that is was measured in acres and, therefore, was arable.

This charter also gives the marches of Skameflat along with the adjoining place known as Tiend Yard which was acquired at the same time. Together, they are said to be 'bounded betwixt the right of way that leads betwixt the ferries of Airth and Carron on the west. The lands belonging to Newton possest be Adam Lidle on the east. The lands possest be John Slanders on the north and the lands of Newton possest be John Rae tenant on the south side'.

Both places are described as having, 'house biggings yards tofts crofts parts [and] pendicles', and so not only was this holding measured in arable units but it had an established steading with the usual arrangement of buildings and associated enclosed areas. This last charter, in dealing with Tiend Yard, has the following clause: 'Excepting from this disposition as it is thereby excepted that piece of ground taken of the said lands for making of ane entry to the school house of Bothkennar'. Although mentioned in earlier records, this is the first document to locate the school and shows that it was situated where the first edition of the Ordnance Survey depicted it in 1861 and, indeed, where the present village school still stands. Both of these places were parts of larger units defined within the charters in oxengates and, therefore, in an area that tradition states to consisted of moss, myre, bog, or saltings we find the land being measured in oxgangs and acres. Now, having ploughed my way (no pun intended) through hundreds of charters and sasines I've yet to see one that specifies the actual extent of any muir or moss let alone one that uses the terminology of arable division for such places.

Certainly, in Bothkennar there was reclamation as the parish minister reports in the 1790's: 'Within these few years, a considerable extent of ground has been gained in this parish and neighbourhood from the Frith (sic), which, though defended at a great expense, will soon become a valuable acquisition to its possessors'. This information was restated some fifty years later by his successor who, in 1841, states: 'The Earl of Zetland has reclaimed from the Frith (sic) of Forth, by embankments about 200 acres which have not as yet been subjected to the payment of any part of the minister's stipend. There are still 800 acres which are left dry by the tides twice every twenty-four hours, and which will certainly, at no distant period, be recovered from the sea'. This ties in with the canalization of the River Carron which took place in the years 1767-70 to allow vessels of large burden to reach Carronshore. The Earl's lands lay on the south side of the river, but as a consequence of the straightening, part of these were transferred to the north bank. All of the old course of the river and the substantial estuary were banked and reclaimed and there can be little doubt that this formed most, if not all, of the 200 acres.

A casual observer might perceive the carselands to be as flat as a bowling green but, in fact, there are undulations. Parts lie at only 3 metres O.D., while much of it attains 4 metres and in other places, including the site of the church, it rises to 5 metres, but sitting on the highest point of the parish is Skinflats which is on the 6 metre high summit. It must also be pointed out that Skinflats is located more than one and a half kilometres inland from the coast. Between Skinflats and the coast are several places which have a considerable history. Among these is Newton (1502), the largest estate in the parish and the one that Skinflats is a division from. Also on the seaward side were the smaller estates of Orchardhead (1526) and Stonehouse (1632), both at the shore. Close by Skinflats are (or were) Mains of Bothkennar (1507), Howkerse (1637) and Grange of Bothkennar (1376). Immediately adjoining is Tiends Yard (1637). Another factor that must be taken into consideration is that the Carse of Bothkennar (1359), far from being a morass, was a highly productive tract of arable land from at least the mediaeval period.

Evidence for this comes from the thirteenth century, when records provide unequivocal evidence that wheat was being grown there. Due to the climate and northerly latitude of Scotland this is a more difficult crop to grow than oats or barley. Certainly, it will not flourish on marginal lands of poor quality. As Bothkennar was Crown Land and returned rents in kind to the king, the records indicate the produce. As each and every square inch of the parish of Bothkennar lay on the carse, there can be no doubt that all revenue derived from Bothkennar was the produce of that tract. In 1290 Norman de Arcy, knight and keeper of the castle of Stirling, issued a receipt to the Abbot and convent of Newbattle for 4 chalders of wheat, and 12 merks sterling instead of 6 chalders of wheat, of the ferm (the rents) of Bothkennar. This was probably part of what was due annually from revenues which Newbattle Abbey derived from Bothkennar: it was common for rents and benefices to be paid on two terms yearly and we find a further receipt for 5 chalders of wheat and 10 merks issued by Sir Norman in the same year. It would seem, therefore, that Newbattle paid 20 chalders of wheat per year to the keeper of the castle with half of this being commuted to cash. Newbattle's revenue from Bothkennar was a consequence of an early gift to the abbey and so only represented that part of the produce grown there; it follows that we are seeing in these transactions only a fraction of the wheat production.

King Robert the Bruce issued directions in 1317 to the sheriff and baillies of Stirling to ensure payment to the abbot and convent of Cambuskenneth from the king's tiends of Bothkennar, 'both in grain and money as they were wont to receive them in the time of King Alexander III' (1249-1286). It is worth noting that these had been exchanged at the time of Alexander for certain tiends of the lordship of Stirling which had originally been granted to the abbey by the kings of Scotland. It would seem that the stability brought to the country by the victory at Bannockburn was reflected in the produce of Bothkennar for, in 1328, the sheriffdom of Stirlingshire and the king's ferms from that county were assessed by the auld extent, with the exception of Bothkennar. There a new assessment was made and, it is of interest to note, only two years before, Robert the Bruce petitioning parliament for a grant of money because the crown lands had diminished by gifts and transferences and by occasione of war.

As late as the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries it is common to find in feu charters of lands in Bothkennar the obligation to pay to Cambuskenneth various quantities of wheat. It is equally noteworthy that rents from the Carse of Bothkennar were being paid partly in money in that early period. This tells us that the tenants had produce well in excess of subsistence and were converting the surplus to cash. The very act of commuting rent in kind for money is the most convincing indicator of the valuable nature of the agriculture of the carse at that time. We are told, in 1841, that the main produce of the parish was wheat and beans. Due to agricultural improvements such as drainage and crop rotation the average of crop of wheat was around six quarters per acre, and the best years as much as nine. The rent of the land even than was still reckoned as a grain rent.

In all likelihood the myth origin of the name is tied into several of these factors and events, particularly the eighteenth century engineering of the River Carron. Nevertheless, this does not explain the ongoing part of the legend that it was carried out by Dutchmen. This probably emanated from ill recalled versions of a passage in Sir Robert Sibbald's account of Linlithgow in 1710 when, speaking of a stretch of shore on the south bank of the firth known as Ladies Scape, he states: 'The Dutch did offer some time ago to make all the Scape good arable ground and Meadow, and to make Harbours and Towns there in convenient places, upon certain conditions which were not accepted'.

In the discussions mentioned above, having explained these circumstances to the proponents, they inevitably strike back with their killer punch, which is, 'Well, whit aboot the Dutch Inn then?' This establishment, opened in the 1960's, is a popular eating place in the village. The suggestion that the Dutchmen were Moss Lairds must also be refuted. The Military Survey clearly shows three mosses along the carselands: at Throsk, Elphinstone (now Dunmore) and Letham. The first has been totally drained although it survived into the eighteenth century, fragments of Elphinstone, which was huge, are visible but fragmentary while Letham is still exploited for moss today. The Military Survey indicated that both Throsk and Elphinstone had colonies of Moss Lairds. All three mosses had associated place-names such as Moss-side and Mossneuk. There is not a solitary example of a name having moss as an element recorded in Bothkennar Parish. Further evidence for the existence of mosses arises because feudal tenants had privileges on them and these rights were usually stated within their charters of sasine. Given that Bothkennar is so well documented, had there ever been a moss there within the historical period it certainly would have been noted.

As far as a derivation for the name is concerned, no sense of skim provides any logical derivation but skam is found as an element in names such as the recurring Scam(m)adale ARG, INV and the variants Scammi Dale SHE and Scamodale INV. As far as the Shetland instance is concerned Stewart gives the derivation of the element as ON skammr, 'short' as does Cameron for Scampton LIN. It is also worth noting Skinnaquoy ORK, a name that has developed from Skanaqoy (1595). It may be inferred that the meaning of Skamflat was 'short flat'. Cf. Shortflatt NTB. It is notable in terms of dating names containing the element flat that of the twenty recorded in West Lothian, not a single instance is located on the carselands, which expanse is comprised of land reclaimed in the seventeenth century. Of the seven places quoted by SND, three are recorded c.1240 and the latest in 1327.

In the Falkirk area, over and above Skinflats, we find several such names, all of which are located on the carse. These are: Almond Flat (1399), Carronflat (1542), (which lay a long way from the River Carron having been stranded from it by a change in the course of the river that occurred sometime before 1450), Scotflatt (1655), Reedyflats (1544), Reddoch Flat, (1635), Middleflat (1655), Smallburn Flat (1399), Smoothflats (1805), Wholeflats (1635), Burnsflat (1621), Gallowflat (1569), Ladyflat (1628), Maryflats (Marieflattis), Millflatts (c.1755), Powflat (1700) and Tillyflats (1731).

John Reid (prompted by a local news report …)

We've got the key of the door-never done 21 before!!

Back down to 3 this week, as Carolyn's injury prevented her from joining us. :-(

We opted to return to the Falkirk wheel for our flat route to Airth, with a wee detour to take us up to 21 miles for our furthest training run so far!!!

Jim must have wet the bed or he was just excited to get the captains armband!! The plan was to pick Sean up at 7.30am, however he turned up 15 minutes earlier and Sean was still in his dressing gown!!!!

Jim had even had a new style eagle eyed action man haircut, specially for the occasion!!!

Weather was milder and dry, although at times the wind was strong and in our face.

We decided to run at a steady 9 minute mile pace and as such this made the run much more sociable than in recent weeks with everyone staying together until the 14 mile mark.  No major topics of conversation, although Jim did mention something about his helmet!!!

A wee  (little and indeed urine!)  stop at the petrol station marked our half way point.  Sandra even had to pee in the dark!!

As usual the mood changed on the way back-social on the way out always seems to turn into serious on the way back! We stayed together up to 14 miles, until Sean spotted another runner and used them as a wee rabbit to chase!! Once past he was off!!! Finishing in a respectable 8:49 average.

Jim and Sandra pushed on strongly and finished in 9 minute pace!! A great effort by the whole team!!

We should all be incredibly proud of our progress, although we did look disabled when walking across the car park at the Boathouse!!

The only down point of the day was, that due to a misunderstanding Carolyn didn't join us for breakfast! Turning the corner Sean expected to see her sat in the car park, however no one had confirmed what time we would be there and as such she had breakfast alone at home :-(

The team feels like we are rolling along without our 4th wheel without her but hopefully her injury will ease soon and we will get her back!!

Some awards this week too!!
Best male over 50-Jim Pettigrew
Best male under 50-Sean Casey
Best Female-Sandra Band
Most missed team mate-Carolyn McKeown

Joe McElderry - The Climb (Official Full Song HQ)

This week's clue (which no one got!) was-

Certainly what we're doing tomorrow was covered by a short version of what i am although not of the same sexual persuasion!!!

Fabulous FIVE and a fearsome fifteen!!!

Today the fantastic 4 welcomed back Carolyn and her dodgy calf!  We also had a special guest appearance from Anne Marie McGregor for her first ever attempt over 13.1 miles!!!

We were awarded a long lie from Captain/Coach Casey and set off at a more reasonable time of 8am! For the first time (EVER, if the milky white colour would suggest) the boys wore shorts and the camel backs were also left at home.  Carolyn had forgotten her jacket and wondered whether she should run in her wee cardy!!!

The route was horrific! Hill after hill was followed by hill after hill!! We even had to go up a wee ramp at the Boathouse to get our breakfast!!!  A full and frank apology has been offered by Sean!

The plan was that Carolyn could miss out some loops and still start/finish with us, which she duly did completing a very admirable 10 miles in just over 9 minute mile pace.  A MESSAGE FROM YOUR TEAM MATES!!! GO AND SEE SOMEONE ABOUT YOUR CALF!!!!!!!!

Anne Marie set off at a ferocious pace and dragged Sean along to the half way point at 8:40 average, which certainly made negative split a challenge. (Achieved nonetheless at a painful 8:34!!)  Unfortunately she wasn't wearing her watch, as when she put it on it was in Japanese and possibly this early pace effected her later on.

Sandra and Jim (didn't they live on a barge???-or was that Rosie and Jim??) battled through the hills driven on by cursing and swearing at Sean and his stupid route, finishing in an admirable 8:43!!! What a team!!!

Nothing really funny happened other than a fellow runner who stopped Anne Marie and Sean going around the Balloch loop to tell us that a lady with red, curly hair had asked her to tell us she was taking a short cut! (We couldn't work out who she meant!!)

Hopefully we haven't put Anne Marie off, she would be a very welcome addition to the team! (COME ON, GIVE CHICAGO A GO!)

Roll on our wee 21 miler next week! And no bloody hills!!!