Couch to 5k
Leven Las Vegas Running Club this week fired the starting gun on their Couch to 5k initiative when 27 beginner joggers began a 10 week journey which will result in them being able to run a distance of 5 kilometres (just over 3 miles) without stopping. Couch to 5k is a running plan promoted by the NHS to help participants improve their physical and mental health by progressively increasing the periods of continuous running week by week. A few more beginners are expected to join the C25k group next week, taking the total to well over 30 self-motivated joggers all keen to improve their fitness levels and experience the joys of running. A warm LLV welcome to everyone!
Our new Couch to 5k members
A couple of “homework” sessions were held during the week, to help guide and support the C25k members in their first week of the programme, and these informal group sessions will continue in the weeks to come.
Tuesday night training
The new training block kicked off with a variable speed session at King George V Park in Leven. This involved 3 sets of slow, medium and fast-paced running, with increasing effort as the sets continued. Great enthusiasm was shown by everyone, especially on the fast section.
Balmullo Trail Race
The final race in Fife Athletic Club’s midweek series took place at Balmullo on Thursday evening. Around 150 runners including 8 LLV tackled the 5 mile course starting from Balmullo village and making their way to the summit of Lucklaw Hill, a climb of some 600ft, before returning to the village. Bryan McLaren, Andy Cargill, Alan Davie, Iain Wallace, Allen Marr, Jeff Taylor, Gillian Hewitt and George Stewart wore the LLV colours with Bryan achieving a creditable top 10 finish.
Photos by Pete Bracegirdle / Fife AC
The overall results for the series of 5 midweek races have not been published yet but unofficially Allen has won the MV60 age category, and Bryan and Iain are expected to be highly placed as well.
Team LLV after the race
Social Run
On the same evening as Balmullo, the popular LLV Thursday evening social run took place.
Happy runners!
Parkruns
Alan Davie set a new PB at St Andrews. Jemma Guild ran her first ever parkrun at the same venue. At Beveridge Park in Kirkcaldy, Paula McLean set a new PB and Sandra Cooper ran her first parkrun.
New Gilston 5k
This was a fantastic LLV day out with 15 members taking part at this friendly local event in glorious weather.
A great turnout (but where's Tam?)
Tam Cullen managed to avoid being in the group photo but he WAS there.
Tam was there
Gillian Hewitt continued her excellent recent performances by finishing 3rd female overall. Andy Cargill was 3rd placed male finisher and Allen Marr won the over-60 male prize.
New Gilston 5k prize winners
After the 5k run, as part of their training for the Tiree Ultramarathon in September, Robin Pate, Davie Hogg and Jim Dunstan then set off to run back to Leven accompanied by Andy Cargill and Iain Wallace.
Some of the team couldn't afford the bus fare home from New Gilston
Touch of Tartan Half Marathon
Lorna Hughes took part in this event starting from the North Inch in Perth and covering a mixture of unclassified road, tarmac, forest trails and paths.
Lorna and friends showing a touch of tartan!
Upcoming events
Tuesday 15 August – Graham Clark Memorial at Knockhill
Tracey, Claire, Sandra, Lorna and Allen will be heading along to this.
Friday 18 August – Beveridge Park 5k Team Event
It would be great to see as many LLV as possible attending this event. For a full team, 3 males and 3 females are needed. There will also be the prize-giving for winners of the various categories for the overall series of 5k runs. It’s possible that LLV may be picking up one of those!
Tuesday 22 August – Ravenscraig Park 2*1 Mile Relay
There will be no LLV training on this evening so that as many as possible can head along to Ravenscraig Park in Kirkcaldy to participate in the great fun that is the 1 mile relay event. Mark this one on your calendar and start getting your teams organised!
Runner of the week
A few contenders here. Peter at age 75 recorded an amazing time of under 29 minutes at the New Gilston 5k and Allen bagged a couple of age category wins. Bryan, Alan, Andy and Iain all had high placed finishes during the week. But the outstanding performances came from Gillian who followed up her recent great run at the Donkey Brae race in Aberdour by finishing ahead of some very experienced hill runners at Balmullo and then achieving a podium place at New Gilston 5k, again ahead of some experienced runners including the lady who had won the event for the previous two years.
Gillian at Balmullo
The Retired Runner 