Started out late, about 11:30 for an anti clockwise run round Glen Loin, about 10 miles and 2000 feet of ascent.
With a 10k yesterday and next weeks BN race in mind an easy run was called for. Took my youngest son (12) on his bike and promised that we would walk the steep hills. Perfect day, sunny with a cool breeze.
Run went well except I had to push the bike up the hills whether he was on it or not. With this unexpected weight training thrown in the planned easy run was soon forgotten. As well as that the bonding session did not last, as soon as we go to the top off he went into the distance only stopping at each of the slight inclines on the way back to watch me slog my way up.
Finished in about 2:35 about 45 mins slower than usual due to carrying a mountain bike half way round. Asked if he would come again, the answer was "not if its that route".
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Drymen 10k, Sat 26th Aug
Blytheswood Care 10k in Drymen, ran this to try to get some speed into the legs for next weeks assault on Ben Nevis.
Race starts on the road behind the Winnock Hotel but we were soon directed onto a V muddy path to test your balance for a km or so. The route then undulates between farm track, road and path for the rest of the race. Running surface about as changeable as the weather, rain, sun, cloud and a breeze. Most enjoyable race a bit different from the usual road 10k. Low key but well organised with water stations and plenty of signs and marshalls to make sure you did not get lost in the maze of tracks and paths around Drymen.
Race starts on the road behind the Winnock Hotel but we were soon directed onto a V muddy path to test your balance for a km or so. The route then undulates between farm track, road and path for the rest of the race. Running surface about as changeable as the weather, rain, sun, cloud and a breeze. Most enjoyable race a bit different from the usual road 10k. Low key but well organised with water stations and plenty of signs and marshalls to make sure you did not get lost in the maze of tracks and paths around Drymen.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Arrochar Alps Fri 18th Aug
Repeat of last years pre Nevis race training run. Starting at Succoth, ignore the new path to the hills, instead taking the road opposite the car park and following this until it crossed the stream protected by a crash barrier. Sharp left at the end of the crash barrier onto a narrow path, followed this up through the trees until it joins the forrest track and then turn left keeping to the forrest track ignoring the right forks until the old path is reached.
At the old path turned right to go straight up the disused railway track, at the top of the track continued straight up Narnain ignoring the path towards the Cobbler. This path picks its way up through a few crags but is generally walkable & runable with some good views as you go up.
Once on the top went past the trig point and headed left to pick up the faint path down through the boulder field, then turned right and picked up the main path down steep slopes to cross the Beallach between Narnian/Ime & the Cobbler.
From the Beallach crossed the fence at the style and then straight up Ben Ime, mostly on an easy path, a bit muddy in places. Went past the first summit as the real summit is another 100 or so yards along with a dry stane turret marking the top of the highest peak in the Arrochar Alps (the only one over 1000 metres).
Returned by the same route back down to the Beallach, at the Beallach turned left just before the fence, avoiding the swamp, and then down the steep drop into Glen Loin. There is a new rough path to the rigth of the stream and above the current tree line which takes you back to the usual forrest track for a run back to Succoth.
All in about 12 miles and around 5000' of climbing run in just under 3 1/2 hours. Cloud level less than 2 1/2 thousand feet so no views from the tops. A few pictures in the Galleria.
At the old path turned right to go straight up the disused railway track, at the top of the track continued straight up Narnain ignoring the path towards the Cobbler. This path picks its way up through a few crags but is generally walkable & runable with some good views as you go up.
Once on the top went past the trig point and headed left to pick up the faint path down through the boulder field, then turned right and picked up the main path down steep slopes to cross the Beallach between Narnian/Ime & the Cobbler.
From the Beallach crossed the fence at the style and then straight up Ben Ime, mostly on an easy path, a bit muddy in places. Went past the first summit as the real summit is another 100 or so yards along with a dry stane turret marking the top of the highest peak in the Arrochar Alps (the only one over 1000 metres).
Returned by the same route back down to the Beallach, at the Beallach turned left just before the fence, avoiding the swamp, and then down the steep drop into Glen Loin. There is a new rough path to the rigth of the stream and above the current tree line which takes you back to the usual forrest track for a run back to Succoth.
All in about 12 miles and around 5000' of climbing run in just under 3 1/2 hours. Cloud level less than 2 1/2 thousand feet so no views from the tops. A few pictures in the Galleria.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Gran Canaria 5th to 12th Aug
Late booking made for the Island of Gran Canaria. Previously been to Tenerife and the climate is near perfect, hot & sunny but with a constant breeze which keeps it comfortable through the day and cool through the night.
Stayed in the Revoli Playa apartments in Puerto Rico on the Southern coast. Like the resort they were a bit dated but clean (no cockroaches) and comfortable with pool, bar, restaurant, supermarket & small shops on site and a short walk to either the main resort shops or the beach. Puerto Rico means Rich Port with lots of yachts and power boats in the 2 harbours at opposite ends of the beach. You can hire practicaly any type of boat and diving is popular too.
A 15 minute walk along a purpose built clifftop path takes you to the developing resort of Amadores complete with man made beach. Between the resorts access to the sea is via a spiral staircase where you can sit in the waves as they crash on to the rocks and watch the passing boats of all shapes and sizes.
PR beach is populated by a mixture of native Spanish and holiday makers. The Spanish families make for a live soap far more entertaining than any TV copy. Amadores beach is again mixed but with a higher % of holiday makers. Both beaches have a variety of shops and bars. The rocks between the two are populated by only a few people, mainly young Spanish and no shops but great to sit in the surf and pass the time of day.
A bit of a change from the usual Lossiemouth campsite summer holiday but a surprisingly similar relaxing "atmosphere and noise" on both the Lossie campsite and the Puerto Rico beach. Close your eyes and you could be on either (yes I have been in the Lossie campsite in 100 degree heat). Locals are friendly and obviously make an effort so that you enjoy your holiday without any hassle.
Stayed in the Revoli Playa apartments in Puerto Rico on the Southern coast. Like the resort they were a bit dated but clean (no cockroaches) and comfortable with pool, bar, restaurant, supermarket & small shops on site and a short walk to either the main resort shops or the beach. Puerto Rico means Rich Port with lots of yachts and power boats in the 2 harbours at opposite ends of the beach. You can hire practicaly any type of boat and diving is popular too.
A 15 minute walk along a purpose built clifftop path takes you to the developing resort of Amadores complete with man made beach. Between the resorts access to the sea is via a spiral staircase where you can sit in the waves as they crash on to the rocks and watch the passing boats of all shapes and sizes.
PR beach is populated by a mixture of native Spanish and holiday makers. The Spanish families make for a live soap far more entertaining than any TV copy. Amadores beach is again mixed but with a higher % of holiday makers. Both beaches have a variety of shops and bars. The rocks between the two are populated by only a few people, mainly young Spanish and no shops but great to sit in the surf and pass the time of day.
A bit of a change from the usual Lossiemouth campsite summer holiday but a surprisingly similar relaxing "atmosphere and noise" on both the Lossie campsite and the Puerto Rico beach. Close your eyes and you could be on either (yes I have been in the Lossie campsite in 100 degree heat). Locals are friendly and obviously make an effort so that you enjoy your holiday without any hassle.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Glen Luss Sun 30th July
Anti-clockwise circuit of Glen Luss of around 12 miles and 5000 feet of ascent.
Starting at the entrance to Glen Luss in sunny/breezy conditions with a 2000' climb up Beinn Dubh. Once on the top ran on narrow paths along the broad ridge to an un-named top looking in to Glen Douglas to the North and Loch Lomond to the East. Tremendous views up a fjord like Loch Lomond and over towards a dreamlike view of the Arrochar Alps. Only passed 5 people on this outward half.
1400' drop down to Sith Mor before the 1700' steep trackless slog up to the trig point at Doune Hill, passed a couple of Grannies going in the opposite direction complaining that the grass was much longer than usual! Clouds rolling in on aa cooling wind for the run from Doune Hill a couple of miles along the undulating ridge over Beinn Lochainn to Beinn Eich before the steep 2000' drop back in to Glen Luss at Edentaggart farm.
The last section is the 3 mile jog back down the Glen Luss road, passed the Grannies who had come out via Glen Mollochan. Only passed one other person who was sitting at the top of Beinn Eich, quieter than usual.
Starting at the entrance to Glen Luss in sunny/breezy conditions with a 2000' climb up Beinn Dubh. Once on the top ran on narrow paths along the broad ridge to an un-named top looking in to Glen Douglas to the North and Loch Lomond to the East. Tremendous views up a fjord like Loch Lomond and over towards a dreamlike view of the Arrochar Alps. Only passed 5 people on this outward half.
1400' drop down to Sith Mor before the 1700' steep trackless slog up to the trig point at Doune Hill, passed a couple of Grannies going in the opposite direction complaining that the grass was much longer than usual! Clouds rolling in on aa cooling wind for the run from Doune Hill a couple of miles along the undulating ridge over Beinn Lochainn to Beinn Eich before the steep 2000' drop back in to Glen Luss at Edentaggart farm.
The last section is the 3 mile jog back down the Glen Luss road, passed the Grannies who had come out via Glen Mollochan. Only passed one other person who was sitting at the top of Beinn Eich, quieter than usual.
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