Monday, August 30, 2010
Stoneymollan Sun 29th
Nice easy off road afternoon trot round the hills behind us. Ran through the fields to cross Carman, up the steps and track to the back of Carman reservoir, through the quarry and over the two small tops before the run down to the Stoney. Followed the path down then jogged along the bypass & through Christie Park to finish in 78 mins.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Ben Vorlich Sat 21st
Went to Arrochar with Ian and Jimmy and settled on an out and back run up Vorlich, 13 miles and 4500' of ascent . Forecast mixed, sunny spells with cloud, rain and a bit windy.
Set out from Succouth just after half 8 up the Glen Loin path, walked the hills to save some energy for the climb up Vorlichs steep flank. Left the road at the cairn taking the walkers path, ok at this time of year but can be somewhat mushy.
The path does its best to take the sting out of the climb and once your on the ridge its more runnable as the path winds through gullies and crags to the triple summit. We arrived at the highest summit and a seat out of the wind, a short break for a drink and some food and then ran along to the trig point before we go too cold, the trig point is the second highest top some 2 metres lower, we stopped to capture some photographic evidence of our visit.
Ran back along the ridge until we were level with the dam and then took the less used straight down path, steep, but ok with a bit of care and only fall when there is no rocks below you. Three falls and a couple of bum slides later and we were down. A run across the dam to pick up the road through the tunnel and the undulating run back through Glen Loin.
Lucky with the weather or just a good route choice as we escaped the low cloud that seemed to linger on the other Arrochar tops. Finished in 4 hours 15 and managed to avoid the speed trap going into Tarbet on the way home.
Set out from Succouth just after half 8 up the Glen Loin path, walked the hills to save some energy for the climb up Vorlichs steep flank. Left the road at the cairn taking the walkers path, ok at this time of year but can be somewhat mushy.
The path does its best to take the sting out of the climb and once your on the ridge its more runnable as the path winds through gullies and crags to the triple summit. We arrived at the highest summit and a seat out of the wind, a short break for a drink and some food and then ran along to the trig point before we go too cold, the trig point is the second highest top some 2 metres lower, we stopped to capture some photographic evidence of our visit.
Ran back along the ridge until we were level with the dam and then took the less used straight down path, steep, but ok with a bit of care and only fall when there is no rocks below you. Three falls and a couple of bum slides later and we were down. A run across the dam to pick up the road through the tunnel and the undulating run back through Glen Loin.
Lucky with the weather or just a good route choice as we escaped the low cloud that seemed to linger on the other Arrochar tops. Finished in 4 hours 15 and managed to avoid the speed trap going into Tarbet on the way home.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Leven 5k
A good turnout of 19 runners for the 2nd running of the club 5k race. The start is on Old Luss Road at the rear entrance to Cameron House, run a short way on the road before turning left to go down through Lomond Shores and on to the path along to Balloch beside the river Leven where it joins the cycle path to the finish just after the Vale Academy.
Late home so missed my start time and set off with the faster runners, no overtaking for me. Managed to avoid the usual too fast start and then concentrated on staying relaxed. Finished just under 22 mins about 30 secs slower than last year.
Late home so missed my start time and set off with the faster runners, no overtaking for me. Managed to avoid the usual too fast start and then concentrated on staying relaxed. Finished just under 22 mins about 30 secs slower than last year.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Ben Nevis Sat 14th Aug
Didn't fancy the stress of racing the Lomonds of Fife on Sunday so took the opportunity to take Andrew up the Ben. Drove up early Sat and set off up Heart Attack Hill from the youth hostel with a rucksack full of food, clothes and water.
Forecast was to clear in the afternoon but we went into the cloud from 2500'. Very busy, stuck to the tourist route rather than the more direct race route and windy corner still the toughest part. Refreshing drink from the Red Burn at half way then followed the zig zags into the clouds.
Thankfully the gradient eases towards the top and we summited in 2 1/2 hours. Although still in the clouds you could feel the heat from the sun and 200 plus people were sitting about enjoying a rest, some food and a few photos taken.
Set off after an hour or so, feet suffering a bit in the splintered rock. Only needed a couple of short stops on the way down reaching the river Nevis in 1 1/2 hours and stood in the cool water for a few minutes to refresh tired feet.
Forecast was to clear in the afternoon but we went into the cloud from 2500'. Very busy, stuck to the tourist route rather than the more direct race route and windy corner still the toughest part. Refreshing drink from the Red Burn at half way then followed the zig zags into the clouds.
Thankfully the gradient eases towards the top and we summited in 2 1/2 hours. Although still in the clouds you could feel the heat from the sun and 200 plus people were sitting about enjoying a rest, some food and a few photos taken.
Set off after an hour or so, feet suffering a bit in the splintered rock. Only needed a couple of short stops on the way down reaching the river Nevis in 1 1/2 hours and stood in the cool water for a few minutes to refresh tired feet.
Ben Rinnes Sat 31st July
Went up to Lossie a day early so that I could run the Ben Rinnes 5 Tops Hill Race again, 14 miles and 5000' of ascent, an out and back to Ben Rinnes taking in the tops of Little Conval and Meikle Conval, some more race info here.
The race starts and finishes with a lap round the field typical of Highland games hill races. 60 or so runners took part. The first mile or two is on farm tracks and over a golf course before the gradient increases onto the hillside. No real drive in my legs and just kept it steady over the first two hills reaching the road crossing in 61 mins. Stopped for a drink and some jelly babies before a reasonable run up Ben Rinnes, slowed towards the top where we were greeted by a squally shower.
Climbed through the summit Tor and set off back towards the road, a bit of a struggle rather than the usual downhill wheeee. Another drink and some sweets before the steep climb up Meile Conval, had to stop every 10 yards or so, made it to the flag but being passed by several others and stopped to try and refuel. Painful plod but gradually imporved and over the top of MC managed to claw a couple of places back.
The climb up Little Conval thankfully short and managed a reasonable pace for the 2 or 3 mile run down to finish in 3 hours 22 not quite a PW but felt like it. Had a lie down at the side of the games field to contemplate and recover before the traditional cold shower. Only the fast runners get a hot shower. Race winner, Joe Symmonds, finished in 1 hr 54 breaking his brothers record from last year by a couple of minutes. They come from hill racing stock, read the book.
The race starts and finishes with a lap round the field typical of Highland games hill races. 60 or so runners took part. The first mile or two is on farm tracks and over a golf course before the gradient increases onto the hillside. No real drive in my legs and just kept it steady over the first two hills reaching the road crossing in 61 mins. Stopped for a drink and some jelly babies before a reasonable run up Ben Rinnes, slowed towards the top where we were greeted by a squally shower.
Climbed through the summit Tor and set off back towards the road, a bit of a struggle rather than the usual downhill wheeee. Another drink and some sweets before the steep climb up Meile Conval, had to stop every 10 yards or so, made it to the flag but being passed by several others and stopped to try and refuel. Painful plod but gradually imporved and over the top of MC managed to claw a couple of places back.
The climb up Little Conval thankfully short and managed a reasonable pace for the 2 or 3 mile run down to finish in 3 hours 22 not quite a PW but felt like it. Had a lie down at the side of the games field to contemplate and recover before the traditional cold shower. Only the fast runners get a hot shower. Race winner, Joe Symmonds, finished in 1 hr 54 breaking his brothers record from last year by a couple of minutes. They come from hill racing stock, read the book.
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