Monday, January 31, 2011
Whinney Hill
Late home on Friday and instead of a rest for Sundays race went for a run round the Stoneymollan, at least it was the short version, took it easy and my headtorch for a dark descent. Sunday, Whinney Hill race, cool and dry made for good running. 16 runners, all doing the full route. Pictures here. Set off in 5th position, Number 4 gradually drifting away ahead, no one else near me so it turned into a bit of a time trial. Plenty of energy for the run back from the seat just nothing to drive me on a bit faster. Finished just under 43 mins. Pennance was found on Monday via 4 Stoneymollans, first two in 14:50, second two in 14:20.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Luss Horseshoe
Last weeks circuit of the Vale Hills and a good forecast supplied the motivation to get back out for a tougher hill run, the first for a couple of months. Run taking in order Creag an t-Seilich, Beinn Dubh, Sith Mor, Doune Hill, Beinn Lochain and Beinn Eich, about 12 miles and close on 5000' of ascent. Start and finish at the bottom of Glen Luss.
Set off about 8:30 on a frozen misty morning, within 10 minutes came out the mist, the views to Conic peaking out above the clouds and a lovely sunrise made for a good start.
Frozen ground great for running over, skimmed over the boggy bits instead of the usual tussocky detours, feet staying on top and dry and warm. Too warm in the sun with triple thermal top, so off with jacket/gloves until after Creag an t-Seilich where the wind chill kicked in. Steady plod to reach the top in about 50 mins,
Easy run round the corries then picked my way through the peat hags on the drop into Sith Mor. Jacket and gloves off in the sun for the climb up Doune Hill, soon back on towards the top as the wind kicked in again.
Stopped for a few pictures here before a steady run along the ridge to Bein Eich, straight over and down to Edentaggart Farm at the top of Glen Luss. Pleasant run down the road to finish a few minutes under 4 hours. More pictures here.
Superb views all morning to Ben Lomond, Arrochar Alps and snow capped mountains as far as you could see. Unusual view down the Clyde Estuary trying to pick out the different hills poking through the low cloud.
Easy ground to run on, hard frost in the Glens, then slightly softer as you climbed up with a harder frost on the tops. Ran in trail shoes as they keep your feet a bit warmer. Ok for grip at todays relaxed pace with no really steep sections but the heel is much thicker than fell shoes which made for unstable foot placement on the rough ground.
Set off about 8:30 on a frozen misty morning, within 10 minutes came out the mist, the views to Conic peaking out above the clouds and a lovely sunrise made for a good start.
Frozen ground great for running over, skimmed over the boggy bits instead of the usual tussocky detours, feet staying on top and dry and warm. Too warm in the sun with triple thermal top, so off with jacket/gloves until after Creag an t-Seilich where the wind chill kicked in. Steady plod to reach the top in about 50 mins,
Easy run round the corries then picked my way through the peat hags on the drop into Sith Mor. Jacket and gloves off in the sun for the climb up Doune Hill, soon back on towards the top as the wind kicked in again.
Stopped for a few pictures here before a steady run along the ridge to Bein Eich, straight over and down to Edentaggart Farm at the top of Glen Luss. Pleasant run down the road to finish a few minutes under 4 hours. More pictures here.
Superb views all morning to Ben Lomond, Arrochar Alps and snow capped mountains as far as you could see. Unusual view down the Clyde Estuary trying to pick out the different hills poking through the low cloud.
Easy ground to run on, hard frost in the Glens, then slightly softer as you climbed up with a harder frost on the tops. Ran in trail shoes as they keep your feet a bit warmer. Ok for grip at todays relaxed pace with no really steep sections but the heel is much thicker than fell shoes which made for unstable foot placement on the rough ground.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Time Trial
Club time trial, 4.3 mile road run, starting at Christie Park along Middleton St, down to Bonhill Bridge, through Jamestown, Lomond Road, Luss Road through Christie Park and along Middleton St again looping back to the Leisure centre via Upper Bridge St.
This has been run off n on since 2003, once a month usually from Sept to April, races taking precedence the rest of the time. Performance varied, you would maybe have the opportunity to run one or two fast each year the rest would be brisk or tempo type training runs.
Over the last few years the TT became an occaisonal run. It was ressurected at the end of last year and the Dec outing was to be the first race of the clubs 25th Anniversary GP Series. Snow and ice in Dec made it less than safe and it was rescheduled for last night.
As I hadn't been under 30 mins since Sept 06 that was my target, ended up reasonably close 30 mins 10 seconds equal to my fastest time since March 07.
This has been run off n on since 2003, once a month usually from Sept to April, races taking precedence the rest of the time. Performance varied, you would maybe have the opportunity to run one or two fast each year the rest would be brisk or tempo type training runs.
Over the last few years the TT became an occaisonal run. It was ressurected at the end of last year and the Dec outing was to be the first race of the clubs 25th Anniversary GP Series. Snow and ice in Dec made it less than safe and it was rescheduled for last night.
As I hadn't been under 30 mins since Sept 06 that was my target, ended up reasonably close 30 mins 10 seconds equal to my fastest time since March 07.
Monday, January 17, 2011
PWWHSM
Forecast was wet n windy and it was, a circuit of the hills surrounding the Vale 18 miles and 3100' of ascent, and for this we got Pappert Well, Whinney Hill and Stoneymollan.
4 of us left the leisure centre just after 8 on Saturday morning, jogged down over the Bonhill Bridge and into Pappert crossed the bridge for the track on the far side of the burn. The bottom section has been smartened up, not nice, no doubt some trail runners idea of improvements. Thankfuly the top half of the track rougher and muddier. Steady plod took us to the trig point in 45 minutes. No hanging around here exposed to the wind and rain.
Followed the trail past the Well and down through the forrest to the style where we went right across fields and the golf course, found a few stray balls. Came out on Auchencarroch road then a short section of track before more road until we got on to the upper Whinney Hill track from Boturich road. Good run up through the woods for a short break at the seat, no views today. Ran through Balloch Park on the way back towards Stoneymollan.
Last hurrah up the Stoney. Walked to the first gate then a steady jog to the top. Ran along the moor walking the short steep sections before the short slippy descent to pick up the Radio Mast track. Some joinery work required on the style.
Finished in 4 hours, a quick refreshment then home tired.
4 of us left the leisure centre just after 8 on Saturday morning, jogged down over the Bonhill Bridge and into Pappert crossed the bridge for the track on the far side of the burn. The bottom section has been smartened up, not nice, no doubt some trail runners idea of improvements. Thankfuly the top half of the track rougher and muddier. Steady plod took us to the trig point in 45 minutes. No hanging around here exposed to the wind and rain.
Followed the trail past the Well and down through the forrest to the style where we went right across fields and the golf course, found a few stray balls. Came out on Auchencarroch road then a short section of track before more road until we got on to the upper Whinney Hill track from Boturich road. Good run up through the woods for a short break at the seat, no views today. Ran through Balloch Park on the way back towards Stoneymollan.
Last hurrah up the Stoney. Walked to the first gate then a steady jog to the top. Ran along the moor walking the short steep sections before the short slippy descent to pick up the Radio Mast track. Some joinery work required on the style.
Finished in 4 hours, a quick refreshment then home tired.
Monday, January 10, 2011
hcoreppiK
Ran backwards on Sunday, reversed the usual route past Dalmoak via Renton onto the Kipperoch, through Cardross Golf Course, up Darlieth Rd, past the Black Third, down the Stoneymollan and home, 13 miles and 1300' of ascent.
For a change we started towards Balloch and over a Snowymollan. Steady trudge then a careful run down Darlieth road, on the way through Cardross golf course we took a short detour to see the Grade 'A' listed building that was Kilmahew college. A recent TV programme showed the building as it was and how it is now, the Architect was in tears. What was a superb estate has gone to ruin over the last 30 years. There is loads of then and now media on the internet so give it a Google if you're interested.
We ran on through the estate tracks back to Carman and down to Cardross where we joined the Kipperoch track, a bit icy in places for the run to Dalmoak. Finished off with a steady jog along the last couple of miles from Dalmoak back to the club. 2 hours 53 including the detour.
For a change we started towards Balloch and over a Snowymollan. Steady trudge then a careful run down Darlieth road, on the way through Cardross golf course we took a short detour to see the Grade 'A' listed building that was Kilmahew college. A recent TV programme showed the building as it was and how it is now, the Architect was in tears. What was a superb estate has gone to ruin over the last 30 years. There is loads of then and now media on the internet so give it a Google if you're interested.
We ran on through the estate tracks back to Carman and down to Cardross where we joined the Kipperoch track, a bit icy in places for the run to Dalmoak. Finished off with a steady jog along the last couple of miles from Dalmoak back to the club. 2 hours 53 including the detour.
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Stoneymollan
Gentle introduction to the year and a nice easy run over Stoneymollan, ground still frozen but most of the snow and ice is gone. Its a good surface to run on with the bonus that your feet stay dry and warm. Great views all round with the snow creased face of the Ben reflected in an almost flat calm Loch Lomond.
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