Whangie

First Bog n Burn race of the year, dry underfoot, blue skies and a cool breeze, so not too boggy. 4 miles and 800' of ascent. Took it easy up the first climb then tried to push on along the narrow undulating track past the Whangie. Managed to overtake a few then held my place until we reached the ridge, felt good on the run down to the road. Steady jog along to the turn back onto the hill. Walked the first short steep section then ran from then on. Picked off a few jog n walkers on the way to the trig point. After the trig its mostly gentle grassy downhill until a short sharp drop back to the path and helter skelter with a couple more victims on the way back to the finish. Great wee local race with a built in 1 1/2 mile warm up and cool down to and from the parking area. Finished in just over 37 minutes, a few seconds faster than last year for the same route, and faster than previous best for the old route.

Pictures here and here.

Easy weekend

Short runs, two of them, the first Saturday afternoon, a steady jog round Stoneymollan, a nice breeze, clouds scudding around the blue sky, Luss Hills, Ben Lomond and beyond, all crying out for attention in the sun, stick to the plan, recovery from the past few hard weeks. Sunday an evening run through the three parks, Chrsitie, Argyll and Balloch, careful not to stand on sleeping ducks, as dusk falls.

Stuc A Chroin recce

This weeks long run was a recce of the race route. 14 miles and 5000' of ascent. From Strathyre the route starts and finishes with 2 miles on forest tracks with a few ups and downs in between. I had only run this as a race so today was a chance to take in the views. After the first couple of miles we left the track through the tunnel of trees onto the hill for a gradual climb over Meall Mor and a steep drop into Glen Ample, then an enjoyable climb up to take in the views from the summit of Beinn Each. Its two miles from BE to the top of the Stuc, the first mile good fun as the path twists and turns along an undulating ridge, the second a steady 1000' climb. We spent a few minutes on the top looking from Ben Vorlich which sits a mile or so behind the Stuc right across to the Firth of Forth on the East coast. A quick refuel in the shelter of the summit cairn and we set off for the return back along the ridge to Bealach nan Cabar, luckily the return route avoids Beinn Each and we drop down a tussocky gulley before the rough traverse along Glen Ample saving something for the climb out to Meall Mor. Good run back to the forest, mostly downhill, then the two mile jog to Strathyre. We finished in 4 hours 50 and hope to be somewhat quicker in a couple of weeks time.



Sunday was such a good morning just had to go for a recovery run over Carman, Overton and Bromley Muirs, 5 or 10 minutes slower than usual and walked the steep bits.

Arrochar Alps

Forecast was for more sun as the day went on, good day for a long slow run. The plan was to run from Succouth up Glen Loin to Coiregrogain, then Ben Vane, Beinn Ime and Narnain, and a descent down to Succouth, about 13 miles and 6000' of climbing.

We started with low cloud and mist down below 2000'. Took it easy through Glen Loin, walking the bigger hills. Arriving at the Ben Vane path just after Coiregrogain we moved quickly across the bog and onto the 2000 foot in a mile climb, pretty soon we were into the clouds. Steady trudge up and as we made our way through Vanes knobbly tops we broke through into sunshine and stunning views of mountain tops piercing the clouds. We took in the views for a few minutes then set off on a crag avoiding bearing into Lag Uaine and back into the mist. We came down under Beinn Chorranach, too far North, a short trot up the glen and we set off for what we hoped was Glas Bhealach. A few minor zig zags on the way up and then a break in the clouds confirmed we were just about on track. A short stop at GB then up the steep North flank of Beinn Ime in glorious sunshine. A brief stop at the top and we were off back down into the mist towards Bealach a'Mhaim. Tried to run a bearing but came down slightly to the right of the style. Soon picked up the path to Narnain and back into the sun, even managed a wee jog as the slope eased towards the top. We set off with a scramble through the Spearhead to start the run down the steep twisting path, kept a steady pace going all the way. Keeping to the left of the stream we managed to stay off the concrete blocks and made good time on the bottom section leading back on to the forrest track. Only a short run down to the car park left with a quick stop at the jacuzzi refreshing tired legs.

Finished in 4 hours 50, a quiet seat in the sun before the drive home our reward for a fine day. Only met one person on Ben Vane then hordes of walkers as we ran off Beinn Ime and over Narnain. Misty glens made us think a wee bit about navigation and brought us back down to earth after the stunning views from the tops.

Stoneymollan

18 runners set off on the handicap hill race, first off about 6:30 last after 7. A cool and clear evening, good for running. The first 1/2 mile is on the road then onto tracks and paths. Good running up the Stoneymollan then nice n boggy along Bromley and Overton Muirs. Reeled the runner ahead in at the top of the Stoney but he tucked in behind and would overtake me before the finish. Good run along to the fort catching three as I jumped the wall. I can hear runners coming up behind but hold them off until back on to the road when a couple pass me. Jog the last two wee hills then push downhill to finish in just over 43 minutes a couple of minutes slower than last year. Tea and cakes in the hall once everyone gets back.

Luss Hill Run

Saturday morning and we set off for a loop round the Luss Hills, the route would turn out depending how we felt. Into the climbing straight away up Beinn Dubh, no stopping at the top in the cool breeze. Along the ridge twisting round Coire na h-eanachan and Carlaig before the tussocky drop into Sith Mor. Second big climb up Doune Hill then more ridge running over Beinn Lochain and Eich and back down to the road a the top of Glen Luss. Here we crossed the Glen for the stiff climb up Coille-eughain Hill and back to the foot of the glen via the Paps, finished the 13 mile 6000' route in just over 4 1/2 hours.