Water weekend of running

New ground today, started at the back of Duntocher and ran a lollipop route up to Jaw reservoir, along past Cochno loch to Cochno Hill, past Greenside reservoir to the Slacks, past loch Humphrey to Duncolm,

From Duncolm we ran along towards then round Kilmannan reservoir, a wander through forestry eventually popping out behind Black Loch, round Black Loch and Jaw reservoir for the run back down to Duntocher. About 12 miles and 2000' of undulations, a mixture of nice grassy paths, forest roads and some boggy stuff. All runnable apart from some forestry bits where we had to clamber through fallen trees, newly cut stumps and ditches. Low cloud most of the way so only hints that the views are worth catching. Finished in just over three hours including a detour to the Three Graves. Some pictures here. Easy Sunday run, took the trail behind Carman reservoir and up through the Quarry to the Fort, race route back to the house, 5 miles and 1000'.

Luss and a double Dumgoyne

Set off on Saturday for a run round and over Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill and Coille Eughain Hill, 9 miles and 3700' of ascent. Didn't quite turn out that way. Beinn Dubh first, climbing up, jog walk for the first half, then mainly walk, into the clouds and then snow with a cold wind whistling around. Stopped in a wee sheltered spot just short of the summit to put on a second jacket, head scarf and fleecy gloves.

On past the summit cairn snow a bit deeper now, not easy to run in places, slow plod round towards Mid Hill, dropping below cloud base level then back up through drifting snow a couple of feet deep in places. The wind whipping snow off the ground, good for the complexion.

Reached the cairn at the top of Mid Hill and turned back retracing my tracks, by the time I started up Beinn Dubh wind blown snow had covered them up.

As I ran down towards Luss all change within a couple of hundred yards, I dropped out the clouds with patches of sunshine around. Finished just over two hours, 8 miles and 2500' of ascent. Pictures here.

Sunday, sunny but cold and a run over Dumgoyne to the Earls seat and back was planned. A bit sluggish on the initial climb but it was a good day to be out.

From the top of Dumgoyne views to Loch Lomond and snow capped mountains all around. A lot of the boggy ground was frozen, combined with Sealskinz meant reasonably warm  (not frozen) feet. Slow jog walk up Garloch Hill before a breezy run to the Earls Seat. Although only a couple of hundred feet lower than Luss there was no snow only a freezing wind so didn't stop long at the trig. Managed to run all the way back until the last steep wee climb.

Over Dumgoyne again, an easy walk on the short steep climb up the back and a run down the front for the first time, usually take the easy way round instead of over. Loads of walkers out now. Finished in about 2 hours 20, 7 miles and 2700' of ascent. Pictures here.

Hats off to Doune Hill

First Luss hill run for weeks. Low cloud and drizzle greeted us as we started at the top of the Glen. Slow jog and walk up Beinn Eich, into the mist about half way up, patches of snow still around. The wind kicked in as we crested the summit, no longer sheltered from the strong Westerly. Ok at first as we dropped down the back. It was a struggle to jog up Beinn Lochain more sideways than forwards, not far to Doune Hill from there so on we went turning North to get to the areas highest top. A brief stop on the small summit plateau saw my hat fly off in the direction of Glen Mollochan. We turned for home concentrating on keeping the paths in sight in the mist, the wind helping now blowing us about as we ran down and up over Beinn Lochain. A slow trudge back up Beinn Eich. Wind blew us down towards Edentaggart farm, only sheep for company today, good run once it was over, about 8 miles, 3200' in 2 hours 30. Sunday and another late start, short recovery run through fields, across the Carman and up the path behind the reservoir and the short run up to the Fort through the quarry, down past the radio mast and home, about 1000', 5 miles, just under the hour.