Monday, September 29, 2014

Ben Lomond

Weekend away, Monday Ben Lomond run, looked like it might clear, into cloud from halfway and that's how it stayed, a few walkers about and a couple of other runners, warm at the bottom, thankful for the cooler breeze from the plateau up, refreshing swim in the Loch to finish, out for a couple of hours, 7 miles and 3192 feet.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

5 Mile Handicap

Club 5 miler, only 4 3/4 really but a good test of fitness, set off in reverse order, the aim of the handicapper is to give the timekeeper a problem, everyone finishing together. Worked out quite well, everyone finishing within a couple of minutes of each other and their handicap times.

Saturday, September 13, 2014

Lusstrous

A post by Dave Sargent of his continuous run 7 times up and down Blencathra, once on each of its ascent ridges attracted my interest. I looked at  map of Glen Luss and the Hills I run round most of the year. A route began to take shape, all the hills overlooking Glen Luss in one continuous circuit, 18 to 20 miles and 9000' of ascent.



I had run all of it at one time or another, just get fit enough and have a go on a good day. Couple of attempts didn't work then today a free day, good forecast and enough thousand feet in the legs. Late start, 10 am, the Lomond Valley filled with cloud, climbed Beinn Dubh up into the sun. Round the Corries, picnic at Mid Hill and back into the Glen for the short road section to Beinn Eich. Steady walk up BE, another picnic, down over Beinn Lochain to Cruach A t-Sidhein.



Just over half way distance but more climb, 5500' , low point here and thought about bailout options, luckily they all involved a bit of effort (pain) and hassle, so just one more hill and I would think about it again. Same negative thoughts for the next two climbs, Beinn a'Mhanaich and Beinn Chaorach, both over 1200', pathless, hot and running low on water. Followed some sheep on a nice zig zag trod up Beinn a'Mhanaich about 1200 feet in 3/4 of a mile rather than the steeper direct route through the crags I was thinking of, good move, a bit longer but managed to keep moving. Beinn Chaorach, not as steep but more of a struggle, worked my way up beside a fence, resting at every big white fence post.



This was the last main top, I new it was undulating from here, about 5 miles with 1000' of ascent and 2000' of descent over 5 tops.



Finished just under 9 hours with a swim in Luss Water, two and a half litres of fluids not enough and cereal bars didn't go down well, jelly babies better but probably not enough. A few more pictures here.

Saturday, September 06, 2014

Ben Nevis race 2014

Fort William for race weekend, Glen Nevis campsite on Friday evening, clear skies, watched the moonrise over Sgurr a' Mhaim to pasta and a cold beer.




Raceday, a bit of cloud, showers forecast. Went down early to register, before the crowds. Walked down to the start about 12 an hour before the off, rain started but not for long, off by the time we were paraded to the start by Lochaber Pipe Band. Away we go round the park and up the road, a mile or so to the gently climbing Ben path, took one short cut, came back to the same people who took other ones, ignored the next short cut and lost maybe 10 yards, but easier ground to cover. Steady plod round windy corner towards the half way lochan before the race route cuts the corner to the Red Burn, gained about 10 yards following a couple of Lochaber runners round a rocky dip. Reached the Red Burn within 20 secs of my target, had a drink before the steep claw up the Red Burn Screes. Sitting in a long line of runners the pace felt slightly too easy, managed a few overtakes trying not to lose too much time without blowing a gasket. Pushed on for the last half mile as the gradient eases, reached the top a couple of minutes or so down to plan. My laces had been caught on a rock and thought about re-tying, just tucked them inside my shoes as they were nice and tight. Gloves on, brakes off for the helter skelter run off the hill. Five of us ran down the screes in a group, let one guy past who was moving a bit quicker. Reached the grassy bank and a couple more went past, another drink at the bottom. Back on the tourist path, watch the slippy gritty boulders and the meandering tourists, path becomes smoother and push hard to catch and pass a few before the road, now 5 minutes behind but felt ok and ran a good few down by Claggan, last push round the park to finish inside 2 hours 36 my best time for 7 years, racefood, up, 2 jelly babies and 1 jelly bean, down 2 jelly babies.