Glen Douglas

First run round these hills since my LDFF run last June. Beinn Bhreac, Ben Reoch and Tullich hill with a visit to the spotty Trig at Monadh Tigh na Laraich. Managed to run the first half of Bhreac, followed the quad bike track until it veers towards Reoch then straight up. Great views from the top. The trail to Reoch runs beside a fence, handy on misty days, mostly runnable until a short steep pathless climb to the top. Tulloch hill next with a detour to the spotty Trig overlooking Arrochar and the Alps. Pick some good lines, sheep and deer tracks ease the terrain. Last wee climb to Tulloch hill, undulates up then a steep bank to the top. Visit the multiple tops and wee lochan before the run off the hill, a dog gate saves climbing the steps over the deer fence, take my time through trees and ditches of the new plantation and a short road run to finish.

Photos in reverse order.

Arrochar hill run

 Short and steep run today, away from the crowds, started from Butterbridge onto a track to the foot of Beinn Lubhein, steep tussock pathless until I got the ridge where a faint path leads to the summit, great views all round. Beinn Ime next, slight detour required to find the gate through the new deer fence then another steep climb to Ime's summit. Beinn Chorranach to finish, steep descent off the back of Ime with a short climb to Chorranachs summit, straight down to Butterbridge from here, more pathless tussock bashing, a tough wee route.

Stuc a Chroin 5000

Another go at the Stuc, forecast was for cool , damp conditions, turned out fine, a bit warm with a nice cooling breeze higher up. 150+ entered, less than half of last years British Champs race. First 4 miles went well, on the forest road, Meall Mor, the drop into Glen Ample and the first half of the Ben Each climb I gained about 4 minutes on last year, after that I lost time all the way to the finish. Over Ben Each and ran along the ridge to the crossover, well inside the cut-off, undulated up to the top of the Stuc, most of the field ahead and passed me on their way back. Around the cairn and set off for the cross over before the steep tussocky drop into Glen Ample, across a stream and the descending traverse along the glen, took a refuelling break before the climb out of Glen Ample, didn't help as I had to stop for some cramp relief as the gradient increased. Soon going again and not long until I made it over the top, 3 undulating miles back down to the finish, moorland at first then a mixture of forest tracks and roads, passed a few runners on the way back, tried to catch one more on the last climb before the drop to the finish, good progress until cramp reappeared, slowed to a walk then slowly jogged into the finish.

The Cobbler

Short long run this week, fine weather , ran up the forest track from Honeymoon Bridge car park, about a mile to where the Cobbler hill race starts from. The first of a series of old white wooden posts mark the path that climbs up through trees to the open hillside to An t Sron, fairly boggy in patches, steep climb on faint paths up to the ridge then mostly runnable to the base of the Cobbler summit crags. Short trudge up pathless tussocky ground to the summit, busy summit, great views with a partial inversion,  though a bit hazy. Took in the views and watched someone thread the needle before the run back down, slow at first as the path picks a way through bouldery ground, then easy running on grassy paths to An t Sron then a steep drop through tussocks, trees and bogs with an easy mile on forestry track to finish.

   

Stoneymollan

 Club handicap hill race, 8 of us turned up, nice sunny evening, pretty wet and boggy over the hill, still suffering after Saturdays run and didn't expect too much, finished 6th in the handicap and 3rd by time, happy to finish inside 50 minutes but about 3 minutes slower than last year.

Luss Hill Run

One of those runs where you could use some miles and ascent, can't make up your mind where to go and pick an out and back 10 miler. Ben Dubh and Mid Hill then down to Glen Luss, turn round and go back the same way. 10 miles and 4000'+ of ascent, ran the first half of Beinn Dubh, then jog/walked to the top, ran round the Corries to Mid Hill and down to the glen road, on the way back ran the first half of Mid Hill then walked to the top, back round the Corries and down to finish at the foot of the hill. Bit of a struggle today I usually run more of the hills, but good to be out.

Bromley Muir

Local hill run this week, Carman Fort and Trig then along to the Three Lochs Way for a mile or so before taking to the ridge over Killoeter then back up to Ben Bowie, hilly but runnable, after Ben Bowie returned over Bromley Muir past the Trig and Fort, very wet and muddy over Bromley Muir all the ditches and flat sections flooded. A bit more Spring like, plenty of wild Primroses along the trails.