Luss Highland Games Sun 23rd July

Having missed the Roseneath & Clynder games by arriving late set off to Luss on time and decided to do both Hill races. The races are run up the 1000 foot high Cruach Dhubh at the entrance to Glen Luss. First the Local race is 1/2 way up & down and later on the Open race all the way up & down. Filled in the entry form and received £2 back for entering the races!

There was about 1/2 an hour to go before the Local race when the announcer asked for entrants for the Local 200m handicap race, gave it a go along with some of the Dumbarton AAC guys and came 2nd, another £6 back. Good value these highland games.

The Local Hill race kicked off with the usual frantic lap round the track leaving the games field along the road and onto a path which went under the main road then out onto the hill via a couple of fields. The gradient increased to the half way flag via sheep tracks and paths with the last couple of hundred yards across rough moor.

The turning point marker flag was set in a hollow behind 6 foot high bracken so there was a slight climb back up before the descent. Managed to pick the wrong way about 1/2 way down leading to more head high bracken, bogs and ditches, eventually picking up the path near the bottom rather muddy and weary from the extra effort. The race finishes with another lap round the games field, the applause helping to maintain effort levels.

The Open race about an hour & a half later follows the same route but then carries on to the top across steeper, pathless and bracken covered hillside. A steady slog to the top then brakes off for the descent back to the games field. Thankfully managed to keep to the route on the way back down and another lap of the track to finish.

Sat around in the sun watching a variety of races and field events and finished (me) off with the open 400 m handicap race. Led from the start due to the "best" handicap but quickly overtaken by most of the field and any pretence of a sprint to glory evaporated.

Balloch to Clydebank 1/2 Sun 9th July

Rescheduling due to snow in March meant I could have another go at this point to point 1/2 marathon. Started off from Lomond Shores in warm, overcast and damp conditions which stayed for more or less the whole race.

The route runs through the Vale into Dumbarton via Dalreoch and then over the newer Artisan bridge for a change. Slight route change continued under the railway to pick up the usual route along the cycle path. The route rejoins the road at Bowling and undulates through this small Clydeside village, a good section of the race which ends with a steep little climb into Old Kilpatrick.

More or less down hill from OK to the end but exposed to the wind for a mile or so after it passes under the Erskine Bridge. Route turns through the same Clydebank Industrial Estate as the 10k and goes under Kilbowie road finishing behind the shopping centre.

Maintained a steady pace all the way averaging 7 min 23 sec miles to finish in 1:37:08, best time at this distance for about 3 years.

Ted Baker Hill Race Thurs 6th July

Good turn out, 23 including Buffy, for his years race in memory of Ted the Italian Spinoni. A warm night, no midges but plenty of flies to suck in as you went up the hill towards the Pappert Well. Staggered start in 3 groups so went off steady in group 2 with recent and forthcoming races in mind.

Ran in road shoes to encourage an easy pace and started up the hill with breath to spare, kept this pace going letting a few from grp 2 go ahead, even so caught a few of group 1 on the way up.

Just about managed to keep the pace steady until the leaders from group 3 came up behind near the top. Picked up the pace on the way down and when the leaders passed tucked in behind them until we reached the woods. Eased back here over the roots and ditches but kept it steady to try and catch some of the others, picked off another 3 and Buffy to be clanged in by Mrs B with the bell in just over 44 mins, 7th o/all, 2nd Millie.

Glen Loin recovery run 2nd July

Woken at half 5 by a barking Poodle, sun splitting the sky, decided to kip for another hour then head up to Arrochar for an early morning jog round Glen Loin. Left the now fee charging car park at 7:30 for the anticlockwise loop of about 10 miles. Walked the hills in memory of yesterdays race and took advantage of the many cooling streams and also a quick dip in the jacuzzi finishing in a few minutes under 2 hours.

Dollar Hill Race 1st July

Sun shines on the righteous. Glorious sunshine for this triple championship medium race, British, Scottish & Club. The top British runners among nearly 200 for a 9 mile horseshoe round the Ochils.

The route heads North from Dollar Academy up through Dollar Glen, over Saddle Hill and contiunes to climb up Whitewisp Hill. This climb takes you up 2000' in 2 1/2 miles.

Once the initial slog is over the route turns west and becomes runnable undulating up and down along a broad grassy ridge following rough tracks to Tarmangie and then Skythorn Hills, here the route turns south west and heads down then up Andrew Gannel Hill where the route takes a sharp turn south east back towards Dollar down to Mill Glen and then up a stiff 400' climb (walking again) to Kings Seat Hill, thankfully the last major climb.

From here the route continues SE down towards Dollar rejoining the outward path in Dollar Glen. This is a difficult section as its sheltered from the cooling breeze and changes from toe bashing steep to gentle drops all the way down making it impossible to settle the tired limbs into any rythym.

Finish back at Dollar Academy in just over 1 hour 51 mins to tea and cakes, jolly dee.