Late afternoon run today, clocks change, leaves galore as darkness descends.
Set off just after 4 and ran via Burnbrae and paths, the aim was to keep away from roads as much as possible, so on to the cycle path and up towards Balloch. Then its round Balloch Park taking the new trail at the top of Heart Attack hill up and over Whinney Hill to the viewpoint, getting darker all the way, ok except can't see the tree roots (bad) or muddy bits (good).
Struggling to see the path on the way back and take the Botourich road to the North Gate of Balloch Park instead of the trail. Run back through the Park over the new bridge in Balloch, through Balloch Station to the Argyle Park and then along to Christie Park and back home, about 11 miles in 1 hour 54.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Monday, October 23, 2006
Arrochar Sun 22nd Oct
Went with the crowd this week for what was planned as a 15 mile run on forrest trails from Succoth to Glen Croe, up the old Rest & B Thankful road and return on forrest tracks via Ardgarten. High cloud gave way to blue skies and sunshine as we drove up Loch Lomondside.
Set off about 8:45 through Succoth before doubling back towards Glen Croe. As the trail climbed up good views down Loch Long and with low cloud on the Loch, a cloud inversion for the second week running.
Once at Glen Croe the old eccentricities played up and the route changed. Instead of the planned route we turned back down the road to Ardgarten for a run round the Cats Crag Loop.
The low angle of the sun meant it was mostly cool in the shadow of the trees as we wound our way back above the low clouds for more good views of the Loch and surrounding hills. The breaks in the trees at the various viewpoints let a welcome warm sun in from time to time.
To make up for the shorter route looped round to the back of the group a few times for some extra hills and distance, so all in still ran the 15 miles.
Back at Ardgarten we took the "new" path opposite the car park which winds its way up, down, along and back up again, eventually joining the same forrest track used on the way out. Finished in just under 3 1/2 hours with a quick run down the lower section of the new hill access path for the Cobbler.
Set off about 8:45 through Succoth before doubling back towards Glen Croe. As the trail climbed up good views down Loch Long and with low cloud on the Loch, a cloud inversion for the second week running.
Once at Glen Croe the old eccentricities played up and the route changed. Instead of the planned route we turned back down the road to Ardgarten for a run round the Cats Crag Loop.
The low angle of the sun meant it was mostly cool in the shadow of the trees as we wound our way back above the low clouds for more good views of the Loch and surrounding hills. The breaks in the trees at the various viewpoints let a welcome warm sun in from time to time.
To make up for the shorter route looped round to the back of the group a few times for some extra hills and distance, so all in still ran the 15 miles.
Back at Ardgarten we took the "new" path opposite the car park which winds its way up, down, along and back up again, eventually joining the same forrest track used on the way out. Finished in just under 3 1/2 hours with a quick run down the lower section of the new hill access path for the Cobbler.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Stob Binnein, Ben More, Sun 15th Oct
Back to real running this week with a 10 mile 4800' of climbing 2 munro jog in the Braes of Balquihidder. The start/finish point at Inverlochlarig is nice and remote, 10 miles down a single track road past Balquihidder. Had planned this run for over a year.
After a false start to change into warmer gear left Inverlochlarig climbing 2000'+ in the first mile and up into the clouds, so much for the clear forecast. The 1st top reached is Stob Invercarnaig and then the gradient eases off past Creag Artair and along the Na Staidhricheon ridge, no I don't know how to say it, to Stob Coire An Lochan. Still in the cloud continue up the path to the summit of Stob Binnein in 98 minutes.
Nice surprise right at the top as I come up through the clouds into bright warm sunshine. Both Stob Binnein at 3822' and Ben More at 3851' poking through the cloud. Could only see one more top - on a bearing of 285 degrees - work that one out. (possibly Ben Lui @ 3707', only other one high enough and about 10 miles away).
Jacket & gloves off stopped for a drink, tempted to stay and sunbathe but continued on down towards the Bealach-eadar-dha Beinn, as I approached the top of the clouds once more I was rewarded with my first Brocken Spectre. Alas a pocket of fully charged batteries but no camera for the cloud and light show, it was lying in the car boot unseen till I got home.
Descent to the Beallach and a quick climb up to Ben More in another 44 minutes. By this time the clouds have covered the top so have to hide out the damp wind for a quick breather and drink then off back down to the Beallach.
The plan was to go back the same way but once down under the clouds at the Beallach didn't fancy the climb back into the cold and damp wind up and over Stob Binnein, so route change to drop into Inverlochlarig Glen, contouring round to avoid a climb back up, follow the stream and then pick up what is probably a stalkers path.
The return route is slightly longer but less climb and from the top of Ben more takes 94 mins. The odd bit of sun as breaks appear in the clouds in the surrounding tops makes for dramatic scenes all the way back down the glen.
After a false start to change into warmer gear left Inverlochlarig climbing 2000'+ in the first mile and up into the clouds, so much for the clear forecast. The 1st top reached is Stob Invercarnaig and then the gradient eases off past Creag Artair and along the Na Staidhricheon ridge, no I don't know how to say it, to Stob Coire An Lochan. Still in the cloud continue up the path to the summit of Stob Binnein in 98 minutes.
Nice surprise right at the top as I come up through the clouds into bright warm sunshine. Both Stob Binnein at 3822' and Ben More at 3851' poking through the cloud. Could only see one more top - on a bearing of 285 degrees - work that one out. (possibly Ben Lui @ 3707', only other one high enough and about 10 miles away).
Jacket & gloves off stopped for a drink, tempted to stay and sunbathe but continued on down towards the Bealach-eadar-dha Beinn, as I approached the top of the clouds once more I was rewarded with my first Brocken Spectre. Alas a pocket of fully charged batteries but no camera for the cloud and light show, it was lying in the car boot unseen till I got home.
Descent to the Beallach and a quick climb up to Ben More in another 44 minutes. By this time the clouds have covered the top so have to hide out the damp wind for a quick breather and drink then off back down to the Beallach.
The plan was to go back the same way but once down under the clouds at the Beallach didn't fancy the climb back into the cold and damp wind up and over Stob Binnein, so route change to drop into Inverlochlarig Glen, contouring round to avoid a climb back up, follow the stream and then pick up what is probably a stalkers path.
The return route is slightly longer but less climb and from the top of Ben more takes 94 mins. The odd bit of sun as breaks appear in the clouds in the surrounding tops makes for dramatic scenes all the way back down the glen.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
10 mile handicap Sun 8th Oct
Annual club race, the 10 mile handicap round the Horseshoe. The route starts and finishes at Alexandria Leisure Centre, running up to & through Balloch before following the Horseshoe to return to Alexandria via Auchencarroch road, then its back to the Leisure Centre via a clockwise loop of the town centre. About 10.4 miles overall with about 66o' of ascent.
The first couple of miles are overall slightly downhill then there are 3 climbs over the next couple as it climbs by about 300'. The route then undulates up and down for about 3 or 4 miles before it drops back to sea level between 7 to 9 miles. The last mile or so has one easy climb which doesn't feel easy by then.
Set off around 73 min pace but at about 4 miles had a walk to clear the airways, picked up the pace again for the next mile or so but the heart wasn't really in it after that. Still passing people up till about 8 miles. Finishing in 75 mins 48 secs, 2 seconds faster than last year but should have been better.
The first couple of miles are overall slightly downhill then there are 3 climbs over the next couple as it climbs by about 300'. The route then undulates up and down for about 3 or 4 miles before it drops back to sea level between 7 to 9 miles. The last mile or so has one easy climb which doesn't feel easy by then.
Set off around 73 min pace but at about 4 miles had a walk to clear the airways, picked up the pace again for the next mile or so but the heart wasn't really in it after that. Still passing people up till about 8 miles. Finishing in 75 mins 48 secs, 2 seconds faster than last year but should have been better.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
3 Parks run, Sun 1st October
Early evening 10 mile run through Alexandria taking in the Christie and Argyle parks and round Balloch Park picking up the new path at the top of heart attack hill which takes you through woods and fields up over Whinney Hill to a viewpoint overlooking Loch Lomond's Inchmurrin island and across to Glen Finlas and further up the Luss Hills. Returned by the same route in darkness and 1:37.
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