Ben Vorlich Sun 26th Nov

Forecast was for a weather window on Sunday and decided to go for a run up & down Ben Vorlich before winter strikes. Heavy rain for the past couple of weeks meant there was plenty of streams to cross on the footpath through Glen Loin.

Climbed up from the Sloy Dam road beside one of the streams which is artificially diverted to fill Loch Sloy avoiding the lower path which was flooded.

Once up this steep section joined the path as it snaked in and out of the crags and went in to the mist and cloud at about 2000-2500 feet. The wind increased with height and put on fleece, jacket and gloves as snow patches started to appear. Only issue was cold feet due to the amount of water.

As usual the path disappeared in & out of the snow but no real problems on the way up - just keep going up. Spent a few minutes at the top in partial cloud which gave glimpses of Loch Sloy and the valleys and mountains on either side.

Difficult to pick up the path on the way back down in the mist and snow and its easy to drop down into the corrie on the Eastern side instead of towards Sloy. Gradually worked out the way and was soon back on the path going through the labyrinth of crags and back under the cloud.

Tired legs on the run back down through Glen Loin, all in 13 miles and 4400 feet. Some pix in the Galleria.

Glasgow Uni 5 mile rd race Sat 18th Nov

New route for this fast end of season 5 miler. The new route used the upper half of the old course but in reverse and nearly 2 laps. More ups and downs than before but by the second lap you know what's coming...good if you can keep the pace up or bad if you hang back knowing there are more hills to come.

Aiming for sub 35 mins, set off too fast as usual.....under 6 mins for the first mile, gasping to just over 13 mins at 2 miles. Mile 3 ran as a recovery to be just under 21 mins, picked it up again and got to 4 miles in 27:54, set up just about right and then took it too easy up the last hill through the park and along the road to the finish and overall lost about 20 secs in the last mile and finish in 35:15.

Good end of season burn with nearly 300 runners turning out. Well organised by the students and good changing facilities with soup, sandwiches, tea & cakes in the cafe after.

Run in the dark Sat 11th Nov

Easy week, still suffering after last weekend with various strains and general lethargy so decided on a short scenic tour, along the cycle path to Balloch, through Balloch Park and out the North Gate to Drymen road turning left towards Gatocharn and left again turning back by the water works and along the track/road past Botourich and back into Balloch Park, suffering a bit by then so gave up on the plan to return via Polaroid and took the shortest route through Balloch to the Vale and home.

Had the head torch but didn't need it, ok in the dark with only one emergency stop for an imaginary fence. All in about 11 miles and 1000' of ascent in 1 hr 44 mins.

Eddies 1/2 Marathon Sun 5th Nov

Mini bus full of Millies set off just after 9 for this regular expedition to Eddies 1/2. Weather looked good but you never know with Fort William, turned out fine but a bit windy especially the last 2 or 3 miles which are pretty exposed.

Set off a bit quick as usual, 1st mile in 6 min 35 secs, target was 7:10 pace so eased back and on target after 4 miles in 28:30 odd - so probably running a bit slow at nearer 7:30 after the first mile, maintained pace to get to 8 miles in just over 58mins, worked reasonably well and kept it going over the next couple of miles then after 10 miles the pace slowed with the usual confrontation between discomfort and a better time, discomfort gaining the upper hand going backwards as the pace dropped to around 8 min miles and a finish in 1:38.

Usual entertaining drive back to the Vale where I was attacked by a rocket which got stuck in the launch tube, fireworks are dangerous.