Beinn Dubh, Sun 28th Jan

Back to Glen Luss, planned a similar route to last week but in very different weather conditions. Last week was sun and snow this week overcast, gales and some stinging horizontal rain.

Very Cross Wind on the way up Beinn Dubh made for a slow plod, you could lean at about 45 degrees without falling over. Once at the top and turning into the wind it was like trying to run up a very steep hill, impossible to run more than 50 yards without stopping to catch your breath.

Run along towards top 657 uneventful apart from the gusting wind and rain blasting your face, once in line with the gully between Beinn Dubh & Mid Hill which leads back down to Glen Luss we decided not to risk going along the ridge & to cut down the gully instead. Pretty steep and slippy but zig zagged along avoiding the steepest parts.

Finished up with the usual gentle jog back down Glenn Luss, no pesky mutt to annoy us this time. Shorter than usual Sunday run about 6 miles and just over 2000'.

Beinn Dubh Sun 21st Jan 07

Run up Beinn Dubh from Glen Luss into the snow and ice. Managed to get some sun and blue sky while most of the surrounding hills were covered in cloud so a good route choice.

Extremely cold in the wind which meant most of the time. Toes start to freeze when you stop so tried to keep on the move as much as possible. The snow was mostly between a few inches and a foot deep apart from the drifts which were 2 or 3 feet deep plus, found a few of those usually when least expected.

The windiest most exposed parts were the best to run on as you stayed on top of the snow which had been turned to ice by the wind. The rippled surface gave a clue where to aim for. Out of the wind the snow was soft and it was like running through sand, frequently coming to a halt to catch your breath.

Once at the top of Beinn Dubh continued NW along the broad ridge, turning W between the 2 corries to top 657, unamed but higher than Beinn Dubh. Continued along the short ridge and finally turning SE down Mid Hill back to the top of Glen Luss. The last few hundred yards off Mid Hill were the worst as the snow turned to mushy muddy grass, almost impossible to stand upright never mind run.

The last 2 miles were a jog down the Glen Luss road, seems to go on forever after a couple of hours on the hills, broken up only when chased by a small ankle snapping dog. All in about 7 miles and 2500' in 2 1/2 hours, a few pix in the Galeria.

Cross Country 20th Jan 07

2 lap Cross Country round Polaroid Industrial Estate today. With the Leven in flood the bottom corner of the course had to be re-routed. Setting out the course we disturbed first a Deer and then a Heron, both near the Leven, further round in the pond past the council offices another (same?) Heron took off.

Plenty of mud and water about made for heavy going and a major slow down on the second lap. All in just about what was needed.

Stoneymollen Swamp Sun 7th Jan

Another late afternoon run up Stoneymollen in the dark and lashing rain. Out for just over 1 1/2 hours about 20 mins slower than the same route in daylight, the uphills no real problem but much slower on the downhills. Managed to stay upright apart from a couple of slides on hands and feet which dont really count as a fall. Although cloudy only had to use the headtorch twice, both times to find paths, one back through the quarry and the other to avoid posts guarding a path through some woods.

The track up the Stoney was ok until through the gate and then it was a bit slippy on the first rocky part. From the top its a left turn up the hill, the path easy to pick out as it was a stream, thankfully managed to jump the ditches without any problems but walked the 3 short steep parts as extremely slippy mud on what looks like motorcycle or quad bike tracks.

Picked my way up the climb and emerged into the low clouds and wind, ok as working quite hard. Ran aong past the bomb crater and trig points and along towards the quarry either in a stream or through a swamp.

The descent towards the quarry road very slow avoiding the variety of rocks and ditches. Put on gloves as very quickly got cold due to the reduced effort.

Down through the quarry, across the Carman road and back onto a waterpath towards the reservoir. Followed the waterpath behind the reservoir and down through another swamp back towards the Vale. Ran along verges and through fields to avoid the dreaded roads. Surprisingly didn't see a single soul during the run.

Calendar Crags Sat 6th Jan

Finally managed to get to this race, run twice a year in January and June, 3 miles long with 850' of climb. About 40 or so runners took part. Good conditions, cool and cloudy and some sunny spells.

The race starts from the road behind Calendar Main st on a path which goes to the Crags through a wood, the zig zags taking the sting out of the climb. The path levels out towards the top and its possible to jog most of the top section with great views through the trees over Lenniestone Muir and probably out to Flanders Moss.

Out of the woods at the top and after negotiating some rocks there's a short ridge section to catch your breath before a steep, and at this time of year, v muddy descent as the path threads its way through the edge of the woods. Overtaken by 4 on this part as I pussyfoot my way down.

The next section is a 1/2 mile or so of downhill road and managed to get 2 of the 4 places back.

After the road its back onto the forrest trail again with couple of short climbs giving a nice wee sting in the tail as the trail undulates back to the finish.

Straight home after the race so no time for the showers & Prizegiving on offer in the Calendar Leisure Centre.