The joy of running...felt great to be back on the hills this afternoon for a short run round Carman reservoir, through the quarry and back via Stoneymollen, about 7 miles with over 1000' of ascent.
Weather mixed sun, rain and a bit windy but nothing like those lucky people in this picture at this weekends OMM. I like this picture of one of the competitors enjoying the conditions. Lots more pictures, videos and stories on the Sleepmonsters Website and on the OMM Website. Those involved seem to have been properly equipped and experienced to cope with the tough conditions and all 2000 or so are safely off the hills.
Back to my little run and great views from Overton & Bromley Muirs of the squalls blowing up the Firth of Clyde and view up Loch Lomond to Ben Lomond, cloud base over 3200'!
Reached the top of Stoneymollen in about 58 mins means a bit to go fitness wise, hopefully I can put in some consistent miles on the hills over the next few weeks.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Piper Dam 13th-17th Oct
A holiday from Monday to Friday at Piper Dam, but disaster struck after a wee run on the treadmill and a swim. Put my back out playing golf and have only just managed to be able to put my own socks on today. What happened, who knows but probably won't go near a treadmill again particularly when there is a nice wee undulating route round the outside of the Golf Course. Great views to Dundee & the Tay bridge, more pics in the Galleria.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Horseshoe Sun 12th Oct
Club handicap race today, just over 10 miles of undulations. For a road race its a good route, from the Leisure Centre up to & through Balloch picking up the road to Gartocharn for a short while before turning onto the Horseshoe at Ballagan. Arriving back in the Vale down Auchencarroch road, along to Bonhill Bridge & back to the club via Davie Graham's garage.
Good turnout today, 21 runners including 7 guests. The first leaving at 9:00, a bright & breezy morning meant the usual headwind on the way back into the Vale. Late night last night so didn't know what to expect, tried to start at 8-8 1/2 min miles and pick it up as I felt, as usual too fast for the 1st mile in 7 mins, should have brought my Heart Rate Monitor.
Relaxed going through Balloch and kept it steady until almost half way when caught by the first runner behind, tucked in for a mile or two then dropped back. Picked it up again on the last mile down Auchencarroch before slowing again towards Bonhill bridge. Pleased to come in just under 80 mins.
Coffee and cakes in the car park after, breezy but good.
Good turnout today, 21 runners including 7 guests. The first leaving at 9:00, a bright & breezy morning meant the usual headwind on the way back into the Vale. Late night last night so didn't know what to expect, tried to start at 8-8 1/2 min miles and pick it up as I felt, as usual too fast for the 1st mile in 7 mins, should have brought my Heart Rate Monitor.
Relaxed going through Balloch and kept it steady until almost half way when caught by the first runner behind, tucked in for a mile or two then dropped back. Picked it up again on the last mile down Auchencarroch before slowing again towards Bonhill bridge. Pleased to come in just under 80 mins.
Coffee and cakes in the car park after, breezy but good.
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Pappert Well Sun 5th Oct
Woke up to clear crisp windless morning, perfect. Set off at 8 for the Pappert Well with Jim R, lovely run where within a few minutes of leaving the Vale it seems you are smiles from anywhere.
Tried a new route onto the hill on the opposite side of the gulley climbing up with frost still on the ground where the sun hadn't reached. Picked up the pink path just before it enters the trees and ran up avoiding all but one of the icy puddles. The peace and quiet through the forrest emphasised by our echoing voices.
Views for ever from the trig point, North to Ben Lomond & the Arrochar Alps and South West to Goat Fell over 35 miles away peaking out over the moors behind Port Glasgow.
New route off the hill as well, straight down the ridge from the Trig point, good fun on a narrow trod with a steeper descent than the usual path. The path winds its way through the trees and re-joins the pink path not far from the usual access path. Ran back the normal route until the style where we took a right into a field and traversed towards a feint ridge. Followed the ridge to a small copse of trees surrounding the remains of an old house, fantastic views from here as the hill drops away steeply.
A rough farm track runs down the hill from the trees, steepens again for the last field and made for a good run back down to the Vale. Stopped for a chat with big Pete as he went for his morning papers before the jog back home.
Tried a new route onto the hill on the opposite side of the gulley climbing up with frost still on the ground where the sun hadn't reached. Picked up the pink path just before it enters the trees and ran up avoiding all but one of the icy puddles. The peace and quiet through the forrest emphasised by our echoing voices.
Views for ever from the trig point, North to Ben Lomond & the Arrochar Alps and South West to Goat Fell over 35 miles away peaking out over the moors behind Port Glasgow.
New route off the hill as well, straight down the ridge from the Trig point, good fun on a narrow trod with a steeper descent than the usual path. The path winds its way through the trees and re-joins the pink path not far from the usual access path. Ran back the normal route until the style where we took a right into a field and traversed towards a feint ridge. Followed the ridge to a small copse of trees surrounding the remains of an old house, fantastic views from here as the hill drops away steeply.
A rough farm track runs down the hill from the trees, steepens again for the last field and made for a good run back down to the Vale. Stopped for a chat with big Pete as he went for his morning papers before the jog back home.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)