Stoneymollen Sun 30th Nov

Lost weekend, got up Sunday lunchtime, too late for Luss and had to make do with a short run. Cold and damp with the mist down & frost everywhere, put on thermals, hat & gloves. Started up Overton road then along through the fields past the Carman to pick up the path which takes you onto Carman Muir behind the reservoir. Ran round to the road missing the usual path through the ferns in the mist and daze.

Ran up through the quarry with shafts of sunlight beginning to appear. Sky cleared at the top of Overtoun Muir revealing cloud inversion in the valley below.



Ran down Bromley Muir to the top of the Stoneymollen & met a couple who are involved with a group trying to creating a network of paths all the way to Inveruglas, they were kind enough to take my picture with the snowy Ben in the background.



After a few minutes gazing at the snowscape around Loch Lomond set off down the Stoneymollen and into the cold and mist. A leisurely 1 1/2 hours with a sunny surprise at the top. A few more pictures in the Galleria.

Arrochar Sun 23rd Nov

This weeks route was about 17 miles with just over 3000' of ascent. Running on forrest tracks from Succouth through Glen Croe to the top of the Rest & Be Thankful, returning to Succouth via the Cats Crag loop & Ardgarten.

Pretty poor weather with a lot of slush underfoot but still good to get out, wasn't looking forward to the climb up the old R&BT road as it is usually rather exposed.

Started with a flat loop round the Succouth houses and onto the trail to Glen Croe, took the high track to come out past Ardgarten for a short section on the A83 before picking up the old R&BT road. Left the shelter of the trees into the wind and rain, made for a tough climb particularly towards the top where you could lean forwards at 45 degrees, sprint and stand still all at once.

From the top its a nice undulating run down to pick up the Cats Crag loop, the last mile or 2 on the road a bit of a grind. From Ardgarten crossed the road for the "low" track back to Succouth, a few short steep climbs tough after 14 or 15 miles.

Finished in a damp 3 hours 45 mins. A few pics in the Galleria.

Balloch Park Sat 22nd Nov

1st of the Club cross country races round and up and down Balloch Park. 3 laps for the guys & 2 for the girls, good turnout of 20 runners. Cool, cloudy, dry and not a lot of wind made for good going until you tried to cross the Park in front of the Castle which is still a bit of a swamp after the music festival in August.

First lap in 11:50, too quick as usual, ok until I came out the swamp for the second time without any of the energy I went in with. 2nd and 3rd laps 12:50 and 12:53 to finish just over 37 1/2 mins.

Arrochar Sun 16th Nov

MWIS true to form again, clear blue sky and no wind for a planned 17 mile run round Glen Loin taking in the Sloy Dam followed by an out & back to Ardgarten, about 3500' of ascent.

Jog up Glen Loin towards Coriegrogan takes in a series of hills, walk the hills for an easy run or run them for something a bit tougher. Ran all the hills, hard but enjoyable as I have had no consistent long runs for a few months.

Ran up to Sloy Dam & back to Corriegrogan for 2 1/2 extra miles.



Continued on round Glen Loin taking in 2 more hills, one longer & one steeper, managed to run both.

From the disappearing river its 3 or 4 miles back to Succouth, down hill all the way, took it easy mindful of the extra 5 or so miles to follow. Took the lower path to Ardgarten then ran up the road for 1/2 a mile or so to pick up the upper path back to Succouth, good finishing hill which climbs further at every corner taking you about 500' in 1 1/2 miles, managed to run all the way, nice seat at the top for views down Loch Long.

Short run back along forrest tracks to Succouth to finish in 4:17 and lunch in the Tarbet Cafe.

Luss Sun 9th Nov

Set out for a run round Glen Luss this morning. Plan was for an ACW Horseshoe, up Beinn Dubh, round the corries returning to Glen Luss via mid hill then cross the road and ascend Coille eughain hill for a run down the Paps, expected to take 2 1/2 hours + for approx 9 miles & 3500' of ascent. A bit windy at the start and looking to Ben Lomond the snow level looked ok at about 2500 feet.

Damp plod up Beinn Dubh, and the wind really blew, 1st time ok just hat blown off with a quick detour to pick it up. Then the cloud level dropped and a squally shower blew in, a bit higher up now and the rain had turned to needle like hail. Hat flies off a few times and soon quite adept at catching it before it hits the ground.

Head down, lean into the wind at 45 degrees and plod on, try to jog the flatter bits to keep the toes from freezing. Despite leggings, two thermal tops, jacket, buff, hat and gloves, start to struggle in the icy blasts. Had to stop using my hand to shelter my face from the hail as fingers were getting too cold and numb.

Becoming increasingly miserable and negative about the run so head for a sheltered spot about 100 yards from the style and put on some of my spare gear, Thinsulate gloves and a wooly Stuc A Chroin hat! Set off for the top where I planned to make a decision whether to go on or cut it short, however within minutes feel a lot better.

Pass the cairn on Beinn Dubh and continue along the ridge round the corries to Mid Hill via the snow covered un-named tops, more fun now although about 10 or 15 mins behind schedule as I quickly descend into Glen Luss to avoid the next squall. Usual fun towards the bottom, manage to limit the damage and only eat dirt once with another equally ungainly 360 spin. Cross the road in 1:40 odd, too late to try CE Hill.

To avoid the road head for a mini new route down Glen Luss beside the river. No sign of tracks or trods and cross a fence to try to stay close to the river then realise the fence is to keep stupid animals away from the steep bank and gullies close to the river. Cross back over the fence and soon pick up a small trod. Race a couple of deer for 50 yards until they turn uphill.

Path alternates between bog and marsh and makes for a tough but enjoyable 40 minutes. Overall about 7 miles and 2500' of ascent in 2 hrs 20. Couple of picture in the Galleria.

Glasgow Uni Road Race

My sixth attempt at the annual 5 mile road race, now a 2 lap effort around and about the Garscube Sports Complex, only problem came within the first few hundred yards where a narrow gate slowed the runners. Reached the mile marker in 7:11 so averaged the rest in about 7 1/2 mins to finish just over 37 mins. As usual a good field of over 200 runners the first home in less than25 mins.

Excelllent local wee race for a Saturday afternoon with good changing facilities and a cafe for post race refuel. Luckily the weather cleared from lashing rain as we left the Vale to almost perfect conditions for the race.

Eddie's Half Sun 2nd Nov

Return to Fort William for another go at Eddie's 1/2 marathon, an out and back run from An Aird running through urban FB to pick up the Mallaig road for about 6 1/2 miles, then run back.

The drive up through Crianlarich with views of snow covered Ben More in an azure blue backdrop a hint of what was to come. Past the Black Mount and through Rannoch Moor spectacular views all around, the snow capped mountains reflecting in the glass like Lochan na h-Achlaise and Lochan na Stainge.

Glencoe was heaven in a blue cape.

Without much fitness the race plan was to go out easy and see how I felt. Steady for the first mile or so and felt ok so picked up the pace to 8 min miles, back sore after 3 or 4 miles but didn't seem to get any worse and held this pace to turn in just under 52 mins. Maintained this pace until mile 7 or 8 when a quicker mile, about 7 mins, was required to catch a clubmate, suffered a bit as a result. Struggled from then on and finished with a slower second half of 53:20.

Passed more people on the ups which felt easier than the downs and a bonus on the way back was the views to Glen Nevis and surrounding peaks which more than compensated for the slightly slower second half.

A pasta carry out from Morrisons for tea and a bag of mini buds for the bus ride home capped off an enjoyable day.

Earl's Seat Sat 1st Nov

I have passed the Dumgoyne distillery by car and running on the WHW, today parked in the layby opposite and set off for a walk to the Earl's Seat, at 578m the highest point in the Campsies.

There are paths either side of the distillery which soon steepen after you cross the fence below Dumgoyne a steeeep little hill in itself. Luckily our route went past on the west side rather than over the top. Past Dumgoyne the route undulates along over Gairloch Hill past Clachertyfarlie Knowes and a couple of un-named tops to the Earl's Seat. No mega climbs and always a path to follow. Even the sun came out as we made our way along.



Views galore, over Glasgow's high flats, Ailsa Craig, Arran's peaks, Loch Lomond & it's East facing Glens, Finlas, Luss and Douglas, the Arrochar Alps with the Cobbler obvious and Ben Ime's peak glowing white, on to Ben Lomond, Conic Hill, the North horizon filled with snow covered peaks, Ben Lui, Ben More & Stob Binnien prominent.

More pics in the Galleria.