Short run this week, the 10 mile Glen Loin loop. Conditions much warmer with snow confined to patches from about 2000', might have been more but couldn't see much for the clouds.
Ran anti clockwise, left the road and the Heron wheeled round us, once we reached the track after clearing the trees we could see the puddles ahead rippling with life, turned out to be a couple of hundred frogs spread over the three or four pools within 100 yards of track, oh and bucket loads of frog spawn.
Continued our run walking most of the hills apart from the long drag up Corriegrogan. Easy run back to finish in about 2 hrs 20. Couple of pics in the Galleria.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Carnethy 5 Sat 14th Feb
Set off at 10 for today's race over 5 tops in the Pentlands. The route covers Scald Law, South Black Hill, East Kip, West Kip and finally Carnethy, about 6 miles & 2500' of ascent. The sort of start to the hill running season, and a first for me...a hill race in the snow.
Hung back in the school hall as long as possible but still arrived at the start with nearly an hour to go, stood in the tea marquee the heat from the urns providing some comfort, stood on a tussock of grass to further insulate the feet. Half an hour to go & went for a warm up jog avoiding most of the streams and swampy bits.
At 2 o'clock 500 runners set off after a chorus of Flower of Scotland, a few jimmy hats and kilts worn by the runners. After the mad dash across the bog settled into a steady trudge up Scald Law reaching the top in just over 22 mins. From Scald Law its an undulating ridge run over South Black Hill to the short sharp climbs over the Kips.
From West Kip a long snowy descent towards the Howe, misleading as when you reach the bottom its still a fair run along to the start of the climb up Carnethy. Bumslide the last steep drop before the burn then jog walk to the bottom of the gully where its back into grind uphill mode. When you clear the gully the track becomes runnable again and the top of Carnethy and the last wee climb comes into view. Crank up the effort happy it will soon be all down hill.
The run off Carnethy tricky especially when someone in front falls or crosses your path, evasive action tricky at times in the snowy heather. Through the gate and try to turn left onto the path, slipped on the greasy bank for my first fall of the race. Charge back across the swamp managing to pick off two or three more to finish just under 80 mins.
Back to school for a shower and a school dinner before the drive home. A cracking wee race to start the season with 500 runners & times ranging from 50 to 150 minutes no one need worry about being left behind or lost. This was the 39th running of the race so they must be doing something right, watch out for highlights on the adventure show sometime in March, a couple o pics in the Galleria and a lot more here!
Hung back in the school hall as long as possible but still arrived at the start with nearly an hour to go, stood in the tea marquee the heat from the urns providing some comfort, stood on a tussock of grass to further insulate the feet. Half an hour to go & went for a warm up jog avoiding most of the streams and swampy bits.
At 2 o'clock 500 runners set off after a chorus of Flower of Scotland, a few jimmy hats and kilts worn by the runners. After the mad dash across the bog settled into a steady trudge up Scald Law reaching the top in just over 22 mins. From Scald Law its an undulating ridge run over South Black Hill to the short sharp climbs over the Kips.
From West Kip a long snowy descent towards the Howe, misleading as when you reach the bottom its still a fair run along to the start of the climb up Carnethy. Bumslide the last steep drop before the burn then jog walk to the bottom of the gully where its back into grind uphill mode. When you clear the gully the track becomes runnable again and the top of Carnethy and the last wee climb comes into view. Crank up the effort happy it will soon be all down hill.
The run off Carnethy tricky especially when someone in front falls or crosses your path, evasive action tricky at times in the snowy heather. Through the gate and try to turn left onto the path, slipped on the greasy bank for my first fall of the race. Charge back across the swamp managing to pick off two or three more to finish just under 80 mins.
Back to school for a shower and a school dinner before the drive home. A cracking wee race to start the season with 500 runners & times ranging from 50 to 150 minutes no one need worry about being left behind or lost. This was the 39th running of the race so they must be doing something right, watch out for highlights on the adventure show sometime in March, a couple o pics in the Galleria and a lot more here!
Monday, February 09, 2009
Luss Hills Sat 7th Feb
Same route as last week only in the opposite direction, Friday's blue skies had promised much but had been replaced by cloud overnight as we left the Vale around 8 am.
Set off at a gentle jog up the Glen road then left the road for the 1700' climb up Beinn Eich, sky clearing with our ascent. Well into the snow by the time we reached the top and the views opening up all round with Paddy's Milestone clear on the horizon over 60 miles away down the Firth of Clyde.
We continued along the undulating ridge from Beinn Eich over Beinn Lochainn to Doune Hill. The snow wind blown to a crisp surface making for a bit of fun on the steeper descents. The initial drop from the Trig point on Doune Hill quite tricky to pick out a safe route, snow changing from crisp ice to knee deep drifts within a few feet depending on slope aspect to wind direction. A bit of bumsliding solved the problem & we were soon off on the run down to re-group at Sith Mor.
From SM it's a 1400' climb up to the 2 cairns between the Corries and a fantastic snow covered mountain vista opened up all around, snow, sun & blue skies as far as you could see. Ran towards the top of Beinn Dubh and having met no-one since we left started to meet groups hillwalkers coming up from Luss.
Regrouped at the Beinn Dubh cairn then set off for Luss, avoiding the path which was mostly ice. About 1/2 way down had to stop to remove jacket, hat & gloves as the temp rose in the sun.
Dissapointed to have to leave the stunning views from the tops the extra thermal top seemed to make all the difference compared to last week. Left the camera in the car as usual when the weather & views are that bit special.
Set off at a gentle jog up the Glen road then left the road for the 1700' climb up Beinn Eich, sky clearing with our ascent. Well into the snow by the time we reached the top and the views opening up all round with Paddy's Milestone clear on the horizon over 60 miles away down the Firth of Clyde.
We continued along the undulating ridge from Beinn Eich over Beinn Lochainn to Doune Hill. The snow wind blown to a crisp surface making for a bit of fun on the steeper descents. The initial drop from the Trig point on Doune Hill quite tricky to pick out a safe route, snow changing from crisp ice to knee deep drifts within a few feet depending on slope aspect to wind direction. A bit of bumsliding solved the problem & we were soon off on the run down to re-group at Sith Mor.
From SM it's a 1400' climb up to the 2 cairns between the Corries and a fantastic snow covered mountain vista opened up all around, snow, sun & blue skies as far as you could see. Ran towards the top of Beinn Dubh and having met no-one since we left started to meet groups hillwalkers coming up from Luss.
Regrouped at the Beinn Dubh cairn then set off for Luss, avoiding the path which was mostly ice. About 1/2 way down had to stop to remove jacket, hat & gloves as the temp rose in the sun.
Dissapointed to have to leave the stunning views from the tops the extra thermal top seemed to make all the difference compared to last week. Left the camera in the car as usual when the weather & views are that bit special.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Luss Horeshoe Sun 1st Feb
This used to be the "long" Luss run but since crossing the Glen and on into the next one today's route could only be called Luss ACW medium, about 12 miles and close to 5000' of ascent. Starting at the mouth of the Glen ascending Beinn Dubh, along the ridge before dropping into Sith Mor, re-ascent up Doune Hill :) along the ridge back to the top of Glen Luss via Beinn Eich, jog down the Glen to finish.
Made good time ascending Beinn Dubh the bitter east wind kinda helping you up, no doubt pay back was just over the next hill. Frozen ground almost all the way meant freezing water didn't flush in & out of your shoes with every step, another bonus. Ran on the track round the corries overlooking Glens Mollochan and Douglas before the steep drop into Sith Mor patches of snow smoothing the way. A bit of care required to avoid glassy black frozen streams which filter unseen through the grass.
After crossing Sith Mor the 2nd big climb of the run, Doune Hill, managed to find a few half frozen streams to freeze the toes, oh joy. As we aproached the summit of Doune Hill the wind, although helping to push you up, began to burn, the usual shelter spots ineffective. Too cold to linger on the tops and then struggled to put ski gloves on frozen fingers on the run towards Beinn Eich. Even with 2 Buffs and a wooly hat my frozen face made talking a problem.
Sheltering behind Beinn Eich gave a welcome break from the wind until we reached the top where it bit again enocuraging us to descend as quickly as possible. Thankfuly the wind eased off the further down we got. Jog down the Glen relatively pleasant as we were out of the wind, finished in about 3 hrs 50 mins. Couple of pics in the Galleria.
Made good time ascending Beinn Dubh the bitter east wind kinda helping you up, no doubt pay back was just over the next hill. Frozen ground almost all the way meant freezing water didn't flush in & out of your shoes with every step, another bonus. Ran on the track round the corries overlooking Glens Mollochan and Douglas before the steep drop into Sith Mor patches of snow smoothing the way. A bit of care required to avoid glassy black frozen streams which filter unseen through the grass.
After crossing Sith Mor the 2nd big climb of the run, Doune Hill, managed to find a few half frozen streams to freeze the toes, oh joy. As we aproached the summit of Doune Hill the wind, although helping to push you up, began to burn, the usual shelter spots ineffective. Too cold to linger on the tops and then struggled to put ski gloves on frozen fingers on the run towards Beinn Eich. Even with 2 Buffs and a wooly hat my frozen face made talking a problem.
Sheltering behind Beinn Eich gave a welcome break from the wind until we reached the top where it bit again enocuraging us to descend as quickly as possible. Thankfuly the wind eased off the further down we got. Jog down the Glen relatively pleasant as we were out of the wind, finished in about 3 hrs 50 mins. Couple of pics in the Galleria.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Whinney Hill Sat 31st Jan
15 runners took part in this seasons final Club Cross Country race, conditions near perfect, cool, dry & a freezing swamp underfoot for most of the route.
Starts with a lap of Balloch Park leaving at the top of Heart Attack Hill on the new Whinney Hill trail, mud meant you had to concentrate and pick out the best foot placement, a balance between using energy avoiding the sludge or using it up to plough through the middle.
Set off at a steady pace and found myself in a group of one leaving the park, cruised round keeping a good effort going up the hills, recovered quickly once past the seat and pushed on, still no-one in front or behind apart from the odd runner going the wrong/social way.
Finished just outside 44 mins for the five miles.
Starts with a lap of Balloch Park leaving at the top of Heart Attack Hill on the new Whinney Hill trail, mud meant you had to concentrate and pick out the best foot placement, a balance between using energy avoiding the sludge or using it up to plough through the middle.
Set off at a steady pace and found myself in a group of one leaving the park, cruised round keeping a good effort going up the hills, recovered quickly once past the seat and pushed on, still no-one in front or behind apart from the odd runner going the wrong/social way.
Finished just outside 44 mins for the five miles.
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