Tuesday, September 29, 2009
September Weekend
Make the most of the holiday weekend, and I did, slept in for Saturday's run, left 1 1/2 hours late. A nice steady run on a fine morning, the Three Parks run plus Whinney Hill, took a 5 minute break at the viewpoint looking across Inchmurrin on Loch Lomond to Glens Finlas and Luss. Monday rain and wind ideal for a wee run up the Stoney, long CW route up the giant steps round behind Carman reservoir, through the quarry and along to the top of the Stoneymollen. Reached it in just under 53 mins so happy enough. Quick run down and home along the bypass.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Merrick Sun 20th Sept
After a poorly attended race last year Merrick returned to its traditional September date and route. Its 95 miles from the Vale to the Heart of Glentrool and the start a few yards from Bruces Stone. The route is an 8 or 9 mile loop round a few Galloway Hills with over 3000 FOA in between.
The away from it all feeling grows as you go from the Vale, through Paisley, down the A77 past Kilmarnock and Ayr, the huge plug of Ailsa Craig appearing as you pass the Turnberry Estate. At Girvan a few miles further on you leave the coast for the 20 or so miles of twists and turns through forrest to Glentrool.
The forrest is a welcome contrast to the urban mess you have driven through to get there. After registering I take a seat for a few minutes on Bruces Stone in the sun with Loch Trool sparkling below.
A quick race briefing with some minor route changes to appease the National Trust and we're off and running for about 20 yards before the first steep climb. A short one it's about 12 minutes before you can get running again, 3 or 4 impatient runners pass me near the top.
After this first short sharp climb, the steepest of the race, the field of 37 strings out as I settle into what I hope is an appropriate effort level. On the way up Bennan, the 2nd hill, another 4 pass but I'll catch them before the end.
The route undulates up all the way to Merrick with the climb up Ben Yellary the longest in the race. Pick off one of the overtakers here then push on down the Neive of the Spit, the smooth turf gives you the chance to check out the glorious scenery without falling over. Keep a steady jog up most of Merrick slowly reeling in a couple in front but they turn at the top before I can catch them.
After the loop round the summit Trig Point, 73 minutes, the initial descent is via a broad spur, put the hammer down and pass the two in front before the tricky run off into the glen which is a traditional Galloway tussock fest, best advice is slow down and don't fall over too many times.
A narrow path leads out the glen onto the 1 1/2 mile long undulating ridge leading back towards Loch Trool. Occaisonal glimpses of one runner ahead, try not to watch him just keep the effort levels up. Catch and overtake him on the the last descent off Buchan Hill then nearly miss the path back to the road.
Run past a seized up runner struggling in the last 150 yards, a delightful 45 degree uphill sprint finish. Run time 2 hours 10 minutes and 22nd out of 37. A few photos on the SHR Flickr site. See you there next year.
The away from it all feeling grows as you go from the Vale, through Paisley, down the A77 past Kilmarnock and Ayr, the huge plug of Ailsa Craig appearing as you pass the Turnberry Estate. At Girvan a few miles further on you leave the coast for the 20 or so miles of twists and turns through forrest to Glentrool.
The forrest is a welcome contrast to the urban mess you have driven through to get there. After registering I take a seat for a few minutes on Bruces Stone in the sun with Loch Trool sparkling below.
A quick race briefing with some minor route changes to appease the National Trust and we're off and running for about 20 yards before the first steep climb. A short one it's about 12 minutes before you can get running again, 3 or 4 impatient runners pass me near the top.
After this first short sharp climb, the steepest of the race, the field of 37 strings out as I settle into what I hope is an appropriate effort level. On the way up Bennan, the 2nd hill, another 4 pass but I'll catch them before the end.
The route undulates up all the way to Merrick with the climb up Ben Yellary the longest in the race. Pick off one of the overtakers here then push on down the Neive of the Spit, the smooth turf gives you the chance to check out the glorious scenery without falling over. Keep a steady jog up most of Merrick slowly reeling in a couple in front but they turn at the top before I can catch them.
After the loop round the summit Trig Point, 73 minutes, the initial descent is via a broad spur, put the hammer down and pass the two in front before the tricky run off into the glen which is a traditional Galloway tussock fest, best advice is slow down and don't fall over too many times.
A narrow path leads out the glen onto the 1 1/2 mile long undulating ridge leading back towards Loch Trool. Occaisonal glimpses of one runner ahead, try not to watch him just keep the effort levels up. Catch and overtake him on the the last descent off Buchan Hill then nearly miss the path back to the road.
Run past a seized up runner struggling in the last 150 yards, a delightful 45 degree uphill sprint finish. Run time 2 hours 10 minutes and 22nd out of 37. A few photos on the SHR Flickr site. See you there next year.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Stoneymollen double
With the barometer rising the best weekend for a while so had to get out on some sort of hill. Limited time to run so managed two short runs.
Saturday, ran along to the giant steps and up behind the Carman reservoir, then the usual trek along sheep tracks and paths through the quarry and onto Carman and Bromley moors. Great views of the Clyde and Loch Lomond, both covered in pleasure boats all taking advantage of the beautiful day. Met a few walkers taking it all in. Ran along to the top of Stoneymollen ariving in 58 minutes and all that means. Down the Stoney and along the bypass, back home in 80 mins.
Sunday ran over to Cardross. Ran up the road to the radio mast then onto the hill through chest high bracken and managed to surprise a ditch or two eventually coming out behind the quarry. Half way down the quarry took the farm roads into the back of Cardross, 65 minute run arriving just in time for tea.
Saturday, ran along to the giant steps and up behind the Carman reservoir, then the usual trek along sheep tracks and paths through the quarry and onto Carman and Bromley moors. Great views of the Clyde and Loch Lomond, both covered in pleasure boats all taking advantage of the beautiful day. Met a few walkers taking it all in. Ran along to the top of Stoneymollen ariving in 58 minutes and all that means. Down the Stoney and along the bypass, back home in 80 mins.
Sunday ran over to Cardross. Ran up the road to the radio mast then onto the hill through chest high bracken and managed to surprise a ditch or two eventually coming out behind the quarry. Half way down the quarry took the farm roads into the back of Cardross, 65 minute run arriving just in time for tea.
Tuesday, September 08, 2009
Ben Nevis
A bit damp when we arrived at Glen Nevis campsite on Friday night. Put up the trusty Vango on the least squelchy piece of ground we could find and set off to Morrisons for provisions. Emerged £50 lighter with a bag full of cereal, milk, rolls, pasta, cheese and beer.
Lashed all night. Up at nine and after a big breakfast went to registration,bought a hat to keep the rain off. Back to the tent for more food, pasta and rolls and the occaisonal look outside to check how low the clouds were.
Down to Claggan Park for the race, lots of people hiding in the changing rooms to the last possible moment. The MC kept advising full body cover required, wind speed 20 mph on top, wind chill of -3 and visibility down to 50 feet. Didn't sound too bad compared to the usual Sunday mornings in Arrochar or Luss.
Over 470 runners set off for a lap round the field and onto the road, reached Achintee in 9 minutes. Felt fine on the tourist track going along Melantee, the short cuts a tad muddy. Going round into the Red Burn gulley the windy corner was windy. The climb up to cross the Red Burn and the mud kicked in.
Reached the Red Burn in about 55 mins, just happy to be there.
From the Red Burn it gets steeper, initially on narrow muddy tracks then through boulders, the odd landslide to cope with due to the volume of water. Some of the moving rocks mansized, def not to be sneezed at.
At the top of the RB the gradient eases and found I could run again, obviously not trying hard enough. Dodging the runners coming down and reached the top in 105 mins.
Turned for home, gloves on, pushing hard as the gradient increased flew past quite a few, felt great. Back down beside the RB and big gradients, boulders and a scree slurry flowing underfoot, eased back and had to time the overtaking moves to avoid a few crashes.
Seemed like no time and I arrived back at half way point and the unfavourite Grassy Bank, 800 feet of slippy slidey grassy muck, usual torrid time, overtaken by ladies, good grief, must do better. A few bumslides, a few crab crawls then slip bang into the RB and it was over.
All that was left was an easy run back along Melantee then the last mile or so of lovely road and a celbratory run round the Claggan pitch. Tried a couple of short cuts along Melantee, the first a small cliff, ouch ouch cramp, lost some time, great short cut. The second a mud chute, could hardly run for laughing, maybe gained 5 yards.
Steady run down to Achintee for the wibbly wobbly leg run on the tarmac to Claggan. Felt fine, so more effort required, a day to enjoy rather than flat out kamikaze. Finished in 2:42 and 352nd place out of 464 finishers.
Lashed all night. Up at nine and after a big breakfast went to registration,bought a hat to keep the rain off. Back to the tent for more food, pasta and rolls and the occaisonal look outside to check how low the clouds were.
Down to Claggan Park for the race, lots of people hiding in the changing rooms to the last possible moment. The MC kept advising full body cover required, wind speed 20 mph on top, wind chill of -3 and visibility down to 50 feet. Didn't sound too bad compared to the usual Sunday mornings in Arrochar or Luss.
Over 470 runners set off for a lap round the field and onto the road, reached Achintee in 9 minutes. Felt fine on the tourist track going along Melantee, the short cuts a tad muddy. Going round into the Red Burn gulley the windy corner was windy. The climb up to cross the Red Burn and the mud kicked in.
Reached the Red Burn in about 55 mins, just happy to be there.
From the Red Burn it gets steeper, initially on narrow muddy tracks then through boulders, the odd landslide to cope with due to the volume of water. Some of the moving rocks mansized, def not to be sneezed at.
At the top of the RB the gradient eases and found I could run again, obviously not trying hard enough. Dodging the runners coming down and reached the top in 105 mins.
Turned for home, gloves on, pushing hard as the gradient increased flew past quite a few, felt great. Back down beside the RB and big gradients, boulders and a scree slurry flowing underfoot, eased back and had to time the overtaking moves to avoid a few crashes.
Seemed like no time and I arrived back at half way point and the unfavourite Grassy Bank, 800 feet of slippy slidey grassy muck, usual torrid time, overtaken by ladies, good grief, must do better. A few bumslides, a few crab crawls then slip bang into the RB and it was over.
All that was left was an easy run back along Melantee then the last mile or so of lovely road and a celbratory run round the Claggan pitch. Tried a couple of short cuts along Melantee, the first a small cliff, ouch ouch cramp, lost some time, great short cut. The second a mud chute, could hardly run for laughing, maybe gained 5 yards.
Steady run down to Achintee for the wibbly wobbly leg run on the tarmac to Claggan. Felt fine, so more effort required, a day to enjoy rather than flat out kamikaze. Finished in 2:42 and 352nd place out of 464 finishers.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Never let it be said!
Stoneymollen Sat 29th Aug
Sun came out and I just had to go for a nice easy run this afternoon, so that I did not get a row at this weeks club nights gave Jimmy a call to see if he wanted to go - he did!
7 or 8 miles with 1000'+ of ascent, the route picks up the Giant steps and tracks leading to the back of the Carman reservoir, run round to & through the quarry up the steep track onto the hill behind. Run along the undulating Overton and Bromley Muirs to the top of the Stoneymollen for the steep run back down towards Balloch, along the road to the Vale to finish.
Jimmy on Pudding Rock - WHW - hope you are pleased with the picture :)
Sun came out and I just had to go for a nice easy run this afternoon, so that I did not get a row at this weeks club nights gave Jimmy a call to see if he wanted to go - he did!
7 or 8 miles with 1000'+ of ascent, the route picks up the Giant steps and tracks leading to the back of the Carman reservoir, run round to & through the quarry up the steep track onto the hill behind. Run along the undulating Overton and Bromley Muirs to the top of the Stoneymollen for the steep run back down towards Balloch, along the road to the Vale to finish.
Jimmy on Pudding Rock - WHW - hope you are pleased with the picture :)
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