Whangie Whizz

My 9th go at this short Bog and Burn race, a slight course change from lollipop to figure of eight thanks to a new fence. About 140 set off up the slope from the Queens View car park, take the first climb steady with a wee push to book my place in the crocodile along to the Whangie. A couple of enthusiastic runners managed to pass me before I settled down and could join in with a bit of queue jumping myself. After the Whangie a sharp left up onto Aucheneden Hill for a nice run down to the road, further along than usual so right turn and then right again to pick up the usual route to the trig point. At the Trig we ran straight on towards the radio mast before cutting down a steep drop to the style and the usual sprint to finish under 38 mins. Felt a more runnable course with the route back to the style less risky than the narrow rocky path.

Mull Monsterette

Held every two years this years MM was moved from its usual slot in mid July to April and meant I could have a go. The race blurb advises you to be prepared, really prepared, also you should be comfortable with scrambling and exposure.

Difficult place to get to means the number of entrants is usually low, this year 19 started and 19 eventually finished. Set off at 7 to catch the half 9 ferry from Oban, an inspiring drive past snow capped mountains at Crianlarich, Dalrigh, Dalmally and Cruachan.

A calm ferry crossing to Craignure with the Mull peaks still shrouded in cloud. The race organiser meets the boat and takes you by mini bus to the start beside Loch Na Keal on the West coast of Mull. A spectacular setting.

The route is about 8 miles with 4500' of climing. With the first mile on the road and the last two or three miles downhill off Ben More means over 1000' per mile for the rest.

The first mile is along a single track road beside Loch Na Keal then we turned off onto open hillside up Beinn Ghraig, the biggest climb of the day with 1800' in just over a mile. The run along Beinn Ghraig's broad ridge good fun and visually stunning, not that you can take too much notice. Although the run off is steep the slopes are grassy and makes for easy running.

A contour round Beinn Nan Gabhar to the next climb up Beinn Fhada. When you get to the top you get full on views of the A Chioch and Ben More ridges, the terrain changes to rock and scree and narrows a bit.

The run off Fhada steep and tricky, a 500' plummet in a third of a mile, across a narrow beallach before climbing 1000' in under 3/4 of a mile to A Chioch's summit, the ridge narrows again.

The Fhada, A Chioch and Ben More ridges form a u-shaped funnel and catch the wind, another factor to consider. A short run along A Chioch's summit ridge then a short rocky track to the beallach before Ben More. Focus only on the track now with huge drops on either side. Concentrating on foot placement we crouch low crossing the A Chioch to Ben More beallach, the wind tugging at your balance. Thankfully the wind effect eases on the climb up Ben More, the narrow path clutching the steep mountain side.

The last hurrah is the chimney, a hands on rocky gulley to Ben More's summit. A walk across the top thankful the climbing is over for the day before running down the tourist path, the first part fast through scree then slower over wet bouldery stuff. About half way down you leave the path and cross the Dhiseig burn for a direct run down through tussock and heather to the finish.

Finished in 16th place in 2 hrs 56. Everyone gets a prize and when the race winner wins the Tobermory Malt spot prize we all enjoy a dram in spectacular surroundings. Everyone mucks in to pack the marquee and tables into the minibus before rewinding the outward journey, a pint in Craignure, macaroni cheese on the boat and relaxing on the outer decks for the cruise back to Oban. Stopped at Tyndrum to see the Highland Fling finish on the way back. An enduring calm to contrast the adrenalin filled Monsterette.

Some pictures I took of the day are in the slide show below, the last race pic at the bottom of the climb up A Chioch, after that the focus was on getting it right.

Results here, and some more pictures which give you good views of the A Chioch and Ben More ridges here.

Another Stoneymollen

Sun pm run anticlockwise round the Stoney through the quarry and behind the reservoir, short run for the weekend so did it as a tempo. Felt ok on the way up the Stoney and kept it going all the way round. Finished a few minutes quicker than usual, in about 72 mins.

5 mile handicap

18 runners for tonights 5 mile handicap round the Vale. The first time for a while that I have not made up the handicaps. No difference to my run, round about the standard 33 mins. Managed to hunt the next one in front down after the Bonhill bridge, overtaken myself after the hill towards Jamestown. Worked away towards the next runner, made slow progress and finally caught him as we turned back towards the Vale. Plugged away and passed a few before the finish and managed to avoid being caught by any more. Tea and cake in the club to finish as we mulled over the trials and tribulations of being athletes.

Arrochar Alps Sun 11th April

Forecast was perfect the only problem where and what. Ben Lui maybe still too much snow. Arrochar has been neglected, the last time I was on the hill was a run over the Beallach last December, before that it was July. So easy choice Bens Vane, Ime and Narnain, 12 or 13 miles and 6500 FOA.

Sluggish start but I could see the sun through the curtains and left the Vale just after 8, Ben Lomond looked close enough to touch across the Loch. Started running before 9, almost freezing running up through Glen Loin to Corriegrogan and the Vane path in 50 something minutes. Vane ascent...

No more than a steady plod up Vane, a bit hotter now, just over an hours climb. Views opening up all around. From Vane the plan was to drop into Lag Uaine but as this was where I DNF'd the AA race use the compass, 280 degrees takes you away from the crags then drop into Lag Uaine. So easy. Met a new friend in Lag Uaine, Lars or Larry, he likes to run on the hills, here with Ben Lui in the background.

Picture below is Ben Ime from Ben Vane, the Ime ascent is in two parts, first a tussocky trudge to the Beallach between Ime and Chorranach then hang a left for a 20 minute push up steeper ground to the top. Reach Ime summit in 3 hours 20 something.

Ime is the highest point of todays run, superb views all round, mountains for miles, Arran and Jura mountains all visible in the distant haze with a white Ben Nevis clear on the horizon. Sat in the sun taking it all in for a few minutes, some more food and drink then off towards the last hurrah up Narnain. Had to stop and take a picture, too many favourites to miss, Gnarly ridge, Lochs Lomond, Arklet and Katrine, Ben Lomond.

15 minute run down to the Beallach, no problems today but this is a tricky run in the mist and its very easy to go off course, too far right ok you just have to climb back up but go left and soon you are in amongst seriously steep crags.

The last climb of the day to Narnain, 30 minutes up, quite steep but soon levels off, through a couple of rocky terraces and your on top.

Have a seat and last lingering look around with some more food and drink then off through a thankfully snow free Spearhead for the 2 mile 3000 foot drop to the finish. Quite a few walkers about now, most still going uphill. About 50 minutes of hard work to get back to the car. Just over 5 hours with about 25 minutes of stops for food, scenery and chatting to Larry. A few more pictures in the Galleria.

FOA

No long runs this weekend, Sun run was 6 reps up to the Radiomast, not much but gave me over 2000 FOA in 6 miles including a short warm up and down. A more positive view is adding up Thurs to Monday runs for total of 29 miles and over 6000 FOA. Someway to compensate for the lack hill runs. Nice view from the bomb crater on Monday.