Stoneymollan Sun 23rd May

Nice short run / walk this morning, 6 or 7 miles up the Stoney and along to Carman Reservoir. Met Jimmy out for a walk round after his 70+ mile two day run this week, walked round to the finish with him. Nice walk, nice day.

Arrochar Alps Sat 15th

Todays excursion was all about steep ups and downs, close on 7000 feet of climbing within 12 or 13 miles. Starting out from Succouth straight up Narnain then Ime and Vane with the 4 mile run back down Glen Loin to finish.

Took the first climb up Narnain nice and steady covering the 3000 feet and 2 1/2 miles in an hour 25, overtook a few groups of walkers on the way and had the cool breezy summit to myself for a short break to refuel.

The run into the Bealach a'Mhaim a bit stop start as I kept crossing the rubble strewn path trying to find a better way down. Crossing the stile at the bottom I could see some walkers further up, something to aim for. A steady plod brought me to the summit cairn and a seat out of the wind.

It's a steep drop off the back of Ime into Glas Bhealach but peace and quiet again as only a few pass through this glen. I start down a narrow twisty track which drops you on the wrong side of the Bhealach and I soon leave it to traverse east to avoid the boggy run towards the final drop into Lag Uaine, too soon, and I have to slow up to pick my way through steep lumps, bumps and boulders.

Chose a new line for the run into Lag Uaine to the south of a rocky outcrop, after a couple of double backs found a nice path running down the crest of a small ridge, turned at the bottom to prime the memory cells, that's always a tough climb.

The direct route up Vane would be a challenge when you are fresh so I loop round to take the sting out of the steepest sections and pick my way through the many sloping terraces between the crags. Hit the ridge and its only a short way to the summit, another wee rest before the tricky run off.

Quite a few walkers going up and down and a lot of loose rock and dirt about so take it nice and easy though the knobbly bits that give the mountain its name. After clearing the crags and cliffs a nice steady plod to the bog at the bottom, reached the Glen Loin track just over 4 hours after I set out.

Run all the ups through the glen to the finish in 4 hours 45. The tide is in and wash the remnants of the bog away in the loch before shotgunning a recovery of 2 cans of full fat Bru.

Pleased to complete the planned route and felt fine, no major physical or mental distress, only the odd consideration given to easier routes on the first climb of the day and by the time I reached Ben Ime, no worries and plenty of drive left in the legs for the trials of Ben Vane and what felt like a nice short run out through Glen Loin. Great views all the way and a couple of hail showers on the tops of Narnain and Vane to remind me winters not long gone. Some pictures from today's run .
Sunday and made time for a recovery run going up behind the Carman reservoir, through the quarry and along to the top of the StoneyM, a run down the track and along the bypass to finish.

Stoneymollen

Thurs night club race, 4 1/2 miles with 1000' of climbing, good turn out of 22 for the race which is run as a handicap. To overcome the clubs navigational frailty several marshals were dispatched to key points on the course, giving out some good motivational stuff as well as directions. Felt like hard work up the initial 600' climb the odd glimpse of a runner in front. Leaving the track for the hillside I could see a few specks in the distance to chase. Made it to the trig, managed to avoid the boggy ditches but walked one of the steep banks. A quick glance up, empty hillside, at least its downhill now. Slight route change this year to skirt round the side of Overton Muir, longer but more runnable. Steep climb to the top of the last hill, oops another wee walk at the top. The run down steep but too short before a hop and skip through the obstacle course leading to the track. Could hear the guy behind now. Jogged the short climb towards the radio mast then quickly down the track where I managed to pass my only victim in this years race. The last few hundred yards are on road through a yard then in front of Overton cemy, a right turn down under the flyover and back to the club. Finished in 41 and 9 seconds about 20 seconds slower than my best for the old route. Tea and cakes in the hall and a laugh.

Ben Lomond

SHR and SAL Championship race this year, after the organisers brief on how it is important to be nice to hill walkers no matter what I set off with nearly 200 runners to tackle this rocky lump. Beautiful day with the promise of a breeze further up. Climbed up through whats left of the forest running as much as possible and picking out the best route for the return. Through the gate and onto the open hillside jog walking to our groups beat. No breeze yet, directed off path after the second gate, going well until I lost concentration for a couple of minutes and a few came past. You rejoin the tourist path at the top of the shoulder, breeze at last,  and run most of this plateau section. Round the last curving climb befor the summit dome you have to dodge the leaders as they hurtle past. Off track again a diagonal up towards the summit ridge, 10 minutes of toil and you pop up on the narrow ridge and slide past the runners coming back. Grab a drink of water from the marshal at the top, gloves on and push off for the helter skelter descent. Run back along the ridge gradually picking up speed, there's a group of 5 or 6 in front and get snagged in them on the first steep drop from the top, pass 3 at the bottom with a wee jump or two. The top of the plateau full of twists and rocks, foot placement the key to a safe journey. As it levels off I try to keep it steady and pick off the runners in front one by one. Just before the drop down the grassy bank the guy in front of me goes down, check he is ok then off again. Take the first section steady then let go and work hard until through the gate. A short section of path then off into the bog and heather, 3 pass me here including the guy who fell, tuck in behind them, foot off the breaks nearer the bottom, now I concentrate on picking the right line for each little obstacle, recover a couple of places then past a couple of the walking wounded, well one was being carried! Through the bottom gate and it takes maximum effort to maintain anything but a steady jog on the flat sections. Cruise down to the end of the tourist track and encourage a toiling runner on the way past. Finish in just over 1 hour 40, 68 1/2 mins up, 32 down. Trad swim in the loch then soup n a roll and a pint in the sun watching the prize giving. New sub 66 min record for the winner, the last runners just over 2 hrs 28. Link to results and slide show/photos here.

Dumyat Wed 5th

Big field of 290 started this short scenic bog and burn race, 5 miles and 1200' of ascent. The large numbers meant a couple of queues on the way up and a few restrictions on the way down, but they can be used to snatch a wee rest, not the most efficient way of running but you make the best of what you get.

The route is split into three sections, road and track, forest, hill. Run the road and track both out and back. Run/walk the forest and hill on the way up, run both on the way back. Late spring meant no bluebells this year, but still a lovely run. Some good competition on the way up and picked up a few places. Gained a few more on the way down and then lost a couple on the track leading back into the uni grounds.

Finished in 128th position in 48:23 or so. Pictures here and here.

Stuc a Chroin

May means its time for the Stuc, 14 miles and 5000' of fun. As usual weather turned out fine, rumours of snow and hail came to nothing, a bit chill towards the top of the Stuc but hat, gloves and buff kept things comfortable.

One other Millie ran today, Adrian in his first Stuc, a few minutes ahead of me at the top, less than a mimute ahead at the finish courtesy of a Stuc a Cramp in the last run down through the forest.

Slight route change through Glen Ample this year took us away from most of the swamp, the lower half longer but not as steep.

Started with the usual 23 minute run to the end of the track, through the forest and onto the delight that is Meall Mor before the plunge into Glen Ample. Beinn Each steady, climb 1500' in three quarters of a mile, and before ya know it your flying down to the Beallach Nan Cabar and an undulating ridge run to the Stuc. Reached the Stuc in 2 hours 8, a bit slow.

The run off the Stuc full of twists, turns, ups and downs, give it a push keeping a wee bit for the run in and out of Glen Ample. Its a longer traverse into Glen Ample to the new crossover and this years sheep track is a good one, only one or two mushy bits where the footing is not secure.

Adrian back in sight for a couple of minutes as I began the plod out of Glen Ample, manage it with only one stop but struggle to run off the top. The run back over Meall Mor and through the forest ok but can only jog on the uphill part of the track. After about half a mile the track starts to descend and at last I can pick up the pace. Finish in 3 hours 32 mins, and ok after a quick lie down and a wash in the stream. Some pictures here and here.