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.
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