Ardgarten Loop

Three of us set out for the 20 miles and 4000' plus of ascent in cool drizzle. A fun time was had by all as the frozen ground meant rain and melt water froze into a smooth invisible icy film for much of the way.

Within one minute I was breathless as I fell winded on the edge of the road trying to tiptoe round the ice. No evidence of serious damage and I got up and from then on ran tentatively wary of ice. The run along to the lochan took some 1 1/2 hours as I shuffled along, mostly on the verge or in the ditch to avoid the ice. Conditions improved as the track climbed a few hundred feet in the last couple of miles ice turning to snow.

Good run across the top on a snowy cycle path until the descent back towards the Loch Goil track, more ice. The track through Lochgoilhead and on up to the top of the Rest and Be Thankful icy in patches thankfully turned to snow nearer the top.

The last 3 or 4 miles down to Ardgarten snow at first then back into the ice. All in a tougher than usual run finishing in about 4 hours 50 instead of the usual sub 4 run.

Christmas runs

Chrsitmas eve and with my few chores out the way went for a run over the snowy Stoneymollan. 2 inches of powder and clear blus sky made for perfect running, covered the 6 or 7 miles and 1000' of ascent in 85 minutes. Millie Boxing day run and back up the Stoney followed by Whinney Hill. The snow has gone through a thaw freeze cycle by now so a crunchy run had by all. Sky overcast and a cool breeze on the open hillside. A few stop starts for the bunch to regroup but the snow underfoot gave us a tough workout. 14 miles and 2000' in 3 hours 53. A few pictures here.

Whinney Hill

Sunday run through the local parks to Whinney Hill and back, 9 miles and 1000' of ascent. Not too tiring but enough at this time of year to keep things ticking over.

Snow covered ice on a lot of the paths and I stayed off them as much as possible, fingertips to the ground twice to save a sprackle in the snow, once on the climb out of Balloch Park the second the steep climb into the woods going towards Whinney Hill.

A day for easy running and taking in the views, finished in 1 hour 40, a few pictures here.

Ardarden for the birds

A late Sunday run was just what I needeed after a night playing santa.  So 12 o'clock at the Vale Leisure Centre it was and 5 of us set out for a loop through Renton, over Kipperoch through Cardross to Ardarden where a couple of the guys wanted to sort out their christmas dinner. Then up and over Stoneymollan and back to the Leisure Centre, 13 miles and 1200' of ascent.

Run through Renton slow on icy pavements, better running on the Kipperoch and along to Ardarden. Good steady climb up the Red Road past the Black Third for the obligatory pictue at the top of Stoneymollan.

Jogged down and crossed the bypass to rejoin the compact icy snow. Walked towards MacDonalds where my elbow attacked the ground to much concern from my companions, decided I wouldn't cry, returned the compliments and we jogged back to finish in 2 hours 50 minutes.

New Shoes, Sat Dec 11th

My New Balance road shoes have done about 900 miles and lower limb complaints inc had recruited hips strain ltd and the lower back distress co for a campaign to stop me moving let alone running. A search of all the online running outlets I could find and a tour of Glasgow's running shops had failed. Set off for Glasgow again and stopped at JJB in the Great Western Retail Park without much hope. No road shoes to suit but tried on a pair of Asics Enduro trail shoes, comfy. Arrived home and went straight out for a run along to Duck Bay 5 miles in 55 minutes, pain free.

Snowymollan

Superb winter conditions but not if you are a runner. Difficult to find suitable runs so I revert to the old favourite the Stoneymollan. Last Friday route from the house over Stoneymollan to my mums in Cardross then back. Today, ran up behind Carman reservoir then through the quarry and along the hillside to the top of the Stoneymollan.

On Friday set off about two pm up through Christie Park and along the bypass verge, bad choice, two feet of snow piled up from the road, trudge trudge. The run up the Stoney was good plenty of wakers had left a narrow trod over the top and about half way across. The path splits here and without the volume of walkers no track to follow and high knee lifts required to make progress through deep snow to the other side of the moor, wind chill kicked in as I left the shelter of the trees, not sure if I fancy this on the way back. Ran down the Darlieth ok if a bit icy.

Just under 1 hour 17 to mums for coffee and cakes while my running gear dried off.

Left just after four for the run back over. Good steady running up the Darlieth past the Black Third Farm,  luckily the wind had dropped for the high knee lift walk back over the moor. Ran down the Stoney in the dark, avoided the snowy bypass and ran back along the main road to home. About a minute slower coming back, 13 miles and 1700' of ascent. A few pictures here .

Today's run in glorious winter sunshine, 7 miles and about 1100' of ascent. I wanted to get to the trig point before sunset and set off about half two, plenty of time. Ran along past the Carman on the roads and onto the track leading behind Carman Reservoir, a few walkers had been before me so ok for running but hard work on any up hill. Ran on the road to the quarry, the track through the quarry hard packed and smooth good to run on as well. All changed half way up the hill, only a few had been through so walked out the back and onto the moor.

I could pick up the trail leading to the trig point as the snow was slightly smoother but hard work with the snow from varying from knee to thigh deep only the odd bit where the frozen crust would support my weight, perhaps I should buy a pair of these. Trudged across the moor and up towards the trig point just getting there a few minutes before sunset. Great views over the Clyde and Loch Lomond. Took a few pictures and tried to wait until the sun set behind the Arran peaks but too cold and set off for the run down to the top of the Stoneymollan with windproof jacket and ski gloves on.

I have been here in deep snow before and although I expected a hard run I would have turned back if it wasn't for one the set of visible footprints I could follow. Any time I strayed from them it was a fall into deep soft snow, very tiring. Easy to see how you could get into trouble. With a second frozen crust cutting into your ankles with each step it was impossible to run so slow trudge along to the top of the Stoney. Run down the Stoney ok but not as easy as Friday. Arrived home in about 2 hours 15 mins, about an hour slower than usual. Stunning views, a few pictures here.