Dumgoyne

 Back to Dumgoyne, set off from beside the distillery, aim was to run a bit further up the hill than last time, took it easy on the run up the field, once over the styles I didn't look up, just concetrated my gaze a couple of feet in front and kept my breathing under control, a wee bit further this time and managed to reach the top of the grassy stretch then jog walked to the top, 1/2 a minute quicker than last time.

The main gulley looked good for a run but when I got into it the scree didn't flow and ended up walking more than running, slower than the smaller chutes and a longer traverse back round from the bottom.

 

View towards Glasgow from the bottom of the chute

Back on track for the undulating run to the Earls seat, worked hard at taking the climbs nice n steady and managed to run all the way arrived at the trig in 66 mins. Stopped for a drink and a picture of the cloud lying in the Corrie of Balglass.

Turned for the run back, jacket on in the misty rain, only a few short ups and managed to run them all, finished in 1 hour 45.

Lomonds of Fife

Three of us set off for the Kingdom to try the new route for this medium hill race. The old route was 11 miles and 3400' of ascent. The new one 10 miles and 2500'. The map showed the race used some of the old route, missing out the initial climb of W Lomond and the East West traverse was changed from a landrover track to a sheep track. A different start / finish and a visit to the Bannet Stane.

Bannet Stane with the bumslide behind.

Blue skies and a cool breeze as we set off up the path onto forest trails and roads winding our way up to the monument, tried to keep a steady pace without going into oxygen debt. Over the deerfence, through the firebreaks to the trail out to East Lomond. Running faster as I recovered along the flattish track before a short sharp climb up to EL summit. We returned along the same track back to the road crossing/water station at Craigmead. A short uphill then across flat moorland to Maiden Castle. Eased back along the rough undulating sheep track towards W Lomond where a rocky gulley took us up from old quarry workings towards WL, a couple more short climbs and then helter skelter down towards the bumslide. Passed 5 runners sitting down, escaped with only minor abraisions and ran past the medics waiting at the bottom to the Bannet Stane. Short cruel climb back up WL on the old route start track, thankfully soon up to the final checkpoint and the descending traverse back to the forest. Heat kicked in and I took it nice and steady, back into the trees and much cooler and I could up the effort level for the last few minutes. Finished in about 2:09. Post race Teas in the Strathmiglo Hall before the drive home. A good day out.

5 Mile Handicap

The Millies Grand Prix continued tonight with event No 9 the 5 miler roon the Vale. Handicap start gives you someone to chase or be chased by or both. Tried to catch the two guys in front within the first half mile, nearly got to the first one then had to ease back or implode. Kept it steady round the cycle path and onto the Jamestown road, slowly recovered and as we entered Jamestown managed to catch the nearest runner. Faster runners started to catch and pass me on the run up towards Tullie. Then I caught another few on the run along towards Christie Park and along Middelton St taking a final scalp with a bit of effort 20 yards from the finish. 20 Runners finished, handicaps worked well as most of us were within 3 or 4 minutes. Finished in 34 mins 10, which is 7 min 20 pace for the 4.75 miles.

Luss horseshoe

Didn't plan to run today but we ended up in Luss for a 9 mile 3600' route, ascent via Beinn Dubh, descending down Mid Hill into the top of Glen Luss, a short steep climb on the other side of the Glen up Coille-eughain Hill returning to the mouth of the Glen by the Paps.

Quickish ascent of Beinn Dubh at 46 mins, then a jog round the 2 corries and easy run down Mid Hill reaching the glen in 90 mins. The steep climb up CE Hill went well and felt easier than usual before a run down the grassy Paps into the mess of a forest at Auchengavin. Out for 2 hours 42 in a mixed morning, just about right for running, cloud, mist and sun all having a wee shot.

View from descent of Mid Hill.

Earls Seat in the clouds

Short run today, 7 miles with 2500' of ascent. Starting beside the Glengoyne Distillery, ran up through the fields onto the steep climb up Dumgoyne Hill, reached the top in just over 25 mins, 1 minute quicker than last time. Dumgoyne summit was sitting just under the cloudbase, the rest of the route in cloud. Over the back and a nice scree run on the way down. Didn't try the main scree chute it looked a bit rocky.

 

 After Dumgoyne an nice run along undulating grassy slopes past a couple of cairns to the trig point. Reached the first cairn in another 20 mins then the trig in 20 more. A short stop at the trig point to empty the scree from my shoes then easy running back along the undualting ridge to finish in 1 hour 41.

PWWHSM

Afternoon run round the Vale in the rain, reached Pappert Well in 38 mins, Whinney Hill 1 hour 51, wheels fell off a bit after that and reached Stoneymollan Trig point in 3 hours 10, finishing in 3 hours 41. Most off road paths were streams with some interesting ones to jump and wade.

Trek 7.2FX

Recently acquired a new bike and for the past few weeks have been trying out the local roads and cycle trails, yesterday had my first summersault just off Cycle Route 7, tried to corner too fast in the wet, brake, skid, release brake, summersault, head butt verge, assaulted by a bramble, a few scratches, slight twist to the front derailleur as the chain now clicks against it in 2 7 and 2 8, oh and dented pride.

Lossiemouth 2011

Annual trip to Silver Sands, Covesea, Lossie, relaxed beach and cliff top runs every couple of days, took in the local sights, Shells, Jellyfish, Sea Potato Test complete with occupant and fur! Not so many jets this year but some tight turns and night flights helped to compensate. Managed a few swims in the Moray Firth as well. A couple of games of Golf, 18 holes at Hopeman and 27 hoels at the re-opened Covesea 9 hole links course at the end of the beach. Camp site still in administration it would be a shame if it closes as there are few other sites with the location, space and easy going approach.

Ben Rinnes 5 Tops Hill Race

Another Scottish championship race, my third of the year. Run  from the Dufftown Highland Games, a long one at 14 miles and 4900' for the out and back route over Little Conval, Meikle Conval, Ben Rinnes. A scorcher of a day and 150 of us set off round the games field. The first mile is on undulating farm tracks then we cross Dufftown Golf Course and onto Little Conval. Decided to run conservatively in the heat and see how it went. Reached the top of LC in 35 minutes, took the descent steady rather than the usual all out, still managed to overtake a few then lost a few places going up Meikle Conval,  this see saw of places would repeat all the way until the last descent. Reached the road crossing in 61 minutes, the same as last year. The marshalls had barrels of water here and drank a pint before the climb up Ben Rinnes. The climb is in four parts, Round Hill, Roy's Hill, Black Banks and Scurrah of Lochterlandoch. Felt good and power walked the zig zag track up Round Hill, ran between each of the climbs and kept a steady trudge up the steep bits. Through the summit Tor, grab some sweets then off down the rocky path, plenty of encouragement with the other runners. Reached the road crossing in 2 hours 6, stopped for another pint before a gasping climb to start Meikle Conval, the slope soon eases and back into jog walk up the narrow paths through the heather, over the top and running down the rough track to the start of the last climb up Little Conval. Head down, working hard now, a runner comes past and I dig in trying desparately to hang on, I focus on their heels as we grind out the last few hundred feet of climbing. A glance at the watch shows 2 hours 50 at the top with just over two miles to go. Brakes off and I run as fast as I can on the rough heathery paths, over the Golf Course, the undulating farm tracks tough on my legs and feet. A lap round the games field to finish in just under 3 hours 8. Some photos here.