Stuc A Chroin

My 9th Stuc, roller coaster of a race, you come out feeling like you've spent a few hours in a washing machine. Not at my best just now and thought I should give it a miss, decided to go and set a target of sub 4 hours instead of aiming for 3 1/2. Ran steady along the first two easy miles on forest tracks.

The run across the moor to Glen Ample

Onto the hill and a rough run across the moor past Meall Mor before the drop into Glen Ample for the climb up Beinn Each.

Beinn Each across Glen Ample

A bit steep, hands on knees, the ground, pulling on the heather, anything to get me up there. Tried to keep it steady as there is a bit to go after this.

The ridge to the Stuc from Beinn Each's summit

Drop a few hundred feet off the side onto the 2 miles of lumpy ridge to the Stuc, the leading runners bomb past on their way back once I'm past the crossover. I reach the top in 2 hours 18. Steady run back along the ridge, try to save something for the climb out Glen Ample. At the crossover we're sent off down into Glen Ample, straight down at first then a traversing descent along the glen to the path for the exit climb. Struggling now usually I can gain a few places here, concentrating on not stopping seems to be a good idea. Drink some high5 electrolyte stuff to try to avoid cramping on the next climb. Cross the track and start up the other side of Glen Ample, boggy at first then dries out the higher you get, cramp starts then eases, maybe its worked. About 4 miles left, two across the moor then two back along  the forest track. The three runners ahead drift away across the moor, unable to catch them I try to maintain the effort and not lose any places. Glad to reach the forest and soon pop out on the track after 3 hours 34 only two miles left, the first slightly uphill in 10 minutes takes its toll, the last mile, downhill, takes 12 minutes, still I finished inside my target in 3 hours 56. Contrasting route today, moor and valleys a bit boggy but the ridges and tops dry and sair feet stoney. Lots of marshalls out as usual, water chocolate and jelly babies and encouragement in their usual quantities. Pictures here (view last to first), and here.