Glen Croe

An Arrochar run with a difference, a low level trail run, starting in Succoth up through the woods onto the forest trail to Ardgarten, along Glen Croe to the top of the Rest and Be Thankful using what's left of the old road, returning to Ardgarten on the forest road below Ben Donich and the Brack, cross the A83 and back to Succoth on forest tracks and roads, 14 miles and 2750' of ascent with only about 1 mile on the road. Being on forest roads makes it possible to run all the way, a change from the usual jog walk over the surrounding hilltops. No complaints today as the clouds were scudding around leaving a white pallor behind as they moved from top to top. A few pictures here.

Tinto and a Duathlon

A new race for me, Tinto is about 4 1/2 miles with 1500' of ascent. We set off at 2 pm up the track. Runnable at first then the undulations put me into jog walk mode up most of Totherin Hill, we bypass the top, running again around its flank through Maurice's Cleuch before the gradient puts me in my place, another walk, I gradually pick up pace towards the top of Tinto reaching it in just over 35 mins, I run round the large cairn eager for the descent realising the winner has finished a few minutes ago. Easy running down over the red felsite rock Tinto is made of wary of the frequent muddy patches preferring to go off path onto the heathery stuff at the side. I manage to pass a few people on the way back which helps to make up for my slow climb. Descent time about 14 mins, pleased to finish just under 49 mins, 163rd out of 259. Pictures here and here.

Sunday was the 2nd last race in this years Club Grand Prix, another new one, a Duathlon, a 4 mile run round the Vale then 8 miles on the bike on Auchencarroch Road, finished in 71 minutes, 6th out of 14, 31 minute run, 40 minute cycle, pictures here.

Dumyat Dash

Back for a second go at this short race, 5 or 6  miles and 1800' of ascent. Another good day, clear skies, cool with little or no breeze. As I approached Drymen snow covered Campsies came in to view which reminded me I had left my race shoes at home, oops, a double back from Drymen to collect them took half an hour and now I was pushed for time hopefully I missed the speedtrap on the Stirling Straights. The race starts and nearly 100 of us set off from Menstrie village green, a short section of road then a couple of miles of farm track undulating up as it winds its way into the Ochils behind Dumyat. Off road and a short drop into the Glen and through the Menstrie Burn before a jog walk up the back of Dumyat the leaders come tumbling by as I trudge up the tussocky ascent. 51 Minutes and I'm running round the summit cairn, superb views all round. I take a while to get into a rhythm on the way back down and only manage to catch a couple of runners in front by the bottom of the glen. From here the return route takes a muddy undulating trail beside the Menstrie Burn, a couple of steep inclines keep the pace in check then I get a second wind and ease past three runners in quick succession thankful for the grippy shoes I went back for. Soon we rejoin the farm track for a quick run down into Menstrie, I can't catch the two runners just in front until they bypass one of the steep tricky shortcuts I go for it, stumble down and come out in front. Steady effort for a couple of hundred yards keeps me ahead and I'm back running along the road to finish on the village green in 76 minutes, a minute or so quicker than last year. Tea and biscuits in the village hall, showers too if you want.