Misty Weekend

Saturday's run took a while to get organised, even watched some lunchtime footie on the telly, set off late afternoon for Luss, 9 mile circuit of Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill  and Coille-eughain Hill taking in 3700' of undulations. Made the effort to try and run up Beinn Dubh, two stops, one for a picture the next to put on jacket and hat, and apart from a few slips in the mud made it. Relaxed along the ridge to Mid Hill then dropped out the mist down into the Glen.

Crossed Luss Water for a steep trudge up Coille-euighain Hill and back into the mist and rain. Eased down the Paps staying to the left of the trees at the bottom for a change helped, finished in 2 hours 40, a quiet day on the hill. Sunday, with more low clouds, changed my mind en route to Glen Douglas, didn't fancy more grassy tussocks and went to the Cobbler instead, today's leg burning challenge, run to the Narnain Boulders, cleared the zig zags without stopping then passed the Boulders and kept going till I met the path up the back of the Cobbler, walked up the steps then got going again and ran to the Coll, reached the middle summit a couple of minutes walk later, left the Eye for another day.

Back the way I came, the steps seemed more slippery on the way down. Fun trail run back through the Glen towards Succoth, not many views today but a few more walkers. About 10 miles with 3600' of climb in 2 hours 10. Saturday pictures here, Sunday's here.

Merrick

25th Anniversary race, my 10th, sponsored by Glenfiddich, a shortened version today of the out and back that's been run the two previous years, winds on Merrick reported to be 80mph, combined with the horizontal rain on the way up a good decision. Short run to start, about 10 yards, jump the burn and plod up the Fell of Eschoncan, running along the top through bogs and trees onto the climb up Bennan, wind and rain kicked in, jacket on, stumbling through more bogs then the rocky traverse round the summit through the bogs to Ben Yellary, wind almost behind on the way up, stopped to pick up someones specs, round the cairn at the top instead of the out and back to the higher top of Merrick running as hard as the terrain would allow, watch out for the boulders strewn across much of the course. Managed to scramble past a few runners on the way back to finish just over 91 mins, hats off to the marshalls for their efforts today in trying conditions, course marked from start to finish, encouragement and smiles all the way too.

5 Mile Handicap

19 started out in reverse order for the 9th Club race of the year, started in 13th place, finished in 33:40, 6th over the line, but only 7th fastest. My fastest go at this since 2010, back to the old route this year, probably nearer 4.75 miles, last years had been increased to nearer 5.

Nevis weekend

A long time coming, entered in January with a few runs and races in between, arrived in Glen Nevis campsite on Friday evening, tent up, pasta on, rain teeming down all night and most of Sat morning, forecast came good and it cleared before race time. Despite perfect weather no heroics this year, steady run just inside the cut offs, half way under the hour, the first 50 already finished by the time I get to the top a few minutes inside 2 hours. Pass quite a few on the run off the top, a few traffic jams down the Red Burn screes sorted with some fun overtaking, relax and just keep the legs moving down the Grassy Bank. Back on the tourist path, its dodge the tourist time, they are all excellent with encouragement and they go out of their way to let you past. Try a new vertical shortcut on the zig zags, much better, next time I'll watch for the top half I ran past. The gradient eases and I still manage to pass one or two, the last mile of undulating road passes quicker than expected, start to cramp up as I run round the games field finishing in 2 hours 55. Lots of pictures here, I'm on page 7 and 14, more pictures here, Sat evening rainy. Set off for home Sun PM, broke the journey with a drive down Glen Etive to the shores of Loch Etive and a wee seat in the sun, very peaceful in this isolated spot.

2nd stop at the Falls of Falloch then home for tea. Some pictures here.