Arrochar Trails

Bad weather forecast stayed low and ran the trails from Ardgarten to Succoth then round the Glen Loin loop and back to Ardgarten, thought it was 14 miles, turned out to be about 17, finished in about 3 hours 40, good test with a fun river crossing. Some pictures here.

Glen Luss

Parked at the top of the glen running down the glen to the bottom of Mid Hill, stop start trudge up, too warm at the bottom but cold wind and rain at the top. Faffed about in thick mist finding the correct route off. Clouds cleared for a few seconds making it a bit easier, dropped down into Sith Mor. Boggy crossing the tussocks. Slow trudge up Doune Hill, blasted by wind and rain at the top. Ran over Beinn an Lochain to the last week climb up Beinn Eich. Steady run down to finish inside 3 1/2 hours. A few pictures here.

Carnethy 5 hill race

Freezing freezing, nearly 500 runners set off for Scad Law, first of 5 hills in this classic race. Crocodile soon formed across Charlie's loop and up the first climb, snow increasing towards the top with high winds n icy sleet blasting exposed flesh, a pattern repeated on each top. Traverse to South Black Hill fun, stiff crosss wind blowing us off course, over the first of the kips and pleasant couple of minutes sheltered from the wind. Run off the second kip more fun in the snow, managed to stay upright and gain a few places. Along to the bumslide down to the Howe, again managed to stay on my feet, and relatively dry. Jogged most of the first part of the climb up Carnethy with a flash of my number to the marshalls. Payed for my exuberance and had to walk most of the way to the gully. Running again out of the gulley towards the final wee climb to Carnethies summit. Steep run down towards the finish, a wee tumble losing grip on the heathery roots. Steady run back across the bog to finish in just over 84 minutes. A few pictures here.

Whinny hill Cross Country

Final club cross country, starts in front of Balloch castle, finishes behind it. A lap of the park to start then onto the path to the whinny hill trail. Trail sanitised this year, a new hardcore surface up through the woods, only the top loop section wet n muddy. Return by same route until just before the park and off left through trees n mud popping out behind the car park, short dash to the finish. Started in third, dropped to fourth at the bottom of the park, stayed there to finish, 13 runners this year.