Ben Lomond

Last run of the year up and down the Ben, easy running, walking on steeper and rockier parts, misty along the plateau and on the summit ridge, not much snow about except for the north facing slopes of the summit ridge. A few walkers out but we were the first to the top, lots more coming up as we descended finishing in just over 2 1/2 hours.

Beinn Dubh and Mid Hill

Out n back run, up Beinn Dubh into the mist and along past the corries to the two wee cairns beside Mid Hill. A few patches of snow on the north facing slopes, quite windy on the upper parts of Bein Dubh and along the ridge finishing in just over 2 hours.

Glen Striddle Horseshoe

Arrived at the bottom of Glen Luss about 2 pm, realised I had forgotten my insoles, lucky the ground would be soft. Set off up Beinn Dubh into the mist and round the corries to Mid Hill, dropped down to the glen and ran the up to the end of the road, down to Luss water and across the repaired rickety wooden bridge, slow trudge up Coille Eughains steep sides back into the mist and gloom as the light faded, head torch on, of limited use as the light was mostly reflected off the mist, helped with foot placement. Wasted a few minutes finding the right line off the hill, a sheep track that runs down to the paps beside a fence. Good experience in night navigation and the problems that you could face. Slow trudge through the forest finishing in about three hours.

Balloch Park Cross Country

Last race in the clubs annual grand prix, the heavy rain in the last couple of days exacerbating the pounding it took at last weeks Scottish Western District cross country championship. 4 of us attempted to run round the muddy park, managed second even though I slowed by 30 to 40 seconds per lap.

Luss Hill Run

Out n back to Doune Hill over Beinn Eich and Beinn Lochain. A bit misty on the tops with not a lot of views. Finished just over 2 1/2 hours.

Montana Roja

On holiday in Plays Blanca Lanzarote, went for a run up the a small volcano just behind the resort, Monatana Roja, Red Mountain.
Round trip from our apartment, including round the top was just over three  miles with about 500' of ascent.

Great views from the top and fun to be able to say I have run up a volcano. Walked up again with Andrew later on in the week.

Glen Douglas

Forecast was about right, although frosty in the glen the ground wasn't frozen, higher up it was but the damage was done on the boggy slope lower down, wet feet and cold toes.

Reached the top of Beinn Bhreac to great all round snowy peaks disappearing into the distance. The old path  to Ben Reoch criss crosses a new fence built just of the crest of the ridge, followed this down to the Beallach then gradually turned towards Reoch as the fence dipped down to the right.

The uphills a slow trudge in the patchy snow.

Stunning views of the Arrochar Alps from Reochs top.

Steep down into the glen then another trudge up beside Tullich Hills crags, nice and warm in the sun, apart from  my toes! Couple of small frozen lochs at the top add to the views.

East run back down into the Glen, found a nice trod though most of the new "native" plantation to finish just over three hours.

Beinn Ime

Slept in after a hard week, went for a single hill, Beinn Ime the tallest of the Arrochar hills. Overcast but clear, snow on the tops, set off up the zig zag trail. Came out the trees to the classic view of the Cobbler and a cool breeze.

Made it to the Narnain Boulders where I put jacket, hat and gloves on as the conditions always seem to deteriorate after these massive blocks. Not many people out today. A helicopter buzzing around the tops eventually hovering over Narnain before heading off. Started up Ime from the Beallach, a lone walker coming down meant I would have the hill to myself.

New path construction not complete, the bottom section still to be done, the volunteers tools lying abandoned in the cold, from about half way up the man made path is completed, made for an easier ascent until the ice further up made it easier to go off path, wind strengthening and firing a bit of snow across the hillside, fine needle like particles that stung your face. Reached the top in a bitingly cold wind, immediately turned back to get some shelter to get my phone out for a couple of pictures, ran back up to the top for a couple, although views were good it was a bit too inhospitable to hang around, my hand quickly froze as I have to take the weatherproof gloves off to use my camera. Good views to Ben Lui, Ben Lomond and the surrounding Arrochar tops.

Struggled to get my glove over my numb fingers then set off back along the path. Good fun running off the top in the shallow snow and I was soon back at the Beallach where a walker took my place on the hill starting his ascent as I came down. Easy run down past the Boulders and through the zig zags to finish inside 3 hours.

Trossachs Night Trail Race

First race of this years series, Aberfoyle, cold and raining as I arrived to register, a quick change in the car park then back into the registration hall in the Forth Inn for a heat.

The rain had stopped when we emerged for the start and 170 plus runners set off along a roller coaster of trails, forest roads and muddy single track. The route undulates up for about 3 1/2 miles from the village round the David Marshall Lodge, along behind the golf course then drops down and across the golf course, hole #7, onto a track beside the 11th finishing with a short section of single track and forest road, good fun.

Tinto Hill; Race

Late morning drive down the motorway turning off at Abingdon for Tinto, new set up this year, park and register at Damn Delicious beforw a short warm up across a couple of fields to the usual start.

Slightly smaller field this year, about 200 set off, a bit muddy on the lower slopes.

A minute or two slower than my best time to the top running all the way, turn and pick up pace, each mile faster.

Finished inside 50 mins and back to DD for some hot soup.