Shorter run this week and back on the hills now the snow has cleared, ground sodden making for cold toes. Carman Fort first, along past the Trig point to join the Three Lochs Way/John Muir Trail at the top of the Stoney, Ben Bowie next, lots of newly fallen trees. Short down and up to Killoeter's ridge, followed it up and down to the Hel n Back trail, re-joined the Three lochs way to the top of The Stoney, returning along to the Fort and home.
Another longer run this week, up behind the reservoir, Stoneymollan, Ben Bowie, Killoeter, Whinny Hill and Pappert Well. Walk the steeper hills and run the rest aiming for about 6 hours. Forecast wasn't good, turned out fine. Snow on the ground down to about 500', not much of a breeze which is ok for a long run. Jog walked up to the Reservoir and up towards the trig, into the snow, a bit deep to run and walked to the Trig and down to the Stoneymollan trail bruised shins from snow crust. Ran out towards Ben Bowie, stayed on the 3 lochs way trail then the Hel n back route to avoid higher snow covered ground on Ben Bowie and Killoeter. Ran most of the way to Whinny Hill except a couple of short sections through the forest. Back down the trail then across fields past Robin House through the Haldane housing estate leaving via tinkers loan up the road towards the dump, a track leads across behind the golf course, another detour, this time into a field to avoid a large bull, re-joined the track to find another 3 bulls luckily they were far enough away to allow me to scuttle past. Across a muddy field to cross to reach the Whinny Hill trail, went up the fire break, snowy swampy ground slowing me to a walk again. From the trig point straight down the ridge onto the trail and home via Bonhill Bridge and the Magic Roundabout. Finished in just over 6 hours.
12 mile loop on the Great Glen Way, started and finished at Invermoriston, ran along the low trail for 6 or 7 miles then looped back on the high trail. A mixture of undulating forest roads and single track with a mile or so on the road at each end of the run. Some nice views and unusual man made features along the way.
Away for the weekend, managed a run on trail/road and hill around Appin. Started on the Clachtol loop from Port Appin onto single track road to Appin then a detour up and down Beinn Donn, the Appin Show hill race route, back on single track road past Castle Argh/Stalker to Port Appin. Mixture of sun, rain and hail.
