First race in this years club championship, 2 laps mainly on paths beside the river Leven and the perimeter fence of the Polaroid Industrial Estate. 7 of us set off, clear and sunny morning, perfect weather for running, a few deep muddy patches through the trees after the start the rest of the course pretty dry, made for good times, managed to avoid too many scrapes on the way round.
I had planned this run for a few weeks but didn't have the energy or time to try it, a horseshoe over the north side of Glen Luss. Went out on Friday as I had a day out Saturday at the National Whisky Festival of Scotland in SWG3, great decision as the weather was blue sky perfect on Friday with ;little wind. Parked at the bottom of Glen Luss and ran a couple of miles up the road turning off for a steep trudge up Beinn Eich, the top few hundred feet covered in snow. Stayed above the snowline along the ridge over Beinn Lochain to Doune Hill, slow going but worth it for the views. Dropped down into the glen and Sith Mor before an even slower trudge up the back of Mid Hill, into the snow again near the top. A few icy patches on the flat bog sections on the way to Beinn Dubh. Easy run from the top to the foot of the glen. Took a bit longer than usual with the snow, ice and picture stops.
Loop round Glen Luss/Glen Striddle, started in the sun , soon gave way to a few squally rain and snow showers. Beinn Dubh first, jog walked, some of the steeper parts a bit slippy and walked to save energy and a face plant. Layered up with height gain, jacket then hat, buff and gloves, goggles would have been handy along the ridge to Mid Hill into the driving snow. Easy run down Mid Hill careful to stay upright. Slow plod up Coillie Eughian Hill then a nice down hill run back to the bottom of the glen. Not many out today, only a few walkers on Beinn Dubh, after that only sheep and deer.
First long run of the year, Ben Bowie via Carman Reservoir and Stoneymollen, just under 12 miles.
Along to Renton and up the path behind the reservoir to start then across the Carman and the trail that goes past the quarry, startled by a shotgun going off, a small group beside the path had shot some bird, their dogs retrieved it, still flapping! Path across the bog to the trig, boggy, even the bits that weren't part of the bog.
Down to the John Muir/3LW Trail for the loop over Ben Bowie, a few walkers out today and a few runners as well.
