Weeken away to Loch Fyne, took a short run through Inverary to the hill behind Inverary Castle, a flat mile to the castle then an uphill mile on forest tracks winding round the hill as it climbs, great views from the top before an easy run back to the town.
6 of us set off on the Ben Bowie Trail Race, just under 6 miles with about 1000' of ascent. Warm evening until the skies opened and a refreshing downpour hit us. Starts on Upper Stonemollan Road at the end of the tarmac undulating up via the Three Lochs Way with a stunning rainbow on show on the short deviation up to Ben Bowies double summit, should have stopped for picture. Undulates down on the way back. Managed to get everyone to stand still just long enough to get a picture in the swarm of flies at the finish.
Long run on a Friday for a change, fine day for a run if a bit hot, planned route was Glen Loin, Lag Uaine, Beinn Ime, Narnain. Turned out slightly different. Steady run round Glen Loin from Succoth, the trail goes up in a series of ramps round the base of A'Chrois into Coiregrogain, left the trail at the top of the loop into the glen between Vane and Ime, briskish walk to start, narrow paths and sheep tracks fade in and out on the way to Lag Uaine, at the end of this flat plain turn up Ime's steep slopes on pathless ground, climbing a series of small grassy ridges beside rocky crags before the main corrie opens up, one last climb to the summit ridge, as I topped out views to Narnain and the Cobbler opened up, in the back ground the Luss hills were invisible in black cloud and rain, thunder rumbling, thought I might be ok as there was little wind and its a few miles away, as I left the summit I could see a need to get off the hill a bit quicker, initially running towards Bealach a'Mhaim and the storm then turning left down into Coiregrogain, hopefully away from the storm, and somewhat safer among fir trees, heavy rain, quite refreshing, and loud extended rumblings as I reached the valley floor, the first lightning flash followed by more thunder a few seconds later, pushed on down the glen, the next flash and bang thankfully further apart. Running back round A'Chrois the rain went off and sun came out again, the only moan was sore feet running on the stoney forest trail.
The latest race in the club grand prix, a short trail race, 3 laps round Fairy Glen at the end of Balloch Park, just under a mile a lap, 8 of us set off in early evening sunshine. Not an evening to push the pace, took it steady, time a bit slow, good fun.
Set off early to beat the heat, up to the Fort and along Bromley Muir to the Three Lochs Way/John Muir Trail, turned down past the Black Third Farm onto the trail the Hel n Back race uses, at the top turned up the ridge to Kiloeter's cairn and stick following it to the top then over to Ben Bowie, returned to Stoneymollan and the short way back home.
