Balloch Park Cross Country

Last race in this years club grand prix, 7 of us set off for 3 laps round Balloch Park, about 4 1/2 miles all in. Started in 5th place, finished 4th, caught one runner at the start of the third lap. Managed to run a fairly even pace, all three laps within 13 seconds of each other

Glen Luss

Set off later than usual hoping to avoid the worst of the weather. Today's route about 3 hours, Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill across the glen to Coillie Eughain Hill and down the Paps back to Luss. Still raining as I started up Beinn Dubh, Looked like a quiet run today, no cars at the bottom of the glen. Managed a slow jog all the way up, ground soaking and boggy, Sealskinz socks keep my feet dry and warm enough to enjoy the run. Into the cloud about half way up, only a slight breeze so not too cold. Onto the ridge round to Mid Hill helped a lone walker unsure of where the path was, wonder if he continued round? Cold wind picked up on the run off Mid Hill thankful it only lasted about 10 minutes until I dropped low enough to get some shelter from Beinn Dubh to the north. Passed another 2 walkers here. Ran up the glen just past the end of the tarmac, a quad bike track through a field leads to a bridge over a raging Luss Water. Half hour trudge up the steep sided Coillie Eughain Hill. Rain off and clouds lifting made for some better views on the way back to the foot of the glen.

Beinn Dubh Cairn 

Crossing Luss Water

Beinn Eich from Coillie Eughain Hill

Beinn Chaorach at the top of Glen Luss from Coillie Eughain

Mid Hill from the bottom of the Glen

Kiloeter and Ben Bowie

Wintery today, maybe an inch of snow with low cloud and fog meant I went for the safety of local trails and hills. Through Christie park and the Vale Hospital to the bottom of the Stoney onto the John Muir Trail/Three Lochs Way for about 3 miles. Turned off for a 4 mile loop over Kiloeter and Ben Bowie, then 4 miles back home. Apart from the odd bit of ice off road was fine with frozen turf helping to keep the feet dry. Good to be out.