Journey Run

Point to point run today, the car going in for a service provided an opportunity for a change to the usual looped run, on the way back I got dropped off at the end of The Erskine Bridge and ran back home. Under the A82 to start then through a couple of fields and onto a path to the Slacks, steep at first then eases, from the Trig at the top of the Slacks headed for the biggest Duncolm, another Trig, good views to Loch Lomond and the surrounding hills. From Duncolm ran along swampy muddy path for a mile or so to get to the John Muir Trail at Burncrook reservoir. The John Muir Trail undulates down for a few miles to the top of Auchencarroch Road, mixture of paths, forest road and hard packed trail, the last 4 or 5 miles on the road, mixed weather too, sun, rain, and a couple of hail showers, a bit longer than I thought but no complaints.

Slacks Trig looking to Duncolm

Duncolm Trig looking over Lily Loch to Burncrook reservoir

Duncolm Trig looking towards Loch Lomond

Finlas and Luss Hills from Duncolm

Conic Hill and East Loch Lomond from JMT

    

5 Mile Handicap

Club race , just under 5 miles, 5 of us set off in reverse order, finished 3rd over the line, 2nd on time, a few seconds slower than last year, cool evening, perfect for a road race, 

Run Of The Mill

First go at this hill race, 100+ runners took part, start and finish is at the bottom of Alva Glen. It's a 9 mile loop. starts along a trail to Tillicoutry, from Tilli it follows the Maddy Moss Mash hill race route in reverse to Ben Cleuch, Andrew Gannel Hill first then Ben Cleuch, the return is over Ben Ever and The Nebit. The trail at the start runnable then mostly walking onto the open hill, as the gradient eases get running again, the last climb to AG's summit a jog/stomp, run across to Ben Cleuch, down and up a gradual climb, increasing descent to Ben Ever, short steep trudge to the top, another steeper drop to the bottom of the climb up the Nebit, run off the Nebit with 11 1/2 minutes to beat my 2 hour target, made it with 30 seconds to spare. Great wee race, misty on top, helpful to have run most of the route before, tea and cakes to finish, a good day out.

On the trail to Tilli

Sprint finish