Shorter run today, an 8 mile out and back over Beinn Dubh to just past the top of Mid Hill. Managed a slow jog to the top of Beinn Dubh passing a few hill walkers. Steady run round over Mid Hill nearly reaching the Luss Lollipop cross over. Easier run on the way back, a slight climb back to the top of mid hill then undulating round to Beinn Dubh, finished with an easy run down to the foot of Glen Luss.
Club race, wet and windy when we arrived at the start, consensus was to start together to save waiting about in the rain, probably didn't suit me as I like chasing/being chased to give a sense of urgency and raise the effort level. Felt OK for 3 or 4 miles then eased off a bit until about a mile to go when a couple of runners closing in behind spurred me on to a slightly quicker finish. Although wind and rain at the start the weather improved the second half drier and a bit of sun to finish.
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.
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,
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.
