10 mile handicap

2nd last Club race of the season, 6 of us set off on a hilly loop round the Horseshoe, run as a virtual handicap as everyone tends to set off when it suits them rather than the usual reverse order, makes working out the handicap results a bit harder and not as much fun chasing those in front down , or being chased down. Wet and windy to start, running into the wind for the first mile or so, the next 2 or 3 miles undulate up, then 3 undulating miles before 3 miles of downish, strangely the down hills were the worst, last mile or so flat with a wee kick up just before the finish, finished 2nd on time, first on handicap a few minutes quicker than last year. 

Ben Bowie and Killoeter from Banachra Woods

Cycled out to Banachra woods for a run over these two local hills, fine day with a cold wind. left the forest road to got through the pine trees and up the overgrown path to Ben Bowie, down a soggy ridge to the 3LW and along to the bottom of Killoeter, short run up and over the top back down to the 3LW and John Muir Trail to Banachra for the cycle home.

Duathlon

Club Duathlon, 4 mile run and a 12 mile bike, wet and windy, only two of us today. Had a good run, about a minute quicker than last year then lost a minute in transition, struggling to get my gloves on over wet hands and knocked one lens out of my cycling glasses, didn't waste time refitting and it probably helped as the other one was fairly blurry. Its a hilly route with plenty of corners not much chance to settle in to a steady effort, couple of issues catching my laces in the chain, front cog at first then back cog after I flipped it to the outside of my shoe, tucked it in my shoe and solved the problem, a few seconds quicker than last year.

2 Loops, 2 Trigs and a Fort

A busy weekend meant a short long run on Sunday, used one of our Club routes, less than 7 miles a couple of decent climbs but nothing sustained and straight out from my front door. The loops are round Carman reservoir and round the moor overlooking the River Clyde, the first Trig is TP5637 - Renton, a low level trig just over 500' above sea level, good views across the Clyde, the second trig is higher, just under 1000', TP1668, Bromley Muir, follow the trail past the quarry and along a boggy track, great views up Loch Lomond and over The Clyde, the Arran peaks visible on a good day. Return along a muddy trail to the hill fort and down past the Radiomast.

Beinn Dubh and Mid Hill

Short afternoon run, Glen Luss, an out n back over Beinn Dubh to Mid Hill, a few walkers out mostly on their way down. Managed a steady run up Beinn Dubh cold wind with some warmth in the sun. Jacket and gloves on three quarters of the way up. Past the trig point and along the ridge stunning views opened up to the Arrochar and Crianlarich hills taking my mind off the now biting wind. Past the two wee cairns and down to the top of the hill overlooking the Glen, didn't hang about, about turn and back along the ridge, thankfully the wind mostly behind, hills empty now for a nice run down Beinn Dubh.

5 mile handicap

Club race, 5 mile road race, 7 off us set off in "virtual" reverse order, finished  2nd over the line and second on run time beating my handicap by a few seconds.

Narnain and The Cobbler the quiet way

Arrochar run before the weather breaks, straight up Narnain, across Bealach a'Mhaim to The Cobbler, down via An t Sron and the Argo track. Looked good for a run, high cloud and little wind, set off for the block path up Narnain, a few people out on the climb meant I had a some targets to catch, helps keep the effort up. Good views, the cloud skimming the surrounding tops and a bit of fog floating around added to the atmosphere. Reached the summit plateau empty except for a couple of people sitting at the cairns. Passed a couple of walkers on the run off towards Bealach a'Mhaim, then had it all to myself, no one about, no wind, silence apart from my breathing and footfall, this area is usually really busy, set off for The Cobbler, still no one about, another empty summit apart from a couple sitting behind some rocks looking towards Loch Fyne. Ran down the ridge to An t Sron, rocky at first then grassy with the odd bad step, fine views. Ran down over the Buttermilk burn and took the argo track back to Succoth, peaceful run today without the usual Arrochar Alp crowds.

  

Bromley Muir again

Another local hill run, decided to stay local as I started a bit late, same route as last week except in the opposite direction, Stoneymollen to Ben Bowie, round to Killoeter and back via Bromley Muir, a few minutes quicker this week!

Bromley Muir

Stormy weekend, saw there was to be a lull Sat morning time for a run over my local hills, Bromley Muir with a loop round Killoeter & Ben Bowie (opposite direction to last week). farm track to the Radio Mast to start then the path to the Fort, Bromley Muir next, nice and soggy as expected. Short forest road section to the steep climb onto Killoeter's ridge, more wet ground along the ridge, easy on my feet. another short section of forest road before the harsh surface on the 3LW, took the ridge path to Ben Bowie, returned via Killoeter's ridge avoiding the forestry works then 3LW down the Stoney, fine morning to be out, breezy mostly sunny with one wee shower. 

Ben Bowie & Killoeter

Easy run today, from Banachra Woods, rain starting as I set off up the forest road, turned off through the forest , a bit of shelter here, left the forest on the path on the North side of Ben Bowie, No views from the top today, set off down the ridge joining the 3LW about half way down, from the crossroads took the Hel n Back route up to the end of Killoeters ridge and onto the narrow path through the forest brake to the top, continued on to rejoin the 3LW and then the John Muir Trail down to Banachra.

Glen Striddle

A run I use when I am looking to get a few miles and few thousand feet of ascent in without much travel or thought on where to go. Out and back over Beinn Dubh and Mid Hill, dropping down to the road at the top of Glen Luss, about turn and run back. The climbs are as hard as you make them, ran all the way up Beinn Dubh a few minutes slower than I would have liked, along to Mid Hill then down into the glen. Turned back up Mid Hill, intended to run this as well, ended up taking a couple of walks on the steeper parts, next time I'll make it, easy run back round to Beinn Dubh and down to the bottom of the glen, Loads of walkers out today must be nearly winter as that is when these hills get busy.

Glen Fruin , easy

Short run this weekend, two race tired , late afternoon start up The Strone, trotted out to Maol am Fheidh and on up to a'Mhanaich, on the way back dropped straight into the glen from a'Mhanaich, following the fence into the glen, found a walkers path/quad bike track back to the reservoir and along the road to the car, an easy couple of hours.   

Ted Baker - Doughnot Hill Race

Club race, the Ted Baker, a new route over Doughnot Hill, starting and finishing at Overton House. Just under 5 miles with about 1000' of ascent. Mostly trail with a short section of open hill up and over Doughnot Hill. Just over 2 miles undulating up to the top of Doughnot Hill, started in 1st place, dropped into 2nd on the short hill section to the top and stayed in 2nd to the end. Over the top and down to the Black Linn reservoir, trail form here to the finish, a couple of short uphills but mostly downhill all the way back to Overton House. Post race club sprint and doughnuts to finish, nice addition to the club race calendar

Ben Nevis Hill Race

Weekend in Glen Nevis to take in the race, my 19th, 400+ runners set off on a good day, warm and dry at the bottom, cool and breezy on top. A lap of the football pitch and a mile of road to start, tourist path to halfway, running at first, took the first short cut then into a steady walk round windy corner, running again beside half way lochan to the Red Burn, I had finished my first bottle of water & electrolytes, filled my 2nd bottle already primed with electrolytes and set off up the Red Burn Screes. I had picked up a couple of the free energy gels at registration, took one about half way up, and half my electrolyte and water. Pleased to reach the top a few minutes inside 2 hours, no need to push the descent as I had plenty of time on the 3 1/2 hour finish cut off. Finished my electrolytes and water on the way down to the Red Burn, didn't pick a very good line down the scree, probably lost a few minutes trying to get back on track. Took a risk in not refilling my bottle with water and electrolytes, relying on the packet of Salt Stick Fast Chews if cramp hit. Easier running from the Red Burn past the Lochan then tougher running down the rocky steps, stopped to retie my laces and cramp licked in, Took a couple of chews as I walked to try and shake it off, wasn't working, tried a couple more chews, 4 or 5 runners had passed as the cramp slowly eased, Took it easy round windy corner and back down the short cut, took another gel and tried to pick up the pace and chase down the runners who had passed when I cramped, feeling better now, onto the road for the last mile, another couple of chews in case cramp wanted to return, managing to pass a few more and a couple in the return lap round the pitch finishing about 20 minutes inside the cut off.

Hammer Run

Easier Arochar run this week, Narnain and The Cobbler via the tourist path, more of a trail run with plenty of ascent. Forecast ok for the AM to get worse as the day progressed probably why the Succoth car park was only half full. Legs a bit tired maybe due to yesterdays bike ride. Took it slow running up the 2nd zig zags, easier going as the gradient eases on the path passing the Narnain Boulders to Bealach a'Mhaim. Walked up the steps/path to Narnains summit, quiet in the mist. Round the trig, down to the Bealach and another walk up to the Cobblers plateau, a few more walkers about now. A quick refuel, back to the Bealach for the 3rd time, finished with an easy run down past the Boulders, taking the argo track to Succoth avoiding the zig zags.

 

Sgurr nam Fiannaidh

Staying at Invercoe campsite for a couple of nights and took the chance to run up the munro overlooking from the end of the Aonach Eagach ridge, just along from the Pap of Glencoe, I had been up the Pap a couple of times and this looked interesting with hopefully some views to the famous ridge it sat at the end of. A mile or so of trails to the start of the climb, a series of steep ramps with a few flatter runnable bits in between, another hot sunny day, a welcome cooling breeze eventually kicked in about half way up. the same path to the two hills splits at a large cairn, the path to the munro twists and turns through scree and rocks, arriving at the top visible from below reveals another couple of higher tops along the ridge, mostly runnable as long as you don't look at the views. Sheltered behind a large circular cairn at the top , views along the ridge, across the glen to the Bidean massive, on the other side the Mamores with Nevis and CMD sitting behind. Turned to start the run back and stunning views down Loch Leven to the Ballachulish Bridge and surrounding hills opens up. Took it easy on the descent, steep, rocky and gritty good training for Nevis in a couple of weeks.