Another go at the Stuc, forecast was for cool , damp conditions, turned out fine, a bit warm with a nice cooling breeze higher up. 150+ entered, less than half of last years British Champs race. First 4 miles went well, on the forest road, Meall Mor, the drop into Glen Ample and the first half of the Ben Each climb I gained about 4 minutes on last year, after that I lost time all the way to the finish. Over Ben Each and ran along the ridge to the crossover, well inside the cut-off, undulated up to the top of the Stuc, most of the field ahead and passed me on their way back. Around the cairn and set off for the cross over before the steep tussocky drop into Glen Ample, across a stream and the descending traverse along the glen, took a refuelling break before the climb out of Glen Ample, didn't help as I had to stop for some cramp relief as the gradient increased. Soon going again and not long until I made it over the top, 3 undulating miles back down to the finish, moorland at first then a mixture of forest tracks and roads, passed a few runners on the way back, tried to catch one more on the last climb before the drop to the finish, good progress until cramp reappeared, slowed to a walk then slowly jogged into the finish.
