Long run over some local hills this week, out and back over Bromley Muir with a loop round Ben Bowie and Killoeter in the middle, same route as back in April with the loop reversed and a few extra yards climbing Ben Bowie from the Loch Lomond side. Warm, overcast and only a few walkers out. Very dry over Bromley Muir, easier running than usual as the bogs were mostly solidified.
Local hill run this week, Carman Fort and Trig then along to the Three Lochs Way for a mile or so before taking to the ridge over Killoeter then back up to Ben Bowie, hilly but runnable, after Ben Bowie returned over Bromley Muir past the Trig and Fort, very wet and muddy over Bromley Muir all the ditches and flat sections flooded. A bit more Spring like, plenty of wild Primroses along the trails.
Recce of next weeks club cross country round the Polaroid Industrial Estate, route is fine the landscaping work appears to be finished, couple of laps then home via Carman reservoir and the Fort Fine morning for a run.
Another run over my local hills, Mount Malow, Killoeter and Ben Bowie, weather kinder, blue skies, a gentle breeze, perfect for a run. Carman Fort to start, along Bromley Muir to the Stoneymollan and joined the 3 Lochs Way for a mile or so, up onto Killoeter, along the ridge past the summit cairn and down to the forest road, back up the 3LW then ridge path to Ben Bowie, 3LW back to the Vale and home.
A wet day, stayed local with a run over Bromley Muir, then a bit of trail running before Killoeter and Ben Bowie, although pretty wet, with low cloud there wasn't much wind and it was reasonably warm.
Back to local hills this week and misty conditions. Easier run with a lot less ascent but that means running all the way. Ground still very dry, the usual bogs slightly spongy at worst, Mount Malow first then along to the Bromley Muir Trig, continue along the moor to the Stoneymollan/Three Lochs Way taking the diversion onto the Killoeter ridge. Followed the ridge to the forest trail towards Helensburgh turning off/up the trail to Ben Bowie. Return via Three Lochs Way and Stoneymollan, no views but good to be out.
First long run this year, had taken some time off for holidays and lurgy, stayed local, Bromley Muir then Killoeter and Ben Bowie. The Three Lochs Way still blocked and took a steep bypass route onto Killoeters ridge. Intended to return just above the fields and A82 but the firing range was in use and came back the same way I went out, over Bromley Muir, a bit longer / more ascent but more runnable as the lower path has a few ditches to traverse.
First snowy run of the winter, had to wait a couple of hours for the wind to subside, by that time the snow had started, ran up to the fort on Carman hill, snow 6" with drifts to 12"+, ground frozen below, difficult to guess footstrike on the rough ground under smooth snow made for slow running. Onto the John Muir Trail for a mile or so to where the path is blocked, decided against the steep bypass option, turned back for home the same way as I came out. Hat and glove changes along the way as they got soaked, goretex trousers on for the return over Bromley Muir in a freezing wind.
Short run today, out and back, Radiomast hill, Carman Fort, Bromley Muir Trig point and a wee bit further towards Stoneymollan, about turn and back home, good to be out.
Similar route to last week, about 20 minuites longer as I added in a Bromley Muir loop on the way out. Reversed the loop round Killoeter and Ben Bowie for a bit of variety. Wet and windy as I set off , freezing sleety rain over Bromley Muir, happy that I wasn't higher up and thankful for my Sealskinz on the cold and soggy ground. A few glimpses of the snow capped Glen Finlas hills through the clouds. Soon onto the firmer ground of the Three Lochs Way until the path blockage, up and over Killoeters ridge on the way to Ben Bowie, a couple of small detours to avoid the worst of the bogs. Ran down the ridge re-joining the 3LW and Hel n Back routes about half way down, turned off up the walkers path that follows Killoeters ridge. Over Killoeter dropping down to the 3LW and home the short way via Stoneymollan.
Local run today, over the hills round the Vale of Leven, mixture of hill, moorland, trail and roads. Straight up to carman Fort, along Bromley Muir, down Stoneymollan to Balloch, A loop starting through Balloch Park round Whinny Hill, out the back of the Haldane past the local dump and through sodden fields to Pappert Well, legs tired now losing the chance to get round under 4 hours, longest run for a while hopefully spur me on.
Local trails and hills today, ran up to the Carman Fort undulating along to the Stoney trail, followed the John Muir Trail until it almost met the A818 Cross Keys to Helensburgh road, there's a narrow walkers path off to the left that winds through pine forest coming out on the Northern flank of Ben Bowie, the path zig zags up to the summit lump. Returned via the Three Lochs Way and down the Stoneymollan.
Local long run this week, Carman Fort, Stoneymollan, out to Killoeter on the 3LW straight back down the Stoneymollan trail. Didn't quite work out, on the way down Killoeter realised my backpack was open and contents had spilled out somewhere. Hats, buff and gloves. Turned back up Killoeter hoping to find them. Back over to Carman Fort, found the buff at the side of Overton cemetery, 2 hats on Overton road about 100 yards from my house, no sign of the gloves!
