PWWHSM

More wintery weather this weekend so a local run round the Vale hills, Pappert Well, Whinney Hill & Stoneymollan, about 18 miles with 3200' of ascent. The plan was to go out easy and keep it that way, I struggled last time after a mudfest on Whinney Hill. A bitter wind on Pappert.

Keen to get out the wind and took the boggy race route back down instead of the ridge path, easy run across the fields and golf course then back on the road through Haldane and up the Molanbowie road. Pleased to get off road onto the Whinney Hill Trail.

The Whinney hill seat was inviting but I left it for another day. Pleasant run back through the park before another short road section through Balloch. Jogged up the Stoneymollan back into the wind. Good run along towards the trig point, snow getting a bit deeper. After the trig difficult to run, the drfiting snow hiding all sorts of trip hazards and bogs. Had to walk from Overton Muir to the Fort.

Shuffle down the hill and onto the farm track towards the radio mast for a bit of fun working my way through the waist deep drifts. Finished in a minute or two over 4 hours.

5k and PWWHSM

Had another go at the 5k Balloch Park run today, not as many runners this week, same friendly welcome. A few seconds faster than last time finishing just under 23 minutes. Home for refreshments then set off for a round of the Vale's hills, Pappert Well, Whinney Hill & Stoneymollan. Running nice and easy onto the hill towards Pappert Well under blue skies. The ground was frozen so a chance to keep my feet dry and relatively warm, reached the trig point in just over 40 minutes. Pappert to Whinney takes me through a variety of terrain, fields, the golf course, housing estates then the Whinney Hill trail from Boturich road, rather muddy today. Reached the seat in 2 hours. Plenty of walkers out today all taking a variety of routes to avoid the muddy trail. Back in Balloch Park I chased a large bird of prey, just before I could take a picture it would take off and fly a few trees further along, soon gave up the chase and set off for the Stoneymollan. Getting tired now and I was looking forward to a walk up the road, lots of walkers and a mountain biker out so I just kept running. Managed to jog most of the way up to the trig point, then easy running along to the fort, down past the radiomast, happy to get home in about 4 hours 10. A few pictures here.

PWWHSM

Afternoon run round the Vale in the rain, reached Pappert Well in 38 mins, Whinney Hill 1 hour 51, wheels fell off a bit after that and reached Stoneymollan Trig point in 3 hours 10, finishing in 3 hours 41. Most off road paths were streams with some interesting ones to jump and wade.

PWWHSM

Friday afternoon long run capturing some good weather, a lap of the Vales hills, Pappert Well, Whinney Hill & Stoneymollan, about 18 miles and 3100' of ascent. The aim was to run at an effort level I could maintain the whole way. A short road section and I was soon onto the Pappert trail reaching the Trig point in 36 minutes, stopped for a drink then off by the Well, down to the style and right turn across the fields and Golf Course to Auchencarroch and the track into the back of the Haldane, met a couple of younger residents with a Golf Flag and encouraged them to return it. Kept to the road up past Mollanbowie and the hospice. A warm run up the Whinney hill trail stopping for a seat, 1 hour 40. Nice run down the trail and through Balloch Park, the road through Balloch not so good. Walked past the Kennels and the first climb up the Stoney then back into jog mode to the top. Hard work along the moor reaching the Trig in 2 hours 50, another drink stop then followed the race route back home, a fair effort for 3 hours 16.

Whinney Hill

Late home on Friday and instead of a rest for Sundays race went for a run round the Stoneymollan, at least it was the short version, took it easy and my headtorch for a dark descent. Sunday, Whinney Hill race, cool and dry made for good running. 16 runners, all doing the full route. Pictures here. Set off in 5th position, Number 4 gradually drifting away ahead, no one else near me so it turned into a bit of a time trial. Plenty of energy for the run back from the seat just nothing to drive me on a bit faster. Finished just under 43 mins. Pennance was found on Monday via 4 Stoneymollans, first two in 14:50, second two in 14:20.

PWWHSM

Forecast was wet n windy and it was, a circuit of the hills surrounding the Vale 18 miles and 3100' of ascent, and for this we got Pappert Well, Whinney Hill and Stoneymollan.

4 of us left the leisure centre just after 8 on Saturday morning, jogged down over the Bonhill Bridge and into Pappert crossed the bridge for the track on the far side of the burn. The bottom section has been smartened up, not nice, no doubt some trail runners idea of improvements. Thankfuly the top half of the track rougher and muddier. Steady plod took us to the trig point in 45 minutes. No hanging around here exposed to the wind and rain.

Followed the trail past the Well and down through the forrest to the style where we went right across fields and the golf course, found a few stray balls. Came out on Auchencarroch road then a short section of track before more road until we got on to the upper Whinney Hill track from Boturich road. Good run up through the woods for a short break at the seat, no views today. Ran through Balloch Park on the way back towards Stoneymollan.

Last hurrah up the Stoney. Walked to the first gate then a steady jog to the top. Ran along the moor walking the short steep sections before the short slippy descent to pick up the Radio Mast track. Some joinery work required on the style.

Finished in 4 hours, a quick refreshment then home tired.

hcoreppiK

Ran backwards on Sunday, reversed the usual route past Dalmoak via Renton onto the Kipperoch, through Cardross Golf Course, up Darlieth Rd, past the Black Third, down the Stoneymollan and home, 13 miles and 1300' of ascent.

For a change we started towards Balloch and over a Snowymollan. Steady trudge then a careful run down Darlieth road, on the way through Cardross golf course we took a short detour to see the Grade 'A' listed building that was Kilmahew college. A recent TV programme showed the building as it was and how it is now, the Architect was in tears. What was a superb estate has gone to ruin over the last 30 years. There is loads of then and now media on the internet so give it a Google if you're interested.

We ran on through the estate tracks back to Carman and down to Cardross where we joined the Kipperoch track, a bit icy in places for the run to Dalmoak. Finished off with a steady jog along the last couple of miles from Dalmoak back to the club. 2 hours 53 including the detour.

Whinney Hill

Sunday run through the local parks to Whinney Hill and back, 9 miles and 1000' of ascent. Not too tiring but enough at this time of year to keep things ticking over.

Snow covered ice on a lot of the paths and I stayed off them as much as possible, fingertips to the ground twice to save a sprackle in the snow, once on the climb out of Balloch Park the second the steep climb into the woods going towards Whinney Hill.

A day for easy running and taking in the views, finished in 1 hour 40, a few pictures here.

Local Run

Today's snowy run Kipperoch, Cardross, Stoneymollan, 13 miles and 1300' of ascent.

Lovely sunny morning with an inch or two of snow and we opted for a local run though Alexandria and Renton to Dalmoak, onto the Kipperoch farm track to Cardross. Turned up the Carman road then through the grounds of the old Priest College and the track which bisects the Golf course. Returned to the Vale via the Darlieth road, past the Black Third Farm and over the Stoneymollan. Finished just under 2 hours 40. Below are a couple of pictures from the Stoneymollan, looking to Ben Lomond and Conic.

Ben Bowie and Kiloeter

Fancied a local run today but the hills either side of the Vale usually produce short runs or contrived routes. Chose a mix of Carman and Stoneymollan extended to take in the next two hills, Kiloeter and Ben Bowie, about 13 miles and 2500' of ascent.

Made my way along a usual route to the Carman on farm roads and fields then onto the path which goes behind Carman Reservoir, kept off the road only crossing it to go through the old quarry and out onto the hill following the tracks to the trig point.

Took a wee diverison here, to the left of the forest down towards the Sheperds pool behind Black Third Farm, initially on narrow sheep trods then some waist deep rush and freezing bog. Got back onto the track behind BT Farm going towards Cardross, a short downhill road section to the junction between Darlieth and the Red road and I turned right through a break in the forest up the steep side of Kiloeter, once on the ridge great views over Helensburgh and to Arran.

Turned uphill and ran on quad bike tracks following the forest edge to the top. Continued on the tracks to Ben Bowie through a wet valley, cold toes again. A break for a few pictures then turned for Kiloeter luckily finding drier bits back through the valley.

Back on Kiloeter you climb a fence at the corner of the fir trees and follow an old fence line, feet finding the wire. A few yards in you turn right past a couple of trees and a bit of fun as you plunge down a fire break on an overgrown path. At the bottom they have felled a few rows of fir trees and left them lying across the fire break, tried to walk round but in the end had to climb, came out the other side a couple of falls later to a short section of forest curiously marked with red and white tape taking you onto a narrow path and then the forest road back to the top of the Stoneymollan.

Ran back up to the trig point then along past the Jesus rocks overlooking the Carman Reservoir dropping downhill to pick up the track that takes you back towards the radiomast and down past Milburn Farm. Last few minutes on the road past Overton Cemetry to finish in 3 hours 40.

Enjoyed a tougher than expected run, lost time behind Sheperds picking the best line through the rushes and more time climbing trees coming off Kiloeter. A few pictures here.

Stoneymollan

A nice wee Sunday morning run, cold and misty when I ran through the fields to the Carman, along to the giant steps then up the track behind Carman reservoir. Stay off the road by running along an old track that takes me to cross the road at the quarry. Run through the quarry and out onto the hill popping up on top of the clouds.

Ran along the ridge to the top of the Stoneymollan and back down into the mist. Jogged along the bypass and home via Christie Park.

Pappert Well

Club race, 5 miles and 1000' of ascent, 22 entries this year for this runnable lollipop route starts and finishes in Bonhill with a run round Nobleston wood to the trig point on Pappert Hill. Rain over the last week made for softer ground, ok if you have the shoes and eases the stress on the feet for what is a rough descent when its dry. Staggered start gave us lots of people to chase, reeled a few in from the trig point all the way to a sub 44 min finish to the sound of the bell. Good run with a social cakes and tablet courtesy of Pete and Mo at the finish.

Whinney Hill Sat 30th

15 runners plus Ollie set off on the Club race starting and finishing beside Balloch Castle. The boys start with a lap of the park the rest go in the opposite direction straight out the back.

Overnight frost foiled the course marker as there wasn't too much mud left.

Started at a steady pace trying not to get dragged along with the faster guys and our group gradually broke up until two of us pulled ahead. Just about hung on to the guy in fronts heels until the steeper downhill sections where I got past. Caught the next guy in front as he struggled to follow the markers into the Castle grounds and beat him in a sprint down to the finish.

Pleased to finish in just over 42 minutes a PB by 7 seconds. Stevie beat the course record by a couple of minutes, Ollie beat Ali and Jim beat Jim.

PWWHSM Sun 13th Dec

Circuit of the Vale, Pappert Well, Whinney Hill then Stoneymollen, 17 miles and 3200 FOA. Forecast dry, misty and cold.

Four of us set out at eight towards Pappert Well as dawn broke over the Lang Crags, approaching the trig point we popped out above the mist for great views all round. A few pictures and a few awwws and we were off back down into the cold mist.

Took a detour at the style, instead of following the path into the valley, we ploughed through the fields and over the golf course to come out on Auchencarroch road, jogged through the Haldane up Molanbowie Road past the entrance to Balloch Park and took a right turn up the track to Whinney Hill where we met another group of Millies out for their Sunday constitutional. Whinney Hill too low to break through the mist so we didn't stop for long in the chill before taking the path round into Balloch Park.

Stoneymollen starts with the usual trundle past the kennels then as the slope eases pick it up to a jog, gradually coming out the mist. Stopped for a few more pictures at the 2nd gate.

Then a last push up to the top of Bromley Muir in bright sunshine looking down on the clouds over Loch Lomond and the Firth of Clyde, stopped for some more pictures at the trig point.

Followed the Stoneymollen race route back to finish in 4 hours 4 minutes. A few more pictures in the Galleria.

PWSM Sat 5th

Not a form of torture but a run over Pappert Well followed by Stoneymollen, 14 miles & 2200 FOA. Ran from my house towards Bonhill as a murky dawn broke over the Vale.

Ran up the side of Pappert and onto the open hill following the track to the trig point. Low clouds scudding up the Leven valley in the breeze. Descent via the narrow trod straight down from the trig point to rejoin the path. Climbed the fence after the style and round the edge of a field to avoid damaging the turnips or whatever they were, its winter again, feet freezing.

Back on the road for a trudge to the bottom of the Stoneymollen, ran past the golf course, through Jamestown and Balloch.

Steady up the Stoney and into the low cloud, a pause at the gate then off into the swampy moor, feet began to freeze again. Traversed along the moor and ran down back out the cloud through the quarry and across Carman road. The track takes me round behind the reservoir dropping back into the Vale at the back of the Renton, a combination of field and grassy verge along the bypass keeps me off road and home in just under 2 hours 50.

Quiet run, especially in the cloud on the Stoney, no one on either hill, felt hard after a hilly week, road shoes maybe didn't help either.

Whinney Hill Sat 31st Jan

15 runners took part in this seasons final Club Cross Country race, conditions near perfect, cool, dry & a freezing swamp underfoot for most of the route.

Starts with a lap of Balloch Park leaving at the top of Heart Attack Hill on the new Whinney Hill trail, mud meant you had to concentrate and pick out the best foot placement, a balance between using energy avoiding the sludge or using it up to plough through the middle.

Set off at a steady pace and found myself in a group of one leaving the park, cruised round keeping a good effort going up the hills, recovered quickly once past the seat and pushed on, still no-one in front or behind apart from the odd runner going the wrong/social way.

Finished just outside 44 mins for the five miles.

Local run, Sat 17th Jan

Forecast really poor with no prospect of any high level runs this weekend combined with a limited slot available so 5 of us set out on a local run, an extention of the Pappert/Stoneymollen route I tried a couple of weeks ago to include Whinney Hill. Three of the Club race routes in one go.

The route started at the Vale Leisure Centre going towards Renton & then up onto the moor behind the Carman Reservoir, thru the Quarry, descent to Balloch via Stoneymollen, round Balloch Park to the top of Whinney Hill, back to the Park then thru Jamestown to Bonhill, up to Pappert Well & back down to the to the Vale Leisure Centre.

About 19 or 20 miles & 3100' of ascent, a bit shorter & with less ascent than last week but the rougher terrain would compensate.

Surprise was how good the weather was, no rain, even a bit of sunshine & windchill only evident on the tops.

Jog walked to the Trig point, a favourite panorama on the way to the Stoneymollen. We could now see the Luss tops were clear & I thought maybe should have gone there instead. Road shoes meant the run to the top of the Stoney was taken easy. Feet now freezing in the soaking, mushy ground.

Jogged down to Balloch and into B Park running along the lochside to the far end. Good run up the Fairy Glen to cross Botourich road where the fun started, paths to Whinney Hill a trifle too gooey for road shoes.

Picked up the pace coming off Whinney Hill, good fun as always, then back through the gooey woods to Balloch Park.

Run thru Jamestown to Bonhill an unpleasant contrast with cars & general public bustle.

Took a farm track at Northfield onto the hill which went through a herd of cows and delightful bit of muck, about a foot deep. At the style we joined the Pappert race route to the Trig Point. From here we ran straight down the track thru the woods to Pappert Housing Estate, path in poor condition in the mud. Cross Bonhill Bridge & short cut over the magic roundabout to finish.

Enjoyed what turned out to be a good run, soft ground making you work hard, finished in just under 4hrs 50.

Vale Hills Sun 4th Jan

Tighter than usual for time this weekend and decided to run the Pappert Well hills and the Stoneymollen Hills, about 13 miles & 2200' of ascent. Overcast & freezing but not too much wind chill.

Set off just after 8 at an easy pace and picked up the track to the right of the gully following it round the back of the Pappert Estate. Turned uphill until through the fence and then "next" right onto the pink path to the Trig Point. Straight down from the Trig Point, taking another right turn along the pink path then a left, cross stream & style then right into the field, run towards the copse of trees/ruined house then down the farm track back to civilisation.

Ran along towards Renton, going up Carman under the bypass then left along the road to the steps/path for access to Carman Muir coming out behind the reservoir. Ran parallel to the road until level with the quarry where its straight through and up onto Overton and Bromley Muirs running along to the top of the Stoneymollen. Easy jog down & along the bypass cutting through Christie Park to get home in about 2 hrs 40.

Next time? Option could be to add in Whinney Hill to complete a circuit roon the Vale, about 19 or 20 miles & 3100' of ascent, and with a bit of imagination, most of it could be off road. Not as challenging as the Ardgarten 20 miler but ok for a wee change.

Stoneymollen Sun 26th Oct

The joy of running...felt great to be back on the hills this afternoon for a short run round Carman reservoir, through the quarry and back via Stoneymollen, about 7 miles with over 1000' of ascent.

Weather mixed sun, rain and a bit windy but nothing like those lucky people in this picture at this weekends OMM. I like this picture of one of the competitors enjoying the conditions. Lots more pictures, videos and stories on the Sleepmonsters Website and on the OMM Website. Those involved seem to have been properly equipped and experienced to cope with the tough conditions and all 2000 or so are safely off the hills.

Back to my little run and great views from Overton & Bromley Muirs of the squalls blowing up the Firth of Clyde and view up Loch Lomond to Ben Lomond, cloud base over 3200'!

Reached the top of Stoneymollen in about 58 mins means a bit to go fitness wise, hopefully I can put in some consistent miles on the hills over the next few weeks.

Whinney Hill Mon 29th Sept

Frustration kicking in at the lack of running for the last month or so & decided to go for a nice easy run from home to Balloch with a run round the park & if all goes well round the Whinney Hill loop as well.

Kept the heart rate down all the way & reached the top of Heart attack hill in 30 mins without any problems so off I went on the WH route. Road shoes helped to keep the run easy as WH nice and soft. Arrived at the viewpoint in 17 mins and stopped for a minute taking in the views to Glens Finlas & Luss. Took it nice & easy and arrived back in Balloch Park in 15 mins.

Jog through the park down hill all the way, shortcut through the station and across Argyle & Christie Parks with a wee bit of road in between. Back home in 94 mins overall.