Trailing undulations

Arrochar trails beckoned in the low cloud and rain. Plan was to stat at Succoth up onto the trail to Ardgarten and back followed by a loop round Glen Loin, if the weather cleared on the way back to Glen Loin go up the Cobbler trail to Bealach a'Mhaim and come back through Glen Loin. Drizzly to start then lashing as I ran along the high trail to Honeymoon Car Park just past Ardgarten.

Looked like today's pictures would be the waterfalls along the way, did manage to snap a couple of hazy pictures of The Brack and Ben Donich through the gloom.

Started back up the lower trail keen to get back into the shelter of the trees, looking back the Cobbler's SW top above Glen Croe was clear.

The rain and wind eased so I went up the Cobbler trail, its a good climb reaching 2000' in 3 or 4 miles. Past the Narnain Boulders any sheltered spot was covered in snow. The weather closed in again on the approach to the Bealach, hail instead of rain.

The run across to the Bealach fun as I found a few ditches and streams hidden under a smooth layer of snow. Big detour to avoid the swamp at the exit from the Bealach, happy to drop down into the shelter of the Glen, nice new fence to hold onto down the steep slippy ground.

Took the rougher path to the right of Alt Coiregrogain to avoid crossing the swollen river further down. Hail had turned to rain for a soaking steady run down the Glen back to Succoth, 16 miles, 3500', 3 1/2 hours.A few more pictures here. Sunday we had a recce round next weeks Whinney Hill race route from the Moss O'Balloch, rain pouring down as we started, gradually cleared and dried up with some blue skies as we finished, underfoot went from wet to muddy to wet to muddy.

Good fun despite the weather. A squidgy 6 miles in 1 1/2 hours.

Local runs

First club race of the year, Polaroid Cross Country, 17 starters and 16 finished. 2 Laps, just over 2  miles per lap. Started out in third place, gradually dropped back to fifth and stayed there till the end, slowed in the second lap. Sunday, another lazy late start, a run round Whinney Hill, our next club race in a couple of weeks. Plenty of mud and a few fallen trees look set to make it an interesting run. Low cloud so no views of the Luss Hills from the Seat.

Cold Toes

Woke up late today hoping for bad weather but it was to clear skies. Got my gear together and set off for Luss. Arrived at the bottom of the glen under a dark cloud emptying out sleety rain. Sat for a few minutes, didn't fancy being up on the ridges in this and set off for Arrochar for a trail run instead. The skies cleared within a mile or so and I returned to Glen Luss for the planned run over 4 hills, about 13 miles and 5000'.

Today's route, left to right, Beinn Eich, Doune Hill, Mid Hill and Beinn Dubh,

Ran up the glen to start, snow dusted hills all round. Ran and walked up Beinn Eich, into the snow about half way up. Reached the top, great views, ran along to Doune Hill into the teeth of a freezing cold wind over the minor top of Beinn Lochain. Stopped for a few pics on top of Doune Hill, a trifle cold to hang about. Pleasant run into Sith Mor, in the sun most of the way down and sheltered from the wind.

On the slow trudge up Mid Hill my feet start to freeze, worse a squall approached as I arrived at the top luckily it passed by, the wind helping send it off down Glen Douglas.

Ran along to Beinn Dubh, legs tiring and happy to reach the cairn for the 2 mile run down to the foot of the glen, finishing in about 3 hours 50. Some more pictures here.

Sunday and we met for a run round next weeks Cross Country route, luckily the flooding from the Leven is starting to subside and we could get all the way round with dry feet. Disturbed a Heron on the small pool, it hung around long enough to watch our vain attempts to photograph it. Followed the trail back round to the bridge and from there we decided to go for a run over Stoneymollan including a new trail through the quarry up to the fort. Good run along Overton and Bromley Muir's except for my icy feet, no Sealskinz today. 10 miles, 1200' in just over two hours.

Arrochar Trails and Ben Lomond

Set off for Arrochar for a run round some undulating trails, starting in Succoth, along to Ardgarten, a nice run on the trail to the top of the Rest and Be Thankful, back down towards Ardgarten on the new tarmac surface on the old road before taking the upper trail back to Succoth. About 14 miles and 2800' in just over three hours.

Clouds just above the tops, most of the them snow covered, we were lucky and got it dry. Some more pictures here.

Sunday's run, Ben Lomond, we set out early to beat the forecast wind and rain. Pleasant running up the lower slopes, dry and not too windy. On the climb up to the plateau the wind picked up, time for wooly hats, into the cloud with the first snow on the ground. The snow got deeper as we went along the plateau, but the wind dropped so not too cold. Had a go at climbing up to the summit ridge, ok but didn't fancy coming back down so I waited at the end of the plateau while my companion went on up to the summit ridge, not quite topping out, too icy. Waiting for him to come back I put on my spare fleece, jacket and overtrousers, only my feet suffering from the cold, even with Sealskinz.

Easy run back down, snow and ice along the plateau, nice slippy rocks for the rest of the way. Came back out of the clouds as we left the plateau, wind reduced to a gentle breeze, jacket, overtrousers, hat and gloves all had to come off, it was too warm, some contrast to the arctic world a 1000' feet above.

We ran about 7 miles with 2800' of ascent in 2 1/2 hours including my 15 minute wait.

Back to Back to Back

This year I've had a few back to back weekends, running both Saturday and Sunday, two not so long long runs, it seems to have worked ok, improving endurance and I'm not as tired. This weekend I added the Monday in as well.

Saturday, we ran up Doughnot Hilll from Milton. I've been up the Crags before but never made it to Doughnot Hill.

A bit of road to start and finish, in between a mixture of grassy single track, muddy paths and forest road, 7 miles and 1300' in 90 minutes.

Sunday, Luss, Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill and back down the glen, another 7 miles and 1400' in just under 2 hours.

A lot of snow and slush on the climb and along the top made for frozen feet. The Sealskinz socks helped, although it still took a couple of hours for my toes to thaw.

Monday, trail run with a couple of miles on the road. Starting from Succoth, up to the lower trail to Ardgarten, round the Cat Craig Loop back to Ardgarten.

Ran back to Succouth via the higher trail, 13 miles, 2500' in 2 hours 20. A few more pictures here.

Windy Luss

9 miles and 3700 feet of up and down, Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill and Coille Eughain Hlill, windy today, ok for the first half hour then a struggle to keep upright as the wind bit, Run along the ridge ok,slippy on the drop back down to the glen, sheltered on the climb up CE Hill, run off the top worse than Beinn Dubh, stinging rain peppered my face. Nice view, sunrise over Loch Lomond, on the first climb :), 2 hours 50.

Beinn Dubh, a burst bladder, GU5MRR, a Cobbler and his wife

Forecast was ok for today, cold but not too windy, I set off for a circuit of Glen Luss just as the sun rose.

My backpack was a bit damp at the bottom and I stopped to fix it and empty some water out, maybe too full, leaving about a pint in, somehow it managed to drip itself empty by the top.

Over and under trousers soaked, a biting wind at the top and I gave up on the days run and ran back down, 4 miles, 2000' inside 90 mins. Dried my gear out, re-fuelled and set off for the Glasgow Uni 5 mile road race in the afternoon, good for a road race, a few undulations, I last ran it in 2008. Not as many runners as there used to be, about 160 start, I finish 99th in 36:37.

Sunday and we set off for Arrochar, not quite sure where to go, we decide on the Cobbler and Narnain. Perfect day, cool, sunny with a few clouds about to spice up the views. We zig zag slowly up the tourist path, a bit warm at first then a nice gentle breeze as we clear the treeline on the way towards the Narnain boulders. Thankfully the gradient eases a bit and its a nice run past the Cobbler, we turn up the steppy path at the back, soon slow to a jog walk up the steep steps, its only a few minutes and I'm running again to the beallach between the first two tops. We plod over greasy rocks to the middle top through a flickering mist revealing a faint Brocken Spectre below.

We spend a few minutes taking in the views in the warm sun before running back down and up the airy first top, I stay in the middle away from the precipitous drops, a fogbow sits between us and Narnain.

A few minutes here then we plunge back down beside the steps and up a muddy path to Narnain. Again we come out the clouds near the top, great views all around, mountains popping in and out as the clouds shift around while we take a short rest and photo stop.

Back down Narnain we go towards Beallach A' Mhaim, turning left to pick up the track beside the Allt a' Bhalachain, we take it easy down the twisty trail on tired legs. Super run today, 12 miles, about 5300' in just under 3 1/2 hours. More pictures here.

Sealskinz, Microspikes and Stoneymollan

Saturday morning run over Ben Vane and Ime, started up Glen Loin to Coirgrogain, great morning for a run, cool, with no wind and blues skies above.

Onto the the Ben Vane path ground frozen lower down instead of the usual bog didn't test my new Sealskinz socks out, feet dry and not frozen. Into the snow about 2500' a few icy patches which my microspikes coped with ok. The snow was deeper and mixed with icy rocks over the last few lumps and needed careful route choice. Met one other walker out in full winter gear, crampons and ice axe, showed him an easier route down. Took about 20 minutes longer than usual to get to the top, well worth the effort for the views.

Ran further than usual along the ridge on gentle slopes before dropping in to a cloud filled Lag Uaine. Usual ridge up towards Glas Bhealach then the snowy north facing ridge up Ime.

Patchy snow at first then smooth compacted and frozen hard when exposed to the wind. No chance my microspikes were good enough.

What I learnt, Sealskinz are good and worth the money. Microspikes only good for low level snowy and icy trails. To continue on the Scottish mountains through winter would need an upgrade to proper crampons, ice axe and learn how to use the axe.

Sunday's run over Stoneymollan rewarded with a variety of cloud inversions in the valleys. Frozen underfoot helped keep the feet reasonably dry. Stopped for a few photos.

More pictures, from Saturday here, Sunday here.

Tinto and Ben Narnain

White topped hills greeted us to the borders for Tinto hill race, 200 plus runners set off up the trail, 2 miles up and 2 miles down, set off trying to run all the way up, managed it apart form the last climb in single file on slippy snowy ground. As I ran up other runners would run past then slow to a walk, so I would pass them, this pattern continued all the way to the top, jog stagger round the summit cairn and set off down the heathery slopes beside the path, managed to pass a few on the way down with some good tussles on the stoney path, the last few hundred yards tough as the trail leveled off, finished inside 47 minutes, then back to Symington village hall for soup revival and my 2013 SHR mug. Forecast for Sunday was good, a late start after a late night, Ben Narnain was the target, clear blue skies and snowy tops made for busy mountains. Ran up to the Narnain Boulders and into the snow.

Ran past the Cobbler and up Narnains NW shoulder, a slow trudge in the snow, the views got better and the snow got deeper as I climbed up, a clear day and I could see from Ailsa Craig to Ben Nevis.

The breeze picked up towards the top, nothing a light jacket and gloves didn't solve, as the gradient eased towards the top the crust froze and supported your weight, good for running and the snow filled gaps made the boulder field easy to cross.

Snowy mountains for miles from the top.

Fun descent going on to soft fresh snow to the right of the steeper walkers path I took on the way up, all too soon I was back down at Bealach a Mhaim and turning for Succoth on the path between Narnain and the Cobbler. 2 hours 50 runtime for 11 or 12 miles and 3800', more pictures here. Great hill run in perfect winter conditions.

Dumyat Dash and Stoneymollan

My third go at this race, from Menstrie, 5 or 6 miles and 1800' of ascent. Starting at 11 along with the rain we set off from the village green along the road for a hundred yards or so to a turn onto a mixture of farm track and trail zig zagging its way up and round the side of Myreton Hill, working too hard to bother about jacket or gloves then the trail levels off and we traverse round into the Glen dipping down and up over the First and Second Inchra Burns, gloves on, the next down is on muddy fern covered ground, somehow manage to keep my feet, at the bottom we cross the Third Inchra Burn then the Menstrie Burn before a run walk up the NE Flank of Dumyat, cold, wet n windy, jacket on, head down and follow the guy in front, grind out the last 300', steep! Round the summit trig and judder down steep tussocky ground, pick up pace as the gradient eases before slowing for the last few muddy feet at the Menstrie burn. Trail turns SE and follows a muddy path alongside the burn. A few slips but no falls and we're back on the outward route for a fast half mile, pleased to finish inside 72 minutes. Sunday and another late start, set off for Stoneymollan, up the trail behind the reservoir through the quarry and along the moor to the top of the Stoneymollan, detour on the way down, turning along a faint trod behind the trees towards the radio mast, the path fades in and out, gradually rougher and I bale out down hill past the Paintball woods and through Overton farm, 8 miles and 1300' in two hours. A few pictures here.

5k

11th of 12 races in this years club competition, another good turnout, 16 club members and 2 guests, starting in groups roughly in pace order helps to keep the effort level up as you gradually catch and pass a few. Nice night for running, cool, clear with only a light breeze. Set off on 6:40 pace, probably lost 10 seconds to that by the end and finished 4th just under 21 minutes.

Luss and the 3LW

Took a while to get moving, after lunch before I got out the door and drove to Luss. Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill and Coille eughain hill, 9 miles or so.

Looking over Inchlonaig to Conic Hill

Slippy in places on the way up and wet n windy on top, chilly with only a light jacket on today, time to layer up. Nice run around the corries to Mid hill, descent slippy at the bottom. Slow trudge up CE Hill, didn't hang around once on top as the rain stung my face. Managed to avoid the worst of the sludge at the bottom of the Paps, slow one today, 2 hours 50. Sunday, layered up, leggings, thermal, real jacket, gloves, the lot, went for a run over the first part of the Three Lochs Way from the Vale to Helensburgh, Stoneymollan to start then some muddy track through the forest, sneaked over Killoeter on a nice path before a swampy detour up Ben Bowie wind swept and wet.

View from Ben Bowie, Helensburgh is somewhere down there.

Well made track once we left Ben Bowie wound its way down into the back of Craigendoran, ran along East Clyde St then up Colquhoun St, picked up a lift back to the Vale from the top of Helensburgh, about 12 miles today. Saturday's pictures here, Sunday's misty offering here.

10 Mile Handicap

Change of scene this weekend, 10th race in this years club GP an undulating 10 mile handicap road race round the Horseshoe, good turn out, 28 runners all in, 22 of us club members. Set off in reverse order to your predicted time, ranging from 2 hours to just over 1 hour. Started too fast as usual settling down with a wee rest after a couple of miles. Catching people who started earlier from two miles, not caught by those behind until about 7 miles when some of the faster runners came past. Finished in 76 minutes  my fastest for a few years.

Ben Ime

Clear blue sky for today's run up Ben Ime from Succoth, 10 miles and 4000' of ascent. Tee shirt and shorts to start up the gradual zig zags, across the forest road and more zig zags, a bit steeper, still running, past the Narnain Boulders up to Bealach a'Mhaim, still running, up the boggy SE ridge and on to the summit ridge, still running, reached the top with only a few stops, 2500' to put on my Helly and a few pictures on the way. Superb views to the Clyde estuary and Ben Nevis.

Easy run back to Succoth, finished inside 2 1/2 hours. Sunday cool down round Balloch Park and the out and back to Whinney Hill, nice n easy and a few more pictures.

More pictures from Saturday here, pictures from Sunday here.

Ben Venue

A relatively new race first run in 2009, short course run due to bad weather, 2010 the original planned course, since then a slightly longer course. About 90 set off today, first faller 20 yards up the road with a chunk out his knee, ouch. The first couple of miles on trails and forest roads, undulating up of course. Steep trudge up Ben Venue's shoulder to the top for a rocky boggy ridge run down past Creag a' Bheallach then back up the ridge on narrow trods, a few route choices especially in the mist. Steep grassy drop to get off the hill, a mixture of run, fall and slide, onto forest roads and tracks for 2 miles of undulating downhill finishing the 8 1/2 miles and 2800' in 1 hour 50. Good running today, cool, sunny, not much wind, a small shower to cool me down at just the right time. Tea, coffee, sandwiches and cakes stacked in the race marquee made for a pleasant finish. Sunday 5 mile cool down run over Carman Muir.

Misty Weekend

Saturday's run took a while to get organised, even watched some lunchtime footie on the telly, set off late afternoon for Luss, 9 mile circuit of Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill  and Coille-eughain Hill taking in 3700' of undulations. Made the effort to try and run up Beinn Dubh, two stops, one for a picture the next to put on jacket and hat, and apart from a few slips in the mud made it. Relaxed along the ridge to Mid Hill then dropped out the mist down into the Glen.

Crossed Luss Water for a steep trudge up Coille-euighain Hill and back into the mist and rain. Eased down the Paps staying to the left of the trees at the bottom for a change helped, finished in 2 hours 40, a quiet day on the hill. Sunday, with more low clouds, changed my mind en route to Glen Douglas, didn't fancy more grassy tussocks and went to the Cobbler instead, today's leg burning challenge, run to the Narnain Boulders, cleared the zig zags without stopping then passed the Boulders and kept going till I met the path up the back of the Cobbler, walked up the steps then got going again and ran to the Coll, reached the middle summit a couple of minutes walk later, left the Eye for another day.

Back the way I came, the steps seemed more slippery on the way down. Fun trail run back through the Glen towards Succoth, not many views today but a few more walkers. About 10 miles with 3600' of climb in 2 hours 10. Saturday pictures here, Sunday's here.

Merrick

25th Anniversary race, my 10th, sponsored by Glenfiddich, a shortened version today of the out and back that's been run the two previous years, winds on Merrick reported to be 80mph, combined with the horizontal rain on the way up a good decision. Short run to start, about 10 yards, jump the burn and plod up the Fell of Eschoncan, running along the top through bogs and trees onto the climb up Bennan, wind and rain kicked in, jacket on, stumbling through more bogs then the rocky traverse round the summit through the bogs to Ben Yellary, wind almost behind on the way up, stopped to pick up someones specs, round the cairn at the top instead of the out and back to the higher top of Merrick running as hard as the terrain would allow, watch out for the boulders strewn across much of the course. Managed to scramble past a few runners on the way back to finish just over 91 mins, hats off to the marshalls for their efforts today in trying conditions, course marked from start to finish, encouragement and smiles all the way too.

5 Mile Handicap

19 started out in reverse order for the 9th Club race of the year, started in 13th place, finished in 33:40, 6th over the line, but only 7th fastest. My fastest go at this since 2010, back to the old route this year, probably nearer 4.75 miles, last years had been increased to nearer 5.

Nevis weekend

A long time coming, entered in January with a few runs and races in between, arrived in Glen Nevis campsite on Friday evening, tent up, pasta on, rain teeming down all night and most of Sat morning, forecast came good and it cleared before race time. Despite perfect weather no heroics this year, steady run just inside the cut offs, half way under the hour, the first 50 already finished by the time I get to the top a few minutes inside 2 hours. Pass quite a few on the run off the top, a few traffic jams down the Red Burn screes sorted with some fun overtaking, relax and just keep the legs moving down the Grassy Bank. Back on the tourist path, its dodge the tourist time, they are all excellent with encouragement and they go out of their way to let you past. Try a new vertical shortcut on the zig zags, much better, next time I'll watch for the top half I ran past. The gradient eases and I still manage to pass one or two, the last mile of undulating road passes quicker than expected, start to cramp up as I run round the games field finishing in 2 hours 55. Lots of pictures here, I'm on page 7 and 14, more pictures here, Sat evening rainy. Set off for home Sun PM, broke the journey with a drive down Glen Etive to the shores of Loch Etive and a wee seat in the sun, very peaceful in this isolated spot.

2nd stop at the Falls of Falloch then home for tea. Some pictures here.

Ochil 2000's and Ben Lomond

A new race for me and the one to complete my 4 from 6 in this years SHR competition. The blurb says 18 miles and 5000 feet of ascent, in the end I did a wee bit extra and lost half a dozen places with a couple of bad route choices. From the finish at Stirling Uni we are bussed to the start in Glen Devon, the aim to run back covering all the Ochil hills over 2000' plus Dumyat, there's 10 over 2k. Expensive for a hill race at £13, you get a bus trip, use of a Dibber, soup and cake when you finish, showers too. Cloud was down at the start but cleared as we went along. After the first hill, taken very gently, on to familiar ground covering parts of other race routes, Doller, Maddy Moss and the Law Breaker, zig, zag, up, down, a few times, all on too runnable grassy trails. After Ben Cleuch, hill 7, the highest top it was new ground, the first couple continued the theme, runnable, grassy hills, then from Ben Ever to Blairdennon it gradually changes to a pathless tussocky boggy traverse, some good route choices gain me a couple of places for no extra effort, its only half an hour to the top, seems longer, fun starts running off Blairdennon, follow a fence then supposed to turn SE, follow a track and other runners instead, soon back on track going towards Jerah before the last climb up Dumyat, somehow go wrong again following paths and runners, stop for a confab and re-route to the race line, a painful slog back up to the track we should have been on coming out behind several runners I had eased past along the way. Start a painful crampy walk up Dumyat, a couple out ringing cowbells encourage me to run again. Soon back to a walk as the gradient kicks up. Reach the top in 4 hours giving me half an hour to match my 4 to 4 1/2 hour target. No pace just cramp as I run down the rocky trail at the top, eases a bit as the trail gets grassier. Through the woods trying to push on then down the road before grinding slowly uphill on the track alongside the wall, move better after the trail turns downhill and push on to the finish grabbing back a few places as runners come out the woods from all angles. Finished in 4 hours 24, it took awhile to recover. Photos here, here, and here. Sunday, beautiful sunny day, thought about a short run in Glen Douglas, a change of mind when I saw the Ben. There was lots of walkers out so I kept the pace up a bit more than usual and ran where I would have walked, 80 minutes up and 45 down, a bit quicker than my usual training runs.

Duathlon

Club Duathlon today, ten took part this year including three non club members. Everyone set off in reverse order handicapped against last years winning time of 55 minutes. Starts with a run based on our club time trial route, just over 4 miles, just over 28 mins for me. The cycle route is an out and back up Auchencarroch to the 2nd turn off for Gartocharn, 34 minutes for me for the 8+ undulating miles. Second over the line, 4th fastest and 39 seconds inside my handicap time.

Glen Douglas and Whinney Hill

Set off from Invergroin up into the clouds on Beinn Bhreac, passed a few deer on the way up. Dropped out the cloud on the way to Ben Reoch, passed more deer running towards Loch Lomond, cloud lifted off the Glen Douglas tops for good Loch L views, Arrochar Alps still in cloud. Followed the fenceline for a steep run down off Reoch and then up Tullich Hill, more deer at the top, spotted antlers on the horizon and tried to sneak up for a photo, they took off too soon & I still can't run fast enough to catch them. Finished just over 2 1/2 hours. More pictures here.

Sunday drove to Balloch for a run through the park and on to the Whinney Hill trail, couple of loops round the top then detoured onto the Boturich track on the way back.

Arrochar and Luss

Another scorching weekend, Saturday set off for Arrochar, different route although some of the same tops, Glen Loin (coiregrogain path) Ben Vane, race route from the top of Vane down and up Ime and Narnain, 13 miles and 6500' of ascent. Glen Loin hot, passed a few walkers, most of them sitting down in the shade. The path up Vane dry even the swamp at the bottom, cooling breeze from about half way up, passed a British Gas charity walk, only a couple of people on top. Easy running in the dry ground into Lag Uaine, sat in the stream cooling off for a few minutes before climbing Ime. No-one at the top, sat a couple of minutes for a drink enjoying the views and the breeze. Passed a couple on the way down then a few more on the way up Narnain, pretty quiet today. Scrambled through the Spearhead then down the twisty track to rejoin the forest path just above Succcoth, lay in the jacuzzi to cool off before the drive home. Finished just over 4 1/2 hours, some pictures here. Good views from the tops today, mountains for miles, a bit hazy in the distance. Sunday and the cloud didn't clear until lunchtime as I drove to Luss, run over Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill & Coille-eughain Hill, 9 miles and 3700', passed 5 people on the run off Mid Hill, no-one else apart from some noisy sheep as I climbed up CE Hill and noisy swimmers in Luss Water, finsihed in just over 2 1/2 hours, a few pictures here.

Ted Baker Pappert Well Hill Race

Club hill race, about 5 miles with 1000' of ascent, 3/4 of a mile on road to start and finish, some trail in between, the run up to and away from the trig a bit rougher going. 14 of us set off in reverse order, took it easy for the first couple of hundred yards then pushed on a bit up the side of Pappert Estate and onto the trail, the first part a hardcore path too smooth for my liking, I preferred the old roots and rocks, relaxed after the style where the gradient eases a bit and enjoyed the run through pine trees popping out for the short run to the trig point. The way back starts up and over a wee climb too close to the trees so you have to run at a bit of an angle. Muddy bit follows back down to the style for the hardcore path and finally 3/4 mile of pavement to the finish. good run this year 6th over the line, 3rd on time. Pete and Mo, great hosts as ever, put on a lovely spread of cakes and tablet.

Arrochar and Glen Douglas

Only my second Arrochar hill run this year, plan was to run up the Glen Loin trail climbing into Lag Uaine, over Ben Ime, Narnain and the Cobbler, 16 miles and 6500' of ascent. The first 5 miles up the Glen in glorious sunshine, then as I trudged into Lag Uaine the sun disappeared, up into thick cloud keeping the gnarly ridge on my left I worked my way up to the summit ridge, painful cries of unseen birds flying from side to side overhead added to the atmospheric conditions. It was comforting to hear voices as I ran across to the main summit, about a dozen people sitting about in small groups. Sat behind the rocky top for a drink and some food then off down the scraggy path dropping out the cloud half way down towards Bealach A Mhaim. Straight up Narnain back in to the cloud, this summit quieter, about turn back towards the Bealach swinging round to the west and up the Cobblers rocky path, another busy top, although the East peak quiet on top, a few glimpses of the views as the cloud broke up, ran down the path beside the Alt A Bhalachain.

I looked back and the cloud had cleared revealing a classic Cobbler view, finished in warm sunshine just under 4 1/2 hours. A few more pictures here.

Sunday looked like another good day, drove along to Glen Douglas, parking at Invergroin, short run, 6 miles and 3400', over Beinn Bhreac, Ben Reoch and Tullich Hill. The first climb is the longest, feels fine apart from the Clegs nipping away at the start, above the tree line the breeze keeps them away. A short break at the top then easy running down the NW ridge, take a good line up Ben Reoch closer to the ridge than usual smoothing out some of the undulations. From the top I follow the old fenceline down steep ground into Ant Sreang, the sun comes out again for the climb up Tullich Hill, I leave it late to climb onto the ridge popping up a dryish stream, from there its only a few minutes to the top. Only sheep and a frog for company today, a quiet little group of hills. Run down the grassy slopes back to Invergroin, just under 2 1/2 hours. A few pictures here.

Maddy Moss Mash

Bog n Burn hill race, 6 miles and 2400' of ascent, 90 of us start on a steep uphill slope, through ferns and rocks to a flat narrow trail towards the Law. Cross the bridge and up we go, 2 miles of effort, run, walk shuffle, manage to run off the Law, up Ben Cleuch round the cairn, back past the Law and up Andrew Gannel Hill before a nice thee mile undulating downhill run to the finish, wrong choice when the path split, new something wasn't quite right but just followed the crowd on the higher track. Beat my number (63), finishing in 62nd place just  under 75 mins, a minute slower than two years ago.

Luss n Dumgoyne

Saturday was this years Highland Games at Luss, went along for the two Hill races, the local one disappointing only two entrants, I was 2nd just inside 19 minutes, too soon after the Open race, 16 started and eventually 16 finished. 3rd in this one in 33 1/2 minutes. Getting changed and they were looking for victims for the 1600m, ok shoes & number back on, first two laps ok, the next three not so good, 5th of 5. Pleasant afternoon followed sitting in the sun watching the games finish up. Sunday and after a working morning drove to Dumgoyne for a couple of hours of grassy undulations, made it to the Earl's Seat this time, 2400' of ascent, 7 miles, just under 2 hours.

Luss Dumgoyne and Breaking the Law

Sat afternon and a run over Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill, Coille Eughain Hill, 9 miles with 3700' of ascent, raining at the start soon cleared to give a warm dry afternoon with some sun, a deer and a swim in Luss Water to finish, 2 hours 40.

Sunday and after dropping No 2 son in Glasgow at 4 something am drove home via a wee run up Dumgoyne and Garloch Hill, or was it Clachertyfairlie Knowes, not sure but around 4 miles and 2000' of ascent, home to bed.

Wed evening saw me in Tillicoultry for the Lawbreaker, 3 or 4 miles and just over 2000' of ascent, the first part just about runnable then a mixture of jog and walk, fell twice on the way down trying to chase the 60 something year old in front, finished in 54th place in 54 minutes something, summit time 38 minutes something just as the winner finished.

Sunshine in Luss

Three of us jogged up the Glen road for Beinn Eich, Doune Hill, Mid Hill, Beinn Dubh, 12 miles, 4900' of ascent. The two others ran past me and up to the top of Beinn Eich, I jog walked, didn't keep them waiting too long. From the top of BE we could see walkers on all the surrounding tops, it was a good day for the hills.

View down the Glen from ascent of Beinn Eich.

Steady run up and over Doune Hill before a nice run down into Sith Mor, good steady plod up Mid Hill, hard work done we ran along the ridge over Beinn Dubh and back to Luss, finished just under 4 hours.

Fairy Glen

4th out of 15 Starters and 13 finishers in this 3 mile, 3 lap race in Balloch Park. Splits, 7:34, 8:05, 7:54, faster than I expected. Each lap follows a grassy downhill path twisting down to a flat trail on the lochside along to the bottom of Fairy Glen where a lumpy wee path runs up beside a stream, turning onto a tarmac path to the top for a brief run across flat grassy parkland, repeat times 2.

The Mamores, an even Hillier Weekend

Traveled up to Fort William on Friday after work and set up in Glen Nevis campsite for the weekend. Having run roon the mamores twice, I was hopeful this would be third time lucky, round the tops instead of the bottom. Parked at Achriabhach, the lower falls car park and just after nine started up Mullach Nan Coirean, the first in a chain of 10 Munro's with a couple of minor tops thrown in. From the Mullach's summit most of the rest are on an undulating ridge which snakes its way high above Kinlochleven to the far end of Loch Eilde Mor before crossing back towards Glen Nevis for the last of the tops, Sgurr Eilde Mor and Binnein Beag. The three out and backs along the ridge are tough, Sgurr a Mhaim, An Gearanach and Binnein Mor. The round is twenty something miles and 12000' of up and down. Low point, traverse from An Garbhanach to Na Gruagaichean, high point, fresh fruit salad on the top of Na Gruagaichean. Took nearly 4 litres of water, sandwiches, flapjacks and sweets, used snow on my head and down my back to cool me down on Binnein Mor and picked up a welcome extra litre of water in the Alt Coire a Bheinnein. Finished in 12 hours 14, it would have been nice to get under 12 but a poor choice off the last hill into Glen Nevis probably made the difference. Weather superb, mixture of sun and shade with a gently cooling breeze most of the way. Not easy ground to run over, lots of rocks, even the grassy bits were rocky. Watched an Eagle dive bomb a herd of deer on a ridge high above as I crossed from Sgurr Eilde Mor to Binnein Beag. Slow drive home today stopping at Glencoe Village for a quick up and down the Pap to stretch my legs, stunning views.

Cort Ma Law

A classic Bog n Burn race tonight, 6 miles with 1700' of ascent, starting across the road from Campsie Glen Car Park, a breezy evening meant no midgies. 65 runners set off up the steep climb to start, managed to run most of it with only a couple of short walks, the trail levels off within the first mile and pain subsides as the trail  undulates a runnable up for the next two miles where the luminous green bogs between Cort Ma Law and Lecket Hill trap the unwary. Fast running into the gulley from Lecket, slow plod back out, gradually start running again along towards the stile, the last bog claims a couple of victims, over the fence across the moor and my legs begin to wobble with the effort, plunge down the last half mile to a happy finish just over 64 mins.

Hilly Weekend

A new race on Saturday, Ben Ledi, 6 miles with 2400' of ascent, organised by Skidaddle incorpoarated a sponsored walk. About 60 runners set off along forest roads to the usual ascent path. Ran most of the way to the ridge, suffered a bit and eased back till the heart rate and breathing calmed down, I was looking forward to the views from the top, last time I was up here it was cloudy, as I approached the top over a few false summits, into the mist, no views again, reached the top in 50 minutes, ran along the ridge and down to the entry into Stanks Glen, managed to pass a few folk here before the trail flattened out, one person passed me then lost their shoe so I got past again. A mixture of forest road and rootsy path to finish in just under 75 mins. Re-fuelled on cakes and tea set off for the Gargunnock Show with its hill cum trial race, about 5 miles and 1000' of ascent. A mixture of road, fields, hill and trails, 24 mins to the top and 20 mins back down, a couple of minutes slower than last time, June 2009, a nice village agricultural show, walked around in the sun looking at the animals and tractors. Pictures from Saturday here. Sunday and found time late afternoon to fit in another run, a circuit of Glen Douglas hills, Beinn Bhreac, Ben Reoch and Tullich Hill, 6 miles and 3400' of ascent, nice sunny breezy run, great views to Loch Lomond, Arrochar Alps and beyond, Disturbed a herd of deer grazing near the ridge off Tullich Hill, just over 2 1/2 hours to get back to my bottle of Peroni cooling hidden in the stream. Some photos here.

Kilpatricks

Kilpatrick Hill race tonight, 6 miles with 1400' of ascent, 125 runners, their biggest field yet. Set off up the road trying not to lose too much distance on the rest. Onto the hill and decided to try to run the whole route rather than mix walking and running. Ran nice n easy up the hill, keeping my breathing in check, yo yoing the jog walkers, onto the moor feeling fine for the steady run past loch Humphrey and over moorland to the tricky wee path along Greenside reservoir, eased up the Slacks, steep at first then not so steep, good fun jogging past gasping walkers, passed the Trig point in 51 minutes, brakes off for the run back down the Kilpatrick Braes to finish inside 63 minutes.

Jura

Managed to secure a late entry, the 33rd running, the 40th anniversary of the first race and the 30th anniversary of its resurrection  in 1983, buy the book by Donald Booth, any profits will go to the Jura care home.

Getting there,

home for the weekend,

race sequence,

homeward bound,

More pictures here.

My third attempt at this fascinating race, I finished in 172nd place in 5 hours 52, about 215 started with 205 finishers, the first was 3 hours 19 the last was probably about 7 hours, results will appear here on the race website.

More cakes than you can shake a stick at on a fine weekend with time to relax, run and enjoy island life.

Goat Fell

200 plus runners in the third race in this year's SHR Championship, a medium at 8 miles with 2900' of ascent. Started in Brodick on roads going towards Brodick Castle Estate, turning into the grounds of the Estate, onto the hill path after 1 1/2 miles. The path runnable as it undulates up through forest, a bit too warm with thermal top and vest. Soon enough we pop out the trees onto the rocky mountain path winding its way across towards GF's eastern shoulder, we turn west, walking and scrambling now as the ground gets a bit steeper, more exposed, wind, rain and the runners in front bombing past complicate the climb up the slabby ridge. Round the trig point, no views today, running back down, carefully at first down the steep bouldery ground. Pick up speed as the gradient eases the runner in front holds me up for a few minutes, too risky to pass as we negotiate the rough boulders, ease past down a wider slab then I can relax and pick up the pace again, its a fun full concentration descent as you cross back towards the forest track, eyes constantly scanning the boulders ahead for your next foot placement, only glancing up to pick a line past a runner or hillwalker. Good fast running through the forest then its 1 1/2 miles on the road back to Brodick finishing in 129th place in 1 hour 58 to tea, sandwiches and cakes before the Calmac ferry back to Ardrossan. Loads of pictures, here, here, here & here.

Luss

Heart is willing but the legs are week. Thought about a few hills in Arrochar this morning, thankfully I changed my mind and went to Luss instead. Plan was for a run up Beinn Dubh along to Mid Hill across Glen Luss up Coille-eughain hill returning to the foot of the glen down the Paps. It took longer to reach Beinn Dubh's summit today than to get up and down in last weeks race. Skylarks on the way up, cold and wet on top, good run along the ridge and over Mid Hill, on the way down I left the wind and rain behind and it didin't take too much thought to give CE Hill a miss, easy jog down the road to finish 7 or 8 miles with 2400' of ascent in just under 2 hours.

Ben Lomond

New start and finish this year, apparently Stirling Council no longer allow us to run along the road, health and safety? Short run along the track then straight up the tourist path, tried to keep a nice steady tempo jogging up the track walking some of the steeper and rocky parts. Kept this going until we are directed off path after the 2nd gate, quick walk mode and not losing any places which is good, even passed a couple on the upper part before rejoining the path and back into jog mode. Jacket on as we plod up in damp and windy conditions. Walk the climb up to the summit ridge then jog the ridge and up the last wee steep turning round the trig in just under 70 mins. Run back along the ridge to the drop off avoiding the tourist path down a steep grassy bank, slows me down a bit and I'm overtaken at the bottom, onto the path easy running, round the first corner another guy comes past, tuck in and follow him down to the next grassy sections where he pulls away a couple of hundred yards, off the grass and back on to the path and my legs feel done. Run down towards the bad step and I start to pick up speed again, tiptoe through then run hard reeling in the two in front down the rocky helter skelter towards the finish. Cross the line inside 1:44.

Dumyat and a 10k, Midweek racing

After last weeks stormy Stuc a calm Wednesday evening race up an down Dumyat, it was the 40th aniversary of the race, 250 plus set off, over 100 less than last year. My target was to finish inside 50 minutes. No queues at the hole in the wa' this year and no Bluebells in the woods either. Kept to a steady slow jog on the way up including where I usually walk, only walking up two rocky bits, wheeled round the trig in 32 minutes something, concentration required on the way down to avoid runners coming up and in trying to keep the intensity high, its too easy to relax and cruise down thinking this is as fast as I can go. Soon I'm crossing the style onto the muddy path twisting and sliding through the woods, feet slapping down the tarmac hill before the short wee stress inducing uphill track towards the back of the uni grounds before a welcome gradual descent to finish in 50:22. Thursday night was the Club 10k, following the old Vale 10k route except starting and finishing at the LC. Numbers slightly down this year, 14 against 18 probably due to the proximity of the Kintyre Way race on Satrurday. Three groups set off, 60 mins+, 45-60mins, sub 45 mins, I chose the last one, not that I would break 45 mins tonight, my target was to beat last nights time. The rest of my group drifted away off in front and I tried to keep a steady pace, quads a bit tender. Round Lomond Shores and into Balloch Park my group disappeared off ahead but I started to catch the earlier group giving me something to chase. Picked off a few on the way through Jamestown to the Bonhill bridge. Finished just over 49 mins in 6th place.

Stuc A'Chroin 5000

2nd race in this years SHR championship and the SAL Championship Hill Race as well. The Stuc 14 miles and 5000' of ascent over rough mountain tracks. 206 set off from Strathyre only 193 finished today. The rain started as we were on the two mile run up the forest track towards the hill and stayed for most of the race reinforced by the wind as we climbed each of the ups that help make this race a tough classic. The marshals were stars assisting troubled runners and handing out water, jelly baby's and encouragement in testing conditions. The warm up continues through the forest onto the hill and the traverse towards Glen Ample, a boggy delight. A couple of hundred yards behind a running friend, just up for a run, not the race, fell and broke his wrist as he jogged along, a trip to the Vale Fracture Unit for us after the race. The drop into GA reverts to its usual straight down one this year, across the marshy valley to Beinn Each's climb, starts with a series of steep ups with a few 10 yard flattish sections to break it up. Up we go on a narrow overgrown trod beside an old fence,  Heather and fence posts are all used to help pull me up. We pass a few marshals before and after a short traverse across some cliffs then its onto the upper part, more exposed to the wind, jacket and gloves on to keep me safe and comfortable. Really wet and windy at the top, more marshals with water and sweets. Hesitant on the run down onto the ridge to the Stuc, unfamiliar and slippy in the mist. The ridge is two miles of rock hopping, the first mile undulating, the second undulates a bit more, up a thousand feet. The front runners pass on their way back down.Its survival stuff now, freezing, gale force winds, a mixture of driving rain and sleet, must buy a decent pair of gloves. A hypothermic runner passes me being helped off by two others, a bit more focus on taking care today means I don't notice the uphills so much, through a series of climbs and I'm soon at the last steep rocky section, someone takes a tumble coming back down, thankfully only superficial damage and they get up able to continue. Round the cairn and turn for the relative calm of Bealach nan Cabar, can't seem to push as hard as I would like and tiptoe down the muddy, rocky and snow covered ridge. A slight slip and the resultant blow of rock on shin slows me down for a while, happily the Bealach soon comes in to view and with it the drop back down Glen Ample's grassy slopes. Good fun along the narrow muddy track in the rain with only the short slippy drop to the valley floor to hold back on. Steady walk out Glen Ample's steep slope then running again across the boggy moor. Drop down in to the forest and a poor route choice, the wrong side of a tree, puts me in a deep bog, pull myself out, shoes still on and run through the forest to the track for the last two miles back down to finish in 3 hours 48. A big thanks goes to the 40 or 50 marshals who looked after us runners for hours in the freezing rain, all of them cheery and supportive. This was the 25th anniversary of the Stuc, my 10th, here's hoping for a few more.