Ben Vane Sun 24th June

Jogged up Glen Loin for a look at the ascent route up Ben Vane for next weeks Arrochar Alps, easy day so walked all the steep bits. Crossed the dam and took a few pictures of both Vane and Vorlich which are in the Galeria.

New route for me and luckily clouds above the tops to start with. Picked a route, slightly left of the large outcrops immediately above the dam, through crags and streams eventually coming over a small shoulder revealing an obvious route for the upper slopes. Looked too easy so took a bearing of 230 degrees and apart from steep was relatively easy. Clouds closed in on the upper slopes and a bit of rain which kept me comapny all the way back to Succouth.

Didn't fancy a run down Ben Vanes steep tourist path so went over the back into Gleann Uaine, in cloud so tried a 280 bearing to clear the crags and once below the clouds picked a route through the mushy rocky terraces. From Gleann Uaine took another new route out following the stream back to the top of Glen Loin where it disappears down a man made sump.

Ran the track up to the ford at the turning point and then back down the high side of Glen Loin. A bit longer than planned but hopefully more confidence in route choices for next week.

Pappert Well Thurs 21st June

4th race in 8 days so no plans for a fast time just try to keep the edge on for a steady climb on the way out and push the downhill as much as possible on the way back. Threat of thunder and rain made for a warm night. Set off by the bell and soon trailing the other 3 in my section of the staggered start.

Mass confusion on the route so I wonder what would happen on an open hill in the mist?

Worked away on the climb up but caught no-one. Once on the down hill reeled in a few, fourth on time but 6th over the line out of 19 including Buffy the dog. Sore feet, back, legs, moan, grump, groan, but will I go in for the Arrochar Alps on June 30th?

Water, cakes, tablet, tablet, tablet and biscuits to finish, roll on next year.

Cort-Ma-Law Wed 20th June

Bog and Burn 6 mile 1700' of ascent race with lots of Bogs and Burns. Starts from Crow Road Car Park in Campsie Glen behind Lennoxtown and goes up over a couple of unnamed tops before Cort Ma Law, then its another couple of unanmed tops before Lecket Hill then a good downhill run and slog back up to join the outward route and the steep/fast descent to the finish.

In between the tops the track undulates along through streams, tussocks and bogs so you soon realise you don't need lots of steep climbs for a hard race. Fell 3 or 4 times and thigh deep a few more, worked hard after the first climb and passed more than passed me but lost 1 place in the last 50 yards due to an annoying detour at the top of the final descent.

Midgie city before and after the race, more like Ben Sheann than CML.

Glen Rosa Sat 16th June

2nd go in 2 years at this tough Mountain race. Small field of 27 runners, all male, set out at 12 noon on a damp and cloudy day on Arran for the 7 checkpoint, 12 mile 5500' circuit of Glen Rosa. Information at the start was for zero visibility on the Goatfell summits.

Starting and finishing behind Brodick Castle the route takes in Beinn Chliabhain (??), Cir Mhor (Keyr Vore), North Goatfell & Goatfell with the pinnacled Stacach ridge to catch the unwary between the 2 Goatfell summits.

Cloud down to about 1500' so there would be poor visibility on all 4 summits, the leading runner after checkpoint 1 missing the markers for the descent into Coire Daingean instead carrying out a traverse of the spectacular and dangerous A Chir ridge.

The race starts with a nice easy run from Brodick Castle into Glen Rosa and as the view up the Glen opens up to the Saddle at the far end the route goes left up to checkpoint 1 at the top of Beinn Chliabhain, various route options here, and what was good last year wasn't so good this year, too many ferns and much softer going underfoot, lost time and expend too much energy so instead of going for a time it was a beat the cutoffs survival run.

CP1 was difficult to spot in the cloud along the rocky ridge but tag safely handed to the marshall and it was a quick scramble along to the steeep flagged descent into Coire Daingean, the only part of the course to be marked. Tip toe down what feels like a vertical drop - i'm sure its not - and traverse round into the Coire. From here the route contours below A Chir over heather, rocks, hidden streams and bogs, no real path just good luck if you pick up a sheep track or 2. Trick is to stay as high as possible to minimise the re-ascent when you reach Fionn Choire and not use too much energy over the rough ground.

In Fionn Choire its a steady plod to the steps cut in the corrie headwall and up into the clouds as you pick up the ridge path to the top of Cir Mhor, too dangerous for the direct route to the Saddle its back to the steps down into Fionn Coire and another ankle trashing, pathless contour, this time under Cir Mhor round to the Saddle, first part on good! sheep tracks then just good ol heather n bog.

From the Saddle its a nice 1500' or so slog up North Goatfell to the confusing ridge that is the Stacach. The runner 5 mins in front of me eventually finishing 15 minutes behind after, in his words, an epic Stacach traverse. The Stacach was bad enough last year in brilliant sunshine, but in thick cloud a tiring runner needs full concentration to work out a way through this maze covered in rocky pinnacles and cliffs. The path which finally leads you out is like something out of LOR, hidden and sneaky.

Climbed up Goatfell blind, the summit marshalls, only visible in the last few yards, have kindly put a few flags at the start of the descent back down to Brodick Castle without which who knows.

This is a difficult descent at the best of times but after 4 hours of hard effort and concentration all I can say is ouch and the rocky "tourist" path was a good excuse to take it slow. As the TP reaches the forrest the race route splits from the man made path and thankfully goes over softer ground to pick up some forrest tracks back down to Brodick Castle.

Finished in just under 4 hours 20, 22nd place with 2 DNF.

Ben Sheann Wed 13th June

Bein an t-Sidhein, Hill of the Fairy, back to the usual route for this 3 1/2 mile 1400' up and doon race from Strathyre. Bigger field than usual attracted the expected midges and any more than the 2 or 3 minute delay to the start and all that would be left was lots of pairs of trainers. Idea was to take it smoothly to minimise any damage for Glen Rosa on Satrurday.

Thankfully we were soon off scratching along the road before turning up through the forrest for the 1400' in 1 1/2 mile climb, basically a 24 minute power walk, through pine needle, mud and rock strewn sort of path. As you come out the forrest near the top the climb steepens up for the last few minutes.

Straight over the top and down the back of this fierce little hill. The slightly longer return route loops anti-clockwise round and back into the forrest eventually re-joining the outward route. The whole descent is tricky and you are liable to crash most of the way down.

Caught up with the 2 runners in front but the path is too narrow to pass, had a couple of goes but kept pulling back until the 2 in front went slightly left so I went for it only for one of the runners to cut right so took evasive action and ate tree, rock and then mud. A quick check & no evidence of serious damage, so back up and running again but taking it a bit easier.

Finished in just over 36 mins, a few seconds outside previous best, to feed the midges again. Quick "Ben Sheann" change back at the car and off home via the Tesco Express in Calendar.

Glen Luss Sun 10th June

Easy run today with next weeks Glen Rosa in mind, a run in the Luss Hills starting up Beinn Dubh along the ridge past Glen Striddle and the 2 corries, down to the top of Glen Luss via Mid Hill and a jog down Glen Luss to finish.

Took it nice and easy in 2 hours, very warm with a lot of cloud and not much sun.

Calendar Crags Sat 9th June

Back for the race this week on a hot sunny June afternoon. Small field for this friendly race which has been run since 1986. All sorts run the race, with their recyclable numbers printed on material.

Short enough at 3.5 miles too push all the way, probably about a 1.5 mile climb up through the forrest to the top of the Crags and past the cairn commemorating Queen Victorias Jubilee. After the cairn the track undulates along for a hundred or so yards then drops steeply and turns back through some woods, a short 1/2 mile or so on the road then back onto the forrest tracks to the finish.

About 2 1/2 minutes quicker than in the January version. A fun informal race and with the start and finish in Calendar plenty to see and do as well.

Old Kilpatrick Hill Race Wed 6th June

Tired legs for this annual race in the Kilpatricks, perfect night, blue sky and a breeze once up on the hill. Jogged up the road near the back, reached the hill and jog / walked, well mostly walked, up on to the top.


Once on the top its an undulating run across the moor with a short steep drop back onto the track up beside the eastern end of Loch Humphrey, water stop as you rejoin the moor although got told I was not allowed to stop just because I was having a drink, on the moor its up and down over some minor hills and a couple of burns followed by 1/2 a lap of Greenside reservoir, difficult to keep your balance on the narrow path so close to the water.

Away from the reservoir its the last climb up the Slacks, about 300', then downhill all the way, this year crossing the fence by chair instead of a coffee table, don't tell the farmer. Join the outward route for a painful steep descent and then a 1/2 mile cruise down the road to the finish.

Arrochar Alps Sun 3rd June

Missed the long Sunday runs for the past couple of weeks with a bit of a temperature. Cleared up last week however the weather didn't so it was back to Arrochar to try out the stamina and gauge if fit enough for Glen Rosa on the 16th and the Arrochar Alps on the 30th with a few others planned as well.

Low cloud and rain but not much wind & set off through an empty Glen Loin before 8. No fixed plan but once at Corriegrogan decided to try a re-run of the Van, Ime & Narnain if feeling ok. Went up Vane via the tourist path and saw my first Ptarmigan, a speckly grouse with white wings, near the top. Shame there was too much cloud and rain for pictures.

No stopping at the top but managed to pick a good line off for a quick descent in poor visibility. Also lucky as the cloud lifted above 2000' long enough to plan the route to Glas Bheallach between Ben Ime and Ben Chorranach. The plod up to Glas B was a bit wet underfoot. Zig zagged up the steep slope from Glas B up Ben Ime, almost at the top before I found a path.

Straight over the top and down the path towards Bealach a Maim. Lost the path in the clouds as usual and wary of the crags into Glen Loin overcompensate, eventually slow the pace on unfamiliar steeper ground, the only features visible are foaming streams on the other side of the Glen, worked out I was looking at the back of the Cobbler and contour back towards the path before losing too much height.

Cross a soggy Bealach a Maim and back up into the clouds and through the boulder fields to the top of Narnain. Took a couple of pics for the memory before the descent, a tricky 3000' in 2 miles back to Succouth through crags, rocks, swamps and streams with the dreaded concrete blocks to finish. 13 miles and 6500 feet in 4 hrs 40.

Not the Calendar Crags Sat 2nd June

Turned up for this little publicised race and it wasn't on. Ran round with another stray runner from East Kilbride. Much drier underfoot than in January. Hopefully learnt where to put the effort in as we took it easy on the way up and only a couple of minutes slower. Took it easy on the way down as well and about 10 mins slower overall. Maybe try and go back up for the race next week.

Ben Lomond Sat 12th May

The 3 race week ends with this medium blast up and down Scotlands most Southerly Munro. Cloudy with a bit of drizzle but no wind. Care would be required on the rocky parts of the descent.

Set off in the usual calvary charge from outside Rowardennan Hotel and up the tourist path, feeling a bit sluggish after the weeks exertions. Lower slopes look a bit different this year as the forrestry comission are chopping their way through the trees. A bit stop / start up the steeper sections and rocky parts but soon get a steady plod going once on the open hill. Only a couple passed me on the long steep pull off the track up into the cloud, jogging again once on the shoulder going past halfway and manage to pull a couple of places back without too much effort.

Now for the last big climb up to the summit ridge, I can hear someone getting closer but don't look back and try and maintain a steady rhythm picking the easiest route through the rocks. Hit the ridge without being passed and kick start the running dodging the descending runners. A couple of minutes later round the trig point in just 68:40.

Gloves on for the descent, pass the first guy as he fell coming off the summit and back along the summit ridge with nobody in sight to chase. Down the 1st steep drop on the tourist path, still nobody, push on and hear runners ahead, reeling them in on the long run back to halfway. Down the steep grassy slope and cruise past another few, going really well, usually struggle down here.

Through the gate and soon directed off path again more bog and rock here but still manage to pass another couple. Back on to the narrow path for the last section through the rocks and woods, tricky in the greasy conditions.

Pushing hard to catch & pass a couple of runners on the steep bits where I gain but difficult on the narrow twisty path and get caught in the traffic, minor tumble. Managed to pass all but 1 and only end up a few seconds behind him at the finish, PB descent in 31:17 and pleased to finish under 1:40 for the second time.

All in not a bad week, PB at the Stuc and going under 3:30, PB descents in both Dumyat and Ben Lomond.

Dumyat Wed 9th May

2nd & least boggy of the Bog and Burn races. Big turn out of over 250, race starts in the grounds of Stirling Uni and heads onto a track at the back and up through woods to the open hill. The run/walk route undulates up to round the trig point at the top of Dumyat. Steady climb up with a minor refreshing shower at the top and a blast all the way down, mostly softish (good) underfoot with a few rocky outcrops to negotiate. Not expecting too much after last Saturdays Stuc but reaonable climb only 30 secs or so outside best and a best descent by some 20 secs due mainly to chasing a couple of other runners to the line.

Stuc a Chroin Sat 5th May

Back for the 5th time in 6 years for this tough 14 mile race with 5000' of ascent. Apart from the first and last couple of miles, all very rough terrain. A real mountain race over a Corbett and a Munro with steep ascents and descents, a rocky ridge run and rough moorland to cross as well.

Very well organised with 50 odd marshalls on the hill all with water and sweets for the runners, course fully marked as well which is unusual for a hill race. My previous best was 3:45 and the plan was to get as close to 3:30 as possible. So set out with the target of 2 hours to the top of the Stuc and if I get close to that without blowing up give it a go on the way back but saving a bit for the climb back out Glen Ample.

The first couple of miles are on a forrest road which climbs up the valley side from Strathyre then pops out onto the hill through a tunnel of fir trees at Cnap Ardchullarie followed by a scraggy moorland mile climbing past Tom na Moine and Meall Mor before plunging 700' down into Glen Ample. From the bottom of Glen Ample its a tough 1500' climb in about 3/4 of a mile up the Corbett Ben Each. Came off the top of Ben Each feeling unusually good.

Ben Each is connected to the Stuc by a 2 mile long ridge which starts with a steep 500' descent and then undulates along climbing back up 1000' by the top of the 3200' high Stuc a Chroin. This is when you need to dodge the runners ahead who come flying past on their way back. Reached the Stuc summit in 25 seconds over 2 hours so right on target and 12 mins faster than any of my previous attempts at the race.

Set off back down the ridge with a minor tumble, which will not be mentioned, going as fast as possible while trying to retain enough energy for the key climb back out Glen Ample. Luckily the route side steps Ben Each on the return leg cutting down at Bealach Nan Cabar for an ankle trashing as you descend 1000' in a mile running along into Glen Ample. Anyone who thinks running downhill is easier should try this!

Somehow the bottom of Glen Ample seems to have turned into an impossibly gooey mush in the couple of hours since I passed through on the way out. Luckily this only lasts as long as it takes to hit the steep part where the real trouble starts, aches, pains, cramps and the Glen Ample syndrome kicks in (why me, what am I doing here etc etc), swallow an energy gel and plod on to meet the far too cheery marshals at the top, no time to chat as the run back over the moor is not easy on tired legs.

Made it back on to the forrest track in 3 hours 3 mins and just over 2 miles to go with the first half mile of this slightly uphill so ease into a steady run. Once on the down slope push the pace with gravity helping, a quick check of the watch with 50 yards to go and pleasantly surprised 3 hours 21 mins, a 24 minute pb.

Sparkling race (when you have a good one) with organisation which puts most road races to shame. Plenty of race souvenirs to buy, t-shirts, sweat shirts and hats, oh and this year a goody bag as well. You need to prepare to run on the roughest ground for the 1/2 marathon distance but marathon time.

.....and if you have any energy left at night there's a ceildh in the village hall (I've never seen a pint of lager look so good).

Whinney Hill Sun 29th April

Next Saturday it's Stuc a Chroin so chose an easy run through the Vale of Leven parks to try and loosen the legs. Still a bit stiff and out of sorts from the last week or so.

Went through Christie Park then a short jog along to run through the Argyle Park then round Balloch Park. In BP from the top of Heart Attack Hill took the new path out over Whinney Hill to the viewpoint overlooking Inchmurrin and Glens Finlas and Luss. Returned via same path to BP and then Argyle & Christie Parks. About 9 or 10 miles in 90 minutes. Sunny but cool in the breeze.

Whangie Whizz Wed 25th April

1st run in this years Bog and Burn series, the Whangie held up the tradition with plenty of boggy bits making for a good test.

The race starts on the steep climb behind the Queens view car park and then undulates along a rough path past the Whangie and on for about another 3/4 of a mile. A 50 yard run along a farm track and then its up Aucheneden hill, round the trig point at the top, the hard work just about finished, and back down in front of the Whangie again for a cruise back to the car park, concentration important to avoid the rocks, holes and cow pats hiding in the sludgey??? path.

About 2 or 3 seconds quicker than last year can't be all that bad!

Arrochar Alps Sun 22nd April

Low cloud kept me in Arrochar again this week but felt rather flat and gave up on the planned run on the way up Ben Vorlich, so much for Vorlich, Vane & Ime.

Pleasant run up Glen Loin past Corriegrogan (couple of mins slower than usual) and on up towards the Sloy Dam. Plod up Ben V into the clouds. When you ask why every 50 yards its time to rethink the days route. Followed the usual path up but realised I had passed the top in the clouds when the path ran out. Turned East & uphill and soon came to the trig point. Cold, wet and windy at the top so straight back down.

Difficult top to come off in poor visibility, as you leave its easy to follow a path and head off down the east flank but as you come off the small top with the trig point go west and another path soon comes into view.

The run down is challenging enough to pick up the pace and turned out quite enjoyable even going right through the boggy bits near the road. Jogged back down through Glen Loin passed a few runners and cyclists but thankful the run was cut short.

Surprise on Monday, woke up to DOMS, a bit shivery as well so maybe cutting the run short on Sunday was more than just couldn't be bothered.

5 Mile Handicap Tues 17th April

Not quite sure what to expect for this years 5 miler, changed to a Tuesday to suit those who may be running the Lochaber Marathon on Sunday (not me) but this means there was not a lot of time to recover from any long runs last weekend.

Set off a wee bit fast as usual and suffered after the first mile for a couple of miles till I realised there was now only a couple of miles to go and it would be worth all the pain - ha ha - finished in 32:56 best by a few seconds since 2002.

Glen Finlas Sun 15th April

Easier run planned for today and went to do the Glen Finlas horseshoe. Starting up Creachan Hill and going anti clockwise via Beinn Ruisg, Creag an Leinibh, unamed top 2275' (=693M, using a map 30+ years old), Balcnock, Craperoch with Shantron Muir to finish. About 10 miles and 2900' of ascent.

Managed to avoid the electric fences on the way up Creachan and soon on top running through the huge peat hags which cover these hills. The route undulates all the way round and there are plenty of paths and sheep tracks to follow, not always the most direct route but they make for easier running than the tussocky ground.

Visibility ok apart from a general misty haze which meant only the outline of the surrounding hills could be seen but no real detail, no problem with navigation this time. Finished easy in 2 1/ hours.

Ben Lomond Mon 9th April

Only a short run yesterday collecting in the markers from last weeks Stoneymollen race so Monday morning run planned for Ben Lomond. Left the Vale in sunshine but not much about at the Ben.

Deforrestation?? commenced on the lower slopes so different look and feel to the mountain. Steady plod up keeping to the path as the cloud was down too low for any new routes. Pretty windy and wet in the cloud towards the top and no chance to pick out the Ptarmigan route to go back down so about turn and down the same way. A few more pepole about in the bottom half, glad my climbing was over for the day. 82 mins to the top & 42 mins to the bottom. 2 cloudy pix in the galleria.

Stoneymollen Hill Race 5th April

1st Club Hill Race of the year and first PB of the year by about 90 secs. Perfect conditions, cool, sunny, with great views of Loch & Ben Lomond and also the Clyde to Dumbarton, Helensburgh, Greenock and hills beyond. Great we race from the bottom of Lower Stoneymollen Rd starts with a 20 minute climb then an undulating run along sheep tracks to a small hill overlooking the Carman reservoir. Short sharp descent to pick up a farm track, last 1/2 mile on the road past the front of Overton Cemetary and finishes back down at Alexandria Leisure Centre.