Highland Fling Sat 26th April

Its taken a few days to write this blog as the aches and pains gradually disappear after running the Highland Fling, a short, 53 mile ultra on the West Highland Way from Milngavie to Tyndrum. The route naturally breaks down into 7 to 12 mile chunks which make it less daunting but when joined together have a much bigger impact. The hills which seemed insignificant during training take on a completely different aspect as well.

Thought about a target to complete, the heart said 12 hours but with the training head on, aim to finish and if all goes well 12 1/2 hours might be on.

Registration opened at 5:00 am for the 6:00 am start and the station car park was soon buzzing with runners. Cars to take food & kit for the runers to each of the checkpoints were being loaded up and before we knew it the pre-race brief was underway at 5:50. We lined up in the underpass and at 6:00 the 130 or so brave souls set off.

The first section is the 12 miles to Drymen, relatively flat and breaks down into 7 miles to the Beech Tree Inn plus 5 to Drymen. Ran this really easy but still too quick in under 2 hours even walking all the hills from Gartness into Drymen, the only problem on this section was a runner trying to keep in front who upped the pace when you tried to pass then slowed down again if you eased back, not good tactics for an ultra.

Drymen to Balmaha , a nice run, rolls through a forrestry commssion plantation before a quick up and down over Conic Hill. Still running easy but too quick again particularly Conic Hill.

A short re-fuelling stop at Balmaha, had a rice pudding, energy gel, a banana, probably too much and set off along the road. There followed a dark hour where I had no energy & felt there was no way I could complete this race. Waited to see how I felt at Rowardennan before deciding, luckily?? about an hour out of Balmaha I had a couple of Mike n Ikes (Jelly Beans) & had perked up by the time I arrived at Rowardennan so decided to go on.


I had also decided not too eat so much and go back to my training routine of Aldi energy bars and lucozade sport. The only concession to this was tangerines which I found nice and refreshing.


Rowardennan to Inversnaid, we had ran this a couple of times in training but found it had been changed out of all recognition for the race, all the hills were up, the small hills became mountains & the steep hills became cliffs, as well as that my feet were sore. This section eventually goes down to the lochside and after a few false hopes arrived at the Inversnaid Hotel. Took on some water here it seemed more pallatable than the lucozade.


As we left Inversnaid the sun started to come out, ok so jacket off turned out to be a mistake as I got colder as the wind got up and my pace dropped on the root & rock strewn ground. Jacket back on and the wind dropped and the sun shone. Stepped into every stream and filled my hat with water as a distraction to the sore feet and heat. Mantra for this section was "I Vow to finish this race" - after the Island "I Vow" about 3 miles past Inversnaid.


Arrived at Bein Glas, not particularly happy but positive that I would finish. A quick re fuel and set off at a shuffle at about 3:15pm hoping to finish in nearer 3 than 3 1/2 hours. Every step now painful and the least up hill section made me walk, also adding in a walk every 10 or 15 minutes even on the downhills. Being passed by two or three people didn't help, and after a tough 3 miles through Glen Falloch, Derrydarroch rolled into view. Pushed on and ran for nearly a mile non stop to the A82 underpass.


Enough was enough, and walked the next 2 miles to the forrest at Crianlarich including the "improved" 979 metres, the worst section of the whole route - whoever paid for this upgrade should be shot, worse they have even put up a plaque to advertise it.


From here its 2 or 3 miles of roller coaster hills through a coniferous forrest. Being caught by a few more runners so got the head down and worked hard up the steep hills and even overtook a couple by running hard on the down hills, only one of these would re overtake me later, at this stage of the race that was success. Mantra for this section was "my feet are fine".


As you exit the forrest and re-cross the A82 there are just over 3 miles left. You know this but it still seems to take forever as the route winds its way first of all past the wigwams at Auchtertyre then back across the A82 meandering through a series of undulating footpaths beside rivers and streams. Views of Beinn Dubhchraig and Ben Lui help lift the spirits and run most of this section inluding running all the uphills as this is a new less severe pain.


The route takes you almost past Tyndrum before turning across the river and back up towards the A82, about 20 people about applaud as each poor soul runs in. To add insult to injury they give me 12 hours 35 minutes and 27 seconds, 81st place instead of 80th, 6 seconds of a difference, what a cheek!


Summary of checkpoint distances, splits and race position show a painful slide from Balmaha, the wheels coming off after Inversnaid & no worse than anyone else after Bein Glas.....

Milngavie to Balmaha, 20 miles, 3 hours 21 mins & 55th place

Rowardennan, 27 miles, 5 hrs 13 mins, 57th

Inversnaid, 35 miles, 7 hrs 1 min, 61st

Bein Glas, 42 miles, 9 hrs 13 mins, 81st

Tyndrum, 53 miles, 12 hrs 35 mins 27 secs, 81st (80th!!!)

Drymen to Conic Sat 19th April

Last long run before the next weeks Fling, went for a nice easy 10 mile jog along the WHW from Drymen to Conic hill and back to Drymen. Started at 8:10 probably the same time as we will reach Drymen as the race starts at 6:00 am in Milngavie.

Glorious sunshine with a strong cold wind in exposed parts and views of Loch Lomond to die for. Would have been a perfect day for the hills with cool clear air to refresh the soul but recovery and saving energy is the aim between now and next week.

Bought some energy products for next weeks race, Honey Stinger Gels and Energy Bars and tried one of the gels after the run, surprise it's like honey, a natural low GI source of carbs and also has electrolytes to keep the system working. Not long now.

5 Mile Handicap Thurs 17th April

Annual Club run roon the Vale and as handicapper by default - no-one else is interested - gave myself 33 minutes, 10 seconds slower than last year. No idea how I would fare but decided to run by heart rate rather than the usual eyeballs out and hang on as long as possible. Target was to keep it over 160 bpm and see how it went.

Nearly missed my start time due to an ill timed short warm up and threw off fleece, gloves and tried to start 2 watches all at the same time as the starter said go.

Kept my eye on the HR and soon at 158, tried to keep at the same effort level to let it catchup and sure enough by the next glance it was 162, pushed down the hill past the school and onto the cycle path and tried to keep the effort nice and even relying on the "right" pace to catch those in front.

Jamestown road was into the wind but gradually catching up with 2 or 3 of the runners in front. Caught a stitch and lost some pace while stretching it out but soon back on track and managed to pick a couple off on the run towards Balloch roundabout.

Running back towards the Vale and the HR drops below 160 again as my mind drifts to next weeks Highland Fling race, back to the present and raise the effort levels again and soon back up to 164, closing in on the next runner but footsteps behind as well as the faster runners catch up, one passes along Middleton St try to stay with him but he kicks hard on the way past, relax and keep a steady effort.

Soon back onto the main road towards the Club and push the pace, overtaken but kick and catch him on the line...finish in 33:01, only 11 seconds slower than last year, ave HR 163 bpm.

Balmaha to Rowardennan Sat 12th April

Balmaha to Rowardennan & back, returned to this route after 11 weeks for what is now a short run! Quicker run too, down to 3 hrs 25 from just over 4 hours. Better weather makes a difference as well with a snow capped Ben Lomond gleaming in the sun.

Steady jog / walk now becoming routine and just want to get it over with, however musn't rush the last couple of weeks so plod it out taking note of the 2 main hills on this section.

Camp Sites and car parks busier now with a marked increase in litter. The car parks and surrounding areas are being used by tents and caravans and human waste peeks out from behind the trees, delightful.

Just under 1:40 to Rowardennan and stop for something to eat and a drink. To maximise the recovery make an effort on the way back to walk ALL the hills which takes about 10 mins longer.

Pleasant run apart from the abundant debris - please take it home.

Arrochar Sat 6th April

Longest training run today, 35 miles in all starting with an 11 mile anti clockwise loop round Glen Loin, 2 miles to Ardgarten for the 20 mile loop, acw as well with another 2 miles back to the car park at Succouth, est time 8-9 hours.


Started out in sunshine but wind still v cold meant an early stop to put on thermal top and jacket. We then enjoyed a nice easy run up the Glen, walking all the hills. Beautiful day compared to our previous long runs in wind/rain. Completed Glen Loin in 2 hrs 10 and took the easier low level forrest trail to Ardgarten.


From Ardgarten its a series of climbs up to the top of the Rest & Be Thankful with only short sections to run between the climbs the reward being a long downhill stretch which ends with a mile or so on the road into Lochgoilhead.

The forrest road runs behind Lochgoilhead and undulates down Loch Goil so back to the usual run/walk. A few miles down the side of the loch and we picked up the new cycle path over the Dukes pass, starts with a gentle climb getting steeper as we climb up the hillside. At the top the trail winds its way across what used to be open moor but this is gradually being taken over by confier plantations.

A short break by Corran Lochan before the run back up loch Long side to Ardgarten and another 2 mile run, this time along the road to Succouth.

After Glen Loin it was a a constantly revolving pattern of Sun, rain, snow, hail, sun, a pleasant change from the wind/rain of previous long efforts, 35 miles in 8 hours 20 odd minutes, good to feel the heat in the sun with Primroses lining the paths, Spring is here.

Stoneymollen Thurs 3rd April

15 runners took part in this years club race over Stoneymollen. Weather was kinder to us than last weeks snow, freezing water etc etc. Good to have the opportunity to run off road with the lighter nights. Used the staggered start so that we all finished closer together.

Caught in no pace land, didn't want to push too hard but still hoped for a reasonable time so kept it steady up to the top of the Stoney, then toughish run over waterlogged moors but managed to run most of the hills and even pick up the pace a bit along the top past the trig point and its nearly all down hill form there apart from a couple of wee hills.

The run back down slippy in parts so ran in the heather to the side of the sheep track, harder but faster. Delightful swamp after the style then onto the farmtrack for a blast back to the club. Happy to finish just under 45 mins, about 4 mins slower than last year!

Glen Loin Sun 30th March

First run in Arrochar this year round undulating Glen Loin. Set off anti clockwise in grey damp conditions but the rain stayed away and a weak sun poked its nose out later on the long downhill run back out the Glen.

Managed to run all the hills to make this short outing a bit tougher. Although running on tired legs still felt some energy to spare on the ups and recovery was reasonably quick with only short walking breaks after each hill.

Wore my new bargain inov8 Mist 210 jacket, kept the wind out but a bit damp inside the ripstop nylon. Packs down really small into its own bumbag with room for compass, whistle & waterproof trousers so should come in handy for hill race kit.

Although relatively close to civilisation Glen Loin still supplies a nice sense of away from it all and even better today with the mountains all round covered in snow. Another bonus was in contrast to Fridays run over Stoneymollen managing to keep my feet dry and warm. Mizuno trail shoes feeling more comfortable as well.

About 11 miles in just under 2 hours.

Drymen to Mugdock Sat 22nd March

Wanted to try the first few miles of the Highland Fling route again to work out a run / walk plan. This is the easiest part of the run but too quick here would make for a more painful end.

Set off from Drymen just after 12 and with the wind behind made for easy going, first couple of miles or so are on the road before joining a path along an old railway track. The WHW leaves the railway track just before Duntreath Castle to cross the eastern end of Quinloch Muir to get to Carbeth, past the huts and on to Mugdock Wood, ran all the way including the hills in 1 hour 39.

Took a couple of minutes out to have a drink and and change my burst jacket for a fleece and then set off with a few minutes walking and eating. Again ran all the hills but took a few walking breaks to drink and eat.

It was tough going into the wind to Carbeth and over the exposed Quinloch Muir but once back on the old railway track for a couple of miles past Dumgoyne and more comfortable running sheltered from the wind by trees and bushes. Kept up a steady plod to Gartness before working hard over the last couple of undulating miles on the road. Tired legs brough me back in 1 hour 50.

New Trail shoes ok but burst jacket not, and without a spare fleece it would have been an unpleasant run back. About 20 miles in just under 3 1/2 hours.

Gartocharn Sun 16th March

Short long run planned for this week turned out to be a 13 mile road run. Left from the club up through Balloch Park and out to Gartocharn via Boturich. Took the first right turn in Gatocharn up old school road to go back towards the Horseshoe where we ran down to Ballagan, back through Balloch Park and home.

Ran all the way including the hills and at 2 hrs 15 perhaps the longest non-stop run for a few weeks, a good run but it didn't last very long.

Sallochy to Tyndrum Sat 8th March

Alternative title, mental as anything, 30 mile jaunt from Sallochy Bay to Tyndrum. Wet, wet, wet and windy pushed enthusiasm to the limit. Luckily the forecast was accurate and we had a few sunny spells later mixed in with some rain and hail just to stop us getting too excited. This weeks feeding plan was a cereal bar every 90 mins with nearly 2 litres of lucozade on board as well and a few Mike n Ikes for the bad times.

Why Sallochy Bay? It meant 30 miles to Tyndrum, need you ask?

Settled into the walk up hills run everything else routine and reached Rowardennan in about 40 mins. Conditions pretty miserable but still made Rowardennan to Inversnaid in 1 hr 40. The tough section to Inverarnan next in a couple of minutes over 2 hours. The island is called I Vow. A food stop at Inverarnan for 10 or 15 mins then off to Tyndrum.

1st time I have run this section, 1st few miles are on easy forrest road gently undulating upwards through Glen Falloch. Terrain changes just after Derrydarroch with a roller coaster ride through Forrest, steep ups & downs bad enough at 20 something miles will be slightly more challenging after 40 odd miles. The last few miles although flat seem longer than they should but Tyndrum soon rolls into sight and a nice riverside run and crossing to finish. All in 8 mins shy of 8 hours, seems ok to me.

Bishop Hill Sun 2nd March

1st of this years 4 from 6 SHR Championship, I ran it in 05 when it was last used as one of the counting races. Starts and finishes crossing a ditch with a 20 minute climb and 7 minute descent in between.

Big field meant a bit of elbows out to keep your place on the narrow path zig zagging up, a mixture of jog and walk in time with the gradient and whoever tried to pass. Being a short race pushed on and kept with a few slightly faster runners on the way up and most of the way down apart from the last steep section where I descended like a mouse.

Pleased to finished with a pb ascent & descent by about a minute overall and felt as if I could have gone quicker.

Horseshoe Fri 29th Feb

Long run today to give a recovery day before Bishop Hill on Sunday. Arrived home from work torrential rain/wind, perfect for a run. Looking for about 15 miles and set off on an anti clockwise loop with probably Boturich to get towards 15 miles.

Felt easy on the way out despite running Monday, Tuesday (swim Wed) & Thursday. Wind blew me up the first hill, payback would come later. Turned at the tee junction and the wind soon took my hat away, at least it meant a wee rest getting it back. Passed the turn offs to Gartocharn and straight into the wind, almost came to a halt even though its downhill. Worse to come, running into the wind and uphill, luckily no one saw me.

Took a right at Ballagan much nicer with the wind and rain behind. Turned past the water works onto the Boturich track and hit the wind again as you come out the trees at the top. Mostly down hill from now, so kept a steady pace going and cut into the back of Balloch Park staying within trees and shelter.

Ran home through Argyll and Christie Parks along the way, nearly 15 miles in 2 hours 15 mins+.

Rowardennan to Inverarnan Sat 23rd Feb

Longer than planned run from Rowardennan to Inverarnan and back, about 28 miles, on the WHW. The route splits into four 7 mile sections, Rowardennan to Inversnaid, Inversnaid to Inverarnan, reversed on the way back. Didn't look good standing in Rowardennan car park just after 8am, dull, wet & windy. Aim was to practice race tactics, run down hill & flat, walk the ups.

Set off at an easy pace on the undulating track along side Loch Lomond, turned out to be pleasant running conditions as you are sheltered from the wind and most of the rain by trees. Lots of water in the streams crossing the route on their way into the Loch made for spectacular waterfalls. Some pics in the galleria. A few bedraggled goats as well.

Reached Inversnaid in 97 mins and stopped to refuel. Tough going from Inversnaid to Inverarnan, roots and rocks make it hard work to maintain any pace. Take it a bit easier on the rougher terrain to conserve energy and reach Inverarnan in just uner 2 hours. Only a couple of short sections with no trees where your exposed to the wind and rain. A ten minute refuel in the shelter of a WHW map and turned round for the return to Rowardennan.

Keeping strictly to the walk hills, run flats/downs seems to be working as we reach Inversnaid in the same time, within 20 seconds, as on the way out. No more food left just some Mike n Ikes before the last section and start to feel it in the last couple of miles but keep plodding on, even run the odd hill. Back in 105 mins slightly slower than the way out, to be expected but a bit more food might have helped.

Recover with soup & a roll in the Rowadennan Hotel with the welcome discovery that they sell draught Kronenbourg Blanc. Painful knee and foot and underarm chafeing from the Bingo Wings, but pretty good for almost 7 1/2 hours on the go. The run walk strategy seems to work.

Horseshoe Sun 17th Feb

For the second run of the weekend went round the Horseshoe, anti clock wise with a loop round Balloch Park on the way back. Tired legs kept the pace down and a real struggle the last mile or two, dug in and managed to plod it out but didn't feel right. 12 miles or so in just over 2 hours, and this was an easy week.

Carnethy 5 Sat 16th Feb

Managed to enter online for this from California, lucky as it was full by the time I got home 5 days later, 550 entries. Well organised race to start the year, sports shops on Site, changing/showers, bus to & from the start, tea marquee after the race and a school dinner. All that and 5 hills with 2500' of ascent in 6 miles.

Cold but perfect day, clear skies with only a little wind. Usual charge across the bog with a welcome rest at the queue for the style then a 20 minute plod up Scald Law. Once on top it was a fast undulating run over South black Hill and the East and West Kips. The drop off West Kip tricky in the shade as the sun hadn't thawed the ground. Pleasant cruise to the Howe then the 2nd big climb up Carnethy. A helping hand from one of the many marshalls handing out jelly babies and kendal mint cake meant you were soon out the gully and on your way to the last part of the climb to Carnethy summit.

From Carenthy summit cairn its a plunge down heather clad slopes followed by a 2 minute blast back across the bog. Pleased to finish in 81 1/2 mins when I felt like 85+ at the start. And a school dinner to come.

WHW run Sunday 10th Feb

1st of 3 longer runs planned to cover the remaining parts of the Highland Fling race route, this week Drymen to Milngavie & back, about 23 miles. Early start for 3 of us would mean we should be started for 8:00 am. Cool and calm, a nice day for it. Target was to finish feeling like we could run it again.

Set out across a field, through a knee deep bog in the first 2 minutes - of course, then onto a short road (bad) section past the Pots of Gartness then off road (good) most of the way to Milngavie. Met very few people to start with, lots of awkward gates to pass, thankfully this will be the start of the race so should'nt be too tired to deal with them, initially meet a few walkers and the odd runner, but as we aproached Milngavie the WHW gets pretty crowded. .

Slight detour at Carbeth breaks up the out and back route, soon into Mugdock Park and then Milngavie & the "start". Short break for something to eat & drink and then back on our feet towards Drymen.

On the way back kept up the "jog up the hills, run the flats & downhills" with a few other walking breaks thrown in. Certainly felt the pain in the last few miles, but still ran the road section hills n'all and up through the field to finish in just over 5 hours. Target met?

Kipperoch Sun 3rd Feb

Another late night, this time with a Las Vegas theme, meant no driving on Sunday morning. Set off just after 8 in pursuit of a fellow Millie. Ran through Renton & onto the Kipperoch eventually catching what had been a jogging dot on the horizon.

Ran along the main road through Cardross towards Helensburgh and turned up the Red road. The Red Road undulates up, a good test followed by a delightful route choice after the Black Third farm, turn right past the cow feeding station and the associated slurry. All so that we could experience the last wee steep climb before the track through the woods.

Easy jog back down the Stoneymollen and the favourite trudge along the bypass to Christie Park and home. About 13 miles, 1400' of ascent in 2 1/2 hours.

Whinney Hill Sat 2nd Feb

Club Cross Country race starting with a lap round Balloch Park then out to Whinney Hill and back. A light covering of snow, lots of mud, ice and some wintery sun met the runners.

Last year the course was marked on the Friday & apparently someone moved the markers resulting in several runners going off course, grump & groan. So, this year set off at 8:30 to mark out the course before the 10 o'clock start, beautiful winter morning which turned out to be the best part of the day. Made it back to Balloch Castle just in time for the start, three club runners and five guests.

The lap round the central grassy bit of Balloch Park is where the runners sort themselves out before heading out a narrow walkers path to Whinney Hill. The path loops round overlooking Inchmurrin with views across Loch Lomond to Glens Finlas & Luss. In between is a cracking undulating cross country route where the paths range from hard packed gravel to foot deep icy mud and everything in between with a few tree trunks and roots thrown in for good measure.

Steady on the outward route, more ups than downs give way to a fast mainly downhill run back, with a tough wee climb through the woods and muck to make you work. Slippy underfoot on the way back requires a fair bit of concentration as the pace increases. Then the narrow path back into Balloch Park twists and turns, care required to avoid an early bath in the burn.

Better course marking kept us on the twisting track through the trees back to Balloch Castle and tea, coffee and biscuits. A bit slower this year, all to do with less competition and the early run round to mark out the course...nothing to do with age!

Balmaha to Rowardennan Sun 27th Jan

Ran on the West Highland Way again, this week from Balmaha to Rowardennan and back, started off in a bigger group for the first few miles until we warmed up and then went on at our own pace.

The path runs along side the Loch and criss crosses the road along the way. Two or three short sharp climbs taken at walking pace on the way out. Turned at the Rowardennan pier in 2 hrs 10 mins, and took it easy for the first couple of miles on the way back, same again walking the up hills and running the flat & down hills. Changed to a steady run back, jogged up the hills to finish the 15 miles in 4 hrs 2 mins.

Very scenic run along parts of the loch you don't normally see, would make a nice walk in better weather.

Drymen to Balmaha Sun 20th Jan

Couldn't decide where to go for the 1st long run of the year, slept in so took a short drive to Drymen to tackle the West Highland Way towards Balmaha.

With new (bargain) shoes in luminous white the target was about 3 hours and reached Conic Hill just under 1 1/2 ours so continued down into Balmaha. Met an old workmate and his family on their way up Conic out for a Sunday walk. After a short break about turn for the steep plod back up & over Conic keeping a close but relaxed eye on the variety of dogs sniffing about their Sunday outings.

After Conic its an undulating run back to Drymen, met the WHW girls on the way back and then a v large long blond haired Alsatian barked and growled towards me at pace. Ignored it as best I could as it's owner shouted Marvin, Marvin to little effect. The monster continued straight towards me until the last second where it muzzled past without chomping.

Tired legs kicked in after yesterdays race so kept the legs ticking over for the last 40 minutes, new shoes suitably muddy, 14 miles and about 3000' of ascent in just over 3:20. Couple of pics in the Galeria.