Luss Sat 23rd Jan

Looking to recover lost ground this week and finally some half decent weather meant a run around in the Luss hills was on. Route choice was an anti clockwise run starting up Beinn Dubh and after coming off Ben Eich finishing with a run down the Glen Luss road.

A steady trudge up Beinn Dubh in just under an hour. The boggy ground gradually turning frozen as we gained height and managed to keep the feet reasonably dry. Into the snow as we neared the top but you could feel a bit of sun heating our backs as well. Views to die for, Loch Lomond twisting through snowy mountain tops

and the Arrochar Alps on fire

Relatively flat on top so time for a run round the two corries the snow adding to our toil. We kept to the paths or what we could see of them until the trackless descent reaching Sith Mor in about 1:40 all in. A couple of bumslides added to the fun on the way down.

Steep climb up Doune Hill starting in soggy heather soon turning back to snow as we gained height. Picked a line a bit too close to the stream which meant a lot of ups and downs but slotted into a couple of easier gullies nearer the top.

While we waited for the rest in the col beside Doune Hill a runner in shorts and long sleeved top came down from the adjacent 701m top, inquired after our well being then ran up the short steep ascent to the trig point, suppose he had to run to keep warm!

Doune Hill top covered in wind blown icy snow delightful views down the Firth of Clyde to Arran. Crusty snow on the return ridge was hard work sometimes it held your weight sometimes not and scraping your ankles, jealous of the neat gaiters on the lone runner. Even the downhills were hard work, relax and take it easy coming off the ridge earlier than usual to get some shelter from the icy winds.

Slow trudge up Bein Eich as the mornings exertion took effect, a bit of extra care required on the narrow path covered in frozen snow. Met a party of walkers who were happy to reach just one top.

Last hurrah running off Bein Eich, the ice made it tough to start with, good fun in the softer snow as we descended before a return to slippy mud through the fields at the bottom.

Jogged down the road to complete in about 4 hours 40 mins, a good effort in tough conditions.

2-0 to the girls?

Set off for a 20 mile 3800 FOA run of Glen Loin plus the Cats Crag loop last Saturday. Start and finish in the Succouth car park. First mistake was to start with an anti clockwise Glen Loin, feet wet straight away, not the best in the cool conditions.

Lower Glen reasonably ice free with only the odd patch of ice left. It was a different story in the upper Glen especially the approach to the turning point across the stream where the track was covered by 6 inches of freezing slush sloshing in and out your trainers with each step.

The stream itself was in spate with the meltwater coming off the surrounding hills a tricky crossing, just past the stream the slush turned to snow but the team wouldn't take the Bealach option, second mutiny, and we had to turn back the way we came.

Reached the bottom of the glen and third mutiny, instead of picking up the planned route, gave up and came home, struggling to claim 11 miles, perhaps ultra runners need some inspiration such as one of John Fleetwoods epics?

Heated Seats and cold beer

I wish, Sat mornings run was a snowfest, Stoneymollen, Whinney Hill and Pappert Well, close on 20 miles and 3200 FOA.

Nine of us set out, the two Jim's went at their own pace, rest of us gradually pulled away in front. First was a run along to the giant steps to pick up the trail which goes behind the Carman reservoir, one - me - kept off road in the spirit of the run while the others ran along the road to the quarry. Walked most of it in knee deep snow.

Ran up through the quarry onto the hill, now mostly walking, in single file to the trig point. Ran off the hill from the trig point to the top of the Stoneymollen, re-grouped and jogged down through Balloch and into the park. Couldn't relax on the down hill, cadence not right and wasn't looking forward to the next 3 hours and 14 miles.

Ran round Balloch Park and out onto the Whinney Hill Trail, running ok now and the trail relatively easy as the usual slippy mud hidden under firm snow, nice and smooth to run on. Good view across the Loch from the seat, large football pitch sized pieces of ice between the shore and Inchmurrin.

After Whinney Hill three left for home while the rest of us ran up through the Haldane across Auchencarroch road and into the fields and over the golf course, another one called it a day here while three of us continued up to the Pappert Well trig point via a white pink path.

Returned via the same path to the style then cut through fields to the back of Bonhill behind the bridge, an easy jog back to the club. About 4 hours 45 and it felt like it. The two Jims dug in and finished in six something showing the youngsters a thing or two. A few pictures in the Galleria.

What about the heated seats and cold beers, there was none, not for our team anyway, luckily my transfer request has been accepted. Spent the afternoon walking in Balloch Park trying to steal a sledge then more snow frolicks up the Dilli at night.

Long run Sun 3rd Jan

Set off for a later than usual Sunday run, not sure exactly where or how long. Maybe start with the 3 Parks then Whinney Hill. Reached Balloch and decided the day was too good and needed a bigger hill, Ben Lomond looked good but required return home, get car, same for Luss.

Entered Balloch park by the riverside path, ho ho, make that an ice chute, and no ho ho's just ouch as I hit the deck. Slid across to the edge of the path so that I could stand up and continued on a wee bit wary.

Ran thru the park aiming to leave via the path at the top of heart attack hill, too icy so ran up the field next to the path. I wanted some pictures of Loch and hills and before Whinney Hill ran along the Boturich road to its highest point.

Arrived back at the Whinney Hill gate needing a bigger hill for better views and decided to take in the Stoneymollen. Ran to the foot of the Stoney thru the Park and Balloch main st.

Plod up the Stony then a left before the second gate, a narrow track worn in the snow made for easy going at first, another plus was all the ditches were frozen. All went fine until the end of the trees where wind blown drifts had covered the ready made tracks and I was trying to run in foot deep snow.

This was hard work and stayed like this along the ridge line until coming off Bromley Muir where the snow got a bit deeper reaching a couple of feet with some waist deep plunges thrown in for fun, quite comfy once your in them.

Great views all round, to the North, the Luss Hills, Ben More and Stob Binnien beyond Ben Lomond, West and the Arran tops peaking out over the moors behing Greenock. East, the Campsie Fells and Mentieth Hills either side of Flanders Moss. Dumbarton Castle looking small 4 miles away to the SE.

All in about 14 miles and 2000 FOA, finished in 3 hours 6. Exhilirating to run over the hills in the snow. The increase in depth of snow as you climb or where the route is exposed to drifting snow make running so much harder, impossible in many places, good lessons to learn in the relative safety of the Vale Hills. A couple of pictures in the Galleria.

Calendar Crags

New Year and the first race is cancelled due to icy bits at the start and finish. The rest of the course was reported as good and after eating the post race hot Apple Strudle and Christmas Pies 15 or so of us set off for an easy run round.

Tip toed over the icy footprints on the lower track, the ice also gave me an excuse to take it easy on the initial steep zig zags. After a few minutes the ice gave way to snow for a delightful run in the sun under blue skies as views opened up all round.

Stopped to take some pictures at the top of the Crags then took off after the others, plenty of grip in the snow as you wind your way down through woods to a single track road. The road rolls down towards Calendar but you leave it for forest tracks back to the start, the last 100 yards a bit icy.

Finished in 38 minutes, a bit slower than race pace. A nice run to start the year.

Glen Loin Snow 20th Dec

Glen Loin run starting anti clockwise but leaving at the top of the Glen via the Bealach A Mhaim, returning back to Succouth on the path between the Cobbler and Narnain, 11 miles 3200 FOA.

Woke up to a steady snowfall and decided not to run, had breakfast and thought why not, the road was difficult until Luss then it cleared maybe because its close to the Loch. Started running about an hour later than usual, not a lot of wind, mixture of cloud, sun and blue skies.

Followed three sets of footprints for the run up Glen Loin, walking the steepest parts of the hills, a bit too icy to run in places. Alpenglow on the mountain tops but the contrast with the trees too much for the phone camera. The lower glen was quiet with little wind, breath and footsteps the only sound. Caught a glimpse of the 3 in front as I came out the trees on the approach to Corriegrogan.

The upper glen always a bit different and the wind strengthened as the track climbed, caught Santa and a couple of his elves just before the last steep climb up to the dissapearing river, walked up and had a blether and a wee slip or two in the snow before pushing on, they couldn't be tempted with a run up the Bealach.

Steady run up to the end of the track, hard work in the snow, blue skies tempting a run up Ben Ime, paused at the end of the track and lucky to look back towards a bright Ben Vane.

The climb up to the Bealach is trackless over ditches and tussocks but the ground is frozen today which helps keep my feet dry, just had to keep knocking the snow off before it melted and chilled.

Stop for a drink and a breath in the lee of the hill near the top. Didn't fancy the swamp so took a left over the fence, feet still fine and as warm as could be expected. The Cobbler grows as you approach the top.

Thankfully the cloud has closed in on the tops putting paid to any thought of a quick visit. A walker or two visible just below the cloud line on each of the three surrounding slopes.

Traverse over the Bealach trying to keep to any track that I can find, my right foot sinks in up to the knee followed by the obligatory freezing sensation. Run on nice and easy with no more freezing. Stop for a quick picture with the sun appearing behind the Cobbler.

One good aspect of the man made path is that it's well drained, still not the best conditions for a fall and take it nice and easy as the path snakes its way down past the Narnain Boulders.

The lower tracks zig zag to reduce the gradient, ok apart from some black ice, spotted the first with only minor evasive break dancing, the second takes me out, luckily no lasting damage or witness to my ungainly sprackle.

Finished what turned out to be a cracking run in 2 hours 48 and seconds, some pics in the Galleria.

PWWHSM Sun 13th Dec

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

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

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

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

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

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

PWSM Sat 5th

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

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

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

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

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

Ardgarten 29th Nov

There were 4 of us who set out on an anticlockwise Ardgarten loop, 20 miles with over 4000 FOA. Almost all on forest roads apart from a mile or so into Lochgoilhead and the last couple of miles. Conditions dry and a bit colder than recent weeks but with some sun breaking through to warm the bones as we went round.

The start is a 45 minute plod up forest tracks until you are level with the top of the R&BT then a left turn to run down towards Lochgoilhead.

Following the track behind Lochgoilhead nice views to the hills above Drumsynie.

Pleasant run down Loch Goil side until the track up & over the Dukes Pass, ran the hills and walked some of the flats, reached the top and pushed on through the undulating track to Corran Lochan.

The 7 or so miles back up Loch Long, good rolling track but not my favourite to finish a run, you can see too much distance to where you are going. Finished on 4 hours.

Arrochar Trail run

17 miles was on the schedule and after disruptive influences disappeared 17 undulating miles it was. A run from Succoth along the forest tracks to Glen Croe, and on up the old Rest and Be Thankful road. A couple of left turns at the top took us back onto forest tracks towards Ardgarten but we cut off onto the Cat Craig Loop eventually arriving at Ardgarten from the opposite side. Ran back to Succoth via the lower forest track.

Got it dry for the first couple of hours, rain getting steadily worse in the last hour. We completed the 17 miles and 3400 FOA in just over 3 1/2 hours, 15 or so minutes quicker than last year.

Balloch Park Cross Country

Annual Balloch Park Cross Country, 3 laps round the central bit of the park, about 4 1/2 or so miles. Stormy forecast but lady luck shone down on what was my 10th go in a row at this race. Dry, little wind and not many swampy bits which was a let off given the recent rain.

14 of us set out just after 10, determined not to go off too fast I soon settled into a steady plod then got slower on each lap to finish in just under 38 mins.

Before the off....

Sat 14th Nov

Afternoon run today an out and back up Beinn Dubh and along the ridge past the two corries, about 7 or so miles with 2200 FOA. Half a plan to drop down Mid Hill to the valley floor and cross over for a return down the other side of the Glen but wind on the ridge made for hard going and I took the easy option, back along the ridge.

Wind picked up with height and blew a few holes in the cloud, Conic Hill lit up in the distance....

A few minutes later and the sun shone on the Vale...

Not another soul on the hill today, unusual for these accessible hills provide a challenge and great views without too much risk.

The wind meant a changing vista, not so sunny Conic Hill...

Along the ridge a few puddles and troughs are a quick cold feet reminder to keep moving. Took it nice and easy, stopping at any sheltered spots to take in the changing views. Round the corries to the top of Mid Hill and wind now the boss with a short detour to pick up my hat before being blown back along the ridge.

Tentative descent on the sodden ground to finish in just over 2 hours.

Ardmore Sun 8th Nov

Another long run this weekend, my New Balance 913's having done a shocking 700 miles I was only running if I got new shoes. So after traipsing round 6 of Glasgow's so called sports shops on Saturday I came home armed with a pair of old model Nike Pegasus 2S's dragged out from the back of shop number 6 from the unsaleable shoe pile.

Sunday morning and bargain shoes straight out the box we set off for 15 or so miles along the Kipperoch to Cardross, down Peel Street over the railway line to the shore and a nice muddy circuit of Ardmore before the up and up undulations of the Red Road past the Black Third farm and over Stoneymollen to the Vale.

Shoes ok for my first non New Balance Road Shoes in a few years, cheapish they may have been but when you take in lunch at Tiso's, juniors two hats and a belt from Burton's and celebratory tea in Cucina's maybe they weren't so cheap after all. That said they didn't make my sair legs any mair sair and apart from being a wee bit tired new shoes have again saved the day.

TW3

A busy weekend began on Friday night and I found myself driving a 17 seater minibus from the Vale to the New Lanark Visitor Centre for a Wedding Reception. A late night luckily fuelled by Irn Bru.

Saturday's expedition was to Aviemore for the final race in the SHR Championship. The Meall a'Bhuachaille race, a new one to me, about 7 miles and 2100 FOA. Good field of over 200 runners meant no shortage of competition for all. Run on forest roads, heathery paths and some man made hard packed paths with rocky steps, rocky steps ok for walkers but not so good for runners esp downhill.

After a heathery climb got chased off the first hill by a skeleton, more heather and narrow trods to the beallach at the bottom of the second climb up MaB, joined the man made path on the way to the top. Took the heather on the way back down to the Beallach, a bit easier on the feet and faster.

Re-joined a man made path here, you just feel somehow that there's less grip, just to prove a point the guy in front scored a 10 with his attempted face plant onto the path, ouch, coming to rest a couple of inches short of one of the cross ditch boulders. At the bottom of the hill onto road/forrest road for a 1 1/2 mile gently undulating run to the finish.

Before the drive home we sat down to sandwiches and homebaking courtesy of the race organisers, Highland Hill Runners. Good race even though it was more trail than hill and good value at a fiver.

Plenty of pictures, from Action Heroes and Steve Fallon.

Don't do many road races but on Sunday set off for the annual club outing to the Half Marathon in Fort Bill, in another minibus, this time with JR at the wheel, he did really well to avoid the artic at the top of LL!

This is an out and back race, start and finish in An Aird along the road to the Isles. A few runners looking for about 1:45 which is round about 8 min mile pace. Set out to try to get them to about 10 miles on target then leave them to it.

First mile 7:40, too quick but better than the usual 6:40! Relaxed for the second mile but still clicked by in 7 mins, oops, eased back and 8:20 for the third before settling to 8 min miles give or take a few secs.

Turned in just under 53 mins keeping nice and relaxed until 9 miles, then had to work a bit harder to maintain the pace, making a conscious effort to keep on target until 12 miles, somehow the last mile felt easier with a slippy run thru the shinty park to finish in 1:44:50.

The crux of the race is the minibus back home, coolbags to empty of beer, a fish suppper at Tyndrum and a Dram at the Drovers.

Ben Lomond Sun 25th

Forecast was for a weather window Sun am where the winds would subside & rain ease, ha. Left Rowardennan car park just after 8:30 light showers and a wee bit windy, 3 of us, the other 2 were 1st time Munroers.

Started off at a quick pace to get the blood flowing and warm up. Soon settled back into a steady pace taking the steeper bits nice and easy. Once clear of the forest very little shelter from the wind made for a noisy run.

Stuck to the tourist path on the way up, it would have been a bit cruel to go off into the softer stuff.

From the halfway plateau the wind really kicked in, ok as it was pretty constant rather than big gusts. Ran easy across the plateau to the last big climb onto the summit ridge. By now the wind was a bit stronger but still manageable, ran along the summit ridge and climbed up the last steep slope before grabbing onto the trig point for a few seconds.

My companions faces a picture as they moved Sloth like across the summit trying to make out they were part of the ground.

Steady jog down, took it nice and slow at the corners and rocky parts, pleasant run once off the summit cone, stayed on the tourist path all the way down.

Good run apart from some stinging rain on the way up, it took us 90 mins up and 53 or so down, 2 hrs 23 all in, home for lunch.

Glen Loin Sun 18th Oct

Longest run since the 20 miler at the end of August. This week turned out to be a 16 mile 3000 FOA run from Ardgarten via the high track to Glen Loin, a clockwise loop round Glen Loin then back to Ardgarten via the low track.

Low cloud, not too much wind, but persistent rain, however, managed to stay reasonably warm until the last couple of miles. Steady pace round and we all managed to run the hills including the fun 1000 feet in four miles from Succouth to the Glen Loin ford / turning point.

All in 3 hours 22 mins and passed a few other walkers and runners out in the dreich conditions.

Piperdam Oct 09

Mon to Fri spent at Piperdam in one of the Vegas Exec lodges, managed a couple of runs on the surrounding hills, plenty of interesting wildlife, Rabbits, Pheasants (hunners), loads of Duck, a Heron, a Deer and 2 Rainbow Trout, but thats another story.

Facilities first class even though we had to meddle with the heating, lucky it was a mild week. The lodge has a Snooker Table along with a Sauna and Hot Tub, used the Snooker Table.

Managed a game of golf on the Piperdam course between Budweisers and the odd Tequila! A nice get away from it all break with no contact with the outside world. A few pictures from Thursdays run in the Galleria.

Manor Water Sat 10th Oct

First go at this race a 10 mile 2200 FOA out and back run through the rolling Borders Hills. The race is combined with a sheepdog trial and was set up by a farmer keen on fell running. The start is a few miles from Peebles.

Arrived in plenty of time driving over familiar territory from family fishing trips 30 odd years ago. Turned off the main road between the remains of a railway bridge before crossing a hump back bridge over the Tweed. The fishermens cars clogging the narrow road.

Sharing the day with the sheepdog trial meant better facilities than your average hill race, registration was in a horse box, a Marquee set up with tables and food, toilets.

Waiting for the race to start and stood in the Autumn sunshine watching the Sheepdogs working hard to pen their flock.

The race is gently undulating and starts at Woodhouse farm, up through a couple of fields and onto the John Buchan Way, then a left turn to pick up a Landrover track ascending Whiteknowe and Whitelaw hills. a short down & up through Dead Wifes Grave, traverse over and round Hunt & Breach Law's before the stagger up the Scrape, you had to call out your number to the marshall at the top, got mine wrong!

Reached the top of the scrape on the hour, turned for the mostly downhill run back, running off the Scrape was ok, passing the runners behind and catching the runner in front, then he passed me on the next uphill and I couldn't catch him again. Struggled to lift the pace from then on, perhaps feeling the previous weeks races and reps, still it was a beautiful sunny day, easy terrain, a delight to run.

Bottle of the sponsors, Broughton Brewery, Greenmantle Ale to all finishers and quite tasty it is.

This race is the first of a weekend double the Pentland Skyline the other a 16 mile 6000 FOA trek, not this year, but I'll def be back to give this race a go with better preparation and then maybe the Sunday PS. Finished 60th of 86 in 1 hour 40 mins.

Horseshoe Race Sun 4th Oct

It was always going to be a hard one after yesterday's Ben Venue race but looked out the curtains to a sunny blue sky day. First off at 10 then watched and waited until my start. Set off along the main streeet towards Balloch, not too fast, felt ok.

The first climb starts in the middle of Balloch and undulates upwards for about 2 miles up onto the Horseshoe at Ballagan. The next couple of miles are almost flat then a gentle descent followed by a short steep climb up to the Tee junction and turn for home. A runner passed me near the top of the climb and then it felt like I was going backwards for the next mile or so. Only after the highest point on the route did I get any drive back into my legs.

The next couple of miles have some steep downhill parts before returning into the Vale at the bottom of Auchencarroch road, a mile or so to go and with my first look at the watch realised I had 8 1/2 mins if I was to sneak under 80 minutes, no chance, tried to push it but still ended up over 81 minutes.

Tea and biscuits to finish in the sun, photos here, as usual we runners get the best of the day.

Bella Ben Venue

Sat 3rd Oct and a new race starting off the road to Loch Katrine running up Gleann Riabhach on forrest roads and paths. Once out the forrest the route was to run up the shoulder of Ben Venue then along the ridge over its two tops, drop down to a Beallach then back up onto Creag a' Bhealach before plunging back down into the forrest for a roller coaster run back to the start.

That was the plan, the weather had other ideas, Mountain Rescue advised they couldn't stand up on the ridge and the race was cut back from 8 miles/3000 FOA to an out and back to the Beallach, 6 1/2 miles & 1800 FOA. It was no more than breezy at the start & off we went.

The first 2 1/2 miles through the forrest climbing about 1100' but runnable. Once out the forrest the fun started, the Ben Venue hill walkers route is a bit of a swamp on a good day and with 600' of ascent in under 3/4 of a mile hard work all the way.

As we turned the corner approaching the turning point the wind hit, running hard with no forward movement, knocked sideways then backwards, maybe the MR team got it right! Clawed my way to the cairn in 46 mins and turned for home, good fun with the wind at your back.

The run down to the forrest was fast but tricky through the bogs with some steep rocky sections to test your brakes, took a few plunges into gunky brown muck but only one fall crossing a stream.

Back into the forrest on rubber legs after the hard descent off the hill, lean forward and give it a go, a few streams to jump and the odd short sharp uphill to break your rhythm. 26 minute descent to finish in 47th place.

Tea, coffee, sandwiches and loads of cakes after, another reason Hill Runners do it with a smile, super race which the Bella H say will be run again next year, hopefully the full route.

Results, pictures and more pictures.

SHR Write up.