Ardgarten Sat 20th Feb

Back for another run round the loop, Ardgarten, Lochgoilhead and back to Ardgarten via the Dukes Pass. All on forest tracks apart from a mile or so in the middle and a couple at the end.

Beautiful day for a run, we drove alongside a glassy Loch Lomond, across the Loch the Ben cryin out for a run, past the Luss hills positively screaming at us to visit, the snow capped Arrochar Alps gleaming I dare you in the morning sun.

Not for us!

Set off anti clockwise raising a pech and a pant before long on the run up the rest. A wee walk then the long jog down the glen to the road and on the run into Lochgoilhead the sun finally reaching us over the hill for some warmth.

Took a walk up behind Lochgoilhead stunning views across the loch to Cruach Nam Miseag and others bringing back memories of my only 2 day Mountain Marathon aged 15, 30 odd years ago, the last peak being the Steeple behind Lochgoilhead, guess which team went up the wrong of the Steeples twin peaks. After a quick visit to the correct top and a manic descent we were second by about 5 minutes over two days.

No second prizes today, we crossed the peninsula via the cycle track and arrived at the Lochan in 2 hours 45, a steady jog brought us all back to Ardgarten in under 4 hours. A good effort with superb views all morning.

Carnethy 5 Sat 13th Feb

Carnethy Hill on the right, Charlies Loop on the left, two features of the Carnethy 5, this year was the 40th presentation and runners got a mug as a momento. 6 miles and 2500 FOA over five hills, good as it gets underfoot with low temps keeping the bog bogless and most of the rest of the course firm. Only problem was on steep sections of up or down whith frozen ground giving less grip.

Took it steady this year working hard up each hill without blowing a gasket and taking the descents a bit easier, at least off the tops until I could find softer ground adjacent to the paths or as the gradient eased lower down.

Once up Scald Law the race takes us a nice run over South Black Hill and the Kips before a big drop to the Howe and the climb up Carnethy. The final drop off Carnethy through snow and scree makes for a quick descent.
A last push across the bogless bog to finish just under 1 hour 17 mins.

Beinglas to Inversnaid Sat 6th Feb

Ultramillies were running from Drymen to Beinglas so I drove to Beinglas and ran to meet them and a run back to Beinglas. Started out with a wee diversion, 25 minutes or so to take some pictures of the falls.

Dropped back onto the WHW for a nice easy run to Inversnaid arriving in about 1:50, ran past for 5 or so minutes till I met the first of the UM's, turned and ran back to Inversnaid where we waited a few minutes for the rest. All ok but with a variety of demeanours. A few minutes rest and we all set off at an easy pace back towards Beinglas.

Textured treestump at Rob Roy's Cave.


Arriving back just after 3 walked through the field to the Drovers for a pint and a bowl of soup. 4 hours 25 mins for 14 miles and 2500 FOA, the others were about 7 hours.

Garadhban to Cashel Sun 31st

11 of us and Millie set off for an out and back run along the WHW, about 16 miles and 3500 FOA including Conic Hill twice. Some of us were saddled with a few aches and pains from yesterdays efforts.

Clear blue sky and sunny, but the still air freezing cold as we ran through the shade of the forest towards Conic kept us moving, you could taste a freshness in the air. Once out of the trees there was a little welcome heat from the sun. The views opening up over Loch Lomond a hint of what was in store.

By now we had split into a few smaller groups as we settled into an easy pace to tackle Conic Hill. The frozen track made for a slow careful climb.

The views from the top made up for the bitter wind streaming through us.

The run off Conic a pleasure as usual with an easy jog down through the forest. Moving fast enough to keep warm we ran over pudding rock and along a few undulations past Milarrochy bay and some happy winter campers to our turning point at Cashel.

Jogged along the straight and back for a few minutes to re-group then set off at a nice steady pace for Garadhban. We soon met up with the next group who were only a few minutes behind, the rest had turned back earlier and we wouldn't meet them until we finished.

The route was busy now, with walkers and quite a few runners, most seemed to be training for the Fling and WHW races in April and June.

We struggled to keep pace with some canoists hugging the waters edge as we ran through the woods on the approach to pudding rock, missing the turn off as we watched them paddling along in the bright sun, doubled back, we couldn't be seen to miss a hill. A quick up and down and then we were soon trudging back up Conic where we took a slight detour to go over the top. Paused for a couple of minutes to take in the views and some photos.

We picked our way down the icy track off Conic hill and filled our water bottles in the freezing stream for the last few miles, the water only slightly coloured. Started to cool down on the way back through the forest. An exhilirating run in superb winter condititions finishing in 4 hours 53. A few pictures in the Galleria.

Whinney Hill Sat 30th

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

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

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

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

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.