Beinn Eich

After a couple of 4 milers I was enticed back out today for a run up Beinn Eich at the top of Glen Luss. Apprehensive at my hardest run for a couple of months, we set off just before lunch time, the parking space at the top of the glen was taken so drove back to the bottom and started from there. Jogged up the glen taking in views of the surrounding tops dusted with snow. Left the road just before Edentaggart farm, feet soaking straight away through the swampy ground. The ground got firmer as we climbed, then the first squall hit, a mixture of hail and sleet, jacket on and we plodded up into a bit of a gale. The slope starts to ease about 2/3 of the way up and the snow got a bit thicker, the wind stronger, another squall, getting very cold now with the slow pace and the wind chill, so on with wooly hat and ski mitts to try and stay comfortable. Met some walkers on their way down muttering something about very windy at the top, and so it was, I tried to run the last few yards, going sideways rather than forwards, walked to the trig, a couple of pictures and offski running down through the snow. Good run down the snowy slopes at the top then a bit slippy towards the bottom. The usual trudge back down the road. We finished the 8 miles and 2700 of ascent in just over 2 1/2 hours. A few more pictures here.

Balloch Park Cross Country

Good turnout for the last race in the Millies 25th Anniversary Championship, 3 laps of Balloch Park, great conditions for the run, cool, no wind and nice and soft underfoot. 25 set off just after 10. Started out in 8th place for the first lap and a half then dropped to 9th and stayed there till the end finishing in 39:49. Millie breakfast of soup and mulled wine after.

Ben Lomond Sun 6th Nov

Weather angel set to good so no time to give in to the can't be bothered bug, the autumnal sunshine promised to continue into Sunday and I set off with stiffening legs after the DD to Ben Lomond. Cold and misty at sea level I started out nice n easy through the woods running where I could, this would be my last hill run for a few weeks. Leaving the woods behind I climbed past the conifer remnants through the gates onto the hill and into the sunshine. Passed a few walkers as I came up out of the cloud everyone taking a break to take in the views. I continued up Sron Aonach dripping with sweat in the sun, broke into an easy jog winding my way along the plateau path towards the summit dome stopping every so often to check out the surrounding hills like islands in sea's of cloud. A chill wind now meant on with jacket hat and gloves so that I could continue my slow jog along the track. Only one other person ahead on the hill and he was coming down. The trail kicks up towards the summit dome, the last time I ran almost the whole upper section, and most of the summit ridge as well, today was to be an easy day walking the steep parts and running the rest just fast enough to stay warm. Jogging again as I turned along the top of the summit ridge stunning views, mountains for miles over valley's of clouds. I stayed a few minutes on the summit, spinning round trying to take it all in, a few photos later and I had to leave as I was cooling down rapidly. Running down I met more and more walkers on their way up, is it far? What's the view like? Running off Sron Aonach lots of walkers sitting about having popped up out the cloud, I stopped for a last look then plunged back into the mist.

Dumyat Dash

Race start and finish, in Menstrie Park, with Dumyat behind.

83 runners set off, misty start but we soon broke into the sun as we climbed about half way up Myreton Hill on the mostly runnable zig zag farm track, I jog walk. The gradient eases as we contour round over the first two Inchna Burns. A sharp left turn and we plunge down steep grassy hillside to cross the 3rd Inchna Burn, slippy bridge or cold stream, I opt for the stream. A few yards further and we cross the Menstrie Burn, this bridge is even worse but I manage to rock hop across using the bridge as a hand rail. A climb up the rear of Dumyat folllows, apart from the first and last parts pretty much runnable, I jog walk, the leaders passing on their way back encourage a bit of effort. Reach the top of Dumyat in 51 minutes, round the cairn and back down to cross over Menstrie and 3rd Inchna burns before running down the glen on a narrow track beside the Menstrie Burn. Re-join the farm track just above the zig zags for a downhill run to the finish in just over 77 minutes. The mist had ceared by the time we finished. The race offers much for a small race, trail, hill and cross country running, very friendly, low key with tea n cakes after £5 entry and you get a £5 Sweatshop voucher.  I'll try this one again, 5 1/2 miles and 1800' of ascent, a bit of an effort should get me closer to 70 minutes as long as I make better use of some of the short cuts on the zig zags.

Dumgoyne Run, Loch Lomondside Sunday Cycle

Saturday forecast was drizzle and winds, witht he wind gaining strength with height so I decided to stay low with a run over Dumgoyne to the Earls Seat, 7 miles and 2200' of ascent. The first mile a near 1400' climb up Dumgoyne followed by a steep 300' drop off the back. After a steady 600' climb in the next mile the path undulates on for another mile and a half to the Trig Point at the Earls Seat, the highest point just under 1900'. Driving cross wind makes it difficult to run, breathe and keep your balance all at the same time. Low cloud so no views today just concentration on foot placement and trying to move forward. We turned for home, the odd wee bit of shelter but no real respite from the wind. Passed a few walkers on the drop down to the fields behind Dumgoyne thankful we had finished for the day. Sunday and a cycle to Tarbet and back about 36 miles. On the way out we kept to the Loch Lomondside road reaching Tarbet in just over an hour. On the way back we kept to the cycle path to Luss then back on to the road for the last few miles, pleased to finish my longest cycle to date in just over 2 1/2 hours.

10 Mile Handicap

19 Runners took part in the annual Milburn Harriers run round the Hoseshoe. Run as a handicap, an undulating 10.4 miles, my time was set at 78 minutes, I hoped for 76. Set off along the main street through the Vale, 1st mile too fast as usual then settled into a steady pace over the next 3 miles with the wind at my back. Just before half way the runner in front came into view, someone to catch at last although I was through Blairquhomrie before I caught him. I managed to pick off another 4 by the finish. Getting caught by a runner from behind with about 2 miles to go got the concentration going again. Finished in 77:16. Good day for running, sunny but not too hot, breezy on the way back.

Pentland Skyline

Looking back to the outward leg once the clouds had lifted

The trail ahead

Record 185 finishers in todays race, turned out to be a tough 16 miles and 6000' of ascent, into a strong wind which threatened to knock us off our feet for the first half. Set off at 11 in misty blustery conditions, a problem with my achilles meant a bit of a hobble for the first few descents. Got to Scald Law, hill 6 of 16 and loosened the shoes which seemed to sort the problem. Battered by a head on wind until I arrived at the drove road in 2 hours 8, between hills 9 and 10. The clouds lifted for the return leg which is a bit rougher, more heather bashing, less trails, kept a steady pace, running the less severe climbs. For a change I mananged to pick off runners on the ascents, only one overtook me on the way back, made up for losing time on the early descents. The Milburn name reaches many places with some benefits, got a shout of Jim Robertson, Milburn Harriers, and a welcome jelly baby from the last checkpoint marshall. Worked hard today for my 3 hours 57. A few photos here more pictures here, I feature on No 142.

Ben Venue

Run for a mug, the last race in this years SHR Champs, 7 1/2 miles with 3000 feet of up and down. Lots of runners today, warm and wet, forecast was to clear but didn't happen. Same course as last year with an extra bit, finishing at the end of the track as it enters the BV car park, a steep tricky muddy finish.

Off we went at  1 o'clock, ran most of the forest tracks reaching the bottom of the hill in 29 mins, into walk mode into the  mist up Ben Venue's steep Southish ridge, a series of upward undulations, even managed to pass a few folk. Reached a murky summit in about 55 mins.

Super ridge run follows, rocky at first dropping down to Bealach na h-Imriche, hill runners certainly are. Follow the fenceline, the marshalls suggested, taking a different line from last years off ridge path we gradually worked our way up to the 3rd checkpoint crossing a number of swamps and streams.

Its more or less downhill from here, steep trackless descent towards the forest, a bit of fun falling, bumsliding, cursing, blame the shoes, lose a few places, get running again over ferns, through the deer fence and grab them back before we hit the forest tracks.

Steady running, not too fast as its about three miles to the finish, I let go on the steeper sections, working hard on the last few uphills, all too soon I reach the bridge over the Achray Water river in spate, not quite Musi o Tunya but still impresssive. Reach the end of the short road section in 1:45 and some, within a few seconds of my finish time last year, undulating extra bit to the finish and the guy behind overtakes on the first up and moves ahead, I try to catch him on the downhill stretch to the finish, close to within a couple of feet but the paths too narrow and twisty to get past, can't make the last turn and slide through the finish funnel tape on my back stopping my watch just under 1 hour 50.

Bella Road Runners put on a good show with juice, tea, sandwiches and cake at the finish, Loch Achray washes most of the mud off.

Mamores

Saturday's run was one to be enjoyed, forecast for cloud, some showers, but maybe the cloud would lift in the afternoon. My route was Mullach Nan Coirean, Stob ban plus the Ring of Steall. This undulates over 6 munros plus four other minor tops, one unanmed top between the Mullach and Stob B, Stob Choire a Mhail, Sgurr an lubhair and An Garbhanach. 15 miles and close on 8000' of ascent.

I left Achriabach at 9:30 on the track beside Alt a Choire Dheirg. Last time I struck up through Fir then Silver Birch trees to the Mullachs NE Ridge, this time I kept to the track and as I left the the trees behind the track turned uphill, same climb but much easier. Stopped for a chat with some walkers on the approach to the Mullachs summit. Here's a link to their photos, they took in 4 Munros and two tops, their pictures are taken with a real camera!

No need to stop on the misty Mullach and ran towards Stob Ban, startled by a Ptarmigan, my phone camera failing to capture the fine specimen. Back into the mist on the climb up Stob Ban, no need to stop here either, the run off a steep rocky track twisting along the ridge. Easy running along towards Sgurr a Mhaim until the final climb up a stalkers path to the ridge. Pick my way along the ridge through the first notch with no problem, couldn't figure my way through the rock slab at the second notch so eventually took a slight diversion off the ridge down grassy slopes under the edge of a large rock. Getting cold so worked hard up the short climb up to Sgurr a Mhaim, another misty summit. About turn for the return over the ridge, concious that I was cold pushed on and covered the ridge about 12 minutes quicker than the way out.

New territory from here to An Gearanach so frequent stops to pick out the route through gaps in the clouds, navigation pretty easy, good tracks most of the way. soon over SAL running the ridge towards Am Bodach, a stiffer rocky climb, stopped for some food on the way up in the lee of the hill and had a look at the map, the way off seemed to be down a steep NE ridge, turned out a bit of a scramble and picked my way down past a group of upwardly mobile walkers.

The cloud now lifting slightly for views of the homeward ridge, a rocky knoll then Stob Coire a Chairn, minor top An Garbahanach and the last hurrah up An Gearanach, a few squeaky steps along this rocky ridge, careful to check out each part as there are two or three small tracks at each summit, some more exposed than others. All down hill from here, a steep track coming into the glen beside Steall falls, a wade across the water of Nevis and run down the gorge path then road back to Achriabach, finishing in about 7 hours.

Timings that I can remember, 1:30 to summit of the Mullach, 2:15 to the summit of Stob Ban, 2:53 to the start of the Devils ridge, 37 mins out 25 back, lost track after that, reached the summit of An Gearanach in 5:40, 40 minutes to the glen, 30 or 40 mins from there back to Achriabach. Some hazy pictures from my phone camera.

Merrick Hill Race

One of my favourite races, usually a 9 mile mini round, route change this year to an out and back as the coos had trampled the the Buchan hillside to death with lots of unseen hoofprints to catch the unwary. Improving forecast all week for a typical Merrick day, sunny with a cool breeze. We start with the usual 20 yard dash then into walk mode as we all bunch up the Fell of Eschoncan, 800' in 1/3 of a mile, its a bit of a squidgy sheep track from half way up and onto the top. We spread out pretty quickly running a series of undulations, first towards then up and over Benan, along Coarse Craig and up Ben Yellary dropping down the Neive of the Spit before the runnable climb up Merrick, the leaders flying past on their way back. I reach the top of Merrick in the usual 73 minutes. A quick picture looking out to Ailsa Craig then off down the hill.

Theres a few in front to catch and pass two just before the climb back up Ben Yellary means I have to keep running to the top, luckily its only a couple of hundred feet. Picked my route down BY on the way out, works well bypassing the rocks. Closing a few in front but not quickly and eased back for a boulder hopping run over and round Benan's ankle trashing slopes. Managed a few overtaking moves on the run down to FoE good squidgy undualting fun, gasped up the last 100' of climb. Last hurrah down 800' of muddy tussocks slowed me down, a few slips, trips and falls on tired legs before a final brakes off plunge down the grassy trod. Finished just inside 2 hours for the first time in 8 years of trying, and it took a route change to get me there. Super wee low key race, an apple and a jacuzzi stream bath to finish. A few more pictures from the day here and here and here. Merrick was also my "centenary" race on Scottish Hill Racing .

Ben Lomond

Saturday morning turned out a bit damp but not as windy as forecast and reasonably warm. We set off for a run up the Ben. The aim was to run as much as possible instead of accepting the usual jog walk. With this in mind we took the lower slopes nice n steady and managed to run, apart from some of the rocky sections to what is now the third gate. A bit steeper here and walked the first 1/3 or so then ran the middle section before using the excuse of too many rocks to run safely. Began to run again as the path started to level off and had a good run along the plateau picking up pace as the legs recovered. Towards the end of the plateau the path switches left and right and gets a bit lumpy, hard work but kept running. Soon we were on to the steep climb to the summit ridge, walked up the initial steps then managed to get the legs into run mode and pushed hard up and round the corner onto the ridge, gasped my way along the ridge through the rocky outcrops and a final push up to the trig point. Reached the top in 72 mins so only a few minutes slower than race pace. Held onto the trig point for a few minutes until the HR dropped and after a chat with a couple of American walkers set off down the Ptarmigan ridge. The first half is steep and tricky down a rocky path through a series of steep drops, the softer grass and moss to the side too slippy to run down today. Eventually came out the cloud at about 1500' and Loch Lomond came into view. Took our time on the way down and finished in about 2 hours 20.

Ben Nevis

Seems like an age since I was lucky enough in Feb to secure an entry for the race up and down the Ben. Arrived on Friday evening for a weekend based at Glen Nevis campsite. An electric pitch this year so two heaters, electric fridge, phone chargers, hair straightners (not mine) and power supply for the laptop, oh dear.

Damp Friday night and Saturday am, drizzly as race time approached with low winds, good for running. One o'clock we start with a charge round Laggan Park and onto the road to the Nevis path, kept the heart rate under control for a change, making steady progress past Heart Attack hill and up the shortcut at Eddies Bench. Hopefully smiled for the photo at the metal bridge, round a not so windy corner and onto the cross country route to the Red Burn, arriving in 55 mins feeling fine although a couple of minutes slower than last year.

The upper half and things steepen up a bit, grassy bit first then onto rock and scree, held my place, even a couple of short bursts of energy where I went past one or two. Over some boulders and the gradient eases, felt good, pushed on, running past several others while dodging the front runners coming back, working hard but feel fine the easy pace at the start paying off arriving at the top in 1:45, 5 minutes quicker than last year.

Gloves on for the descent, passing people straight away, ouch, sore on the feet at the top. Starts to get steep, then steeper, difficult to overtake safely, rocks flying everywhere, picked up a nice? track closer to the Red Burn than usual and soon onto muddy slopes just above the grassy bank.

The grassy bank's a tough section for everyone, stop moaning and just get on with it, go to the left of the trail and manage to stay on my feet a bit more, slightly better grip but people I worked hard to pass on the rocky slopes coming past, slide the last 15 feet into the burn.

Back to the tourist path with its slippy gritty rocks, great, charge, behave, stay upright, it'll be a sore one if you fall. Aware of those just in front and behind, a bit stop start overtaking when I can dodging the walkers and their dogs. Scramble down the first shortcut ok, the second a poor choice as couple of hard won places are lost.

Easier going now, most of the rocks can be jumped, gradually gain back a couple of places and push on for the end of the trail, good to hear a shout from Chris for the Millies, reached the road in 2:29. Tried to chase the guys in front, picked a couple off then spied a Welsh runner closing fast he catches me on the run round the games field. Finished in 2:38:11, best for 4 years, felt better than usual at the end, lost a bit of time on the grassy bank and a minute or so on a poor choice of shortcut, so room for improvement.

Link to lots of pictures and video here.

Dumgoyne

 Back to Dumgoyne, set off from beside the distillery, aim was to run a bit further up the hill than last time, took it easy on the run up the field, once over the styles I didn't look up, just concetrated my gaze a couple of feet in front and kept my breathing under control, a wee bit further this time and managed to reach the top of the grassy stretch then jog walked to the top, 1/2 a minute quicker than last time.

The main gulley looked good for a run but when I got into it the scree didn't flow and ended up walking more than running, slower than the smaller chutes and a longer traverse back round from the bottom.

 

View towards Glasgow from the bottom of the chute

Back on track for the undulating run to the Earls seat, worked hard at taking the climbs nice n steady and managed to run all the way arrived at the trig in 66 mins. Stopped for a drink and a picture of the cloud lying in the Corrie of Balglass.

Turned for the run back, jacket on in the misty rain, only a few short ups and managed to run them all, finished in 1 hour 45.

Lomonds of Fife

Three of us set off for the Kingdom to try the new route for this medium hill race. The old route was 11 miles and 3400' of ascent. The new one 10 miles and 2500'. The map showed the race used some of the old route, missing out the initial climb of W Lomond and the East West traverse was changed from a landrover track to a sheep track. A different start / finish and a visit to the Bannet Stane.

Bannet Stane with the bumslide behind.

Blue skies and a cool breeze as we set off up the path onto forest trails and roads winding our way up to the monument, tried to keep a steady pace without going into oxygen debt. Over the deerfence, through the firebreaks to the trail out to East Lomond. Running faster as I recovered along the flattish track before a short sharp climb up to EL summit. We returned along the same track back to the road crossing/water station at Craigmead. A short uphill then across flat moorland to Maiden Castle. Eased back along the rough undulating sheep track towards W Lomond where a rocky gulley took us up from old quarry workings towards WL, a couple more short climbs and then helter skelter down towards the bumslide. Passed 5 runners sitting down, escaped with only minor abraisions and ran past the medics waiting at the bottom to the Bannet Stane. Short cruel climb back up WL on the old route start track, thankfully soon up to the final checkpoint and the descending traverse back to the forest. Heat kicked in and I took it nice and steady, back into the trees and much cooler and I could up the effort level for the last few minutes. Finished in about 2:09. Post race Teas in the Strathmiglo Hall before the drive home. A good day out.

5 Mile Handicap

The Millies Grand Prix continued tonight with event No 9 the 5 miler roon the Vale. Handicap start gives you someone to chase or be chased by or both. Tried to catch the two guys in front within the first half mile, nearly got to the first one then had to ease back or implode. Kept it steady round the cycle path and onto the Jamestown road, slowly recovered and as we entered Jamestown managed to catch the nearest runner. Faster runners started to catch and pass me on the run up towards Tullie. Then I caught another few on the run along towards Christie Park and along Middelton St taking a final scalp with a bit of effort 20 yards from the finish. 20 Runners finished, handicaps worked well as most of us were within 3 or 4 minutes. Finished in 34 mins 10, which is 7 min 20 pace for the 4.75 miles.

Luss horseshoe

Didn't plan to run today but we ended up in Luss for a 9 mile 3600' route, ascent via Beinn Dubh, descending down Mid Hill into the top of Glen Luss, a short steep climb on the other side of the Glen up Coille-eughain Hill returning to the mouth of the Glen by the Paps.

Quickish ascent of Beinn Dubh at 46 mins, then a jog round the 2 corries and easy run down Mid Hill reaching the glen in 90 mins. The steep climb up CE Hill went well and felt easier than usual before a run down the grassy Paps into the mess of a forest at Auchengavin. Out for 2 hours 42 in a mixed morning, just about right for running, cloud, mist and sun all having a wee shot.

View from descent of Mid Hill.

Earls Seat in the clouds

Short run today, 7 miles with 2500' of ascent. Starting beside the Glengoyne Distillery, ran up through the fields onto the steep climb up Dumgoyne Hill, reached the top in just over 25 mins, 1 minute quicker than last time. Dumgoyne summit was sitting just under the cloudbase, the rest of the route in cloud. Over the back and a nice scree run on the way down. Didn't try the main scree chute it looked a bit rocky.

 

 After Dumgoyne an nice run along undulating grassy slopes past a couple of cairns to the trig point. Reached the first cairn in another 20 mins then the trig in 20 more. A short stop at the trig point to empty the scree from my shoes then easy running back along the undualting ridge to finish in 1 hour 41.

PWWHSM

Afternoon run round the Vale in the rain, reached Pappert Well in 38 mins, Whinney Hill 1 hour 51, wheels fell off a bit after that and reached Stoneymollan Trig point in 3 hours 10, finishing in 3 hours 41. Most off road paths were streams with some interesting ones to jump and wade.

Trek 7.2FX

Recently acquired a new bike and for the past few weeks have been trying out the local roads and cycle trails, yesterday had my first summersault just off Cycle Route 7, tried to corner too fast in the wet, brake, skid, release brake, summersault, head butt verge, assaulted by a bramble, a few scratches, slight twist to the front derailleur as the chain now clicks against it in 2 7 and 2 8, oh and dented pride.

Lossiemouth 2011

Annual trip to Silver Sands, Covesea, Lossie, relaxed beach and cliff top runs every couple of days, took in the local sights, Shells, Jellyfish, Sea Potato Test complete with occupant and fur! Not so many jets this year but some tight turns and night flights helped to compensate. Managed a few swims in the Moray Firth as well. A couple of games of Golf, 18 holes at Hopeman and 27 hoels at the re-opened Covesea 9 hole links course at the end of the beach. Camp site still in administration it would be a shame if it closes as there are few other sites with the location, space and easy going approach.