Luss Hill Run

Navigation run today, the plan was to start up Beinn Eich at the top of Glen Luss then go a new route anticlockwise via Cruach an t-Sidhein, Beinn a' Mhanach, Beinn Chaorach and Tharsuin overlooking Glen Fruin dropping back into Glen Luss off Coille Eughain Hill. Parked at the top of the Glen and set off into low cloud finally popping out the cloud near the top of Beinn Eich.

Ran along the ridge down into the cloud contouring to the left of Beinn Lochain to save some energy. As I reached what I thought was Creag Tharsuinn before the next climb the sound of gunfire from the MOD range encouraged a change from the planned route which skirts the range. Didn't fancy missing a turning in the cloud and running into some wargames. Sat down for 10 minutes to see if the cloud was going to clear, no change so about turn and climbed up to the top of what I hoped was Beinn Lochain, soon back above the cloud and pleased to be where I thought. Continued my run round to Doune Hill then dropped into Sith Mor and the stiff climb to the top of Mid Hill, by then the cloud had gone leaving a hazy sunshine. I would probably have been ok but I'll leave that run for another day. Finished the 9 miles and 4000' in just under 4 hours. Some more pictures here.

Stoneymollan

My first run for a while round the Stoney in cool spring sunshine, I turned off the road and the quiet soon shattered by motorcylists scrambling round tracks in the woods. Left them behind and the only sound my laboured breathing, good to get out again moving over rough ground just fast enough to stay warm. Jogged my way round the reservoir and soon going up past the quarry, managed to keep going til the top and a nice view down the Clyde.

Followed the trail to the trig point where I stopped again, not for long in the chilly breeze. Easy run down  to the top of the Stoney passing masses of fallen conifers almost reaching the path. Down the Stoney and along the bypass returning home via Christie Park. Out for an hour and a half.

Conic Hill Race

Turned our for the Conic Hill Race last week. Local race with a sensible start time, 11:00 am. 5k and with 1000' of ascent a nice wee race, after a short section of forest track into walk mode up the steep steps about a third of the way up then onto the open hill up Conic's lumpy spine. A few false summits and we were at the top. About turn and drop onto the WHW path running back down, leaving the path running straight on just before we were to meet the outward route. We ran down a narrow spur before dropping steeply towards some woods, across a fence onto a narrow path for as short up and down a root covered path to finish just inside 39 mins. Results here, lots of pictures here, and here.

Riveting runs

Glen Loin was the chosen punishment on Saturday, forecasts varied from breezy and sunny to gales and blizzards, we got a bit of both. Left the car park at the usual 8:40 for an anticlockwise run round the Glen, the first few miles pleasant enough in the sheltered lower Glen with blue skies and bright sunshine, the numerous toads and associated spawn suggesting Spring isn't far away.

All change once we left the forest for the short section of road at Coiregrogain the wind picked up and shrouded the surrounding tops, heads bowed to avoid the driving snow in our faces as we struggled forwards. A slight respite once we crossed the bridge, Ben Vanes lower slopes affording some shelter. Into the upper glen and the skies cleared but we were back into the teeth of a cutting wind.

 The run back down the other side of the glen pleasantly sheltered through the trees. We cut off the last corner running down through the trees looking for signs of the Glen Loin caves. 11 miles and 2200' in 2 hours 15. A few more pictures here including an underwater action shot.

Sunday was a fine morning and I had a chance for a run over Stoneymollan, we found a "new" trig point overlooking Dumbarton.

Ran past the quarry on to the hill running the reverse of the club race route back down to the Vale. Stunning views over loch and snow capped mountains.

It was such a nice day we continued to Balloch Park and a run up Whinney Hill, the trail newly cleared of fallen trees. Plenty of walkers out including a few who were lost and not really dressed for the frozen mud.

By the time we started back towards the park I was struggling from the weekends efforts and gave up on the idea of a jog up to Pappert Well. Finished the 14 miles and 2100' in 3 hours 10.

Cool Carnethy

Usual preamble to the C5 race, arrive at Beeslack School, don't get changed too quick or before you know it you are in a field for a cool air quench. So I register, pick up my SHR Mug and 2012 SHR membership, vouchers, leaflets, race entry forms and then browse round the shops, Pete Bland, TISO and Run For It, buy a Carnethy Buff, then its time to change. We arrived at the field in good time, about half one, for an easy warm up before sheltering beside the tea tent until the last minute.

Away we went across the bogs just after two, near frozen ground made for good going with the odd icy patch to keep you on your toes. Steady run to the top of Scald Law in 23 1/2 minutes, the next three hills, South Black and the Kips relatively short, running steady no heroics today. Still managed to overtake a few on the run down to the Howe as a lot of runner s took it easy on the frozen turf, new shoes supplying the necessary confidence. On the way along to Carnethy I had a look around to see who I was running with and picked a few targets. Put in a decent effort on the upper slopes to the top of Carnethy and kept it going all the way down the steep heathery slopes then eased back for a nice steady run across the bogs to finish just inside 84 minutes.

Post race cuppa before catching the bus back to Beeslack for a hot shower and a school dinner. Plenty of photographers out on the course, photos here, here.

Sunday recovery and an easy afternoon run round the club Stoneymollan race route, nice to get out on the hills again, good views to the Luss hills and a cloud topped Ben Lomond.

Fairy Glen

Double cancellation, Whinney Hill Cross Country cancelled due to trees on the course, road 10k cancelled due to ice so we ran the 3 lap 5k Fairy Glen. Ran maybe an overstatement, run and walk. 15 runners completed the course, rain stayed away until after we had finished the post race hot food. Us runners are spoiled.

Snowy Luss

Glorious sunrise when I got up today, a bit late as a powercut stopped my noisy backup alarm from forcing me out. I had planned a new route, Beinn Eich to start then along the ridge cutting off left for an anti clockwise run over Cruach an t-Sidhein, Beinn a'Mhanaich, Beinn Chaorach and Beinn Tarsuinn before picking up the Finlas circuit returning via Coille-eughain hill.

Ran up the glen road in the cool clear still morning. Pleased to find frozen ground as I left the road at Edentaggart Farm. Soon reached the snowline, perfect at first, two or three inches on a frozen base keeping my feet reasonably dry and warm. The top third not so good, drifting snow meant a bit of a fence posting trudge, hard work and slow. By the time I reached the top I had given up on the days route and after a few pictures turned back through the deep snow. As I decended into shallower snow the enjoyment returned and by the time I reached the glen I was ready for more. Crossed the road and trudged up Coille-eughain Hill at 1200' some 800' lower than Beinn Eich the snow should be ok to run through.

Good run  down to the foot of the Glen via the Paps, finding a nice path to the left of the trees and bog, an easier exit from the hill than usual. Finished in just over 3 1/2 hours for what turned out to be 3800' of ascent and 9 miles. More pictures here.

Arrochar Trails

Set off for the forest trails round Arrochar with a forecast of gales and sunshine. Planned 16 mile 3000' route anti-clockwise round Glen Loin then along to Ardgarten and back to Succouth taking the lower trail out to Ardg and the upper trail back. Clouds ripping across the sky and Lochs Lomond and Long a trifle choppy on the drive up. Luckily the Glen Loin track is sheltered, at least in the lower section. Walked the short hills on the way up to the pylons, a bit breezy now. Onto the short road section to Corriegrogain, running straight into the wind and rain. Ran the hill from the bridge and the rocky hill towards the disappearing stream. A mixture of lashing rain, sleet and sunshine in the exposed upper glen. Crossed the stream, pleased to get back into the shelter of the trees for an easy run back towards Succouth. Didn't even think about stopping as I passed Succouth and ran along towards Ardgarten. Lashing again and into the gale up the road to pick up the upper track Pretty cold by the time I got there and turned up the track, warming up as I worked my way uphill, the rain eased and the sun came out as I reached the top. Walked along for a few minutes taking some more pictures, difficult to get running again, shuffled along for a while, gradually working up to a run. An atmospheric run today through sunshine and showers, the wind howling through the trees overhead, the air heavy with the scent of pine, gullies filled with noisy streams of froth and foam. Finished just under 3 1/2 hours, 2 hours 5 for Glen L, and 1 hour 20 for the out and back to Ardg.

Arrochar Alp

A good forecast had us in Succouth at half 8 for a clockwise run up Glen Loin, we planned to leave the glen via Bealach a' Mhaim then run over Ben Narnain, 9 miles or so and 3600' of ascent. Tops in cloud but the forecast was cloud to 800m so we should pop out into the sunshine. Steady run up Glen Loin over the stream and left to the end of the track from there a steady plod over open hillside to the Bealach. We used to go through the trees, but they are too big now so detour round them to a new improved grippy stile. Bit of a struggle getting up to the Bealach, used the new fence to pull myself up but still had to stop several times to catch my breath. Towards the top a cold breeze, jackets on as we go in to the mist and snow. Soon onto the path to Narnain, it becomes icier as we climb so we move to the side on the soft rush and grass. Still not moving very well and stopping every few yards so I took on some sugar which got me back into a steady rhythm. A bit arctic near the top, rocks and boulders treacherous, covered with an invisible film of ice and a breeze stinging any exposed flesh. We didn't hang about on the top running straight across for the Spearhead gulley, difficult to find in the mist and snow, when we got there some walkers were picking their way up, we waited while they came past. We started down what would be a tricky descent, sitting down, sliding, scrambling towards the drop into the snow filled chute with a freezing cold wind howling around us and we decided to go back and return via the Bealach. Back to the top then a short scramble through the icy boulder field before a good run down grassy slopes to the Bealach and onto the path back to Succouth. Finished in 3 hours 40 for the 12 miles and 3800' eventually covered.

Polaroid Cross Country

A lot of effort had been put in to get the race on, a group were out on Friday, clearing branches and working out ways to get past a few bigger trees and bushes that blocked the paths. Sunday morning at 10am 21 runners set off on a 2 lap mud fest round the Polaroid Industrial Estate. We ran across the tussocky field and through a mud bowl in the forest before I settled into a steady pace in 7th place along the riverbank. The runners in front pulling away, the ones behind stayed there. A short climb before the run along the back of the factory then a twisty run through the trees into another field followed by the slippy track round the pond, a quick up and down then into a swampy muddy trail before popping out to run down a grassy verge to finish lap 1, over the fence and round again for lap 2 about a minute and a half slower finishing just over 40 minutes. Another lap as a cool down while the Millie breakfast bar cooked up a sausage storm. Some photos here.

Calendar Crags

I last ran this 3 years ago, a nice low key race for runners, mums, dads and kids, must have been 60 or 70 of us today. We all set off at one on a promise of a wee sherry and a mince pie to finish, Ben Ledi gleaming white away to the west in the wintery sun. The narrow path zig zags up through the woods, a few fallen trees to negotiate this year, pretty soon the gradient eases and the trees thin out with good views to the hills to the north, managed to get running again past the monumental cairn for the short drop off the back of the hill, even managed to overtake a few. Onto the road all to soon, luckily its only for a few minutes until we get back onto the forest tracks for a fast undulating run to finish in 36:18. Back to the McLaren Leisure Centre for the promised sherry and pies and a welcome seat out of the cold breeze.

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.