Glen Finlas

Setting off about half nine we could see the tops were covered in snow and didn't fancy a slog up either Shantron or Creachin hills so we ran along the road towards the damn. Just before the damn a track leads off to the right and makes for a runnable climb, once past the loch we leave the track and head towards the low point on the ridge just past Beinn Ruisg. Following a faint trod up the side of the glen to begin with, once into the snow we take what looks like the smoothest route onto the ridge avoiding a big gulley near the top of the glen.

On the ridge we work our way round anti-clockwise towards the two un-named tops marked 657m and 693m, only sheep for company today. From top 693 we run away from the Finlas horseshoe, West out to Beinn Tharsuinn then North to Beinn Chaorach, these hills overlook the top of Glens Luss and Fruin. This stretch is bit more exposed and I could feel my face freezing as we run along. The top of Chaorach is like a blast freezer, we didn't wait too long at the trig point before turning back towards the Finlas horseshoe. Its hard going in the snow, one second your on top then the crust breaks and you sink in up to your knees, by the time we get back to top 693 my legs are like jelly, we run straight over on a snowy path towards Loch Lomond. Working hard now over tussocks and snow drifts we maintain a steady pace to Balcnock and down towards Craperoch where there's a few peat hags and bogs to negotiate, difficult to run now and after a few shin crunching tumbles into icy bogs we escape by turning North East straight towards the glen from the top of Craperoch for a steep run down to cross the damn wall and an easy 2 mile run back to the car. We covered 4 hills plus two un-named tops (one twice) in 12 miles with 4000' of ascent in just under 4 hours. A few  more pictures here.

Balloch Park Cross Country

Great morning for the first of the Club Cross Country races, pity my effort didn't match the day. Nineteen runners in all, three laps for most, a few two & one lappers as well. The Spaniels providing moving hurdles when you weren't looking. Took the first lap nice n steady then got slower and slower, it was a nice day for a run. Team Millie out in full with cups of tea and coffee to finish, there was soup, a fry up and mulled wine if it took your fancy.

Glen Croe

An Arrochar run with a difference, a low level trail run, starting in Succoth up through the woods onto the forest trail to Ardgarten, along Glen Croe to the top of the Rest and Be Thankful using what's left of the old road, returning to Ardgarten on the forest road below Ben Donich and the Brack, cross the A83 and back to Succoth on forest tracks and roads, 14 miles and 2750' of ascent with only about 1 mile on the road. Being on forest roads makes it possible to run all the way, a change from the usual jog walk over the surrounding hilltops. No complaints today as the clouds were scudding around leaving a white pallor behind as they moved from top to top. A few pictures here.

Tinto and a Duathlon

A new race for me, Tinto is about 4 1/2 miles with 1500' of ascent. We set off at 2 pm up the track. Runnable at first then the undulations put me into jog walk mode up most of Totherin Hill, we bypass the top, running again around its flank through Maurice's Cleuch before the gradient puts me in my place, another walk, I gradually pick up pace towards the top of Tinto reaching it in just over 35 mins, I run round the large cairn eager for the descent realising the winner has finished a few minutes ago. Easy running down over the red felsite rock Tinto is made of wary of the frequent muddy patches preferring to go off path onto the heathery stuff at the side. I manage to pass a few people on the way back which helps to make up for my slow climb. Descent time about 14 mins, pleased to finish just under 49 mins, 163rd out of 259. Pictures here and here.

Sunday was the 2nd last race in this years Club Grand Prix, another new one, a Duathlon, a 4 mile run round the Vale then 8 miles on the bike on Auchencarroch Road, finished in 71 minutes, 6th out of 14, 31 minute run, 40 minute cycle, pictures here.

Dumyat Dash

Back for a second go at this short race, 5 or 6  miles and 1800' of ascent. Another good day, clear skies, cool with little or no breeze. As I approached Drymen snow covered Campsies came in to view which reminded me I had left my race shoes at home, oops, a double back from Drymen to collect them took half an hour and now I was pushed for time hopefully I missed the speedtrap on the Stirling Straights. The race starts and nearly 100 of us set off from Menstrie village green, a short section of road then a couple of miles of farm track undulating up as it winds its way into the Ochils behind Dumyat. Off road and a short drop into the Glen and through the Menstrie Burn before a jog walk up the back of Dumyat the leaders come tumbling by as I trudge up the tussocky ascent. 51 Minutes and I'm running round the summit cairn, superb views all round. I take a while to get into a rhythm on the way back down and only manage to catch a couple of runners in front by the bottom of the glen. From here the return route takes a muddy undulating trail beside the Menstrie Burn, a couple of steep inclines keep the pace in check then I get a second wind and ease past three runners in quick succession thankful for the grippy shoes I went back for. Soon we rejoin the farm track for a quick run down into Menstrie, I can't catch the two runners just in front until they bypass one of the steep tricky shortcuts I go for it, stumble down and come out in front. Steady effort for a couple of hundred yards keeps me ahead and I'm back running along the road to finish on the village green in 76 minutes, a minute or so quicker than last year. Tea and biscuits in the village hall, showers too if you want.

Cool running in the Arrochar Alps

The morning at least promised good weather and I woke to clear skies although a bit dark. Vane, Ime and Narnain seemed about right. I set off through Glen Loin just after half 8 clear blue skies above frozen ground underneath. Walking the hills to save something for later. Reaching the cut off for Vane thankful the usually swampy ground was frozen keeping my feet dry and not cold, not warm either but hey ho I can put up with that. As usual negative thoughts come to the fore on this climb, why bother, maybe I'll just do this one and run back down the glen, it seems to be a bit of a struggle today. I get to the top after a few photo stops and walk around the small summit plateau to take in the views. Feeling better now and exit the summit along the ridge to the west, run a bit further than usual before dropping down into the Glen, this means more running than scrambling and helps to keep my body and feet warm, the sun hasn't reached this side of the hill yet. On the climb out the other side from a usually deserted Lag Uaine I meet a lone walker, a hello and a wave as we pass from our respective ridges is as close as it gets here. A frosty climb to Ime's summit follows where I am joined by a walker and his dog for a few minutes, we both agree 4 legs are better than 2 up here. The path off Ime frozen hard and I run on the soft rush to the side taking care to avoid icy rocks and frozen streams lurking beneath the grass. This side of the Alps is busier with walkers and gives me something to chase and keep a bit of effort going on the way up Narnain. At the top I hide behind a draughty dry stane shelter beside the trig point, too cold to wait here for long I scramble off through the Spearhead for the long run down to Succoth. Finish the 14 or so miles with 6500' of ascent in just under 5 1/2 hours.

Milestones

Luss run on Saturday morning, the target was 12 miles, Beinn Eich, Beinn Lochain and Doune Hill for the outward half, Mid Hill and Beinn Dubh then back in to the glen to complete the horseshoe. Steady run up the road to start, soon walking once on the steep lower slopes of Eich. I managed a few jogs on the top half as the gradient eases helped by a few stops to take in the views which were good today, the tops clear with cloud lying in the valleys and over the loch.

From the top of Beinn Eich we run most of the way to Doune Hill then freewheel down into Sith Mor before the slow trudge up Mid Hill pleased to reach the top in just over three hours. Jog along to Beinn Dubh took us 20 minutes, we then eased down the hill to complete this undulating run with 5000' of ascent in 3 hours 47. A few more pictures here. I've been running since 1997 and today's 12 miles took me to 20,000 since I started including over 1500000 feet of ascent. Not much in comparison to others but worth a couple of beers all the same.

Narnain and the cobbler

Took a while to choose a route, drove to Arrochar and set off after 3, Narnain and the Cobbler was the target, .  Straight up from Succouth, concrete blocks, swamp then crags, good fun and steady effort required to get to the top, 1 hr 30, 10 mins slow!!! Run off Narnain sub 20 minutes and found a nice trod taking me to the Cobbler, 15 minute climb to the Beallach between the Cobbler tops, hard work running off the front, next time I'll go back down the way I came, 8 miles and 4400 feet in 3 hours 5 minutes, misty pictures here.

Ben Lomond

The weather forecast said go my legs had other ideas but felt ok after a nights sleep. Scraped ice off the car and we set off for Rowardennan. Only a slither of low cloud over Loch Lomond promised much as we jogged along to the Ptarmigan path. Walking the steep bits, I gradually ease into the hill jogging slowly where I can. Lots of short breaks to take in the views and a few photos. Over one ridge we disturb a couple of deer. Apart from a single walker we pass at the top of the Ptarmigan ridge and two walkers leaving Lomond's summit we have had the climb to ourselves. Icy steps for the last steep climb to the summit. What a day, Jura, Arran, Ailsa Craig all clear on the horizon, a couple of walkers point out the Forth Road Bridge as they sit in the sun. We stay as long as we can in the cool breeze in our running gear then set off along the ridge dropping down the new race route we come across 4 Ptarmigan who scuttle along a few yards in front so I chase them for a few photos before they fly away, only 10 yards or so, although its enough to send us on our way down. We run along the rocky plateau dodging the crowds on their way up, towards the end we take a grassy track taking us off the path and cruise down to the gate happy to be on softer ground, through the gate we're back onto the track, brakes off and I let gravity take over for a while, it feels effortless without the pressure to race and before I know it I'm on the last wee downhill into the car park. 2 1/2 hours of fun, mountain and sun.

Ben Venue

3 Millies took part within the 101 starters, weather couldn't have been better, clear blue skies, almost no wind. Off we went, a longer run up the forest roads this year as the trees are being chopped down. We followed the usual return route on the way out then hung a right behind the remnants of the forest to to pick up the ascent ridge of Ben Venue, Stevie C away ahead and when Bo passed me before BV summit it gave me a wee lift and I upped the effort to regain a few of the places lost on the climb. Took a few pictures on the way up, working too hard to care after that. Picked my way along the rocky run off BV running where possible. After the cairn the track follows a fenceline, undulating upwards, boggy in parts with a couple of deep pools to wade, reached the 2nd summit checkpoint looking for some respite, thankfully its all down hill from here. Picked a good line down to start the descent, a runnable gulley better than the usual slither and slide, only went to ground once. Near the bottom ferns give a bit of grip and I gradually reel in a couple of runners in front. Keep it steady along the narrow undualting track to the forest roads then try to relax into a faster pace, doesn't really work and the runner in front edges ahead without getting away, he's looking back and that usually gives me a boost, nothing extra left, probably used it all up along the ridge between the summits. Passed the old finish line in 2 hours, another 5 minutes to the finish and tea and cakes before a wash in Loch Achray, just managed to resist the urge to dive in.

Blusstery

Luss horseshoe run, an early start today as I wanted to be back before 1, Beinn Dubh, Mid Hill, Sith Mor, Doune Hill, Beinn Lochain and Beinn Eich, 12 or so miles and close to 5000' of up and down. Climbing Beinn Dubh I am working hard but getting cold in the high winds, there's a sheltered spot before the top and I stop to put on a second jacket, hat gloves and a buff and just try to keep moving forwards. Reach the top in about an hour.

Running along the ridge towards Mid hill is a bit of a struggle into the wind, keep going to try to warm up my feet. The path winds round the corries and past the small cairns before the tussocky run off Mid hill into Sith Mor the wind whipping through from Glen Douglas. As I approach a crag on the way down some deer run across in front of me, 2 adult females and a fawn, too fast for my camera, I look up as I pass the crag and a Stag peeks over about 10 feet above me then jumps back startled. Across Sith Mor and into the sun for the climb up Doune Hill, I stick to smoother ground away from the stream which tumbles from the lochan at the top, more exposed here and the wind strengthens again as I climb up. A few squally showers blow through as I reach the top the rain needle like on the side of  my face. Blown along the ridge over Beinn Lochain the wind now at my back gives me a welcome shove on the last climb up Beinn Eich.

Jog down into the calm of the Glen and the last couple of undualting miles on the road, pleased to finish in 4 hours 15. A few pictures here.

Merrick

Back to Glen Trool for a soggy Merrick, same out and back route as last year. The weather cleared up by the start promising much.

About 40 of us set off for the 20 yard run before we relaxed into walk mode up the Fell of Esconchan, just over 12 minutes of huff puff and sweat before I was running across the top. Another walk up the steep lower slopes of Bennan, into the mist for a staggery traverse round Bennan's top skipping over rocks and holes. Steady run through Course Craig apart from the swampy bits, climbed the wall at the bottom of Benyellary into a world of wind and rain, hat and jacket to the rescue for a head down plod up the tussocky hillside, running again as I approached the top, the running action helped to keep me warm rather than making me any faster. Visibility not good, but walls and paths to follow. The front runners coming back  now, ghosting by in the mist on a variety of lines along the Neive of the Spit. Now for the last climb to the top of Merrick, I can run most of this. Round the cairn in 78 minutes. Pass the last few runners coming up Merrick on my way back, run up Benyellary and down the tussocky slopes to Course Craig, over the wall and escape from the windy rainy torture chamber. Tired legs evident on the traverse round Benan , the steep trods at the bottom churned up by the runners in front make for a fun descent and I manage to catch a couple of runners at the bottom. Run over the undulating last top before a steep swampy trod back down to the start. Finished in 2 hours 11. Some more pictures here. More pictures here. Tough wee race, about 8 1/2 miles. Big thanks to the cheery marshalls on Bennan, Benyellary and Merrick who stood there in pretty horrible conditions.

5k and a Luss hill run

Parkrun nearly comes to Balloch. Saturday mornings have a new informal 5k run round Balloch Park. About 30 gathered today, all ages and standards. The course is marked with 20 or so direction arrows and markers at each km. A nice uphill start from the Park gates, the route goes behind the Castle then back down in front, past the walled garden for a run along the lochside, turning back through the playing field and tracks finishing back at the gates. Finished 5th, just over 23 minutes. Drove up to Luss after lunch for a 9 mile 3700' run up Beinn Dubh, down Mid Hill across the Glen to the short steep climb up Coille Eughain Hill running back down to the bottom of the Glen over the Paps. A quiet afternoon only a few walkers out, a breezy mixture of sun and mist. 

Followed a new animal track off the Paps a bit longer than usual but by passed the worst of the brashing. Finished in about 2 hours 50. A few more pictures here.

5 Mile Handicap

19 of us set off at 1 minute intervals for this years race, worked for some. The starter having a bit of fun tonight handing out early and late starts depending on your behaviour. Slightly longer course this year, thanks to club members and their gps. Set off near the back, try to go slow at the start, nearly works. Onto the cycle path then over Bonhill bridge and up to Jamestown, caught one or two. Soon passing the Tullie roundabout and along to Christie Park, Middleton st, this time to the end, down to Davie Graham's and back to the club, finishing in just over 36 mins.

Ben Nevis

Weekend in Glen Nevis campsite with the Ben Race thrown in as a wee bonus. Forecast of 75 mph gales didn't quite come to fruition. Sat started damp with the top of  Melantee well hidden by cloud, by the time I registered the cloud was lifting. Just before 1 o'clock the usual plod round the field behind the pipe band, through kit check and the Race started with the news that half way was perfect and the summit windy with visibility down to 30 metres. Reached the Ben Nevis Inn in an easy 9 mins 15. Steady run up the tourist path, probably too steady arriving at the Red Burn Crossing in 57 mins. Straight up from here, started ok then faded about half way up and lost a few places. Jacket, hat & gloves on in the cold damp wind, felt a bit better and pushed on as the gradient eased, caught a few who had just gone past. Jogged over the jagged rocks to the summit checkpoint in 1 hour 53 and turned for home. Picked off runners in ones and twos down the steep rocky trail before the grassy bank. Only one got past me here, better than usual. Running down the tourist path I stuck to the path rather than any of the possible short cuts and didn't lose any more places. A bit stop start past the walkers going up and down though. Reached the Nevis Inn and onto the road for the last mile, managed to pass another three and keep ahead of those trying to close behind. Finished in 2 hours 53. A runners pictures from the weekend here. Picture set where I can be found gasping for breath here and smiling here. I'm only in the uphill pictures as I didn't run quite fast enough!

Dumgoyne and the Devil's Pulpit

We set off just after 8 for a short run in the Campsies over Dumgoyne Hill, Garloch Hill along to the Earls Seat and back. I got a 5 minute start and reached the top of Dumgoyne in just over 25 mins, for a change I was 1st, about a minute ahead. A quick break to take in the views and off we went down the back of Dumgoyne for the steady trudge up Garloch Hill, I would usually try and run all the way but it was to be easy today, so jog walk and chat instead of gasp.

From Garloch Hill the ridge undulates along, ran most of the way, a short walk here and there to keep the breathing under control. Views of hills for miles around with only a few wind turbines.

We stopped at the Earls Seat for a drink and some pictures before the easier run back finishing in 2 hours. We set off for the short drive home stopping on the way to explore the Devil's Pulpit.

 I had been here once before over 30 years ago. We walked along the top of the gorge looking for a way down and found a narrow overgrown gulley with some muddy steps known as Jacobs Ladder, scrambling down past a tree growing through the steps we reached a small sandy area at the bottom, took a few pictures up and down the gorge and to the top far above. On our way back we could hear screams, looking down there was a group in wetsuits traversing through the gulley, looked like fun, a number of companies offer to take you through for a few quid. A few more pictures here.

Arrochar Alps

After a couple of weeks off I needed some steep rocky terrain. Gave Sunday's Lomonds of Fife race a miss and set off Sat afternoon for Arrochar. The plan was Glen Loin, Lag Uaine, Ben Ime, Ben Narnain, 12 miles and 4800' of ascent. Took it nice n easy as the sun came out on the steady 5 mile climb up Glen Loin, jog/walked the lumpy path between Vane and Ime, ascending Ime initially beside the gnarly ridge then veered across to pick up a new route, directly to a misty summit where I met the first walkers of the day heading for Butterbridge. On the boggy run down Ime the cloud cleared and I could see a walker climbing Narnain, someone to chase. Set off on the climb up Narnain, running at first, then walk/gasp the rest, didn't manage to catch the walker, he was a runner from Troon resting his knees on Doctors orders. Good run down to Succouth in about an hour, finishing in 4 hours 15.

Ben More

I tried Ben More back in May when I couldn't get to the top for snow, Sat morning forecast was pretty good and I  left the Vale nice n early driving up the side of a glassy Loch Lomond in the sun. Arrived in Crianlarich blue skies above except for a big grey cloud sitting on top of Ben More and Stob Binnien. Ran up the forest road and found the trail marked with white tape through the trees, lose sight of the tape and I have to fight my way through the last few trees. Onto the open hill at last, a more direct route this time, throughn tussocks, bogs and over moss covered rocks, steeper too. Cross the deer fence and onto the Sron Nam Forsairean ridge at about 2500' where a faint path winds me up and along the craggy ridge. Thermal top, hat, gloves and jacket on as I climb up into the clouds. I'm soon past where I stopped last time, a good decision as the summit is some distance further along the ridge. The path fades in and out over bouldery ground and eventually the summit trig looms out the mist where I stop and catch a breath and something to eat sheltering from the cool breeze. The run off  easy at first down the ridge and I soon warm up when I drop below the cloud. Over the deer fence and I stop to pick a line back into the forest, the tussocks make for a slow careful descent before a steep scramble back into the forest and I find the lucky white tape again. Finish in 3 hours and 1 minute. Some pictures here.

Arrochar Hills

Made up for missing the Arrochar Alps race last week with a run over three of them, Vane, Ime and Narnain, 13 miles and 6500' of ascent. Trail run for 4 miles to start taking me up into Glen Loin and Coiregrogain. Through the bog at the bottom of Vane then the path gets drier as I climb up.

Quite atmospheric today, shafts on sunlight breaking through the clouds as they blow about in the gentle breeze. Good line off the back of Vane, footprints from last weeks race as I go down and these continue over Ime and Narnain. I find my usual ridge to start the climb from Lag Uaine up Beinn Ime then pick up a race trod SE of my usual line, more direct climbing up beside a crag I usually go round, saves me about 5 minutes.

Good running straight down to Bealach a'Mhaim, only Narnain to go, about half way up I traverse NE to a parallel path, a bit steeper but avoids some of the boulders.

Past the trig point and scramble down through the Spearhead onto the twisting and turning path back to Succoth. Washed the mud off in the Jacuzzi, jogged back to the car, just over 5 hours. A few more pictures here.

Ted Baker Pappert Well

Club hill race, the 10th running, 2 of us have managed to run them all. Starts in Bonhill up to Pappert Well and back, a runnable lollipop route, 5 miles with about 1000' of ascent. 24 runners tonight going in handicap order. I set off along the road steady effort over a small up and down before the climb initially past houses then into the woods, where the smooth path up to the stile makes the climb a bit easier. Over the stile and onto a rough path which got muddier the further we went. Round the trig point, no stopping for the views tonight. Stumble along the tricky path almost in the fir trees drop into the woods and splashed my way down the mushy track looping back to join the outward track, firmer ground now, over the stile, smooth path again, preferred this when it was roots and bumps. All downhill now apart from a short up when we get back on the road. Run in to finish in 46:40 to the sound of the bell. Prize giving and refreshments courtesy of Mo & Pete make for a nice end to the race.