Eildon Hill Race

Long drive for a short race, race starts and finishes in the grassy square across from the Greenyards, a short lap and onto the road through Melrose, exit via  narrow alley down some stairs onto a path leading up through woods past some fields and onto a single file path runners queuing as we zig zag up the first hill. Run down and traverse past hill no3 to hill no2 on narrow trails, overtake where I can, no2 is a short climb, walk the first steep bit then running again and off towards no3. Stomp my way up no3, force the pace to try and catch those in front. Descent begins down a stoney trail with a flat muddy traverse to rejoin the outward route, finished just over 53  mins. Race pictures here. 

Cobbler, his wife and A'Chrois

Trying out a new hill today, A'Chrois, attached to Beinn Narnain by its west ridge. Tried it in August last year when the clag forced a retreat. First up today was the Cobbler, easy run up past the Narnain Boulders and loads of Beatson 3 peak walkers, met a couple on top who explained the Beatson walkers would be doing 1, 2 or 3 of Cobbler, Ime and Narnain, good effort for a good cause. Good view to the Brack, new race up there today. Easy run down the stairs and across the beallach to the short climb up Narnain.

 Cobbler from Narnain

Short break on top then found a faint path that wound its undulating way from Narnain along and around a few crags finishing in a short steep climb to the wee summit cairn of A'Chrois. Sat here for a while taking in the views.

 Ben Lomond from A'Chrois

Set off down a ridge towards Arrochar, the path disappeared after a while, some tussocky boggy ground to cover as the gradient eased in the valley. Found a narrow trod beside the stream that ran towards a concrete sump, the path crossed the stream just before it and cut off to the right for a few hundred yards joining the old concrete block covered access path, ran down to finish in about 4 hours. More pictures here.

Fairy Glen Trail Race

Club race in Balloch Park, an undulating 5k, 3 laps, starts along from the castle, down grassy trails past the play area and jetty back along the path to the fairy glen trail rejoining the tar path for the last 100 yards or so to the top, repeat*2, always think the hill is going to be easier until you get there, pleased just to keep running, finished 4th in about 24 1/2 mins.

Luss

Planned run was Beinn Eich over Beinn an Lochain to Cruach an t Sidhein. Low cloud made for a change to an out n back to Doune Hill, CatSidhein requiring more careful navigation than available time. Steady run up Beinn Eich to start, reaching BaL decision was to keep along the ridge to Doune Hill. Brief stop in a chilly cloud then back along to Beinn Eich. First view of the day on the way back down to Glen Luss, finished inside 2 1/2 hours.

Stob Binnein, Ben More

Inverlochlarig to Ben More and back crossing Stob Binnein twice. Tried this run a few years ago, very misty, into cloud about 1500' , popped out above the cloud on the last 20 yards to SB's top, by BM's top the cloud had risen, no views, returned to the beallach and dropped into the glen back to the car avoiding the run back over Stob Binnein. Better outlook today, sun and high cloud, very warm, first part of the climb no breeze just lots of large clegs, through the crags of Stob Invercarnaig and past a path repair team rolling huge boulders about. Gradient eases, still no breeze and more insect swarms, probably crane flies. Gradually a gentle breeze came along and kept them away on the approach to the minor top marked 890m.

 

View from 890m top along Na Staidhrichean ridge towards the next top of Stob Coire an Lochain and a steep wee climb to SB's summit.

View from Stob Binnein back down Na Staidhrichean ridge and across Inverlochlarig Glen to Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Tulaichean with the rest of the Crianlarich Munros behind.

Sharp drop down a brocken rocky path to Bealach eader dha Bheinn before the climb back up to Ben More's trig point. Stopped for a drink, some food and photos before the return.

 Crianlarich from the top of Ben More.

Dropped quickly to the bealach and started the last climb back up Stob Binnein packing my cap with snow seemed to help and kept up a quicker tempo, combined with big raindrops from clouds further North, quite refreshing.

 Stob Binnein from Ben More

Sat on SB's top for another quick refuel, thunder rumbling around got me back on the move. Started to rain in earnest as I approached the 890m top and with some lightning flickering in the clouds above picked up the pace down gentle slopes past Stob Invercarnaig and into safety of the valley, finished in about 4 1/2 hours. More pictures here.

Luss Horseshoe

Plan was to run Mid Hill, Doune Hill, Beinn an Lochain and Beinn Eich. Mid hill to start, then visit the two unnamed tops/cairns. Run into Sith Mor and instead of straight up Doune Hill ran along towards Glen Dougles and up on to the ridge, found a farm/quad bike track and followed it to Doune Hills smaller top. Short down and up onto DH main top with Trig. Followed the trail round the ridge over BAL and up BE. Easy run down to sit in the river to cool off, about 3 1/2 hours.

 Quiet run, saw no-one on the hill, one solitary deer!

 Sunday, cool down round the reservoir and up through the quarry, attacked by a small terrier. Up to the fort and along to the trig point, back to the fort disturbing a deer hiding in the ferns about 20 yards away, watched it bounce away too quickly to photograph.

Cort Ma Law Hill Race

Not sure about this one after the last couple of weekend races, lovely night and went for it, arriving not long before the start and parking away up the road, warm up to and from registration and the car. Uphill start, ran the first part then dropped into a steady walk with occasional jog on the flat bits. Ran the last couple of ups onto the top. Running now, a bit of recovery then a wee bit faster from the lairs to CML summit. Bogs very kind tonight along to Leckett Hill, fast down into the gulley, a bit slower coming out, jogging again back to the last fence crossing, then its relax and run as hard as possible across the boggy undulations and brakes off down a final steep km or so back to the finish inside 72 minutes.

Jura Fell Race

Got a late entry just before Slioch, holiday booked, set off with car boot full of camping gear and bike. Free Bunnahabhain 12 and 18 year old on the ferry to Islay, glorious sun, and a few dolphins made for a good start.

 
Short hop on the Jura ferry and a slow cycle to Craighouse, home for the weekend. 

 Usual feast of pizza, rolls and cakes in the distillery all weekend. 

 Sat morning, easy kit check and running for 10:30, three pips first, inside the cut offs, climbing the first Pap, Beinn a'Chaolais, slowed down to a crawl, stepping aside every 50 yards or so to let those behind pass on the narrow trods. 
 

Reached the top, CP 4 still inside the cutoffs and decided not to continue, showed the next two runners the route off and down to the saddle before Beinn an Oir and pointed out the onward route. Cut down to 3 Arch bridge via a swim in the boathouse lochan and the delightful 3 miles of road to the finish, still out for over 5 hours despite missing the last three climbs. A swim in the sea to cool off and spent the rest of the day rehydrating and mulling over the run. Sunday cycle back to the Feolin ferry to Port Askaig and on to Kennacraig, calm waters, sunny sky, but no Dolphins or Bunnahabahain on the way back. 

 

 
Stopped at Inverary to capture the Castle on film and bagged a Heron as well!

Kilpatricks Hill Race

First run since Slioch, took it easy on the road then easier up the hill, started running once through the zig zags up onto the heathery moor and across to the track. Off track again and down towards the lochside, managed to avoid the nasty looking fence post remnants, walked the first part of the slacks until I caught the cyclist then managed to run to the top, steady run across to the zig zag descent back to the road, managed to pass a few, ran into finish just over 67 mins.

Slioch Horseshoe Hillrace

Weekend based in Sands campsite just north of Gairloch. Travelled up on Friday, nice evening then rain set in later on. Wet again Saturday morning, sounded heavier inside the tent. Registration in Kinlochewe then a mile or so warm up walk to the start at Incheril. Quick race brief around the bad weather route avoiding a swollen burn and 60 plus runners set off for 5k of undulating trail to the foot of Slioch. The start not too steep, wet muddy rocky, the tourist trail towards Slioch, struggling all the way contemplated turning back several times as most of the field spread out in front. A couple of jelly babies and a marshall taking pictures just about kept me going, left the path for the ascent/assault of Sgurr Dubh steep heathery and rocky.

Felt better here, no quicker just made being slow good enough a reason to keep trying. Followed the ridge off Sgurr Dubh past the lochans onto the ridge to Sliochs multiple tops, wasted some energy going over the first one instead of round it then an undulating run over the two true summits. Turned back for the lochans to pick up the tourist trail into Sliochs White Corrie, more wet muddy rocky trail, care and attention more important than pace, thankfully no runners in sight on the way back to tempt me in to a chase. Reached the bottom no falls, no cramp, just the 5k undulating trail to finish just inside 4 hours. Mixture of homemade energy food and fruit at the finish then a good feed back at registration, hot veggy stew, coffee and cakes. Just missed the prize giving, everyone went home with a beer.

Back to Sands campsite, weather now glorious!

Arrochar undulations

Very sunny today, a fresh breeze meant keep moving. Ran up the Glen Loin trail to Coirgrogain and decided to go Vane, Ime instead of Vorlich Vane, took the path to Vane at the second wee bridge, ground dry for a change. Took it steady passing a few walkers on the way, reached the top a couple of hours after leaving Arrochar.

 Lui Munro's from Vane

Ran off along the west ridge to avoid the worst of the crags before dropping into the glen. Walked up the ridge through the cliffs heading up towards the summit just before the beallach. Short break to re fuel at the top, easy run down to Beallach a Mhaim, avoiding temptation to run up Narnain or the Cobbler.

Narnain from Ime

Kept off path as much as possible through the glen on the way back to Arrochar. About 4 1/2 hours, a bit quicker than the last snowy run. A few more pictures here.

Dumyat

Usual rush to get there in time for the 7 pm start, big field 340 or so, perfect night, sunny, cool breeze. Chip timing as well. Usual charge up the road and rest at the hole in the wa, undulating track and road before we get off road, through the forest, dry underfoot so no slipping on the steep bank. Try to keep running instead of jog/walk many others are doing. Onto the open hillside and keep it going, the leaders came back a bit sooner than hoped. Round the summit cairn and let go the brakes dodging those still ascending. A couple overtake as the gradient eases, back into the forest and grab the places back plus a couple more, hang on along the undulating track, ease the pace back up on the last down hill to finish in about 54 mins.

Ben Lomond

Race up and down the Ben, good day for it, top clear. Warm at the start, cool breeze once clear of the trees. Couple of slight route changes this year, more off trail on the way up swapping a steeper rocky path section for some tussocks and the ridge access/egress by the same way meant you got to see everyone in the race as you navigated up and down the summit ridge. Steady run walk on the way up, not losing too many places once the race settled down, probably taking it a bit too easy. Good run off the grassy bank from the summit ridge, steady down the plateau, gradually reeled in a couple on the lower grassy and rocky sections. Careful on the rocky path at the bottom to finish in 1 hour 54, swim in the loch at the end, a good day.

Whangie Whizz

Damp evening for the Whangie Whizz, over 100 started. Felt cold before the start, didn't take long to warm up, after the initial climb settled into a steady trot along the rocky muddy trail, through the Whangie and up to the ridge picking up the pace down towards the track, lost a couple of places on the track. Back up the ridge to the trig point kept a steady jog going, losing a place near the top, down hill not steep enough but still managed to overtake a couple. Finished just over 46 mins.

Short running

Busy weekend, no long runs, three short runs, Sat up and back to the trig on Carman Muir,

 Snowy Ben over green stripes

Sun, Stoneymollan race route, Monday Whinney Hill from Moss O' Balloch, all in about 3 hours, 15 miles and 3000' of ascent.

Racing again, Stoneymollan, Clachnaben

Thursday evening saw the clubs Stoneymollan Hill Race, my first club race this year. 7 of us ran, 1st lady won easily beating my handicap system. The rest of us within a couple of minutes except one guest runner a bit further back and one lost soul, who jogged in a bit later still. Saturday and the long drive towards Banchory for the first SHR Championship race, Clachnaben,a rough heathery muddy trudge sponsored by Deeside Brewery. Three hills in succession, Threestane, Mount Shade and Clachnaben with its distinct rocky summit tor. Set off at the back, planned to keep it steady until the climb up Clachanben, just about managed. Mostly blue skies with a couple of small snow showers blowing through as we went round, chilly once out the forest and onto the hills. 14k/8 miles and 700m/2300' of ascent, provisional results show I finished a few seconds faster than 2012.

Tea, coffee, home baking and plenty of the Sponsors Product at the finish.

Sunday's recovery run, slow run up and back to the Fort.

Snow capped Arrochar run

Keen for some steeper stuff set off for Arrochar, Ben Vane and Beinn Ime the plan. Loaded up the rucksack and drove through up lochside, snow capped Ben looked good. Usual car park full again. Ran up Glen Loin, a few walkers about, arrived at the Vane turn off a bit quicker than usual. Pushed hard to the cave passing a few walking groups on the way. First big snowbank about 20 mins from the top. Over the nobbly bits at the top lots of snow to try out my microspikes, the summit strangely clear of snow.

Great views all round, pity I didn't clear my phone camera lens, pictures a bit hazy and don't do the day justice. Short break on top then down the back into Lag Uaine, boggy lower down with snow melt. Met a runner going in the opposite direction on my approach to Glas Beallach, he was doing the race route in reverse but wasn't sure he'd have time for Vorlich. Steady snowy trudge to the top of Ime and a wee rest.

Lots of soft snow for the first few hundred yards off Ime with more bog and melt water towards Bealach a Mhaim. Spikes off for the trot between the Cobbler and his wife. Delightful zig zag path to finish 13miles and 5500'+ in about 5 1/2 hours. More pictures here. Sunday cool down jog past the reservoir though the quarry to the fort running back past the radiomast.

Dumgoyne and Ime

Saturday's run, double Dumgoyne with the out and back to the Earl's Seat in between. Managed to run to the two boulders on the way up then jog walked to the top. Past a few walkers on the way up Dumgoyne. Good run along to the Earl's Seat.

Sun began to break through on the way back, the climb up Dumgoyne much easier from behind.

 

About 7 miles, finished under two hours. Boathouse afternoon just had to have another double, this time Glengoyne, in celebration of the mornings run.

Sunday, blue sky perfection, away to Arrochar, had meant to run a couple, made do with Beinn Ime, stunning day among the remnants of the recent snows. Finished inside 3 hours, more pictures here.

Luss Horseshoe

Back to Glen Luss, short horseshoe, starting with Mid Hill, never run up this one before, always down, along the ridge to the two small cairns then back into the glen and a climb up Doune Hill, snow filled gullies around the summit, along the ridge over Beinn an Lochain and Beinn Eich, finished in about 3 1/2 hours. Interesting navigation in misty conditions, a wee wander on Mid Hill, before crossing back over the path into the right glen. 
 

No views today, cloud down below all the tops and ridges.

Trossachs Night Trail Race #3

3rd and final race in the series, Aberfoyle again but the David Marshall Lodge side of the road. Trail wound up through the trees to the DML and down the trails behind the lodge only to kick up on a long forest trail to Braeval with a short muddy bit in the middle, returning behind the golf course then down through the golf course to the trail along side the 11th, a couple of twists and turns back onto forest roads and finish with soup in the Forth Inn. Good fun on a cool clear starry night, need a better head torch.