Weeken away to Loch Fyne, took a short run through Inverary to the hill behind Inverary Castle, a flat mile to the castle then an uphill mile on forest tracks winding round the hill as it climbs, great views from the top before an easy run back to the town.
6 of us set off on the Ben Bowie Trail Race, just under 6 miles with about 1000' of ascent. Warm evening until the skies opened and a refreshing downpour hit us. Starts on Upper Stonemollan Road at the end of the tarmac undulating up via the Three Lochs Way with a stunning rainbow on show on the short deviation up to Ben Bowies double summit, should have stopped for picture. Undulates down on the way back. Managed to get everyone to stand still just long enough to get a picture in the swarm of flies at the finish.
Long run on a Friday for a change, fine day for a run if a bit hot, planned route was Glen Loin, Lag Uaine, Beinn Ime, Narnain. Turned out slightly different. Steady run round Glen Loin from Succoth, the trail goes up in a series of ramps round the base of A'Chrois into Coiregrogain, left the trail at the top of the loop into the glen between Vane and Ime, briskish walk to start, narrow paths and sheep tracks fade in and out on the way to Lag Uaine, at the end of this flat plain turn up Ime's steep slopes on pathless ground, climbing a series of small grassy ridges beside rocky crags before the main corrie opens up, one last climb to the summit ridge, as I topped out views to Narnain and the Cobbler opened up, in the back ground the Luss hills were invisible in black cloud and rain, thunder rumbling, thought I might be ok as there was little wind and its a few miles away, as I left the summit I could see a need to get off the hill a bit quicker, initially running towards Bealach a'Mhaim and the storm then turning left down into Coiregrogain, hopefully away from the storm, and somewhat safer among fir trees, heavy rain, quite refreshing, and loud extended rumblings as I reached the valley floor, the first lightning flash followed by more thunder a few seconds later, pushed on down the glen, the next flash and bang thankfully further apart. Running back round A'Chrois the rain went off and sun came out again, the only moan was sore feet running on the stoney forest trail.
The latest race in the club grand prix, a short trail race, 3 laps round Fairy Glen at the end of Balloch Park, just under a mile a lap, 8 of us set off in early evening sunshine. Not an evening to push the pace, took it steady, time a bit slow, good fun.
Set off early to beat the heat, up to the Fort and along Bromley Muir to the Three Lochs Way/John Muir Trail, turned down past the Black Third Farm onto the trail the Hel n Back race uses, at the top turned up the ridge to Kiloeter's cairn and stick following it to the top then over to Ben Bowie, returned to Stoneymollan and the short way back home.
Set off on the bike for a run in the Luss Hills, change of plan along the way, Glen Finlas is nearer, aimed to chain the bike at the bottom of the glen, run up and do a horseshoe round the tops, then a cycle home. The bottom of the glen was too busy, filled with vans and scrambling motorbikes, cycled up to the dam and chained the bike there. Ran along a track that runs beside the reservoir, at the end turn uphill beside an old fence, faint path through grass and ferns. Come to a clear path on the top of the ridge and set off for Beinn Ruisg, the path was marked with orange flags, soon the sound of motorbikes disturbed the peace and blotted out the skylarks singing overhead, I could see bikes going up the ridge towards Balcnoc on the other side of the glen, ran on over Creag an Leinbh to the top of the glen, the bikes were coming up in small groups then turning off towards Tharsuin, I ran down towards Balcnoc jumping off the path every few minutes to let the bikes pass. Dropped down at the end of the reservoir, the sound of the bikes fading. No phone or camera so no pictures , found out later it was the Loch Lomond Motorcycle club out for a two day trial.
Glen Luss for a run this morning, simple route starting at the foot of the glen up Beinn Dubh, along to Mid Hill and down to the top of the glen, turn round and run back over Mid Hill and Beinn Dubh. Busy hills this morning, lots of walkers out and a few runners as well. High cloud meant the surround tops were in view just a bit dull under the high cloud. Managed a slow run up Beinn Dubh, round to Mid Hill and down to the glen road. Turned and started up Mid Hill, another slow run to the top. The run back to Beinn Dubh a bit easier knowing that most of the climbing is done, easy run down Dubh's grassy slopes to the foot of the glen.
Club race, used to be a Cross Country run in January, changed to a Spring Trail race as most of the paths have been upgraded with hardcore for easier public access to the trail behind Balloch Park. 7 runners tonight, to start a loop round Balloch Park to the bottom of Fairy Glen, straight up the path beside the stream onto the Whinny Hill Trail, undulating up through the trees, clockwise loop at the top, on the way back take a left through the trees popping out at the back of the car park for a short run to the finish at the back of Balloch Castle.
Travelled up past the top of Loch Lomond to the large layby outside Crianlarich. There are 7 munros in this group, my planned route was round 2 pairs, An Caisteal and Beinn A Chroin them Beinn Tullaichean and Cruach Ardrain, Low cloud and mist all the way up the Lochside. Started up the forest track for 10 or 15 minutes then a worn path leads off to the right that takes you onto Sron Garbh then to An Caisteal, after about 20 minutes the grey above changes to blue and I pop up into sunshine and mountains above a sea of clouds. Expected to be out for about 6 hours and a brisk walk is good enough on the uphills, run the flatter parts and the downs. Pass a few walkers on the way up, stop for a couple of pictures and take on some fuel on the top, I would repeat this routine on at the top of the other 3 munros. Good running down to Bealach Buidhe. It's only a short climb to the top of Beinn a Chroin with 1 wee scramble just below the summit plain, 3 tops here, takes twice as long to cross them all as it did to get to the top. From the third top a path leads down a grassy ridge towards Crianlarich, a short way down leave the path for a grassy gulley heading north on pathless ground towards Beinn Tulaichean, to minimise descent and reascent contour round Stob Glas as close as possible to the large cliffs and crags. Steady climb up grassy slopes to the ridge betwen Tulaichean and Ardrain. Tulaichean first then back along the ridge to Ardrian's twin tops, the higher one furthest away of course. Back towards the ridge then drop steeply down grassy slopes on one of two exit paths, they join together further down on the way to Meall Damh and Grey Heights on the undulating ridge towards Crianlarich, the path turns sharp left at a deer fence, down towards the glen, as dry as it gets today soon back at the forest track for a short run to the car after a seat in the River Falloch to cool off.
Kept it local this week, up to Bromley Muir via Carman Reservoir, along to the top of Stoneymollan and the Hell n Back route in reverse cutting off for Killoeter and Ben Bowie, returning via John Muir and Three Lochs Way. No views, tops misty and drizzly and trails quiet, everybody must have been watching the telly.
Change of plan due to the low cloud, instead of the hills round Glens Finlas and Fruin which turn into vague grassy lumps in the mist went to Arrochar for mostly easy to follow trails. Ran up the Glen Loin trail to Coirgrogain on to the Ben Vane path, a steep trudge accompanied by noisy complaints from various departments, quads, glutes and hips, probably due to 2 races in 5 days this last week. Quite a few walkers out today, you hear them first, their outlines emerging from the grey mist and rock then fade back to noise after I pass them. Vanes summit empty and cold in the mist and wind, a quick re-fuel and off towards Ime via the turning stone, the turning stone is a large boulder that marks my preferred descent. Easy run down through tussocks, soft rushes and over streams and bogs, all looking unfamiliar in the mist. I had hoped to drop below the mist at Lag Uaine, the lowest point between Vane and Ime, no luck today the mist fills the glen. Make my way across to a narrow ridge to start the climb to Glas Bealach half way to Ime, a faint path winds its way up fading at the bottom of a crag where a grassy ramp provides a way through, the next part towards Glas Bealach is pathless again, the climb feels too easy and I've veered away from the up slope, stop to check the ground aspect, I don't want to end up on Beinn Choarranach instead of Ime, a quick traverse and I was back on track for the steep climb from Glas Bealach, despite aches and pains going up Vane this climb went better than usual, more ghostly shapes appear as I reach the summit, lots of walkers from here. Drop off Ime to Bealach a'Mhaim then down the path that runs past the Narnain Boulders, the Buttermilk burn providing pleasant company to the top of the zig zags back to Succoth.
Good to be back running a Wednesday evening Bog and Burn race, first one since 2019. Just over 100 runners set off on a cool sunny evening, ground very dry even for Beinn Dubh, bogs non existent, ran the flatter sections on the way up, round the cairn at the top then set off to catch as many as I could on the way down, finished in 73rd place, cooled down was a seat in Luss Water.
Perfect weather again for the second running of this hill race. 90+ turned up , double last years runners. Set off near the back, not sure how this would go, a couple of minutes running then next 20 minutes are a hands on knees trudge, single file on a muddy then narrow tussocky path, no running just grind your way up. Managed a couple of overtakes as the people in front were slightly slower, onto the ridge and a run, shuffle, walk. Hands on knees again for the last couple of hundred yards to the top. On the descent slowly down a rocky path to start, I've a short cut that gained me a couple of places which I soon lost then stuck in traffic through the rest of the boulders, gathered a bit of pace along the ridge then slower down the steep tussocky, muddy path through the forest to finish a few minutes slower than last year.
Back to Saturday for my long run this week, sun cream on for the first time this year, stayed local but tried to go off path as much as possible. Started off straight up to the Carman Fort and along past Bromley Muir Trig Point to the top of Stoneymollan, took the 3 Lochs Way for a mile or so them up onto Killoeters ridge, off the hill onto the Hel; n Back race route, went in reverse turning up towards Ben Bowie, took a left turn on a fire break path through the young conifers and followed the ridge to the top. Took a more direct route back, 3LW, down Stoneymollan, through Tullie, the Vale Hospital and Christie Park. The cloud finally clearing the top of Ben Lomond as I ran down the Stoney.
