New training runs for new and experienced hill runners

Hi All our fellow Hillbillies,

Judy and I would like to say we have wonderful hills on our doorstep at Alva and would be more than happy to share some of our own routes (Easy, medium and sometimes a bit DAFT !!) with our fellow Hillbillies. They can range from an hour to two hours, depending on how well we feel.

We travel to the club for training sessions and it takes around 35mins, door to door (in a Landy that only does 45mph so work out for yourself how quick you could make it here)

All the start points will have car parking available.

Looking forward to seeing you all at this years events.

Regards

Garry & Judy

Thanks for your mail Neil.

I’d appreciate something gentle! Now the light nights are here, I’m game for a run.

John

Hi all.

I think like last year we should start of easy and build it up. I think when most people get a bit of confidence we can move on to longer runs and/or trickier runs.

Changing the venue from week to week would also keep it interesting, When do we start.

Paul H

Hi all

Gary and Judiths invitation sounds good at Alva. We should give that a bash sometime ( 10minutes on the xjr1300 Gary?).
Another good one could be the hill we did for the carnegie hill run last year, i beleive we can make it shorter by running from the hotel/pub (tarmochan) in Glendevon and more enjoyable finish at the bar.

Lets be sensible like Paul says though and not put people off at the begining of the season.

Good luck to all the Hillbillies this year

Alan Cobo

This was far too ’scary’ for me last year but I have been converted by the cross-country season and can’t wait to get off-road again. The ‘hill’ bit still scares me slightly though… maybe not quite ready for Garry’s ‘DAFT’ outings yet!

See y’all soon, Hillbillies!

Kate

This is not much of a contribution since I am often unable to make any of the week-end runs (at least until my children can run as fats as we do!). Recces of the Cateran Trail spring to mind. I did my prep in the blizzard several weeks ago: 3h30 from the Spittal to Kirkmichael and back, with knee-deep snow a lot of the time. Fantastic, but slow going! Best of luck to anyone doing Norman’s Law! Hoping to see some of you at Clachnaben. Off to France in a few hours time. I left another message yesterday but I’m not sure where it went!

Being a new member of the club I am uncertain what went on last year, but having had some success in organising both evening and weekend off road runs and from being a member of two predominantly fell running clubs previously, going forward I would be very pleased if other members of the club would join me in the following:

1 – Throughout the summer have a weekly evening run in the local hills of 1 – 2 hour duration following a route which will allow for a few extra hills for those who feel a bit stronger and a few short cuts for those who feel the need to take it easier on the night. I believe it would be a good idea to have a regular (default) place to meet to do these runs (eg Scotlandwell) but occasionally (eg once a month) advertise in advance a different venue for a bit of a change (and to visit a good pub afterwards). Perhaps these could be called “missing speed training isn’t scary” sessions ?

2 – Throughout the whole year have a regular Sunday morning run, starting at 9.00 and either meet to do a recce run or meet at a regular (default) place for a run of about 1- 1.5 hours duration. Perhaps these could be called “missing church isn’t scary” sessions ?

3 – Throughout the winter have a weekly evening run in the local hills or forests of 1 – 1.5 hours duration again from a regular (default) place to meet but occasionally (eg once a month) advertise in advance a different venue for a bit of a change (and to visit a good pub afterwards). Perhaps these could be called “running with a head torch isn’t scary” sessions ?

Another good idea which I have seen work quite well is to organise “breakfast runs” every month or two where people meet at a cafe or someone’s house at 7.30 am on a Saturday morning, run for 1 – 1.5 hours then meet up with family and friends at the cafe or house and have a good healthy sociable fryup. I would be happy to organise the first one of these if there is interest.

I think the key to the success of these sessions is to have a regular time and place to meet and to let groups of different abilities choose their own route whilst encouraging less experienced hill runners come a long and have a go whilst not getting lost or left behind.

I hope these suggestions are useful and I would be delighted to help organise any of these runs if people are interested.

Yours,
Paul D (who has just spent the weekend running the Highlander Mountain Marathon – 11 hours of racing over the hills in beautiful sunshine – in the highlands in March ?!)

Ballingry isn’t Scary!

I do most of my training on Benarty hill, a hill which everyone has passed on their way up the M90 but few people venture up. There are loads of varied routes on the hill ,hard and easy options available. I would be happy to show anyone who is interested. Work/race schedule is a bit hectic just now but Thurs 12th or w/c 16th of april are good, or whenever, you bring the cakes I’ve got the kettle!
P.S Also the option of a local bar for some swedgin’!

Richie.

I like all suggestions so far. Sorry that injury has prevented me from getting out and reccing more race routes with you guys. I would like to meet up regularly on a Sat or Sun morning to run routes in either in the Ochils or Lomonds and occasionally further afield. Agree that we need to start gently (I didn’t - hence the injury!!). I also want to offer some basic hill navigation tips and exercises to help prepare Hillbillies for the odd occasions when it can get scary. Ritchie opened my eyes to the possibilities for hill sessions that Benarty Hill can offer and I was planning midweek sessions there during the summer. Pub or cafe finishes sound great and I can vouch for Ritchie’s kettle (when he’s not running half-way across the country!) Benarty IS his back garden.

Hi all Hillbilllies,as a hill running newbie I am very excited about the invitations to run over different hills.I will be looking to take these offers up where my work roster allows.I agree with the start off easier and building up on the duration approach and bringing in more technical stages sounds good too.I would be good to cover all the main local runs as well as going further afield.And I for one would be up for some navigational tips and advice as this is sometimes my only concern I have when considering entering some of the events.The sooner the better for me as then I can wear my “Mudroc’s” without fellow club members commenting on how nice and new and shiney they are.How embarrising!!!

Colin R(not Reid the other one)

Richie.

I,m interested in finding more out on your “Ballingry isn’t Scary) routes.

I stay local to Benarty Hill and i am always looking for off road runs we can do (Me and the dog).

Let me know when your free for a recce run?

Cheers Paul H

Ok Paul and everyone, what about a “Ballingry isn’t scary” run on Thurs 12th April at 6.30 starting at a local landmark. I’ll give you details next week and heading up Benarty Hill, running for about an hour.
Post your name anyone who’s interested, I’m off doing daft things till Tuesday so won’t post again till then.

Cheers Richie.

Aye, and bring yer ain chib fur the swedgin!

Hi All,great suggestion,I like Judy/Garrys/Paul Ds,ideas,also would be good to have regular/organised runs which take into account all levels of Hillbillies,having tried the hills last year,well what can i say…amazing!!!Half Nevis for me was something I have always wanted to do…shall never forget it,just like I Forgot my mudrocs not much fun in trainers and the Pentlands I used to drive past every day going to work and knew that some day I would do the race what a fantastic run I had with Ken D last year it really was a thrill so to anyone unsure of the hills…give them ago,they really are amazing!!: )

I am keen to do the “Ballingry isn’t scary” run on Thurs 12th April but is it possible to start at 19.00 as I know I am in the city that day and 6.30 would be pushing it.

And finally, having completed the Highlander Mountain Marathon last weekend I put my entry in for the Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon (9-10 June) yesterday. I noticed they already have over 400 entries (500 max) so if you are interested in 2 fantastic days of running over the scottish hills get your entries in quick (see http://www.lamm.co.uk).

Ballingry isn’t scary

Ok folks, meet for 7pm start outside Ballingry church (time for a quick prayer first) on Hill Road.
From the M90 take jct 5, turn right at the end of the sliproad then take first right. Go about 1/2 a mile till you see the sign for Ballingry and Lochore and turn right - that is you on hill rd (keep your eyes peeled for wee tracks on the left, all interesting routes up the hill). Follow the road until you come into Ballingry and go about 1/4 of a mile till you see the church on your right.
Cheers
Richie

oops, slight error! turn left at sign for Ballingry and Lochore or you’ll end up in someones garden!

Richie

Cheers for taking us novice hill runners out on your local trails.

Great weather, good company and superb views from the top.

Lets hope more road runners venture out in the weeks ahead.
I’m sure most people could manage 5mile in 1hr 10mins.

See you all at the same time and place next week.

Paul H

Thanks for leading the run last night Richie and thanks to everyone else who came along, what a great run and what superb views ! Just to add to the stats we did 405 m of ascent during the run.

Looking forward to a run from the same church next week (19/04/07)(lets all pray for the same weather !) and how about Scotlandwell church the following week (26/04/07) ?

Paul D

Thanks to all who came along on thursday, it was nice to share my secret training routes with everyone!
I’ll be unable to make Thursday so I’ll be heading up the hill on wednesday night 18/4/7. If anyone is interested, I’ll be leaving the church at 7pm for a similar run to last week.
Hopefully see you there, Richie.

Garry&Judy
So, when are these Ochil nights going to start-I could run along from menstrie and join you, keen to get off the tarmac and head into the hills this year so please give me a shout when you’re planning to head into the hills-they did look nice this evening once again! Cheers just now Trace

I am keen to head up to The Cateran trail on Saturday, I know it’s a busy racing weekend, but if anyone fancies hitting the trail please let me know.
Tracey S