Hill Run Report – Sunday 18th November - Glen Vale, near Gateside at 9:30am.
Yes this was the map and compass session. No pre-planned route, so no cheating possible. I arrived promptly to secure my place in a small carpark. Just as well as a huge group of other hill folk turned up at the same time – all walkers, no runners…
Surprising really as previous hill runs had been very popular. Had all the runners fallen at the first hurdle and not been able to navigate to the hill run start? Never mind. I wasn’t going to let a misty morning and the potential of a downpour stop me. Set off with compass and map to hand.
Pace was good (for me anyway), and route was interesting, not sure where it was taking me, but ran up Glen Vale and considered a route through the mist up Bishop Hill. Then thought “where might other hardy hill folk be?”. Never considered that they might be at the festive forest recce. Hill runners wouldn’t prefer cross country style course to the hills would they? Thought again and decided I knew where I could say hello to one Carnegie hill runner, so adjusted my course up West Lomond. Thick mist on top made for a wonderfully eerie day, and ensured no one thought “who is that daft lass talking to the mist?”. Still had a cheery chat with a very decent guy, who probably knows West Lomond really well now. Took my bearings for the descent, whether needed or not, and safely returned to Glen Vale, to meet the huge party of walkers from the car park. There is always something really satisfying when walkers look at a runner and make comments such as “have you been to the top already?”. Even in my slow state, I am much faster than a walker! Yippee.
See you next run
Lynne Bennet
Filed under Hill Running, Training by 
Can anyone who goes on a hill run please drop me a short email just so we can get some postings on the blog. I am still not fit enough to get to the hills myself yet.
email: neil<AT>namaste.demon.co.uk (replace<AT> with @)
Filed under Hill Running, Training by
The Sunday Hill Runs have proved quite popular over the past 5 – 6 weeks and these will continue to be a regular feature on the club’s training and social scene. As mentioned in the current club training schedule the weekend sessions will hopefully compliment the Tuesday and Thursday sessions with discipline specific activities progressively working towards declared race goals.
The programme of runs planned for October and November is shown below and it includes a build up in distance and ascent each week working towards a modest target race mid-way through November. The Tinto Hill Race is the last counting race in the Hill Running Grand Prix and is a fantastic short race that will suit anyone who wants to give it a go. The last session in this block should also help provide those of you who would like to venture on to the hills some essential skills to get you round.
The focus for the runs over the next few weeks will shift to the Ochil Hills, returning to the Lomonds in the next block where we will be covering the various leg routes of the ever-popular Devil’s Burdens Relay Race that takes place at the end of January.
Come along! You might enjoy it.
Sunday Hill Runs Programme – Oct to Nov 2007
21.10.07 Kings Seat, Dollar. Time 09:30am. Approx. Dist 5.5 miles, Ascent 1900 feet, Duration 1hr 15min.
Meeting point: Here
(Beware of the Buzzards nesting in the woods at the end of the run they have been known to be aggressive – just ask Stevie Greer!)
28.10.07 Andrew Gannel, Tillicoultry. Time 09:30am. Approx. Dist 5.5 miles, Ascent 2200 feet, Duration 1hr 30min.
Meeting point: Here
04.11.07 Ben Cleuch, Tillicoultry. Time 09:30am. Approx. Dist 7 miles, Ascent 2500 feet, Duration 1hr 45min.
Meeting point: Here
10.11.07 Tinto Hill Race, Symington. Registration by 13:30pm (10 min drive to start). Approx. Dist 4.5 miles, Ascent 1600 feet, Duration 1hr.
Race Details: Here
Meeting point: Here
18.11.07 Glen Vale, Near Gateside. Time 09:30am
This week we will Bear All! Yes, that’s right. You will need a map and compass. If you take to the hills you need to be able to navigate your way round so here’s a chance to learn how and take away the fear of getting lost!
Meeting point: Here
Map: Ordnace Survey Landranger sheet 58 or Explorer sheet 370 Available Here
Suitable Compass available Here
(Carnegie Harriers are entitled to 10% Discount from Summits shop in Dunfermline).
Filed under Hill Running, Training by
Well done to all Hillbillies who braved the trying conditions (both on the hills and on Scotland’s roads) over the last two weekends to take part in Devil’s Beeftub and Merrick. The rest of us not in the peak of condition (speaking for myself you understand) or those just looking for a wee fling in the local hills have enjoyed the delights of East Lomond and Norman’s Law.
George, Gail, Steven, Kate, Jeff, Andrew and Helena played an interesting game of “follow my leader” on East Lomond last weekend as Andy “I know where I am going” Sim convinced the rest of us that the intended route through Blue Brae Plantation was easy to find. The run back up over the hill following the mountain bike trail was a true workout that Andy and Steven couldn’t resist doing twice!
George, Maryann and Steven were the only souls that opted for a soaking at Norman’s Law whilst the rest of the club were either getting soaked at the Stirling 10k or (with the exception of Steven) recovering from the previous day’s hill race. Good to remind yourself how race routes can change with the seasons and if you are thinking about doing the 5 Hills of Fife it might be worth doning a pair of Colin’s “sliding pants” for the run along the track – the nettles have taken over and it is impossible to get through without getting stung. Ow Ya!
If you are not planning to do East Neuk 10k or fancy a recovery run after Morven next Sunday then the plan is to run up Largo Law. Usual start time 09:30am from the cemetery car park (link below).
Filed under Hill Running, Training by
Weekend Hill Runs
This month sees the busiest time in our Hill Running Grand Prix with 3 of the 5 remaining races taking place on 3 consecutive weekends (blame SHR not me!). Event No. 9 the Devils Beeftub takes place next Saturday (9th) near Moffat, Event No. 10 Merrick Hill Race is on Saturday 15th at Glentrool near Newton Stuart and Event No. 11 Morven Hill Race takes place the following Saturday (22nd) at Dinnet near Aboyne. Obviously our Hillbillies will be out in force building their championship totals but for those of you who haven’t quite got the bug yet but want to try out the hills then why not join us on our weekend hill running sessions? You may have taken part in the Club Hill race last weekend or wished that you had once you heard the buzz from those that did! Here’s your chance!!
We plan these sessions to take place most Sunday mornings starting around 09:30 and tackling easy to moderate routes in the local hills. Details will be posted in the weekly bulletin and on the Hillbillies blog www.carnegiehillbillies.org .
The first session will take place this Sunday on East Lomond, starting from Craigmead Car Park (on the Leslie to Falkland road). The following 2 weeks will give those that attend an opportunity to recce Normans Law and Largo Law with the hope that this may inspire you to have a go at the 5 Hills of Fife (see article below).
Programme of sessions:
9th Sept East Lomond, Craigmead Car Park
16th Sept Normans Law, Luthrie Village Hall
23rd Sept Largo Law, Upper Largo Cemetery Car Park
30th Sept Benarty Hill, Balingry
7th Oct Glen Vale and West Lomond, Glen Vale Car Park, Near Gateside
14th Oct Innerdownie, Castle Hill Reservoir Car Park, Glen Devon
5 Hills of Fife
This is a unique opportunity to take part in a race that takes competitors around Fife and up 5 of its prominent hills all in one day. Starting with East and West Lomond, competitors travel (not under race conditions) to Scotlandwell to climb Whitecraigs, then on to Upper Largo to ascend Largo Law, finishing in Luthrie where the final hill to be tackled is Normans Law. Run in teams of two this is a sociable race where the team’s total time for the race is calculated on the aggregated times taken for each hill. It’s a great day out finishing with some good old Fife AC tea n’ cakes!
If you would like to take part but are looking for someone to partner you then get in touch and we will try to pair you up with someone.
George
Filed under Hill Running, Training by
Yesterday 11 Hillbillies and our trusty dog headed up the Tillicoultry Glen to do a recce of the Maddy Moss Race route. It was good to see so many out on the hill on what was a fantastic evening with great views all around. Everyone got up and down OK. Gregor(9) and Cameron(12) Campbell enjoyed their first Hill run taking a slight short cut by missing the last peak and still finishing with the main group.
Event No. 5 in this year’s Club Hill Running Grand Prix the Dollar North Cape hill race takes place one week on Saturday, 7th July 2007 at 2pm. The Hillbillies are therefore planning a recce of the race route this Sunday, 1st July 2007. So if you fancy reminding yourself how good it is to get out on the hills or if you fancy trying the race for the first time and would like an idea of what you would be letting yourself in for, then come along.The pace will be easy with plenty of stops to regroup and it is anticipated that we should cover the 9 mile route that ascends 3000 feet in around 2 – 2.5 hours.
We plan to meet at the back of Dollar Academy at the start of Dollar Glen
Event No. 6 the Maddy Moss Mash also takes place in July and is an ideal test for anyone who has not done a hill run before but would like to sample the delights of a shorter yet physical race. It takes place on Wednesday 18th July 2007 at 7pm and covers 6.5 miles with an ascent of 2500 feet. We are also planning to recce the route on Thursday 12th July 2007 at 7pm from the start of Tillicoultry Glen GR NS 915 975.
Follow this link: http://www.multimap.com/maps/#t=l&map=56.15778,-3.74843|14|4&loc=GB:56.15778:-3.74843:14|NS%20915%20975|NS%20915%20975 Again the pace will be easy and we plan to take around 1.5 hours to complete the circular route.
Please come prepared with appropriate shoes (fell shoes or grippy trail shoes will do) and be prepared to carry waterproof body cover – even if the conditions are fair.
Filed under Training by
Details for the next few weeks are as follows:
14/06/07 – 7pm – A run in the Cleish Hills (organised by Phil) – Start: on the A823, 1km north of Redcraigs Toll B914 junction at the entrance to the forest on the east side of the road. GRNT076934. Click Here
21/06/07 – Why not tackle the “King of the Hill Competition” at the start of the Milnathort Dash? This 5.5 mile road race is Event No. 8 in the Road Running Grand Prix and starts in Milnathort at 7.30pm. Click Here If you’re not that way inclined a nice hilly run with great panoramic views starting in Ballingry (Opposite Church) may offer an alternative challenge, start 7pm (leader TBC). Click Here
28/06/07 – 7pm – A run in the Cleish Hills (organised by Phil) – Start: on the A823, 1km north of Redcraigs Toll B914 junction at the entrance to the forest on the east side of the road. GRNT076934. Click Here
06/07/07 – 7pm – Hill reps (3-4 x 200m ascent) – Start: Ballingry (Opposite Church). Click Here
Filed under Training by
Hello all, hope the running’s going well, just back from a great weekend on the west coast and having been back up on the Skye ridge, I am feeling full of enthusiasm for some long hill runs-I have just printed off my entry form for the Ochills 2000’s and I am looking for some training buddies over the next few months-in fact is anyone up for a wee recce in the Ochills this sunday morning?
Not the whole thing, but maybe a good chuck of it? The mother-in-law is staying with us so it would be an early start! let me know
Trace
Leave a comment if you are interested
Filed under Training by
Meeting point for the off road run is near the School and Church at the top of Ballingry. There is road side parking.
See map for details. Click here
Location is at 317420E 697615N (N56:09:50 W3:19:53)
Filed under Training by
