SOL3 at Dunrod Hill / Greenock Cut

Nice orienteering event near Glasgow today. Dunrod Hill is a high area above Greenock with lots of large reservoirs and former water power sources. Did the short blue course today and tried hard to go as fast as possible. Plan almost worked apart from one dreadful leg when headed way off course.

Nice cycle in the hill afterwards. Great area and worth visiting again for a walk.

Ben Lui and Beinn a Chleibh

Set out early to arrive at the mountain around 10 am. A tricky start with a river and railway line to cross and not the most of obvious path to follow. The early part of the trail was very wet and muddy and not very pleasant going until we got out of the forest. The higher ground was better and a good hard slog up the grassy slopes to Ben Lui. There was still a fair bit of snow near the top and it was a bit of challenge to find a safe way through. The descent to the second top was fairly straightforward and a very easy quick ascent to tick off the second munro. We needed to get back to town by 5.30 so it was a fast decent back to the car. Weather and views absolutely stunning. Great day out. About 6 miles of walking, 1200 m of ascent and completed in 4 hrs 53 mins.

North Berwick Law

Gentle walk from North Berwick shore and harbour up to the law and back. Nice spring morning.

Milngavie Again

Headed out on the mountain bike to do the other half of the orienteering course that I didn't get to on Saturday. Really nice day out with lovely weather and great scenery.

Mountain Bike Orienteering at Milngavie

An early start at Milngavie with some early cold rain to make the start quite challenging. The ride through town and towards the first control didn't go very well with it being really hard to locate myself on the map. After finding the first control things were looking up a bit and started to make fairly steady progress. The weather brightened up and enjoyed some really nice scenery with some great views out towards Conic Hill. The map was split into two halves and I think I must have gone for the wrong half needing to head back to base though the middle of the map rather than pick up more controls within the 3 hour time limit. Points wise it was a very poor performance but really enjoyed it. May head back and do the other half of the map some time.

Lochaber Marathon

Headed up to Fort William for my second attempt at this marathon. The last effort was back in 2006 when I got a time of 4 hrs 21 minutes. The weather was poor this time with rain for most of the time I was out. Started off slow and steady with a plan to take it very easy to conserve energy. Going reasonably well at half way but feeling a bit of strain. By mile 16 starting to struggle with mile pace dropping back and then hit the wall and couldn't move my legs. Last 8 miles were mainly walking with occasional spurts of energy. Finished in the dreadful time of 5 hrs and 19 minutes with just 3 finishers behind me.

Not sure what went wrong. Not enough specific training and perhaps a bit too long a run the week beforehand. Feet and joints not feeling great afterwards so will need a bit of a rest.