Achnabreac Forest Climb

Duncan wanted to go mountain biking today and there is a Forestry Commission trail not far from where we’re staying called the Firetower Trails.  There are also waymarked walking routes there so I decided to go with him and run with Ruby whilst he rode. 

When I got there I found that the waymarked walking routes were very short, the red one being a mere half mile and the yellow one being only a mile and a half.  I had chatted to a bloke from the Forestry Commission though and he told me that I could carry on up the fire road and head up to a good view point so that’s what I did.

Ruby and I followed the yellow route up the hill and then got onto the fire road and followed this all the way to the top of the forest then climbed up onto a view point and took some piccies. 

And a selfie...

We then retraced our steps back down again where Ruby was being a bit of a slow coach, feigning tiredness.  I say feigning because once we arrived back at the car and I got changed, she found her tennis ball and made me throw it repeatedly for her.  So much for being tired eh Ruby! 

Duncan didn’t arrive back at the car until around an hour after us, by which time we had played a LOT of ball and had also walked around the half mile red route and partially along a forest track, where we collected some blackberries as a treat for Duncan when he got back.

Positive Comments: first three miles was all uphill and I felt absolutely fine. 

Total Distance – 6.5 miles

http://www.strava.com/activities/194575359

Ford - Out and Back

At long last our holiday has arrived! 

We spent Friday night at a dog friendly B&B in Annan to break up the journey and yesterday arrived at our first cottage in a little village called Ford, which is between Oban and Lochgilphead.  The cottage is lovely and secluded and is in a 900 acre estate.  The caretaker, Phil, told us yesterday that we can feel free to wander the estate grounds and that, as long as the weather is good, we shouldn’t get lost. 

Last night we went for a brief walk up the hill behind the cottage and the views were amazing.  Unfortunately, I hadn’t taken my camera with me so I’ll have to go back up there and take some pictures.

This morning, however, I decided to go on a road run, just to get a feel of the area before exploring the off-road on my own.  I ran out of the estate grounds and onto the road into Ford.  From Ford the road splits and goes round either side of Loch Awe.  I chose the north road, which I ran along for three miles before turning back and retracing my steps.

On the return journey I stopped a few times to take some piccies…

When I entered the estate grounds I decided to stop and walk the rest of the way, taking pictures of the cottage on my way towards it.

On the entire six mile road run, I only passed one car and that was in the village of Ford, where the lady driving gave me a friendly wave.  I love places like this where everyone is so friendly.  I’m pretty sure that running around the roads of Horwich no stranger would give me a friendly wave, probably more a loud beep on the horn and then a laugh when I jump out of my skin. 

Positive comments: Felt really good and ran quite fast for me without even realising

Total distance – 6 miles

Out - http://www.strava.com/activities/194573600

Back - http://www.strava.com/activities/194573961

Up and Over to Belmont

Duncan had to drive to the Black Dog at Belmont this morning to await a lift into work and I had to get to Belmont to pick our car up and take it back home, so what better way than an early morning run over the top.

I ran with Ruby and we went via Two Lads and then cross-country to the mast.  We then ran down 'the ramp' to San Marino and along the road to the Black Dog car park, timing it perfectly as Duncan was just getting into his lift's car when we arrived.

It was a lovely morning for a run and it's a shame I didn't have a camera with me because it was so beautiful and sunny.

Off for a full English breakfast now...

Positive comments: lovely early morning run, really enjoyed it.

Total distance - 4.4 miles

http://www.strava.com/activities/190087191

Ooooo, a new little path, how exciting!

Whilst walking Ruby last night with Duncan, we discovered a short track that neither of us had been down before.  It's at the far side of the 'secret' reservoir and just drops you back down onto Coal Pit Lane.  Not very exciting I hear you say but, to me, all new routes are exciting!  It also means that when I run to the reservoir I can loop round, rather than turning round and retracing my steps or going up the dreaded boundary wall to the top of Winter Hill which I really don't like when I'm with Ruby as she sinks all the time and I have to drag her out of the mud.  I'd still like to know how I can continue a route from Egg Hillock though, without having to fight through bracken.  Anyone know a good route?

Anyway, I decided to use my new found track on tonight's run with Ruby so we set off from home, straight up through Wilderswood, up the path towards Two Lads, but turning right at the water tanks and across to the gate on the other side of the mast road.  We then ran towards the farms and out onto Coal Pit Lane and we went up the new found path to the secret reservoir.

After chilling out at 'the beach' for a few minutes whilst Ruby had a paddle, we ran around the reservoir and down the steps and along to the Trespass Stone.

We then ran back partially the same way but came out higher up on the mast road and ran up to Two Lads then down to the dog hotel and along George's Lane down Old Rake.

It was a lovely evening for a run and I really enjoyed it, although Ruby drove me mad for the first mile as she was sniffing and spraying everything.  I've never known a girl dog scent mark like Ruby does.  She cocks her leg like a boy dog and sprays everything.  Nice!


Positive comments: a lovely run and always great to find a new path, no matter how short. 

Total distance - 7.1 miles 

http://www.strava.com/activities/189885629

What's with all the flies?

My second run of the day took Ruby and I along to the top barn, up to the Pigeon Tower, along George's Lane and home via the field opposite the dog hotel.

For the second night running, I was getting attacked by flying insects.  They were all over me, flying around my head and attaching themselves to my t-shirt.  It really wasn't nice at all.  People seeing me must have thought I was a right freak, flailing my arms all over the place trying to get them away from me.


Positive comments - second run of the day and felt tired but did a longer distance than I had planned. 

Total distance - 5.1 miles (7.5 miles total today)

http://www.strava.com/activities/188888211

12 x 80m Hill Sprints

First thing this morning I ran along to the lane off Green Lane which leads to the stables and to Tiger's Clough (Devil's Steps).

After a half mile warm up I did some hill sprints which were 0.05 of a mile long each (i.e. around 80 metres).  I had set off to do 8 but, as it wasn't that long a distance, I decided to do 10 instead.  Feeling really good though, I ended up doing 12.  I'm not going to lie, it was hard work but I feel like I did really well, even though I got very close to chundering.

I cooled down by running up to the stables, along to the corner of Wilderswood and down Brownlow Road to home.

Positive comments: Felt really strong sprinting up the hill, could have carried on longer if I wasn't pushed for time. 

Total distance - 2.4 miles

http://www.strava.com/activities/188747010

Dangerous Corner Climb

Tonight, Ruby and I ran down to Rivvy School and then along towards the top barn, but turned off half way there and made our way towards the Pigeon Tower car park.  We then ran along to Dangerous Corner, going through the woods, where we saw two beautiful deer who just stood and stared at us for a while before running off.  

From Dangerous Corner, we ran up the hill called the something (camel, sheep, snake???)'s back. We then just ran along to the Pigeon Tower, along George's Lane and home.

One of my thoughts during this run was... how well would Mo Farah do in a fell race?  Any thoughts on that one? 

Positive comments: Actually got out the door even though I was obscenely tired and just wanted to go to bed! 

Total distance - 5.45 miles

http://www.strava.com/activities/188526043