Next Sunday away-day - July 5th!!!

McStecko · Next Sunday away-day - July 5th!!!

It's time to think about the next Sunday away-day run.

Liz and I went to Blair Athol a few weeks ago and parked at the Glen Tilt car park from where a whole range of marked walks begin. We did a 9 miler but there are also 5, 6, and 10 milers and easy access to a couple of un-bagged (as opposed to de-bagged) Munros. The idea would be similar to the Bridge of Orchy run where we split into 2 groups according to preference for hill running vs trail running.

After the runs we can make our way to Pitlochry for something to eat and drink in one of the many fine establishments on the high street. We can confirm something once we know how many takers we have...

As far as when is concerned, it's tough to find weekends where there isn't something going on so I think our best bet is May 31st. It's quite soon but June looks pretty busy with various events like the LAMM, WHW, Arrochar etc etc.

So who's up for it? Given the short notice please let us know soon whether or not you'd be interested.

kona

Yes please! Happy to drive, can take 3 (maybe 4) passengers.

Kona.

Blazebuster

Sounds great - However, I'm commited to the Edinburgh Marathon on the same day. So neither Kirsty or I will be able to come!....Sorry!

Hill Fairy

Sound great Phil but I will need to do a long run that day. Otherwise I would have been up for it. Its a great area and as you say lots of options.

Tanconsult

We'd both love to come but unfortunately the date coincides with family events. Saturday 30th is our elder daughter's 21st bash and we're also hosting family and friends on the 31st.

Hope the weather's as you wish and that you all have a great time. Look forward to full reports...

Very Happy

Colin

Gordon

I expect to be okay to run a bit by then, so count me in.

kaznicholl

My business is moving premises that weekend, but I really hope to have most of it done on the Fri and Sat so ideally Al and I would love to come.

I really love the away days. They are such a great opportunity to step outside your normal comfort zone and share the joy of running with fellow nutters.

So.... I will work like a feind lon Fri/Sat ugging desks and bookshelves and if all else fails I can finish off on Monday. In short - count us in.

Kaz

runningpix

Would love to have come but we are at a wedding in N Wales that weekend.

Ali

McStecko

Looks like I've picked a bad weekend for this. Let's try to find an alternative that allows more folk to come along. I'll post a vote so we can see if a favourite emerges...

ian

Phil, the original date would suit me as well. Can we not just go then? We'll never get a date that pleases everyone.

(ps Phil T, I don't plan to do the 30 mile Strathearn run - I'm going to do a night run on the WHW on the Friday night so a 10 mile run round Glen Tilt would be perfect for the Sunday).

kaznicholl

Do we have a consensus on the plan this weekend? Is there are run? Is there not?

Do not mind either way but would like to come if there is one, so need to know re: working hours Fri / Sat in order to be moved before teaching starts again the following week.

Looking fwd to it, whenever it is.

Kaz.

McStecko

Sorry about the lack of follow up on this one.

I think, given various people's unavailability, that we should plump for July 5th when we seem to have at least 8 able to make it.

However, if there are people around on Sunday morning, it's a Comrie run and there are few nicer places to run in Scotland than Comrie when the sun's shining. We can do the Glenartney run or else Leg 1 of the relay or somesuch which will be just as nice as Blair Atholl!

kaznicholl · Cheers!

Thanks, Phil.

Never a truer word said - Comrie running is truely lovely and I will say right now that I will go to Sunday's run. I know - don't gasp in shock! An early morning every once in a while never killed anyone and I love running in Comrie so much that I can grin and bear the early start.

Any other ladies / Monday runners tempted?

See you Sunday (no backing out now!)

Kaz.

McStecko

Seems like July 5th is the people's choice. I'll have a look at some routes from Blair Atholl/Glen Tilt car park and post some ideas.

Meanwhile, please ink this in your busy schedules!

McStecko

So who's up for this then?

July 5th Glen Tilt

Choice of route:

1. Carn a' Chlamain
A lonely Munro about 7.5 miles from Old Bridge of Tilt. Total climb of about 820m and overall about 15 miles. I would expect to need about 3-4 hours for this route.

Meet at Taylor Park at 8am Sunday morning
Park at the Glen Tilt Car Park
Start running at 9.15am
Back to the car 1pm

2. Glen Tilt up to Marble Lodge
A flattish circular route of about 10 miles on good well marked tracks. Roughly 150-200m climb. 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Meet at Taylor Park at 9.45am Sunday morning
Park at the Glen Tilt Car Park
Start running at 11am
Back to the car 1pm

3. Glen Tilt up to Gilbert's Bridge
As for 2 but a bit shorter and, as it doesn't go as far up the glen it will be a little less climb. 6 miles approx 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

http://www.explore-highland-perth...m/walks/glen-tilt-atholl-walk.htm

Meet at Taylor Park at 9.45am Sunday morning
Park at the Glen Tilt Car Park
Start running at 11am
Back to the car 12.45pm

All 3 groups reconvene before driving into Pitlochry for lunch at one of the many eateries on the main street.

Please confirm on the forum or by e-mail if you plan to come and which route you want to do.

Thanks

Tanconsult

J&I are up for the Marble Lodge loop if the old bodies hold out. If we've understood the routes correctly, it seems we could decide when we get to Gilbert's Bridge on the outward leg if we can make the extra loop safely. Anyway, we'll be at Taylor Park for the 0945 departure with three free seats in the car if that's a help for transport.

Very Happy

Colin

wendy

this sounds great but duty calls, so i can't make it. Hope you all have a lovely day out.

Gordon

I plan to be there.

I'm only now starting to run again after nearly 3 months off, and I'm hillwalking the previous day, so I'd expect to be fit for the Marble Lodge route but not for Carn a Chlamain

McStecko

Looks like a good crowd of us lined up with takers for all 3 options.

Cast list so far:

Phil M
Liz
Gordon
Seonaid
Kona
Colin T
Judith
Kaz
Al
Doug or Cathy (to be decided by coin toss)
Dario (maybe)
Phil T (maybe)
Will (maybe)
Ali (maybe)
Patrick (maybe)

Anyone else?

Blazebuster

Kirsty
George

Probably for route '3' but maybe route '2' ...Kirsty can decide!

kaznicholl

Hi,

Who is munro running?

Kaz.

McStecko

So far there are 4 confirmed for the Carn a Chlamain run on Sunday:

Phil T, Phil M, Kaz and Al. Doug is a possibility (depending on if he wins the coin toss with Cathy) and Dario has hinted he may come along too.

Ian, Gordon, Kona, Colin, Judith, Seonaid, George and Kirsty are all up for one of the other routes though some indecision about which one each wants to do.

Hopefully one or two more folk may turn up at the appointed times on Sunday morning especially if we can do some arm twisting at the club runs this week...

kona

Just FYI Fiona Downie and her friend Dawn are joining us on the 10 mile loop.

McStecko

Great, we'll bring a couple of membership forms for them. The more the merrier!

McStecko

I love it when a plan comes together!

Great weather for the away day and a goodish turn out in the end despite a few last minute cancellations (you missed a cracker!)

Doug, Phil T and I met as planned at 8am-ish and reached the car park at Bridge of Tilt at about 9. The route out seemed to take no time at all on good tracks and only a slight incline. In about 45 mins we had reached Marble Lodge and set off on the climb up Carn a Chlamain. After an initial steep clamber up a heathery sheep track we met a stoney and awkward landrover track which was always not quite steep enough to justify walking.

Wonderful views all around including Schiehallion and possibly (we guessed) the Lawers range in the distance. We reached the top in about 1.45 or so. As we sat and posed for photos ( http://picasaweb.google.com/McStecko/GlenTilt ) Phil announced that this was Munro number 200 for him so just another 84 to go. For the record it was Doug's 84th and my 94th.

Then we set off downhill on a different spur and saw, in the distance, a party of runners making their way up the Glen. After some frenetic whistling and waving we finally managed to attract their attention and rendezvous-ed at the bridge by Marble Lodge.

After a bit of a chinwag with Colin, Judith, Fiona Downie, Kona and Gordon, we set off on the west side of the burn. I ran ahead with Phil T and Kona who certainly seemed to be pushing on and we reached the cars at BoT just after 1pm.

A quick refreshing dip in the Tilt for me to cool off and wash the mud and salt off before the others arrived and we set off for soup and sandwiches at House of Bruar followed by a rather delicious ice-cream.

The only blot on the day was Doug's outrageous behaviour at the House of Bruar bringing shame on us all and in particular himself when he ignored very clearly written signs explaining only one piece of bread (and 2 butter pats) was allowed with each bowl of soup (£4.25) - additional pieces carrying an additional 40p surcharge. However, he shamelessly snaffled 2 pieces and failed to declare the second.

The matter will be discussed in committee this evening!

Other than that, a really great day with perfect weather and excellent company.

Thanks to all.

Tanconsult

Great pictures, Phil.

A few thoughts of my own at http://tanconsult.blogspot.com/

It's not really jealousy that has me in the 'running is for fitness, walking is for pleasure and the views' camp. It's incapacity. Well, maybe a little jealousy.

Colin Very Happy

Gordon

Colin, I much enjoyed your blog and am pleased to discern from it that I did manage to share at least a little insight into the mysteries of Eastern culture.

Hill Fairy

Quite the most amusing post I have ever seen. I am wiping the tears away as i write.
Superb, but I suspect Gordon will not be posing for many more of your photos.

Tanconsult

All kindly meant, of course! And just goes to prove the generous subjects of my little stories have a great sense of humour as well (especially my wife who's had to put up with such stuff for more than 25 years).

Colin Very Happy

Next Sunday away-day - July 5th!!!

Cheers!