Had a chance to run in Scotland. We were up visiting family in Prestwick, west of Glasgow. Most days were easy flat runs being next to the sea but I did make it out to the Isle of Arran for a day. Now if I could train out there I’d be golden! I tried to tie in with a local guy I met via an Ayrshire Scotland running group on Facebook but he was mildly injured, maybe next time.
Prestwick Airport
This time around I took the train from Prestwick to Ardrossan Harbour. Then ferry to Brodick and ran from there. It’s so cool I can do that without a car! So rad!
I kind of did a similar loop I attempted before but modified the end, I had a bigger loop planned but ran out of time. Going into it I was unsure of the weather. The forecasts were all over the place and being an island it was super erratic! However, despite seeing chances of snow, sleet, rain, lightning, sun, clouds, mist, and fog in the mountain weather forecast Arran had the highest likelihood of visibility from the summits at a 20% chance. To quote Carl Spackler from Caddy Shack “so, I had that going for me, which is nice.” Every time I’ve been up Goatfell, the highest peak, I’ve been rained on or consumed by clouds with little to no visibility. It’s cool and exciting to be overwhelmed by weather in the mountains, but when you’re alone the fun factor is pretty low!
Prestwick Beach
At the train station it was sunny with a light breeze. I swear the people in Scotland are the friendliest ever. I think I met three people at the station and on the train who just started up a random conversation with me that started with a friendly Scottish accented “Hullo!” Once to the ferry terminal I checked in and walked right on the boat, got a cup of coffee, and sat down. We were shortly underway. I love how the trains line up with the ferries! The seas were ok, a little bumpy, maybe about two to three foot, but due to the size of the ferry it pushed forth unaffected. Goatfell and the high peaks were surrounded by clouds, but it was warm out. 45 minutes later we were at Brodick and upon arrival I stripped down to shorts and t-shirt and put everything back in my race vest.
Brodick
I ran along the beach on Fisherman’s Walk towards Brodick Castle, past Arran Mountain Rescue station, and soon was heading up the Goatfell footpath. Poles out for the climb. I passed people left and right as I ascended into the grey. And of course as usual as I hit the summit 3 1/2 miles later it began to snow and sleet! I got soaked and put on all my extra clothes. My hands froze as they always do. Fortunately I had all my UTMB kit with so was well prepared. I had left out my warm mittens though, they’d have been perfect! I moved on with wet gloves as I scrambled my way over to North Goatfell.
Looking down towards Brodick
Mountain running here in the UK is different. You look at a map, plan a route following what you think are trails, as you would looking at a US map. Most are obvious. The Goatfell Path being a popular peak is very obvious, technically rocky and by no means groomed, it’s easy to follow. However up high despite on the map seeing what you think is a trail it’s more of a route. Unmaintained with social trails braiding all over. So we are no longer running but scrambling over boulders, along exposed catwalk like footpaths, up, over and around until through to a less technical and open area where a more obvious “trail” forms. Add in limited visibility and although on a ridge it’s easy to get off route.
Sleets begins
Wet route towards North Goatfell
My frozen hands persisted and were painful. I wrung out my gloves like a dishrag multiple times then frantically shook my hands like I did growing up cross country skiing in an attempt to get blood flowing. It hurt a lot as it always did. Soon the sleet stopped and the sun was beginning to show. My hands warmed and I took off my rain gear. I trended down the ridge away from North Goatfell towards Glen Sannox. Last time I was here I got pulled down the wrong ridge and had to bushwhack my way to Glen Sannox. I was on route but any signs of footpath disappeared. The ridge looked too technical to I began trending down. And down. And of course off route. You idiot, you’ve got the route on your watch!
Starting to clear, before dropping off too far left
By now I was too far down to motivate to go back up so I picked my way along what appeared to be a light trail that had formed from others who had made this mistake. I was paralleling the correct wrong just below on the slope. The terrain is really odd. It’s low scrub brush, you can see everything but any “trail” will be hidden from sight. You can walk through all of it, just slowly. I picked my way traversing the slope above Glen Sannox losing time, tempted to go straight down to the Glen, until after a solid hour I rejoined the real route. From here it was lower down and good running I’d done before. Along a fairy tale looking brook with a bunch of waterfalls soon I was in Glen Sannox. In the sun I filled my water bottles and dried my gloves out.
I contemplated my next move. I had planned to go north around the far peaks and back up, but time wise it was a gamble. I decided to head up Glen Sannox, which is awesome singletrack, up The Saddle, back up North Goatfell and down Goatfell. Off I went in the sun, the high peaks visible as it had cleared up!
Cir Mohr and the Saddle to it’s left
I was soon scrambling up 4th class with a few 5th class moves to the The Saddle, a pass between North Goatfell and Cir Mhor that dropped down into Glen Rosa. On the map it looks like a trail, it’s not, and most people would likely struggle up this! Up North Goatfell I picked my way through boulders staying to the ridge. I bumped into a friendly couple I’d passed on the way up Goatfell hours earlier who were coming down. Up to Goatfell a second time enjoying the sun and clear views. I chatted with three guys smoking a joint on the summit for a while as I see the ferry arriving. Looks like I’ll get the next one!
View down Glen Sannox from the Saddle
Off I went descending the Goatfell Path. 3 1/2 miles of 17% grade! Ended up the decent was perfect training for UTMB! Slightly technical but not so bad I had to slow. I cranked the pace up having a couple near misses in bad rock gardens but was soon at Fisherman’s Walk along the beach. I headed to the ferry terminal and as I did it began to heavily rain! Good timing!
Descent down Goatfell
Down Goatfell
I got organized and put on my rain gear, then walked to the Coop to get some food. Back to the ferry, a short wait, and we were boarding. I got a bottle of Arran Blonde and wandered around outside on the upper deck port side. The sun was out and the light of Arran was great. A little breezy though, however I found one location on the upper deck that was positioned perfectly and had no wind and all the sun! I stood there enjoying the view and my beer. Hopefully I’ll be back again.
Looking forward to training I’m hoping for two to three huge back to back days, big ‘old shock days! A day in Church Stretton where I hit 10,000 feet of vert and about 24 miles followed (or preceded by) a “normal” day locally going for around 25 miles and 6,000 feet of vert. All I need is my wife to do the school run so I can leave for Church Stretton at 7, or maybe earlier, so I can get a couple more hours. She seems to think it will be fine so I just need to clear some workdays off.
All in all training seems to be progressing well. I feel the affects of the training load and definitely feel the need to rest so I must be doing it right. I started dropping weight so have increased my food intake as well. Losing weight isn’t a good think right now! Soon I’ll be in the crux of training, the back to backs, focused downhill sessions, more uphill hiking. Time is sure going fast!
One last thing, this Saturday I’ve got my second degree black belt grading in Jeet Kune Do! Really pumped for this, been training like crazy and know the curriculum well. It hopefully will go smoothly!
