A Trail Run along the West Highland Way

February 25, 2014 by winsometahn 3 Comments

Before I got into running, my exercise of choice was walking, especially walking in the great outdoors. I joined a hill walking club within weeks of arriving in Scotland and spent my first few years here exploring the Highlands and Glens and bagging 44 Munros.

Perfect Munro Bagging Conditions in 2008

But then I got into running and and preferred to spend weekends pounding the pavements in town and somehow 18 months has passed without me getting into the hills at all. Last year I set myself the goal of going on a trail run, but never quite got around to it, but a few days of annual leave spent at home seemed the perfect opportunity.

I live about 20 minutes drive from Mugdock Country Park, just to the north of Glasgow, which is a good access point to the southern end of the West Highland Way, the 96 mile long distance route to Fort William. I have walked the southern stretches of the West Highland Way on a number of occasions so knew the paths were good and the hills minimal – very important for a first attempt!

I headed off mid morning and the way out was pleasant and easy with the first few miles sheltered by woods and hills, followed by a strong tail wind in the more open sections. I stopped a couple of times for photos and  was happy that a remembered turn around point was just after the 5 mile mark, perfect for my 10 mile goal. I started to worry a little as I turned around, as the rain had started, the head wind stronger than I imagined, the uphill longer than I remembered running down, and I was tired. Possibly 10 miles was a little ambitious. However I walked the uphills,  and once the route flattened out I got into my running rhythm and the miles started to fly by again.

I loved this run, being out with the hills, streams, lochs and sheep! I definitely see more trail runs in my future…

Oh look, new trail shoes 🙂

They were in the sale…