Corbett bagging in the Borders, 5 November

If you've got a visit to the dentist at lunchtime, what better way to ease the pain by running up a couple of corbetts. Fortunately nothing needing done at the dentist, but a halfday off work was taken all the same to visit White Coomb and Hart Fell. Bob, with his Rolly and myself, with our dog Jake ran up the side of the Grey Mare's Tail into the thick mist smothering the high ground above Moffat. Not the most interesting hills, but quite enjoyable, easily navigated and we came back down in the dark. I've set up a Flickr page and you can see more photos here .

Tinto Hillrace, 9 November

Tinto is a great little hill sitting above the Clyde and Biggar. Every year, runners race up to the summit and back down in times varying from 30 minutes upwards. A record field of 260 fought against the strong headwind on the uphill that made for times some 2 minutes slower than the perfect conditions of last year. Prasad Prasad and Jethro Lennox lead from the start with Jethro winning. I came 17th and 3rd vet. More on the Carnethy site and more photos on the SHR Flickr page .

Pentlands, 2 November

We spent the weekend in North Berwick, doing touristy things such as the Concorde Experience and surprising Tantallon Castle. All greatly enjoyable, but the only exercise was a quick jaunt up North Berwick Law. Returning home, me and the dog finished up the day with a 2 hour run along the eastern peaks of the Pentlands. We ran the usual route, being rewarded with a terrific autumn sunset. This meant that the last hour was in dwindling light, reaching our home in darkness.

Tarmachan, 26 October

This was the weekend that the Original Mountain Marathon (OMM) was called off and, in the eyes of the media, 1700 runners were lost in the Lake District. In Scotland the weather wasn't much better. We headed up towards Loch Tay with the intention of doing the Tarmachan Ridge, Beinn Oighreag and Meall Ghaordaidh. Upon reaching the summit of Tarmachan, the strength of wind combined with thick mist changed our plans - we about turned and aimed to Killin to shop in Killin Outdoor Centre and for a snack and a hot drink at the Smithy.

More Glentress Nightriding, 23 October

Goodness, how windy it is just now ! Fortunately the Glentress mountain-biking trails are in forest, well sheltered from the rain and gales that are being pelted at the country just now. A few of us went down from Edinburgh to enjoy the red routes. I must invest in new night-lights ! Bought a copy of Tracy and Emma's "Essentials" from the Hub - I'd been on their terrifc essentials basics course earlier on the year and this small book is great back-up. Well recommended if you do any trail or country-track biking, whether is to reach the foot of a munro or just for the heck of it !

Fell Running Relays, Wales, 19 October

The Fell Running Association Relay is an annual event not to be missed. Not only is it a chance to compete against top hillracing names from everywhere in the UK, but the weekend is a social catch-up for most runners. This year's event was to be held in Wales - I was excited about the thought of running up new routes in Snowdonia. Alas, the relay was held in the Clywdian Hills - not unlike the rolling gentle Moorfoots of Scotland. The running proved to be quite tough though. Andy Spenceley and myself ran the navigation leg - paths and trods for the most part, apart from the last 20 minutes or so which was uphill through dense heather, gorse and thistles. At least we didn't have to run through the field with the bulls that the leg 4 runners had to do !

In a way this race was a bit sad, as it was Helene Whitaker 's last race for our club - she's been out of Scotland for 8 years and in England for the last 5, so decided it was time to cut.

Back to Munro and Corbett bagging next week !

Pentland Skyline, 12 October

Starting practically from my back garden, this race is one of the best hill races on the Scottish Hill Runners calendar. This year it was also the last race in the inaugural SHR Long Series. With 16 miles and 6,200 feet over varing terrain, the 170 runners had their work cut out. I did the route in just under 2:55hr, a few seconds slower than last year, but not feeling anywhere as nackered at the finish. More info here. Photo courtesy of Anne and Ian Nimmo.