Just Us and Nature

Today:
Distance: 27.6 km
Time: 2hrs 52 mins 45 secs
Rate: 6' 15" per km
Weather: sunny, cool, temp 4 - 9 degrees, humidity 50%, wind calm to start then up to 20kmph from NW near finish.

Week:
Distance: 102.35 km
Running days: 6/7
Ave: 17.06 km per run day
August: 56.05 km
Running days: 3/4
Ave: 18.68 km per run day
Year: 2531.65 km

A beautiful winter's day to start, a little brisk at times especially in the shade, but the temp climbed enough to not need gloves, or any other heavy piece of clothing to keep the cold out. The wind blew from the NW towards the end of the run, not good when you are feeling a little tired, all right, a lot tired.
My choice today as to where to run and, with CJ not really needing too many hills at this stage of Brindabella Classic training, we left out the mountains. Starting at the Tuggeranong Swimming Centre we headed over to, and up Urambi Hills to enjoy the views of the Tuggeranong Valley. We took the easiest way up to the top up the gully from Learmonth Dr side, there are several really nasty other ways to get up there. Going down a couple of people with their dogs were also out getting some exercise, these being almost the last bits of humanity we would come across for another couple of hours.
Urambi Hills led us down past Gleneagles and the Murrumbidgee golf course to Kambah Pool Rd and down to the river. From the end of the road you can either go right on the river track to Casuarina Sands and the Cotter, (too far but a good run) or turn south, which we did.
The track was upgraded after the bush fires in 2003 to good but still undulating condition. The course goes high above Red Rocks gorge, past the "Kookaburra Gate" crossing Tuggy creek below the dam wall and finds its way some how to Pine Is. This section I travel often, sandy in places, plenty of variation both up and down.
Pine Is is almost civilization, one car there today but normally plenty of picnickers and BBQers making the most of a pleasant area.
Continuing on we reached Point Hut where the noise of cars took over from the sounds of the rapids in the river. The only other noise for the day had been the cockatoos, the rest of the wildlife very nice and quiet, and friendly, most not even moving despite us being very close. The cattle, kangaroos and varieties of birds didn't mind our company.
Point Hut vanished into the distance as we headed back towards Bonython, past the bus depot (a reminder I will be back there on Monday morning at 5:45AM), over to Lake Tuggeranong and back to the cars. The last part by the lake was windy, but, hey, we were nearly finished.
Covered plenty of territory, mostly just us, good conditions, beaut day, and as always, a very good running partner.
Running doesn't always have to be about pushing limits, but really, just has to be about enjoying the experience. Today was a great day out. Thanks CJ.