Cotter - 20 miles

Today:
Distance: 31.9 km
Time: 3 hrs 2 mins 5 secs
Rate: 5' 42" per km
Weather: nice, sunny, temp 14-25 degrees, humidity 25%, wind calm
Week: 68.8 km
March: 187.85 km
Year: 1073.3 km

I wrote to CJ during the week as she had a DNS at Weston Creek half marathon last weekend. I was concerned the wheels had fallen off with only a month before the marathon. Turns out she had caught a virus that the rest of the family had and decided, very wisely to give the half a miss. She is growing up the running world.
So the arrangements set, we met at the Cotter for 32 kms just after 7:00 am. Four others had just left and softshoeshuffle (Michael T) turns up as he is also doing the marathon and coming off an injury plagued preparation.
Beaut morning, sunny, mild with no wind. Properly measured the Cotter 21 is really 20 miles, 32 kms. Running at CJ pace, which was fairly solid, not too fast and just a pace I could keep up with after SFT last week. The two females ( I won't mention it was Maria and Helen) who had left early missed the turn to jelly legs, added distance as they almost reached the Uriarra settlement, turned around, found the correct turn and would have done almost the same as us. The two males, ( Bob & Rob) just kept on going.
On bicycle, Roger eventually found the ladies, both OK. CJ and I had a good run up onto Warks Road and on to the 20 mile course with softshoeshuffle opting to do the 18 mile course. We met him again at Vanities, water level down but still nice and cool. We did take our shoes off to get through, but we could have easily walked across the top of the weir.
Caught Michael on Ma and Pa and made it the finish just as the last early starters were leaving. A mirage for CJ at the finish. A mobile coffee man had his gear all set up near the entrance to the playground area, so after siting in the water for 15 minutes, we made our way to partake. A very good way to finish off the morning. Thank you CJ for your company and Michael and I will catch up next Saturday to continue his preparation for the Canberra marathon. CJ is away down the coast for Easter. ( eggs, chocolate, relaxing, and a good long run on Sat.)
I have plan set down for the training for Glasshouse Mountains 80 km in May. One week after SFT, so far so good.
In the afternoon, I had child minding duty, so we went to Pine Is, James swam and played around and I continued the post run recovery with an hour in the cool water. Fingers and hands looked like grannies, maybe like a prune, but the legs feel great.