Mt Majura Winery

Today:
Distance: 16.7 km
Time: 2 hrs 24 mins 16 secs
Rate: 8' 38" per km
Weather: cloudy, rain overnight, light drizzle to start then cleared, temp 14-16 degrees, humidity 98% - 45%, light NW wind at 15 kmph
Week: 111.45 km
Nov: 137.05 km
Year: Target 5000km less ytd 4078.25 km = 921.75 km to go

Last Saturday I decided I am not fit enough to run 26 kms over three mountains at any decent pace. So I asked John from AMRA if I could jog behind the pack to collect the signs and arrow markers. Too easy. Asked softshoeshuffle to help as he is now returning to running after months off with a foot problem.
The alarm went off at 5:00am to the sound of rain, 10 mils had fallen in Tuggeranong overnight. We arrived at the winery where a fairly good number had decided to brave the conditions, a few late scratching, mostly I would think because of the weather, the track was muddy and slippery in places. And some, due to injury!! So early, and training hasn't even started for SFT.
The main field left at 6:30 am over the top of Mt Majura first instead of last, the course changed to add Mt Pleasant and to eliminate the run along Antill St at Watson. At 7:00 am, the shorter one peak event left and we followed them a little while later collecting signs. Some useless and irresponsible bush walker had moved the signs on top of Mt Majura, the course was only marked on Friday afternoon. However, there is only one other way down, that's where the field must have ran.
We jogged back to the start, then drove to Mt Ainslie Road to collect the signs on the new Mt Pleasant section at Campbell and above the Australian Defence Force Academy. Nice area in there, bit muddy in places, but a nice running area.
Later collected the signs on part of Mt Ainslie before heading back to the winery. Most had gone as we waited only a short time for the last of the 20 km bush walkers to arrive. Out for over 4 hours, they did very well.
Collecting the signs at the tail of the field is a good way to cover some distance, no pace required, no pressure to run hard, and plenty of time to enjoy the scenery. However, the time has come to step up so next run at Deep Space marathon weekend will be the 18 km, a very good run from Honeysuckle Tracking station over the range to the Orroral Valley and return. Certainly not easy, but a great part of Namadgi National Park.
Later today, I will set out a plan for Saturday training runs through to SFT in March. Looking forward to some good weather and a few high mountains. Just need to get fit enough first. Starts at the Cotter next Saturday.