Mt Rob Roy - No 34

Today:
Distance: 30.05 km
Time: 3 hrs 28 mins 11 secs
Rate: 6' 55" per km
Elevation gain: 780 metres
Weather: cloudy to start, then sunny, temp 15-25 degrees, humidity 50% - 25%, wind calm
Week: 87.25 km
Dec: 315.1 km
Year: 4747.2 km

It's hard work running, jogging and walking up Mt Rob Roy at the best of times in good conditions, that is, cool day, mild temp, nice day in winter. But the day after Christmas Day does make it a bit more of a challenge. Early start doesn't help, but that is tradition, Boxing Day on Mt Rob Roy.
Mick, Nick and Michael helped continue the tradition joining me at 7:30 in the morning to tackle the hill. From my place in wonderful Tuggeranong valley, we ran past the Calwell shops to the oval, grass needs cutting, lanes 5 & 6 look slow, but inviting. Then onwards and now upwards to the sub station at Theodore.
No rhythm early, legs just rolling over with the fast guys leading the way. Then upwards to the mountain. It's 5 km from the gate into the Pini property to the track up from Conder, very dry conditions, no water in the creek at the half way point. Luckily the two fast guys stopped at the 3 yellow posts on the high point on the track, which is not quite the top of the mountain. The track to the top is now hard to find, leading off to the left a couple of hundred metres going down the back of the mountain.
The trig itself is is need of repair, the goat track into it could do with some maintenance, but that won't happen.
Down the back to exit the nature park looking over to Royalla and Burra on the Monaro Highway leading to Cooma. Around a loop to the open paddock with a few sheep grazing on not much grass. Sun out now, starting to warm up and finally the legs came good. Much better on the return into the nature park to rejoin the track we came up, and to collect a water bottle hidden in the bush. Drinking plenty now, warm and dry conditions, more like the way I like it, but not to Nick's liking, feeling the pinch a bit.
Back to the sub station, very loose rocky and steep in parts on the down, did not notice it so much going up. Exited near the sub station, collecting another drink bottle hidden under a tree, needed all of it. Nearly 2 litres drank during the run. Michael was not far from his home so we said, see you next week on Mt Tennent, another great day.
Caught Mick and Nick near the Calwell oval, still going Ok. Very enjoyable day, tough, as Nick said, you didn't tell me how hard it would be. Of course not, he wouldn't have turned up if he had known.
Speedygeoff wrote last week about doing some hill running next year but only without stairs, steps and rocks. Next week's run up Mt Tennent will be from Apollo Road, on the smooth fire trail to the top, out to Bushfold Flats and back to the start, then we do it again. Maybe he could join in, find out where and how it's done. And all other Speedygeese are invited as well. Strewth could come along, nothing to worry about with this Mt Tennent run. A nice warm sunny day, early start, water tank on the top of the mountain to refresh. Another great day coming up.
Maybe a hilly run during the week would help.
Pine Is cool water this afternoon, if I don't go to sleep on the couch, then it will be tomorrow.