Two Fruits

Friday, February 29, 2008

Blown Away by the Wind

Today:
Distance: 14.55 km
Time: 80' 41"
Rate: 5' 33" per km
Weather: sunny, cool, temp 18 degrees, humidity 35%, strong southerly wind at 30 kmph
Week: 73.8 km
Feb: 364.4 km - 19/29 days = 19.18 km per run day
Year: 885.45 km - 45/60 days = 19.68 km per run day

Wind is the only factor worth discussing today. The sun shone with little warmth in it due to the strong southerly that blew all day. I rode the mtn bike to work early this morning with a tail wind, didn't make much difference in time to get there. At the end of the day it was hard work just to get home against the wind.
Strangely, running mid morning, I didn't notice the wind when against, but did notice the lack of assistance with the wind helping.
Just a trot around the river area, stopped for 15 minutes to stand in the water, which is getting noticeably cooler now, and back to work.
The running kms above for February show a big drop in distance covered compared with January. A taper and recovery week for the Maroondah Dam run mid month really did decrease the training. A bit freshening up before SFT will also reduce the March kms.

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Cross Training Day

Wednesday:
Distance: 11.1 km
Time: 61' 44"
Rate: 5' 33" per km
Weather: sunny, temp 24 degrees, humidity 40%, wind calm
Week: 59.25 km
Feb: 349.85 km
Year: 870.9 km
Today:
Mtn bike ride: 16.5 km
Weather: cloudy, cool, temp 14 degrees, humidity 80% windy

Yesterday was a really nice day, perfect for a jog down by the river. Didn't have much time but managed to get a short run done. Today, a complete opposite, plenty of time but an unseasonal cool day, wind from the SE, temp in low teens, could have rained any time.
The " boot camp" riders from work moved the weekly ride back to Thursday and 6 of us ventured out. Against the wind to the Gordon playground where we walked the steel rope at the rocket, did our sit ups, chin ups, climbed over the ladder, some managed to hang on to the monkey bars, slide down the slippery slide where some managed not to miss the pool of water at the bottom.
We rode our bikes up a few hills, the boys are getting better at riding but still complain. With the wind behind, great fun on the dirt at some speed.
A good cross training day, plenty of laughs, none of it serious but at least we get out and enjoy ourselves.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

There is No Cheese

Today:
Distance: 19.15 km
Time: 1 hr 47 mins 23 secs
Rate: 5' 36" per km
Weather: mostly sunny, temp 24 degrees, humidity 40%, wind calm
Week: 48.15 km
Feb: 338.75 km
Year: 859.8 km

From work I went to find out if there is any cheese left " On Top of Old Smokey ". Around the outside of Lake Tuggeranong, up Athllon Dr heading towards Woden until Sulwood roundabout, left onto Sulwood Dr and then into the nature park where we run the vet's handicap. Up to the top of Mt Taylor, ran all the way even the steps about half way up. Actually felt reasonably good on the way, must be starting to get fit.
Had a quick check on top of the mountain, there was no cheese, just a man and a small dog. Decided against drinking out of the bowls of water kindly put there for the animals, it wasn't that hot today to need a drink just then.
Just over 6 minutes km pace at the top which was good, a quick touch the trig and back down the same way, back to the lake and return to work. Just over 5 minutes pace on the way back, not all that fast but comfortable.
Mostly likely last real hilly run before SFT, but may do something over a few hills on Saturday.

Monday, February 25, 2008

A Day in the Life of .......me

Today:
Distance: 15.3 km
Time: 84' 10"
Rate: 5' 30" per km
Weather: sunny, temp 24 degrees, humidity 40%, wind calm
Week: 29.0 km
Feb: 319.6 km
Year: 840.65 km

At the vet's handicap, I heard a week in the life of CJ story and wondered how she manages to get it all done. At times, she is so frustrating with time out through injury and holidays and inconsistency. Then she has me in awe at what she can achieve with shear determination and will power. That part I love about her.
Then she starts a new job, now in charge of others, stress, training for a marathon running 100 km per week, then going to classes at night to learn and improve herself, more stress. She must have 30 hour day to live by.
One of the classes at night is about or about to be about nutrition, so I decided to write down everything I ate today so see if it is really a suitable intake for what I do. It is not a diet, nor is it anything you can find in the fridge. Here is today bearing in mind the alarm went off this morning at 5: 50 am to start work at 7:00 am.

Breakfast: 6:15 am - corn flakes, sugar, hot milk, coffee
Morning tea: 10: 30 am - 2 x hot cross buns, 1 x wholemeal bread roll with curried egg, 1 small tin of peaches, coffee
Lunch: 1: 30 pm - 1 wholemeal bread roll with chicken & mayo, small tub of yoghurt, coffee
Afternoon tea: 4: 30 pm- last wholemeal bread roll with chicken & mayo, cantaloupe, small bottle of orange soft drink
On the road: 300 mil bottle of orange juice
Dinner: 7: 30 pm - teriyaki stir fry beef with noodles
Snack: 8:45 pm - 2 fun size chocolate flakes
During the day: 1.5 litres of water

Most days I don't know what I will be doing, I cover for those that don't turn up so any day could be a short as 7 hours or a spread over 12 hours at work. Just need to be prepared for anything. Today I had 4 hours off from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm when I had morning tea, a chat, went for a run down by the river, stood in the water for 10 minutes, shower, and some lunch. As you can see, it is more of little bits all day grazing than 3 meals a day. I find that I am never hungry or full, the blood glucose level must be reasonably level so no highs and lows. Certainly in ultra running you need to train your stomach to process food all the time while continuing to exercise.
Maybe I have it right, maybe someone can teach me a better way. Open to suggestions.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Vet's Handicap - North Curtin

Today:
Race: Distance - 6.3 km
Time: 25' 32"
Rate: 4' 03" per km
Finished: 41st
Warm up 1.9 km plus warm down 5.5 km = total for day 13.7 km
Weather: sunny, cool early, temp 12-18 degrees, humidity 35%, wind from NW at 20 kmph
Week: 13.7 km
Feb: 304.3 km
Year: 825.35 km

Ran Cotter yesterday, backing up today on a course that I like even if it has plenty of bike paths, just run on the edges. I went back 2 groups to group 39 after the January 11th place finish and it seemed to take a long time to catch even the group runners in front. Ran strongly up the hill on the first 2 kms, didn't have the leg speed to take advantage on the down hill and certainly not on the flat.
Caught CJ on the flat bike path near the drain, that did take some effort, she is going well ( 100 kms a week does bring some benefit) and then it took a while to catch Strewth at the oval. Told her to move along as CJ was behind, but all in vain, couldn't hold her out.
After presentations, I went on an easy run out to Scrivener Dam and back with Bob Harlow on his bike passing me on the way. He backed up from yesterdays run with a long bike ride as he is off to Nepal in a few weeks time on a trekking holiday that with include going to the base camp the climbing parties use to climb Mt Everest. That will be a great trip, but he is unsure about altitude sickness.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Cotter - 20 miles

Today:
Distance: 32.0 km
Time: 2 hrs 54 mins 1 sec
Rate: 5' 26" per km
Weather: sunny, temp 14-18 degrees, humidity 45%, wind calm then NW at 15 kmph
Week: 117.85 km - 5/7 days = 23.57 km per run day
Feb: 290.6 km - 14/23 days = 20.75 km per run day
Year: 811.65 km - 40/54 days = 20.3 km per run day

The new Cotter running group have decided to be more accurate now with GPS measurements and call the old 21 mile course it's proper distance of 20 miles. A couple of recent runs over the course have been 32.1 km and today at 31.99 km from the hump in the road at the playground start.
I am sure the runners in the past would disagree but that is modern technology, we are probably much slower now than they were, but they had trees for shade even in summer and wind protection.
Backing up today for another long run just 6 days after Maroondah Dam last Sunday ( ps. I finished 17th last week out of 35 entrants, 32 starters and 27 finishers ) and felt OK most of the way. A bit of a struggle up the hills after Vanity's Crossing, ran all the way and fell over once kicking a small rock nearing the last relay change over point on Brindabella Classic run. Bit skin off right knee, right hand and left elbow, but the GPS was OK, that was important. I was running with Bob Harlow at the time, chatting away and next second I was down and Bob was wondering where I had gone.
I thought that the water at Vanitys would wash off the blood and dirt, but the water was low and we walked over the wall and the rocks, no wet feet.
A good day out there, good conditions, dry track, sunny and cool. Could not have been better. A cool down in the beautiful water at the finish. A nice place to run in summer, but winter can be anything weather wise including snow, so I would think that was my last run out there until October.
Vet's handicap tomorrow, should be able to back up again, short run but the first 2 km are up hill, then nice fast down. The rest of the week I hope to get some good easy distance in before slowly easing down for SFT in two weeks.

Friday, February 22, 2008

No Rest until after SFT

Today:
Distance: 16.0 km
Time: 92' 16"
Rate: 5' 46" per km
Weather: sunny, temp 27 degrees, humidity 50%, wind calm
Week: 85.85 km
Feb: 258.6 km
Year: 779.65 km

Filled in a long lunch hour today with an easy jog down by the river, stood in it for 15 minutes but it is still a bit warm. I was very surprised that the creek flowing out of Maroondah Dam last Sunday was very cold, in fact most only washed off the dirt and got out.
A Cotter run tomorrow morning, Six Foot Track is only two weeks away. Distance to be determined after I get there and start moving. Whatever it is, it will be nice and slow.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Bike Ride with the Group, then a Run

Today:
Bike ride:
Distance: 15.55 km in 65 minutes
Run:
Distance: 9.5 km
Time: 51' 19"
Rate: 5' 22" per km
Weather: sunny, temp 23 degrees, humidity 45%, wind calm
Week: 69.85 km
Feb: 242.6 km
Year: 763.65 km

The guys from work have changed the mountain bike riding day to Wednesday, so I had the chance and went along for the ride. Some are just getting back into the exercise bit after school holidays, so we went at an easy pace, but there were a couple of hills, and some dirt.
Up Athllon Dr to the ACT Environment depot, over Farrer ridge to Yamba Dr, down towards Erindale and back to work. Really nice ride, good fun listening to the cursing from a couple about how difficult it is. The ones complaining go to the gym, push the weights about, pose in the mirror, think they are great, but can't ride 1 km on the bike with 27 gears and not let all and around know they don't like hills.
Got back to work, still had plenty of usable time so went for a run. Just down by the river, made it to the beach at Pine Is so stood in the water for 15 minutes to help the legs continue to recover and then back to work.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

North Curtin

Today:
Distance: 10.35 km
Time: 54' 16"
Rate: 5' 14" per km
Weather: sunny, temp 23 degrees, humidity 45%, wind calm
Week: 60. 35 km
Feb: 233.1 km
Year: 754.15 km

Ideal shift at work today with a lunch break at Woden and just enough time to check out the vet's handicap course for Sunday. The short courses are easy to follow, just out and back on the bike path, total distance 3km. The long course is just a bit technical to mark after the long run up the hill past the horse paddocks, then a sharp left turn down through the houses, past the south Curtin oval to the same bike path as the short course runners use.
The course organiser has been out and repainted a few km markers, so all should be right on the day.
The run was easy, the time surprised me as I thought I would have been slower, but I felt Ok, no problems with the recovery so far.
Go again tomorrow still short, flat as possible. Doubt if I can run 10 km on Thursday night, that would put the recovery back a long way.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Maroondah Dam 50 km

Sunday:
Distance: 50 km ( my GPS 49.7km, others up to 52 km)
Time: 6 hrs 0 mins 56 secs
Rate: 7' 13" per km
Total climb: 1962 mtrs, total descent, 2051 mtrs
Start point: 150 mtrs above sea level, high point 1020 mtrs above sea level
Weather: sunny, temp at start 15 degrees, finish 30 degrees in sun, about 26 degrees in shade, wind calm mostly, light on top of range, humidity 45%
Week: 50 km
Feb: 222.75 km
Year: 743.8 km

Monday:
Mtn bike ride: 18 km ( very easy until puncture, then walk back to work, 1.5 km carrying bike)

I didn't finish work on Friday night until after midnight and Mick C picked me up at 7: 30 am on Saturday for a 7 hr drive to Healesville in the Yarra Valley in Victoria. This run we entered last year but the run was postponed due to bush fires in Victoria and total fire bans. The run was transferred to April, the same day as Canberra marathon, so we missed out.
This year we decided to enter again, but with hesitation as it is only 3 weeks to Six Foot Track in the Blue Mountains. We have in the past backed up two ultras close together with no problems so we hope again to do the same.
The drive down was uneventful, plenty of road works, I slept off and on most of the way so didn't see much. Found some accommodation in Healesville, checked out the registration area for the early morning, also doubling as the finish. The start, however was a 20 minutes bus trip away for both our 50 km event and the other 30 km event starting an hour later than us.
Some pasta for evening meal and an early night for me, Mick watched the movie. The alarm went off at 6:00 am, quickly ready and down to the registration area. Only a few there when we arrived but soon the familiar faces of the ultra running world arrived, Kelvin, Whippet, Brendan was sweep, Rob as Race Director for the first time. Most of the chat is around those that did the Western States 100 miles in America during our winter, those that did Coast to Kosziusko in December, backing up after Bogong to Hotham in early Jan and some that did the Cradle Mountain run in Tasssie just a couple of weeks ago. And you reckon I'm silly.
Uncle Dave was there to give the race record a shake, and with around 35 in the long run and over 50 in the shorter run, the RD was very happy with the way the event is continuing to grow. Kelvin tells the story of 4 or 5 starters in the early days, this event started by Nigel Aylott, tragically killed by a falling rock in an adventure race in USA a few years ago.
We started out on a single file bush track, just climbing in altitude slowly in the first few kms, then up and up, about 5 kms of just up. Tripped here on something, no damage, soft landing, just a graze or two. An hour and twenty minutes to run 8 kms and I had thoughts of missing the cut, however there were plenty behind me. It was a tough beginning knowing there was still 40 kms to go and two more big climbs to come. I passed a guys sitting on the ground going no where just before the Dom Dom Saddle, rolled his ankle, not too badly but not able to continue.
The next section is a loop back to the Dom Dom Saddle of just under 10 km. I liked this part, reasonably flat, very runable in the bush with a bit of up hill back to the drink station. The pace was quicker here and the cut off was just a distant thought.
Then the hard work really started. A big climb up the Great Dividing Range, on a 4WD road for part, then off into the bush up a grass climb again, walked much of this, just too tough and more to come. I was running with Malcolm Gamble at this stage, we had plenty to talk about, he had just done Cradle Mtn overland track run a couple of weeks ago. We came to an unmarked intersection up high on the range, no signs although the course markes had said stay on the main road if in doubt. We wasted about 10 minutes deciding and checking out two tracks before a group of trail bike riders told us they had seen no runners on one track, so we took to other.
Undulating is being nice along here until we came across a drink station at about the 36 km mark. Only a km and a half to the top of Mt St Leonards, then down hill. Luckily, the distance was under a km, although a very rocky, rough track in the scrub up to the top meant more walking.
Off the top of the mountain reminded me of the old bush track off Mt Franklin at Brindabella Classic. Very steep down, feet went from under me and down on backside again. Only a couple of kms of this then a very good dirt road, gentle down hill, as fast as you can go, which wasn't that fast. However, I managed to pass a few here, plenty walking, having gone out too hard in the conditions. Some how I felt pretty good, no cramps, energy levels good and generally appreciating the run. A couple of short hills towards the end, walked those and made it to the finish in just over 6 hours, nearly 2 hours behind Uncle Dave who missed the record just just a couple of minutes. If we hadn't of lost 10 minutes on the top of the range deciding where to go, I may have just caught Mick who ran 5 hrs 53 mins, also very happy with his effort, no knowing the course and the weather conditions not in his favour.
Waited in the cool, I should say very cool water of the creek close by to was off sweat and dirt and help the legs. Presentations over, we headed to any place that had hot food with salt. Chicken and chips and a coke usually our choice after a run like this. Headed home, stopping twice for a McCafe and arrived back in Canberra just before midnight. Would I do it again, yes. It is harder than Six Foot Track for sure, longer and the hills steeper.
Not much sleep and off to work at 5:45 am. A bike ride today and another 20 minutes in the cool water at Pine Is and the recovery in well under way. A short run tomorrow if I get the chance.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Twenty Five Laps in Bare Feet

Today:
Distance: 13.05 km
Time: 57' 26"
Rate: 4' 24" per km
Weather: sunny at last, temp 19 degrees, humidity 50%, light westerly
Week: 40.03 km
Feb: 172.75 km
Year: 693.8 km

Rode the bike down to Calwell oval for short tempo day now the sun has finally reappeared. Twenty five laps in lane 5 in bare feet, felt really good as the grass has not been mowed for a while and there is some moisture in the lower corner and across the centre of the oval.
Easy warm up of 700 metres, cool down of 1.35 km and 11kms of going around and around. Ave pace keeping it consistent at 4' 21" per km with just the last km a bit quicker at 4' 16". One of those days when conditions were near perfect wishing I had all day to continue on for plenty more. So much for work and tapering.

I Don't Like Tapering Week

Wednesday:
Distance: 12.65 km
Time: 68' 25"
Rate: 5' 24" per km
Weather: cloudy, temp 18 degrees, humidity 65%, wind southerly 20 kmph
Week: 27.25 km
Feb: 159.7 km
Year: 680.75 km

Planned rest day Monday, rained Tuesday morning so no go, busy Wednesday morning but managed to get out for short run before going to work at 2:30 in the afternoon.
But the hard part, given the chance, is that tapering takes away the days and the distance that you would normally get done. So races whether to be at any speed or time, are not good for your running. By the end of next week, recovery after MD 50, I will probably have missed 6-8 good running days. So if you run 8 long events a year, that about 2 months of running missed in a year.
Today, was a run on an average, for February, middle of summer, conditions, cool, windy, just get it done day. Not fast, nothing much happened, a flat easy run, slowed by the wind on the back.
Maybe, we will see the sun on Thursday.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Planning the Future

Today:
Distance: 14.6 km
Time: 81' 44"
Rate: 5' 35" per km
Weather: mostly sunny, temp 18 degrees, humidity 50%, wind calm
Week: 14.6 km
Feb: 147.05 km
Year: 668.1 km

There are a couple of events on in Canberra this weekend that I should have attended but didn't. A Retirement expo at EPIC and a 4WD and Camping Exhibition in Queanbeyan. Is this a denial that I should prepare for the future, maintain the denial of getting old, the " fountain of youth" ? Whatever it is, I just went for a run and will now laze about watching the ladies play golf and the Aussie play cricket. Motivation to do anything else, nil.
Bit surprised that the run was comfortable, did not push the pace but the pace was OK. Down around the river and back, stood in the river for 15 minutes because I didn't after yesterday's run, generally felt OK.
This week will need to be easy, a run on the grass on the oval early in the week, then a few short runs and a rest day or two before MD 50 on Sunday.

Saturday, February 9, 2008

Local Hills and Nature

Today:
Distance: 36.1 km
Time: 3 hrs 36 mins 9 secs
Rate: 5' 58" per km
Weather: part sun, temp 14-21 degrees, humidity 50%, wind calm
Week: 117.15 km - 5/7 days = 23.45 km per run day
Feb: 132.45 km - 6/9 days = 22.07 km per run day
Year: 653.5 km - 32/40 days = 20.42 km per run day

Still a little tired from last weekend up and down Mt Tennent, although the tiredness did not kick in until after 30 km today. Those training for SFT are running in many different places on the weekends with no regularity among local starters. Some first timers are hardly doing any training at all for one of the hardest events on the mountain running calendar. Good luck !
Today with nothing really planned, I headed over to Wanniassa Hills, Farrer ridge, around the back of MacArthur and down Isabella Dr past Fadden Pines back home. Stopped for a drink then off again over to Tuggie Hill, crossed the ridge from Conder to Theodore, behind the houses to the sub station and back home past the Calwell oval and shops.
Caught up with Mike W on Farrer ridge, bit of a chat, he is not going to SFT but is still out doing a hilly 20km plus run to get back into condition. He says he may go back to some rogaining events now they have created a new super vets type category, he thinks he may be competitive over the longer 24 hour events. Sounds too hard for me.

Friday, February 8, 2008

Dull and Unexciting

Today:
Distance: 14.4 km
Time: 77' 45"
Rate: 5' 24" per km
Weather: cloudy, temp 19 degrees, humidity 60%, wind calm
Week: 81.05 km
Feb: 96.35 km
Year: 617.4 km

The weather hasn't been much to rave on about recently unless you think dull cloudy, showery days are fun. Not much fun when the rain buckets down when you're half way home on the bike, absolutely drenched but at least clean. That way last night, made up for a non running day due to a long day with no opportunity to run during the day. I am not getting out of bed at 4:30 am to go running. That's what work time is for.
Today, almost the opposite for the day before. Nearly 6 hours off to do as I please, and I did not much in that time. Chatted a bit, went out for a short run and a stand in the water at the river, a shower and lunch, another chat, then the cricket started and after a while, I actually went out and did some of what they pay me to do.
The run was just a run near the river, fairly easy and casual, no one about except the grass cutters on their ride on mowers, always busy at this time of the year.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Oakey Hill

Today:
Distance: 10.75 km
Time: 54' 45"
Rate: 5' 05" per km
Weather: cloudy, temp 25 degrees, humidity 60%, NW wind at 30 kmph
Week: 66.65 km
Feb: 81.95 km
Year: 603.0 km



I rested yesterday, a combination of time and being tired. Much better for the day off, but I had to run from Woden Interchange at lunch time. Not really enough time for distance so I had to go a bit quicker than I would have liked.
Up Hindmarsh Dr towards the Tuggie Parkway, right turn onto Oakey Hill where I met the BBQ stakes runners on their weekly outing. Reminds me, I hope Friar gets better very soon. Continued over to Curtin houses, down past the horse paddocks to Cotter Road, around the outside of North Curtin oval, follow the drain back t0 the Hellenic Club, drop in for a couple of schooners and back to the interchange.
Felt OK during the run, bit of a surprise at the time considering a strong wind on the way out, against on the hills but assisting near the finish.
May get to the track tomorrow night if work permits, but if not then a couple more easy days, Saturday will again be fairly big. I have entered both MD 50 and SFT 45 so must keep up the solid training. I tell myself it will be worthwhile on the day.
I didn't really have the schooners at the club, just a drink of water from a tap when I finished.

Monday, February 4, 2008

Slow Run on a Wet Track

Today:
Distance: 12.05 km
Time: 68' 39"
Rate: 5' 41" per km
Weather: cloudy, light drizzle, temp 19 degrees, humidity 80%, wind calm
Week: 55.9 km
Feb: 71.2 km
Year: 592.25 km

I really only went for a run today to get to the river to get some cold water on the legs. However, a rainy day kept temps cool and I was very lucky to get out between showers that fell all day.
I rode the mountain bike to work early this morning without any problem, the run although slow went well and the ride home tonight was comfortable. All nice and easy today, had a midday siesta while the Super Bowl was on TV, too much carry on for me.
The run was down to Point Hut, along the river track to Pine Is and back to work. Stopped at the beach for 15 minutes in the water, could not believe I was the only one there. Plenty of kangaroos about and not really caring who went past, they were not moving anywhere. On the cool side today for browns and echidnas.
Ewen, I also used to see the echidna at the sub station a few years ago, but not recently. Always trying to hide near the fence just up the hill.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

Climbed a Mountain, Descended into a Valley

Today:
Distance: 43.85 km
Time: 5 hrs 39 mins 28 secs (running time)
Rate: 7' 44" per km
Weather: cloudy, temp 21-25 degrees, humidity 50%, wind calm
Week: 43.85 km
Feb: 59.15 km
Year: 580.2 km

After accepting John's invitation to climb Mt Tennent and go to the Orroral valley, four of us started at the old Honeysuckle Tracking Station just after 6:00 am. Mist covered the mountain so no view of the surrounding countryside.
We basically followed the course of the Deep Space Mountain marathon held in December, except we followed the Australian Alpine Walking Track across Bushfold Flats past Booroomba Rocks back to the start. This part after turning off Bushfold Flats is beautiful single file walking track, undulating and narrow, rocky, fallen trees, and closed in by the huge rocky outcrops. The GPS lost signal a couple of times such was the closeness of the surrounds. The National Parks people have done well to create this and it is good fun running.
We stopped back at the cars for a short while to get drinks and reload with calories before heading over the Orroral ridge to the valley below. An out and back of 17 km with plenty of walking some steep hills, as those that did this section in December would know. Pleasing to be able to run the flat and down hill at the finish without sore legs, although really tired and looking for a seat.
This run was described in December as more difficult than SFT, and I now would agree. There is no rest, few flat parts and the ups just go on and on.
Good day out, long time on the feet, and it should do some good in the long term. No injuries, no blisters, but I need some sleep. Recovery to assist the legs in the river tomorrow.

Saturday, February 2, 2008

A Wildlife Run

Today:
Distance: 15.3 km
Time: 82' 04"
Rate: 5' 21" per km
Weather: sunny, temp 22-28 degrees, humidity 50%, wind calm
Week: 115.75 km
Feb: 15.3 km
Year: 536.35 km

I thought today would be just a boring, usual run down by the river between Point Hut and Pine Is, stop for a swim and jog home. Nothing too exiting to start with but, then it all happened. I probably jumped over half a dozen small lizards, scared a little bunny out looking for some grass, and heard a variety of birds all enjoying the day. That as in the first 6 kms.
Stopped at Pine Is to make the most of the cool water, a few people about including a group taking photos of the birds in the trees. We were at the main beach area at Pine Is, they were looking up at the parrots when one turned around and looked down. Just a couple of metres away, a one metre brown snake was not happy someone was in his way. Very startled, the lady moved quickly and I signed her up for sprint training, she moved so fast. Not happy brown snake was trying to get home, wherever that was, but the path was blocked.
As well, trying to climb the rock wall was not going well, and he became agitated. We all kept well away as snake slithered along past the main steps to the beach over and around beach towels and picnic baskets and in to the bush.
We were glad to see him go, but know now there must be more in an area so close to where most visitors go to the water to swim. Leaving a little while later and an good sized echidna was spotted in the same area, burying his head in the sand whenever anyone got close. Now they are a beautiful creature. They move quite quickly as well, turn around and he had gone.
Ran back home, uneventful on a very nice day.
Rest day yesterday after a big January, a couple of good night's sleep and today was nice and easy.
Mt Tennent run tomorrow morning from the old Honeysuckle Tracking Station over the mtn and back then over the Orroral Ridge to the other old tracking station and return. A solid 40 plus kms, good preparation for Maroonah Dam and the Six Foot Track.