Tempo Laps on the Stromlo Grass

Today:
Distance: Tempo - 10.25 km in 46' 23" at 4' 31" ave per km
Easy - 1.05 km in 4' 27" at 4' 13" ave per km
Weather: sunny, hot, temp 25-32 degrees, humidity 25%, wind calm then picked up to NW at 30 kmph
Week: 62.8 km
Jan & Year: 213.55 km


A meeting this morning to discuss the venue for the March monthly handicap. As I wrote yesterday, a co existence on the day the the Hartley organisation, they look after people with severe disabilities, very good people.

In conjunction with a representative from Canberra Stadiums who also control Stromlo Forest Park, and the organiser from Hartley, a successful and productive meeting has resulted in more than we had expected.

The map on this page shows in blue our running course, the red cycling track and the green mtn bike tracks. We will conduct as much as possible on the grass running track, the two short course events completely on the grass, out and back for a total of 4 km, turning near the dam. The longer event will leave the grass track just past the turn around, through Holden's Creek, and travel on the old " Mullins " course past the Bushfire Memorial to turn around and return the same way. All events use the two high loops on the grass track, making the return just a little more interesting. Should be a very good day.

The venue manager returns from holidays next week and we have permission to talk to him about upgrading the gravel tracks after leaving the grass. A gate will now be open near the creek, hopefully a bob cat will improve the tracks, plenty of goodwill shown by all parties. A pleasure to do business with others from private and public organisations.

So my running today. First time to actually run on the grass, walked on parts a few times and a jog on a Sunday late last year with Chris and Nigel to find a suitable course. I think they will be happy as well.

Four laps of the full circuit, my GPS measured each lap at 2.56 kms running in the middle of the grass track, not cutting corners as you would do racing. Times very consistent considering the hot weather, 11' 38", 11'30", 11'38" and 11'37" at average 4'30" km. Then a 1.05 km lap on the shortest possible circuit, good cool down run in 4' 13".

As usual ran bare feet, changed direction after two laps to get used to running up hill towards the finish. Stopped for a drink after each lap. I can see why Speedygeoff likes the area, although the drying sun and wind made parts of the course a little hard underfoot. Three young guys were running hard up hill intervals on the high loop section. Then on leaving three young girls were using the cycling track.