Cotter - Run 134 - 15 miles plus

Today:
Distance: 29.55 km
Time: 2 hrs 39 mins 28 secs
Rate: 5' 23.8" per km
Altitude gain/loss: 540 metres
Weather: cloudy to start then sunny, temp 14- 24 degrees, humidity 40%, wind calm
Week: 121.65 kms in 7/7 days at ave 17.38 km per run day
Feb: 397.05 km in 23/28 days at ave 17.26 km per run day
Year: 830.4 km in 78 hours 42 mins 27 secs at 5' 41" ave per run or
830.4 km in 50/59 days at ave 16.6 km per run day

The image shows where I have been running at the Cotter since starting in 1994, not that many a year but a couple of years after our bush fires there was no running out there.
Today 8 of started as the sun rose, cool conditions and just about perfect for a long run. A few left early, two of girls and John off before some of us were ready, making pace as although they only had 5 minutes start, it took a long time to catch them. Mick & Robbie had 21 miles on their mind, the girls did 18 miles, Michael the same, John 21 miles with the short cut start. CJ and I intended to do 18 miles but CJ wasn't having a good day and opted for the shorter 15 miles.
One good or bad part of this area, is once you leave, there is a big Cotter dam and river between you and the start. No short cuts so easier to keep going.
Most were running well today, I left CJ at Vanities Crossing, water level is now low, but still cool. She went on as I went back up the hill on the 18 mile course and the last part of the Brindabella Classic course to meet Kelley & Elle, then Michael on their way way. I turned at the 21 mile corner back to Vanities. The girls had gone but Michael was cooling his legs. No stopping today, feeling good and felt like going hard. The girls in front were an incentive to chase, however a near 10 minute start had me wondering if I would catch them. A run from Vanities over Ma & Pa and Pierce's settlement, distance 6.5 km in around 30 minutes is good, no matter what you have done before.
I haven't been near that for a while but today pushed out a 32' 17" catching the girls after the settlement just before the road crossing. Sub 5 minute pace, very happy with the finish.
Last long run, next weekend around 15 kms, fairly easy, nothing more to be gained with some running the Weston Creek half marathon on the Sunday.