Half A Year Done

Today:
Distance: 5.85 km
Time: 31' 11"
Rate: 5' 20" per km
Weather: nice winter day, temp 16 degrees, humidity 40%, wind NW at 20 kmph
Week: 37.7 km, June: 412.15 km
Year: 2268.2 km in 6 months at 378.0 kms ave per month

Running wise it has been a good first half of the year. Results wise not so great every event started was finished. There have been no injuries or sickness, running continuing on it's merry way just as it should.
I did crash off the mountain bike a few times cross training, a few scratches, no real damage. The weather overall has been good except for a few crappy days in Tassie while on holidays. Summer was hot and dry, still managed to get out and about even on the hottest days. Not much rain at all, we are still close to drought if not still there, and still on stage 3 water restrictions. It's raining outside now as I write.
Six Foot Track in March was my 11th, one more to get the belt, then retire from that event. Another trip to Glasshouse Mountains in May was fun, a tough course and another finish after 83 kms.
Stayed away from any road events, in fact haven't ran a road race since Gold Coast marathon in 2004.
May try some different type ultras next year, I have the Red Rocks to Coffs Harbour in mind if it is held in April. It has been just 2 weeks after SFT, so no chance. But a change in dates this year means hopefully it will stay in April. Then the day will depend on the tide. It's a beach run over 45 kms. That would be fun.
A few mountain running events as well, that's what I like.
Bring on the second half of the year, can't wait for some warmer weather.

Consolidating the Weekend's Activity

Today:
Distance: 5.9 km
Time: 31' 52"
Rate: 5' 24" per km
Weather: sunny, temp 12 degrees, humidity 70%, wind NW at 15 kmph
Week: 31.85 km, June: 406.3 km, Year: 2262.35 km

Took no chances to undo the good weekend, so I had an easy relaxed day. Rode the bike to work as I usually do, rode home at lunch time, then an easy jog back to work. Felt Ok, no soreness or fatigue.
Easy because it's down hill and flat, although there was a gentle NW wind against. Nothing much to upset the rhythm or pace. Nice sunny day, reasonably mild for this time of year. The rest of the week weather wise is not looking too good. Just do what I can and hope for a nice sunny Saturday morning.
Ewen, I wouldn't have even seen their dust settling on Sunday. So slow, the only way I saw the presentations was because I was the presenter.

Monthly Handicap - Mt Ainslie

Today:
Race: 9.25 km in 43' 16" at 4' 41" per km
Warm up: 2.85 kms in 16' 29" at 5' 47" per km
Cool down: 13.85 km in 77' 36" at 5' 36" per km

Day totals: 25.95 kms in 2 hrs 17 mins 21 secs at 5' 17" per km
Weekend Total: 68.9 km in 6 hrs 43 mins 31 secs at 5' 51" per km

Weather: cloudy, temp 7-12 degrees, humidity 75%, wind calm

Week: 25.95 km, June: 400.4 km, Year: 2256.45 km

I should have titled today's story " A Big Weekend" as that is what it was. Fairly tired now but happy with how the weekend turned out. A race over a long and not so easy course thrown in the mix was Ok, well off my best time but I have lost any speed I once had. Finished 72nd out of around 90 so not last, the fast back markers went past me as if I was standing still, it was only for the rain overnight or I would have been eating dust.
A long cool down run, also called adding good kms to the day and the weekend with Liz was great. A chance to chat and catch up about all things running, past, present and near future.
An easy day or two to consolidate this weekend, must venture to the river to cool down the legs. Talking to Robbie and others today, the water at Vanities Crossing at the Cotter run is now just above freeeezing, you know the second step in the water when the pain hits. Good for you.

It Took All Day

Today:
Run 1: Dist. 19.35 km in 120' 23" at 6' 02 " per km
Run 2. Dist. 14.10 km in 81' 14" at 5' 45" per km
Run 3. Dist. 9.5 km in 64' 33" at 6' 47" per km
Totals: Dist. 42.95 km Time: 4 hrs 26 mins 10 secs Rate: 6' 12"

Weather: part sun/cloud, temp 7-13 degrees, humidity 55%, wind calm
Week: 112.6 km, June: 374.45 km, Year: 2230.5 km

As I mentioned in my last post, today was a mixed up day with a few other obligations to be met. However the day's activities turned out be to good. First run started at 8:30 this morning, a circuit from home of the southern suburbs of Theodore, Conder, Banks, Gordon, and patting a couple of dogs in the exercise area near Point Hut. A run/walk effort on the hills, a bit quicker on the flat, quite good overall.
Second run after a short stop at home for bananas and honey on toast, and a drink. This one on very familiar tracks down to the river at Point Hut, along the river track to the top car park at Pine Is and back home behind Bonython. Faster than run 1 with no walking, frustrated at times with crossing the road, so much traffic.
Run three was a run around the base of Mt Ainslie while checking and marking the course for tomorrow's monthly handicap. We have moved the start line a few metres so we needed to adjust where the kms markers are placed. All the ups and downs are still there.
Good day, happy to be still running freely late in the afternoon. Race tomorrow will tell.

Around the Park Slowly

Today:
Distance: 10.25 km
Time: 57' 38"
Rate: 5' 37" per km
Weather: sun/cloud, temp 11 degrees, humidity 70%, cool NW wind at 20 kmph
Week: 69.65 km, June: 331.5 km, Year: 2187.55 km

Nothing much to write about today, the run was showing signs of needing a rest day, so that will be tomorrow. A couple of early nights and no running will prevent the chance of tipping over the edge.
Luckily no "swine" has sneezed over me at work, so I remain healthy.
The weekend will now be double up, hopefully both days combined will be the same as one long run on Saturday. Saturday afternoon is a bike ride,( maybe run) over the monthly handicap course around the base of Mt Ainslie , then Sunday morning is the race. I always try at the monthly handicaps, but this is a difficult run, plenty of ups and down and big climb with a km to go.
Saturday morning I will try to get 4 hours done from home. Then Sunday after the race, I will do another 2 laps to make near 30 kms for Sunday. Not much but it's the best I can do this weekend.

How to Keep Motivated

Today:
Distance: 14.3 km
Time: 77' 14"
Rate: 5' 24" per km
Weather: sunny, temp 12 degrees, humidity 75%, wind calm
Week: 59.4 km, June: 321.25 km
Year: 2177.3 km in 25 weeks at ave 87.1 km per week

I received an email today to ask how I keep motivated to run day after day. A strange request from some one who has tons of ability to run long and hard.
The answer from my point of view is to have a focus, a purpose to get out and do the hard yards, especially in winter. Basically I don't usually run just to run, but with a purpose to an end goal. It doesn't matter how far down the line that goal is, as long as it's there. Then I break up the months and weeks leading to that goal and work backwards. A few races or events in between lets you know how much progress is being made.
Draw up a plan however basic and try to stick to it. Having a partner(s) to join in makes it a bit easier. Writing a blog or recording your activities helps as well.
Today, I ran home for lunch and back to work, and answered the email. Nice day after morning fog and light rain. Good run at easy pace, really enjoyed the day out.

Not Until Midday

Today:
Distance: 16.2 km
Time: 96' 47"
Rate: 5' 58" per km
Weather: sunny after fog lifted, temp 9 degrees, humidity 90%, wind calm
Week: 45.1 km, June: 306.95 km, Year: 2163.0 km

The fog and low cloud didn't lift again until near midday today, similar to the past few days. I had planned to run to the top of Mt Taylor, but as I drove past it about 10:30, the entire mountain was not visible. That was the end of that.
Extended little lunch out to an hour until I could see across the street, then decided to head south instead of east. There is a nasty, short, steep hill behind the houses of Gordon at the Point Hut end. It kind of made up for not doing Mt Taylor. The flat fire trail above Gordon is a nice relief from the hill, with very scenic views across the valley towards Mt Tennent.
A bit of walking practice as well to work out a suitable pace to maintain some progress at the 24 hour in July. Both contributed to the slow km rate today, but still faster than the plan being put together. More on that later.

The Beautiful and The Ugly

Today:
Distance: 14.75 km
Time: 78' 52"
Rate: 5' 21" per km
Weather: sunny after fog lifted, temp 9 degrees, humidity 90%, wind calm
Week: 28.9 km, June: 290.75 km, Year: 2146.8 km

I don't normally take too much interest in politics either local or federal, other than to try to know what is happening. So when this " Utegate" affair has blown up over the weekend, still not much interest except pollies doing what they do best, insult each other and Australia's intelligence. Grown up kids!!
However, I did hear on the radio this morning that the police had searched the home of the treasury official who gave evidence last Friday. Still not much to worry about until I looked in the phone book at lunch time to see where he lived. He lives south side of Canberra, even closer he lives just one street from my place. Does that me important, I don't think so.
Ran what I may use as a standard run from work around the back of Bonython, then over to the nature park near the dog exercise area, along the river track to Pine Is and back to work. Just depending on the exact course, distance will be around 9 km. Rode my mountain bike home for lunch.
To return to work, my running track takes me on to Johnson Dr, then down Woodcock Dr to Bonython. As I left my place, through a bike track between houses, I came across a street full of cars, TV cameras, sound recordists and journalists almost blocking my path. The ugly side was the hounding of 3 people trying to walk down the street ignoring their invasion of privacy. Obviously none was the treasury official, centre of attention, but family or friends there to offer support. Stressful enough without journalists hounding them.
I stopped for a second to watch and understand the situation, then continued to run through the middle of the mass of people. I hope I upset their picture taking.
The professions with the lowest ranking in the credibility stakes were all on display today, politicians, journalists and used car people. Now I know why.
The beautiful side of today happened not long after. Behind Bonython and as described in Ewen's home video, the kangaroos were close enough to touch. Just a metre away and not a bit scared. So close and so nice.
We may live in a political town, but we are ordinary people living in ordinary suburbs, doing ordinary things in life. So running ultras is not ordinary, neither is up and down mountains, but lots of other people I know do the same.

After the Rain, Run

Today:
Distance: 14.15 km
Time: 73' 25"
Rate: 5' 11" per km
Weather: cloudy, temp 12 degrees, humidity 75%, wind calm
Week: 14.15 km, June: 276.0 km, Year: 2132.05 km

It seems to rain on Canada Fun run day. I entered this event a few years ago, but it rained heavily on the day, I stayed home. The donation to the Cancer Society was enough for me, the run was just a reason to donate.
It rained again this morning, hopefully not much in the city for the runners and walkers. I however slept in, and waited until this afternoon to get out.
A few sore spots from yesterday had disappeared, the outing today was from home towards Hume and back on the fire trail behind Chisholm and Gilmore. Nice soft tracks after the rain, good to run on.

Stromlo Forest Park

Today:
Distance: 38.5 km
Time: 3 hrs 54 mins 28 secs
Rate: 6' 05" per km
Altitude gain: 500 metres
Calories used: 2888
Weather: mostly cloudy, temp 5-13 degrees, humidity 60%, wind calm
Week: 111.8 km, June: 261.85 km, Year: 2117.9 km

Stromlo Forest Park is not really a good place for distance running. The Deeks Forest car park was full of rally cars, construction machines and workmen were preparing an area for a mountain bike event soon, and there is a big hill to the west with a observatory on the top. That doesn't leave much room for a long flat run.
The original plan, as I discussed with softshoeshuffle on the way out, was to run a circuit from Deeks car park, reasonably level on a good gravel surface, return to the car to eat and drink and go again.
The rally cars soon put that idea away, so we had to find somewhere else with SFP the obvious place. Running 20 laps of the grass cross country course would have been too much, even for me. We did include it several times as we found new places to go.
In the end, we ran the grass course a couple of times, out to the bush fire memorial a couple of times, up to near the top of Mt Stromlo once, another lap on what I recall would have been the vet's Mullins course, half way up the mountain, carefull to avoid the mountain bikes. Luckily there weren't many about.
Even with three hilly sections, the average pace was Ok, somewhere near what I wanted to maintain.
First long run since Glasshouse, felt good most of the time, struggled a bit on a few hills, bit sore in the hammies and glutes. That will sort itself out with another couple of long runs when unused muscles are bought back to life. Otherwise, quite happy with the day's effort.

Resting Up to Go Forward

Today:
Distance: 4.1 km
Time: 22' 10"
Rate: 5' 24" per km
Weather: sunny, temp 12 degrees, humidity 40%, wind easterly at 15 kmph
Week: 73.3 km, June: 223.35 km, Year: 2079.4 km

I left my bike at work on Thursday night, too cold, too dark and too tired to ride home. Free ride on public transport. Today should be a rest day, but it was quite nice this morning after the frost had gone and the sun started to shine.
Short run down to the river and back, then ride the bike home at the best time of day. Not much but enjoyable.
Stromlo Forest from Deeks tomorrow, try to find a suitable 4- 5 km circuit on dirt trails similar to the 500 metres around the Caboolture Village, scene of the 24 hour in late July.
It will be boring, lack of scenery at the moment, but then running/walking for 24 hours will be just as boring. It's all part of the mental preparation.

Time Poor Day

Today:
Distance: 9.9 km
Time: 52' 55"
Rate: 5' 21" per km
Altitude gain: 140 metres
Weather: cloudy, temp 12 degrees, humidity 60%, wind calm
Week: 69.2 km, June: 219.25 km, Year: 2075.3 km


Too much to do and too little time left over was today's excuse. Just enough time to do the Tour de Bonython, but I did go over the Stranger Hill so a few ups and downs to counter the lack of distance.
Not much else to report, quiet day. Normally Thursday is bike ride day but we were not organised enough this week.

Easy Mid Week

Today:
Distance: 9.1 km
Time: 49' 36"
Rate: 5' 27" per km
Weather: another nice winter's day, sunny, temp 13 degrees, humidity 50%, wind calm
Week: 59.3 km, June: 209.35 km
Year: 2065.4 km in 24 weeks at 86.05 km ave per week

Stayed away from the wombat holes today, a nice and easy run to start from work around the river tracks and back to work. Then rode the bike home for lunch. Small back to back session.
Drove the car back to Pine Is after a short break to run another 3 kms easy. Really nice in the middle of the day at this time of year.
Ewen, it looked like the wombat holes were big enough for your summer holidays. They grow them big down our way, at least the dirt is nice and soft for future extensions as more of the family move in to take up residence.

It Has to be Done!!

Today:
Distance: 20.75 km
Time: 1 hr 54 mins 25 secs
Rate: 5' 31" per km
Weather: sunny, temp 11 degrees, humidity 70%, cold southerly wind at 15 kmph
Week: 50.2 km, June: 200.25 km, Year: 2056.3 km

Ran the time trial circuit although not intending to run at time trial pace. However, the circuit of 12 kms took 64' 59", very similar to the previous runs. The cold southerly certainly slowed the section around the back of Gleneagles estate and the fire trail of Urambi Hills.
Overall pace slowed as I went down to the bush trail near the river, the soft sand and loose dirt, as well as wombat holes made any speed impossible.
Good run today, this is what needs to be done over the next month with the extra long Saturday's becoming very important. Praying for some fine weather, no cold snaps of snow off the Alps.

Proposed Canberra 100 km & 100 mile

Today:
Distance: 13.35 km
Time: 71' 41"
Rate: 5' 22" per km
Weather: sunny, temp 7-9 degrees, humidity 80%, wind calm
Week: 29.45 km, June: 179.5 km, Year: 2035.55 km

First, today just a run home at lunch time and back to work. After the fog and low cloud lifted mid morning, the afternoon turned in to a nice winter's day.

Liz put on to a thread on "coolrunning" about a proposed 100 mile and 100 km event to be held in Canberra next year. Just plenty of discussion at present, both on a course and the time of the year the event could be held. A course around the nature parks and mountains should not be too difficult to find. An adaption of the Sri Chinmoy Triple Tri course would appear to me to be the most suitable. Of course ultra runners are not swimmers so the lakes would see no action. The rest could easily be modified to suit an ultra running event.
The real problem will be timing on a crowded ultra calendar. There are several events that any ultra should not clash with, most notably being Six Foot Track in March and probably the Glasshouse 100 mile in Sept.
Otherwise, Coast to Kozi in Dec is becoming an iconic event, there are several established 100 km events conducted by AURA as Aust championship events and selection for Worlds. As well, there are 12, 24 & 48 hour track events that need to be considered.
And, there are not that many runners in the real ultra family. Basically if you can run a marathon, then 50 kms is not that much further, and even 60 kms is quite doable. After that, training is specific and tapering and recovery take longer.
Any one with suggestions can find the thread on the recent forums part of " cool running" and offer their thoughts. Find a date vacant in the year would also be helpful.
A summer run in Canberra would be hot, a winter run would be nasty especially after dark. Point to remember is that 100 miles will take the best part of a whole day.

Back in Familiar Surrounds

Today:
Distance: 16.1 km
Time: 87' 57"
Rate: 5' 27" per km
Weather: sunny, temp 12 degrees, humidity 50%, light but cool NW wind at 10 kmph
Week: 16.1 km, June: 166.15 km, Year: 2022.2 km

It takes a while to unpack and catch up after being away for a while. So instead of running this morning, it was later this afternoon before getting out. Nice afternoon for winter. Checked out the usual tracks around Pine Is and Point Hut, plenty of people walking, none using the BBQs.
I read Uncle Dave's blog on his preparation for Gold Coast marathon, it's well worth a read if you want to run at the front of the field. He certainly puts the rest of us to shame with long runs back to back, and speed sessions where just one effort would kill me, let alone repeats.
The weather holding at cold with no rain hopefully means I can now ramp up the training towards something long at end of July or August. Consistency is now the name of the game, and not getting sick or injured.

What Happened in Hobart?

Wednesday:
Berriedale: Distance - 16.25 km in 1 hr 27 mins 50 secs at 5' 24" per km
Weather: sunny, temp 7 degrees, SSW at 15 kmph, humidity 50%, temp felt like 4 degrees, snow on Mt Wellington down to 500 metres, cold all day.
Thursday:
Berriedale: Distance - 20.05 km in 1 hr 51 mins 53 secs at 5' 35" per km
Weather: part sun/ cloud, temp 10 degrees, humidity 65%, wind calm.
Week: 74.8 km, June ( and holiday total ) 150.05 km, Year: 2006.1 km

Three nights in Hobart visiting wife's family and friends. With Mrs Two Fruits doing the mother, sister bonding sessions, I had the chance to get a couple of decent runs done. Although it rained at some time every day, and with plenty of snow on the mountain, conditions weren't too bad to be out and about. I guess being near a river as well helps as does running at sea level breathing in salt air.
Visited the gates of Cadbury's chocolate factory a few times, past the first house we ever owned at Claremont with just a vacant reserve between the house and the river. I digress to say I loved living there, and could may be go back, but too many things have changed in 30 years. Yes, we have connections that work at Cadbury's, and we did bring some samples home. And no they won't all be eaten in a week, enough to last quite some time.
However one thing I will never forget, the smell of hot roasted cocoa beans with a gentle easterly breeze blowing. Just smelt like a big warm chocolate cake just out of the oven, unbelievable. Also visited the Claremont golf club, scene of a few boozy Sunday afternoons after a round of golf back in 1970's.
Back to running, one problem during holidays is to eat properly, too much of the protein and insufficient carbos. Ran out of energy on the Thursday run near the end, otherwise the entire 2 weeks was reasonably good for a holiday.
Crossed Bass Strait on Spirit of Tasmania 1 last night, almost a flat calm trip from Devonport to Melbourne. Called in to the Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne to visit baby Jake who was due to be born tomorrow. Now weighs a healthy 2.2 kg, not too bad considering he started out at 830 grams at birth at 27 weeks. Not the smallest baby to be born there, one was only a bit over 400 grams and survived, the baby next to Jake is 1.1 kgs now, all boys of course, fighting machines. But so tiny.
There may a change of plans to my next major event, it may be Melbourne " Tan " instead of Qld 24 hour at end of July. Still have a month to decide, but whatever happens, the training will be the same, long, long and then get longer.

They're A weid Mob

Monday:
Where: beach
PM: Distance - 2.05 km in 10'27" at 5' 07"
Where: Hash Run
Distance - 9.3 km in 55' 11" at 5' 57"
Weather: cloudy, light drizzle, temp 10 degrees, humidity 90%, wind calm
Week: 38.5 km, June: 113.75 km, Year: 1969.8 km

Is Bass Strait the perfect place for recovery? The answer is it has everything needed to be able to run again the next day. It is cold all year round, yesterday no exception, is is salt water, best available, it's close, no wonder the footballers and horses use it. A nice session on the beach. Pity about the weather.
Night run with the Hash House Harriers. Second time I have been on one of their runs. Not quite my scene but I did enjoy the night. They know how to have a good time, even the trail we followed had a bit of everything.
The family showed the way as most others either opted for a short cut or missed a turn.
Hobart today for a three days, snow on Mt Wellington and it will be cold especially if the southerly winds blow.

Getting a Little Bit Done

Saturday:
No run - birthday party
Sunday:
Where: Ulverstone, Tas.
1st run: Distance - 11.83 km in 59' 29" at 5'02" per km
2nd run: Distance - 3.42 km in 17' 58" at 5'14" per km
3rd run: Distance - 11.9 km in 63' 23" at 5' 20" per km
Totals for day: 27.15 km in 2 hrs 20 mins 51 secs at 5' 11" ave
Weather: cloudy, light drizzle in 1st run, temp 12 degrees, humidity 90%, wind calm
Week: 27.15 km, June: 102.45 km, Year: 1958.45 km

Family get together on Saturday to celebrate aunties birthday, cleaned up all the venison, lamb, and wallaby, pavlovas, Christmas cake and trifle, very little left overs. Great to see all the remaining relatives as we now live in all parts of the country. As expected the day was cloudy and cold, air temp about 8 degrees, wind chill reducing to just above zero. Big house and shed made conditions very comfortable and a great atmosphere.
Yesterday, rained all morning, hasn't stopped really for a week. Finally around midday, the rain eased to light showers, so I donned the spray jacket to get some running in just in case.
Brother and sister-in-law, the runners, had gone away for the day playing tourist, with the intention of running late in the day. The changeable weather meant doing what I could when I could. First run thru the centre of town to a small village in the country side and return. Not far enough but the rain had stayed away.
Second run, just to make the day worthwhile around the block, a short run but with 60 metres of climb in the last half km up to the house. A reasonable day, 15 kms if the others decided not to run.
Cloudy but fine at 4 pm, decided to go with the others, same run as Friday over to the old golf course to the end of the east Ulverstone beach and back, another 11.9 kms. Added up to a good afternoon of running with a couple of short breaks in between.
Tonight, something different with the running. Youngest brother is a Hash House Harrier member, drinkers with a running problem. We join them tonight at the old home town of Latrobe on the banks of the Mersey river, the signs say, " Platypus Capital of the World".
Should be a fun night, not very serious running in the dark.
Congratulations to Jackie Fairweather on her result on the Gold Coast, brilliant effort.
Leave for Hobart Tueday for 3 days, should be chance to get a a bit more done before heading home, when it will be time to get serious.

Update from Tassie

Wednesday:
Distance 12.25 km in 64' 02" at 5' 14" per km
Weather: cloudy, temp 12 degrees, humidity 90%, light drizzle, wind calm
Thursday: no running, poured with rain all day, visited friends in Launceston
Today: AM. Distance: 21.0 km in 1 hr 52 mins 36 secs at 5' 21 " per km
Today: PM. Distance: 13.7 km in 1 hr 14 mins 25 secs at 5' 26" per km
Weather: cloudy, temp 11 degrees, humidity 60%, wind calm

Wednesday was my aunty's actual 90th birthday, a dinner organised for about 50 family and friends at the local hotel. In a town of 2500 people, there is not much choice over venues but the food and atmosphere is always great. A stretch limo collected her from her front door, so excited to travel in such a car, to arrive at the hotel to the flashing of many cameras.
A very good night, many of her friends I know and a good chance to catch up some of my family I only see every few years.
An easy flat run in the morning before the rain started, and continued for the next day as well. Not that they need the water here, but it is always welcome.
Thursday rained all day, we had luckily organised to go to Launceston for the day visiting friends, so a no running day anyway. The down side of all the bad weather was my brother and sister-in-law were stuck at Melbourne airport due to fog in Launceston with the planes unable to land. They arrived late today after the airline put them up at the airport motel.
A very slow drive back from Launceston at night, visibility at times down to a few metres.
Both are keen runners, doing Gold Coast half marathon in July. What should have been a group run this morning turned solo, so I did 21 km by myself. Cool not cold, no wind, maybe a few sunny breaks, would be nice to see the sun soon.
The travellers arrived late this afternoon so off we go for a roll the legs over run after sitting and waiting at airports. Mostly flat except for the 60 metres from sea level up to the house at the end. The best part is it is almost all off road with the main part on the old golf course between the centre of town and the sea. The grass is so soft, no hard surfaces for me. Finished just in the dark, but a good second run for the day, surprised at how well I felt.
Another family get to gether tomorrow, the venue is way out, many of the family are farmers. I believe a bit of lamb and venison is on the menu. Sorry Liz. Should be a great day with about 40 family invited.
May be a short run in the morning, but today was good, second run a pleasing effort.

Going West on the Tourist Trail

Today:
Location: Ulverstone, Tas.
Distance: 14.7 km
Time: 80' 19"
Rate: 5' 28" per km
Weather: sunny, temp 13 degrees, humidity 50%, wind calm
Week: 28.3 km, June: 28.3 km Year: 1884.35 km

Started today from my brother's place in Ulverstone, an easy rest day after a late night (midnight) visiting friends in this town I once called home. Lived here for 8 years on the North West coast of Tas before those in authority decided to transfer me to Launceston to work.
The hazards of working in a bank years ago meant a month's notice of transfer and away you went to live in another town.
Westerly run today to visit the site of my most enjoyable social life while living here, the golf club. Back then, 20 years ago I didn't run. Playing golf and drinking beer was the name of the game. Now both are mere memories, however good both activities are.
The golf club was almost empty late in the afternoon, the competition players having hit the ball around the course in the morning. The golf course hasn't changed much, the trees have grown, the club house has been extended, but the urge to play didn't come flooding back.
The run then continued out to the cemetery, located in the country side, nice place to visit, don't want a permanent booking just yet.
Easy but undulating track on country road again, much less traffic and the grass is so green. Haven't seen such a thing for years. No water restrictions in this part of Australia.
The sun shone today, nice early winter day, not cold at all, that's the benefit of being near the ocean. My brother's house is also 60 metres above sea level, uninterrupted views out on to Bass Strait. The sea is flat, and probably very cold. I will test out how cold in the next few days with a legs recovery session after a run. If I see an iceberg floating by, get out quick.

Made it over the Strait

Where: Nthn Tassie - East Devonport to Port Sorell
Distance: 13.6 km
Time: 72'33"
Rate: 5' 20"
Weather: cloudy,cool, temp 12 degrees, humidity 70%, wind light sthy, 5 kmph, felt like 8 degrees
Week: 13.6 km, June: 13.6 km

Visiting family around Tassie means travelling. So to run and visit, just get dropped off on the way, and run to destination. Country roads are narrow and a bit more traffic than expected, but never looked like getting knocked over.
The weather is very Tassie like, cool southerly meant no warmth at all. It's even colder than home, good I packed for the conditions, just double the layers of clothing.
First run for a few days, felt good all the way, course undulating, a bit slow on the edge of the road, but enjoyable run.
Will try to run each day, but a few travelling days and a family reunion/90th birthday party or two may interrupt.
So far so good. Bass Straight crossing as smooth as it gets. No swine flu on this boat, but it took ages to get through Tassie quarantine in Devonport. The beagle dog got in the car sniffing for fruit and vegetables. Could have got 10 years on bread and water if caught.