A Big Tour of the Tuggie Valley

Today:
Distance: 61.3 km
Time: 6 hours 44 mins 36 secs ( running time)
Rate: 6' 36" per km
Altitude gain/loss: 600 metres
Calories used: 4750
Weather: cloudy, temp at start 7 degrees rising to 12 degrees, humidity at start 80% down to 50%, NW wind at 20 km all day
Week: 135.5 km, June: 285.45 km, Year: 2267.0 km

A late start by some standards, and a bit of extra sleep on a cold winter's day meant we started at 8 am from Theodore, a southern suburb in our beautiful area of the nation's capital. Three of us met up with two others who had started at 6 am and had already done 20 kms.
A bit chilly as the wind maintained at consistent 20 kms all day. We headed further south around the last of the southern suburbs of Conder, Bank & Gordon before finding the Pine Is track at Point Hut. On the image that's the line on the left hand side. A few had never been along this track but it's where I run 3 to 4 times a week. I think I know where every rock and twist and turn is. A short loop at the top end of Pine Is again new area for some.
Back to the Theodore start via Bonython and Gordon as we passed by most of the valley suburbs.First loop near 23 kms in distance, getting a bit over a third of the distance done. A stop to eat and drink, then out again as we did a short version of the Two Fruits loop which cover Chisholm & Gilmore to Isabella Dr. At last some down hill that is runable picking up the pace.
There was section from 35 kms to 42 kms that was the bad patch. It should have been Ok as we had the assistance of the breeze, but a long training run, just like a race does have bad parts.
Finally back to Theodore, a rest, eat and drink and a discussion to find 18 kms that was not too difficult, ie, flat. Not possible so we did as easy a course back towards the river over territory we had partly covered before. Again some good and some slower parts but we made it home.
Not really able to compare this with say Gold Coast 100 km course recently done by Kerrie B & Pam which was flat with some steps. This is undulating all the way, rough trails at times, the wind didn't seem to help much. But, we did a long training run, and now although tired, have picked up no other problems.
I won't see Australia play in the World Cup at midnight.
Thanks to Nick & Mick for their company all day, could not have finished without others to help and drag me along. Good on Mick & Elle to be out so early in winter, too early for me.