Braddons Lookout

Today: Distance:  11.8 km
Time:  70' 35"
Rate:  5' 59" per km
Weather: cloudy, temp 17 degrees, humidity 75%, wind NE at 25 kmph
Week:  44.15 km,  April:  152.7 km
Year:  933.75 km in 17 weeks at ave 54.9 km p.w.

Not much of a day but no rain. A morning spent visiting then running in the afternoon. I found a hill to run up, a nice steady 2 kms of up to Braddons Lookout. Excellent views on a clear day south towards Cradle Mountain, west to the Nut at Stanley, east to Devonport and the hills beyond, and north out to Bass Strait.
Not quite high enough to see the tall buildings of Melbourne.
That part of the journey was 9 and a bit kms, so I ran along the beach bare feet for a couple of kms, then stood in the waves of cool Bass Strait. I have always believed salt water is one of the best recovery tools available to any athlete. Trainers of footballers and horses have included it for many a year.
A sunny day would be nice, this is a nice place to stay, even better in summer. The beach is nice flat hard packed sand at low tide, the water temp is cool but nice, the beach is around a km and half long, and few other people about.
I did watch the royal wedding on a not so good TV picture. Kate in my humble male opinion is absolutely beautiful, not going to miss seeing her on the big occassion.  The TV signal comes from Mt Barrow behind Launceston so it's a bit poor by the time it gets here. A slightly better picture on Southern Cross TV so I watched the mighty Carlton beat Sydney in the rain in Sydney. AFL down here is live most of the time from Channel 7.

Running on Sand

Today:
Where are we now:  Turner's Beach, Tas.
Which is where? Half way between Devonport & Ulverstone
Image: Taken at door of caravan at Berriedale Caravan park in Hobart.
Running:
Distance:  11.85 km
Time: 67' 28"
Rate:  5' 41"
Weather: cloudy, temp 17 degrees, humidity 75%, wind NE at 18 kmph
Week:  32.35 km, April:  140.9 km,  Year:  921.95 km

Every day at Berriedale these little quackers came around for a feed, they would eat anything. Lucky for me they don't like dirty smelly running shoes. Nice company for the tourists and locals. Pity to leave them but our time in Hobart was over. We drove up the midlands highway yesterday, a beautiful autumn day especially for travelling, no wind and no rain.
Arrived at our new location, handy for visiting family and friends in Ulverstone and close to Devonport for a very early start on Monday for the boat trip across Bass Strait.
Running today was part beach, some rocks, part railway line, part gravel road and part concrete bike path.
The slowness of the km rate was the walking on the rocks, and the roughness of the railway line. Bit tricky trying to balance on the tracks.
Nice to be able to get something done today, the inconsistency certainly plays on both fitness and motivation.

Back in Town

Sunday:
Bruny Is : Dist - 10.4 km in 58' 40" at 5' 38" per km
Weather: cloudy, temp 14 degrees, humidity 50%, wind calm
Today:
Where are we now : Hobart
Distance:  10.1 km in 59' 28" at ave 5' 52" per km
Weather: sunny, temp 20 degrees, humidity 50%, wind light NW at 10 kmph

An easy run last Sunday on Bruny over much the same road as the previous Friday. Finally the wind calmed down and yesterday was almost the best day we have had since arriving in Tassie.
Very similar today as well which is good as we are this time in Hobart set up beside the Derwent River at the caravan park at Berriedale near the Granada Tavern on the Cadbury marathon course.
This is a good location for a couple of days before heading north tomorrow. If I can get a photo, we are here to feed the ducks who wait at the door for all new arrivals to feed them. A gathering of 10-15 is not unusual.
Then there are the bunnies, easy to count 5-10 by just looking out the door, that's day or night.
Another short 10 km run up to the front gate of Cadbury's and back. Nothing special, nice day, appreciating the quite life.

Alonnah to Lunawanna

Today:
Where are we now: South Bruny Island
Distance:  11.75 km
Time: 64' 51"
Rate: 5' 31"
Weather: cloudy, temp 11 degrees, felt like 8, humidity 80%, wind cool & strong, 30 kmph gusts to 46 kmph
Week: 33.6 km, April: 108.55 km, Year: 889.6 km

This is our camp at my niece-in-law's shack at Alonnah. Nice location on a big block looking west out to sea. Facing west means lots of wind, and it blows strong, just like today and especially last night. A bit of light drizzle as well, the rain water tanks here are full, the grass is very green and lush.
I ran today south on the main road, it's gravel here but there are plenty of sealed sections. It's not that hilly, undulating at best but if you were doing the full length of Bruny Is run in Dec ( 64 kms), then these small hills would be a test. Interesting run, especially if the wind was blowing.
The shack here has plenty of cray pots, fishing gear and a boat. I think they live well down this way while on holidays.
A nice break away from civilization, the rough channel crossing on the ferry would be fun today, the sea is choppy for the 20 minute trip.
We will be here for Easter, not sure too many others will be looking at this sea.

Last Hobart Run

Tuesday:
Distance:  9.45 km
Time:  54' 10"
Rate:  5' 44"
Weather:  sunny, temp 18 degrees, humidity 45%, wind calm
Week: 21.85 km,  April:  96.8 km,  Year:  877.85 km

A last trip over some of the tracks I have used during the last 3 weeks. A nice day yesterday but it rained again overnight, nothing unusual about that.
Today we pack up, must remember what to do in which order. We have a list courtesy of some friends that travelled for a few years. It's a double check so that nothing breaks or moves while on the road.
Don't want to get to destination to find the fridge door open and the contents on the floor.
We don't have far to go, but it is south of Hobart, almost in iceberg and penguin territory.
Probably a couple of non running days, then hopefully get to check out the trails on Bruny Is.

On The Move Soon

Today:
Distance:  12.4  km
Time:  67' 15"
Rate:  5' 25" per m
Weather:  cloudy, temp 14 degrees, humidity 60%, wind NNW 25 mph
Week: 12.4 m,  April:  87.35 m,  Year:  868.4  km

Looks like we will be finally on the move on Wednesday. We have been in Hobart for 3 weeks but plenty has been accomplished in that time by Mrs TF to get her mother into an aged care home.
Me, I've done bugger all, a bit of running at times mostly dictated by the weather which has been terrible.
Wednesday we head further south to Bruny Is for Easter with Mrs TF's niece who has a shack/house on the island. We will take the van. It should be a good break away from the demands of being in Hobart.
After Easter we will call back in here for a day, check that all is Ok and then head north to be ready to catch the Spirit back to Australia.
Today. a nice easy run to the Granada and back. A strong cool wind going out didn't help, but coming back was good.
Liz, I will check out the ultra on the Great Barrier Reef. Location should be nice. I need something to focus on to get me back running with purpose.

Our Old House in Claremont

Today:
Distance:  17.1 km
Time:  1 hr 41 mins 42 secs
Rate:  5' 57" per km
Weather: sunny ( finally) temp 15 degrees, humidity 63%, wind ENE 10 kmph
Week:  29.15 km  April: 74.95 km,  Year: 856.00 km

Finally a sunny day after a week of rain & drizzle with 123 mls of raining falling since last Sunday. Today makes about 4 or 5 days sunny days since we hit the shores of Tassie nearly 3 weeks ago.
Nothing special about the running, tired badly on the way back, not unexpected running only 2 days a week. I ran the usual course out past the Granada Tavern to have a look at our old house where we lived from 1974 to the end of 1979. It hasn't changed much, some one built a pergola on to the back of the house.
The location is great with just a reserve between the house and the Derwent River. The locals launch their boats from a ramp across the reserve.
The river was glassy smooth today, not a ripple with a couple of small boats enjoying the day. I now wish I was a runner back in the '70s, but I was then young and silly. Only one of those has changed.
For the AFL followers, another draw today, the mighty Blues may be a little lucky to get away with 2 points. The answer to the Peter Hudson question from last blog: he jointly holds the highest number of goals kicked in a season at 150 when playing for Hawthorn. The other co holder is Bob Pratt from decades before when playing for South Melbourne. 

Cool, Very Cool

Today:
Distance:  12.05 km
Time:  65' 15"
Rate:  5' 24"
Weather: cloudy, light drizzle, temp 12 degrees felt like 10, humidity 75%, wind ESE at 30 kmph
Week:  12.05 km,  April:  57.85 km,  Year:  838.90 km

Too busy and too much like winter to run over the weekend. By the look of some pictures, the weather down here was similar to that experienced at the Canberra marathon. Brave runners to front up, start and finish, well done to everyone.
Nothing special today, out to the Granada Tavern and back. Wind assisting going out but very strong against on the way back.
The Granada Tavern is well known entertainment venue in Hobart. It was in existence when I lived here 40 years ago. But probably more well known was that it was operated by legendary AFL footballer & record holding goal kicker in Peter Hudson. He played for and coached Glenorchy after he returned from his Hawthorn days.
The AFL followers will know which record he jointly holds. I'll give you a few days to answer.

Hilly on the Eastern Shore

Today:
Distance:  11.55 km
Time: 74' 33"
Rate: 6' 27" per km
Altitude gain/loss:  225 metres
Weather: sunny, temp 24 degrees, humidity 28%, wind ESE at 12 kmph
Week:    30.8 km,  April:  45.8 km
Year:  826.85 kms in 14 weeks at ave 59.06 km

I found a hill to run up and down. Unfortunately it is on the other side of the Derwent River so I had to run on the hard surface of the Bowen Bridge to get there.
It was worth the effort. I stopped to ask a young bloke fishing how to get to the top of the hill. Typical fisherman, never gets above sea level so didn't know where the tracks were.
Didn't matter, I don't get lost and have a good sense of navigation. I found a track up that went nowhere, and a better dirt road to get down. Felt good to be climbing again, much better than the flat bike paths near the river.
Beautiful day in Hobart today, but the weather will turn over the weekend with showers forecast for nearly a week.
Mother-in-law enters the age care home on Tuesday so we hope for some dry hours to help us pack and move the necessities for her over the weekend.
Good luck to all running over the weekend at the Canberra Running Festival especially those facing the distance of the marathon. Take care, run well and importantly enjoy the day. It's all about having fun.

Boating on the Derwent

Yesterday I went out on to the Derwent in this twin hull 5 metre boat. My brother-in-law bought it a few weeks ago and this was the first chance he had to give it a run.

We launched close to home and sped down the Derwent towards the Tasman Bridge. We stopped to throw in a fishing line but there was nothing that wanted to jump on to our hooks.

A slow trawl under the bridge, it started to get a little choppy but for once I didn't feel sea sick. I'm not a good sailor. A very pleasant and different afternoon. Unfortunately I forgot to take the camera otherwise there would have been some good shots of the Tasman Bridge and Storm Bay from the centre of the river.

Mother-in-law has been accepted in to an aged care facility, a big relief for the family and a nice place where she will receive the help she needs. Probably take another couple of weeks to finalize, then we can resume our travels.

 

Racing at the Racecourse

Today:
Distance:  8.05 km
Time:  46" 36"
Rate:  5' 47"  per km
Weather:  nice sunny day, temp 20 degrees, humidity 47%, wind ENE at 10 kmph
Week:  19.25 km,  April:  34.25 km,  Year:  815.30 km

I wanted to run around the Elwick race course as I used to do in the mid 1970's when I lived in Hobart. I was playing hockey back then and tried to be a little fitter than others in the team.
We had good fun even though we played in Div 4 or 5, won a few, lost a few.
However, too many workers and important people in the area, so I stood a watched the greyhound lure( bunny ) doing practice runs.
There are greyhound and harness racing tracks inside the horse racing track, an all in one facility, much improved on my time here years ago.
Today, best day weather wise since we have been on this island, a good easy run near the edge of the Derwent River.
We have aged care home looking to be done this afternoon. Just hope mother-in-law finds one that she likes and the facility will have her when a vacancy comes available. The asset's assessment happens tomorrow, things are moving slowly but at least forward.

Out to the 38 km Mark

Today:
Distance:  11.2 km
Time:  57' 30"
Rate:  5' 08" per km
weather; cool, cloudy, temp 15 degrees, humidity 65%, wind southerly at 20 kmph
Week:  11.2 km,  April:  26.2 km,  Year:  807.25  km

Nothing special, the wind has finally dropped but has swung to the south so is cooler than last few days.
I ran the usual course behind Elwick race track out to the 38 km mark of the marathon, just short of the Granada tavern.
Bit quicker going out with the wind behind, but Ok on the way back. I need to find something different, off road with a hill or two.

Saturday Long Run

Today:

Distance:   15.00 km ( don't laugh)

Time:  85' 04"

Rate:  5' 40"  per km

Weather: part sun/cloud,  temp 16 degrees, humidity 45%, wind cool west 25 kmph

Week:  44.15 km,  April:  15.00 km,  Year:  796.05 km

It's been a long time since I ran this far in one day. Combination of many reasons, motivation being one of them. However, today pushing into another strong westerly wind on the way out to Claremont Hotel, it all came back to me. I remembered what to do, and why I am a runner. A slow one at the moment, but at least I enjoyed being out there.

Running next to the road is not exactly inspiring, but better than nothing being in suburbia. Plus I'm not fit enough to head up to the hills behind Rosetta, otherwise I would go off road.

At the moment I'm watching the mighty Blues pay against the new Gold Coast Suns in the AFL. I could have gone to the local footy game to watch Aker play for Glenorchy against Clarence.

For those that follow the AFL, I'm also reading the Darrel Baldock book, " The Incomparable Mr Magic". Doc was around playing for the Saints and then back to Latrobe as Captain/Coach for their 4 years in a row premierships from 1969 to 1972. The best footballer ever to play Aussie rules footy.