Bogong to Hotham Training

Today:
Purpose:  hilly strength run/walk
Distance:  25.65 km
Time: 3 hrs 55 mins 17 secs
Rate: 9' 10" per km
Altitude gain: 1308 metres
Weather: cool, cloudy, temp range 4-18 degrees, humidity 90% down to 45%, wind calm

Week:  63.4 km,  Oct: 43.35 km,  Year: 4063.85 km

It really is time to get some hill work down with Bogong to Hotham now 3 months away.
For Anna's benefit, comment on previous post, B2H is a very tough mountain run in early January with over 3000 metres of climbing in a 64 km run.
The cut off at near half way is 6 hours to do 34 km. But to get there, you need to climb the highest mountain in the state of Victoria on trails that go almost vertical in places.
Then there is the weather factor. It's suppose to be mid summer, but that doesn't always mean good weather. Last time the event was cancelled due to bush fires, the year before halted at half way due to snow & blizzards. You never know what to expect.
Today, to get some of that first half experience, Softshoe joined me in a run/walk to the top of Mt Tennent starting at the Namadgi Visitors Centre. Reached the top in 78 minutes, about average time for the first 7 kms. Then down the fire trail to Apollo Road gate, back up to Bushfold Flats intersection.
Decision time then ? Go on to the top again, or head on to Bushfold Flats and up the Australian Alpine Walking Track to join the trail we can up.
Not feeling all that strong, both of us, we took the " soft " option, took Bushfold.
The flat grassy trail is Ok, much easier to run that the steep fire trail, but it cuts off about 2.5 kms.
Still, the time on feet, altitude & distance were done. A good, solid day, may be too much walking but it is early in the mountain running season.
Very happy to finish without any problems. Another session out there again next week on a different course.