Week 30 - Final Canberra Post

Running: Year to Date

Distance:  2,705.45 kms in 30 weeks at ave  90.2 kms ( down from 90.9 kms in week 29)

Last week:  64.1 kms

Altitude gain:  63,611 metres in 30 weeks at ave  2,120 metres( down from 2,125 metres in week 29)

Last week:  1,976 metres

This is my 2,013th post since I started Two Fruits way back when...don't really know the start date.
Not much has changed, the look has stayed the same.
Once upon a time I would update almost daily, but now I update at the end of the calendar week. This year started on a Friday.
I am leaving Canberra early next week to return to my home state of Tasmania. It was always on the cards once I retired from work, That was a few months ago now. The reason for coming to Canberra to live almost exactly 24 years ago was to be with family, more like the in-laws and to find work.
Work happened fairly quickly, and that's where I stayed for the next 23 years.
But the in-laws moved on after 6 years, and we stayed.
It was here I discovered my passion for hills, mountains & trails and soon left the suburban bike paths & roads far behind.
Long story in a few words, my leisure time & activities has taken me many places all in Australia & one trip to New Zealand when I ran Kepler Challenge on the south island back in about 2004.
The Canberra running community has been wonderful. So lucky to have so many nature parks & national parks close by to enjoy the great outdoors, all year round. Weather not really a major problem, just dress appropriately & do it. Hot and cold, dry & snowy, wind & rain can all happen here.
So returning to Tassie may present some challenges to find suitable running venues. If we live in the south of the state in or near the capital city of Hobart, then a big Mt Wellington directly behind the city is easily accessible, unless it's covered in thick snow in winter. But once the snow melts, then the huge number of fire trails will allow great places to go.
However, if we live in the north of the state, or north west coast of the island, then there a quite few less opportunities as the land has few trails unless you want to travel every time you want a good running place. Flat bike paths just don't make pleasant locations for me.
Before any real running can be consistent again, we have to move location, find somewhere to live & settle down after unpacking. That could easily be months so those average figures above will take a dive.
At this stage, all I plan to run is the challenging Point to Pinnacle race up Mt Wellington, doesn't matter where we live, in mid November. it's a 21 km half marathon distance with 1350 metres of up hill.
These updates may be a little infrequent for a while now, so bear with me until life settles down.
For those that read this and live in Canberra, thanks for being a part of my life, both running and otherwise.
I will no doubt be back here at times in the future and will catch up then.

Week 29 - Another Solid Week

Running:  Year to Date

Distance:  2,641.35 kms in 29 weeks at ave  91.1 kms ( up from 90.9 kms in week 28)

Last week:  95.85 kms

Altitude:  61,635 metres in 29 weeks at ave  2,125 metres ( up from 2,122 metres in week 28)

Last week:  2,212 metres

Another solid & enjoyable week of running with a good " race " and a good mid week hilly training run.
First, last Sunday a run in the Sri Chinmoy 30 kms, Gungahlin Gallop starting at Hall showgrounds and using and out and back on the Canberra Centenary Trail including twice up to the top of One Tree Hill.
Basically a chance to pace Mandy along to get her a good results in the female section ( she finished 5th) and picked up a 1st in my own age group. A beautiful day weather wise but running on a muddy trail after rain earlier in the week. Otherwise, perfect winter running conditions, even a touch on the warm side.
Then, a couple of easy days before a " last time" Cotter run on Wednesday with the lovely Rosie. better not get on her wrong side, she can get you thrown in jail. Contacts you know.
Weather a little iffy on the day, so be stayed close to the dam and enjoyed some wonderful views from the top of Mt McDonald. Squeezed out 25 kms in under 3 hrs with 960 metres of up hill. Great day, very enjoyable.
This may well be my last routine week of running as packing, moving house interstate will disrupt any running chances. There is another week to go, so play it as it happens. Otherwise, all good, enjoying this mild winter weather, but a bit of sunshine would be nice.

Week 28 - Above Average

Running:  Year to Date

Distance:  2,545.5 kms in 28 weeks at ave  90.9 kms  ( up from 90.55 kms in week 27)

Last week:  100.4 kms

Altitude:  59,425 metres in 28 weeks at ave  2,122 metres ( up from 2,107 metres in week 27)

Last week:  2,543 metres

I had a rest day on Tuesday to have an important lunch date with Mrs Muscles. First time in over a year, and so good to catch up again before I head overseas to live back in Tasmania in a few week's time.
A couple of hilly training runs, one of 34 kms & one of 25 kms with around a thousand metres of up hill in each.
The three remaining days were around the 10 kms in distance and ran at about 5' 30" pace.
Happy to again hit the 100 kms for the week, above average vertical as well.
I'm thinking now that with no target events coming up in the near future, Point to Pinnacle is not until mid November, I might have to find a short even flat race to maintain focus.
Hopefully, this weekend's Sri Chinmoy 30 kms might help. Not sure on whether to treat it as a fun event & run along side Mandy, or stretch it out and run it as race chasing an age group win ?
Whatever, running is always meant to be fun and that's how I will treat it.

Week 27 - All About the Vert

Running:  Year to Date

Distance:  2,445.1 kms in 27 weeks at ave  90.55 kms ( up from 90.4 kms at week 26)

Last week:  93.75 kms

Altitude:  56,880 metres in 27 weeks at ave  2,107 metres ( up from 2,061 metres at week 26)

Last week:  3,296 metres

I didn't run last Saturday, so this was achieved in 6 days. Should be happy with that.
With no long run, distance was achieved by consistency with a couple of days at 21-23 kms & a couple at 14 kms each. Happy also with the pace at the moment as I can stroll along easy if I want but still seem to have a bit of speed when I need especially on a bit of down hill.
This week was really all about the hills. Three of them had serious amount of altitude gain ( vert) starting with 900 metres on a run on the eastern side of Googong Dam last Friday, ( pace 7'00" per km)
Saturday was the rest day.
Sunday was another trip to the Bullen Range, 23 kms with a nice 930 metres of vert, ( pace 7'54" per km)
Couple of easy flat runs on Tues & Wed.
Then today, a rare solo run up and down Mt Tennent on the single narrow walking track with it's rocks, steps & fallen timber to negotiate. It's 7 kms of up hill one way. So 14 kms altogether, with 816 metres of vert. ( pace 8'16" per km).
A good week, no problems although I don't think over 3000 metres of vert is possible every week.