Week 43 - Reversing the fall in Vert

Running:  Year to Date

Distance:  3,415.45  kms in 43 weeks at ave  79.4. kms ( down from 79.5 km in week 42)

Last week:  75.15 kms

Altitude:  85,396 metres in 43 weeks at ave  1,986 metres ( up from 1,976 metres in week 42)

Last week:  2,389 metres

A good week for vert, sub par for distance.
That's a good summary for a 6 day run week, last Friday off, too busy shopping & other general odd jobs. As well, it ended an 8 day streak which doesn't really matter as I have had 10 non running days this month.
This month has been more about moving into our new home & start the unpacking process. We are settled, although the unpacking is slow. Trying to downsize & work out what to keep, where it will go & what to get rid of will take some time.
This past week, ending today again marked by the lack of a decent long run. One 2 hour run is no where near long enough when I consider a long run to be over 3 hours & pushing 5 hours if possible.
However, above average altitude gain is a positive. One run just over 1,000 metres, one at 630 metres and one at just over 300 metres, all good efforts, made me happy.
Finally, we had our best weather day since arrive on the island and on that day I had a beautiful 15 minutes standing in the river to help out the legs to recover.
So, all good. Point to Pinnacle mountain race is just over 2 weeks away. Apart from the hard road surface, won't like that, looking forward to the challenge of getting from sea level to summit at 1,270 metres.  

Week 42 - Below Average

Running:  Year to Date

Distance:  3,340.3 kms in 42 weeks at ave  79.5 kms ( down from 79.7 kms in week 41)

Last week:  69.55 kms

Altitude:  83,007 metres in 42 weeks at ave  1,976 metres ( down from 1,984 metres in week 41)

Last week:  1,634 metres

The week has consisted of running each day, the good news. However, with the house still full of unpacked boxes, there is plenty of work yet to do to make living less hectic.
No excuses, but we have continued to have almost winter weather with at least some rain every day. Late afternoon storms, sometimes only a few minutes are happening.
Two days ago, I went out running late afternoon wearing two shirts and a waterproof jacket as rain looked likely. It did rain half way through my run, but without gloves, my fingers froze. Air temp was 7 degrees, apparent temp 2 degrees. Wind chill, it was freezing.
I'm really running by opportunity at the moment. Far too many variables & interruptions, including the weather, to make contact with Hobart locals.
After Point to Pinnacle in 4 week's time, I'll take a one week break. I will probably run the GoneNuts101 km in late February next year. I can get serious about getting distance & time on feet. The long course of 101 kms includes about 2,500 metres of up hill but by the look of the course profile, there is nothing too serious in steepness.
Meantime, please can we have a day of sunshine in Tasmania. The daytime temp doesn't have to be too high, but so far in the past 2 and a half months, we haven't had a cloud free day.

Week 41 - Moving Time

Running - Year to Date

Distance:  3,270.75 kms in 41 weeks at ave   79.7 km ( down from 82.7 kms in week 39)

Last 2 weeks:  45.85 kms

Altitude:  81,373 metres in 41 weeks at ave  1,984 metres ( down from 2,044 metres in week 39)

Last 2 weeks:  1,650 metres

Two weeks ago we moved from our temporary living location at the local showgrounds as the annual show starts next week. The organisers need to clear out the motorhome part & spruce up the area ready for show patrons.
We moved to a caravan park at New Norfolk, a small country town about 20 kms away. We only needed to stay for a week as we waited for settlement & hand over for our new house to take place.
While out there, 2 short runs with only one of them having any vertical. The remaining days were either terrible weather or spent getting furniture moved in after 2-3 months being in storage.
Unpacking & getting organised at home will be an ongoing but slow process. No need to hurry after the basics of living have been found hidden in packing boxes.
I have entered Point to Pinnacle, a mountain run over 21 kms with 1250 metres of one way up hill coming up in four weeks time. This slack/rest/busy two weeks has been a bit of a setback, not unexpected, and I can't afford any more time off the hills.
I have done one check out run since moving in to our new home. A bit more flat road to get to the base of the hill than I have previously had to do. I found the start of the local fire trail after stopping to talk to a local. I ran just under one km to check it out, looks good at this stage. The local told me there are some trails closed to public use, but others are open. Apparently I could easily find 20 kms one way over a few peaks which will be just perfect. I'll need to take my map with me for the first couple of trips.
To stop boredom, I may travel once or twice a fortnight for variety for some hilly terrain plus mix up the usual flat quicker run. I'll find an oval or grassy park somewhere close as well for the occasional speed session.
It's going to take a while to get a routine but the main task is to be ready for P2P. Those dropping averages above need to get back above 80 kms & 2,000 metres asap.