Week 4 - On the Beach

Running:  Year to Date

Distance: 340.5 kms in 4 weeks at ave  85.12 kms  ( down from 87.05 kms in week 3)

Last week:  79.35 kms

Altitude:  11,244 metres in 4 weeks at ave  2,811 metres ( down from 3,182 metres in week 3)

Last week:  1,700 metres

Even when retired from working full time, you still need to geta away on a holiday. Just a week this time on a short trip to the north of the state to visit my now, non running younger brother & his wife.
He still had to work each day, but had his caravan down at the local caravan park, so it was a kind of holiday anyway.
The town is at sea level and the park was right next to the beach. Next to no vert during the week, just up and down the beach. Sometimes, when the tide was high, it meant soft sand, a tough challenge especially if the wind was against as well.
Low tide, perfect compact wet sand, and really good running bare feet through the water. Relaxing week, although I did miss not having a hill available to climb.
Back home today, Sunday, headed to the hills to get 20 kms done with 1,300 metres of up hill. Nice morning, sunny, mild temp, so hoping summer is here at last.
Still have 6 week until the first of the year's races which will be 50 kms mostly on beaches, so I did get some good training done for the expected conditions.
All good otherwise, being consistent is the key.

2017 - 3 weeks done

Running: Year to Date

Distance:   261.15 kms in 3 weeks at ave  87.05 kms ( down from 92.5kms in week 2)

Last week:  76.15 kms

Altitude:  9,544 metres in 3 weeks at ave  3,182 metres ( up from 3,025 metres in week 2)

Last week; 3,494 metres

Only ran 4 days of last week at we had the builder at home making a few changes that were necessary. That took care of 2 days, then it rained on Friday, was cold as well, so stayed indoors.
But, on the upside, I ran last Sunday & today, Saturday so both hilly Mt Wellington days included in same week assisting especially the vert.
Not much yet to report for the year, summer still not here in full. Barely having a warm day, and Friday was cold & wet. Convicts & Wenches 50 km run is still 7 weeks away, so plenty of time to be ready.

2nd Week of 2017

Running:  Year to date

Distance:  185.00 km in 2 weeks at ave  92.5 kms

Altitude:  6,050 metres in 2 weeks at ave  3,025 metres

Started the year well with quite a few long hilly runs over the mountains behind the city.
I have entered a couple of races in March & April that involve some hills, so that is the focus at the moment.
Otherwise, the move to Tasmania and it's milder summer weather has allowed plenty of running opportunities. Pity about the wind, it blows strongly most days.
Use those days as strength resistance instead of hitting the hills.
Not much else to report as the year settles down.

Year in Review - 2016

Running:  Full Year

Distance:  4,018.95 kms in 52 weeks plus 2 days at ave 77.00 kms

Long term average ( past 19 years) 74.3 kms  per week

Altitude:  102,875 metres in 52 weeks plus 2 days at ave  1,971 metres

The year has been filled with changes, both work, home, friends, family, stress. Fortunately, running has remained constant although the location has changed from Canberra in ACT to Hobart in Tasmania.
The running started well with a good 6 hour track event in March where I finished 2nd overall with 62.5 kms.
Followed that with Neverest Challenge in April, up and down Mt Ainslie 27 times to reach 4,000 metres in vertical in just under 12 hours. That was good fun.
Left Canberra to live in Tassie in August where it's been a struggle to find company from the locals. Finally met some other trail/mountain runners who have also recently moved to the state.
Entered the famous Point to Pinnacle run up Mt Wellington in November. It's on road, not good, but as it was meant to be all up hill, there should have been little pounding on the legs & feet. However, weather conditions on top of the mountain meant a change of course to out and back. That resulted in 10 kms of down hill on road & cemented my dislike for hard surfaces.
Overall, as a running year, there have been few races but plenty of training just for fun times.
I ran on 284 days out of the 366 days of the year. The above totals have been adjusted down to more accurately reflect what I have done especially in the vertical. Garmin at times has had me covering too much up hill, especially when running around an oval that is dead flat.
What's in store for 2017. I hope to run Convicts & Wenches 50 km in northern Tassie in early March, may be cross Bass Strait to run Razerback 64 km in late March & then do a local solo Neverest Challenge in early April. Just need to find a suitable hill with as much vert in as short as distance as possible.
Winter hopefully, we will hit the road with car & caravan to escape the winter. I could turn up anywhere at anytime, no time pressures now.