Week 17 - Maintaining Averages

Running:  Year to Date

Distance:  1,255.45 kms in 17 weeks at ave 73.85 kms ( up from 73.6 kms in week 15)

Last 2 weeks:  150.5 kms

Altitude:  41,229 metres in 17 weeks at ave  2,425 metres ( down from 2,456 metres in week 15)

Last 2 weeks:  4,883 metres

The further the year progresses, the harder it is to move the averages. Seemed like I was having a good couple of weeks, but I did have a week on holiday when there was no serious running done.
Just a few days when the chance arose, to get a few kms done.
I have two events coming up soon. First is the Compass Club South marathon starting at Cockle Creek in southern Tasmania. This will be the most southern marathon in Australia as it takes in the South Coast Walking track on the very edge of the state. Chances are the weather will be unkind as much as the RD is emailing to say weather conditions will be Ok. Most likely, if no rain, there will be a cool southerly or westerly wind blowing. Whatever the conditions, it will be a fun day. Not taking the run/result seriously as I will carry the camera to take plenty of photos.
A week later, I will be teaming up to participate in a 6 hour Rogaine. Never done one of these or orienteering, so a new experience. It's not meant to be too difficult, suburban bush conditions, I'm told. Again, I just follow the leader & see what happens.
After that, I'll concentrate on getting to 50,000 metres by end of May ( 5 months). The vertical challenge to get to 100,000 metres by year's end will have to take a back seat as I hope to escape the winter weather in Tasmania & head north to the warmth & sunshine for a few months.

Week 15 - Chasing Vert

Running:  Year to date

Distance:  1,104.95 kms in 15 weeks at ave  73.6 kms ( down from 74.2 kms in week 14)

Last week: 66.5 kms

Altitude:  36,846 metres in 15 weeks at ave  2,456 metres ( down from 2,458 metres in week 14)

Last week:  2,434 metres

Following Neverest completion last weekend plus the other hilly races recently, it was time to get some recovery done.
A couple of rest days helped. Last Sunday it rained all day, so a good excuse to do nothing. Then on Tuesday, another wet day allowed a trip to far southern Tasmania to check out parts of the course for the upcoming Compass Club south marathon.
We drove down to Cockle Creek, had a chat to the volunteer in the Visitor's Centre & found the start line and generally checked out the track conditions. In the wet, dirt road surface was a little slippery, some pot holes but should be great in the dry.
The week's total near average given 5 running days. Happy to consolidate on my current level of fitness until the marathon in early May. Not going to ramp up or taper much, after all it's only 42 kms on a basically flat course with a couple of small hills.
The seasons have changed now, the cooler autumn weather means not worrying so much about fluid intake on the long training. However, with next to n o rain during summer, the creeks on the mountains are dry, so refilling on the trail is not possible.
The title to this post. I'm chasing 50,000 metres by end of May ( 5 months). No worries about exceeding this challenge.
Otherwise, all going well. Hope it stays this way.

Week 14 - Hilly Races

Running:  Year to date

Distance: 1,038.45 kms in 14 weeks at ave 74.2 kms ( down from 79.4 in week 10 )

Last 4 weeks:  244.6 kms

Altitude:  34,412 metres in 14 weeks at ave 2,458 metres ( up from 2,380 metres in week 10)

Last 4 weeks:  10,615 metres

Much has happened since I last report after the Convicts & Wenches 50 km run. That event was most on beach sand, so flat with a bit of vertical as the trail passed over a headland joining 2 beaches.
After that, I headed to Victoria to run the Razerback 64 km over the mountain peaks of Mt Feathertop & Mt Hotham. This was mostly rough technical single track both climbing & descending with a section of open exposed high plateau as we headed to the famous, in Australia, Pole 333.
This landmark is associated with several high profile mountain running events & it was such a delight to be able to touch & get a picture of it.
The Razerback run had 3400 metres of vert in the 64 kms which I covered in a few seconds under 12 hours. A big day out, so enjoyable. Lucky to have had the company all day of my running friend, Mandy who kept me going & focused.
We then had a quiet couple of weeks with some running mostly on flat sandy trails as the recovery took a few more days than expected. Quads quite tender for a while.
Last weekend, the annual Neverest Challenge was held in Canberra. There are also events in Sydney & Melbourne where the aim is to raise funds for the rebuilding & education of kids in Nepal after the earthquake a couple of years ago. It's not a race, but a challenge to get as close as you can, either solo or teams, to the height of Mt Everest ( 8828 metres).
I started on Friday night with the other solo runners in Canberra and did 6 laps of Mt Ainslie ( 12 kms & 880 metres of vert). A sleep overnight then back to the start line for a full day of 25 laps ( 50 kms  & 3660 metres) to make a solid result for my Canberra section.
Back in Tasmania, a week to get prepared for another effort at hill repeats and to add to my Neverest Challenge totals. Lingering fatigue stopped me today at 28.65 kms & 1,860 metres of vert).
However, very happy to have made it well up the mountain with no injuries, just tired.
A few pics from recent events

Top photo is Mt Feathertop, 2nd highest mountain in Victoria, 2nd photo, an overnight & safety hut more likely used during the winter snow season, 3rd photo is the famous Pole 333 in the middle of nowhere, 4th photo is of chair lifts at Mt Hotham, 5th photo is taken from top of Mt Ainslie in Canberra just before sunset before the start of Neverest Challenge, and last photo is where I did my Hobart, Tas section on the grass of a Frisbee golf course.
Wonderful scenery at all of these places. So lucky to have a passion of climbing hills well away from the crowds. A short rest now before I do the Compass Club South marathon ( off road) at the most southern end of Tasmania in early May.