Week 19 - Highs & Lows

Running:  Year to Date

Distance:  1,363.55 kms in 19 weeks at ave  71.8 kms ( down from 73.85 kms in week 17)

Last 2 weeks:  108.1 kms

Altitude:  44,112 metres in 19 weeks at ave  2,322 metres ( down from 2,425 metres in week 17)

Last 2 weeks:  2,883 metres

The last two weeks was highlighted by a trip to the southern most point of Tasmania. This is where there is nothing but cold ocean water between you and Antarctica.
I had entered the marathon being conducted by the Compass Club. Their intention is to conduct a marathon run at each compass point plus in the centre of Australia. This was the first one.
However, the fickle Tasmanian weather was unkind. The previous days were Ok, for this time of year. But the late afternoon & night before, the heavens opened up with plenty of rain & big winds. Being in a very remote area, no phone reception, isolated trails & little hope for a quick rescue in need, the RD's made the decision to reduce the marathon to a half.
We were to still cover much of the same area, getting into the remote wilderness & still witnessing the rough sees of the Southern Ocean.
I was never going to trouble the leaders, so I took my time to enjoy the run. Took the camera & snapped plenty of pictures. I did have a good run taking just under 2 and half hours for the 21 kms. This may not look too fast but some of the pictures will show it was slow going as well as stopping for the photo opps.

With the tapering before, some running but expecting to be challenged by a full marathon, both distance & altitude for the past two weeks have gone backwards. However, not having to recover from a full marathon means post race was running was easy.
This weekend I'm attempting my first 6 hour rogaine. No idea of what to expect except find control points marked on a map. I'll just follow the team captain.