Week 30 - Above Average in Both

Running:  Year to Date

Distance:  2,581.85 kms in 30 weeks at ave  86.1 kms ( up from 85.5 kms at week 29)

Last week:  103.25 kms

Altitude:  Garmin - 95,478 metres in 30 weeks at ave 3,183 metres  ( up from 3,168 metres at week 29)
Strava:  98,311 metres

Last week:  3,602 metres

Without an exceptional big day, it was a very consistent week. Longest run was just 15.5 kms, biggest day was just 20.9 kms ( morning run & afternoon walk) with only run day with vertical above 1000 metres. That was just above with 1023 metres doing a double over Goat Hill.
Consistency & having a deep endurance base has kept me injury free. It has also kept the enthusiasm high although there have no races planned.
But, with winter ending in a month or so, may be longer in Tasmania, some spring time events are now inching into mind as the weather warms.
These may well be qualifying events for others in the future. You never know, but at least I could think about events without that worry.
In Hobart, it's been a very mild & reasonably dry winter. There have been a few bad weather days bringing snow, but whatever has fallen, has all but disappeared. What's left is now slippery ice. Not good to run on, just skate. Powder snow is much better so hope we get some more in August or that's another lost winter.

Week 29 - A Good Average Week

Running:  Year to Date

Distance:  2,478.6 kms in 29 weeks at ave  85.5 kms ( up from 85.4 kms at week 28)

Last week:  87.25 kms

Altitude:  Garmin - 91,876 metres in 29 weeks at ave  3,168 metres ( up from 3,150 metres at week 28)
Strava:   94,919 metres

Last week:  3,652 metres

A very average week which is all I'm looking for at the moment. Big, for me, to maintain. Ran every day with no single walk days which I usually have if the day has been busy. Wednesday had an afternoon walk as the morning was short & probably not too sweet.
Longest run was Saturday with 18.55 kms to the summit of Mt Wellington with snow on the peak. Really nice trip, but the snow is retreating quickly even though it's still mid winter. Saturday also had biggest vertical with just under 1300 metres of up hill.
Until I can find a race to do, average is all good. It's a solid base to push off when needed.

Week 28 - Vertical Went Up

Running: Year to Date

Distance:  2,391.35 kms in 28 weeks at ave  85.4 kms ( same as at week 27)

Last week:  86.1 kms

Altitude:  Garmin - 88,224 metres in 28 weeks at ave  3,150 metres ( up from 3,124 metres at week 27)
Strava:  91,219 metres

Last week:  3,866 metres

Earlier this week I would say winter had arrived. Monday, a run in the snow. But, within 6 days, the snow line had retreated way up high as some warmer weather, by winter standards, melted much it.

This photo of snow on the East/West Fire Trail on Monday at a height of 800 metres above sea level.
I also found some snow on my Saturday run but the snow line was now at around 1000 metres.

This photo on the higher parts of Hunter track on Mt Wellington near the Pinnacle Road. Not much remains.

Mt Wellington with snow today at 1200 metres above sea level. Photo taken on my run up Goat Hill, a local steep hill. No snow here, it's only 660 metres above sea level but it can get a light fall in the right conditions. Hopefully winter has not left us just yet.

Week 27 - Slack Week

Running:  Year to date

Distance:  2,305.25 kms in 27 weeks at ave  85.4 km ( down from 86.5 at week 26)

Last week:  56.55 kms

Altitude:  Garmin: 84,358 metres in 27 weeks at ave  3,124 metres ( down from 3,152 metres at week 27)
Strava:  87,448 metres

Last week:  2,388 metres

A down week with more walking than running it seemed. Only two descent runs both cut short by potential damaging weather especially as I was out solo in the mountains.
Tuesday, I headed out looking for a couple of trig/rock pile mountain summits. Reached the top of Collins Cap in nice sunny weather and decided to head towards big brother, Collins Bonnet. But, the storm clouds were rolling in quickly.
Being up at over 1,100 metres above sea level, and open and exposed alpine country, I took a short cut back to the car park. Even as I dropped to lower altitude, the wind meant the gum trees could easily drop a branch. I didn't want to be under one of them.
Saturday, I decided to try to find some snow. Didn't really have enough time. A few of the mountain trails are still closed due to storm water damage a month or more ago and don't look like being repaired any time soon. The main problem is that, if I start at my normal location, it adds around 8 kms, more than an hour of moving time, tracks are very rough.

I made it to junction Cabin, at 620 metres above sea level, but no sign of snow. Apparently, on the day, snow line was just above 1000 metres. Very windy again, we have had 3-4 days of strong winds.
Trees falling over, or dropping branches, are a real worry. Back down as quickly as possible.
Remainder of the week was short either jogging or walking days with a complete rest day. Just tired, needed a non active day.
This week I will chase the snow. Seems all my local running friends have been up to the knees in the snow & having fun. My turn now.

Week 26 - Half A Year Gone

Running:  Year to Date

Distance:  2,248.7 km in 26 weeks at ave  86.5 kms ( up from 86.3 kms at week 25)

Last week:  91.35 kms

Altitude:  Garmin - 81,970 metres in 26 weeks at ave  3,152 metres ( up from 3,137 metres at week 25)

Strava: 85,070 metres

Last week: 3,545 metres

A couple of good hilly runs of 27 kms & 23 kms making up the bulk of both distance & vertical. The weather has been very kind as we enter the second month of winter. No snow on the local mountain unlike this time last year when they were covered.
Even today, we had a top temp of near 15 degrees, so take 10 degrees off for altitude, still well above freezing on Mt Wellington. Still plenty of winter months to come.
First six months in review. Distance would be tracking above long term average, but not by much. Altitude, on the other hand, is absolutely miles ( or metres) above average. I've focused on this for this year hoping it will pay dividends later when I will do a couple of longer races. I have even ran five Parkruns recently in an attempt to retain whatever speed I have.
Overall, a good first six months.