Week 34 - Racing & Recovery

Running:  Year To Date

Distance:  2,935.25 kms in 34 weeks at ave  86.3 kms ( down from 86.5 km at week 32)

Last 2 weeks:  167.05 kms

Altitude:  Garmin- 108,947 metres in 34 weeks at ave  3,204 metres ( down from 3,229 metres at week 32)

Last 2 weeks:  5,626 metres

Strava:  111,037 metres

There has been a bit going on in last 2 weeks with a race event in northern Tasmania at Scottsdale last weekend. Advertised at 56 kms, my Garmin measured just under 52 kms with several others recording under 50 kms.
To be fair, there was a bit cut off the advertised distance late to avoid a road crossing. Plus, as the course followed an old railway line, parts were cuttings through huge rock sections. Guess, some may have lost satellite connections. The event was an out and back, so double the loss.
Anyway, a great event through open farmland to start, then a gradual incline through the bush. Nothing too steep, so much of the full distance was running as there were no natural walking parts to assist us old blokes. Time for me was 6 hrs 18 mins, very happy with that as I didn't push the pace and settled towards the back of the pack. Kept the tail end sweep company on the return so we had a chance to talk up coming ultra events.

This week has been fairly easy with running every day but at super slow pace. Went chasing snow today on the mountain trails behind home. Past couple of weeks have been mild for winter with little rain so little new snow. We are expecting more later this week, but winter is coming to an end.

Next race will be at the end of Sept. Australia's southern most marathon down at Cockle Creek. Same event last year was shortened to a half marathon due to very difficult weather conditions. Hopefully, better this year, but timing could well be winter conditions again.

Week 32 - Start of Taper

Running: Year to Date

Distance:  2,768.2 kms in 32 weeks at ave  86.5 kms ( down from 87.0 kms at week 31)

Last week:  70.05 kms

Altitude:  Garmin -103,321 metres in 32 weeks at ave  3,229 metres ( down from 3,245 metres at week 31)
Strava - 105,872 metres

Last week: 2,710 metres

A week of consistency running all 7 days. Longest day was only 15 kms. Most vertical day was 866 metres.
The weather for mid winter has been reasonably kind except for gale force winds on Friday with gusts over 100 kmph both on Mt Wellington and in Hobart city.
We haven't had a cold winter & it took some searching to find some snow today.

This photo was taken on top of Collins Cap, a mountain not far from home & just under 1100 metres in height above sea level. We have to make the most of these opportunities, the snow doesn't last long.
Tapering now for next weekend's RailTrail run in the north of the state. As trains don't normally travel up too many steep hills, this off road 56 km will be very flat. Mostly rolling through farmland, the country scenery will be nice.

Week 31 - Vert Over 100k

Running: Year to Date

Distance:  2,698.15 kms in 31 weeks at ave  87.0 kms ( up from 86.1 kms at week 30)

Last week:  116.3 kms

Altitude:  Garmin- 100,611 metres in 31 weeks at ave  3,245 metres ( up from 3,183 metres at week 30)
Strava:   103,451 metres

Last week:  5,133 metres

With 2 long runs both over 25 kms & 3 days with vertical over 1000 metres, the week had to be above the year long average.
The weather has been very kind for mid winter with mild sunny & calm days making the great outdoors very pleasant.
I found form at the Saturday Parkrun over 5 kms after a slow run the week before. That bit of extra pace certainly makes the rest of the week easier.
Being right in the depths of winter, we are expecting snow to fall on our local mountain. There have been a couple of dumps of snow, but it melts quickly on the warm ground. It's unusual as last winter was a good snow season in Hobart. Mt Wellington is now almost clear of snow.
I ran/walked up another local mountain today and found very little snow as well. Collins Bonnet is close by, just 10 metres lower than Mt Wellington & it has a few patches hidden from the sun.

I'll run as training until later this week, then start a 10 day taper as I have entered a 56 km race in NE Tasmania on a Rail/Trail on 18th August. I believe, but I haven't seen a real course description, that it should be reasonably flat. I wouldn't think trains in the past climbed too many steep inclines. It should be an interesting event.