Week 46 - Nicely Maintaining Averages

Running:  Year to Date

Distance:  3,841.8 kms in 46 weeks at ave  83.5 kms ( up from 83.4 kms at week 45)

Last week:  87.9 kms

Altitude: Garmin - 137,350 metres in 46 weeks at ave  2,986 metres ( same as week 45)

Last week: 2,983 metres

Strava:  140,011 metres

The week has seen no real change in both distance & vert yearly averages. Ran on 6 days & a controlled power walk last Monday as a recovery day. Weather was spring like on Monday then proceeded to go back to winter as the low pressure system rolled in with strong southerly winds & showers.
Consequently, there were no mountain running days to the summit as conditions all week were very " unfavourable". That's run speak for miserable with below zero temps, strong winds & some snow. So stay away from the high parts, and do a few repeats of local hills as is necessary.
Highlight of the week was a return to Parkruns after missing a few weeks. Ran an all time Pb on a new course as my usual Parkrun was cancelled to the area was taken over for army training exercises.
This one is dead flat at sea level but on concrete bike paths. Normally, my Parkrun is on an undulating gravel surface and around a minute slower then on the concrete.
At some stage, spring weather will return but it's meant to be summer in a week. Better hurry up or we miss out all together.

Week 45 - All About The Vert

Running: Year to Date

Distance:  3,753.9 kms in 45 weeks at ave  83.4 kms ( same as week 44)

Last week:  82.95 kms

Altitude:  Garmin - 134,367 metres in 45 weeks at ave  2,986 metres ( up from 2,964 metres at week 44)
Last week:  3,930 metres

Strava: - 136,945 metres

In maintenance mode now with no run events now for remainder of the year. Some Canberra running friends will be in Tassie in early next year, so I will have to be ready to go.
The main reason for the big vert figure was 2 days spent on lower Mt Wellington slopes assisting Police & SES in a search for a missing Hobart man. Unfortunately, it didn't end well.
But I did get good distance & vert as we covered the tracks & trails that quad bikes & trail bikes could not go & were difficult for the helicopter to see.
A travel day on Monday back from Triple Top run in the north of the state & a 5 km walk to the river day after a massage, meant a 5 day run week. So happy with how it all panned out.
A good Saturday run/fast walk on Saturday up Mt Wellington on a beautiful sunny & mostly calm with a Canberra running friend topped up a nice run week.
Monday recovery day. Certainly will have a trip to the river. No problems at the moment, massage found nothing so it's all go, just nice and easy.

Week 44 - Must Lift My Game

Running:  Year to Date

Distance:  3,670.95 kms in 44 weeks at ave  83.4 kms ( down from 84.2 kms at week 43)

Last week:  49.9 kms

Altitude:  Garmin - 130,437 metres in 44 weeks at ave  2,964 metres ( down from 2,985 metres at week 43)

Last week:  2,062 metres

Strava:  132,931 metres

Triple Top run event in northern western Tasmania was the main focus of the week. Yearly averages have taken a tumble due to tapering with a few rest days. There are no run/race plan for the rest of the year. Six weeks basically to make 4000 kms & 150,000 metres in vertical.
Triple Top goes over Mt Claude, Mt Van Dyke & the main one, Mt Roland.
These have peaks over 1000 metres above sea level with Mt Roland at 1,234 metres is just lower than Mt Wellington behind home in Hobart.
Weather conditions were near perfect, sunny, mild & little if any wind.
I was going Ok, running along the very undulating wet & muddy single track taking in the wonderful scenery. A rolled ankle by one of my running friends put an end to my " race" as I waited with a paramedic, some SES people & two course marshalls for the helicopter to arrive. Five hours later, right on dark & 11 hours after starting, I crossed the finish line in last place.

To the north, views out over the city of Devonport and Bass Strait. To the west, views over the world famous Cradle Mtn area still with a little snow & to the south, views over the Western Tiers.
I say this many times about the scenery in Tasmania, but this event although only 19 kms in distance & around 12-1300 metres of vertical, is stunning. Forget the winning runners who take just over the 2 hrs, the main group times are well over 3 hours. Technically difficult all the way, it finishes with an 800 metres severely steep rocky descent in 3 kms. Not for the faint hearted, it is scary.
Do it again ? You bet.
Why does this event sell out in 18 hours with a full field of 300 runners & walkers. The challenge & the scenery of course. Brilliant day out, loved it for all of it's dramas.

Week 43 - Trying to Catch Up

Running:  Year to Date

Distance:   3,621.05 kms in 43 weeks at ave  84.2 kms ( down from 84.5 km at week 42)

Last week:  73.2 kms

Altitude:  Garmin - 128,375 metres in 43 weeks at ave 2,985 metres ( up from 2,964 metres at week 42)

Last week:  3,881 metres

Strava:   130,799  metres

Two non running days, one due to the weather when local Parkrun cancelled due to track conditions, wind & rain.
So, managed to get a fair bit done in 5 days with all but one having heaps of vertical metres. Best one was today with a run/walk up Mt Wellington to find the few remaining patches of snow from a dump on Saturday. Most of it had gone, but the winds were amazing with 65 kmph strong westerlies making the temperature feel like -11 degrees. So much for spring time leading to summer temps. Not here, not yet.
Couple more solid running days then ease back before Triple Top which won't be as hard as today's 28 km with 1700 metres of vert in 4 and half hours. Should be a good fun day and a chance to catch up with a few running friends in the north of the state.
All good in the lead up, racing as such won't be the priority. just have fun & take a few pictures.