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.