Training Log Archive: robw

Long run from corin dam starting out with a bunch of trail canberra guys including John Titou and Paul Cuthbert. I hadnt really planned to go out until sat night when John talked me into it.

They were thinking of running for 4hrs so i got the idea that it might be possible to do a loop going up stockyard spur down to near cotter hut and then back north along the cotter river on a fire trail i had never been on before finishing by following 6k along the "clear" ground below the high water mark (I checked the dam was only at 60%).

It was pretty cold and wet when we started just as it was getting light. I was feeling a bit groggy after a few beers and only 4hrs sleep thanks to a late night and early morning. We cruised up stockyard spur with a few stops to let people regather which made me get pretty cold. By the time we got to the top of stockyard spur i had put gloves beanie thermal and jacket on and i never took them off for the rest of the day.

At the Gingera turnoff I convinced Paul to come with me on the loop while the others headed up gingera for an out an back run. Paul was setting a cracking pace on the mt franklin fire trail pumping out 4.20ks on the gradual downhill. Despite this it seemed to take forever to get to the junction for the bimberi saddle and then the big downhill after that wasnt good on my ankle. On the plus side it was nice to come down out of the fog and have a nice view up the cotter valley.

By the time we crossed the cotter i was starting to suffer and only just hanging onto Paul. From here I was really counting down the 9km till we got to the southern tip of the dam although the last few km next to the river had some great sections next to the river which was really nice.

When we got to the dam we had done 36km and I had no idea how long the last 6k might take. The first part was very rocky with lots of wet logs and the slope wasnt making it easy either but we could keep up a sort of run at about 10min/k. After a km or so it really improved and became less rocky and flatter for a few km which was good but then we could see the last part which we new would be the toughest. This was basically a 45 degree slope covered in rock and sometimes logs and weeds but sometimes there were little flat platforms which allowed you to keep up a careful jog. The last part got much rockier with some tricky sections climbing around cliffs above the dam and scrabbling up some rough scree but it was also quite fun with the wall in sight knowing we would make it.

When we got back John had set up the bbq in a disused shed out of the rain and cooked up coffee and bacon and eggs burgers which were amazing. A great way to finish a cool run that I have always thought about doing. Pretty shattered now though.

C • Sounds like a cracker run -... 4

Morning run, planned to do some hill intervals up black mtn or something hard but had absolutely no go so turned around after running through the kangaroo paddocks and plodded home for some coffee and toast.

commuting

Gossan hill intervals, 4x between 3.35 and 3.30. getting faster on each effort but a good reminder of how far behind this time last year i am.

token commuting run

Lake Ginninderra handicap, 7k, 24.27

Got out for the ABS handicap which I hadn't done for 2 years. I wasn't too hopeful of doing a fast time and this must be one of my slowest but it was a good solid hitout anyway.

Certainly no chance of winning the handicap now since my handicap is still based on 22.37 which I ran years ago.

jog to work