Training Log Archive: acejase

So the last 2 years at Thredbo have been 100k weeks. Unfortunately due to more heather running this year (oh and not doing a 47k run mid week) I was 29k short this year. Set out on 'usual' 30k loop of west and central basin from home. Felt better than expected and rolled along nicely on the bike path. Bit different to thredbo tracks. Marty was maybe gonna meet me so was looking out for him although turned out he bailed. Finished up the hill to Aranda ok and overdid things to get to 101k for the week.

Marty Rob and I were going to do the Kosi Challenge however the rain wind and general winter weather ruled that out. So instead we met James Minto and did warm up round village before doing a session.

5 * 1k and a bit off 5mins on what apparantley is the pipeline track near the Thredbo River at the Friday Flat end of Thredbo. 3 slightly downhill efforts and 2 uphill. Legs weary but a little better after the 2nd. Didn't have a 5th gear and possibly not a 4th. Held Rob at bay for the first 3 before he showed he still had the legs and went with James for the last two. Good session to do. Time includes warm down back up to the Youth Hostel.

Slow plod with Rob round some Thredbo tracks. Unfortunately for rob and i the route I chose was quite steep and hilly and generally agony after yesterday. We both agreed we felt better for it.

This years Thredbo long run was a little shorter than last years 47k Aussie10 but still adventurous none the less. Rob had a route picked out that was mostly off track and involved quite a few peaks and places he had not been before. Obviously if Rob had not been to these places then no chance I had!
Andy came up from canberra for the run and joined Rob, Marty and I. We set out on from Thredbo Top Station along the Dead Horse Gap track for a k or so before off onto the heather and snow grass across the Ramshead range. Fairly long hard uphill before eventually down the other side to a bright red emergency snow hut that Rob not been too. Was pretty cool to visit and took a few photos.
Then along the valley and across the face of Kosciousko before a long climb up to the Abbott Peak range. There was a nice section of snow grass here but also some tough heather sections, particularly up the hill.
From Abbott Peak across to Mt Townsend, the 2nd highest peak in Australia. As Rob said would be better if this was the highest as much tougher to get up than the family walking track to Kosi. Lots of rock and clambering and big big boulders and rock features. Once again a few snaps before off down and across to Alice Rawson Peak, another one from our Aussie10 last year.
Alice Rawson was the last of our peaks and we headed for a foot pad that led down the valley to the main path. Found it pretty easy on the clear day, refilled water at a stream and got going to the main range path.
Hit the main range path at the saddle and it headed up to the Kosi track. Marty like an unleashed thoroughbred glad to be back on a road ramped things up to tempo pace and I hung on till we got to the Kosi track where we all regrouped. Then quick detour up to Kosi and roll down hill towards the Snowy River. From the river we found the snow poles track fairly easily and plodded along back to top station. A good days running thats for sure with plenty of new sights. As Rob said a good tough run without being wrecked for a fortnight afterwards!!! Coffee and milkshake in Thredbo very good.

A few laps while the kids played.

Convinced myself that after no rest from running day for ages it was time for a day off feet. Went down and swam 600m at pool and felt pretty good. Even enjoyed it ?! Was going to get to 750m but the pool closed for the night. Started my 500m at 8am ;-)

Alpine Adventure race with Abby. :) Basically score orienteering round the village. I navigated while Abby did controls. Great fun. Well organised too by some non orienteers. Map is pretty bad - 'regaining standard' just - but Thredbo would be great for sprint race if mapped properly and got permissions etc. Fantastic.

Big uphill run with Frogga. Dead Horse Gap and then up to Thredbo Top Station. We went steady / jogged and I chewed Frogga's ear off about this and that. Unfortunately one of the comments was about how was Grants calf going to which he replied 'pretty good' and then it went almost immediately. Bugger.

Steady morning run with Rob, Marty and Bourney. Down through the village and down the Thredbo Valley Trail then turn around again when Marty said too. Felt pretty ok rolling along which was good. Heard a few stories from Bourney about how he trains for stair running which interesting.

Jog round Pizza Relays Fun run with Zoe who wanted some company. I could hardly keep up!