Training Log Archive: GM

Recovery run from our Airbnb accommodation in Marrickville down to Cooks River then along the bike path and parklands beside the river. I was surprised how nice it was. First couple of minutes were hard ironing out the kinks especially from the paddling but the felt ok

Event: Paddy Pallin Urban
 

Paddy Pallin Urban adventure race in Sydney with MaryMac - best teammate ever. We were competing against nearly 200 teams of two in the racing category, including Heather and Robert who were back to seek revenge after their shellacking last year.

The format this year was more like a rogaine with a six hour time limit and the checkpoints having different points value. On go there is a mad sprint to grab the clue sheet for the 19 control points, then finding a quiet spot to decipher the cryptic clues as to where the check points are. We also had to be aware that some CPs are only open for a more limited time. We sat down with H&R to solve the clues, mark up our map, then after 25 minutes we were off. We had one CP which we weren't able to solve but thought we might get a chance later on - we didn't.

The start/finish was at Prince Alfred park next to Central Railway. We decided to head to Sydney Uni first to find the new Law Library and our first CP. H&R also went the same way so we were running with them and we arrived at almost the same time. We had to do a short obstacle course with MaryMac not enjoying the climb over the large A-frame wall and being sledged by Heather, but some pre-planning meant we were away first and left them behind.

The next CP was at the end of Glebe Point so we ran the couple of kms but checked the bus timetables along the way in case the next bus was going to be quicker. It wasn't and H&R who decided to take the bus lost time when the bus was late. The next challenge was kayaking on the bay and this was fun but hard as the distance was fairly long especially for a couple of novice paddlers. The official commented that we were quick so that was a plus and still no sign of the kids so we had a good lead.

A run back up the hill into Glebe then down to the park near the fish markets for the next CP - erecting a tent with a team of four but everyone blindfolded except one person who had to direct. We weren't given the full instructions so were chided by the only grumpy person we met all day for allowing the sighted person in our team to touch the tent but with the full instructions we finished it properly. Even using tent pegs which apparently we didn't have to do so it all evened out.

A short run to Ultimo and a basketball challenge. I had to score a basket from behind the three point line, and MaryMac from the free throw line. I was close and had a nice swish after about 5 attempts but MaryMac's shoulder was giving her trouble. She resorted to under-arming the ball and was successful. As we left we crossed paths with Clare and Catherine Murphy.

Into the CBD and the Paddy Pallin store in Kent street to search for five items, and add up the prices for a total. We had a lot of trouble finding one of the items until a man held up a jacket and said out loud "Marmot men's jacket $109.95" - apparently he was just a regular customer. We also used the ticket price on the items first till we realised they had race special prices, so this was a fairly long CP.

Down to the old swing bridge at Darling Harbour looking for someone wandering around looking sheepish. In the end we had to run all the way across, then cross the road to find some guy with a huge sheep head - the Ramator - crossed paths with the kids going the other way so they had caught back a bit of time on us.

A detour via the bottom end of Martin Place to check on a CP but no luck so continued to Wynyard park to find some some clues ie. people in some Marmot gear, and collect two answers then have our photo taken with a toy marmot while holding Marmot sign - talk about product placement.

Some running including illegal traffic light crossing, again, and we were in the Rocks for the first of two CPs. The first we had to solve a wooden puzzle which took me 10 seconds and we were out, then down to the Argyle Cut and a community hall for a relaxing CP. We had to listen to a series of short excerpts from movie songs and write down the movie they were from. The challenge was to write ten and it took us about 14 songs to have ten which were all correct - thanks to MaryMac for 'Frozen' which she attributed to working with people with small children.

A run through the Rocks and Circular Quay to the Sydney Museum in Phillip St where we waited at a bus stop for the arrival of the Karaoke Bus. After a quiet 10 minute wait the bus arrived and it was horrible - so grotty and far too loud. MaryMac spent the short trip down to Hyde Park with her fingers in her ears, but still sang along with the song which neither of us knew - not a big fan of karaoke.

A short run back to Martin Placeand we found the check point which was being run by the Cancer Coucil. The challenge was to select an item of $5 or more and sell it to the public OR buy it ourselves. We forked out the $5 for a daffodil key ring and headed for the train station, and jumped onto a train a moment before it departed. We originally had planned to go to Edgecliff station but made a quick plan change and went through to Bondi Junction.
The next 5 minutes was the only time in the race we were 'lost' as it took that long to get out of the station - we kept running into no exits in the bus station and the lift we jumped in went down to where we had been before ascending to the exit level.

We ran to Centenial Park and found the CP, which was probably the one that most teams left out because it was the furthest away from the start and fairly isolated. We had to make a paper airplane and fly it at least 10 metres. Made it quickly and the distance on the first try. Then back up the hill to Bondi Junction, stopping at a shop to buy a soft drink which we shared - the cold drink and the sugar helped. Another well timed train and back to Edgecliff station.

We ran down to the water at Double Bay for the next challenge - filling a long narrow PVC pipe with water to float a pin pong ball out the top. The challenge was that the pipe had holes drilled in it so MaryMac was trying to plug as many with her fingers as I poured the water in. I had to wade into the water to fill the bucket so my shoes and socks were soaked, but MaryMac was wet all down her front as well as the water was splashed around. After the fourth bucket full of water we were successful

Our route left the park and headed up some steep steps and roads and over the ridge of Darling Point before a steep descent to Rushcutters Bay where we had to eat an ice block dangling from a string, but the challenge was to do it without using our hands. Some small nibbles and a couple of big bites had it gone quickly but it was so cold it was almost painful. We decided to give the CP near Kings Cross a miss because it involved buying a grocery item to donate to Rough Edges but we hadn't seen a shop and didn't think we had time to hunt for one. Then just near White City tennis courts we went past a tiny little convenience store so we made a quick change of plan and we purchased a couple of items - soup and tuna - and headed for Darlinghurst. We found out later that H&R had passed the same shop and bought their grocery items there too.

The next CP was in Moore Park near the SCG and it was closing early so we had our skates on to get there in time. And we made it with about 15 minutes to spare. We had to do a circuit training session - but luckily we had 5 hours of warming up so were good to go. The circuit was: carrying weight bags around a short loop; wiggling waves in a heavy rope; doing push-ups; then Icky shuffles; jumping; skipping; and medicine ball tossing to cool down and we were done.

Then followeda run through Surrey Hills to Redfern Oval for our last CP - a spin of the chocolate wheel and eat whatever came up - either a raw egg, liquorice, a wheel-bix, a snail, or some chocolate. We both had chocolate, although maybe they were just being nice after I said I would throw up if it was snail after last year. The final stretch back to the finish was hampered by some of the slowest lights in Sydney, but we ran in with 11 minutes to spare.

We missed two CPs and scored 390 out of a possible 420. We finished in 6th place overall and 3rd in the mixed category. Not bad for a couple of oldies. MaryMac was amazing the whole day and we had fun. Heather and Robert beat us in by about 10 minutes but were 20 points behind so finished in 14th overall and 6th in the mixed so Heather was claiming a podium finish. They really stepped it up from last year, but still not quite good enough. Maybe we should retire before they are?

The rain held off till near the end of the presentations, and the overcast day meant it wasn't too hot. We caught the train back to Marrickville and bought and ate some delicious cheese triangles from the Greek bakery - our first food since breakfast - followed by a shower and a rest. Then backinto the city and to the Rocks for tea. This was with the four of us, plus Robert's friend Jane who had also been in a team, at the Löwenbräu Keller. We had litre glasses of German beer and lashings of German sausages, pork belly, sauerkraut, potatoes, rye bread, red cabbage, and a beer jus. I think we were all worthy.

C • Dude 4

A quick run around The Pinnacle before heading to Sydney. Nice having a day off and being able to run when I wanted to - although it was very humid after all the rain.

Too wet for a run.

A ride in the torrential rain wasn't so bad - only my shoes and socks were soaked.

Commute plus ride to Glenloch to meet MaryMac on her way home

To the top of Painter with MaryMac and the McJohnaldsons at a good pace

From home to Aranda, DS hill, bushland paths, then back through Macquarie.

Run around The Pinnacle then back home through Cook. The first 15 minutes were with MaryMac before she branched off and drove home.