Running 3:50:00 [3] 37.0 km (6:13 / km)
SLWC III
1) BlueGum Creek
Big turnout at Roseville for the 3rd annual SLWC. First map was a slowish trip down the small track in BlueGum Creek. Relaxed for the first half, with Prong on the front finding the way. Prong's strategy for the day seemed to be to back himself on the technical bushy nav legs - and did it well. He got away on the first when myself, fatrat and the youngsters got bogged in some overgrown crap for an easy win first up. Slight over-run of the knoll for #7 by the boys in front, which gave an opportunity to sneak ahead, and firetrail sprint to hold off Josh for 2 points.
Worked out at this point that it was gonna be a pretty long day. Courses seemed to be about 3k each, with 10 to go.
2) Lane Cove Park
Plenty of running in this one, up and down the river again. The youngsters & Fatrat showed interest in the points after #14. Thought of a 1500m road windup didn't appeal, so decided to save some bickies for the next one. I think Ben got this one.
3) West Chatswood
Group jog down the golf course, then gradually quicker along the river towards Tracy's house. Went for the 'El Guerrough' in towards #25 with a gradual wind up of pace, with Steve, FatRat et al. on the tail. No Stuffups in to Mowbray, so first to the Little Athletics tuckshop for 3 points. Feeling good.
3a) Maccas
A bit early in the run for Maccas, but cant break a tradition. Went the bacon & egg mcmufin and a coke. Gave away the hash brown, which in hindsight was unwise. The salt would have been handy later.
4) Blackman Park
Social jog digesting maccas, until a restart on the oval below #36. Stayed out of the short uphill sprint thru the bush. Checked to see if the non-O running buddies were doing OK - they seemed to have got the knack of hang-O dialled.
5) Burns Bay
First half was a technical jaunt up the burns creek track, with a long gentle downhill road finish. Hit #47 with Fatrat and Josh, and it became clear there would be no easy point here. Wound up along the road for a long 3-way leadout. Sat on the back of the boys, hoping to slingshot thru #49 at the end. Picked off Fatrat but not Josh. Pretty quick down the road, glanced at the GPS @ close on 3min/k before the final windup had kicked in. 2 points.
6) Butchers Block
Another bush leg, which saw prong on the front. Hung on to him, and didn't try to overtake at the very end cause I hadnt read the map at all. 2points.
7) Pottery Green
The LazyDave leg, finishing with a massive king of the mountain hilltop finish. Hung with the action in case no-one bothered, but plenty of interest for the sprint up the hill, and having gone hard on the previous2 I grabbed a drink on the way instead. Fatrat for the KOM.
Pulled in to a Mobil for a Powerade & V-shot. No-one was in a hurry to get things going again
8) Artarmon Creek
Fun one. Cruise thru to 73, then sat on the back of josh down the bush track to 76. Hit the gas as we got to the oval, and a fun hoon thru some bush sections for a group of 4 together at the penultimate. Went for a route choice split and came together at the first almost at the same time. 1 point
9) Tunks Park
Long running section. Sledged Fatrat, then took off to 82. Got to 85 with Josh on the tail, and fatrat close behind, but f*cked up going to 86 and lost them. Cruised thru' on the long road section chatting with Andy until 89. Suddenly saw Josh appear from the right - boys had stuffed up - so unexpected kick and held him off to 90. 3 points.
Bonus Maccas stop at St Leonards, for another Coke. Warm now, and weary looking folk. But the full group still intact. Good stuff.
10) Long jog to the start of the Berry's Creek run. Got thru to 93, and headed down the track to Berry Island. Rest of hte boys went back & around to the road which proved to be faster. Started to cramp here - whch proves that endurolyte tablets work. Used to get cramps on long events, but started taking endurolytes 3 or 4 years ago, and havent had a single cramp since. Forgot them in the car today, and paid for it. Rolled thru to Balls Head and stole Dari's drink.
11) Balls Head
Final fling from a group of folk here, nice group together thru' 103 when my left adductors locked up. Ran for a while, but wasnt releasing & didn't want to injure anything so stopped for a stretch, and trotted thru to the finish to watch the final sprint thru the tunnel. Fanstastic sprint with Steve on the front, and Josh screaming past Prong in the big sandstone tunnel to grab 2nd - turns out that manouevre was worth the effort as it pushed him in to undisputed lead for the day.
Big day out again. Great to see Josh take the money, and back up youthful speed with solid endurance. He had us covered well more than the points suggest.
Fun times, then off to Ezy's for a BBQ. Highlight of my day was the following conversation at Coles on the way to Ezy's.
Me: Thomas, I want you to go get some sausages and a french bread stick.
Thomas: What else?
Me: That's all
Thomas: Man-shopping, nice.