Training Log Archive: Mounty

Discovered that there was a fund-raising trail race on this weekend called the Jabulani Challenge. Nicely before Oxfam (I guess that is by design), it seemed like a good opportunity to give the legs a hit out, so I signed up for an enter on the day. I didn't know much about the event other than the course looked interesting. Start at Lindfield oval, down the NOSH track to Roseville bridge, then all the way up the creek to Mona Vale Rd. Thru' to Bobbin Head via the Sphinx stairs, and then back up the Gibberagong track to finish at Wahroonga.

Quite a respectable turnout at Lindfield oval, and then a very entertaining start. Everyone was randomly gathered around the grandstand listening to the briefing, when the organiser finished what he had to say then suddenly said 'go'. Funny.

Stupid pace to start as usual, with a group of about 10 forming when we hit the fire-trail. Had a look around to see who was onboard at this point, spotting a few familiar faces and also Alex Mathew (who won 6 foot track last year in 3:20). Alex headed off the front shortly after, and I did the usual NOSH thing of easing forward ready for the singletrack.

On to the first rough bit - the new detour, and then the rocky downhill - and I caught back up to Alex who looked happier on the smoother stuff, and we settled in with a group of 4 now. Well 3 really, as Alex nicked off the front again as the track smoothed out. Struck up a conversation with the remaining lads, mainly to stop getting carried away with pace using the 'I can still talk test', and picked up an anecdote that NSW Stinger will enjoy. One of the lads introduced himself as Jasper, and explained that he was training to break the Oxfam record in a couple of weeks. Impressed by the confidence I asked who he was running with, to be told their lynch pin is Toby Cogley.

Anyhoo, got down to Roseville Bridge to find that the running legs have improved a bit lately. AP tells me I ran the first ~5km of the NOSH in early June in 21min, which was about the same pace I did in the race back in '05 when I last ran it (for 65min). Rather suprised to do the same section this time in 21:30 with 40k to go. Up on to the bridge, and Alex was about 30sec ahead. A gap which rapidly grew as we hit the bitumen in the park - I felt slow watching. Continued as such for about 2k, until he missed the turn up the hill in to the bush and we caught up again.

I'd planned at this stage to take a breather for a little bit (I'd done 44 for the first 10k nosh track included), but when the track got rough the others disappeared backwards. Figuring that this was the only chance I'd ever get to run in front of someone of Alex's calibre for a bit, and that staying out of sight would deprive them of a set of orienteering feet to follow, I kept up the pace through to the Cascades. Ran really well thru' here - getting better at rockhopping again.

Out of the woods at about 15k ready for the first climb of the day up the Quarry track. Jon Worswick was a minute or so back, else no one to be seen. Once up the hill on to the fire trail, and Alex unsuprisinlgy cruised past again at about 19k. Over Mona Vale Rd to the first drink stop at 21k, and he was 30sec odd ahead. I took a moment to put some water in my pack and never saw him again. Reason being that he took a wrong turn shortly after, and I got past without knowing. Very disappointing.

Ran the rest by myself, although caught up to the 24k runners thru Bobbin head. Sphinx stairs stung the legs a little bit, OK but not great pace down to Bobbin Head and a bit tired at the next drinks near the water. Became claer at this point that the course was gonna be 2-3k longer than advertised. Hmm.

Hard work up the Giberagong trail - it's quite rough and slowly uphill. Steep climb to the last drinks at 37k, then 8k to finish on undulating varied trail with some narsty pinches. A bit lazy through here, finding excuses not to really push. Got to the finish bang on 4 hours, with Jon Worswick coming in a few minutes later, and Alex finally another 5min back.

Nice run. Pretty happy with that effort for Sydney trails.

C • Impressive 4

Lunch jog (well at 4pm) to Balls Head. Tired and slow.

Lunchtime run up the Nosh track from home. Absurdly nice day, just great to be outdoors. Cruisy run, with a couple of stretch stops. Left adductor a bit stiff from kicking things.

Bit of luck on the way home. Did a massive ankle roll, one of the one's where you go with it and end up with the topside of your shoe in contact with the ground, but came away unscathed.

Then home for the evening primary school concert. Thanks for the hall Julia.

Evening ergo loosen up.

Name drop of the day - chatted to Grant Hackett.

So much fun, in a comfort zone expanding kind of way.

Gav session. Flexors not too bad.