Training Log Archive: Mounty

Evening Killarney trot with Katrin in my hippie shoes. Legs in good shape considering.

Running as pacer for Jono in the Great North Walker 100 miler (which is actually a bit longer than 100 miles at 174km). The run goes from near Newcastle to Patonga, with runners allowed a pacer for the last 70k. Pacers are for safety, and in hindsight I can see why. Gets quite remote in places, and very easy to lose the trail at times.

Impressively disorganised for this one, and only just made it to Yarramalong in time. Was under instructions to get there by 6, with earliest expected arrival time of 6:30. Wasn't I suprised then when I arrived to be told Jono was 5 minutes away. I quickly threw a random collection of things in to the pack, and headed of up Bumble HIll (yes, the cycling one) wondering what I'd forgotten.

Weird feeling running as a pacer. It was like I was standing on the side of the road watching a marathon, and jumping in to the lead pack as the race comes past. Vibe of the event and tiredness of the runners reeked of having run 100k, while I guiltily trotted along on fresh legs.

Anyhoo, cruised through to Somersby (130k) in good order, with Jono still running OK. Beautiful rainforest in places and really quite enjoyable to be out. Only challenge was the fog which reflected the headllight making it rather hard to see.

From Somersby it was thru' to Mooney Mooney (150k), and Jono began the gradual transition from runner to death marcher. Lots of wildlife on the trail including a couple of baby tiger snakes. Did wonder where mum was.

We left Mooney Mooney at 1am for the last 25k up over the hills around Girrakool (last years Paddy Pallin area) and down in to Patonga. An evil piece of course setting quite frankly for such a long run, as it is steep, rough and generally ouchy thru there.

Glorious moment up the top of the hill, emerging at 2am on to a large slab of bare rock, with 360 vistas all lit up by a high full moon. As I waited for Mr sore legs and looked up, it suddenly struck me how amazing it is that I can run along these days with a watch that talks to a space ship to tell me how fast I'm going. And we think nothing of it.

The last couple of hours required a bit of moral support, as Jono had developed 20cm diameter chafing patches on both thighs that were bleeding and his quads were smashed, making downhills somewhat challenging for him. Hence he was not overly thrilled when we got thru to Patonga just before daybreak that the run finishes with a long steep, rough downhill to the beach.

Finished just as the sun came up. I grabbed some tea and sat on the beach watching a sublime sunrise over Broken Bay..accompanied by the gentle sounds of Jono throwing up behind me.

Legs felt strong. Had forgotten what that felt like.

Evening Killarney loop, mainly to make room for the ensuing wine and olives.

NOSH track needs more traffic. The downhill has a spot that has been completely overgrown by blackberries.

Hurry for a meeting tempo ride. It's a fine art to balance the time gained from riding hard vs. the time lost from a longer shower. Trick seems to be to go fast on the flat and ease off slight on the ups.

Commuting trick #357. Forgetting your towel. Use cycling shirt as a towel, hand dryer to dry hair and ride home in business shirt.

C • #357 5

Bonked. Stopped to buy a coke in castle cove.

Gentle Killarney loop to shake the adductors loose. Hot!

A little bit trashed from yesterday. Warm morning.

Feeling a bit stronger again on the ride home, except for a reminder from the adductors that they spent yesterday out of their comfort zone.

Tough night for Blackheart & CBD. Ouch.