Training Log Archive: jennycas

"3 Hours of Freedom" so named because the southern boundary of the course was Yatala jail. The Dry Creek Linear Park also extended along the southern/southeastern edge of the map and had lots of controls, also a small amount of water in it. Controls were far less dense on the rest of the map but still some good strings were possible and the junior boys were likely to clean up in 3 hours. After some difficulty in finding a team mate, I'd recruited Ben Cazzolato, and was a bit worried that he'd be faster than me as I've run nothing longer than an hour lately, as my knees don't cooperate beyond that point in time.

Anyway, we started out SW and got all the dense controls then followed the creek up in an easterly direction, feeling quite good about having done 9km in the first hour. 2nd hour was about 8km and involved walking a few hills, and we had quite an achievable loop left for the 3rd hour even though I was flagging a bit. Ben did mention that he was able to run quite hard for the last half hour if necessary, and demonstrated this by putting on the metaphorical afterburners (it was as though he really did have a jet pack strapped to his back) while I tried my best to utilise any slipstream this produced (sadly, none, as my legs were pretty hammered from a Killer Massage this morning). We finished with just under 5 min to spare, having only left out two 20s and a 30, and seeing the McCombs make then abort a dash for 21 on the far side of the school, which we'd decided wasn't achievable without a late penalty.

As it was, we were on the same score as them but got in a couple of min earlier. Had we managed the extra 20 points (or worn fancy dress for a bonus 30) this wouldn't have changed the placings as the 3 teams above us all cleaned up, the winners with nearly half an hour to spare much to Toby & Max's dismay although they did just edge out 3rd place! Think I'm pretty happy with 4th in what's basically a running race, given that each year I'm that little bit less fit...

C • Pace 13

Didn't wake up with a metaphorical hangover this morning - for the first time in about 10 days - so went for a swim, which was all good apart from a disconcerting calf twinge when climbing out of the pool. Maybe magnesium balance is still not quite right?

Redwoods return with Zara/Roo & Fern, on a lovely cool evening although I was plodding too much to look up and see the koalas. Dunno why I'm so utterly exhausted this week despite nominally sleeping ok, but I think US election-watching doesn't help.

C • Exhausting election-watching 8

Made hard work of a scenic creekside run with lots of stretching stops - equally as tired this week as last week. Koala sightings are becoming too commonplace to mention but I did encounter a pair of Rogainerus sudaustraliensis - these won't be scarce on the weekend with over 400 people entered for the minigaine. Hope I survive running for 3 hours ok.

Hamstring-friendly trot around the suburbs on a warm evening with the scent of jasmine in the air - just like Sydney (although not as humid, obviously).

Dead legs this morning and I crawled up hills - but it was nice to be out in the still-green Adelaide Hills, and Simon kindly came with me when I cut the run short.