Running race (Blackie Run-up) 20:40 [4]
A good crowd today in spite of cold wintry weather. Cycled there in time for a 5 minute run warm up (not long enough). Set off not feeling very spritely, the virus is probably slowing me down a bit. Mostly ran to the upper Blackie gate then walked just about all the way from there, hands on thighs and pushing it. Missed my PB by 3 seconds so when feeling 100% again I should be able to break it on a cold day. Corner at 5:22, Upper Gate at 8:52, Circum at 17:11 for the record.
The best part of today was the run down. Started down with Kerri L Somewhere on the last steep part the long train of faster people caught us and we latched on for a rather fast cool down, passing TomBrazier and company on their 2nd run up. At the bot gdns drive way a few rebels turned into the gardens trying to drag the train with them. There was a mess of hesitation and u-turns, then all the cool people went the fun route thru the gardens, so I latched on.
The combination of zooming on narrow mulched tracks, being in a long train, not having to choose a route and a sense of naughtiness (the gardens are really for walkers and contemplators) was exhilarating. My left knee behaved ok and I felt better at down hill running than usual, all soft knees and quick short steps. Running through the rainforest gully was particularly wicked and I hope we didn’t make too much noise (not everyone has quiet feet). If I could run in a long train of fast people on trails every week I’d be happy!