Training Log Archive: blairtrewin

Powered up the initial climb from Falls Creek and thought that it might be as good as Friday. It didn't work out quite that well, but still a very decent effort. Did the big loop Pretty Valley-Cope Saddle-Wallaces Hut-Langford Gap, then added on an out-and-back along the Roper Lookout aqueduct when it became apparent that my originally planned loop was going to come in well under my 2.30 target. A little weak on some of the hills (according to the map there were hardly any after the initial climb, but you can hide an awful lot in 20-metre contours), but also some very good stretches, particularly around the 90-minute mark. Some of the tracks were very gravelly which was a bit hard on the feet. Tired a bit in last 15 minutes.

The strength of the sun at 1600-1800 metres elevation can be very deceptive. It was about 4-6 degrees for most of the run but didn't feel in the least bit cold, and I was walking around in T-shirt and shorts with comfort afterwards. It did get cold enough for snow last night (minimum -1) but there was no moisture.

Back in Melbourne now (and back to reality - a 6.30 a.m. slot on Radio National tomorrow). Still plenty of cyclists on the road (wasn't the Audax enough for them?). Got stuck on Tawonga Gap behind, of all things, a slow-moving Harley.

C • Awesome! 1

To see where I went today, have a look at:

http://www.mapmyrun.com/route/united-states/ca/fal...

(presumably there's a Falls Creek in California, hence the strange URL, but the map is the right place). Impressed how much track detail is on the map although it does straighten the tracks a bit compared to the O-map (explaining the 3-4% distance difference).

C • Blair now coming to you live for SBS 10

Not as good as yesterday but still pretty solid. Went to the top of Mount McKay and return. Handled the hills reasonably well, particularly the steep final climb to the summit. A bit of back stiffness on the steeper ground.

I haven't seen as many runners around as I thought I might (apparently most of the better ones were otherwise engaged at the A-series in Canberra, and some of the routes I've taken on are probably a bit rougher than most track runners are comfortable with), but did come across a couple of women (I presume they were British from their accents) about to embark on a hill session on the upper part of Mount McKay. Did see plenty of cyclists afterwards, Falls Creek being the turnaround point for the Audax ride.

A magnificent run in a magnificent setting on a magnificent day. Went from Falls Creek to Mount Nelse West via Heathy Spur, returning via the fire trail. Handled the hills with ease (they were never that extreme, although Mount Nelse West is the third highest peak in Victoria at 1891m) and floating along for long stretches, especially in the middle. Tired a little in the last 20 minutes but by then it didn't really matter. This will take some beating for my best training run in 2007.

Saw the comet driving up last night, perfectly framed against Tawonga Gap in the last hint of sunset. Difficult to keep concentrating on the road.

Reviving the High-O looks like a project worth pursuing if Parks are agreeable. Most of the grasslands seem to be in pretty good condition, although a lot of the heath has gone (and most of the forest looks much more runnable than it was pre-2003). The area which burnt in December will be no go for a while yet (for those who know the area, it's the western section of the Pretty Valley map west of the central track - one of the nicer bits of the old area) but there should still be enough for a viable event if we can get the OK. Maybe this time next year or in 2009?

One other oddity of Thursday - I actually saw someone in possession of an item of Channel 9 cricket merchandise (just in case you were wondering if anyone actually bought the stuff).

C • I think January-February 2008 ... 6

Session at Fitzroy pool. Back a bit stiff early on but loosened up OK.

Heading for the hills for the long weekend (Falls Creek). The plan was to escape from the heat but it may end up being overkill - Saturday's system is cold enough that there might be an outside chance of snow on the peaks on Satuday night.

A bit shorter than I've been doing on a Wednesday morning of late - did it at work in the time interval available between a 6.45 interview with Radio Satan* and 8.15 with Alan Jones. Given how the latter interview went I should have stayed out for another 15 minutes. The run itself wasn't bad - thought I might suffer through not getting much sleep last night but it worked out OK.

(* Radio Satan = ABC Canberra, which broadcasts on 666 kHz. This frequency used to be used for parliamentary broadcasts but presumably somebody didn't think that was a great idea).

C • The Jones Boy 6

Never felt comfortable on this run (street-O) - always seemed like I was going against the current. Maybe it was the tough day at work. Started in a group with Liggo, Jase, Bryan Ackerly and Peter Hobbs. Liggo got away (he wasn't punching controls, but I doubt I would have been able to hold onto him tonight anyway), but I eventually got clear of the rest of them, helped in some cases by eccentric route choices. Tony Bird made a return to A course and won it.

For the benefit of North American readers who've never heard of Alan Jones: probably the nearest equivalents (in terms of obnoxiousness, self-importance, level of influence and political alignment) are Rush Limbaugh or Bill O'Reilly (or probably half-a-dozen other Fox News people I haven't come across). I think I'll handle it better next time, but I'm not anxious for next time to happen any time soon.

Ran the Tuesday night street-O as a 20 seconds on/20 seconds off session after initial warm-up. A bit of zip in the early reps but struggled a bit later on - a bit longer than usual for a Tuesday night. Won the race thanks to a good route, although that wasn't really the point of the exercise.

Good to get out on the streets after a pretty crazy day at work - our seasonal outlook came out and I've done 14 interviews in the last 24 hours. We also got asked in the late morning to prepare a media release on the outlook for the Parliamentary Secretary (something we view with a certain amount of distaste as most of us aren't that keen on politicians involving themselves in operational products). We then got back from lunch to discover that he was now the former Parliamentary Secretary.

Quite smooth after the first couple of laps. Northcote this time (thanks to the location of tonight's run) - indoor pool atmosphere is a bit stifling for my liking.

Took a long time to get going tonight - didn't really feel comfortable until after 30 minutes. Fairly small group tonight but a good one (and it's a bit of a change to see Warren two weeks in a row - he must be serious about his Easter build-up).