Training Log Archive: TheInvisibleLog

Blair described today as simple terrain. It was.. if you have spent a lot of time running low-relief central Victorian spur gully. If it was so simple, why did I have a better time than Chris and (reputedly.. I left before the results were up) Ted? If the rumour is true, it may be the first time I have had the better of Ted... ever. The last time I outdid Chris was at Easter in NSW a decade ago when I made a massive error on a 2.5k leg, but Chris made an even more massive error running off the map. That was a great day running in totally trackless terrain. Must get back to Inverary sometime.
Spiked each control and ran as hard as my aching back would allow. I think I'll bask in 'glory' tonight before return to normality next race.

C • 2 seconds 6

More mapping at Mt Korong. This time it was green boundaries and root mounds to make sure the vague first leg is fair.

Spent six hours at Mt Korong. While Nigel check the tagged control sites I worked on extending the map in the areas where the courses go to the edge of Alex Tarr's mapping. We then went and rechecked all the queries re control sites. The good news.. everything was where i said it should be. The issues were all about mapping interpretation. I ended up making a few changes to the original map. One consistent issue is the mapping of boulder fields. A linear boulder field does not imply an impassable feature, but when approached from some directions it is perceived as an impassable cliff. In each case where the cliff/boulder field was impassable, I changed the map to give that information to the runner.

Sober note. In 3 hours I mapped an area 100 metres by 130 metres. At this rate a square kilometre will take about 250 hours. The rest of the map would take me 1000 hours. By the fourth mapping trip I am getting better at the task. Edges matched up today and I was making quicker decisions about features. I am probably still tending to map too much detail, despite trying very hard to simplify.

From Mount Korong

It is far steeper than anywhere on the courses, and if you end up here you deserve what you find, which won't be controls. Hopefully this will be good enough to get you back out.

C • Looks good 4

I was informed yesterday that City of Greater Bendigo has received funding for a LIDAR survey of the city. This will give us the opportunity to get LIDAR generated basemaps for the three remaining unmapped forest areas around Bendigo (Crusoe Reservoir, Sparrowhawk and Crusoe Road block) as well as three Ironman style mining areas within city limits (Virginia Hill, St Justs Point/Windmill Hill and Birds Reef). I had already started mapping Virginia Hill, but I think I might wait until a better base map is available.

A jog around the forest block nearest work. I am developing a sore toe for unfathomable reasons. I think I will have to miss the Saturday event at Mt Ida. Pity. It's been a while since we went out there. It will be a chance to extend the Mt Korong map instead.

After the tragedy of February 7, there is a great deal of pressure on DSE to set and meet increased targets for controlled burns. A great step forward was made this week when the crew in charge of the Mt Alexander burn exceeded targets by a margin of 900%. That will look very good in the annual report!
I am not sure what the implications will be for the two events planned for September. The fire is still burning. Apparently a significant area of a very rare plant was burnt... 1 square metre. Local manager of threatened species quipped that it be easier to make the argument for increased funding now the plant is critically endangered.

Hill circuit on Welsford Hill.

A consistent slow tempo. Is that what they mean?

Rest day... first justifiable rest day since Easter.