Training Log Archive: GraceE

Australian Relay Championships, Littlechild Creek.
In a Tassie team with Brea and Leida. Unfortunately Brea hurt her ankle on first leg so had to pull out. Leida and I still headed out for our runs, and it was a lot of fun, though much more challenging than I was expecting as full use had been made of a particularly rocky set of hillsides, with not much easy running in between. I lost time on three controls, the biggest loss being 1.5mins on the way to c17 when I couldn't find a creek crossing so went my own way which wasn't a good way :s Then missed a bit at the end of that leg too. Felt a bit tired physically, but in general a lovely day and fun course to finish off the week! Much thanks to all the organisers for some brilliant events :D

Australian Long Champs, The Golden Fleece.
Fantastic terrain and course... again. A few controls in the detail, then a section with two long legs and some rocky hillsides, then back in the detailed moonscape area for some tough little loops across the hardest stuff. I started well and was pretty clean to c15, most of the way through the course, but then disappointed myself by failing to maintain the concentration needed in the last section with subtle features, losing time on what felt like 5 controls in a row but looking at the splits was really only three controls - about 3 - 3.5mins lost. Was worried I'd thrown it away at the end but everyone struggled so I got the title which was really pleasing :)

Australian Sprint Distance Champs, Bicheno.
What a wet and windy morning! Warming up was a bit difficult and I didn't bother trying to do much of one. Such a shame as Bicheno is so beautiful in the sunshine! Anyway, set off and it soon became apparent that I should have gone with the metal studs - the rocks were so slippery! I took care after an early slip to c2, but ran hard when not on the rock. Great area and course, with 13 of the controls on the coastal section of rock making it an unusual sprint. I had been fairly clean and hadn't looked over my shoulder but coming out of c13 I went back on myself and while doing that I caught sight of Lizzie coming down the hill maybe 20secs or less behind me. That reminded me to keep fighting in the last bit... I didn't expect to make up the difference but I wanted to beat Lizzie to the finish and make sure I secured at least 2nd. Had a good last few controls and was very surprised to end up with the win. Great run by Rune who had only got off a plane from Europe hours earlier!

Drove to Scamander with stops at Beaconsfield, George Town, Low Head, Bridport, Pyengana Cheese Factory and St Helens. Went for a walk out at the point past St Helens and saw an echidna.

Morning run from the tent at Stanley caravan park, along the beach. 26mins on the beach (out and back) with the last 10 on a track inland. Very easy pace.

A lot of today was spent in Rocky Cape NP, not far from Stanley. We walked on a path up a ridge to the highest point (Tindles Lookout?). It was nice though pretty overcast. In the afternoon we drove to Narawntapu NP, across the estuary from Port Sorell. We had been PROMISED wombats here so expectations were high. It didn't disappoint. We saw about 15 on our drive in and after setting up camp went for a walk on dusk. So many wombats (which some were happy to let us get up close to) and twice as many potteroos, plus wallabies. We even saw a baby wombat. I would totally recommend a visit (late afternoon/dusk) if you want to see these lovely animals in their natural habitat.

Explored the town of murals in the morning, then took a scenic drive through back roads and farming country, picnicking at Gunns Plains before heading out to the coast at Penguin. Made our way west to Stanley and had an afternoon walk on The Nut.

Drove from St Helens to Launceston, then to Gowrie Park via Mole Creek. Ran up to the western saddle of Mt Van Dyke, over the top and down from the eastern saddle. Matt also bagged the top of the adjacent peak, Mt Roland. I love the Triple-tops run (21km along the same ridge) so it was fun to be up there again, although it was a bit wet underfoot and even tougher than I remembered! It lightly snowed on me most of the time while up top :)
Later we ate dinner in Sheffield and stayed at Gowrie Park, where I thrashed Matt at table tennis.