Training Log Archive: GraceE

No rest for the weary. 1-0 win over Central.

8hr rogaine with Clayton at Snowball (Deua National Park).
Left Canberra at 7.30 and got to the event just after 10 with a stop in Braidwood for coffee and food. It took a little while to plan our route given we were using the same map as the 24hr people, but using the magic piece of string we came up with a plan we were happy with that avoided most of the climb, picked up plenty of big-pointers, and finished with a few controls not far from a road leading back to the HH.

We set off (at midday) and got the first few controls well, having a bit of climb early on but using some tracks as well. I then lost us a few minutes at c99 getting put-off by features which were too small for the map, but we then did some tricky vague legs well and got back into the swing of things heading across the big flat valley to our furthest point on the far range, c94. We drank from the Shoalhaven River both times we crossed it and then started to make our way back over the hill for c95 and straight along the flat plain past c96.

We were making good progress and getting a good chunk done in the light, though it began to fade after 5pm and I ran out of water at 5.15. We got c62 and then headed onto c61 with the plan to get our torches out then. I had a moment on the way to this control; it was getting quite dark, we were pushing through some damp undergrowth and heading down into a steep ravine with no obvious way out the other side, but moving with some purpose. I thought, whatever reputation rogaining has in the public eye, I am on a proper little adventure right now and this is pretty cool. We got the next control (we made it across the ravine btw thanks to a fallen log, and even had a drink in the stream) and put on our headtorches. My navigational confidence then went from about 95% to less than 30%, but Clayton’s seemed to stay the same and he was good with the compass so took the lead for quite a bit of the next section. We filled up with water at the water drop at 6.15pm and then headed along the track with five checkpoints to go.

We had a bit of trouble finding the second checkpoint, a 90-pointer, but sensed it was further to the right and lost less than 10mins. We were then in a bit of a rush, got the next one but decided to skip a 40-pointer and head for the road. Well, Clayton who was suddenly the most energetic he had been all day was keen to try and get it but I didn't think it was possible and so we bailed to the road. We then had to run 3km along the road back to the HH, just ducking into the bush to get a 70-pointer and I was glad we got it first try. We finished with 7 minutes to spare.

Physically we both held up better than last time and this event was 2hrs longer. I was really pleased with our route and it gave us the overall win which we were both stoked with! The terrain was so beautiful and really soft for running (in a good way) and I had a fantastic day. We then drove back to Canberra avoiding all wombats.

DFAT hills although I didn't do them properly as was taking it easy given the rogaine tomorrow.

Matt had a "doughnut day" so we went out to Tidbinbilla for the morning. I ran on some trails while Florence had lunch and played in the playground.

Headtorch run on Mt Taylor - up the NW rocky path and down the zig-zags.