Training Log Archive: Craney

Quite a nice run round Red Hill, Hughes and Davidson exploring some new tracks and parks that I discovered in the last couple of orienteering races. Felt good overall, although a little weary on the hills still.

This series has just restarted - find 18 from 20 controls on unmapped features on a black and white map. I quite like these races - the mental conundrum got the better of me tonight and my usual tactic backfired completely as I ended up taking an awful route. Also stopped for a wildy. Ended up getting beaten by a few seconds by Andrew Barnett, which I didn't like very much! Felt reasonable in the legs - not much energy on the ups and no zip, but feeling quite strong in general. Must recover at some point from Saturday, but I'm feeling ok for now.

Short warm-up then a gentle run home with Gracie.

Loop of the Eastern Basin with Gracie (although she carried on for a bit round Narrabundah, while I just headed home). Reasonably warm today. Good to shake out the legs after yesterday. Felt a bit tired and heavy but a lot better than I was expecting, which was nice.

I've been itching to explore Namadgi more, and Rob's in training for the 6-ft track, so it seemed logical to do a long run together out in the mountains. Grant got peer-pressured into joining us too. So we decided we'd run from Orroral to Mt Bimberi (highest peak in the ACT) and back - 25km each way. Pretty sure this is the longest run I've done - that, plus ~1500m climb and about 6km off-track, made it a bit of a beast, so I was a tad worried about it before hand... But we got a glorious sunny, but not too hot, day for it, and we were all well stocked up with food and water. The first 6km on the fire trail went by in the blink of an eye as we chatted away. Then it was about 10km on a fairly rough track through Cotter Gap to Cotter Hut - started to feel like we were out in the sticks a bit by now. Got a great view of a Lyre Bird. Refilled with water here. Then we had around 5km steeply up a fire trail to Murray's Gap - snake #1 was spotted here. Grant tired a bit on the steep up and, mindful of a long way back, wisely decided to turn back at that point. We left the path here and had to climb through the bush up onto the summit ridge. Fortunately it was quite well marked and not too scrubby, so we ran most of it. The summit ridge was fantastic - semi-open alpine moorland scattered with granite boulders, and endless views in all directions. Unfortunately the visitor book at the top had been destroyed because some numpty didn't do the lid up properly. I had a cheese and pickle sandwich at this point, while Rob at some crisps - I was impressed that we were high enough up (1915m) for them to have inflated. So, back we go. Came off the pad a bit on the way to Murray's Gap, so lost 5/10mins. The descent to Cotter Hut was hard on the knees, but we saw a dingo and kept the chatting up. Refilled water again, and started the slog back up to Cotter Gap. Rob was running strongly and setting the pace, but I just sat in behind and tried not to think about too much. Rob saw snake #2 by the side of the path, but didn't tell me about it in case I jumped off the track and landed on it! I thought that was quick thinking - I'd have probably just screamed. Finally hit the fire trail and the last 6km went on forever - every undulation feeling like a mountain, and very little conversation by this point, but we made it, having run all the way, and at a reasonable pace at times. Rob was strong at the end setting the pace - I couldn't have gone any faster or further. We were relieved to find Grant back at the car - there was no way either of us were going to go back out to look for him if a big snake had eaten him or something. Really glad to have made it - it was a fantastic route with a bit of everything, and stunning views. And it was nice to know that I can handle this sort of thing, even though I don't do it much. Legs a bit achey afterwards, but not really all that bad. Must've drunk a good 8 litres out there, plus a sandwich, 2 gels, 2 bags of sweets and a pack of dextrose tablets.

C • great adventure 4

In advance of quite a big run planned for tomorrow.

Timing works quite nicely being in Oz while England play Pakistan in the UAE - means I can get the streaming up and watch Cook and Trott bat long into the warm evening while having a few wines.

C • ok, not that long 1

Australia Day - a chance to wave flags and listen to songs by the remarkably small number of Australian artists. But more importantly a day off work. Did a long run with Gracie on Rob Roy. It was a bit hillier than I remembered, and it was pretty hot. Nice run though. Really needed the coke waiting for me at the end. Good practice for Saturday...

C • If only it was 2

Good to finally orienteer on our local area. Course was pretty straightforward but that gave me a chance to push hard. Really tired by the end.

Jogged up to the race but drove home.

Morning run up Davo - cracker day, enjoyed it.

10x3mins (1min rec) on roads/fire trails - Forrest, Deakin, Hughes, Red Hill, Griffith. Felt alright.

10 up, 10 betweens, 5 down.

A pretty non-eventful run from Campbell Park, up Ainslie and home. Felt pretty strong, so the rest's done me some good. Had to wiggle a bit around the Kingston Foreshore development to get the run up to an hour - a thoroughly depressing place by the looks. Bloody property investors. Also slightly annoyed that they've extended the embargo on Campbell Park while they continue the UXB hunt. Not that it made me think twice about going through there, but the principle of it. Imagine if Foot and Mouth hit Australia - no-one would ever be allowed to walk anywhere outside ever again.

Lovely run with Gracie down at the coast near Bateman's Bay - we earned our fish and chips. Followed by a swim in the sea and some sunbathing. This week petered out from a training perspective from Thursday, but hopefully the rest's done me good after a solid 2.5 weeks before it. I'll amend my plan of 3 weeks on/1 week off to 2.5 weeks on/0.5 weeks off, which means back into it again tomorrow.

I was going to go training, but I didn't.

Morning Parliament House loop - in reverse to mix things up. Lovely morning, not feeling too bad today.

Plod on Red Hill - feeling really silent tired by now.

Bit of a plod round Isaacs and Farrer - feeling quiet tired.

C • spelling ap police 1

Gentle run exploring Narrabundah - it's not all that.

C • ints tomorrow 2

A lot warmer than last week, which was nice. Hilly, mainly open area, lots of long grass and not overly tricky => bit of a tough slog. Felt a bit tired but kept on pushing ok - glad it wasn't any longer. No real mistakes, maybe a bad line to #7. Map seemed a little warped in a couple of places maybe.

10min warm-up, 27min extended warm-down - a bit achey.

Another day, another morning run up Davo. Last night's spicy pizza didn't want to be forgotten.

C • Oi! 1

Sprintervals at the Rose Gardens in Parkes - 12x ~1min mini-courses around the flower beds on a ~1:500 map. Nice work Olle for organising it - it was like a ready made ultrasprint, so lots of fun! Stayed on top of things pretty well and managed not to get too dizzy. Couldn't really stride out but legs still felt quite wrecked by the end,.

Ran there and back from home, plus some warm-up/down jogging with the others, including bigging up Sheffield to Olle...

Parliament House loop - feeling sleepy this morning.

C • cockies sprintervals 3

Steady from Campbell Park, round the bottom of Ainslie, up Hacket Hill, then up Ainslie. Felt pretty good - got to the top just as the sun was setting, which was nice.

Long run in Namadgi with Gracie taking in Square Rock, a lookout and the Smokers Trail. Pretty nippy today - even poms would be hard pressed to call this summer weather. We decided we deserved a Maccas on the way home.

C • Bimberi 2

Longish run on fire trails in Kowen - drew a sketch map this time, so didn't get lost.

C • cockies run 1

Roady run from Red Hill, through Curtin to Government House and back along the lake.

Morning jog round Griffith and Red Hill on flat roads listening to my new ipod shuffle - I'll try not to put it through the wash this time.

Steady out through Forrest, up Red Hill (spookily just as Red Hill Mining Town by U2 came on my ipod) and Davidson. Felt fine, nothing to write home about.

Long sprint race round ANU - relatively straightforward, with a few bits of interesting mapping to keep you on your toes. Maybe missed a couple of optimal routes and a small bit of time at #16 where they'd redeveloped since the map was made, but was pretty clean and felt reasonably good running-wise. Good to see almost all of the Canberra crew at the race tonight!

25min jog from work to the race at ANU - foul conditions! Reminded me of home. 10mins warm-down with Gareth and Shep, then 30min jog home.

Morning run along the lake and around the back of Parliament House.

Banging on the ceiling yesterday didn't work - more possum noises in the night. Got up this morning to find the bathroom air vent grill suspiciously on the floor. Mustering up some courage and a torch, I poked my head in and found the little blighter and we had a long stare off. He's quite cute and I've called him Dean.

C • Possum 6

6x5mins (2mins jog rec) on the undulating fire trail around the edge of Red Hill. Felt a bit tired on the uphill bits but reasonably strong otherwise. Happy with how the first few days of higher milage have gone so far - hope the niggles stay at bay.

Up/down/in-between

Early morning run with Candyman - loads of catching up to do. Cracking morning for it too. Headed up Davidson and back from home.

Bloody possum on the roof kept us awake quite a bit last night - I'm spending today banging the ceiling to keep it awake in revenge. On the plus side, TV has arrived today so life can begin.

Following my nose around Kowen at a reasonable lick. Attempted a long oblong-shaped run, but the ends didn't quite meet up - the sun must've moved between the start and end of my run - hence the 70min duration instead of 60. Miles and miles of trails and runable pine plantation out here to explore, although it all looks the same!

With Gracie along the Mount Franklin Road (a trail) and up Mount Gingera. It was quite a drive to get there, but beautiful alpine open snowgum forest and clear fresh air (all up at 1600m-1800m asl). Unfortunately the top of Gingera was just in the clouds, so we didn't get any views (they would have been awesome), but some nice glimpses as we ran along the trail. Nipped off just before getting back to the car to bag Mount Ginini too (although could've just driven up that if I'd wanted). This run more than restored my pangs to explore Namadgi again after the McKeahnie trig disaster a couple of months ago.

5x10mins (2min rec jog) tempo on Farrer, up Mount Taylor, Farrer again and Wanniassa. Felt pretty good - was careful not to burn out too early on, especially as it was still warm and sunny then. Good to get up Taylor - that's most of the city hills done now.

Up/down/in-between.

Nice run in the evening not-too-hot sun on some nice paths with lots of kangaroos on Davidson and Red Hill. Felt quite good too, so kept up a fair tempo. All in all, very nice.

Morning jog - means I am allowed to buy myself a coffee on the way to work.

Hilly run on Isaac's Ridge, Wanniassa and Farrer Ridge. Felt alight - had Ravel's Bolero in my head so felt very cultured.

C • Mmmm 3

Study day longish run. Round Jerrabomberra wetlands, up Mount Pleasant, through Campbell Park (closed due to the UXB found a bit ago, but that didn't deter me), up Ainslie, back over Commonwealth bridge. Didn't eat enough brekkie so got quite jaded quickly, plus it was really muggy so I sweated heaps. Glad of the tap at the top of Ainslie.

Morning run, mainly on roads round Red Hill and Forrest. Felt fine. Hotting up...

SNAKE! A biggie at that, and the first one I've seen since being back here. It had to be right bang in the middle of my regular route up Davidson Trig too didn't it. Also hot - according to Attackpoint 'feels like 49degs'! It didn't feel as hot as yesterday to me though. Other than that, a fairly standard 1hr steady, mainly off road.

Back in the 'berra. Last day of holidays before going back to work, and the first day of a bash at some decent training. Also very hot - 33 degrees - although Grace says that's not hot enough to have air conditioning on at home :s Camelback came in handy again and made our heat-of-the-day training manageable. Frost hollow, lap of Mount Painter then up to the top, Aranda, Blackie, circumcision. Took it quite gentle (but couldn't have gone any harder either).

C • Welcome back, looking forwa... 3

Bushwalk up Projection Bluff in the Central Plateau, which is an area of Tasmania I hadn't previously visited. Needless to say, the views were spectacular - a cross between the French Alps and the top of Kinder. It was also warm and sunny (that's probably not as needless to say for central Tassie).