running long (trail run) 2:10:00 [3] 22.0 km (5:55 / km)
shoes: Asics Gel 2130
I started with Zara from her place: a) so she would actually get up in time for the trail run, and b) so that we could do the slog up Pole Rd first instead of last! There were about 40 people gathered on Upper Sturt Rd when we got there and Simon came along just as we were leaving. Down Long Gully was good, up the steeeep hill behind the adventure playground not so good, up Jubilee Drive I felt shocking - just couldn't straighten out my hamstrings (last night could have something to do with it). And I was soooo tired that I had to watch my feet and not the scenery, but I couldn't fail to notice all the people going past me.
Once we got out of the park, off the railway line (I do like the massive oak tree at the old Upper Sturt station) and up Station Rd, I started to loosen up, and even the uphill on Ironbank Rd didn't seem so bad - same number of contours as the hill behind the playground but spread over 3 times the distance.
At the junction with Evans Drive we gathered a group of about 10 runners who all "wanted to stay with the orienteers" so they didn't get lost through the Loftia Park/Mark Oliphant section. This meant a few breaks waiting for people to catch up, who aren't so good at singletracks, but by then I was glad of any rest. Down and up, down and up, back out Evans Drive, down Coat Rd and through the Murphys' place along the creek, and finishing at Zara's. Did I mention that it's at the bottom of Pole Rd? We felt a bit guilty watching others struggle up the hill....