Run 2:00:00 [3] 14.0 km (8:34 / km) +638m 6:59 / km
I got up a 6am this morning and drove for 2 1/2 hours down from Benalla for the Yarran Dheran Enduro. I just couldn't resist the opportunity to do a long run on my No 1 favourite street O map (actually with quite a significant proportion of bush - and an awful lot of hills - note the 638 m of climb - and I tried to pick the flat route!) The map was a new A3 coloured map and it also included the very nice North Ringwood map. I ran all the flats and downhills, uphills where the gradient wasn't too much - but, like most other people, walked the steep hills. The hills on Glenfern Rd definitely push the envelope. I was also reasonably pleased with my score and placing compared to the other women competing in the 2hr event.
After a large lunch and hot shower (bit longer than I should have - but, despite the warm day, I was freezing), I then went out with Ian Mack to set the course for the Montomorency street O event to be held in 2 weeks time. This is my other favourite map. You are supposed to avoid parks in night Os but this was problematic as the parks in the SE corner link all the roads.
The highlight of the course setting was visting a dam in the NE corner of the map where, 25 years ago, I used to do my slalom kayak training with my canoe club. The dam was empty and probably hadn't seen water for some time. It was deeper than I had thought. The most amazing thing was that, standing up in the middle, was one of our old green and white slalom poles. It must have fallen in back then and not reclaimed when the course was dismantled. Also odd that no locals have removed it - given it is a piece of rubbish and the dam is surrounded by houses. But there you are - a relic from 25 years ago! I would have liked to hang a checkpoint on it but the rules say that they have to be on street lights for night Os.