Run 2:00:00 [3] 26.1 km (4:36 / km)
Ten years ago this would have been a routine run but I'm a bit mystified as to why I suddenly pulled it out today; after the (muddy and uphill) first 3km I was cruising along at 4.5 minutes per kilometre pace with no discernable difference in effort to the 4.8-5.1 that has been typical for the last few months. I wasn't trying to go faster - it just happened.
The venue was a novelty. I went up to the Wombat Forest, where the Victorian MTBO Championships were happening, (a) because I'd been delegated to present AJ with his athlete-of-the-year award and (b) because it was somewhere different for a long(ish) run. A cold and windy morning (about 4-5 degrees) but stayed dry throughout and quite comfortable while running. Headed essentially west on forest roads from the event centre, emerging into farmland just east of Trentham at the far end. Gently rolling for the most part, with some more solid hillwork from about 6-10km. A headwind for the first half and a tailwind for the second, although it was only really noticeable in the farmland.
It felt smooth but not spectacular, which made the pace more surprising, and there were a few more niggles from the groin on the hills than there have been over the last couple of weeks. Had plenty left at the end which is a good sign for the longer work ahead.
I suspect runs consisting of dirt tracks stretching to the horizon are something I'll see quite a lot of in June and July. Don't expect too much of today's weather in the Kimberley or the Gulf Country, though.
The Wombat Forest hasn't, in general, been used for orienteering since the early 1980s. The bits I saw were runnable enough to be usable, but looked very bland. Probably better for rogaining. Definitely good mountain bike country, despite the mess that the 4WDers and trailbikers have made of some of the tracks.