tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7088641612954446512024-02-07T20:14:58.179+10:00Triathlete ChroniclesAthletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.comBlogger386125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-44273897652971479662018-02-07T22:12:00.002+10:002018-02-07T22:13:02.021+10:00The weekly skinny #2 - 04022018<span style="font-size: large;">For week 29/01/2018 to 04/02/2018</span><br />
<br />
Distance : 23.29km<br />
Goal: 50km<br />
Rating: ⭐️⭐️<br />
<br />
Running days:<br />
Goal: 6<br />
Rating ⭐️⭐️<br />
<br />
Runs: 5<br />
Goal: 7<br />
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️<br />
<br />
Longest run: 7k on the treadmill<br />
Goal: 15k<br />
Rating: ⭐️<br />
<br />
Cross training: 1 PT session, one stretch session<br />
Goal: One stretch session, one gym session. Core exercises every day.<br />
Rating: ⭐️⭐️<br />
<br />
Weight: 55.8kg<br />
Previous weight: 55.7kg<br />
Loss: Gain of 0.1kg 😳<br />
Goal: 54kg<br />
Rating: ❌<br />
<br />
<br />
Overall rating: ⭐️<br />
Really slackened off on my physical training. I am busy with other priorities, so that's to be expected.<br />
Overall though, I'm not *that* disappointed with maintaining a stable weight. I'm not doing anything overly radical to lose weight, so a down week is OK.<br />
<div>
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Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-34950599140580646222018-02-02T22:25:00.001+10:002018-02-02T22:25:23.705+10:00parkrun adventurers roving report: Tamborine Mountain<br />
Episode 97 of the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/parkrun-adventurers/id1072260047?mt=2">parkrun adventurers podcast</a> is out!<br />
<br />
Find out why parkrunner Brett Geebus has launched a campaign to <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/defibrillators-for-parkrun">crowdfund defibilators </a>for remote parkrun events, and catch up with the latest parkrun stats with The Prof, Ian Hay.<br />
<br />
My roving report from <a href="http://www.parkrun.com.au/tamborinemountain/">Tamborine Mountain parkrun</a> kicks in at 47 minutes, and there's also a roving report from the brand spankin' new <a href="http://www.parkrun.com.au/bargara/">Bargara parkrun</a>.<br />
<br />
Listen to it on <a href="https://soundcloud.com/parkrun-adventurers/episode-97">Soundcloud</a> or download from <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/parkrun-adventurers/id1072260047?mt=2">iTunes</a>.<br />
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<br />Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-52637621322802762702018-01-29T21:55:00.001+10:002018-01-29T22:05:37.621+10:00The weekly skinny #1 - 28/01/18<span style="font-size: large;">For week 22/01/2018 to 28/01/2018</span><br />
<br />
Distance : 47.85km<br />
Goal: 50km<br />
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️<br />
<br />
Running days: 5<br />
Goal: 6<br />
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️<br />
<br />
Runs: 5<br />
Goal: 7<br />
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️<br />
<br />
Longest run: 21.15km<br />
Goal: 15k<br />
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️<br />
<br />
Cross training: nil<br />
Goal: One stretch session, one gym session. Core exercises every day.<br />
Rating: ❌<br />
<br />
Weight: 55.7kg<br />
Previous weight: 56.1kg<br />
Loss: 0.4kg<br />
Goal: 54kg<br />
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️<br />
<br />
<br />
Overall rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️<br />
Slackened off this week, especially with my cross training.<br />
I'll give myself a pass mark - if I could give half stars I would have given myself a 2.5.<br />
<br />Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-76484222650872776502017-06-11T20:27:00.000+10:002017-06-11T20:27:17.816+10:00Winter goalsSo, you already know by now that my day at Ultratrail Australia wasn't a miraculous victory. That's OK.<br />
<br />
I wasn't in a great place mentally when I posted my <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2017/05/catch-up-time-again.html">race preview</a>. Things improved overnight, and by the time I got to the start line I felt confident enough for it to be an each way bet as to whether I'd cross the finish line victorious or pull out at the 4k mark, where the course passes back by the start line after an out and back through Katoomba.<br />
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As it turned out neither of those happened. At the 4k mark I decided to push on and at least test my ankle on the trails. I think I managed to tweak it again and by about the 8k mark I knew my day was over. The sweep got me safely to CP1 and I was able to get a lift back to the race HQ and the medical area.<br />
<br />
Some ice and a professional opinion that there wasn't significant damage, just soft tissue, and I hobbled off to meet KKB and spend the rest of the weekend eating and drinking and not doing much else.<br />
<br />
So what now?<br />
<br />
I have some ideas for events later in the year but for now it's just about recovering, and running.<br />
<br />
I've sought another professional opinion and they agree that there is no significant damage to my ankle, and have been cleared to go back to running, as long as there continues to be no "abnormal pain" during running (you gotta love sport physios) and no ongoing pain after running.<br />
<br />
The prognosis is underactive glutes, which is a recurring theme, so along with returning to running, I'll be doing my physio exercises.<br />
<br />
I've set what I feel is a modest goal - to run 42ks a week (an average of 6k a day). I've also vowed to run every day - something that I've never done before. I want to see if my body can handle it.<br />
<br />
This goal is good for the entire winter, so perhaps not for the feint-heated.<br />
<br />
Partly it's an attempt to <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2016/06/running-winter-errands.html">outwit the winter blues</a>. Partly it's an attempt to just find some joy in running again. And partly it's an attempt just to keep running, so that starting again later on doesn't hurt too much.<br />
<br />
I am on track so far:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Wednesday 1 - Sunday 4 June = 24ks</li>
<li>Monday 5 - Sunday 11 June = 45ks</li>
</ul>
<br />
I have heard we are in for a cold winter this year. I hope it doesn't feel too long though.<br />
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<br />Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-52598523580152374802017-05-19T08:03:00.001+10:002017-06-11T19:50:11.360+10:00Catch up time... again?How did I get here again?<br />
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<div>
A few months down the road and I'm catching you up on months of activity, inactivity and most importantly, challenges ahead.</div>
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<div>
I'm writing this from Katoomba, home of the Ultra Trail Australia. Tomorrow I'm attempting to cover 100km with not enough training, a bit of a bung hammy, and a tweaked ankle.</div>
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<div>
I don't know if this is advisable or possible.</div>
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How did I end up here?</div>
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I've had a busy start to the year pursuing a chance to officiate at the Commonwealth Games next year so my opportunities to train have been limited.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Two weeks ago at the QUT Classic I tripped and ripped open my left palm and bruised my right knee.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A few days after that my bruise paled in significance when I tweaked my hamstring in the gym. And than a couple of days after that I twisted my left ankle awkwardly. Since then I've been applying Dettol cream to my left palm and Rapigel to my ankle. So at least that took my concern away from my lack of training.</div>
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<br /></div>
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That was until I read the weather forecast. 95 percent chance of rain and a maximum of 14 degrees and then I thought, well, that's three strikes of bad luck (bad training, injury, and terrible weather). Things are on the up.</div>
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I don't really feel like things are on the up but I'm here and it's T minus 24 hours.</div>
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Wish me luck.</div>
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Or phone me right now and talk me out of this madness...</div>
Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-24356453129100604962017-01-10T07:16:00.001+10:002017-01-10T08:09:23.387+10:00Personal worstOK so it might sounds like an exaggeration with a title like "personal worst".<br />
<br />
I am a fairly good judge of when things are going pear shaped and at the moment that's a pretty good estimation.<br />
<br />
And, there are also stats to prove it.<br />
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<h3>
Personal worst running </h3>
<br />
I have run personal worsts at the last few parkruns I've done<br />
<br />
Sandgate<br />
<i>Latest 39:43</i><br />
<i>Best 33:29</i><br />
<br />
Kedron<br />
<i>Latest 37:58</i><br />
<i>Best 35:24</i><br />
<br />
Southbank<br />
<i>Latest - 36:53 </i><br />
<i>Best - actually my latest one is my best, but let's be honest, it's not a very good best.</i><br />
<br />
Bunyaville<br />
<i>Latest - 43:26</i><br />
<i>Best - 37:26</i><br />
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<br />
<h3>
Personal worst weight</h3>
<br />
I am weighing in at the heaviest I have in over four years.<br />
<br />
<i>January 3, home scales: 60.8kg</i><br />
<i>January 5, scales at the gym with my PT: 59.5kg and body fat percentage of 31.3% </i><br />
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<br />
These figures are pushing the <a href="http://tanita.eu/tanita-academy/understanding-your-measurements">limits of "healthy</a>" for my height. In the last four years I've been much more towards the middle according to BMI, and when in heavy training, towards the leaner end. This is where I want to be again.<br />
<br />
I hadn't weighed myself since we got back from Europe in September. Intentionally. I wasn't training all that much, I have been eating pretty much whatever I want, and it was showing.<br />
<br />
I resolved towards the end of last year to redo <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2012/10/by-way-im-detoxing.html">the detox I did back in 2012</a>. I'm eliminating meat, wheat, dairy, alcohol and caffiene from my diet for the better part of January*. Last time I did this, I <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-detox-debrief.html">dropped four kilos</a> during this period, and adopted some <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-detox-debrief.html">good eating habits</a> that I've maintained basically until the last few months.<br />
<br />
I started on 3 January and I'm on the right track.<br />
<br />
<i>January 9, home scales: 58.7kg</i><br />
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I haven't gotten that buzz of feeling great like I did last time I detoxed, but I'm feeling good about my progress and am committed to getting back to my personal best.<br />
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<i>I am not a medical or health professional. Please don't take this post as advice or recommendations, either general or specific.</i>Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-90067061571227693632016-11-14T19:00:00.000+10:002016-11-14T19:01:24.764+10:00Catch up timeI've been a bad blogger.<br />
<br />
It's been over 70 days since the <a href="http://utmbmontblanc.com/en/page/21/21.html">CCC</a> and I haven't posted a thing.<br />
<br />
Most of you will know from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AthleticPowerhouse/posts/1263940140292531">my Facebook page</a> that I DNFed. I was withdrawn from the course at the Triente checkpoint, 72ks into the race.<br />
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I'm sure I'll write a post at some point about the CCC. But the short version is, it was brutal. The hardest thing I've ever attempted. I underestimated just how much up and down there was in the damn thing, even after studying the course and elevation profile. You just can't fathom hills that go for hours until you're there and doing it.<br />
<br />
We travelled home from Europe not long after After that I took some time to recover and lick my wounds.<br />
<br />
Then it was maintenance and rebuild time.<br />
<br />
I started running again after a few weeks, just short runs. New shoes, new orthotics, and<br />
<br />
I have already set some new goals, the first one being to run 150ks this November for the <a href="https://imfvirtualrun.com/">Indigenous Marathon Foundation Virtual Run</a>.<br />
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I’m 43% of the way through November and as of this morning I’ve covered 51ks, or 33% of the goal. I’m a tracking a little behind but I’m confident.<br />
<br />
I’ve also entered the <a href="https://www.strava.com/challenges/strava-races-10k-2016-11">Strava challenge to run 10ks</a> in one run in November. I’ve achieved this (but not publicly). So I have at least another 10k run to tick off.<br />
<br />
This is all building to running 21ks by the end of the year, so I can build into my 2017 goal ultras. I'll join the December Strava<br />
<br />
More on that later.<br />
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Until then, I think I can say, I am back.<br />
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Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-92132432975906854242016-08-30T00:52:00.002+10:002016-08-31T00:29:39.248+10:00A prelude to the CCCTomorrow when I run the CCC at the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc, I'll carry with me this photo.<br>
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I don't know this young man, and I'll never meet him.<br>
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The photo is of my husband's cousin, and it was taken on the morning he set out with his university mountaineering club to summit Mont Blanc. His eyes, to me, sparkle with adventure and expectation, and his smile radiates happiness.<br>
<br>
Ian didn't make the top of Mont Blanc and sadly he didn't make it back from that trip. He died on the mountain, decades ago.<br>
<br>
Last time my husband and I visited Chamonix we visited Ian's grave. <br>
<br>
At that time I knew very little of Ian's story. I hadn't seen the image I now carry, I had no connection to this person or this place. When we reached Ian's plot, I realised how young he'd been when he'd made his perilous pilgrimage. How long ago it was and yet how current his loss still is.<br>
<br>
All of a sudden I was overcome. With sorrow for the loss his parents probably feel acutely still today. With respect for them, and for everyone who makes what must be a difficult decision to bury their loved ones' remains here, in Chamonix, in the climbers cemetery, instead of repatriating them to their home. Because this decision is made with the idea of living a life of adventure at its centre, even though that adventure may take life away.<br>
<br>In that moment I felt such a human connection to Ian, to his parents and friends. It was unexpected and therefore immensely powerful to me.<br>
<br>
You might be thinking that I'm running here for Ian. But I'm not that honourable - I didn't choose the UTMB for that reason. If anything it's a coincidence that the world's biggest trail run happens to be here. <div><br></div><div>I don't think for a minute that carrying a photo of Ian with me will give anyone that loved him, and still misses him, comfort or solace.<br>
<br>
For some reason though, in this place, with this connection, it feels like the right thing to do.<br>
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<br></div>Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-86451711699552235742016-08-22T21:43:00.000+10:002016-08-22T21:43:52.846+10:00 Ten things to do while tapering for an ultramarathonTaper can be challenging to get right. Your active kilometres, well, taper off to allow your body to recover from the slog of endurance training, and feel fresh for event day.<br />
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The challenges include too much time, not enough activity, still too hungry and logistics to get your head around.<br />
<br />
I'm writing this from Briancon, in the week before the <a href="http://utmbmontblanc.com/en/page/21/21.html">CCC</a> at Chamonix. I've dubbed our Airbnb my "Briancon Bunker" where I'll finalise my preparation for the epic challenge to come, and this has inspired this post on things to do right before an ultramarathon.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<h4>
1. Stay active</h4>
Even though the key to tapering is resting, don't just stop - keep your body moving. A light run or two, or perhaps some walking or low impact cross training can help stop your body from seizing up or switching off.<br />
<br />
<h4>
2. Stretch</h4>
There are two kinds of stretchers. Habitual stretchers
and the rest of us who don't stretch enough. I know you can't play catch
up if you're not the former but every little bit helps right?<br />
<br />
<h4>
3. Eat salad</h4>
As your training has decreased, your opportunities to burn calories also decrease. Unfortunately, the appetite you've built up through training for hours on end doesn't decrease. Opting for lower calorie options during taper might help keep taper tummy at bay.<br />
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<h4>
4. Drink sparkling water</h4>
OK so this one might just be for me. I'm on holidays and up until the last week or so my wine intake has been a little higher than usual. So I've also substituting sparkling water for wine. Why sparkling water? It's a little bit posher than regular water. I feel like it's still kind of a treat. <br />
<br />
<h4>
5. Check, and pack, your mandatory gear</h4>
Most ultramarathons have a
list of mandatory gear that needs to be carried throughout the race.
Getting this ready to go early might help to relax your nerves and feel
more prepared for the task at hand.<br />
<br />
<h4>
6. Decide whether your mandatory gear is enough</h4>
If your event is
likely to be extra cold, or extra long, or extra wet, you might need
backup. If you do, decide whether to carry extras, leave them with your
crew, or make use of the event's drop bag service.<br />
<br />
<h4>
7. Sort out your gadgets</h4>
Think about whether you want to display
something specific to your event on your GPS device. If you're worried
about making cutoffs, you might want to keep tabs on the time of day, or
your overall pace. If you're worried about navigation, you might want
to load the course. You might have unnecessary data displaying that's helpful in training but might mess with your head on event day. Also think about whether your GPS will make it through and if not, whether to carry a recharge pack.<br />
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<h4>
8. Go to work!</h4>
Being on holidays during taper means very little to do and lots of time to do it. Depending on what you do for a living and how far away from home your event is, going to work could be a great way to keep yourself occupied.<br />
<br />
<h4>
9. Write your race plan</h4>
Most of this is probably in your head as
through your training and your other preparation you've thought about what you'll wear, carry, eat, how you'll pace
yourself and so on. Read through your event's participant guide to find out any specifics about the start and briefing and have your logistics sorted for event day too. Nothing beats putting all of this in writing, not only
for yourself but also to <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2015/11/how-to-crew-like-boss.html">help your crew</a> if you have one. <br />
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<h4>
10. Do something fun</h4>
If you're NOT at work, read a book, do a jigsaw, binge on your favourite trashy TV show, or catch up on your podcasts. <br />
<br />Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-56522109461077714372016-07-18T04:07:00.000+10:002016-07-27T05:15:29.549+10:00European training #2: Hamburg Alster LakeAfter <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2016/07/european-training-1-morzine.html">Morzine</a> I headed off to Hamburg to indulge my other life as a triathlon technical official.<br />
<br />
I knew there wouldn't be a lot of time to train but I managed to get in a 10k run around the Alster Lake.<br />
<br />
I had intended to run more through the city and take in the architecture but as I headed out from my hotel I followed the other runners to what seems to be the city's primary running track.<br />
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There's even a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BH30cV3A9X7/?taken-by=athleticpowerhouse">self-timed running route around the lake</a> - just purchase your chip from <a href="http://alsterrunning.de/">the official website</a> of Alster running and you're away!<br />
<br />
It was a bit of a gloomy morning but I still took the time to take in the views including this <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BH30OuOAkAi/?taken-by=athleticpowerhouse">small harbour</a> at the end of the Lake. <br />
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And, I still got my architecture in - stopping by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BH30xz5gnmF/?taken-by=athleticpowerhouse">St Georg's Kirchen</a> on the way back to the hotel.<br />
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Even though 10ks isn't really a lot of mileage for where I'm at with my training I found out later in the day that none of my technical official friends went out in the rain that morning. I felt good at having done *something*<br />
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Check out the <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/646210529">Strava file for this run</a>. <br />
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<br />Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-46865794903030163692016-07-14T05:12:00.000+10:002016-07-27T05:16:09.046+10:00European training #1: MorzineI was looking forward to Morzine. We'd visited on our previous trip to France and it was a beautiful town with lots of great cycling nearby.<br />
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We'd been struck by <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2010/07/viva-la-tour-town-morzine.html">how many mountain bikers had been in town</a>. So I knew there would be trails there and I was relishing the thought. I found there was a trail up to the top of Avoriaz, a nearby ski station that <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2010/07/morzine-avoriaz-tdf-stage-8-aussie-gold.html">I'd cycled up on our previous visit</a> so that was my choice.<br />
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I wasn't so excited at the weather forecast - 14 degrees and rain.<br />
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I decided I had to go out for a run anyway - particularly after being <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2016/07/i-back-and-i-here.html">all gloves off about my training</a> in my previous blog post.<br />
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With a map from the <a href="http://en.morzine-avoriaz.com/tourist-office.html">Morzine tourist office</a> I head up the mountain confidently. <br />
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That didn't last long - I found a trail marker outside a row of houses - but couldn't find the trail. Consulting my map, I saw that the there was another trail junction a few switchbacks up, so continued up the road in search of it.<br />
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However, I failed in this quest. The cold and dreary weather got to me and not even the sight of the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BH0zw92A8B0/?taken-by=athleticpowerhouse">cable car gondolas</a> through the mist helped. <br />
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Reluctantly, I turned back down the mountain, and came across a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BH1HeJOAWp3/?taken-by=athleticpowerhouse">mountain bike trail back to Morzine</a>. I headed down that instead of the road, and by the time I got back to Morzine the rain had stopped. I made up some ks by running along the river to the outskirts and town, then back to our accommodation.<br />
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Check out <a href="https://www.strava.com/activities/639458718">this run on Strava</a>. <br />
<br />Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-61809117253290236382016-07-12T14:47:00.000+10:002016-07-13T14:53:38.512+10:00I'm back and I'm here!I'm writing this on the flight to Geneva, with just over six weeks to go before the CCC at the UTMB.<br />
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I should be excited, but right now, trying to get my thoughts together - I'm not quite there yet. </div>
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When I found out in February I'd been drawn in the lottery for this event, I wanted to do it justice. I decided I wanted to have a similar preparation as if had for the GNW100 last year. I wanted to be as fit as I'd ever been. I wanted to be ready. </div>
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I wanted to be many things, but now I'm looking back wishing.</div>
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I wish I hadn't sprained my ankle in February. I wish I had have lost a couple more kilograms. I wis I had have gotten up in the cold a few more times. I wish I hadn't gotten sick a few weeks ago. </div>
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But that's all done now and I'm on the plane and I'm telling myself I still have time for some good solid training. And that's true. </div>
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I can also feel satisfied that I made my last weekend in Brisbane count. </div>
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On Saturday I ran one of the city's most popular cycling routes, the river loop. It was a solid 36 Ka on the road. I felt strong and I felt fit. It's a run I have up my sleeve for when I need the confidence boost that comes from knowing I was running what must others ride.</div>
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On Sunday I covered 22ks out at Bunyaville. It wasn't really enough - I should really have gone for 25 - 30ks. But it was the first time I'd really attacked a trail run since my injury. I didn't make excuses, I just ran the way I want to in my upcoming event - consistent on the flat, confident in the downhills, and steady and strong up hills. </div>
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In retrospect, I think what I was trying to do last weekend was rule a line under all this doubt so I can start fresh for my last training push, unencumbered by work and by winter. </div>
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The forecast for our first stop, Morzine, doesn't guarantee the latter, but I've promised myself some adventure and some space to reconfigure my thoughts and energy. </div>
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Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-39086785776632569192016-06-24T21:23:00.000+10:002016-06-24T21:23:00.833+10:00Paying it forwardI get so much support when I do big events, from far and wide.<br />
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Friends that pop up unexpectedly, friends that track me remotely, friends that think to send me a text, or an email, to wish me well.<br />
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I had the pleasure of paying that energy forward last weekend, to my dear friend Donna, who tackled the <a href="https://trailwalker.oxfam.org.au/brisbane">Oxfam Trailwalker</a> with her team the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wonderwomen2016/?fref=ts">Wander Women</a>.<br />
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I was flattered that Donna had sought some advice from me through her preparation for the event. We talked about training, equipment, psychological readiness.<br />
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I sent her an SMS on the night before her event and she sent me back a link to track her progress, so I did.<br />
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On Saturday afternoon I was able to time an errand to coincide with her stop at the final Checkpoint, at Walkabout Creek.<br />
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It was worth it - while the Wander Women crew were a well oiled machine, and doing an amazing job, I suspect it might have been a big lift for Donna to have someone there just for her. When I got to the Checkpoint I found her in the medical tent getting her feet dressed. I helped her with a few small things, then sent her and her team on their way into the afternoon.<br />
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I can't claim to have <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2015/11/how-to-crew-like-boss.html">crewed like a boss</a> for Donna, but I hope my support helped give her a lift for the home stretch.<br />
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<br />Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-34588889000545144982016-06-17T07:27:00.001+10:002016-06-18T17:45:18.390+10:00Running winter errandsEach year I find myself with a short lived bout of winter sadness.<br />
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Last year I beat it through a combination of <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2015/06/farewell-winter-solstice.html">public transport and obligation</a>. <br />
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This last weekend I ran an errand.<br />
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I had a plan for my Saturday long run. Well, to be honest, I had a couple of plans so maybe that was my first mistake - no clear plan.<br />
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When I got up on Saturday morning, I took a minute to think about those plans, and before you know it I was thinking about the weather, and about what I should wear, and about how cold it was, and more importantly how dark it was, until I got to the point where I just couldn't bring myself to leave the house. At all.
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After a few hours of moping around doing nothing I started doing some chores, and this did lead to me driving to the shops, and then thinking about the ramifications of not going for a run today.
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I was resigned to this outcome. And even this didn't bring out any fear or guilt. At this stage of preparation for CCC I should be experiencing fear AND guilt at the prospect of missing a long run.
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One of the chores on my to do list was to purchase a light, compact daypack. I'd been looking online but probably needed to see them and there was a bricks and mortar store not far from my house.
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When I put all this together in my head I all of a sudden didn't have a choice but to run there.
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I'm pretty happy that the piece of luggage I needed was small and compact. It fitted right into my running pack <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QADcjhXtWuE65TR3AM-4HF8KGVpVF1DnsoNnS9R0YnCBsWd4BPstbyNskSAG8tWgRVYyKXWROgMUN9wAWvKD2oe0eDlSNRU1eQCOI8Fzp6epTACD4qLOYJYywNQW6rlCBZbgUHF2-3U/s640/blogger-image-1434515969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QADcjhXtWuE65TR3AM-4HF8KGVpVF1DnsoNnS9R0YnCBsWd4BPstbyNskSAG8tWgRVYyKXWROgMUN9wAWvKD2oe0eDlSNRU1eQCOI8Fzp6epTACD4qLOYJYywNQW6rlCBZbgUHF2-3U/s320/blogger-image-1434515969.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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By this stage, I was even smiling.<br />
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By the time I got home I'd run 13 ks but started thinking about what I *should* have done that day. It was starting to get dark again so I knew the chances of me getting outside again were slim to none. I took myself off to the gym to run (ironically the gym is dimly lit like a nightclub) to bring the total up to 25ks for the day. Only 5ks short of the 30k goal.<br />
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It's Friday morning today and I have a plan for tomorrow - and again it involves a task and some obligation. I feel optimistic that I'll come out on top.Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-2402638543016367642016-06-01T18:57:00.002+10:002016-06-01T21:19:44.914+10:00It's global running day and I didn't runI know right.<br />
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I'M A RUNNER. THIS IS MY DAY<br />
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Though I feel like it's *really* a day for northern hemisphere runners, where it's the first day of summer. Here it's the first day of winter and it felt like it.<br />
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That's not why I didn't run today though. I promise!<br />
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I went to my physio / acupuncturist yesterday.<br />
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I told her my calf had been really, really sore a couple of weeks ago. It's OK now but for a day or two it felt like someone had stabbed it with a hot knitting needle. Or something!<br />
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I put off running for a day and it seemed OK again.<br />
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She thinks I might have had a minor tear. She needled the crap out of it and it feels OK again today.<br />
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She told me not to run today but to go back to normal programming tomorrow.<br />
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So I'll run tomorrow morning. It'll still be global running day somewhere I'm sure.Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-86986037134282088162016-04-17T17:45:00.001+10:002016-04-17T17:45:54.642+10:00The crepe of fateI wouldn't normally choose a two cheese, walnut, and honey crepe but today it felt like fate.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I spent almost three hours at the gym this morning on the elliptical trainer - during which time I watched a couple of episodes of The Amazing Race.<br />
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The <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPWQV11-JDo">teams were at Mont Blanc and Chamonix</a> and I got really excited looking at the <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2016/01/the-consolation-prize.html">terrain I'll be tackling in August</a>. (Though hopefully with less snow.)<br />
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When I left the gym I went to the markets for breakfast and there it was - the "La Mont Blanc" crepe filled with cheese, camembert, walnuts and honey.<br />
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Done deal. (And yes it was yummy!)<br />
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<br />Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-45712671164979117132016-03-26T16:37:00.001+10:002016-04-08T06:15:02.872+10:00Doggone... And back again!I fell in love with this little furry friend a few months ago. How could I not. This little fella was so cute and polite. There's no barking, he would just sit there at his spot by the fence, watching the passers by, and to me, looking like he really wanted a pat.<br />
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I took this photo after I'd noticed him standing in this spot by the fence a few times. I'd stopped and said hello but I'd never had the courage to pat him... just in case.<br />
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He (or she) lives on a route where there are lots of passers by - it's one of the main cycling routes commuters take into the city. I pass by when I run or ride to work. Though I'd never patted him, I'd stopped and said hello and told him how gorgeous I thought he was.</div>
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I <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AthleticPowerhouse/photos/a.160063757346847.33199.131366943549862/1114322258587654/?type=3&theater">posed a question on Facebook</a> - should I pat my furry friend or not?</div>
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I got two yeses and one no.</div>
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I decided that Matthew Wolski was right... I decided that this doggy was a gentle soul, and worth a pat.</div>
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But then he was gone.</div>
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And I mean... gone. In the past couple of months I've walked past, I've run past, I've ridden my bike past on the way to work. No furry little friend.</div>
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I wondered what had happened. Had his family moved? Was he unwell? Or worse!?</div>
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<i>(Had his family moved him to the back yard to protect him from crazy-commuting-running-ladies that stopped by and talked to him, but never patted him?)</i></blockquote>
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I had basically given up on ever patting this guy. And I'd started deeply regretting the fact that I'd been too timid to reach out and give him a pat. It sounds stupid but it's true.</div>
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Until this week. Once again I slowed down as I rode up the little rise near his house. This time... there he was... not in his "spot" but there he was, on the grass in the front yard!</div>
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I was so excited! I started talking to him straight away, and even though there were other passers by, I think he heard me (and I like to think he remembered me) and he ran over to his spot and jumped up on the fence and... I gave him a pat.</div>
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He (or she) is a gentle soul.</div>
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I'm 100% incapable of explaining why this reunion meant so much to me. It's somebody else's dog. I have no right to feel any emotional connection to it.</div>
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But still, I did.</div>
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We're all human. Even dogs are probably a little bit human. And we probably all need a little bit of a pat every now and again.</div>
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Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-37939636795552802812016-03-20T15:59:00.001+10:002016-03-20T16:03:38.354+10:00Prelude to an injury<div>
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My <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2016/03/what-i-didn-need.html">stupid ankle injury</a> happened in New Zealand.</div>
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The day before I stupidly <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2016/03/what-i-didn-need.html">fell over nothing and moderately sprained my ankle</a>, I spent a few hours running and trekking through the Waitakere Ranges Regional Park. </div>
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I'm glad I took the time to do so - the place is breathtaking. Keep reading for a glimpse of the beauty and adventure.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWZ4l9XyH279FrVfkV2S7Hczsli21MW1BUramaiwrnZ-SkIceMYKl3p6mTqZg8ojQweex4q6Kl0BysIHqfnX164NWNbhwh4uOEC6Ykjp21bL7uVw64cWTp5f_I-8ukflph1R3oRZ1tio/s640/blogger-image-388934773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Bridge at the entry to the Waitakere Ranges National Park" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWZ4l9XyH279FrVfkV2S7Hczsli21MW1BUramaiwrnZ-SkIceMYKl3p6mTqZg8ojQweex4q6Kl0BysIHqfnX164NWNbhwh4uOEC6Ykjp21bL7uVw64cWTp5f_I-8ukflph1R3oRZ1tio/s640/blogger-image-388934773.jpg" title="Bridge at the entry to the Waitakere Ranges National Park" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmJWrdvSKr81pg1qcTMlx-Uxnu0OF6cG1Kne-3U_TUIwuDqOpSfUEcJvRH6mI3pFWgKFkvDq6h1KJFszZXpx4X9qW_nNTrNC8vyzfkAAiHTckzbCSVelMSYWRBhl3q6aa78rtEH2BoyA/s640/blogger-image--1273086956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pou, the guardian of the area" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmJWrdvSKr81pg1qcTMlx-Uxnu0OF6cG1Kne-3U_TUIwuDqOpSfUEcJvRH6mI3pFWgKFkvDq6h1KJFszZXpx4X9qW_nNTrNC8vyzfkAAiHTckzbCSVelMSYWRBhl3q6aa78rtEH2BoyA/s640/blogger-image--1273086956.jpg" title="The pou - guardian of the area" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pou are the guardians of the Waitakere Ranges</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UiTUaQDc8tI/Vu3TDxZE7sI/AAAAAAAACEw/f2SrfDFbKSU/s640/blogger-image--313375871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Technical steps in the Waitakere Ranges " border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UiTUaQDc8tI/Vu3TDxZE7sI/AAAAAAAACEw/f2SrfDFbKSU/s640/blogger-image--313375871.jpg" title="Technical steps in the Waitakere Ranges " /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of steps made it a perfect training location for the Ultra Trail Australia</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I might have sat down and shuffled across this fast running waterfall on my bum. Because I was there by myself, noone will ever know either way...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pMmkftDtztM/Vu3oPFVhUJI/AAAAAAAACFI/DI6LTvS6P5k/s640/blogger-image--1337388667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Rail trail in the Waitakere Ranges" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pMmkftDtztM/Vu3oPFVhUJI/AAAAAAAACFI/DI6LTvS6P5k/s640/blogger-image--1337388667.jpg" title="Rail trail in the Waitakere Ranges" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now that's a rail trail! This is a working railway track.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A working railway bridge.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xxsXNcZcgWw/Vu3oaEuXHeI/AAAAAAAACFU/YQ6z5p_IRVQ/s640/blogger-image-603431249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="The tunnel trail at the Waitakere Ranges" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xxsXNcZcgWw/Vu3oaEuXHeI/AAAAAAAACFU/YQ6z5p_IRVQ/s640/blogger-image-603431249.jpg" title="The tunnel trail at the Waitakere Ranges" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail runs always seem more adventurous when there's a tunnel.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_3kqoD2_60g/Vu3oSi3xt2I/AAAAAAAACFM/nFmDFYeIkr4/s640/blogger-image--507407351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Warning sign Waitakere Ranges: Caution this trail is suitable for experienced trampers only" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_3kqoD2_60g/Vu3oSi3xt2I/AAAAAAAACFM/nFmDFYeIkr4/s640/blogger-image--507407351.jpg" title="Warning sign Waitakere Ranges" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't know whether I qualified as an "experienced tramper" but I took this technical trail anyway.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0YHzABPP2d0/Vu3NISeeBOI/AAAAAAAACEU/uUksofjv75E/s640/blogger-image-1204380987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Kauri tree" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0YHzABPP2d0/Vu3NISeeBOI/AAAAAAAACEU/uUksofjv75E/s640/blogger-image-1204380987.jpg" title="Kauri tree" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It rained all day but it couldn't wash the smile of my face. It was a fun day out.</td></tr>
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The forest was beautiful and the trails were technical.</div>
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I felt adventurous not only because of this, but also because I was by myself, noone knew where I was and I didn't have any phone coverage. </div>
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When I got there and realised I had no coverage I probably should have abandoned but I'm glad I didn't - I would have felt even more stupid the next day when I fell over my feet.</div>
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Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-27877509544581284572016-03-20T15:39:00.002+10:002016-03-20T15:39:07.270+10:00What I didn't needOK, so this happened.<br />
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Yes, that's ice on my ankle, a couple of weeks ago now.
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I put ice on my ankle because I had a nasty fall when out running. I haven't run since.<br />
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I really didn't need this. But it's happened.<br />
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At the time I was 11 weeks out from my next scheduled event, the <a href="http://www.ultratrailaustralia.com.au/">Ultra Trail Australia 100</a>.<br />
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Now it's eight weeks out and I'm almost certain I'm going to be a DNS. After two weeks of resting my ankle completely I'm limited to walking, swimming, cycling, and the elliptical trainer so things aren't looking good.<br />
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I don't DNS very often so I'm not very happy about the prospect of it happening now.<br />
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I have the <a href="http://ultratrailmb.com/en/page/21/CCC%C2%AE.html">CCC</a> in August to focus on but if I DNS at the Ultratrail Australia I won't have the points to nominate for the UTMB next year - my ultimate goal. So my two year plan, that became a three year plan, is now at least a four year plan.<br />
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Everything is all a bit out of whack and at this stage I don't really know what's next.<br />
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<br />Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-80617767128798020032016-02-19T21:29:00.000+10:002018-01-25T23:29:57.726+10:00New friends, old friends and parkrun friendsTomorrow is parkrunday.<br />
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I'm <a href="http://www.parkrun.com.au/mitchelton">running at Michelton</a> with some friends - some old, some new.<br />
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This is not my normal operation at parkrun... usually I fly solo. I've gotten in the habit of picking up friends along the way.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>My <a href="http://www.parkrun.com.au/bunyaville/">home parkrun is Bunyaville</a>. I'm a trail runner and that's where I belong.<br />
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With my build back from injury meaning less trail running and more road running, I've been at <a href="http://www.parkrun.com.au/chermside/">Chermside parkrun</a> for the last few weeks and I've started to feel fairly at home there.<br />
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Three weeks ago I was running along at a little slower than my normal 7 minute pace. A fellow runner asked me if I was a pacer.<br />
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I laughed a little at this and immediately cried "No!". But we stuck fairly close together for the rest of the run. She ran faster than me, but stopped to walk too. I encouraged her everytime we passed by each other and with a k or so to go, I got her to run with me to the finish line. I think I told her that it was all down hill from there, but it wasn't. And of course, I let my new friend cross the line first, of course.<br />
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The next week there were pacers so I started with the 35 minute runner. She went out a little fast so I lagged behind a little for the first couple of ks, still with her in sight though. As we reached the turnaround point, I settled in behind the pacer, who was shoulder to shoulder with - who else - my parkrun friend from last week. I just ran along quietly, and listened as the pacer patiently talked her through running, giving tips on how to stay relaxed and how to pace yourself.<br />
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"My goal is to run all the way," my new friend confided in the pacer... and I couldn't help myself. I tapped her on the shoulder and said, "you'll get there, you aren't far away. You ran most of the way last week."<br />
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She turned and smiled at me. "You ARE here! I was looking for you at the start line!"<br />
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We'd picked up a few extra runners so while the pacer gave out actual running tips, I made jokes and encouraged last week's parkrun friend and a couple of new ones all the way back to the finish.<br />
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Last Saturday, my new friend from the first week wasn't there. Neither were my newer new friends from the previous week. At about the 3k mark I found a new friend. I gave her a word of encouragement as I ran past her on one of her walk breaks. Not long after, I heard footsteps behind me, and there she was.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mYVVHdvGz8g/Vsb6NSM6HlI/AAAAAAAACDw/0ouLJywxIfM/s1600/chermside%2Bparkrun%2Bunofficial%2Bpacer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mYVVHdvGz8g/Vsb6NSM6HlI/AAAAAAAACDw/0ouLJywxIfM/s320/chermside%2Bparkrun%2Bunofficial%2Bpacer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my new new parkrun friend. I love parkrun, especially on Valentines Day.*</td></tr>
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"You're such a good pacer! I've just been watching your feet and trying to keep up!" she said.<br />
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"OK, well, let's go! We can get to the finish together from here," I assured her. So I chatted away, and cheered on other runners, and before long there we were.<br />
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I followed her across the line and the finish token guy said "35:06".<br />
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"Did he say 35 minutes? I've never finished in under 40!" she exclaimed.<br />
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I was so excited for her. I gave her a hug and congratulated her. And that was it - she was my new new parkrun friend.<br />
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And this is one of the things that's great about parkrun - you're surrounded by fellow runners who aren't your friends just yet.<br />
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(On a side note... I'm seriously thinking about getting a running shirt printed up...<b><i>unofficial 35 minute parkrun pacer</i></b>... what do you reckon?)<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">*Photo courtesy of the parkrun Chermside and that week's volunteer photographer.</span></i><br />
<br />Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-87543506884158686372016-02-15T18:42:00.000+10:002016-02-15T18:42:06.789+10:00Don't eat the dirtWhen I'm out running I often find myself drawn to things that strike me as unusual. I probably should be focusing on running but let's be honest - part of why any of us run is to enjoy being outside and to take our surroundings.<br />
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I've come to realise that there's a good reason why many of the things I'm drawn to don't seem to fit - they are often of another time.
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Cue the "accidental historian"...<br />
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What do you reckon this is? It looks like a handful of old stumps of wood, surrounded by unkempt grass, cordoned off from the rest of Chermside by a slightly-less-old ranch style fence... (well that's what it is, right?).<br />
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Turns out it's a throw back to Brisbane's former farming days. There was a public dip there where livestock was treated for ticks from its opening in 1908 through to the 1950s.<br />
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According to records kept by both the <a href="http://www.chermsidedistrict.org.au/01_cms/details.asp?ID=207">Chermside District Historical Society</a> and the <a href="http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/19543523">National Library of Australia</a>, the media reported that at its opening event cattle were plunged into a "mysterious liquid"<br />
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Turns out that "mysterious liquid" was arsenic laced water, according to signage erected to mark the historical area. The sign also carries a warning to observe the exclusion zone due to high levels of arsenic still present in the earth.<br />
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So if you're in the area... don't eat the dirt!</div>
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Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-60075058594856925042016-01-29T20:01:00.002+10:002016-01-29T20:01:52.467+10:00My running carrotI just finished reading <a href="http://www.booktopia.com.au/the-way-of-the-runner-adharanand-finn/prod9780571325085.html">The Way of the Runner: A Journey into the Fabled World of Japanese Running</a> by English journalist Adharanand Finn.<br />
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He travels to Japan and visits a monastery where monks run a thousand marathons in a thousand days in search of spiritual enlightenment; and trains with university and corporate teams who compete in the lucrative and prestigious <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekiden">ekiden</a> - a long distance run covered by a team rather than an individual.<br />
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He surmises that the team environment of the ekiden encourages competitors to beyond what they could as an individual, and vows to test this theory. But...<br />
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Finn finally manages to get a team off the ground for a race scheduled just days before his return to England, to test this theory.<br />
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The race is snowed out. He doesn't get to experience the ekiden. He's disappointed. His reaction is this piece of prose, which really captures my running motivation. My carrot.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Why do we need the worldly construct of a race? What purpose does it fulfil? It is the completion of a goal, sure, but wasn't that goal only ever a mechanism to get us out running? Those days of training are not wasted if we don't run the race. If you miss your exam at the end of a course, it doesn't mean you haven't learned anything. If anything, perhaps the race is what stops us from ever seeing this essential truth. Perhaps our focus on completing the race distracts us, so we never see or understand why we run. When the race is taken away at the last moment, however, we're left hanging in this empty, charged space where the questions begin to arise. Why *do* I run? And in the quiet pause, we know the answer. In every training run, we fill ourselves with the experience of life, the air rushing through our lungs, our hearts pounding. Maybe the thought of the race gets us out the door, but it is only ever the carrot that dangled before us. Sometimes we don't get to eat the carrot, we already know that. And even when we do, it is only ever a fleeting moment of satisfaction. Even if we break our best times, or win the race, a few days later we're lacing up again. Like the Daigoyoman Ajari who said enlightenment wasn't an end, but just another step on a lifelong journey, the race is not the end we hold it up to be. Whatever happens, the next day, we need to start all over again.</i></blockquote>
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So, what's your running carrot? Racing, time goals, or just the joy of running?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I drew this carrot. :-)</td></tr>
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<br />Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-63007604560932936542016-01-24T20:58:00.001+10:002016-01-24T21:22:21.362+10:00The "consolation" prizeMy goal for the last couple of years has been to qualify for the UTMB.<br />
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It took me a while to <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2015/08/why-am-i-still-running.html">out myself on this goal</a> and when I did, I admitted to being fairly fearful about it. There was a good reason for that. It was a lofty one and in the end, it turned out I'd bitten off more than I could chew. I <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2015/09/chewed-up-and-spat-out.html">failed to finish my final qualifying race</a>, so came up short.<br />
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I've been awarded a consolation prize though.<br />
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Through finishing <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2014/09/glasshouse-100-im-ultramarathon-finisher.html">Glasshouse Mountains 100ks</a> and <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2015/06/high-points-low-points-and-all.html">The North Face 100</a> within the qualifying period, I had enough points to register for the <a href="http://www.ultratrailmb.com/en/page/21/CCC%C2%AE.html">CCC (Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix)</a>. It's the "little sister" of the UTMB - a 101km option at the UTMB festival. It has 6100m of elevation and has to be completed in 26:30.<br />
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Despite this quite immense degree of difficulty, the race is oversubscribed and you have to enter a lottery to win a spot on the start line.<br />
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I found out last week that I was one of the 1,900 lucky ones. I was successful in the draw and on 26 August 2016, I'll toe the start line of this beast of an event.<br />
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When I registered for the draw, I have to admit I didn't really own it. I felt like I was buying tickets to a tribute band because I missed tickets going on sale for the sold out actual band.<br />
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Now that I'm in, it feels anything but a consolation prize. All of a sudden, it's real, and it's frightening.<br />
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I don't know whether I can cover that distance, with that much elevation, in that little time. I don't know whether I will be able to handle it if there is inclement weather. I don't know what to wear.<br />
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I don't know whether I'll lose my passion for my main goal, UTMB.<br />
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There are many unknowns and with unknowns come doubts and fear.<br />
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But with unknowns there are also new adventures.Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-36341266188950169162016-01-02T17:00:00.000+10:002016-01-03T17:07:45.131+10:002015 goals... 2016 goals... it's all the same to me.It's that time of the year when all good athletes set their physical goals for the year.<br />
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I could just repost my "Goals for 2015" post as "Goals for 201<strike>5</strike>6". I didn't achieve my main running goal last year so it's still good to go.<br />
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But it seems I didn't write a post about my goals last year. There are probably two reasons for this.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>I was going through <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2015/01/runners-high-runners-low.html">a runner's low</a> at the time. (Yes. I'm sure <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2015/01/runners-high-runners-low.html">this is a thing</a>.)<br />
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I was also fairly sheepish about the goal I'd set for myself last year. It was quite lofty.<br />
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While I didn't write a specific post about my 2015 goals, I outed myself at Logan River parkrun on New Years Day and subtly included it in a post about goal <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2015/01/my-guide-to-brisbanes-best-parkruns.html">Brisbane's best* parkruns</a> that I posted that day.<br />
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For those of you who missed it last year, here is my main physical goal for 201<strike>5</strike>6.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rEpKE2ozSS0/VodrwGsTKoI/AAAAAAAAB_8/h2HzJPglgwY/s1600/logan%2Briver%2Bparkrun%2Bgoal%2B2015%2Bsquare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Goal for 2015: complete two qualifying races for UTMB" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rEpKE2ozSS0/VodrwGsTKoI/AAAAAAAAB_8/h2HzJPglgwY/s320/logan%2Briver%2Bparkrun%2Bgoal%2B2015%2Bsquare.jpg" title="Goal for 2015" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My event goal for 201<strike>5</strike>6. To complete two qualifying races for UTMB.</td></tr>
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The thing with this goal is that at this point, I'm not sure exactly how this will pan out.<br />
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The first race on my list is the <a href="http://www.ultratrailaustralia.com.au/">Ultratrail Australia</a> (previously The North Face 100) in May. I've already entered this one.<br />
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The second one is in the lap of the trail running Gods. I've registered for the <a href="http://www.ultratrailmb.com/en/page/21/ccc%C2%AE.html">CCC</a> (Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix) in August this year - the little sister of the UTMB itself. Like the UTMB it's oversubscribed so I will know in a few weeks whether I've been drawn in the lottery.<br />
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If I'm not successful in the CCC lottery, I'll take care of some unfinished business and head back to the <a href="http://www.terrigaltrotters.com.au/GNW100s.htm">Great North Walks</a> 100 miler. Sucker for punishment? Maybe.<br />
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Both of these options will give me enough points to throw my hat in the ring for the UTMB in 2017. I am hoping like hell that the qualification process doesn't change like it did last year. I am already on plan D and E here after <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2015/08/why-am-i-still-running.html">plan A and B became redundant</a>, and I <a href="http://triathletechronicles.blogspot.com/2015/09/chewed-up-and-spat-out.html">failed to finish my Plan C race</a>. I think if I have to come to plan F, I'll be F'ed alright.<br />
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So wish me more success this year than I had last year.<br />
<br />Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-708864161295444651.post-27330240270659090692015-12-27T09:37:00.000+10:002018-01-25T23:30:17.918+10:00Mt Gambier parkrun - #parkruntouristI'm a fan of being a parkrun tourist and this latest parkrun day I was in <a href="http://www.parkrun.com.au/mountgambier/">Mount Gambier</a>.<br />
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It was a small gathering of just 62 runners and in true parkrun style, there was good comraderie at the start. Which, I might add, is a permanent fixture at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Lake_(South_Australia)">Blue Lake in Mount Gambier</a>, South Australia. <br />
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I got the obligatory start line photo before we were off.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpHToYOlD9FgNzOpF8z5zZmGztfUSKCmr1hV79kCFZ-cUv_skP1a2B1_9jQGEGAFER80u-Luq8_tVgSPM6dVADWK7xYGtO_2mDETW9W5Y_LflWXU2XmMi1q66jW63G1-uLF-gYABuYeY/s640/blogger-image-845087215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpHToYOlD9FgNzOpF8z5zZmGztfUSKCmr1hV79kCFZ-cUv_skP1a2B1_9jQGEGAFER80u-Luq8_tVgSPM6dVADWK7xYGtO_2mDETW9W5Y_LflWXU2XmMi1q66jW63G1-uLF-gYABuYeY/s320/blogger-image-845087215.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I expected to have great views of the Blue Lake throughout the run but didn't expect stunning views of the surrounding countryside like this.<br />
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Because I was a parkrun tourist, I stopped at the turnaround to snap a selfie.<br />
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The course at Mount Gambier parkrun is basically hilly. Up a short sharp hill from the start, then uphill some more for the first k or so to a lookout. Then downhill to the turnaround. I wanted to make sure I got a couple of photos so I promised myself if I ran all the way to it, I could stop at the lookout for a selfie. I took a panorama of the Lake too.<br />
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On the way back to the finish line I fell into step with a couple of women who were starting to fade a little. I feel in step with one who said they'd never run all the way, so I stayed with her and we ran the last kilometre to the finish line. </div>
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(In retrospect - I don't know whether she had stopped before this. I'm telling myself I did a good thing and that of course she hadn't, and I helped her achieve that goal. I'll never know now whether I did or not!)</div>
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Throughout, I was told by a few of the locals, quite proudly, that their run is the second hardest parkrun in Australia. I asked them what the hardest one was and they suggested Blackbutt parkrun in Newcastle. I would like to know where my home parkrun, <a href="http://www.parkrun.com.au/bunyaville/">Bunyaville parkrun</a> features. Its at least as hilly and is on trails, so would have to rate pretty high.</div>
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No doubt though, Mount Gambier is up there. A quality course in a beautiful location.</div>
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Athletic Powerhousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09894755918566054794noreply@blogger.com0