Third Time Lucky?

Today Total: 31k
Week Total: 59k
Month Total: 47k
Year Total: 309k

I had Halfpenny commitments in Bathurst this weekend so I wasn't going to be able to make it to The Track for Mega Megalong Fat Ass - but as luck would have it the HP had all day Eisteddfod training from 10AM so it was still going to be possible to get a decent run in.

I managed to get away from Explorers Tree at about five to twelve and headed down into the valley. Being on my own today I was running heavy - lots of safety gear plus a full 3L's in the camelbak, a 750ml bottle to drop at Megalong Road and a 600ml hand bottle of Gatorade.

Really fanged it down the stairs going through the Nellies sign in 12.05 which is the fastest I've ever done it - I kept the pace going to the fire trail but once I hit there I backed off - I thought it prudent given the heat of the day and the weight I was carrying.

Made it to Megalong Road in 53 minutes where there were lots of CR's recovering from the Fat Ass and waiting for the stragglers to come in. I stopped to socialise, drop my bottle, take a gu and nick some of Inekuips watermelon (ta Ine).

Off and away I passed 7 or 8 stragglers till I came across Kevin Tiller and one other who were the back markers. After making sure they were good for water I again trotted off. Dunno what got into me but I was running hard which was kind of dumb given the heat.

When I went past the swing bridge I realised I was getting overheated and decided to pretty much walk the last k and a bit to the river. Even with the walk I'd made it in smack on 1.45 - happy with the time but I should have run it more evenly.

Had a good swim in the river to cool down before heading up to the tank for a re-supply of H2O. I again lingered in the water on the way back to make sure my body temp was down - CJ you will be happy to know it was a foot lower than last week :-)

On the way back Garmy Mkii died - bloody hell! Anyhoo I ran reasonably well on the flatter bits and the downs - switching back to the power walk on the ups - I was deliberately being conservative till I hit Megalong Rd as given the time of day it was unlikely I would see anyone else if I had a drama.

Once I hit Megalong Road I picked up the pace and pretty much ran all but the steepest bits to the trail before the base of the stairs. Went up the stairs nice and strongly and even managed to run up the last 57 (I counted) but my breathing was outrageous by the time I got to the hugging post.

Drank down the last of my Gatorade and ran most of the hill back to the car - very happy to have finished so strongly - no idea of the final time but I'm guessing my running time would have been around 4.15 - maybe a bit quicker.

Got home just in time with enough daylight left to do a mow-the-lawn recovery session and a quick dip in the pool.

Having done this run 3 weeks running now I will try something different for my last long run next week - maybe Deviation to Mini Mini or Coxs.

BTW got a call from the HP to say she got the lead role in this years Eisteddfod - she's pretty chuffed because she is only in Year 10. Proud and tired 2P tonight :-)