Six Foot Track 2011

A rather complicated plan came together and I travelled straight from Newcastle to Blackheath to meet Michele, Hon,Serena at the italian restaurant.
After dinner I gave Michele my bag and she carried on to the Jenolan cabins. Right after she left I realised I left my running shorts with her D'OH. So fortunately K-Mart Katoomba was still opened and I was able to purchase another pair.

Slept well and got to the bus stop about 7.15. Met Mike and we hung around till my start at 8.05. Had a pleasant run to the river in about 80 mins. It was sunny and warm so I dived in and swam the river.

In 2009 I ran the whole Mini Mini hill but this time I thought I should walk/run. Felt good all the way and plenty in the legs. Ran well to base of Pluvi. At the first steep pinch I walked and then walk ran to the top. Still felt good at top but arrived in 2.50. I was now 7 mins behind last time. Mmmm?

So along the Black Range...after about 1km I had left the strain of the Pluvi behind and seemed to be running well. Started overtaking a lot of people. Came upon Spud who always seems to be a similar pace to me and went passed as we exited the national park. Light rain had begun to fall, conditions were excellent. I had run the whole range and was feeling good as I got to the camp ground at about 3.45.

Then the dreaded deviation and its three hills. First hill no problem, second hill my right quad cramped and then my calves started going and it was a matter if managing the cramps to the end.

This meant stopping often to massage and walk it out. I didn't feel especially tired. So the last ten k became a constant stop start, and runners started overtaking me. Including Spud.

I could see the minutes slipping by, but I didn't mind too much. I saw a lot of others suffering worse than me.
Finally got to the downhill in a line of about six runners but I couldn't take advantage of it. Just jogged down the hill as the others pulled away.

Happy to come in at 4.47. Got a great cheer from Michele, Hon and Serena, as well as surprise from Ron Yvette Sophie and Maddy. And then Kath and Geoffrey arrived.

Delighted to find Stef at the end with a big smile having run the wonderful PB time of 5.20.

This inspired me to go back up the hill to wait for Mike and phone in his arrival to the others. He came in 5.26 a 20 min PB. What a champ!

Boy there will be some competition in that household this year.

I felt fine afterwards and played a game of ambushes with Geoffrey Maddy and Sophie at the cabins. Unfortunately cut short by a thunderstorm.

Had a lovely BBQ looking back over the track. The next day it was a beautiful morning and Geoffrey and I went on "dawn patrol" around the forest behind the cabin. Then we went to Oberon Market and finally vintage clothes shopping in Katoomba.

All in all a great weekend.
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