Claustral Canyon Revisited Sunday 30th Dec 2012

The path we followed

 

A step back in time as Ed and I went back to Claustral which we had first visited in 1985 and now his son Rowan was joining us.
We did some last minute research about the new entry track, and called into Springwood police to log a walk notification and pick up an EPIRB (because I couldn't find mine)
So we didn't start till midday. Then we missed the entry track and spent an hour and a half bush bashing till we found the well worn entry track.
After that it was plain sailing. Through the three abseils and up under and around the many obstacles to the exit point.
We had a brief rest and refuel at the exit point and then powered up to the Camel's hump. I remember in 1985 this hill was a killer but today it was stiff climb but OK. After a few photos and a Chocolate on top we crossed the saddle and descended back into the canyon.



Ed with Yabbysaurus

We noticed the exit point for Dismal Dingle marked by a stone cairn but we pushed on to our exit point that would go up to the base of Mt Bell.
It was nearly dark in the canyon so we were pushing on.

Ed and Rowan on the Camels Hump

We had a couple of swims to do but didn't worry about wetsuits. We found our exit and started up. It was a trouble free hike up and we made the car at 8.15pm.
We noticed on this trip a lot more yabbies including a few monsters, also the tracks were quite overgrown and leaves covered all surfaces. The rocks in the creeks were also very mossy. We put all this down to the lower numbers since the entrance was closed.
It was a great day.

Update before B2H

My ankes! I never really imagined that I would ever be so troubled by my damned ankles. The achilles in both feet are so sore. Over the last month I have been resting them but as soon as I head out for a run the pain comes right back. I have been doing everything that the physio has recommended, stretching, icing, cross training (biking) but not really any improvement.

But I have found that if I grit my teeth then after 6km the pain disappears. I have manged to run a few good 30k runs this way but then I pay the price next day.

So with B2H almost here, I have decided to just do the best I can and not stress about it. If I can run it I will, if not, then no worries. I have rented the house in Mt Beauty anyway so I will be there either as a competitor or a spectator.

Middle Harbour Picnic Star 23/9/2012

A pleasant morning for running on a very picturesque but challenging run.

Just four of us (Tony, Mark & Paul) starting from beside Roseville Bridge then up to the Warringah Plateau. I found a spanner on the road at the top of the hill and carried it for the rest of the run. I was so whacked at the end I left it at the finish. D'oh.

Then it was along the Great Nosh track to Seaforth Oval and down the backstreets to the Spit. Then up Parriwi to Spit Rd, down Awaba to Balmoral, up to Mosman shops, then down the backstreets of Mosman, up and over Military Rd, down the other side and up to Cammeray, then down to Northbridge and up the hill from the bridge, then  finally through the backstreets of Roseville and down the big hill to the start.

It was hard. Much harder then last weeks marathon. Very whacked.

Still I ran OK and the ankle coped with all the uphills but hurt quite a bit in the last 5 k.
Thirty km all up in about 2.25.

Friday & Sat 21/22 Sep

On Friday ran 5k to work then sat in office all day then 5k back
Sat ran Parkrun in 19.02. A slow time as I died in the last k. Picked up several younger runners and was passed by one in the first 3k then ran by myself for the final 2. Afterwards did another slow 5k with Greg L.
Ankle gave a little pain but definitely improving.

Malabar to Kingsford Tempo

Another cracking day in Sydney. Mod NE winds temp 23. The three girls wanted to go to Mama Theresa's our old haunt and I agreed provided I could run there.
Felt great and ran on my toes all the way to get there in 30mins. Slight ankle pain but tolerable.
Sitting in the restaurant now but they haven't even left!

Lapa circuit Wed 19/9/12

Beautiful night. No wind, warm and a sliver of a moon. Ran down the golf course to the NSW golf links then down the road to Lapa.
Bumped into Horrie and Tim at Malabar and then ran back to Little Bay with them.
Then back past Sonny's take away where I bumped into Dave P and had a catch up.
Pleasant run about 15k. I had stabbing pains in the right ankle especially up hills. At least I was able to run on it.
The balls of my feet are very sore from the marathon.

Sydney Marathon 16/9/12

Volunteered as 3.15 pacer. Great conditions. Some problems with kilometer markers in the first 3 kms led to me to going a bit fast early.
Slowed down a bit going through the domain and with Stuart the other pacer we ran to 32k right on target pace of 4.37. Then I dropped back a couple of minutes to encourage those who were dropping off.
As usual the pack thinned out rapidly during the next 10k and by 40k none of the 3.15 hopefuls were left with us.
I had no trouble with the pace. I could feel the right ankle but all the massaging over the last few days had worked.
After finishing I ran back to find Mike who was having a tough run. I found him at 39k and we ran back together. He finished in 3.50.
Had a funny experience on the way to the marathon, I gave Amy and her friend Lara a lift to Redfern station to get to the half marathon start. As we were walking to the station Lara revealed "OMG I don't' have Amy's bib" So then it was a drive back to Maroubra, then Little Bay, then to North Sydney. We made the start of the half marathon with 6 minutes to spare.
Rushed back home after the marathon to fly out to Uncle Mikes funeral at Coffs at 2.40. Busy day.

Parkrun Sat 8/9/12

Looked for every excuse not to go but made it. Ran comfortably in 18.55. Sixth place. Two young guys overtook me after 1k but they both faded and I picked them off.

Sunday 9/9/12. Really tired this morning. So ran from home to Bondi, Bondi JN! Centennial that straight home. About 28k all up. Met a lot of people. Probably walked another 4k. Beautiful day. Ankle a bit sore at the end.

Bogong to Hotham entry

Well for better or worse I have entered. Got some new Salomon XA3D shoes on ebay today. Only $90. Took them for jog to Lapa along the golf course.
I really like the rapid lace system. They ate quite stiff. Reinforced toe pocket is good. And the grip is excellent.

Thursday Intervals

Ran 10 by 500m intervals round lower Pioneer. Felt good. First one in 1.48 and last in 1.35.
No issues with ankle after giving it a good massage before hand.

Marathon entries

Tomorrow is the Bogong to Hothan entry and on Tuesday at 7am the Boston Marathon opens. Looking forward to entering.
Checking the entry requirements I am now 34mins under the cutoff. And I can qualify in the 18-34 category.
Eat that Paul Ryan.
Also thinking of entering the West Wyoming

Fitting it in

No run Monday. Tuesday up at 5am to drive boat to office then run back and get ute before 6.30. Then another run home later in the day.
Wednesday run to work, then in evening run Lapa loop. A wonderful warm night. Ran OK but ankle started hurting after 8k so I walked for a couple of k's.

Avalon to Brookvale

After a lovely visit to Owen and Patti I ran along Pittwater road to Brookvale. Not sure of exact distance probably about 15k. Magnificent afternoon and despite some minor ankle pain felt great.

Best Fathers Day Ever

Honor and Serena surprised me by coming in to get me up at 5.15am and go for a run. Then they had a picnic arranged with Michele on Malabar headland to watch the sunrise.
It was a great sunrise with a full moon setting in the west at the same time.
A really thoughtful gift. Great daughters.

Striders North Head

I was looking for any excuse not to go this morning. But I had none so I fronted up in cold but ideal conditions.
Funny delays at the start, including two fire engines.
Finally underway and I knew I would suffer. All the way I wanted to stop but fortunately nothing was actually hurting.
Ran reasonably consistently to come in at 39.17 which I am quite happy with.
Afterwards went to 45 spin class with Serena then kicked the ball around with Geoffrey Kate and Neil for an hour at Centennial. Great day all in all.
Ankle seems cured touch wood. Now I can start doing intervals again...yahoo!

Kip Litton

I read the extraordinary article about Kip Litton in the New Yorker magazine (Aug issue) today.
Wow, a lot of similarities to me, same age, male, self employed , running bug...but cheating...really?
Poor guy I really feel for him. What could drive a man to cheat so systematically. And what for, to cheat in a marathon, what's the point?
I may not be fast, but I have certainly run every step of every marathon I have entered.
The poor man must be very deeply troubled.

Mixed bag

No run Mon Tue. Just no motivation, even put on my jogging clothes but just sat like a zombie on the couch. OK there were some extenuating circumstances... H was crying over bf troubles and S needed homework help...
Got home early on wed and went for an 18k run, or it should have been but my ankle was so sore I had to walk most of it. Then on Thu I kicked the footy with Neil and Geoff at Pioneer. It hurt at first then all the pain went away and I went on an 11k run afterwards. Minor pain only.
Then fri No pain at all and I went for a brisk run from office to Kingsford then Eastlakes and back. No pain. Go figure? Will try and get up for the striders run tomorrow.

Malabar to Homebush 26/8/12

After a tiring day at work on Sat followed by watching the Swans at the SCG I was very tired on Sun morning.
It was a beautiful cool sunny day so I combined my social life with training.
After a delicious home made breakfast of poached eggs, spinach, smoked salmon and tomato I ran to Tempe to meet the Castros and watch Rohan win his footy grand final.
Then I ran along the Cooks River to Olympic Stadium to meet Neil, Bruce, Janet, Charlotte and Geoffrey to watch Souths crush Parramatta.
I can take or leave the footy, but the run there was magic. A wonderful sunny day but not hot. I am almost over the flu that I picked up last weekend and my right ankle while still troublesome has improved and is responding really well to massages.
Now I am on the train back to the city to meet Michele for dinner. A 30k + run always builds up an appetite

At Anthony's

Arrived at Anthony and Kerry's on Left Bank road at 4pm Saturday. They made me really welcome and we had a great meal together that Kerry whipped up. Anthony also ran me a bath with epsoms salts. Heaven.
I was very happy to get to bed but I could sleep immediately because my legs were so sore.
Next morning Anthony made me a great breakfast of scrambled eggs from his own chooks. The yokes were golden.
Later we all went to the C3 church on the Gold Coast which was an unusual experience for me, it featured faith healing, speaking tongues and a rock band.
Afterwards Anthony dropped me at Gold Coast Airport.
A great weekend.

The pipeline pass

This pipeline runs down a convenient pass from Lake Kerry to the Banana Plantation next to Anthony's. It was steep and I fell over twice as the legs stopped working