Run 8 Christmas Eve Marsfield

The last run for 2011 and an easy 12 k as long as we didn't get lost, only one picture unfortunately so no proof that we managed to get there and back without becoming "misplaced". Having said that Bruce had run from the opposite end so there should have been no untoward detours and Tim is a regular on the run.

Merry Christmas everybody and all the best from Robyn and myself for 2012

Remember that next weeks run is ON NEW YEARS DAY not on Saturday as we are joining the FATASS run, suggestion that an early start is not a bad idea especially if it gets warm. Water at the Ferry but that's all that is confirmed, there have been drinkstops provided by volunteers in the past but no guarantees.

NB Next weeks run is on SUNDAY

Run 7 Otford to Bundeena

Just pictures for this one, 16 of us travelled to Otford by train and cars for a prefect days running, slightly overcast and around 20 degrees. The sun came out when we had finished so all good.

Run 6 Quarry Rd

Another cool morning with a slight misting of rain which made the run that little bit easier. There were a couple of late starters plus Malcolm who started from the wrong end

And off we go for the first lap, all keen for a great run and if the weather holds a good time

 

The people you meet on the track, i managed a a couple of k's with Malcolm for the first time we have run together for some time

The drink stop, as usual plenty of ants to make sure we didn't hang around for too long at the drink stop

Run 5 Buffalo Creek Reserve

 Only a small turnout this morning with 12 of us turning out for a cool run, the weather held which after last weeks effort was a blessing. this is a relativly tough 20 + k's round trip that includes the Lane Cove National Park trail following the Great North Walk on one side of the river and the Riverside Walk on the other.

 

Unfortunately the bridge over the river between Magdala Stand the Epping Hwy is still out of action while repairs are carried out so it adds an extra 2 k's.

 

You could be excused for thinking that the group were out for an easy chat looking at this pic, truth is they were waiting for the fearless leader who was not having such a good day.

 

 As with many runs we pass historical sites that we don't have time to find out about, this run is one such, the history of Fairyland Pleasure Grounds dates back to the early 1900's and while there are no buildings or landmarks left there are a number of placques along the trail with information and some pictures.

RUN 5 HAS BEEN CHANGED TO BUFFALO CREEK

For anybody who may have missed today's email (Sunday 29th Nov) the run this coming Saturday 3rd Dec will now be the Buffalo Creek run which was cancelled due to bad weather. This will allow sufficient time for the run and then get home to register for the race when the site opens at 9:00 AM.

Nov 26th RUN CANCELLED

Sorry all however after bad weather all night the run has been cancelled.

Run 3 The Equaliser + Kedumba 1/2

At the moment i don't have details of the Kedumba Half Marathon so if anyone has any pictures or results please let me know

In Sydney another perfect morning for a run in the bush and for the first time we are awarding the "Burke & Wills" award to those orientationally disadvantaged souls who lost themselves, approximately half of us managed to wander off into the wilds presumably to the Cascades even with a map in hand. As it was they still managed to do 14 k's although how that worked out I don't know.

Welcome aboard to Dale who joined us for the first time albeit just in time so she missed the opportunity to be immortalised in print.

PS all rights to the "Burke & Wills Award" are attributable to Kevin O'Kane who originally awarded it to the MTG for extraordinary feats in managing to become locationally misplaced.

Run 2 Lane Cove National Park

We are soooo lucky, another perfect morning for running although the humidity did climb during the run. 16 of us this morning for a nice 10 k in Lane Cove National Park. We often take the availability of such great places for granted, how many people can say they have a fantastic 10 k bush run basically on their doorsteps.

At the start, some new faces which is always great to see, plus some returnees so all goo

d

At the halfway point. it's exactly 5 k's to the top of the steps.

 

My only "on the run" pic today, the others didn't quite work out unfortunately.

Hardly seems like they had just run 10 k's of solid bush, just as well i'm not in the pic

Next week is the Kedumba Challenge half Marathon or there is a 10 k option, this is a Chellenge run between Sydney Striders and the Running Wild organisers. Come along and support the club and get some early training in as well. We had the pleasure of Jo Barton's company this morning and for those who may not be aware Jo has the women's course record of 1:56:06.
For anyone interested in running the short course and would like some company i will be running that distance.
2 done and lots more to go!!!

Roseville to Lindfield Run 1

The weather was perfect for our first run, clear and cool and perfect for running, the trail was dry and in reasonable condition. Some old hands and some new members ran the 12 k for a solid well paced run and an enjoyable start.

All smiles for an early start

At Lindfield for a quick drink and turnaround

A great start to the program, look forward to seeing those of you who ran the Lane Cove 10 k today,  next week we do the best 10 k at Lane Cove all bush this time

The Race

The day has come and gone with the usual highs and lows, to all of you who took part in the training program take a well done, 18 Saturday mornings with a total of approximately 430 k's plus all of the midweek runs. i get tired just thinking about it.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF YOU
Some pics of the day below from followers and friends along the way

All bright and cheerful. obviously at the start

How can anyone get airborne like this

This is one BIG hill!!!!!!

I give up!!!

Are we there yet!!!!!

Thanks heavens for that, it's OVER!!

All that for THIS?
It's worth every bit of it!!!

CU next year

Run 15 Lancasters Leveller

As usual this run turned out to be another classic, our thanks go to David for organising the run and leading the group in sections and to Kendall who took the lead for the first half of the run and assisted for other sections. A friend of Davids, Andrew, came and joined us for the second half and helped with leading the way, although it seems that i am not the only person who has a love hate relationship with directions but as we are not adverse to finding new and unusual trails Andrew outdid himself, see pics below. Thanks also to David and Rob for the drink stops along the way which were a welcome sight.
The weather was unusual to say the least and it seems the weather bureau got it right. The humidity at the start was really high however as the morning wore on the showers came in and the temperature and humidity dropped to acceptable levels.
About 30 of us turned out for the run and it is interesting to see the difference in the pictures taken on this run over the years from bush fire ravaged in the early days to rejuvenated now. As usual we ran a different course some of it intentional some not but a great day all the same.

Just as well we are nearing the end of the series of runs, it is starting to get dark at the starts, this run has a good easy start of about 2 1/2 k's so the light was not a worry.

The pre run briefing by David.

Kendall (in red ) directing traffic up the hill, why is it always UP???

This is relatively early in the run, there was plenty of light and this hill went on ..... and on.....etc

Directionally challenged???? no, not us.

Are you sure we turn right here?


OOPS!!!!!
The places you find when wandering around in the bush, on the way down the houses driveway (the track finished here) there were a number of signs about private property and keeping out.

In Cromer after leaving the helicopter, only about 5 k's to go

The pace picked up quite remarkably on the final leg.

A dip at the finish followed by Eggs Benedict at H2O coffee shop, a great finish to the run

NEXT THE LAST LONG RUN

Run 14 Megalong Mega

Unfortunately i didn't manage to get to this run so i will post any pics and reports i get from those that did

Run 13 Roseville Ripsnorter

Another great day for running especially at this time of the year, a light misting rain followed us for most of the first 15 k's and then a light cloud cover kept the sun away for most of the rest of the run. About 40 of us managed to do the 30 or so k's (depending on how orientationally challenged we became). It is definitely becoming harder to get up at this time of day though.
Next week is the Megalong Mega, details of the run can be found at the link on the right of this page.

The graph misses out about 2 k's from the start, someone forgot to turn on their Garmin, final distance for us was about 31 k's including a couple of differences of opinion with the map. It seems my map reading skills haven't improved with age.

This is a tough run that is highly technical and has it's fair share of hills. the last few k's are relatively flat just have lots of small sharp nasty bits to climb over.



Is it starting to get dark in the mornings or is this just a bad exposure, the camera was set to take sports pics and didn't realise that it was doing a group photo. Will get it right one day.



Taking it carefully in the early morning light, it wasn't quite as dark as this suggests.



Graham on the downhill section of the Equaliser with a new hanger on behind who appears to have joined in at Wyatt Ave

Thought so, after looking after us with a drink stop at Wyatt Ave Rob ran with Graham and I to the Cascades, secret training no doubt or was she just chasing us to give me the sun hat. Last time this occurred I lost my beard in a bet, I wonder what she has in mind this time???