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???

Run 12 Clares Calamity

This run is about 32 k's with it's fair share of hills both Up and Down, a quick downhill from the start to Bobbin Head gets things loosened up after which we headed off into the Gibberanong Track which pretty well set the scene for the run. Good tracks pretty well all the way with some technical sections. The weather was again kind to us although it did start to get somewhat warm in the latter stages as the sun rose and we lost the shade of the trees.
High tide came in and along the Warrimoo Track there were a number of spots where the track was under water although only shallow it did cool the feet of somewhat.



Elevations of the course, note the hill at the end, we climbed a total of 1,900 metres during the morning. What a wonderful way to finish.



Where we ran through multiple national parks and reserves to see some of Sydney's best.

Before the run it seemed we would have a somewhat large turnout, keeping everybody off the road became a difficulty, somewhat like herding cats.

Ready to head out, about 50 people ready to go for 32 k's of hills.



Trail marking was brilliant, I only missed a couple, probably time for an eye test



First drinkstop at Grosvenor St. We had a chat with one of the locals and it seems that the tracks here are about to be taken over for the use of trail bikes somewhat similar to what has happened at Manly Dam.



Even the locals had heard we were coming and came out to spectate.



Drinkstop number 2, THANKS Clare, you were a welcome sight at about 20 k's. I believe that some of our visitors found new ways to get to this spot so it's not only Strider's who have a fleeting relationship with maps and directions (and arrows etc).



On the climb up from Bobbin Head on the zig zag track, a long hard climb on tired legs followed by a couple of k's sprint to the finish.

Another brilliant run, Thanks Clare and Karl for organising.

Run 11 Quarry Rd for 3 laps

Only a small group although the numbers grew when those who have problems getting out of bed arrived, also welcome to some new faces who joined us for the first time. The plan was for three laps however it became apparent after the first that there would be some who would take two as a good day out. Weather was around 23 degrees but mostly overcast so not too bad, the humidity was high which didn't help.

Rachel was one of those who had problems getting up, looks like she was still catching up on the way.

Tracey had a great run powering away up the hills.

As usual Karl set a good pace for the morning and just kept going.

Dave and Steve on the return from the first turnaround and looking good.

Peter at the turnaround, the ankle managed OK this time after a nasty fall on our previous excursion to this run.

A familiar face who turned up somewhat late.

Shaun's first run with the group, it wasn't that dark it's just my unusual camera skills coming into play.

Two laps became the order of the day although some of the tougher individuals managed the third lap with a couple of others who ran half way for their third lap. Well done everybody.

Run 10 Ourimbah for 30 k's

So far we have been blessed with great running weather this year, the day started slightly overcast with the weather bureau predicting light showers during the morning. That would have been OK as the track is generally pretty good even after rain however it held off and we had a cool morning for the run although the track was still holding some puddles of water from previous rains. Only 18 of us managed the run (including a couple of late starters) but as usual for this run a great training session for 6ft.
(My PC is having problems copying from the clipboard so will post the map etc when i figure out what's going on.)

The first hill is always a shocker, after 1.6 k's of road there is approx 1.8 k hill, fine when you are coming home but not nice early on.

Runners on the way back, only 14 to go from here and all down hill.

The turnaround at the Quarry, it seems that National Parks have removed all the park signs now. Only 15 k's to go to the car park, easy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Run 9 Beyond the Black Stump

This profile is courtesy from the Fat Ass web site and gives an idea of what to expect, unfortunately i managed to inadvertently bump my Garmin and have lost that record of the run.

This run never gets any easier and this year was no different, the weather plays an enormous role in how well you run this so an early start is recommended. Adam and I headed off around 6:20 and enjoyed (if that can be used in this context) a cool start that lasted until we were on the way back. I suspect that next year we may start at 6:00 AM to take advantage of whatever cool morning temperatures we can get.

A light cloud cover provided a bonus that made the early stages less demanding.

No scenery to admire but at that stage whose complaining

The low cloud cover is still hanging around as we crossed on the ferry and started the long climb out from Berowra.

The turnaround at the Castle, it is amazing that anybody could even get here when this was built much less build something that must have been quite a structure in it's heyday.