Sat, 5th Jan Ourimbah State Forest

We are starting at 6am for a fun 30km jaunt around the fire trails of the Ourimbah State Forest. This is a really easy course to follow with only two turnings and a there and back run. It is an undulating course and although not extreme it is a great test for stamina if you run it at a good pace. In my view, you need to be thinking about ramping up the training now that the new year is out the way and here is the course profile...

As you can see it has a wicked steep climb at the start and a lot ups and downs to the turnaround and after the intial hills it can be a good quick run to the finish but I have needed a bit of focus to keep the pace up for the last few km when the end seems a lot further away than you think and the energy has been drained away.

There is absolutely no water on this course so come well prepared since the weather is looking to be warm, I would suggest a camelbak as the minimum needed.

Google has let me down on pictures but here is a feeling for the area........

also here's a picture from a previous 6ft training run..

It's a great course to push yourself  if you have the inclination but also some lovely scenery through the forest.

The start is at 6am from the Palmdale Crematorium car park which is just north of the Ourimbah exit off the F3. It's not as far as it might seem..  at that time in the morning it's around 45 mins from Hornsby. Here is a map of the start..

For anyone that fancies an explore of the area afterwards, there is a great cafe about 15 mins from Palmdale, it's called the Bamboo Buddha at 221 Wattle Tree Rd, Holgate and here's the web site....

Bamboo Buddha

It's a really earthy place with lot's of greenery, running water and a great place to chill out.