Sydney Striders 6ft Track Training Group

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.

Run 8 Marsfield to Pennant Hills Park & beyond

What else would any runner do on Christmas day morning but take in a few early k's to make room for what was to come, well 13 of us did and i expect we all managed to make up for it during the day. The weather was spot on again and as usual for this run we managed to get rather orientationally disadvantaged at the top end. Having run this many times we still fail to find the right tracks so we back tracked to Pennant Hills Park. All up just over 14 k's that included some interesting side tracks.

Started at Marsfield and followed the track under the expressway through to Pennant Hills Park (and beyond).

Not too many hills and mostly good quality tracks

Another fine body of runners as usual

George took some convincing that we were on the right track, Dave gives advice, this was before we went into the nether regions of the track.

The correct question here was "R U SURE????

Does this look familiar to you??

If in doubt go UP!!!!!

On the way home after some rather out of the way sections.

Run 7 Otford to Bundeena

Christmas shopping obviously won the day as only 16 of us fronted up, this run can be a little difficult to get to but it is so worth the trouble, 29 k's all up including the beach loop at the finish although there were some who decided that 29 k's wasn't enough and added a few k's just for the hell of it. (And i get accused of having only a flirting relationship with maps).
The weather could not have been better, a cool offshore breeze all the way with light cloud cover makes a huge difference to the day.
The stats from Garmin are not what i expected, we ran a total ascent of 1,185 metres and descended 1,384 so a difference of 200 metres. Only 100 metres less than Quarry Rd last week.

Where this week was from Otford to Bundeena, 29 k's of hills and sand.

What turned out to be as tough a run as any we have done so far, great training for the last two k's into Jenolan Caves

Only a small group this week however Gill the World Rogaining Champ and Warwick's Bush group joined us for the morning.

Graham trying to climb out from under an unusual botanical structure. not only do we run we adventure race as well.

Having escaped the "unusual botanical structure" Graham powers up the hills as if they weren't there, our start was about three headlands back somewhere.

More sand to play in, how much fun was that.

Eagle Rock, what else can i say

Clare and Rob our saviors at Wotamolla, drinks, snacks and helpful support, thanks girls.

The scenery on this run is amazing all the way, the only problem is that you have to run up some huge clifftops to admire it and then run down to the beach to appreciate exactly how high they are. Once would have been enough though.

Brekky or Lunch at Bundeena, well earned no matted what.

Run 6 Quarry Rd 25 k

I would have thought there may have been a few more this morning after all it was close to the city but then again Christmas Shopping is on the cards.
For those who missed the run it was a great morning, the weather was cool for the first half but did warm up for the second lap although the humidity was well down which made it just that bit more comfortable.
The total ascent for the morning was 1,275 metres, seemed like an awful lot more.