Another 'Catch-up' post.
Again, as the last post, I haven't ticked off much in the way of the HYSN, WtY or LVFD trails, or the like, so not been anything on that front to comment on.
More rain and crappy winter weather has come through and made getting out a bit hit or miss; I ended up bailing on the Mt Crawford race for example. I should've known better, given that it was sopping wet there last year, too. And when it got to race day, the idea of 35km in wintery weather of rain and hail and wind... it just didn't appeal. I got out later in the day for 90 mins in that (and a bit of thunder and lightning too!), but the idea of 4ish hours in that just didn't do it for me. Lesson learnt: enter the shorter options, mid-winter, next season. I could motivate for 10-15kms and a few hours, but not longer!
Cleland parkrun is live! It's gone well - no dramas, we get enough volunteers each week and a steady if not huge turnout. Never wanted 200 people there anyway, so the 40-50 is pretty perfect at the minute. It does mean that I've got less kms in the legs though, as I'm vollie-ing rather than running or walking, which reduces my consistency, but hopefully that will change a bit as I get some helpers trained up further.
Wonderland 36km. Oh boy. I said no ultras or interstate next year, but I truly am going to do what I can to get back over this - even if it means that I do the 20 rather than the 36. So, so, so fun. Loved it. The pick your own adventure across the tops, the views from The Pinnacles, the vibe of the whole thing... just a great event. The snow flurry made me laugh, though I could've done without the freezing rain for the last km or so, but even that was doable. Just a great variety of terrain and trails and people and fun... check insta for the cool medal, too.
Backed W36 up with Mt Hayfield run, too. Didn't get to this last year as, like this year, it was held on Father's Day. I booked that out in advance and with a good pitch to the family this time around though, and really enjoyed it. Knee deep creek crossings were interesting after all the rain down that way the night before, but loved the fact it was hilly. #lovethehills Even managed to snag 5th in age group, which was a surprise as knee was (still is...) a bit sore after W36.
However, between parkrun and Wonderland, I can see how much more training I need, and I can see how difficult it is going to be to get it in, in time for Heysen 105. YUM is definitely out - too expensive and too soon. Heysen is looking more like the 57... possibly the 35. The Black Hill challenge on the same day is intriguing too, for even shorter (15km) but I guess about 800m of vert... not sure yet. The Heysen options should give me qualifiers for W36 2018, so there is a trade off for sure! Decisions...
What else..? I have a few ideas rattling around at the moment of other things for the next 12-18 months. A heap more parkruns have appeared, so ticking those off for stateshood is going to be tricky, but a bit of an adventure perhaps. Another is still forming in my head. Well, it's formed to be honest, but I'm trying to figure out the 'how' part of it still, so will keep that under wraps until I can get a bit closer to that. Perhaps. Not sure yet... I'm hoping to get to some of the other stuff on the iconictrails - and to have some more ticked off soon. So hopefully, watch out for more regularity in posts as we get to spring and 'nicer' weather...Labels: Grampians, W36, Wonderland, Wonderland run, wonderland36