I know - I suck at keeping this updated. Life is pretty busy and gets kinda in the way!
So the quick and dirty to get back up to speed...
- Cleland parkrun is going well.
Now we are getting into Summer, we get a decent turnout most weeks, around what I expected for this event. Happy with that!
- HYSN: The Bluff (Victor Harbour) to Waitpinga Campground/Dennis Hut, return.
Wow. This section is clifftop running, almost all on singletrail. Absolutely stunning - amazing views, had great weather. Then again, was first warm day of spring and did end up with 2 Brown snakes a little closer than I'd like. But can't avoid them once it warms up, so just touch wood I continue to stay far enough away. Def check out the Strava activity and pics to go with it.
- Became a parkrun Event Ambassador.
This is pretty cool. Means I get to go and help spread the parkrun love around a few of the other parkruns, not just Cleland. I'll be lending support to Nuriootpa, Gawler, Clare Valley and the soon to launch Edithburgh and Port Broughton. Might even be another in the mix in the future, too.
- Black Hill Challenge.
Opted for this as I knew I didn't have the legs for Heysen 105. And a challenge it was! The temps were warm, so the gullies were stuffy, whilst the ridges had enough breeze, I felt I could take off! A good little crew out though - Claire, Doug, Murray, Linda, Steve, Greg... so basically half of the TRSA committee! A number of other faces out too. Be quite happy to go back to this again next year. See how that pans out.
- Kuitpo TRSA series finale.
Great, fun course as Claire and Robyn had re-done it and added a good chunk of singletrail in. However, it was not my day and I may have had a little hissy fit towards the end and walked the last hill! :D Was awesome to see so many parkrunners out - a number of whom now call Cleland home, and a few who were doing their first 'race'.
- Consistency...ish.
As the EA thing has come online a bit more, and Cleland has settled down with others taking on more responsibility, I've actually got back to running a few parkruns again. Means that I've been able to be a little more consistent with it, rather than basically cramming everything in to one morning run and a Sunday long run! However, have also dialled back the distance and been going a bit more on shorter harder efforts. Try to up my speed a bit for one, and keep sessions shorter now its getting warmer.
- 2018... and beyond?!?
Have already made plans for next year, in and around the two confirmed parkrun launches, and life as so far as is known! On the list, events wise are:
*TRSA 5 Peaks Ultra - new event, basically Yurrebilla from the other direction and with a few other fun bits of trail thrown in. 58km, ~2600m+. There are shorter 22 and 10km options too.
*Federation Ultra - another new event! Monarto to Murray Bridge using the Lavender-Federation Trail as it's core. 50km, ??m+. Also a 25km option.
*Wonderland 36 - hasn't technically opened entries yet, but as a finisher this year, I qualify for next. Was so fun, and really, it's quite close, so I see no reason to not return. A fair few others are talking of heading over also, should be fun.
*TRSA series - as many as I can, kinda a given.
*parkrun - really would like to get that statesperson title, but Port Lincoln, Renmark and Kangaroo Island are a bit awkward. Never say never though, and if I can get the rest up to date, I'll be ready when the opportunity comes. Hard, as I know the list of prospects now - and it's always evolving!!
And beyond?? I kinda like the look of Buffalo Stampede in April 2019. If I was really daring, I'd say the Grand Slam, but I reckon the ultra at 75km and 4500m+ is a good goal alone!
Obviously there is also the ongoing ticking off of sections of the Heysen, Walk the Yorke, Lavender-Federation Trails. There is the double of the Pioneer Womens Trail, Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail and some other 'interesting' ideas to continue to contemplate - I think these are becoming more crystallised now, which should help, too.
There are also a few other events, not 'booked in' but certainly on the radar - Cleland 50 is the obvious one, Black Hill Challenge again?, Heysen 105?, 4 Peaks over in Bright?? All are on the board, though still no decisions made...
Keep up to date with a follow on the Strava or Insta - check the side bar of this blog, and follow along!
Out for now - JL