A Brief History Of The Blue Mountains Marathon Clinic

What do you do when you cant run for two weeks with rib injury? Find out about your roots I say. So with that in mind:

It has caught my attention that people attention has been caught by the apparent rapid rise to fame of the organisation known now to those whose attention has been caught as the Blue Mountains Marathon Clinic (BMMC, or Blue Mts Striders to some). As such I thought it was time to clarify who, what, when, where and why so as to put a stop to any chances that miss conceptions or mr conceptions that may circulated on this group. Particularly given the attention the Illuminati are receiving from the documentary 'Angels & Demons". So what follows is a 'brief history' of the BMMC.

"The First Fleet, which arrived at Sydney Cove on January 26, 1788, not only bought Governor Arthur Phillip, ragged convicts, disgruntled marines, assorted animals and stores, but also Lieutenant William Dawes the first ... [BMMC member] ... He was chosen by Governor Phillip in December 1979 to make a journey into the Carmarthen Hills (the present day Blue Mountains)" Pathways to History: Blue Mountains, Greg Powell. Establishing the CHMC (now known as the BMMC), becoming its charter member and establishing the desire of all future associates to expidate themselves amongst the Blue Mountains. Dawes crossed the Nepean River leaving Captain Watkin Tench (first registered European Low Lander, Boo Hiss) behind and went straight line running towards Mt Hay getting as far as Wentworth Creek near Linden before returning to be home in time for lunch.

The second registered member of the now BMMC of significance was responsible for the recognition of other outdoor pursuits and the expansion of associates beliefs on what constitutes outdoor recreation in the endurance mind set. "Captain William Patterson of the NSW Corps in 1793 found himself on the rounded, water worn rocks at the junction of the Grose and Nepean Rivers. His task to paddle his teams whaleboats up the Grose to pass through the wonderful (his words not mine I heard) Blue Mts and out the other side. Adventure yes, risk yes, unnerving endurance and stamina yes. Success No. Success in passing that is but an infinite change in beliefs for future BMMC members on endurance yes.

In 1795 Matthew Everingham represented the BMMC in his attempt to spread the news of their existence to the Northern reaches of the Blue Mountains. His travels taking him from Richmond to Grose Vale, north to Bowen Mt then west to Mt Wilson. Reputedly doing a bit of reco for the at that time pub conversed footrace between two distinctive peaks seen up that way from the low lands. Unfortunately he ran out of gels and sports drink (combined with his fear of electrical storms) and had to turn around before he finished drawing up the map for the first every Willy to Billy.

In BMMC minds the advert proclaiming "YOUR A GOOSE WILSON" could never be further from the truth. For it was John Wilson who as a retrospective BMMC member, having seen the message passed north, had the foresight to enlist the wisdom of Australia's indigenous population to push it south into the area now labeled Wilson's Wilderness in 1799. Possibly being the first European to cross the Great Dividing range. Though other BMMC members Lawson, Wentworth & Blaxland regularly argue the point of official achievements and those that are achieved when no one else is around to verify them (eg Mr I ran the Bridges faster than anyone else 'in training').

Around 1802 BMMC member Francis Louis Barralier set him self apart in the World of Ultra Marathoners with the blattant disregard he held for statements like 'you cant get to Kanagra from Mittagong without tents and a good spot to camp on the way'. Barralier Country has and never will be the same (partly because you have to swim in now and make sure the water board don't catch you).

And the early European time period goes on with members such as George Caley taking the first recorded descent of Claustral Canyon, the classic Major Mitchell v William Cox's competition to see who could establish the largest number of new running trails all over the mountains and Thomas Junior Brennan who was so infactuated with the epic 3 peaks run that he established his homestead 'Kanagra Flat' at the junction of Whalania Creek and the Cox's River.

More recently, at the turn of the 20th century the BMMC has been blessed with the association of Australia's father and son pairing, the "eco-warriors (that) saved the nation a heritage of mountain's, forests and lakes" Senator Bob Brown. Myles and Milo Dunphy. For without BMMC associate Myles Dunphy the draughtsman and Milo who carried on his fathers work we would not have today the well mapped trails and tracks that current members call their running home.

Today great family names like Donges, Artup & Lucchetti inspire those who carry on the wishes of the colonial origins of the oldest and most retrospectively influential collective of like minded endurance enthusiasts. So please don't be frightened of voicing your association. Carry on the pride that has been taken so far into the wilderness before you. If you have the post code then proclaim it:

No Membership form

No Meetings

No Commitees to Make Decisions

Just Running In Dumphy's Dreamland.

I hope I can run next week or I will have to fill in the details from the early 20th century to today and She Who Must Be Obeyed wont like that very much at all.

Chasing BMMC Around TNF100

I will leave the race reports up to those who raced and have a story of experience to tell. But I will contribute some photos taken as Sleep Train & I chased the BMMC around the Mountain in the North Face 100 today. And what a day it was, the look in Gottagofasta's eyes at the finish summed it up to perfection, spent on achievement.

Primarily BMMC runners, but some others I recognised or had meet significant others throughout the day (That is we are not trying to claim Andrew Kromar, Tim Cochrane [Tim 2], Clarke McClymont, Spud or Dean Karnazes [though rumour has it interest?]) Featured BMMC runners include: Gottagofasta, Shogun, Prince Donges, BMMC Patron King Donges, Dr Phil & Sleep Train

Is It Exclusion If It's Fun?

Many a matter of the grey stuff was found clocking over amongst the BMMC this week. For the mirror was big and it was clearly ourselves playing the pot in that epic battle v kettle.

Mid week it had been decided that both the BMMC and associated associates should drive down to Canada for the evening, Banff to be precise and it is fair to state that tremendous time was had by all who attended. Though rising for running was left too challenging in some instances.

With interest it left a point of clarification for formalised board member, being those who so appoint themselves. If an area of wilderness (arguably of equal footing as THE national park we love, see last week if you need clarification) should bee willing to invite not just us but low landers to their very door step. Should therefore we be making a greater effort to reach out our selves. take up a chalice to those less fortunate than the Blue Mountains post code holder.

The decision, a Coburn Card. Residing at the weekly place of ground beans and water it was decided that opportunities (scholarships if you will) should be provided for low landers who wish to rub shoulders with BMMC. Based on the customer reward card fancied by so many such establishments the Coburn Card will operate in a manner that for each coffee purchased at a licenced BMMC dealer the user earns their way towards a run with the BMMC. Just ten cupola investments will grant a free run with BMMC for low landers with no other tie in. Hence showing contribution to Blue Mountains Economic Cycles in these trying times.

Besides we need someone to push into puddles and buzz out of conversations.

Monday 4th May 2009

The MonRun with the Gnomes had the best numbers seen for some time. Still short however of the lofty heights back in the day of 2008. Having just recovered from the alteration imposed last term it was back to the recognised lap of the bridges in the required direction (Sleep train would be so proud).

Unfortunately one little upstart of a Gnome thought they had the right to try and beat me back from the M4 bridge to the car park. Much pain latter and a higher heart rate than hit for some time and he was dealt with over the final 'climb' (low lander talk here) out of the track to the finish.

Not looking forward to when he gets to year 10 though. I think I have seen into the thoughts of Tricky as I tried to push past him round Trotter Track in the early 90's before school. No swim as back coaching Syd Wst Rugby for the next month on Mon's.

Tuesday 5th May 2009

BMMC run from the round house. Standard circuit, standard direction, standard start time and becoming standard view of Sleep train and Animals back as they head away through the trail from bottom of shit hill to Sun Valley.

Happy enough to have run own pace and still gone round in 58 mins (including Sleep train stretch time) some 4 minutes faster for similar intensity in January. Dr Phil made this run.

Wednesday 6th May 2009

BMMC excursion to Banff Canada meant time was short and afternoon training postponed to an nondescript future time. Morning swim at the woods missed because I was cold and didn't want to get up (I was going to make up for it in the afternoon ride anyway)

Supper trip, though hadn't expected to see Polar Bears being chased away with rubber bullets. Did initiate initial instigation of the Coburn Card. Haven't we all grown from the experience.

Thursday 7th May 2009

BMMC, minus Dr Phil who was still recovering from his jet lag after the journey to Banff the previous evening and Sleep Train who has developed a mysterious heel ailment this morning. So in reality it was Animal and I (Kiwi still fluttering around Perth, I heard he is trying to get further from NZ but is not sure if it is far enough away yet).

Out round the Basic Hill Circuit. Good time was made without unnecessary pain for a 1hr 3min finishing time. Felt good up the gully track and began planning the clips that will fill the screen in Banff next year in the quest to make trail running an adventure sport.

PM and Im gone. First game back in the highly charged NDTTA. Up against Way to Go Chifley (not as rhythmic as Way to Go Whalan but what can you do but move with the times). Two collisions in unexpected circumstances and the left chest just ain't right.

Friday 8th May 2009

Out and about with the Gnomes Mt Bikers again. this time sweeping round the tracks of Marges and Elizabeth lookouts. Sweeping as much as you can when it feels like your left torso is going to implode with each bump (not too many when Mt Biking though).

1hr negating the tracks and with help the bike was back on the racks. These guys are getting better all the time. Pumped for NSW All Schools Mt Biking champs in June.

Saturday 9th May 2009

Having reassured She Who Must Be Obeyed that it is not possible to get lost running from the causeway to the oaks gate an back if you don't take any turns. Set off with some doubts for the long run of the week from Sleep Trains adolescent round house.

Out to Faulco Point then down the stairs to the Grose River for stories of conquests concurred in past type days. Before returning up and out finishing some 3hrs and 1sec latter. All good surprisingly until the final 30 mins when again the chest became resistive to breathing. Touch of a problem when running I'm finding.

Sunday 10th May 2009

Pain and mothers day equals no training for Scam today. Pleased to let all know that She Who Must Be Obeyed was present at lunch indicating my beliefs that running out then running back with no turns makes getting lost very difficult.

Early Entry Monday 11th May 2009

3-4 displaced ribs. No wonder it bloody hurt. Has this pain influenced my soft nature towards the Coburn Card?

I Didn't Believe It Either!

It has been suggested that there are places to run in so called national parks, that aren't in the Blue Mountains. I even read recently that a small group of individuals were even suggesting that the place to train for an event held in the Blue Mountains was some nondescript bypass on the Northern Freeway.

I find it very difficult to believe that these places exist outside of the Blue Mountains and as such plan to prove to these running experts ("he won") that if we are speaking from the heart we should all agree that the only place to run is on trails found within the Dumphy's love interest, THE Blue Mountains National Park.

On July 11th BMMC members in order to solidate these truths are being invited to head east to some other nondescript section of bushland on the south side of Sydney to participate in a 50 (or 76km) run just to cement in our minds that there is no were else to run like the home land. In the mean time enjoy the runs in THE National Park.

Monday 27th April 2009

The last day before it's back to confront the Gnomes. Cruised through the morning with no training then up to the Woods for an evening swim set. Punched out a solid 2.7km with main set of 1km and plenty of drill to work over technique. Beginning to feel a bit better in the aqua, and haven't seen the octopus of pain for a few weeks. There must be no better indoor swimming facility than the Woods.

Tuesday 28th April 2009

Back at Gnome central all be it minus the Gnomes today. An early morning rampage around Sleep Trains Loop prior to school got the mind and body ready for another enthralling TPL experience. Can they make school libraries any colder?

Joined Sleep Train, Animal and the Not So Fat Kiwi. though it is fair to say Animal seems intent on not joining the group on these runs and set a steady pace through the loop. Was very happy with my 56 minute circuit myself as this was a solid performance for a sound effort.

One of the nicest two hilled trail loops going round. great place to run can't recommend it enough.

Wednesday 29th April 2009

Back to that sensational indoor swimming center "The woods" in the AM. A satisfactory 2.2km having swum the standard set. Integrating more active recovery than in the past. Again feeling good in the water today. One day I might even figure out how to go fast in the water.

Did I say how good it is swimming in the Woods.

PM thought about cycling the M7 cycle way in the evening but would mean leaving the Blue Mountains and I'm not sure that's a good idea.

Thursday 30th April 2009

Up bright and early for the basic hills circuit. At least that was the plan. I am still not sure what is more humiliating being 12 minutes late for a run that starts from your own house or having had the BMMC break very clear rules on the 1 minute policy (read 0 minutes for outsiders joining us) to wait for me to get ready.

Ended up adapting the Basic Hills circuit by cutting down at Marges Lookout rather than linking over to Elizabeth and Whollies fear. All up 55 minutes and still got in the steady climb of the gully track to finish.

Definitely the best run when needing to cut off 10 minutes and still get in a recognised gully track climb in the last 4kms going round. And still in the Blue Mountains (THE National Park)

Friday 1st may 2009

Dragged the Gnomes out for the first Mt Bike ride of term 2. the Glenbrook up down ride. I tell you don't these low lander gnomes love a pass into the Blue Mountains when I escort them in. From Mitchells pass up the Zig Zag track to the RAFF Base round the back of Knapsack and back down again. to see the looks of thanks on the Gnomes faces for having been taken into the Blue Mountains makes it all worth it. Funnily not one ha asked to ride at other ' national parks' and don't go blaming the geography teachers.

Saturday 2nd May 2009

Wanted to point out the great nature of training around the lower regions of the Blue Mountains so took Sleep Train and a slightly delayed Dr Phil on the linking them all together run. Started with Muls as well as we hit the Florabella-Pipas Pass Circuit moving into Playing on Hills before finishing on a reverse finish on the Christmas run. Heading out along Wedmore to the back track on Emu Heights and looping up Chicken Run to the end of Rusden Rd.

Clocked in 3hrs 58minutes of running on the watch with significant climbs on Florabella as well as 4 ascents from the low lands up into the escarpment included on run. All agreed this is the place to run. Spent most of the rest of the day glued to the web updates for WE. Knowing I was no where near ready to run this again in 2009 it was still enticing to read the race unfolding. 2010 we shall wait and see. Maybe BMMC representation at WE and TNF (lets not say too much too soon).

Sunday 3rd May 2009

Thought I might rest after yesterdays run. What a place to live and have a rest day.

How could anyone suggest anywhere is better to prepare for trail races in the Blue Mountains than by training in the Blue Mountains. Please!

Banff Coming To Sydney This Week

Non-training entry but you got to see this preview and then get to it while in Sydney. I'm going for sure if any other BMMC members keen lets get to it. Go to (would have cut video her if I knew how. Always keen for a tut session if anyone can teach me.):

http://www.banffcentre.ca/mountainculture/tour/

Dont forget to go check out the 'Radical Reels Tour Video' as well.