Tuesday, May 5, 2009

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!

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