Woodford To Glenbrook By Night: Almost

A story as told on CR:

It can be strange how some times things just don't pan out the way you expect. W2G 2010 began as expected, with numbers slightly down on last year due to mammoth amounts of trail runs on offer over the weekend, on Glenbrook Station waiting for the train in the once more crystal clear and balmy skies of a mid spring evening. The car was at the gate with post run bev's and 'all' that was required was the simplicity of a train ride to Woodford and a casual jaunt back to claim the prize on ice.

As the train pulled into Springwood we found ourselves seated in the heart land of the Upper-Lower Mts for longer than expected, to eventually be informed we would need to wait some time due to complications with the freight train just ahead of us. The next message providing the added detail that someone had had an 'accident' with the train and the stop would be indefinite. Before finally the guard made it known indefinite means "why are you all still sitting here expecting the train to start moving again?".

A quick discussion with 'BMMC animal', 'WES', 'Brick' and 'Nickelass' and the plan was hatched to take a BMMC tour of the Lower Mts back to Glenbrook rather than wait for the unknown. All in consideration that Rodthehornets much desired red cordial refuel was in our possession and an inability to get through to those running the up-down 50 option would undoubtedly be facing extreme states of confusion at the lack of runners waiting for the return journey. After offering red cordial to all present the vast majority was donated to Springwood Station and the tour was set to commence.

The initial concerns over Springwoods readiness for 5 men in tights running through main street was soon put to rest as a joyous local of perhaps 16yrs made all feel welcome with offers of Piiiizaaa, ya want some piiizaaa? A sharp left over GWH and along the cycle way to Singles Ridge Rd (otherwise known as TM's driveway). Down the way another right at Long Angle Gully and at last the much desired trails sat in front. All be it post group liquidation of tree's.

Long Angle brings with it some of the most calming trail in the lower Mts. Once descended the initial hill it is fire trail surrounded by majestic gums on the valley floor for some distance to the creek crossing. Before the long climb to 5 ways and the rolling Hills to the exit that is not there and a short period of single track to arrive just short of the most inhabited runners street in the Blue Mts 'The High Rd' East Blaxland.

It was some where along this trail, just past 5 ways that at last we found communication with the up-back 50 crew. Who, after a brief tutorial on mobile phone usage for Brick (on his own phone), informed us that they were waiting for us at Woodford eager for the Red Cordial now running through old chip packets and half read newspapers on Springwood Station. The tourists decided time was a plenty and a brief re hatch of our plans enabled the linking of the Tuesday trails with the Thursday trails for an extended run back to the gate.

A short link on hard black track soon had us at Mitchells Pass and back onto the single track, otherwise known as 'Lovers walk' by BMCC maps, in Knapsack reserve. This single track soon brings you out to Marges and Elizabeth Lookout. Were time was taken to turn off all lights and take in the outlook of the extended low lands before us. A view seemingly enjoyed by those unaccustomed to such things. the lights of Sydney a blaze before us.

Soon we were back on our way, then back on our way corrected for the short run through to Glenbrrok town centre and on to the gate. Around 22km or so and a more than satisfactory alternative to the plan as first laid out.

At the gate on Sleep train was located as was the Good Dr Phil enjoying the night lights by the warmth of the fire (completely ouside the National Park of course) and as early train runners returned in 'the 3 Peaks Mistress' and my recruited Gnome and Gnome Trainer from gnome Central it was decided the best thing to do would be to enjoy the refreshments on ice in waiting for the return of the up-back 50 crew.

And enjoy we did, I even feel safe to mention that there were in fact chips at one point, however they seem to have gone missing by the time the up-back 50 crew arrived. A sensational time talking was had again as with edition 2009 untill all had returned plus some time and as I lay my head to sleep come 3am I was once again pleased that W2G by night had occured.

Hope to find the first full moon of Spring falling on a less crowded weekend in 2011 and spending the evening with many trail enthusiast.

Ask Whollie, It's All About Alignment

Was jut thinking I need to get my hands on some music by these guys this week:


When SWMBO sent me through this as an example of using social media for the evil side of life in which she works:


As Whollie will tell you because we both know, 'It's all about alignment'. With this in mind I live in hope my running is still aligned to W2G and W2B leading into the Sydney Marathon this weekend. The past period of months that were suppose to be about recovery and social exercise after a fairly big 6 months for me early in the year. However things have been better performance wise since North Face than through the 6ft and B2H.

My original intentions for both W2G and W2B had been to take in some enjoyable courses and be social through the event. As it is with Sydney this weekend. However after knocking 10 mins off my previous W2G and 20mins of 2010 W2B times I am stuck in limbo.

Do I sit comfortably with the 3.30 time frame and try to finish stronger or do I head out with 3.15 hoping current form is still located proximal to myself? The funny thing is that these better runs for me have come free of any thought of split based running. Perhaps I should just ignore the pacers around me and tune out to tunes.

Either way looking forward to the new course. Scenic enough to keep the interest up. May the time align for an extended period.

It's Not Lost If I Know Where I Am

Had a great week 'at work' this past week. Monday and Tuesday in particular involved my favourite excursion of the year. the Yr 11 Outdoor Rec camp. Basically 2 days hiking around in circles through the Glenbrook region of the Blue Mts National Park. Taking a dozen or so Yr 11 students back and forth, round and round, up and down so that they think they have hiked to the most remote location an Australian has ever found.

The expression on their faces when they realise that the 6hr hike has got them to Euroka. The same place their parents most likely had driven them to in 15 minutes from home is the best part of my 2 days.

I decided to make the second day a little more challenging this year however and fooled myself at one point turning the last 1hr into around 2hrs 15mins. Having successfully negotiated the new decent down Bullant Ridge off the side of Tunnel View Lookout. A slight miss calculation in the positioning of desired stairs and suitable creek crossing places had us rock hoping all the way back up to Jellybean Pool and the second stairs up to the Rangers hut.

I defend challenges of being lost though as already stated, 'it's not lost if you know where you are'. Gnomes smashed both days and by far and away the overwhelming response was one of, when and where can we go next?'

The less said about Wednesday the better in such public forum and Thursday saw me gracing the school premesise for a day. Before Friday was occupied with Yr 9 Gnomes at a local feeder Primary school clocking up volunteer hours. In helping Lower Blue Rotary Club constructing a vegetable garden for their kids to grow and learn about 'real' food.

4 out of 5 is a good week by my measurement.

In terms of training. Outside of Mon & Tue hiking. Managed to swim Sun arvo, Wed and Fri morning; cycle Sunday morning and Thursday afternoon; and run Thursday morning and Saturday afternoon. Consistent without being overwhelming.