Doing the Stomlo Stomp

Another 4.30am start - two days in a row now and its a struggle. But I was feeling fine after yesterday's run and knew I couldn't wimp out of today's run.......besides I would never hear the end of it if I didn't show up.

There was a good turn out for the Stromlo Stomp - the ACT Veteran's Mountain Running Championships. The selection races for the Australian Cross Country team were also on down at the grass track, so once we had finished our race we could always wander down for a look. After a quick warm up with twofruits and Nick it was time to line up for the start, in our respective age groups, and then we were off, charging up the track that would take us up to the top of Mt Stromlo.

Its always hard starting with a hill,and this was no different. Initially my legs were refusing to cooperate but gradually I began to get into my stride - slow and steady. The path seemed to go on forever; go around one bend and up some more, around another bend and up some more, etc. Finally I was on the road, passing the burnt out shell of the observatory. I hadn't been up here since the 2003 bushfires, but prior to this we used to come up here often for coffee at the cafe after a run.

The loop behind Mt Stromlo caught me unawares and I think it did for a few others as well. There was I thinking that the worst of the hills were over when I encountered a few more unexpected doozies - round the bend and then look up, up, up, before running up, up, up. My strength on the hills (relatively speaking) meant that I could pass a few people who were walking the hills. I may not have been running fast but it was still faster than a walk.

Finally the drink station at the top of Mt Stromlo came into sight - this meant only one thing - it would be all downhill from here on. Fortunately I didn't follow the woman in front of me as apparently she took a wrong turn near the finish and it was another hour before she finally crossed the line.

Anyway, according to the garmin, I ran 10.5km in 59.11min but this doesn't take into account my (quick) stop at the drink station, so I'll wait for the official results. However, I was happy with the way I ran after yesterday's long run.

The very early starts have caught up with me and I had a 2 hr nap this afternoon - probably a bit longer than I would have liked but then again I was tired. Now I'm just waiting for that forecast cool change to happen.

Total kms for the week: 72.3km

Tomorrow:
pm - weights session at the gym
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"It's not what you do once in a while, it's what you do day in and day out that makes the difference."
- Jenny Craig