Even though we are going through a prolonged summer heat wave, it is already noticeable that the days are getting shorter and autumn is not too far away. It was dark when we arrived for the start of the Sydney Striders Hornsby Hurricane run this morning. The temperatures were predicted to get to mid to high 30’s with high humidity. The first 6 km of the run is on a gradual downhill slope on local roads and after that there is approximately 17km of bush trails through Berowra Valley Regional Park and Kurringai Chase National Park finishing with the last 4km on local roads through Asquith.
There was reasonably large group starting at 6.00am. I ran with Alan, Leonor, Jim and Susan for the first 7km, then with Phil who is training for Two Oceans 56km race in April, then on my own until I caught up with Mike at a drink stop. I ran ahead with Steve until we rejoined his running buddies and they dropped me soon after crossing the Pacific Highway. I did not mind, as I could not keep up and I also got to run at my own pace through the most scenic part of the course on the beautiful descent through Kurringai Chase NP. Caught up with them on the uphill climb to Kalkari Visitors center and we ran together picking up a few others to the National Parks booth on Kurringai Chase Rd. I was feeling relatively strong at this point and with the road section ahead for the next 4km took off to get to the finish with the sun beating down on my back. I ran pretty much at the front thinking the others were just behind me. It was only Dave who caught up with me on the rail crossing with 2km to go. Pleased to finish and get a cold Gatorade and some ice to put over my head.
It was one of those runs where I was feeling not so good at the beginning and then just felt better and better as I got into a rhythm. The hills were brutal but it did not seem to bother me today, it was hot and humid and that also did not seem to bother me too much. Finished the 27 km in 3.21, all up climbed 7km over an elevation of 450m.
The things I did different on this run compared to last week – I drank an electrolyte solution 15 minutes before the start and I had one Gu energy gel which I sipped at around 12km, 17km and 22km into the run. Not sure if this made the difference but I will be keen to give it a try on the next long slow distance run. As the great Dr George Sheehan said “we are all an experiment of one”.
It was one of those runs where I was feeling not so good at the beginning and then just felt better and better as I got into a rhythm. The hills were brutal but it did not seem to bother me today, it was hot and humid and that also did not seem to bother me too much. Finished the 27 km in 3.21, all up climbed 7km over an elevation of 450m.
The things I did different on this run compared to last week – I drank an electrolyte solution 15 minutes before the start and I had one Gu energy gel which I sipped at around 12km, 17km and 22km into the run. Not sure if this made the difference but I will be keen to give it a try on the next long slow distance run. As the great Dr George Sheehan said “we are all an experiment of one”. 
No comments:
Post a Comment