Megalong Valley

Six Foot Track Preview - January 23, 2012

A 29km training run on the Six Foot Track was the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle that convinced me that my body was not responding normally to exercise. I had a few test scheduled for the week so this was my last chance to test out the body on familiar terrain before a follow-up visit with the specialist in a weeks time.  Cool conditions as we started off from Megalong Road heading out to Caves Rd, taking in all the climbs that Six Foot has to offer. 

I was happy to follow behind the others, enjoying being out on the trail again and the reminiscence of the ease I felt when racing along these sections of the course last year. I was a little concerned that my heart rate was elevated considering the cool conditions and the running pace. But as long as I could keep the runners ahead of me in sight I was happy to plod along.  

I had no significant issues with the climbs of Mini Mini and the Pluviometer but the Black Range was bad, a painful time warp that never ends.   My heart rate was spiking which forced me to walk, and my shin muscles felt like they were tearing off the bone.  Any descents from the Deviation to the Caves Road crossing were exquisitely painful, but I forced myself to take in the surroundings – that is why I was doing this after all. It helped a little – the bellbirds were singing, the forest was lush and green and the trail was in excellent shape which made me wonder if the race record will fall this year.    I also came to painful realisation that my chances of being fit enough to comfortably finish the Six Foot race this year were very slim. I will wait till I’ve seen the rheumatologist before making any decisions.