Mon. Planned to ride the mtb from my place to my son's place 60 kms NW away in Kangaroo Flat.Unfortunately wild winds developed in the afternoon, NW with gusts up to 80 kph. I managed 44 exhausting kms in 2 h 28 m before stopping at the Junortoun PO /General Store to top up my fluids. The winds were getting worse so I decided to pack it in and called in for a lift for the last 16 kms.
Tue. I met up with my buddy Greg at the Cathedral Ranges. We ran just on 8 kms uphill to the start of Sugarloaf Track. From there a 1 km scramble through rough terrain gaining 325 metres in elevation took us to Sugarloaf Peak. Some tricky sections along this track. One cave was just wide enough for us to shimmy through minus hydration packs. Another section had us chimneying up though a rock crack.
Once up on Sugarloaf we hiked about 4 more hours along the rocky ridges up and down several peaks before a steep hour descent back to the cars, 6 hours all up.
Wed. 1 h 10 m paddling on the lake after work, plenty of motorised company out there. It is a busy month from Christmas to Australia Day (26 Jan.) as most of the population are on holiday for the month.
NYE was spent at our neighbour's little winery, I wandered home early as I had a 5 am start at work the next morning.
Thu. My first "training session" of 2015 was a very enjoyable 35 km 1 h 45 m mtb spin out along forest and farm roads. Some days it all seems so easy and this was one of those.
Fri. 1 h 10 m paddling on the lake before work (late shift) before most of the power boaters and jetskiiers were up and about.
Sat. 10 kms trail run up to the top of the McIvor Range and back, about 200 m of elevation gain. 56 m 30 secs. The 3d km in 6.40 and the 5th in 7.10, pretty quick for those sections, the last 3 in 4.47, 4.47 and 4.42. Temp was still only a gentle 95 F. Later in the day we reached 105 F, happily not making the predicted 110..
Sun. 14 km trail run up Mt Ida and back, 220 m of elevation gain.
1 h 19 min. Just a good steady climb to the top and a steady run back down the way I came.
Low running kms for the week as I skipped the long run. A 1 hour hill climb run followed by 5 hours tough hiking on tuesday probably met my endurance needs. I have a 28 km trail race next Sunday.
Thu.