Training Log Archive: jennycas

I talked Zara, Andrew, John & Simon into a Morialta long run hoping none of us would have had too late a night, but in the end I was the one who was completely stuffed and unable to make my legs go up hills - they were pretty hammered from physio yesterday and I actually had to stop (not walk, stop completely) going up to Deep View, until I could get my breath back. It was about 30 degrees and I was reeeallly thirsty but the others stopped to wait for me often and I was feeling a bit more lively by the time we got to Moores Rd and then when we came down Colonial Drive that was okay.

Saw an echidna, yellow-tailed black cockatoos and kept trying not to step on all the bearded dragons which scuttled off the path at my approach. Also there was a koala firmly bum-planted in the middle of the path at the bottom, but he moved when we came along.

The sun gets up much earlier on Mt Lofty than it does at home (because there Mt Lofty is in the way) and the view to the east was magnificent, with wisps of fog overlaying the Onkaparinga Valley. The first 20 minutes of the run was downhill all the way via Crafers into Piccadilly Valley and then Sprigg Rd starts going gently up and then Gore Rd goes steeply up, to the saddle between Mts Lofty and Bonython. I found a fire trail which skirted the east side of the summit so dodn't go right to the top.

Enormous and varied buffet breakfast is probably the highlight of Mt Lofty House which is otherwise looking a bit shabby (and we were by no means the least upmarket of the clientele at breakfast) but I couldn't quite do justice to it because of needing to be back in time for work. Still, a nice 'mini-break', as the Poms say.

Attack of the Killer Physio
Kath's away but I got a really thorough ITB massage (rather than Kath's usual stretching) from the physio who I saw instead. It's such an intimate experience, having an elbow stuck into your bottom. Also she loosened up my calves, the tight spot in one of which is apparently threatening to become a tear. I blame last week's stair run for that.

A bit of a shame that Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens closes so early. I decided not to squeeze illegally under the gate (wonder if the notice proclaiming that the gardens are used for police dog training after hours is actually true?) and so ran along the Heysen trail towards the summit instead. Still lots of people hiking their way to the top at that hour and I felt very daggy and frumpy (and full of pizza) compared to them.

George & I got a last minute accommodation deal for Mt Lofty House and so, as is our custom at this time of year, we checked in after work, procured pizza in Crafers, and went to the summit to admire the view.

Legs weren't any fresher this morning and going up Randell's was a real struggle (although pretty much the same time as 2 weeks ago) especially since my hamstring has been twinging the last couple of days for no good reason. From the BP at Belair it's downhill pretty much all the way to Coromandel Valley and was quicker than expected although I did detour into Blackwood Forest (bumped into Frank Tomas out running - also on Christmas morning I swear I saw James Lithgow running up towards Belair as I was driving up) and down through Frank Smith Park.

From Lauren's we (Zara/Callum, John, Simon, Vanessa, Lauren) went down to Sturt River where it crosses Coromandel Parade then into Sturt Gorge recreation park following the MTB singletracks along the north rim of the gorge, which twist & turn around so much that it took us 50 min to reach the flood control dam! We admired the view from the dam wall while Zara & Lauren & John pointed out the best place to swim across when you are running late at the tail end of the minigaine...

Back up Magpie Gully with the 7 creek-crossings although the creek is dry currently, then from Coromandel Pde John & I headed back down Winns Rd which was more than enough for me (had been lagging behind from the start, but legs now really feeling the hard ground) while the others ran around Hawthorndene because V wanted a 2 hour run. George kindly came to pick me up and stayed for extended brunch at L's, which we all enjoyed :)

A bit later than I intended because I somehow spent 2 hours on the phone to Susanne. Legs were pretty tired despite having done nothing more strenuous than sorting out boxes of semi-random crap at home most of the day.

Event: Christmas 5 days
 

Yesterday I was just so completely stuffed (and empty - perhaps trifle wasn't enough for dinner?) that any form of exercise just seemed all too hard and so I wasted an otherwise nice summer's morning waiting for the on call phone to ring (at least this Christmas it didn't just keep going to voicemail).

Feeling better today, and my neck/jaw didn't hurt as much in the water as when it tightens up overnight.