On the Road Again

Well off actually, but that isn't the way the song goes.

It was time for another off road run this morning. This morning I decided to head out to my usual cross country haunt near the river, rather than head back to Reabold Park where I last did a run like this. There were several reasons for this, which are:

1. Ouch
2. Ouch
3. Ouch
4. Last time it took me several days to get over it
5. Reabold Park is more or less closed today because of the City to Surf. 

Running in Reabold is pretty tough, mainly due to the hills. With the benefit of hindsight, I now know it took enough out of me that I needed several days to get over it. Not a good idea the week before a race. That in itself was enough reason to make this morning's run an easier one. Adding to that fact is that the Perth City to Surf runs straight past Reabold hill, the finish line is just around the corner. With the associated road closures and traffic, this makes it a pretty good reason to avoid the area.

I was very impressed by how the course I used worked out though. It was a true mixed surface run, with bitumen, grass, sand and trail all covered. All up I would say at least 70% of the run was spent off road, which was exactly the point. On paper I didn't think it would work as well as it did, or be as interesting as it was. All up it was a good run. If I have runs like that in future, that is probably where I will end up doing them.

In other areas, the Northern Territory Long Course is on today. Actually it is probably over for most of the field by now. I hope it was a good race for everyone. Whilst it is on the short side for a long course it is a fairly brutal course. Freshwater, non wetsuit swim, and a hilly ride and run course. Oh yeah plus the small issue of the weather (last year it was about 36 degrees or so). It is not to be underestimated. Having said all that it is a fun course. Even if last years race was the site of my one and only drafting penalty.

Time to pack a bike.