Sunday Helena Vally........My staple

We can all be the dragon warrior.......if you are prepared to believe and do the work...

Sunday 7.15am, Helena Valley from the primary school this morning. That is my staple Sunday, was again today. It used to be Fred Jacoby Park in my younger days. We used to run a 9 mile loop and do it twice or simply run out and back. There was a hill out the back of the Weir that makes Kelly's climb look like a speed hump. Personally I always felt that the Jacoby Park long run was tougher as the hills ran throughout the entire run not just the front section. Having said that if the Helena crew turns out towards Johnson's loop the terrain gets tough out through that way....

Anyway heading out from the school along the bitumen I think back to many years earlier that this surface was gravel from the school. It takes about 10minutes to get to the gravel along this road. Today it took 9 and a half. then across the creek , small stream actually, then up to the next car park area, right and this time a small two minute hiccup while I clamber across the water way. The water seemed a little lower today so it wont be long before I can jump it again. From this point it is up to the main pipeline service track and away we go.

This track is also the same course that the marathon club use for their 'King of the Mountain' race. 11 minutes later I was dropping down Hamburger Hill. At the base of this you could go right and head along the upper pipe trail. This track is a lot better in terms of the trail but I prefer to come back that way and head out along the lower pipe trail. This trail is a bit rougher in places, particularly after so much rain, but I actually prefer the feel that running through some sections of this trail gives me. (I sometimes come out and do reps along this bottom section with each rep taking roughly 5 minutes)

Still a lot of large puddles today but I managed to get around these without getting or slipping over. A bit rocky through the small humps but I felt good this morning so I surged everyone that came too. Working through a series of small climbs but always heading up I did a sharp right at the top of a short sharp climb and then headed down the worst section of the run. managing not to twist an ankle I shot along the bottom flat bit to the next cement culvert. This time I went right rather than heading further along the trail that ultimately leads to Mundaring Weir.

Now I am on the upper pipe and heading home. This section is fairly undulating but the surface is fantastic in terms of being able to run without worrying about going arse over tit. I checked my watch at this point (out of habit) and by the way still not happy with the watch. Used to have the Ironman triathlon that would store 50 times/splits what ever, the bonus was that I could do a warm up then store the time, do the session then store that etc... with the new one that replaces it it still stores 50 laps, splits BUT IT WONT ALLOW ME TO STORE LIKE THE PREVIOUS ONE DOES......it shits me (just venting why do they change a watch the only thing wrong with the other one was that the band was an unpractical design in terms of durability)... Any way I digress.

My time out to the switch back 47 minutes, mmmm a bit slow this morning. Still I know it will pick up for three reasons. 1. I have warmed up. 2. The surface is better 3. Because I always try to wind it up coming home. Really feeling good today. Step up the pace and slip into my day dream mode of being the best in the world and just smashing everyone . I so do like to race imaginary competitors while I am out here. I think that is why I don't mind training by myself. Over active imagination.

Anyway worked all the hills today and even felt awesome heading back up Hamburg Hill. Heard a group talking on the other side coming back. may have been Courts and the crew on the other side. Could not see them though.

The run in felt bloody good today. This was one of those days you wish you could replicate while racing. back to the river clamber over the downed trees to get over it... and then back to the bitumen. Opened up over this and along it in 8.15. much quicker than when I headed out.

All up a great run today... Had to add on becasue I came home too fast 42 minutes . Only had to add on 1 minute to get to the 1.30 for this morning. Did a bit of a light stretch then headed home to get showered and warm before the run tonight..

Hope to see you all out there next week. Especially you young guns.... Patto that means you.

Barrell on wombats.......