Quarry Road

Christmas was a fun few days, but there was some frustration involved in having all these days off work and the heaven's opening with pouring rain so I couldn't get out and ride.

One thing I had locked in, that I was doing rain hail or shine, was Horrie's Quarry Road Christmas run on Sunday 27th December.

After lying around eating on Chrissy and Boxing Day I was quite keen to get out there and see the trail for the first time, and looking forward to getting some decent bush running in. My legs were feeling pretty heavy and not up for it, but I figured I could just plod alongand do a couple of laps.

Andrew and Dan were there and we took off together, although with the downhill start my legs very quickly came to life and a had a good cadence going and pulled away from the boys for a bit. I was caught up by Mark, a bloke I hadn't met before, but a lovely guy and he definitely kept me honest with the pace and we had a great chat. I soon got into a rhythm of walking the bigger hills and pushing on the flats and was feeling great on the way back. Halfway back Andrew caught up and we pushed ahead a little and started running together and chatting. We reached the start for 12.8km in 1hour 10mins for the first lap.

Turning around for lap 2 we saw Dan a little way behind us, he had done hill reps of Awaba Street the day before so his legs were really feeling it and he wisely decided to pull out after one lap. Andrew of course was on fire and really pushed me through that second lap. We did a good job of taking turns setting the pace and alternatively hanging on to each other. It was a slightly slower lap at 1hour 15mins.

The sky was overcast and grey which was perfect, although the humidity was appalling and everyone was drenched in sweat. Andrew had already said he'd be doing 2 laps, and I was going to join him, but when I got back I felt like I had more in me and wanted to get done 30km at least, so I turned and said I'd just go to the bridge and back. At the bridge I said to myself "I'll just go to the top of that big climb". At the top of that climb I thought "Well it's flat from here to the turnaround, might as well go all the way..."

I was struggling a bit by this stage and my pace wasn't up to any chop. there were very few people left on the trail but I guess the endorphons had kicked in because I was in a great mood, just enjoying the bush and the feeling of a nice long run. I didn't race the downhills and just cruised away on the flats, paying careful attention to my footing as I didn't want to turn an ankle by being tired and careless. In no time I made it back to the gate in 1hour 20mins, which I was very happy about. A good chat to some lovely coolrunners and a vegan cupcake to see me home!

3 laps
3:45
Average heart rate 145 bpm