Brooking Rd return = 3hour January long run done

Saturday 26th January; Ran 27km in 3hours 1minute 35 seconds
on Darlington Brooking Rd course, (6min 43 perkm)Heart rate of 135 at end.

The usual struggle to get to Hills group in time,thinking I was crazy to try and go run 27k after no long run since 29th December,(4 weeks ago) just managed to catch up to the back of the main group as they headed for Midland, decided not to take the soft option of doing an easy 22k. Saw Terry and Phil B., old John, Jane and others, but was finding their pace a bit slow early, and decided to try and keep the faster front group in sight, as that pace felt good.

As we got into the eastern Bellevue area they stopped and I caught them, and Chris said something about being unsure of how to get to Brooking Rd, and did I know the way. I settled into some 4.50-5.20 per k stuff with them, which was a bit faster than I'd planned, but I stuck with it anyway, and Jane and old John disappeared behind us.


Ran with Chris & Alli from Northern Suburbs group, and a few others at a good pace all the way to Pechey Rd (about 10km )got there in just under 53 minutes,so about 5min 17 per km... Felt shattered by then due to a strong pace on the constant upward incline. Had a good chat about the Busselton Half Ironman race.

Stopped for my first powerade, and ended up walking for a bit to recover and eventually by the first waterfall after the railway tunnel I decided I may as well drop back to my usual running friends old John and Jane. Eventually they caught me near the first waterfall, and I ran with them to the Falls Rd turn off which is immediately followed by the long Brooking Rd hill. Much more manageable pace although I ended up walking the first part of Brooking Rd hill, but Jane and John waited for me, and got running again. I knew it was kinda mad attempting this tough run after my last long run was the easier much flatter 22km loop on December 29th 2007. But would have been disappointed if I had not taken on the challenge. Slightly different route along Strettle and Bailey Roads, before settling into the last 4km on the nice downward slope of the railway heritage trail.

Excellent conversation as usual, hearing the cherrynose cicadas at one point in this run, and the beautiful views of the valley early on where Kathryn and I used to walk a few years back. Feeling good, and really enjoying the experience, and from Hovea Falls onwards I was very glad to be out there! celebrating Australia Day with a decent long run! Last 30minutes or so as the clock ticked past 9am could start to feel the summer sun heating things up as little, as the temperature picked up a few degrees to 28 degrees Celsius. See here

Injury report;Nothing to worry about I dont think. Left shin splint flared up very bad later in the day after the run. Need to icepak and keep an eye on that one...
Probably due to the Bitumen hill on Brooking Rd and the downhill bitumen on Strettle and Bailey Rd I suspect?

Left knee is pretty dodgy but not majorly different after this run... forgot to tape nipples so they are a little sore, but not too bad. Very sore spots from chafing of hydration pack on my lower back, a bit painful in the shower, but it should clear up in a few days...

Very happy to nail this run. Important one! Thanks God, and also to all the runners I had the pleasure of running with making the journey a lot of fun.
Didn't spend much time at the Bakery afterwards as I had to get home to get ready for a busy day today...Happy! Wuhoo!