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RE: Jumpin' Januarys ... it's 2013 already!
Heatwave conditions over much of Australia continue to create havoc with hundreds of bushfires raging across several states. Fortunately the fire authorities are well prepared these days and the rate of destruction and loss of property is miraculously low.
Today's forecast maximum for Sydney is 39C, so I was up early to try and beat the heat for my long run. I'd planned my usual 18km run through Lane Cove National Park and hoped to tack on a few extra kilometres at the end, as I'd missed a mid-week run and so am a few clicks short of what I hoped. However as it was 26C when I headed out shortly after 5 a.m. I decided to just see how things went and keep my options open.
Given the warm conditions I took it nice and slow - had no choice really. There wasn't a breath of wind and I was drenched with sweat well inside the first kilometre. However, on I plodded and the run to the half-way point at the far end of the park was really quite pleasant. But then, that's the downhill leg. Coming back from the 9km point was a different matter. At 12km the sun was well and truly poking its nose into affairs, and as I choked down a Gu gel (Strawberry/Banana flavour this time ... not bad) I was beginning to think this might be a rather difficult run to finish.
Actually the uphill run to exit the park wasn't too bad, but the last 4km along a busy highway with a monster hill at the end put paid to any ideas of tacking on an extra few kilometres.
Never mind, it was another 18km banked. Rather slow, but given the conditions not too bad. Now for a tough week ahead - lots of work to do and several 'no excuses' runs required early in the morning with more hot weather forecast.
You know, sometimes I just have to wonder why we do this.
Oh, now I remember... it's the incredible feeling of wellness and achievement that comes after a tough run like todays.
Um, I seem to have mislaid mine for the moment, but I'm sure I'll find it again.
Track du Jour: This was stuck in my head for the first several kilometres, so i guess it has to be the TdJ. Lucky it's a great song...
18.3km 1h55:47
YTD: 73.9km
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Jumpin' Januarys ... it's 2013 already!
