August 2013

[El Gordo]

I've entered as a walker, with my main target to "beat the Bishop" as it were. By which of course, I mean to improve on the time of that substantial athlete, SP.

MLCMM reckons the great man puffed his way to the top in around 3:40. No idea what sort of challenge that is over 21 hilly kms but I'll soon find out, with my early morning miles starting to include some of the steeper stretches of the town.

I can't imagine running uphill for that distance, so kudos to you brave souls taking on that challenge. I've no doubt the great Sweder will moan like hell all the way to Hobart about his lack of training, excess baggage in the midriff region and throbbing hamstrings -- and then astound himself (but no one else) by producing yet another barnstorming rush to the top.

Sounds to me like one of the toughest things is dealing with the change in temperature as one ascends. Not such a problem for walkers -- I can see myself taking a small backpack containing an ermine gillet and centrally-heated mittens, but no idea what you minimalistic hares will do. Best hope might be to pray for a spot more global warming in time for mid-November.