The Glasshouse 50 - Cook's Tour

Well the weekend came and I finally got some relief. Not the kind you get in the Valley you understand, but the kind you get from indulging in your passion and being able to mix with many people, friends and otherwise, who are of a like mind. I have some pretty intense emotions at the moment so it was great to get out there.

As for the race, I had my chance and the opportunity was there, yet my bad patch, as they unerringly do, came at the wrong time.

My goal on Sunday was to get under nine hours and finish ahead of Roger Guard in the process. Alas, I was Rogered again!

We ran with quite a large group for about 10km before Roger and I were slightly ahead and running/chatting together (had a brief but informative education on the location of Venus and Pluto after I'd pointed out Mars too!). From CP6 I went ahead and once I'd gone through the 'Big Dipper' I actually turned my light off until I got to the lookout as I didn't want to give a target to anyone (that's you Roger!). Stealth mode I think it's been referred to as, usually associated with Milov.

Anyway, long story short, I went really well for 50km and was looking at 8:30 but the loop at 8a got me again. I had to take my time around there to regroup during which Roger and Narelle Coutts passed me. So, at least I kept him at bay for nearly 60km this time!

After that section I had a reasonable run in but had lost too much time there. I did well from then on (aside of being run over by 4 4x4's on Cooks Climb!) and more or less raced Ashley Druve for the last 10km. I kept ahead of him but was unable to reel in Dom as, having passed him about 500m from the turn to the pool, he gave himself a kick and I didn't have it to get past him again ... another 30 metres and I'd have had you mate!

I didn't get my sub 9 but at 9:07 I got a 31 minute PB over an altered course that clocked up the same distance as last year so pretty chuffed.

Boring job, boring people, boring week. Bored. Can't wait for the weekend.

God it's been tough coming to work this week after a week off. It must be working for the government that does it but some of these people here are beyond logic. The amount of times I've felt that some need a slap this week is some sort of record.

Anyway, three weeks on from Dayboro/Mt Mee and in pretty good shape.

Have had a very solid block of training between then and now with a reasonable taper so I should be in good enough shape to at least enjoy myself on Sunday morning at Glasshouse.

Record field too with currently 285 entrants of a maximum allowed 300 across all events (over 50 in the 50km which is outstanding). Great to see the event being supported and the obvious growth.

Sadly, back in Wales, the family are still dealing with the aftermath of Craig’s passing. Fortunately and frustratingly at the same time, I seem to be out of it down here. I don’t think I’ve missed home as much since we’ve been here as I do now.

Had a good weekend in a cabin at Witta (west of Maleny) last weekend and given the terrain I couldn’t avoid doing hill work in superb surroundings.

Looking forward to the weekend as I should be strong. Not necessarily competitive but certainly capable of taking a chunk off my time last year.

Best laid plans and all that.