Walk, don’t run!!
First and foremost I want to sincererly congratulate Frank Stapleton on being inducted as a life member of Triathlon Western Australia. A fantastic selfless achievement. I admire people who find time to volunteer for the greater good of the sport. In this case, triathlon.
I now think this bronchitis has had a hold of me for over 2 weeks now. Its just so frustrating to be out of action physically. I can’t believe it but I went back to work last Thursday and then had to take Friday off again. No voice, still a lot of coughing.
On Saturday, Dee and I had prepared for what turned out to be quite a big challenge. We hiked the Railway Heritage Reserve Trail which is just under 41kms long. We started from a park (cnr Pechey Rd and Morrison Rds, Boya) and went anticlockwise. We started at 10.20am and arrived at Mundaring Hotel at 1.40pm very tired and hungry. We had planned to get a good meal into us ( lasagne for me and a chicken burger for Dee) and took on a bit of extra water. Had to remind ourselves that we were only 18kms in and there were 23kms to go.
Lots of mountain-bikers doing this trail, we walked past a medieval wedding ceremony, and at around Mt Helena turned left which marked around halfway. To those of you contemplating this, there was a water fountain in the middle of nowhere just near Parkerville on the track. We had planned to SMS one of Dee’s friends at 6pm to let them know where we were. We had only just reached John Forrest National Park by 6pm. We both packed our headlights and warm fleece jackets. Both decisions ended up being sensible. We got to the start of the 800m tunnel and it was just inky blackness. A bit scary at best during the day but at night it was even more so. A short distance after we’d gone through the tunnel, the trail ended back at the park we started from.
I had my Kayanos on but I’m looking to buy proper trekking shoes. Lots of rocks around JFNP which put paid to plans one day of perhaps jogging around this trail. Dee had a blister but she’s till breaking in her HiTec hiking boots. I must say I was starting to cramp up a little at the end yet Dee seemed fine. I had to ask her to slow down a couple of times!!
We had plenty of trail mix, nut bars and hydration packs. We also had a good first aid kit, compass, matches, phones, etc. Our day packs were heavy enough.
I wouldn’t say we could maintain a 40km plus day when hiking as you’d have to think a normal backpack would be around 15 to 20kgs.
Still, an achievement nonetheless. I would rate this walk highly to you and it is well signposted. Next time we will go clockwise so that the last few hours of our walk is in ‘civilisation’. There is an event called ‘Trek the Trail’ coming up in Sept which only goes for around 7kms but meant to be a little enticer to hiking/trekking.
I have to say that after long efforts like this, my hip flexors seem to feel it more than anywhere else. Perhaps some Voltaren may aid this.
It was 8 hours of trekking and excellent cross-training. I’m still on for City to Surf Half Marathon. Dee is actually doing a chunk of the Bibbulmun track on Sunday.
Good training and health to all of you.
RESERVOIR
CHRISTO
(PS Do any of you know how to run a marathon at an average of 20kph??? What an effort!!)
Paul, you look tired-you should rest now.
Dee, 40 kgs! You must be very proud. I’ve dropped to 76 kg over the last 2 years or so but 40 is really something-well done. You must be jumping out of your skin! Anyway, thought I’d surprise y’all but leaving a comment. Have you guys run a full marathon yet? I’m tossing up the prospect in about 2 months time-dunno yet.
Bye for now.
jc