Glasshouse 24-ish km

The Glasshouse Flinders tour was last weekend (one week ago as I write this). There was 50km event - which was two laps of the 24km with a run up Mt Berrburrum added in for fun, the 24km - which is a big loop, and the 8km, which I have no idea where it goes because I was out running when it started and finished.

There seemed to me to be quite a lot of people there at the start. The first couple of km's were a bit difficult for me, I had to stop for the tiolet 2 times before the first checkpoint, and again after the before the second checkpoint. I felt heavy and flat, and because of the stops was coming last. Rob Ware was doing the 50k and overtook me very early on - he must have been flying. Then many other fast 50-kers passed me also. I was very slow and coming into checkpoint 2 I was on the verge of pulling out. I felt like crap - probably due to lack of sleep during the week. But luckily, just up ahead I saw 3 runners running, It was Vegie Girl, Davo and Hannah. I soon caught up, and ran the rest of the way with them. From then on, with the company it was a lot easier. We chatted the whole way. It was Vegie-Girls longest run ever and she was doing well. I helped navigate and provided commentary on the run, as I have done the trails we were on a few times before. I obviouly did not look at the map properly before we started because I was sure we were supposed to do the goat track - which I was looking forward to - but no - the goat track is not part of this particular run.

The four of us finished 3 hours 15 minutes (I think) which seemed quick considering how slow we were going. I wonder if the course was over-measured. I won a sugar bowl in the lucky-door prize.

Afterwards, I chatted with a lot of people, then went for a walk up Mt Beerburrum just to see what it was like. Golly it is steep! I really need to work on the hills, even though I only walked up the hill I needed to stop for a breather once in a while.

Anyway - at lunch today I will be off to the airport to fly to Townsville for the marathon. I work for the Dept. of Housing and will also be visiting the office this afternoon to install a new UPS to protect the server from power outages. I figure it is easier to do this myself than to try to talk someone through it over the phone. Vlastik remembered me and left a message on my phone yesterday to see if we can catch up at registration tomorrow. He is running the marathon after-all. I doubt I will be able to as I have to install the UPS, but will surely see him on Sunday.

I am flying Virgin and used the online check-in for the first time today. Note: you need a printer to print your boarding pass! I don't have a printer so will have to find one before I go to the airport. The web check-in is good because you can check in early get a good seat - I got a row 5 window seat. Usually I rock up at the airport late as possible, but get a crap seat at the back with all the screaming babies.