Once under Caswell Drive and into Black Mountain Bushland, I once again chose the more obscure single track and then with Black Mountain Tower looming high above me, the notion that I could do a trial run of the Black Mountain Run Up course entered my mind. It is the first time that this will be 'officially' run as a regular monthly run on the ACT Mountain Running calendar. I managed to find my way down from Frith Road to Clunies Ross Street easily, although was surprised to see a paddock of vehicles at the end, as picnickers arrived to attend the second Summer Sounds concert series of Jazz in the gardens.
I ran to the side, and around to where I adjudged the start of the run would be. Resetting the Garmin, I bravely and ugilly ran up through the concert goers onto the trail which ran adjacent to the Botanic Gardens fence-line. I 'cut' the corner at the top onto Frith Road (this was the course in a duathlon I did, it may not be on Tuesday), and through the fences into Black Mountain Nature Park.
The summit trail is a bitumen sealed track through thickly forested woodland, intercepted with 'speed bumps' and metal barriers in attempt to prevent bikes tearing down the track and eating walkers in their wake. It is easy enough to side-step the barriers when running, particularly at the pace going up.
Eventually the summit trail joins onto the wider track on the northern side which leads to the summit and was sealed with tar on the upper section to the Tower over a decade ago. It is not pitted and broken in many places, leaving a partially sealed, and partly gravel track. As I caught up to and passed a heavy walker with a backpack and drink bottles taking another of many breaks, I thought that "at least there aren't the steps that there are on the Mt Ainslie course". Boring! I know this track, it is my back yard, but I couldn't clearly recall the wide, shallow steps. They are easier to run up than those on Mt Ainslie.
I then had to make a decision on the fly - whether to continue on the sealed track which veered to the east, and then terminates with a steeper set of stairs near the lookout point. I opted to go straight ahead on a dirt section instead, which had been part of an earlier race up Black Mountain, and now led straight to the lookout, although there had been a fence blocking this previously.
Done! A little further than the 2.2kms of Mt Ainslie, although easier overall. I used the opportunity to avail myself of Black Mountain's other facilities; chilled drinking water and toilets on the lower entrance level to the tower. Bliss!
I then ran down the road to'the notorious pushbike hill, and found it very interesting attempting to descend this steep track that I had only gone up before. A few more kilometres until I got home, later than expected, although energised and excited by a wonderful bushland excursion which just got better as it went. Love Canberra. Love where we live.
Oooh, that run looks awesome. I can't wait...
Great run Carolyne! Interesting & a challenge to run when you don't know quite what's ahead! I did the same sort of thing yesterday.
When you get about half way up the steep bit before the top there's a trail leading off on either side (west and east). This does a big circuit of Black Mountain (about 2km) and is more or less flat with little ups and downs. Great fun to run on and excellent views too. I used to run up, do a lap in each direction and run down.
The following exotic plantations produce for an super retreat in Kerala.
Bungalow house plans really are quickly returning as being a
desired home technique.
my web page; tanie noclegi zakopane
Check out guaranteed issue health insurance if you then have a pre-existing condition.
Now that we have waist behind us however some good details.
Also visit my web site - okna katowice
Such institutes offer training through the help of innovative ideas and
advanced training items. The marketplace is certainly increasing
toward five million rapidly.
Here is my webpage - grzejniki chromowane
Relative deductibles apply to each covered members of a real family.
Another popular lifestyle change class that providers encourage
is a cigarettes program.
Feel free to surf to my weblog minimalne wymagania maszyn
A growing number of businesses offer their clients created polos.
Keep it personal: You must use your visitor's name.
Feel free to visit my site :: gsa search engine ranker
However, point you give up of your own volition is absolutely game.
You should get a police from the type of local police department and file % increase.
my web-site; pozycjonowanie
Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to assert that
I get actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I'll
be subscribing to your feeds and even I achievement you
access consistently fast.
Also visit my webpage - e-commerce experts