228 replies to this topic

[Johnbo]

WallyGator, on Jan 30 2010, 01:54 PM, said:

Having not done this or 6ft before, how do we know when to turn around - if you want to do the full 36?

You will know where! Its when you are completely buggered or when you get to the top of a very steep and sometimes windy big steep hill!

Yes it does continue to climb afterwards, but you basically hit a T-junction with another trail to the left (signposted / forgotten name) and on to the Black Ranges to the right.

[Mister G]

At the Pluviometer T Junction, the left turn is signposted Cronje Mountain, the right turn along Black Range is the one you will take in the race.

[WallyGator]

Thanks guys.

[Horrie]

Colin, on Jan 29 2010, 10:27 AM, said:

On a general note...will there be anyone stationed at the turn-around, so that runners names (qualifiers) can get ticked off?

Colin, I would be happy to take on this role again if there is a non-runner coming up for the day that wouldn't mid looking after Timmeister. He could handle the couple of kms from where the trail started to Calabash Castle at BTBS but there is only 1 way up Pluvi and I think that may be beyond him.

[trailpuddin]

Colin, on Jan 29 2010, 10:27 AM, said:

On a general note...will there be anyone stationed at the turn-around, so that runners names (qualifiers) can get ticked off?

Why not have the qualifiers write a "Q" on their arm in texta or perhaps wear some other distinguishing feature like the good ol' scrunchie - that way everyone else who is running knows who they are and can be witness as required.

[KTDag]

Seems a lot of trouble for Horrie or someone else to go to pluvi.  If people are really worried, qualifiers could have a photo taken with by or of a Prominent Racing Identity at a significant landmark like the pluvi signpost.  Have to carry a  camera or good phone.
I don't know a lot of runners,  but in qualifying on the out-and-back BTBS, I can remember lots of people who would be able to recall me at various points.  Verifying should be easy, especially if a qualifier made themselves known at the start.

[rodthehornet]

KTDag, on Jan 31 2010, 04:37 PM, said:

Seems a lot of trouble for Horrie or someone else to go to pluvi.

What trouble is there - from the sounds of it, he is running it anyway. Might be wrong, but he is just saying he will act as the ticker-offerer for the names as they come thru.  Just means he spends an hour or so up the top waiting for everyone to come thru.  

Different story if he was driving around as that is a lot of trouble, but then he could take Tim on the expedition down Black Range in the trusty car, so minding Tim wouldnt be an issue.

[Paul Every]

Colin, on Jan 29 2010, 10:27 AM, said:

On a general note...will there be anyone stationed at the turn-around, so that runners names (qualifiers) can get ticked off?

Mister G, on Jan 30 2010, 03:29 PM, said:

At the Pluviometer T Junction, the left turn is signposted Cronje Mountain...

Years ago I ran the Baldy Peaks 50km in California which had an unmanned turnaround on the top of Thunder Mountain. We were told at the pre-race briefing that "You will see something at the peak. You must be able to tell it what it is when you finish."

Maybe that's all that it needed at the Cronje Mountain sign. Have one of the fast runners (who would have already qualfied for 6 Foot) tie a couple of ribbons to the sign. Say a yellow and a pink one. Those intending to use the run as a qualifier must be able to name the ribbon colours when they have their time taken at the finish at Megalong. Someone running near the back of the field can clean up the ribbons, so there is no need for anyone to drive around to Black Range.

Sure, it is not a perfect system, but it may be enough for a one off.

[Rico]

Any late breaking news re the water supply at 7km and 29km?  Or should I just forget it and give up on expecting anything there?

[Coogee1979M]

Disclaimer:  I have already qualified for Six Foot using a non-Fat Ass race.

*****

Another suggestion for runners using Megalong Mega as a qualifying race is that they could be "timed" only by the figure they put down on the race sheet, just as they have in 2009 and previous years.

[flyingemu]

WallyGator, on Jan 30 2010, 01:54 PM, said:

Having not done this or 6ft before, how do we know when to turn around - if you want to do the full 36?

WallyG - you'll see my size 14 footprint at the top .... from when I kicked pluvi's arse last Saturday

[WallyGator]

flyingemu, on Feb 1 2010, 12:35 PM, said:

WallyG - you'll see my size 14 footprint at the top .... from when I kicked pluvi's arse last Saturday

I'll look out for it and blame you if I miss it and go too far.

Also, you should have let me know you were doing this so I could have given you a couple of water bottles to leave there for me.

Hopefully the new 3l camelbak with extra pockets will arrive before the end of the week.

[nite_time_runner]

Paul Every, on Jan 31 2010, 01:25 AM, said:

Years ago I ran the Baldy Peaks 50km in California which had an unmanned turnaround on the top of Thunder Mountain. We were told at the pre-race briefing that "You will see something at the peak. You must be able to tell it what it is when you finish."

Maybe that's all that it needed at the Cronje Mountain sign. Have one of the fast runners (who would have already qualfied for 6 Foot) tie a couple of ribbons to the sign. Say a yellow and a pink one. Those intending to use the run as a qualifier must be able to name the ribbon colours when they have their time taken at the finish at Megalong. Someone running near the back of the field can clean up the ribbons, so there is no need for anyone to drive around to Black Range.

Sure, it is not a perfect system, but it may be enough for a one off.

Or go the Barcley ultra technique...take a book up there, each runner needs to rip a page out and bring it back. Lots of choices. I like the honor system best i think. As my kindy teacher used to say..."if you cheat you are only cheating yourself, Ian. Now stop that."

[flyingemu]

WallyGator, on Feb 1 2010, 01:20 PM, said:

I'll look out for it and blame you if I miss it and go too far.

Also, you should have let me know you were doing this so I could have given you a couple of water bottles to leave there for me.

Hopefully the new 3l camelbak with extra pockets will arrive before the end of the week.

And I'll be doing MM this Saturday (instead of Sunday) so I'll leave another footprint for ya!

[Adz]

Anyone know what time one would be looking to achieve in relation to 6ft track finishing time .  e.g. if I was aiming for a 5.30 6ft would 4.30 MM be comparable, etc?

[Rico]

weather.com.au says "Numerous Showers. Mostly Cloudy. Mild. Humid.", 17-23 and 87% humidity.

[Lizard]

With all  this rain around there may be some water in the tank.

Does ayone have any updates on this?

Also, being a first timer on this run I am curious as to what the consensus is on dropping of a drink bag about 10kms in, for use on the way back?

[Ourimbah]

Lizard, on Feb 3 2010, 11:23 AM, said:

With all  this rain around there may be some water in the tank.

Does ayone have any updates on this?

There was water last week.We even left some for this weekend..

[vstaR]

Lizard, on Feb 3 2010, 11:23 AM, said:

Also, being a first timer on this run I am curious as to what the consensus is on dropping of a drink bag about 10kms in, for use on the way back?

Quite a number of us will be leaving a drop bag at Cox's for the trip back to the road. You'll be thankful you did!

[Wheats]

It seems I may need to leave the car at home for the family to use while I'm running.

Is there anyone that may be able to give me a lift up and back please? Even if it's just a lift up there and I wing it for a return trip somehow.

I live in Ryde, just near Top Ryde, and can easily get to Lane Cove Road (Quarry Road intersection) or to Victoria Road (Cressy Road intersection). From either point it's easy to get onto Concord Road then the M4.

I'm happy to contribute to tolls, petrol, conversation (or not!) ...

Thanks, Wheats

ps. apologies if this is the incorrect forum for such a question.

EDIT : Pick up sorted. Thanks!

Edited by Wheats, 04 February 2010 - 12:16 PM.

[vstaR]

Adz, on Feb 2 2010, 03:11 PM, said:

Anyone know what time one would be looking to achieve in relation to 6ft track finishing time .  e.g. if I was aiming for a 5.30 6ft would 4.30 MM be comparable, etc?

Adz, obviously I speak on behalf of only one runner, but a look at my last 3 MM's against my 6Ft times indicate that a 4:30 MM should equate to roughly a 5hr 6Ft. (training programs, weight, weather on the day and injuries all variable factors, of course!)

[runhard]

I was just wondering,  People talking about dropping a bag off 10km's in for the run back.  Do they carry it from the start or drive down before hand?

Cheers

RH

[billybob]

runhard, on Feb 4 2010, 11:18 AM, said:

Do they carry it from the start or drive down before hand?

Runhard, they carry it from the start.....there isn't a (ready) drive option to Cox's R

[runhard]

billybob, on Feb 4 2010, 12:28 PM, said:

Runhard, they carry it from the start.....there isn't a (ready) drive option to Cox's R

I thought that might be the case but was hoping otherwise.  Carrying the extra bag does not appeal!     Thanks Billybob

[stoneman]

I did this for the first time last year and dropping off some water bottles on the way out worked really well for me (the last 3 km's still hurt though - but not enough from stopping me do my first 6 Foot track a little later!).

Weather forecast mentions " a few showers" and temps "Min 16 max 20" so could be ideal conditions and definitely cooler than last year.

Borderline now for this year with another event (non running), however the thought of sneaking up on Saturday could be interesting.....

I did a slow 5:20 last year and backed up with a 6:33 6 Foot - felt much better after the six foot than I did after the MM - suggest I took it a bit too easy at 6 Foot. So the idea of adding an hour on is valid as an idea of timing 6ft v MM.

May see you all there, if not will see many of you a month or so later - have a good challenging, safe and enjoyable run...

[buzzlightyear]

flyingemu, on Feb 2 2010, 10:58 AM, said:

And I'll be doing MM this Saturday (instead of Sunday) so I'll leave another footprint for ya!

So you know,  running club NRG will be having their own MM run on the same morning. I believe they are starting around 8am but I know some are starting at 7am. It should give you some company along what could be a lonely day out    Have a good run everyone.

[Spud]

Personally reckon a hard run at MM with pack on is tougher than 6FT race day.

[Ponkey]

Im think of starting from the Explorers Tree at 6am to add a few kms to my weekly tally. Long Arms is keen to join me. I have room in my car for 3 others departing the Eastern suburbs very early.

I have heard a rumour Buzz maybe interested in this option?. Any others up for a longer, earlier hit out ?

Some of the beer betters may not be keen to strut their stuff on the longer run for fear of giving too much away on their tactics for the descent of Nellies!

[Ourimbah]

Sounds good to me.

I sure a few others will be there as well.Parking could be tight especially with that truck of yours.

[Beaver]

Ponkey - see you at the tree 6am.

Ourimbah - watch out for Buzz and Ponkey and their wild endurance sledging.

[Ourimbah]

It should be funny running with those 2.It will be like watching twins all over again.

[Ponkey]

Ourimbah, on Feb 4 2010, 03:14 PM, said:

It should be funny running with those 2.It will be like watching twins all over again.

You mean something like this:- TWINS

or something like this Wild Endurance Team

[flyingemu]

buzzlightyear, on Feb 4 2010, 02:03 PM, said:

So you know,  running club NRG will be having their own MM run on the same morning. I believe they are starting around 8am but I know some are starting at 7am. It should give you some company along what could be a lonely day out    Have a good run everyone.

That's who I'll be there with Buzz! There'll be 42 of us

[Colin]

Spud, on Feb 4 2010, 02:08 PM, said:

Personally reckon a hard run at MM with pack on is tougher than 6FT race day.

How big is your pack?

[Ponkey]

Major landslip in Blue Mountains  

Lets hope they fix this up soon, otherwise our qualifiers will have a long hike over from the old Queen Victoria Hospital and down Kedumba !  

[trailpuddin]

Ponkey, on Feb 4 2010, 02:14 PM, said:

I have heard a rumour Buzz maybe interested in this option?. Any others up for a longer, earlier hit out ?

Yep see you then.

[superflake]

Check the train timetables and the RTA website for road closures on Saturday.
Just in case you all may be going up Bells Line of Rd to Mt Victoria to get to the valley.

Three landslips and a train derailment.

With this weather maybe you will get some water in the Cox's River tank and the river for that matter. Bring your snorkels. I saw Mt Victoria recorded an inch of rain today.

[Rico]

Rain is the one kind of weather that you never get to run in in Canberra.  Should be an interesting experience.

[Horrie]

Beaver, on Feb 4 2010, 02:59 PM, said:

Ourimbah - watch out for Buzz and Ponkey and their wild endurance sledging.

Good advice there Beaver. But it would take a fair amount of sledging for the hacks from SWEAT to get under the skins of Grass is Greener which contains 2 of the 3 podium finishers at GNW.

Buzz and Ponkey, Plan B is now required.

[Long Arms]

might take white water kayak up on Sunday morning and ride it down Nellies if this rain continues

Edited by Long Arms, 05 February 2010 - 06:28 AM.

[Beaver]

Horrie, on Feb 5 2010, 06:43 AM, said:

Buzz and Ponkey, Plan B is now required.

Are you seriously telling me THAT's PLAN A?  

[Spud]

Colin, on Feb 4 2010, 04:39 PM, said:

How big is your pack?

Let's see:

MM is is usually hotter than 6FT, so I'm guessing with water and food anywhere from 3-4kgs.

Oh and elevation wise:

MM - 1450mtrs total ascent
6FT- 1270mtrs total ascent

[terry]

I will see you guys at the tree 6am.

[Gravy]

terry, on Feb 5 2010, 02:51 PM, said:

I will see you guys at the tree 6am.

Is there anyone I could grab a lift with on Sunday please? I live in Randwick and more than happy to contribute to fuel.

It would be greatly appreciated!!

Cheers

[Hallac]

Brick - do you still need a lift?

If so - when and where?

[Owly]

Any word about the road conditions today?

[ScamBullant]

From info on Fat Ass page:

"We will cross the Cox's river as per the Six Foot Track Marathon ie not across the bridge."

Full well knowing the background links to 6ft and this event, the non-organisers of this unofficial run might need to encourage the opposite given the massive fall of rain over the week and inparticular last night.

Or alternatively everyone could also carry a set of flippers and a white water rescue rope.

[Jogger]

I received an anonymous txt this morning "megalong river (ford creek) impassible due to flooding" however I think that is on the section between tree and megalong so will not impact us.

Scam - yes you are correct - if people get to river and cannot cross safely either at the correct crossing or slightly upstream on the rocks then they need to go back to the bridge (and wthis should be the plan tomorrow).

The RFS and Dept Lands have told me that the flooding can be very quick, very high and very dangerous at Cox's . We do want to be safe. However the situation can change by the hour so too hard to judge from 24hrs out.

[Colin]

Just beat me to it kevin;

JoggerK, on Feb 6 2010, 11:03 AM, said:

I received an anonymous txt this morning "megalong river (ford creek) impassible due to flooding" however I think that is on the section between tree and megalong so will not impact us.

That was Randy, leading the NRG group. From subsequent texts it appears that they were unable to get to the start of Mega Mega, so they are actually running from Tree to Mini-Mini and back.

So the section between tree and Mega Rd is runnable...its the road to MM that's blocked apparently....edit: at Ford Creek according to Randy

I will update when Randy reports on the run itself, and track conditions.

cheers

Edited by Colin, 06 February 2010 - 10:24 AM.

[Koala1]

JoggerK, on Feb 6 2010, 11:03 AM, said:

I received an anonymous txt this morning "megalong river (ford creek) impassible due to flooding" however I think that is on the section between tree and megalong so will not impact us.

Kev - would Ford Creek be the road section that you have to drive over to get to the start?  (By the FOrd Reserve camp ground just a few hundred metres from the start?)  Theres a bridge section on the road that can flood.

I have no information though and don't really know if it would be that part.