52 replies to this topic

[Action]

Ok, I can't find any indication that it is on in 2012.  Based on the 2011 date I am assuming 5th Feb 2012?  2011 Megalong Mega

Any more info floating about?

[TheLogicDump]

Jim has this run down as part of the Striders 6foot training runs on that day, So I assume there will be at least a few people along from that group.

[Horrie]

Yep, usually the first Sunday in February. Lock it in Action.

[Jogger]

I thought that Megalong Mega is permanently locked in for 7am first Sunday in Feb (the same as Black Stump is permanently locked in for 1st Jan) - no announcements necessary !?

[Action]

Jogger, on 14 January 2012 - 08:38 PM, said:

I thought that Megalong Mega is permanently locked in for 7am first Sunday in Feb (the same as Black Stump is permanently locked in for 1st Jan) - no announcements necessary !?

fair call - I guess I was looking for the chatter, not the announcement...

[howcanhegosofast]

Is anyone overnighting near megalong before the start ? Maybe there's a car camping place nearby or somewhere cheap to stay. Any ideas ?  Not keen on the redeye drive...

[Jogger]

yes there is a car/campsite approx200m from the start. not sure how you book/pay though. I once parked at the start and slept in the car. I think we could put a tent close by and no one would notice either.

[Twopennys]

The campsite is free to use - or at least it was - I've dossed down there a few times. Though to be fair - my standard response to rangers is "I'm not camping, I'm merely waiting in my sleeping bag for the sun to come up"

Edited by Twopennys, 26 January 2012 - 07:11 PM.

[howcanhegosofast]

Thanks jogger and twopennys, 'canping' sounds like a plan.

[nikolay]

I used the camping 4 weeks ago - it's free to use.

Look forward to this one - a reality check at where my fitness is after a month of no running.

[Colin]

howcanhegosofast, on 27 January 2012 - 05:58 AM, said:

Thanks jogger and twopennys, 'canping' sounds like a plan.

Is that after you have been arrested?   

[kolya]

Anyone driving from Lane Cove / Chatswood Area? I'd love to contribute to fuel and/or snacks if I could ride up (and down :-) )

Please email me or send me a message if you can assist.

Thanks,
Kolya

[buzzlightyear]

nikolay, on 27 January 2012 - 09:40 AM, said:

I used the camping 4 weeks ago - it's free to use.

Look forward to this one - a reality check at where my fitness is after a month of no running.

Yeah, and after a big race of 240km in December, you already have clocked your share of 'Base".
This will be a walk in the "park"

[Horrie]

nikolay, on 27 January 2012 - 09:40 AM, said:

I used the camping 4 weeks ago - it's free to use.

Look forward to this one - a reality check at where my fitness is after a month of no running.

Are you having a competition with Buzz for the Sandbagging Champion? Running the 40km Pipeline run last Sunday is a funny idea of no running. Not to mention your Tuesday night reps at JORG.

[runhard]

Im thinking of starting at the tree for an 8k warmup but finishing at megalong (dont want to do the climb at the end).   will be taking it fairly easy. Anyone interested?

[nikolay]

Horrie, on 27 January 2012 - 10:22 PM, said:

nikolay, on 27 January 2012 - 09:40 AM, said:

I used the camping 4 weeks ago - it's free to use.

Look forward to this one - a reality check at where my fitness is after a month of no running.

Are you having a competition with Buzz for the Sandbagging Champion? Running the 40km Pipeline run last Sunday is a funny idea of no running. Not to mention your Tuesday night reps at JORG.

Are you calling me a liar Horrie? If I didn't run the Pipeline, that would've been 6 weeks of no running, not a month, in which case 6FT (and Megalong Mega) would’ve been a no go. In my opinion you need at least 6 weeks of training (the last 2 weeks of tapering not counting) to get yourself ready, so having a full month off in December/January will be cutting it very fine. This race needs respect – one should only run it if fully fit. And Megalong Mega is a good rehearsal - for me personally, not really a training run but a hard flat out time trail.

[Brick]

nikolay, on 30 January 2012 - 11:28 AM, said:

Are you calling me a liar Horrie? I

Seems to be doing that a lot to his Trailwalker team members from 2011.

[Jogger]

good post just now on another 6ft thread from fhorn about the course of the megalong mega:

Quote

Just thought I would post following a training run out on the track yesterday and knowing that Megalong Mega is on next weekend. We (other half who is entered and myself not entered so just along for the ride/fun????) started at Megalong road and went to Pluvi and back..so the equivalent of Megalong Mega. Despite recent rain no problem with the ford/causeway on the road approaching the start.

Nice and cool temps, about 14 degrees..tho' got up to probably 20 by the end, very humid though and not a breath of wind which made it feel warmer somehow.Also managed to get sunburnt despite overcast coniditions so another lesson there (didn't apply sunscreen as thought didn't need it...wrong!)

We wimped out and took the bridge crossing the Cox's but met some other runners who said they had waded the river and it was waist height,although the v. fit looking bloke who told us that was pretty tall so we reckoned it would have been chest height for us being of the vertically challenged variety.

Very muddy in parts around Allum creek and bottom of Pluvi. A hint for newbies is that at Allum creek you will get your feet wet three times due to the meandering of the creek so if you are thinking of doing the wringing out socks routine then wait until the third soaking at this particular point.Lots of grit in the socks from the fast flowing water which led to a few blisters...if you are blister prone then probably an idea to carry some heavy duty Band-aids (I usually do this but forgot this time)and/or apply beforehand.

We walked most of Mini Mini and Pluvi and enjoyed running the downhills on the way back...good traction due to the damp tracks so thankfully no tumbles.

Partner did around 6 hours while I did about half an hour more...gotta say that the training really works as I haven't done any at all and really struggled whereas other half who has been following the NRG program looked good and more importantly is off out for a walk this morning while I can hardly move thus the comfort of sitting at the computer.

[Animal]

Will definately be there on Sunday morning, just not fully sure of the start time as yet. NOt camping at the start either.

Will post further when I know what time I will start, Nikolay - I will be aiming for about 3hrs 45mins, which is pretty much 2hrs to the top of Pluvi & then 15mins quicker on return which can easily be achieved if you pace it right. Finishing this run off strongly gives you a lot of confidence for whats to come in March. Would be great if a few others tag along the sub 4 train.

Pretty sure the sydney striders mob will be starting at 6am. I'm thinking 6.30 is more reasonable as it is a mission of a place to get to.

[jdunc]

runhard, on 28 January 2012 - 03:57 PM, said:

Im thinking of starting at the tree for an 8k warmup but finishing at megalong (dont want to do the climb at the end).   will be taking it fairly easy. Anyone interested?

Interested. Thinking of starting at the tree at 6, but do want to climb back up Nellies at the end. Depending on how I feel, might not go all the way to the top of Pluvi to balance that out.

Might have a friend or two with me as well, so look out for us if you want company.

[Animal]

Planning on a 7am start now, seems to be the consenus, dam can't wait to get back up to the mountains!

[MountainMan]

Animal, on 01 February 2012 - 10:15 AM, said:

Planning on a 7am start now, seems to be the consenus, dam can't wait to get back up to the mountains!

11 Degrees and raining? Yeah it is lovely... Hopefully it clears up for the weekend.

[runhard]

Decided will give this a miss this year and run Quarry Rd instead. Saves the early wake up.  MAybe next year.

Good luck all.

[Animal]

Quote

11 Degrees and raining? Yeah it is lovely... Hopefully it clears up for the weekend.

OMG do not be soft! Megalong is the best training run you can do, and really if you live in Katoomba how is it possible that you would have an excuse?

In FEB 2010 the rain that weekend was crazy, the Cox's was roaring, the run was brilliant & cool and went as smooth as ever. Best prep ever & those that missed it due to the weather missed out on a great training run. My only gripe was that i missed the training run in 2011, no way i'm making the same mistake.

[MountainMan]

Animal, on 01 February 2012 - 11:59 AM, said:

OMG do not be soft! Megalong is the best training run you can do, and really if you live in Katoomba how is it possible that you would have an excuse?

In FEB 2010 the rain that weekend was crazy, the Cox's was roaring, the run was brilliant & cool and went as smooth as ever. Best prep ever & those that missed it due to the weather missed out on a great training run. My only gripe was that i missed the training run in 2011, no way i'm making the same mistake.

No excuses here champ, just hope it clears up a little is all. Hope you enjoy your run.

[howcanhegosofast]

Animal, on 01 February 2012 - 11:59 AM, said:

OMG do not be soft! Megalong is the best training run you can do, and really if you live in Katoomba how is it possible that you would have an excuse?

Yes the word is out about this run being a must-do training run before 6ft. A couple of us on the other (sunny) side of the range think it will be well worth making the trip over from Orange for more punishment on the hills. Rain or no rain, it can't be wetter than last Thursday's little downpour at Knapsack !

Mt Canobolas can wait a week...

[MrD]

Don't forget guys that if this rain continues as forecasted, the little creek just before the start will be raging too and you won't be able to cross. Could be a long drive for some only to have to turn around and do repeats of Nellies...

Edited by MrD, 02 February 2012 - 06:16 PM.

[Animal]

Quote

Don't forget guys that if this rain continues as forecasted, the little creek just before the start will be raging too and you won't be able to cross. Could be a long drive for some only to have to turn around and do repeats of Nellies...

Don't be scared people, not a chance in hell of the above happening. IN 2010 we had to link arms and crossed this section without any issue at all. Some actually looked scared but i thought it was great. Its part of the experience in this sport for hard training days, Megalong Mega is one of those & you will end up soaked and dirty as hell so you know at least you had fun. See youse there on SUnday morning  

[Twopennys]

MrD, on 02 February 2012 - 02:32 PM, said:

Don't forget guys that if this rain continues as forecasted, the little creek just before the start will be raging too and you won't be able to cross. Could be a long drive for some only to have to turn around and do repeats of Nellies...

If you are talking about the road bridge over the Megalong Creek it should be ok - this morning the water was up to the bottom of the bridge but not over it - and it was only steady rain today.

[nikolay]

Is there a permanent rope across Coxs River at the campground or was the rope there only for the race?

As far as I remember the suspension bridge was only for one person at a time - right? May be a bit of a wait to cross on Sunday...

[Twopennys]

The rope is only there on race day.

[Irish1]

Hello everyone,

I am a new member & first time entrant to the six foot track - just wondering if anyone has more updates on the water levels at Megalong?
I would luv to run this on Sunday but as a novice don't want to be silly about it if it is deemed unsafe..........
Any suggestions as I was hoping to travel up from Sydney tonight?

Thanks,
Trish

[Colin]

nikolay, on 03 February 2012 - 05:07 PM, said:

? May be a bit of a wait to cross on Sunday...

If everyone starts at the same time, yes. Perhaps some self seeding.

[Twopennys]

Trish, unless there is an absolute deluge (not forecast) in the catchment upstream through the night - it should be fine.

It takes a humongous amount of rain for the road to be cut getting to the start point.

Yes the Coxs river does flood, but it gets away very quickly (it's a mountain river and falls in height ASL relatively fast compared to a river meandering across a plain) - where the track crosses the river is also relatively wide and deep for the Coxs - meaning at that point, generally the flow isn't very strong.

If in doubt and there is no one else you can send in first - only go in up to your calves and assess the flow before continuing - if it is strong and you feel yourself resisting the flow, don't go any further.

[Irish1]

Twopennys, on 04 February 2012 - 02:37 PM, said:

Trish, unless there is an absolute deluge (not forecast) in the catchment upstream through the night - it should be fine.

It takes a humongous amount of rain for the road to be cut getting to the start point.

Yes the Coxs river does flood, but it gets away very quickly (it's a mountain river and falls in height ASL relatively fast compared to a river meandering across a plain) - where the track crosses the river is also relatively wide and deep for the Coxs - meaning at that point, generally the flow isn't very strong.

If in doubt and there is no one else you can send in first - only go in up to your calves and assess the flow before continuing - if it is strong and you feel yourself resisting the flow, don't go any further.

Thanks a million twopennys!!

[iangallagher16]

I'll be starting from explorers tree at 6am sharp. Looking to hit the top of Pluvi in 2hrs 15 (so going at sub4hr race pace - I hope) then a casual but steady jog back. 5hrs all up. Not looking to prance around. If anyone has similar time ambitions please feel free to come along and we can help push each other to stay on pace.

See you tomorrow

[superflake]

No-one ran? Where is Action's field report?

[sfGnome]

Well, we survived another year. Lovely running conditions for the first half. Warmed up a bit after that, but never got oppressive. Fording Coxes was fun on the way out as it was over my head and we had to swim, but it had dropped to chest height by the time we came back.

The really strange thing was the lack of runners. I'd reckon that there were no more than about 25 - a far cry from previous years. Wimps!

[Irish1]

Fantastic run yesterday!! Thanks twopennys for the advice you gave! I met some great runners with lots of great helpful tips - Max & Peter especially.

I am new to 'off road' running & this will be my first 6foot track......I can honestly say I have never met a more friendly group of runners!!

Cheers,
Trish

[MountainMan]

It was too soft for me. So I did 46kms instead and 2470m of climbing the last 4 kms were a real struggle and I started walking the up hills. I haven't run over 42kms since TNF100 in 2010 so maybe it was psychological barrier.

Left at 6:15 down to the river and looked for a place to cross, decided I didn't want to swim and risk my hearing aids so went back to cross at the bridge. Then up the two climbs. There was one chap in front, he left at 6am and cleared all the cob webs for me until I passed him about half way down to the river. Then you all have me to thank for collecting the 3000 spider webs. Which from my experience may well have been back again in 40min or so anyway! All those spiders making up for lost time when it was raining I guess.

Highlights where meeting a rather handy Sydney Strider on the way up the Pluviometer who had me push myself keeping up which was good. He went on ahead for the last couple of kms and then turned around for lack of seeing the rain gauge which I also never found. I turned around behind him a few kms past the actual turn round I think, I didn't see him again, all he had was a 500ml water bottle! I went through 1.5l Water and 600m of Sports drink! Saw lots of people coming up the climb from then on and a few that had turned around before me... maybe at the rain gauge? Great seeing other runners out in the wonderful weather most all of them smiling. I can't remember the last time I saw someone else running when I was... maybe months.

Low-light was witnessing a nasty car crash on the way out of the valley. A runner ran off the road and into a gully when his leg cramped. I called 000 before I even got out of the car expecting the driver to be in a bad way only to see him pop his head out of the door (car was on its side) while I was talking to the operator. I helped him out and waited with him for the ambulance to arrive. He was shaken and bummed out about his car but in the end was relatively lucky. Not sure if he was a coolrunner, I hope he pulled up OK this morning.

Looking forward to the event.

[Animal]

Best training run thus far in the 2012 six foot track campaign. The causeway was no where near the flood of 2010 so driving over was clear up to the start. Was great to meet Ian and Ewan on the run, extremely strong runners! Started out feeling great & tagged along with Beth & Georgie, the run to the river was so nice in the cool conditions but we crossed over the bridge as didn't know what the water level downstream would be.

Myself & Beth ran Mini mini well & backed it up to run all of the Pluvi, nice and slowly but we did manage to run it which was a great feeling. All the creek crossing were great, so of them flowing fairly strong, just over knee height. There was one massive tree down before the start of the Pluvi climb but it was easy to run around it. Hit PLuvi summit right on 2hrs running time & felt strong. Had a 5min break & waited for a couple of others. Running down PLuvi & Mini was a lot of fun, when your legs are feeling good you can really push it with confidence on these descents.

The water tower next to the toilets is full & seemed to be fine for drinking. We crossed over the coxs on the way back but it was deep, neck height at least but easy enough to get across without danger. ONly struggled a bit in a the last km when the legs were feeling a bit heavy but still ran really well with a running time of 3hrs 45mins.

The conditions were brilliant. Probably only 30-40 runners max out there from what I saw, a hell of a lot less than 2010......why is that?

[iangallagher16]

<sup>tough day out with Ewan. We started at Explorers Tree, slid our way down Nellies and cruised to the river in 1hr 14. i proceeded to jump straight into the river which went right over my head. im 6ft! good fun though, nice and refreshing. Didnt dry out for the entire run. reached the top of pluvi in 2hr 31 and then smashed my legs on the way back to the river. ran this section with beth, animal and roger before he shot off. nice break at the rain tank and then back to the tree. day was heating up nicely and i was beginning to feel it here. set off pretty well and caught up with roger and we just kept it steady. 2km from megalong road  beth and roger came through, i let them pass and hung off the back. they were looking really strong.

a short wait for ewan at megalong road and we were off to exporers tree. this was a hard slog all the way. legs really fatigued as it was the longest outing ive had since november.

at the base of nellies i found a decent stick and used that to hike up the stairs. this worked a treat and it didnt take too long before we reached the top. at the top there was a guy from another group in a bit of bother. made sure he had water and we encouraged him to get moving. think he'll live.

all up 52km in 5hrs 31. legs very tender today

drank 3.5litres of water and had 8 scoops of perpetuem. job done</sup>

[Colin]

Animal, on 06 February 2012 - 08:46 AM, said:

The conditions were brilliant. Probably only 30-40 runners max out there from what I saw, a hell of a lot less than 2010......why is that?

It was not a qualifier and with the yes/no/maybe of the weather and emails going around by Striders 6ft group to be wary etc, there was no pressing need for people to drive over 2hrs on a speculation.

[TallGeoff]

Colin, As mentioned above there is a big tree across the track at Alum creek where the checkpoint normally is.  I guess you would want that cleared before the race.

Fantastic day out on the track.  4:31 for me.  Sore legs today.  Thanks for the company everyone.  

Only knee height for me crossing the river!






OK.  I swam really.

[Action]

superflake, on 05 February 2012 - 09:01 PM, said:

No-one ran? Where is Action's field report?

Told you I was broken - but no-one believes me!  Back will not let me sit in the car for a couple of hours without a week to recover, so MM was out of the question.  Isn't laps of the Bay basically the same thing? On the grass verges of course...

[denjah]

iangallagher16, on 06 February 2012 - 10:03 AM, said:

<sup>tough day out with Ewan. We started at Explorers Tree, slid our way down Nellies and cruised to the river in 1hr 14. i proceeded to jump straight into the river which went right over my head. im 6ft! good fun though, nice and refreshing. Didnt dry out for the entire run. reached the top of pluvi in 2hr 31 and then smashed my legs on the way back to the river. ran this section with beth, animal and roger before he shot off. nice break at the rain tank and then back to the tree. day was heating up nicely and i was beginning to feel it here. set off pretty well and caught up with roger and we just kept it steady. 2km from megalong road  beth and roger came through, i let them pass and hung off the back. they were looking really strong.

a short wait for ewan at megalong road and we were off to exporers tree. this was a hard slog all the way. legs really fatigued as it was the longest outing ive had since november.

at the base of nellies i found a decent stick and used that to hike up the stairs. this worked a treat and it didnt take too long before we reached the top. at the top there was a guy from another group in a bit of bother. made sure he had water and we encouraged him to get moving. think he'll live.

all up 52km in 5hrs 31. legs very tender today

drank 3.5litres of water and had 8 scoops of perpetuem. job done</sup>

he was a fellow CJC and he didn"t look too well when he finally crested Nellies, hope it hasn" t turned him off doing his first 6ft.we done Nellies to the River and return, first time back up Nellies for me,think I prefer the slide down.

[jdunc]

A great day, nice of the sun to come out and play for once this summer, though it did feel a litle warm by the end.

TallGeoff, thanks for the pleasant company, and double-thanks for topping up my water back at Megalong Road.
It was a pretty tough slog climbing back up Nellies, and I was definitely feeling it this morning!

[Animal]

It was not a qualifier and with the yes/no/maybe of the weather and emails going around by Striders 6ft group to be wary etc, there was no pressing need for people to drive over 2hrs on a speculation

The weather was brilliant, don't know why any emails were going around, i did previously mention not to listen to the 'hype' of the weather as I knew it would be a great day. It is an effort to get there for sure and staying overnight in Katoomba really does help ease the pain of getting up so early but its worth the effort as there aren't many opportunities to run on six foot course in the lead up for a lot of runners unless you live in blue mountains or surrounds.

Nice work Ian completing the 51km.

[Colin]

Animal, on 07 February 2012 - 07:55 AM, said:

The weather was brilliant, don't know why any emails were going around, i did previously mention not to listen to the 'hype' of the weather as I knew it would be a great day.

Yes but most of the people who went there in 2010 - with which you are comparing- were novices trying to qualify and the weather may have been 'brilliant' on the day, but it wasn't until at least Saturday morning, plus reports of Coxes depth etc. Fair enough for people to plan the day for such a long trip, they can always go next week. The track will still be there.
There would also have been a fair few that would not have chanced the water at that depth.

[howcanhegosofast]

All up a nice little outing in the countryside, just add 3 litres of hydralyte + 600ml water + 3 power bars + a few snakes + a 'swim' on the way back = all good.    No stitch and no cramps = the hydration is sorted.  
But have to admit to being annoyed at myself the whole way for not being able to hammer the downhills - I was the 'runner' with the pronounced limp favouring one foot who you probably passed somewhere thinking 'at least they are in worse shape than me'.  

Two thumbs up for this run as an exercise in mental toughness to get back to cars, and to great company out on the trail, but gee I should have had a rest day instead !