115 replies to this topic

[rohan]

In sort of annual tradition it's on again...

TWO BAYS TRAIL RUN 28KM/56KM MORNINGTON PENINSULA VICTORIA FAT ASS RUN Sun 3rd Jan 2010

Starting at 7am from the Dromana visitors centre, going over Arthur's seat and mostly running through bushland we cross the Mornington Peninsula to Cape Schanck for 28km. Run back for the 56km option. Great views from the top of Arthurs seat and along the clifftops on the Cape Schanck side of the peninsula. Beautiful bushland with frequent kangaroo (and occasional snake) sightings through the central portion of the run. Burn off those Christmas/NYE calories and enjoy doing it. FatAss "No Fees, No Awards, No Aid, No Wimps"
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TWO BAYS WEBSITE

THE MAP YOU MIGHT FIND HANDY
But here's a very basic map below....

and a very basic elevation profile...

and a photo or 3 of what you'll see along the way...

-------------------------------
See ya's there.

[KevinCassidy]

You'd have to be crazy to miss this.  The Two Bays Trail is one of Victoria's best kept secrets.  What better way for a runner to spend the day than on this scenic and varied trail?  The views going up Arthurs Seat are spectacular but the best is the twisting bush trail through Greens Bush which leads out to the most stunning views of Bass Strait.

Even if 28km seems a bit far, why not enjoy a short run of your own then spend the day in this beautiful area......and maybe help ferry a runner or two back to Dromana.  There is never a dull moment.  My main memory of last year was conducting a search and rescue operation as we desperately tried to locate JayKay and Duck Girl who had managed to become hopelessly lost......God knows how!!!

[undercover brother]

rohan, on Nov 25 2009, 07:47 PM, said:

FatAss "No Fees, No Awards, No Aid, No Wimps"

hmmmmmmmmm maybe after this post (copied below)...

rohan, on Nov 24 2009, 02:04 PM, said:

how about another way of defining what's tough...
How easy/hard is it to look competent.  At some ultras, that's relatively easy because it's just a bunch of hacks turning up to a relatively small event.
6 foot track, though, can actually attract some real runners, and not just ultra runners, so even if you finished ok in percentage terms eg top ten percent, top 20 percent, or whatever your defn of ok is, you still have a time that has been blown away by the winner.
Even a relatively small field road ultra like Frankston to Portsea has this problem. Ex pro triathletes get a hankering to run and produce a race record that's like an hour faster than your piddly effort.  Or some old bloke (john keats-odie) who can actually run turns up goes about 3/4 of an hour faster than you do.
so where is it hardest to look competent?

we should refer to it as rohan's fatass: for the hacks, the not real runners, the people who give piddly efforts and the just plain incompetent.

sorry, couldn't resist
sincerely do hope you enjoy the run
bro

Edited by undercover brother, 25 November 2009 - 09:41 PM.

[wombatoutofhell]

good training for 6 foot?  Same weekend as Portsea Twilight (which I believe has nothing to do with vampires) I think so you can warm up with a 6.7km before tackling this the following day.  Brilliant!
I'll see how I feel come January-I've wanted to do this trail for a while now.

[cnoble]

I plan on doing this when I'm in Melbourne over Christmas/New Years.

As a hack I'm not too keen about running back through the middle of the day if it's going to be hot. Why don't you start earlier?

[rohan]

undercover brother, on Nov 25 2009, 11:40 AM, said:

for the hacks, the not real runners, the people who give piddly efforts and the just plain incompetent.

ha! you are most warmly invited to attend.
you will fit right in.
... and yes it will likely be a bunch of hacks having a picturesque toddle across the peninsula. (i particularly question the competence of last years winner.)

I do expect young John, last years 28km winner to give us a semi-decent 28km record this year by not getting lost on the way.

[rohan]

cnoble, on Nov 25 2009, 12:19 PM, said:

I plan on doing this when I'm in Melbourne over Christmas/New Years.

As a hack I'm not too keen about running back through the middle of the day if it's going to be hot. Why don't you start earlier?

the start time is based around competing interests. some want an early start to avoid heat. some don't want to get out of bed super early as they have to drive down the peninsula from melbourne. so 7am is the compromise, but being fatass and if you are particularly concerned then you can always start an hour early, just mention this to whoever is recording times at the end and the adjustment can be made. Unless you look like a really shifty character your time will most likely be believed.

if you think you'd like to do this please just be mindful of your navigation.

[chilliman]

undercover brother, on Nov 25 2009, 10:40 PM, said:

we should refer to it as rohan's fatass: for the hacks, the not real runners, the people who give piddly efforts and the just plain incompetent.

This incompetent hack will be interstate that weekend at a downhill event put on just for me so I can let the power of gravity overshadow my piddly efforts, besides I'd need a new pair of frangipani boardies if I was going to run yours.

Have fun all !

[spoonman]

chilliman, on Nov 26 2009, 09:08 AM, said:

This incompetent hack will be interstate that weekend at a downhill event put on just for me so I can let the power of gravity overshadow my piddly efforts

ooh, can i come too chilli?  seems like good hack country - good terrain, good company, good conversation...

[Emrun]

rohan, on Nov 26 2009, 07:27 AM, said:

the start time is based around competing interests. some want an early start to avoid heat. some don't want to get out of bed super early as they have to drive down the peninsula from melbourne. so 7am is the compromise, but being fatass and if you are particularly concerned then you can always start an hour early, just mention this to whoever is recording times at the end and the adjustment can be made. Unless you look like a really shifty character your time will most likely be believed.

if you think you'd like to do this please just be mindful of your navigation.

Excellent as I was considering getting going at 630am, I haven't thought about the logistics of getting back from the finish line yet but was thinking if I got a head start then anyone I am car hopping with won't have to wait as long for me to finish.......

of course I have to convince them to get to the start a little early  

I've got a 25km haul up and over Mt Dandenong and down through Olinda and Mt Evelyn planned for mid December just to reacquaint my legs with what is expected of them.

I'll be taking the one way option and hoping to finish in around 3:30 this time.

[pbig]

Hoping to be there, though could be thwarted by timing of sister's 50th. One way only - well, that would be the sensible thing to do with B2H the following weekend, however I would probably do out and back at a steady pace.

[rohan]

pbig, on Nov 26 2009, 12:28 AM, said:

Hoping to be there, though could be thwarted by timing of sister's 50th. One way only - well, that would be the sensible thing to do with B2H the following weekend, however I would probably do out and back at a steady pace.

hey PBig, records show your best being 2;37 one way, and 5;38 for 56km... hope that helps with your calculations. (you won it that year.)
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Em, 3:30 ET with a half hour early start should bring you to the finish at about the same time as the middle finishing 28km runners, so I doubt you'd be holding anyone up by much.

[DianeE]

I am definitely in for this one.  

Not sure about running back yet - the thought of the return journey just not floating my boat!

[RMC]

Good chance I'll do the one way (28k) option.

Rohan.
Do you have the times for the 28k option from all years?

[maryclaire]

oooh I have been planning to do this for a long time!  I had roped in some running buddies and booked the holiday house at St Andrews and was all set to run the 28km option....

but current running status is complete rest following a blood injection into hamstring this afternoon.  I'll be lucky to be running at all by Christmas.  Maybe if all the stars/planets/moons align in my favour I'll get there.

Every time I walk the Bushrangers Bay trail or Cape Shanck track with the kids I dream of one day running it - this is a truly beautiful part of the world on our back doorstep.

[rohan]

maryclaire, on Nov 26 2009, 02:08 AM, said:

but current running status is complete rest following a blood injection into hamstring this afternoon.  I'll be lucky to be running at all by Christmas.  Maybe if all the stars/planets/moons align in my favour I'll get there.

ouch. good luck. and if you can't run, send your buddies along and heckle them severely.

RMC, on Nov 26 2009, 01:52 AM, said:

Rohan.
Do you have the times for the 28k option from all years?

clicky here

DianeE, on Nov 26 2009, 01:36 AM, said:

- the thought of the return journey just not floating my boat!

boat?! that would be possible, though a novel approach. in the past people have either run back or gotten a lift in a car

[pbig]

Quote

hey PBig, records show your best being 2;37 one way, and 5;38 for 56km... hope that helps with your calculations. (you won it that year.)

ah yes, the competition was tough back then . Mind you it's a time I'd be very happy with these days....

[Basil]

I would like to have a go at this at a very leisurely pace (28km option). I haven't run trail before but I hear this is worth the effort. Put me down as an intended entrant! It will hopefully be an enjoyable start to my Comrades training program the following week.

[rohan]

2bays got this little piece of unexpected publicity, though you'd wonder just how many men's fitness readers would just rock on up to a longish trail run..

Attached Files

•  2baysMF.jpg   68.39K   49 downloads

Edited by rohan, 29 November 2009 - 08:07 AM.

[PeregrineFalcon]

this looks really good.  I'll be in Melbourne over Christmas / New Year too, so hoping to fit this (28k) and B2H into the schedule.  See ya there!

[slowaz]

I'm a definite probable! No way I'm up for 56 kms though, so happy to car pool back to the start.

[Jaykay]

KevinCassidy, on Nov 25 2009, 09:27 PM, said:

There is never a dull moment.  My main memory of last year was conducting a search and rescue operation as we desperately tried to locate JayKay and Duck Girl who had managed to become hopelessly lost......God knows how!!!

Actually it was just me that got lost.  Duckgirl came back to look for me, telling Em to carry on and that we'd probably run back to the start instead.

When Duckgirl found me, I didn't want to run back to the start, I wanted to finish the run, and because there wasn't any mobile reception we couldn't let Em know that we would be finishing at the Lighthouse, so she drove back to the start to meet us there.

Luckily your Wife was in the area still, so all ended well  

[rohan]

I've been asked questions via  email about the run that might be good to respond to here as some of them have come up a couple of times and the answers may be useful to others.
People with experience of the course may also want to respond.

Quote

Hi,
Are my wife and our other team mate in the Oxfam event, walk the track on
race day or some of it?

it's Fatass, so you can kinda make up what you want to do a bit, so if you Oxfam team want to have a pleasant stroll, but only want to do a portion of the trail, that's fine. If you look at the results page http://www.twobays.c...u/iResults.html  you'll see a few notes where people have done odd distances like 42.2km, 23km, taken a shortcut etc. Just explain what you did to whoever has the clipboard and tell them to make some note and they'll turn up in the results one way or another.

Quote

How bad are the hills in the 56km event and what time should I look at
aiming for?

Most of them are ok for an experienced runner, it's really arthurs seat which is the big one, and it's the second time that you hit it after you have 50km in your legs that it reduces most people to walking up it. People with less experience will do a lot more walking

As far as time predictions, it depends on how much you want to race and how much you want to enjoy it.  you're a sub 3 marathoner so you'll most likely go under 6 hrs unless something goes wrong. you may go under 5 and half if you're racing. Check the results for an idea of what people run http://www.twobays.c...u/iResults.html
you'll also notice there's people taking over 7 hrs to complete.

Quote

Sorry for all the Q's but where is the best place to buy a pack like yours
to carry bottles?

i race with a fuel belt, not a pack.
torpedo7.com often have specials on camelbaks, but it's a question you could get answers from old threads on www.coolrunning.com.au
readers of this thread will have some good advice on what hydration systems to use for this course.

[Cl@rkey]

So rohan -- what should I expect the standard bribery payment to be for some favourable / unfavourable course marking??

No doubt some cagey runners will see the value from some artificial assistance.....

[rohan]

Clarkey of CP, on Dec 7 2009, 11:15 AM, said:

So rohan -- what should I expect the standard bribery payment to be for some favourable / unfavourable course marking??

percentage of winnings?

[Cl@rkey]

Sounds like a fair trade to me.  Anyone interested in some 'creative' course marking??

[Emrun]

Clarkey of CP, on Dec 9 2009, 12:09 AM, said:

Sounds like a fair trade to me.  Anyone interested in some 'creative' course marking??

Lucky for me I already know the way


Em makes mental note to ensure she packs map so as not to end up with egg on face

[rohan]

I was running the first half of the course out and back today, and saw the two turns where people got lost.

Both had a signage, though one only had a small post with a blue wren symbol.  The blue wren is a TwoBays trail symbol... though I guess if you don't know that then the sign is fairly useless.

Highlight for today was seeing two echidnas.

[frankie17]

Does anyone know if MTBs can ride this track while I run?  Or are MTBs strictly verboten?

[rohan]

frankie17, on Dec 15 2009, 10:29 PM, said:

Does anyone know if MTBs can ride this track while I run?  Or are MTBs strictly verboten?

Verboten on most sections of the trail. Also not really practical in quite a few spots. eg. narrow single track, steps etc.
I know it has been ridden, and there's evidence of bicycles on the trail, tire tracks, but the short answer is no.

If you want drinks etc. brought in then I'd suggest having them brought in by road, there are a few logical places where the trail has to cross roads and they could be handed to you at those points.
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Trail report Fri 18 Dec.

Did an outnback 35km run from the Cape Schanck end.

Trail is mostly better defined than last year. Semi recent clearing efforts have take place.  One new bridge, but other boardwalk/bridge sections are in worse condition with more broken boards.  Be careful.

Some trees that had to be climbed over last year have been cut through/ removed.

Wildlife sightings.  2 black wallabies, a couple of kangaroos, one echidna, kookaburras, colorful birds and TWO SNAKES!
Actually it mighta been one snake that I saw in a similar location going both ways.  Second time it was chasing a frog.

Both times I had to stamp a lot to get it to move off the track.  First I tried squirting it with Gatorade - but this doesn't work - apparently stamping is the go.

Edited by rohan, 19 December 2009 - 11:26 AM.

[Spudley]

Put me down for the 28km option.  A few weeks overseas has resulted in a distinst lack of serious training but I will at least get through the shorter option at a nice easy pace.

[Baz777]

At this stage I'm intending to have a go at the 56km. I figure that because it's not a "race" as such I won't feel under any pressure to bust a gut trying to put in a respectable time. Quite looking forward to it right now, though I just know that I'll be questioning that sentiment at the turnaround point.

[RobHall]

I intend to come down there and wipe the floor with everyone........except the last race took a fair chunk of mojo out of me and I really don't want to get injured again....stupid arches.....eh maybe just see how things pan out, competitive spirit willing, mind still in clouds, flesh is rooted.

Is there a spot up the top I can leave my pack and collect it after I have climbed arthurs seat?  (Where it wont get flogged)

[rohan]

hey rob,
not sure what you're trying to achieve re pack etc. but give me a call.
I have PMed you my ph numbers.
I might be able to suggest something.

[pbig]

rohan, on Dec 28 2009, 01:26 PM, said:

hey rob,
not sure what you're trying to achieve re pack etc. but give me a call.
I have PMed you my ph numbers.
I might be able to suggest something.

I can suggest something too... carry it up the bloody hill like everyone else !

[DianeE]

Can anyone offer me a lift back to the start after the 28km?

D.

[rohan]

DianeE, on Dec 28 2009, 11:48 PM, said:

Can anyone offer me a lift back to the start after the 28km?

pm sent.
-------
Weather forecast looking pretty reasonable. (ie. not stinking hot)

Quote

Forecast for Sunday
Partly cloudy with isolated showers during the morning. Winds south to southwesterly averaging up to 30 km/h.
CityShower or two clearing.Min15Max25

[KevinCassidy]

I will have 3 spare seats awaiting at Cape Schank and I know of one other who will have 4 spare seats.

I will be tailing the field as an 'unofficial sweeper", so if you don;t mind waiting, I can get a few runners back to Dromana

[wombatoutofhell]

I might be keeping Kevin company-in fact I might be the sweeper of the sweeper.  Not sure I'm up for this given my current state of fitness-I could walk it easily enough but running is another story.  Still-I'm tempted!

[Louise]

oooh, I like that idea. I'll sweep with WOOH.  This one's come back up my To Do list now that my body seems to be behaving itself.

I was also thinking about an out-and-back from Cape Schank, which would avoid the road sections.

Can anyone recommend somewhere to camp/park on Sat night?

[longshot]

Hi

I'm contemplating the short run. Weather forecast for Sun looks good, temps back down into the mid 20s ...

Just want to confirm there will be water en-route as mentioned on the website. Will carry water (as required), although havent before as I usually run where there taps. Tried a Camelback couple of days ago, was ok, few niggles. Probably going to get a Fuel Belt today (and have read some of the old threads).

Also wondering if the trail is mostly sand, sandstone, tree roots etc - similar to Cape Schanck trail around Rye-Portsea.

[Spudley]

Sounds like the sweeper pack will be the largest of the lot, I think that I will probably be in it also!  Mrs Spud is coming down to enjoy the view and will be meeting me at Cape Schank, so should also have a few spare seats in the car if needed.

[SeanP]

I'll be there with one or two others from my TW team, plus a couple of mates from Knox aths. Had originally planned to do the return journey, but some injury hassles make that less likely.

Looks like a great day for it. thanks for the trail updates Ro!

[wombatoutofhell]

I'm getting more enthused about this now it looks like I'll have some company at the back.  Mrs Wombat has volunteered to be my personal sag wagon and she'll meet me about 1/2 way with more water-or to pick me up if needed.  We'll also have a couple of spare seats for the return trip.  Only remains to see how I pull up after Portsea Twilight!

[RMC]

KevinCassidy, on Dec 31 2009, 10:12 AM, said:

I will have 3 spare seats awaiting at Cape Schank and I know of one other who will have 4 spare seats.

I will be tailing the field as an 'unofficial sweeper", so if you don;t mind waiting, I can get a few runners back to Dromana

I'll be doing the 28k one way journey. Kev can I book a seat in your vehicle for the trip back to Dromana. Will speak with you at the start.

[DianeE]

Looking forward to an enjoyable run on Sunday and catching up with a few people!

Convinced (bribed) my parents that lunch in a Red Hill winery was a really good idea on Sunday so now I have my lift back sorted!  

I will probably do an extra out-and-back from Cape Schnack to the road and return for a 35k run

D.

[rohan]

longshot, on Dec 31 2009, 03:26 AM, said:

Just want to confirm there will be water en-route as mentioned on the website. Will carry water (as required), although havent before as I usually run where there taps. Tried a Camelback couple of days ago, was ok, few niggles. Probably going to get a Fuel Belt today (and have read some of the old threads).

Also wondering if the trail is mostly sand, sandstone, tree roots etc - similar to Cape Schanck trail around Rye-Portsea.

re water.
you do need to run with some water carrying device, but how full you keep it is up to you.

usuallly a very kindly water-fairy has placed some 20 litre containers on the course at each end of the Greens bush area.  That's two water drops that are roughly one third of the way in from each end of the course.

There are also at least 8 accessible taps in front yards through the Rosebud West street section. I've used these for topping up when doing trail recon.

The folks at the Cape Schanck kiosk have also said they'll open at 9;30, so the faster runners shouldn't have long to wait for toilets drinks etc. at that end.
-------------
re trail surface.
the Cape Schanck section is kinda similar to trails around Rye-Portsea.
The Greens Bush section is dirt and grass trail.
The Arthurs seat section is dirt and rock.
-----------
hey Sean,
thanks for the encouragement you've yelled during various events (most recently MM) over recent times.
---------
thanks to those offering seats in cars.

[KevinCassidy]

Yes Rohan, how lucky have we been each year to be able to make use of those water containers that have inadvertently fallen of the back of a mystery truck at the most opportune time?  And just to correct a small mistake, the containers have actually been 25 litres in capacity.

I had a strong premonition last night that 2x25 litre containers are likely to fall in the Greens Bush area and another two could very well land at Boneo Road as the mystery truck passes through the area at nightfall on the Saturday evening.  My premonitions have been right on the money in previous years so hopes are high this time around!!

Edited by KevinCassidy, 01 January 2010 - 01:19 PM.

[KevinCassidy]

RMC, on Dec 31 2009, 08:57 AM, said:

I'll be doing the 28k one way journey. Kev can I book a seat in your vehicle for the trip back to Dromana. Will speak with you at the start.

No probs.  We just need to detour and collect any of those mystery water containers that may appear!

It looks like there are plenty of "return seats" at this stage

Edited by KevinCassidy, 01 January 2010 - 09:15 AM.

[AlanK]

KevinCassidy, on Jan 1 2010, 10:14 AM, said:

No probs.  We just need to detour and collect any of those mystery water containers that may appear!

It looks like there are plenty of "return seats" at this stage

I realize it's is a little late but I wanted to arrange a lift back to the start.  Unfortunately my family doesn't support my strange pursuits.  My last long run was the Melbourne Marathon that took just under 5 hrs.  So I'm not sure if I would more of a hindrance participating on this run.