92 replies to this topic

[thomo]

One week to go.

Ratty & Co have done a great job getting this free event/s up & running.

I might be able to turn up for the shorter run.

ratdog, on 07 September 2011 - 01:37 PM, said:

Horrendously Hilly Half Marathon

Date: Sunday 6th November 2011
Location: Western Sydney Parklands Sugarloaf Ridge and the M7 Cycleway.
Time: 8:30 am
Cost: Free
Distances: 21.1km and 10km.

Access to the Start/Finish area can be achieved from Walgrove Rd, then Saxony Rd, then Border Rd.  A location map is here.

Here is the facebook page link. Invite anyone you want. The more the merrier.

The plan is to have a couple of drink stations along the route.  

Prizes will be on offer, but breaking from tradition, the prizes will not only go to the podium places, but to ordinary folk who may finish middle of the pack or back of the pack.

The Horrendously Hilly Half Marathon Course consists a a few hills. 7 in total.  In most cases you get to go down them before you have to go back up them.  The worst hill is the final hill but its only 700m and 6.8% Grade.
95% of the course is on the M7 cycleway between the Equestrian centre and Hoxton Park Rd, consisting of smooth bitumen hot mix and small sections of concrete.  The other 5% of the course is on a course chip road.

The 10 km route follows the same route as the HHHM but the turn around point is at the top of the hill at Cecil Hills.  The course will be clearly marked.


The Elevation profile.


The tables and chairs.
We can relax here looking out at the view as we recover.


The view from the top.
The view of the surrounding district all the way to the city from the Ridge is wonderfully peaceful and a perfect place for families and friends to relax and have a bbq lunch or morning tea.
Beautiful one day, perfect the next.  A real gem of Western Sydney


Toilets.
Another gem of the West.  Running water available.


A large bbq will be bought along so a communal cook-up can happen.  

All rubbish must be removed at the end of the day.
The course is not closed, most of it is on the bike path and therefore courtesy to all other users is required.  
No littering on course.

FATASS EVENT, MEANING FREE, NOT 100% ACCURATE, JUST ROCK UP AND RUN

[Stem]

Did my training run today. Survived. Should be able to get close enough to the finish to crawl home.

Heading to NZ Wednesday, back Saturday. With Qantas. Should be no problem???

[stelz]

Looks like I'll be there too. Won't be going hard, but will use this as a training run for 6ft prep.

Looking forward to meeting you all.

Ben

[runhard]

Its getting close!!!!!    

[ratdog]

Fatass run with electronic timing live to the internet????????

Now that would be cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BeesKnees]

Hope you all have a great run. If I am still in the land of living I will be thinking of you.

Thinking why did they choose this weekend when they knew I would be away or are they trying to tell me something?

[StellaBella]

It's a week out from Nepean but what the hell, I'm in. Contemplating starting a half hour early so I don't finish too far behind everyone - I haven't done a half for ages and to save my legs I'll probably walk the up bits and run the down bits. Trying to decide what to do for hydration... there was mention of aid stations - do we know if that's a goer?

[AaronR]

I am 95% sure I'll be along and 90% sure I'll do the half. If I do I am going to go for a nasty Positive split. Who's running and at what kind of pace (pre hill) will you be running. Would like to plod around, but will want someone to talk to if i do.

Cheers
Aaron

[craigus]

I'll be there too, but given that I have only done 1 long run of 18km in the last 6 weeks and picked up a mild calf strain last week, it will just be a horrendously hilly long training run for me.  Not sure what pace I'm up for but I definitely won't be chasing the elusive sub 100.  I'll keep you company if you want Aaron.

[AaronR]

Sounds good Craig. I was thinking 5.20's or a bit more. Not too worried about how slow it is, so slower is fine by me.

[runhard]

Given last weeks run and how destroyed I am, I might take this one easy (if the leg is better).  Im thinking 4:10/km's and then maybe pick the pace up for 3:50/km/s on the way back up.  Anyone else care to join me?

[AaronR]

5.20's sound better to me. Forcast is for hot....

[runhard]

AaronR, on 02 November 2011 - 08:27 PM, said:

Forcast is for hot....

And that is just your running ........  


I will be doing 5's if not slower!  

[craigus]

AaronR, on 02 November 2011 - 08:27 PM, said:

5.20's sound better to me. Forcast is for hot....

Oh dear, I just saw the forecast.  Yes, 5.20's are sounding good.

[thomo]

craigus, on 22 October 2011 - 08:19 AM, said:

Just back from a run on part of the HHHM course including the run up to the Sugarloaf Ridge lookout (*waits for the usual Thomo earbashing for running a course before an event   )

That final hill is a killer, this event will certainly live up to its name.  Only 2 weeks to go.

craigus, on 02 November 2011 - 07:49 PM, said:

I'll be there too, but given that I have only done 1 long run of 18km in the last 6 weeks and picked up a mild calf strain last week, it will just be a horrendously hilly long training run for me.  Not sure what pace I'm up for but I definitely won't be chasing the elusive sub 100.  I'll keep you company if you want Aaron.

Craigus, did you think I would let your first quoted posting go to the keeper?

Coincidence or not????  

[craigus]

thomo, on 02 November 2011 - 08:57 PM, said:

Craigus, did you think I would let your first quoted posting go to the keeper?

Coincidence or not????  

I was still expecting a response.  That was my one and only long run since SRF, and that was before I did a calf muscle last week with almost zero running since.  And now seeing the 32 degrees predicted for Sunday, I have re-assessed my goal........

[ratdog]

StellaBella, on 02 November 2011 - 07:02 PM, said:

It's a week out from Nepean but what the hell, I'm in. Contemplating starting a half hour early so I don't finish too far behind everyone - I haven't done a half for ages and to save my legs I'll probably walk the up bits and run the down bits. Trying to decide what to do for hydration... there was mention of aid stations - do we know if that's a goer?

There will be an aid station set up at the 2.5 km mark and on the way back with 2.5 km to go.  

The gates for the park dont open till 8 am.  You can start as soon as the gates open.  

The start point is at the top of the hill, nearby the huge antenna.  There is a bollard nearby the walking entry to to picnic area.

call if you need more instructions

[StellaBella]

craigus, on 02 November 2011 - 09:08 PM, said:

And now seeing the 32 degrees predicted for Sunday, I have re-assessed my goal........

Oh. This could be a problem! Probably appropriate practise for Nepean and Husky though *sigh*

Anyone else looking at 9 min kms? Lol  

[B+]

Ok to it's not going to be 32*C at 8.30am. The plan should be simple run faster and you will be finished before it gets warm.

Runhard I'm with you if you plan to go 4.10 - 3.50/k should be a good steady paced run.

Train safe

[Lynda]

This looks like fun! As I'm just coming back from injury, is anyone else planning on doing it pretty slowly?

[nite_time_runner]

Remember, at this FatAss event, nearly everyone gets a prize!! Well, there is over 20 event items to be given away/awarded - so its easy to be in it to "win" it!!!!  

Throw in good company, no fees and a cook up at the end, it sounds the running event to get to!!!  I am not sure what distance or pace I will be doing, but will certainly get my shuffle on there.

[fatboyslim]

Lynda, on 04 November 2011 - 01:47 PM, said:

This looks like fun! As I'm just coming back from injury, is anyone else planning on doing it pretty slowly?

I am coming back from injury as well. I am looking at around 6min/ks maybe slightly faster but not much.

[runhard]

fatboyslim, on 04 November 2011 - 07:37 PM, said:

I am coming back from injury as well. I am looking at around 6min/ks maybe slightly faster but not much.

Im going slightly faster than FBS so I can beat him to the BBQ and eat all the snags first!!!   It is going to be a massive cookup!

RH

[ratdog]

The course is marked every km with chalk. direction arrows as well.

We have marked a point at the 2.5 km point for those wanting to do the 5 km.  Just past this point there is an Aid station, so if you want to frequent that while doing the 5 km then just run a little further.  

Just a reminder to all that there are no public rubbish bins out on the course, but we will have a bin about 100m past the Aid Station.  Use this bin or carry the bottle the whole way back to the Aid Station.  We dont want unwanted attention due to littering.  Dob in a dumper applies.

[rodthehornet]

Will be out in the area doing my long run.  Bit of luck the aid stations will be still in place on my return journey home.  Unfortunately 4 weeks out from Kepler, 21km doesnt quite do it for me.

Be warned, if the temps are up it will get warm out there around 10am.  There is no shade in the section you are running, so pack a cap.

[runhard]

Hope to see you out there Rod!  It is going to be a hot one tomorrow.  Dont let that put you off!   It is going to be awesome.  Might go to bed shortly so I am ready,  It is a long drive to the start so will probably need to leave at 8:15am to make it!!!!!

[rodthehornet]

I will be leaving home at 5:30, meeting up with Walshy and heading up that way on foot.  It is 15k from home to the start area, so will be slipping thru there around 6:50am or thereabouts.  Down to Western Sydney Park for a lap of the grass equestrian course, then back up to the start area.  Should be sliding thru there second time around 7:30am or a bit after.

If anyone is there early and wants to run back with us, will follow the course set to throw in some extra kms to the turn point.  Might even do it anyway to pad out the run to 42km or so.

[OurDogScruff]

12 hours to go. Yeah!

[RAZORAMMO]

I'm starting the run at around 7am tomorrow, at my pace, you'll all catch up with me and we'll finish at the same time. Only been running since the beginning of this year and 21km last week was my farthest long run. See you all on the road.

[StellaBella]

RAZORAMMO, on 05 November 2011 - 08:42 PM, said:

I'm starting the run at around 7am tomorrow, at my pace, you'll all catch up with me and we'll finish at the same time. Only been running since the beginning of this year and 21km last week was my farthest long run. See you all on the road.

Where will you park?!

[stelz]

Thanks to Nic and Cam and everyone else for making today happen.

Great day to meet a few people and chat on the run.

Just sitting back here in the cool of the house with a lovely Choc Milkshake - ahhhhh

Time now for a coffee.

Thanks,
Ben

[brewer]

Opted for the 10K after assessing the weather this morning. Pleasant morning out. Thanks to Ratty, Nic and all the helpers.

[RAZORAMMO]

Thanks for organising today's run! Company, food, prizes, drinks and oranges were awesome! As the Winner of the Least Fastest Run... this has inspired me to beat my time in next year's half marathon in Canberra, at least now I know I can run 21km in hot and hilly conditions, Canberra in April should be a breeze!

Edited by RAZORAMMO, 06 November 2011 - 12:44 PM.

[craigus]

Thanks to Ratty, ODS and all involved in putting this event on.

I have run the hills of the M7 many times in training over the last few years, but never in conditions like today.  Finished in 2.00.07 (may have snuck under 2 hours on nett time   )    

I ran most of the way with AaronR who kept reminding me that we were going too fast in the 1st 10km, and yes we paid for it on the way back.  A massive positive split for me of 54.36 and 65.31 with many walking breaks.  Good prep for the usually humid (but thankfully flat) Central Coast HM in 3 weeks time.

The chalk messages were cool (loved the ambulance parking near Elizabeth Drive) and really appreciated the drink station and the kids firing water pistols.

Thanks again.

[fatboyslim]

And now it is raining....
Thanks to Cameron, Nick, Grant and Jen for organising todays run. It was tough out there. Well done to those who finished the half. I didnt but I am happy with 14kms. Thanks to the sponsors and the chefs on the BBQ.
Extra special mention to the 3 kids with the water pistols. That was so nice to have the kids having fun shooting people without them getting into trouble. Lovely cold water there as well. Thankyou.

[B+]

Top little run this morning, and well done to all the people who have organised the event and all the prizes given out at the end.

I think we all felt pretty good on the out leg. I actually thought a couple of the km markers were short as my pace was looking pretty flash. Same markers seemed a little long on the back leg and some of those hills seemed a little longer. Although the slight breeze at points was a welcome respite from the heat as it warm up over the run.

Thanks to Whippet Gal for keeping me honest on the way back as well.

Certainly an event worth doing again.

Train safe

[Linno]

I'd like to add my thanks to all involved in the organisation of this run, and I, too, hope that it's on again in the future.
This is my regulr training course and I'm very familiar with it. It was quite hot out there today!!!
Everyone commented that it was truly a "horrendously hilly" course, but if we were to do some of the run inside the regional park it could be even more hilly!!!!
Thanks again for the organisation, particularly the prizes. I was the proud recipient of the mug for the "least youngest" runner.
PS:On the way back home along Elizabeth Drive, the traffic was stopped to allow a very long goanna to cross the road, heading into the park at the Plough and Harrow.

[Stem]

Brilliant day out. The run was promoted as a challange and it was certainly that. Tried to remain at a comfortable pace early and was feeling OK but that soon chamged. I was hoping to run all the hills but relented on the first big hill coming back. I was never more happy to see an aid station as I was today! Cold water, water pistols and 2.5k to go.
I finished my 3rd HM with a new PW, and I couldn't be happier. My legs also held up so that was a bonus.
Thanks to Cam and Nic for organising this as well as my saviour (Hyphen) and her kids at the aid station. Thanks also to everyone else who helped out with the setup, cooking, timing and prizes. Also loved the chalk messages.
Well done to all the partcipants as well. I will definately be back next year.

Edited by Stem, 06 November 2011 - 06:48 PM.

[thomo]

What a fantastic inaugural event.

Made a last minute decision to come along. Glad I did, so many people, so many friendly faces.

Tents being pitched, food being prepared.

Ran 8km. Enjoyed the banter for the first 4km with the usual suspects, before having to turn around to get back to finish and make my way to work.

Did manage to run up HTFU/Heartbreak Hill.

Before I left I was given a drink cooler. Below it is enjoying having a rest at Cronulla Beach.

[nite_time_runner]

Seems like everyone loved the HHHM today - despite the heat!!!!

There were plenty of awards given out today,and for the record here they are ( sorry - you may have to add/correct your CR name ...)

Least Youngest - Lyn O - who was gracious enough to let us know she would win this award!
Best Dressed - Thomo in Hawaiin gear, and Rachel I in matching SMC uniform.
Worst Dressed - Andrew Hurst - first guy in with shirt off!  ( ** we have a mug for Andrew...it cant be refused...how do we get it to him?)
Most Mediocre - Rachel ( Mouse) Started with aims of doing the half slowly, then the 10km. Opted for a 6km run walk. ( oh, and cycled about 60km before hand...)
Least Likely To Return Next Year - Cam (Ratdog) - based on how he looked at the end of the run, and the effort to get the gig up and running!
Least Slowest - James Sweeny (B+) - finished  the half 1.28.08 hotly pursued by Jo P.
Least Oldest - At 22, Nigel did a great time of 1.47.14
Least Fastest - Ramo( Razorrammo) - amazing effort. Just started running this year. Spent some time injured, and has some very cool running goals. Ramo also has been going great guns on achieving weight and fitness goals.  And is the creative genius behind the HHHM logo!!

Well done all - i hope you all had a great day!!!  It was a pleasure being part of it today!

NTR

PS - For those who ordered HHHM shirts from me, I'll email you confirmations tomorrow, or feel free to message me if you didn't get a chance to order and would like to.

[Whippet gal]

nite_time_runner, on 06 November 2011 - 08:39 PM, said:

Worst Dressed - Andrew Hurst - first guy in with shirt off!  ( ** we have a mug for Andrew...it cant be refused...how do we get it to him?)

Bahahahaha - I'm going to tease him about this for weeks! (It's OK - I'm married to him, it's allowed). If anyone's heading to SMC or Nepean Tri you can give his mug to him there. It'll have pride of place on our trophy shelf!!


One of the best things about today was being able to kick back after the race with a whole bunch of friendly, like-minded people and talk crap. It was a great way to spend a Sunday morning.

As for the run... great course (yes, even with the HTFU hills).  Next time I'll read things properly so I know the water is only at the 2.5k mark! It was a very lo-ooo-oong trip back from the turn around and I did about a five or six minute positive split. Ouch! Was trailing B+ for the first half, spitting out nice easy 4 minute ks, but dehydration, heat and a couple of walk breaks put an end to that. Top run B+.

Sincere thanks to Cam and Nic and your merry band of helpers. Hope to see this one pop up on the calendar next year.

[nite_time_runner]

Whippet gal, on 06 November 2011 - 08:58 PM, said:

Bahahahaha - I'm going to tease him about this for weeks! (It's OK - I'm married to him, it's allowed). If anyone's heading to SMC or Nepean Tri you can give his mug to him there. It'll have pride of place on our trophy shelf!!

I will be at both.....hope it makes it back to the trophy shelf in one piece!!!

[Freezer]

Stupendous effort by all involved, I know how much work goes into a simple Twilight Run so the amount of work to put this on was enormous.  
Great turnout, impressive numbers for the full HHHM and we had quite a few for the HHHHM (10k) which was perfect for my current state of preparation (completely unprepared) with great prizes at the end.  
Watch out guys this may turn into something really big. It was so good to kick back and relax with such a great group of friendly crazies (who else would go out and run in that heat on that course).
My only question is: for which of my special needs is the drink cover?