thenext.run - Run report Northcliffe
You may have noticed we are allowed to do stuff again.
That’s right we can talk about running and what we had for breakfast and shoes and if it’s going to rain and how bad gels taste and what we are training for in the company of up to 300 people.
And from this it’s a glut of events all happening. This week on Sunday there are 2 train themed run events happening in very different locations - don’t get them mixed up.
The rainy weekend just gone also had 2 fantastic events. Perth Trail Winter Series was back in real life with a new location - Eagle and Child (WOOHOO) and the USWA crew travelled 4 hours south to be based from the Northcliffe Hotel and Motel.
The dirty weekend planned as a way to drum up some business for Northcliffe who had been doing it tough during the Covid-19 shutdown of tourism and hospitality industries. This cracker of an idea of course came from Shaun wanting to get out and see the tribe doing what it loves and return the many favours from a major race sponsor who makes events like the Delirious West possible.
Suffering from cabin fever myself and looking for a reason to go trail running I only needed to be asked once. I, like many others, jumped at the chance of a weekend in Northcliffe and clicked “going” as soon as the event was posted to the USWA group several weeks ago.
It was the 2nd time I had attended a USWA organised run and despite a bit of a “limp” in the road due to over training (that’s another blog post), I packed up the truck and camping gear on Friday afternoon and travelled through pouring rain to make it to Sids Camping Ground. After a quick swag setup, I was over to the pub by 19:45 allowing me to order dinner just in time before the kitchen closed for the night.
How a road trip starts
Home away from Home
The USWA crew was easily identifiable and had already taken control of the public bar and dining rooms. Dinner was great (carnivores and vegans alike were pleased) and within 5 mins of saying “Hello - my name is Mark” all of the strangers had become new friends. We enjoyed a beverage of some kind whilst we waited for the run leader to arrive. It should be said that Shaun and Sarah did arrive last - was this some kind of clever collusion to drive more bar sales for the ever accommodating Helen and Duncan behind the bar? - Maybe…. but it didn’t matter we took the bait and enjoyed the conversation and brews by the fireplace. A few sore heads surfaced in the morning, but enough about Wayne’s hangover - let’s talk about the runs…
Saturday - Pemberton to Big Brook Dam and Arboretum - 27 kms
Most running routines start with a small sensible breakfast before the run - probably something like a toast with peanut butter and banana - something familiar and safe. Normally I’d save the bacon and eggs and juice and double shot latte until after the morning run but the previous night’s closing up the bar “activities” demanded bacon first.
After breakfast at the pub Shaun briefed everyone for the run, giving directions and setting the scene. We convoyed it to Pemberton, parking across the road from a pub and then noted that after the run we’d all meet back at the pub for lunch (I love it when a run has a theme!).
Walking down to the trail start
We took the obligatory group photo and then we were off. I had been a little worried that with a possibility of having to nurse my sore calves I may been left behind at some stage but was delighted to find with the large group we had a great cross section of abilities and styles, runners and hikers alike.
We started through a dense forest trail with water running beside us and working up a slight elevation. This was enough to make nice numbers for your strava statistics but nothing to cause a heart attack. I did warm up enough to remove my jacket however before continuing.
By this stage I had found a running buddy with Glen and headed down the other side to come out into the open facing Big Brook Dam with what appeared to be mist but was actually “smoke on the water”.
Smoke on the water
Left from the dam the trail headed for Big Brook Arboretum where the morning sun broke through the trees highlighting contrasting plots of sequoias, American redwoods, NSW spotted gums and natural karri forest, which I later found out had been planted to prove their value as plantation varieties.
At 11:00, we turned and started heading back, still cruising at a steady pace. A slight detour was made to allow inspection of the facilities on the far side of the dam and a phone call. When we rejoined the out and back course we found more of the group and then took another detour along a mountain bike trail to bring us out just west of the pub.
My legs had performed well - no nursing needed - a quick bird bath and refueling was what was required.
Sunday - Bibblimum from Northcliffe before goodbyes - 20 kms
Only coffee on Sunday
Despite a specific message from Shaun the night before about the 0900 start time I still managed to get delayed packing up my tent and run late for Sunday’s run. I got a cheer from the support crew still at the pub who pointed me in the right direction.
Entering the Bibblimum from Northcliffe I noted the sign warning of a slippery surface then proceeded to be surprised by the slippery surface. Skating down the boardwalk I recovered nicely with no one to see it. Round the bend I confirmed with a hiker coming the other way that they had seen the group and picked up the pace to “hunt” the group down. It took about 5 kms but I eventually found the hikers, and then caught up just in time to see Frank squarely step into a large and very wet cow pat - causing Frank to say something very French and not suitable for translation on this blog. Round the corner I found Shaun already turning for home and then Simon. Simon and I pushed on until we found a few runners stopped for a conversation with a local farmer hauling hay.
We waited for the hayfever to clear and debated turning around, when Frank appeared and convinced us to run out to 10kms. Not to be outdone, we started pursuing and continued from farm land into scrub forest. Frank gave a lesson in running fast down hills and we hit the 10km easily. Turning for home I warned Frank about the cow pats in the nearby paddocks - no response this time.
As we came within 3 kms of finishing, Sharene and I sped up slightly (coach Glen was not around) and pushed for home. A good pace hitting the windy track and uphills through the forest.
Both runs had been dry with no rain whilst we were out on the track but as we said goodbyes the weather looked to be turning.
4wding with Ducan (the publican) and the two-way banter on Saturday afternoon yielded some good photos and stories - but you had to be there for that.
The weekend was a blast and if you didn’t go but wanted to make sure you don’t miss the next one. It will definitely be on my list. Shaun has mentioned something about the Stirling Ranges. As recent WA resident (moved from QLD), I don’t know where that is yet but I am sure I will soon enough.
Maybe that’s a topic for thenext.run