Last Sunday in July

Endomondo Running Workout: "was out running 26.55 km "

The first thing to mention is that, despite a number of technological issues being solved - see last week's blog - there are still problems with the technology. I don't think there's any way that we ran 26km. And in fact, when I run the same set of data through RunKeeper (one of Endomondo's competitors) it comes up with a much more plausible 22.5 km, which is what I would have guessed. So, it's a software problem. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. No point complaining too loudly; all the software is free.

Anyway, another boringly perfect running morning, cool but clear. Almost warm in the sun, in fact. Still quite muddy, but at least there was no free-flowing water on the TVT (Two Valley Track) this week, so we ran one whole valley before taking a bit of a shortcut across Homer St, thus cutting out the second valley. All the hill running must be having some positive effects, because I almost didn't grumble about the shortcut. It takes about 3 km out of the run back to Steel Park, but the trade off is a very steep ascent & descent. And now that I think about it, I was actually in sufficient breath to admire the view to the north west coming down the steps. It's quite startling how much green there is in the fore-to-middle ground before the suburbs take hold. Right now, of course, after the rain, the green is really green, almost an English green. (True, I haven't seen an English green since I was 8, but definitely a lush green. No noticeable greys, browns or blues.)

The pelicans are back from their winter break. There was an incredible amount of rubbish in the river; I would have expected that immediately after the heavy rains, but a week on it seems even worse. A pity, although I think it's possible to see past/through the rubbish (I've been cultivating this since living in Clifton Hill). The water was clear, especially for high tide, and the air was clean. You can't really ask for more from an urban landscape.

Next week Jabulani, in Kuring-Gai National Park. 23 km of trails, should be interesting. I've just finished a book called "Born to Run"; it's rather messianic, but intriguing. More on the virtues of trail running, like my main Sunday colleague. He's trying to get me to run "ultras" - that's not happening! (well not yet, anyway)