Bush capital marathon festival

It was great to see so many happy and smiling faces today at Canberra's Bush Capital Marathon festival. I'd never run the event before and was impressed with the organisation and turn-out. The festival caters for events from the 5km to a 60km ultra, all off-road via track and trail through the Mt Ainslie and Mt Majura areas and beyond. Start and finish is at the Campbell High School next to the Australian War Memorial.

I settled for the 16k run that roughly follows a circuit around Mt Ainslie. I felt tired at the start after yesterday's 60k bike ride. So I didn't push the pace and was happy just to chat with others and admire the views. Being a great run in the bush, nature was in full force. On a beautiful sunny winter morning I enjoyed taking in the fresh air and seeing the fantastic bird life. Galahs, sulphur crested cockatoos and other pretty flapping things were in abundance. Departing off the track for a pit stop I even disturbed a herd of kangaroos that was as surprised to see me as I was to see them. I was worried about snakes but Elle (at left), one of my running buddies, promised to do a Crocodile Dundee on them, catch one, and break their backs. Thanks Elle!

The day was again a great social one and I enjoyed very much catching up with everyone. A special word of congrats to Emma (at right) who did the 25km run and looked as fresh and relaxed at the finish as she did when I ran with her in the early stages of the run. I also ran for a bit with one of my regular running buddies, Michelle, and was impressed as always with her ability to really push on the hills and at the same time respond to my inane chatter! (that's Michelle at lower left finishing hard).

There were so many of my other running pals out there today and it was wonderful to see them - and be inspired by them - including PRB (great seeing you running for a bit), Leah (your recovery from injury is an inspiration), Aki (nice to meet you again), Strewth (hope that lergy is a thing of the past), Natasha (hope that foot thingy is a thing of the past for you), Eric and Norma, Beryl, Bernie, Maria and Jim, Allrounder (a very embarrassed Tuggeranong Don was intrigued to find you were a female and not a male), Marg, Charmaine, Helen and Maria, and Jodie.

It was great to see Speedy Geoff again with some of his proteges. (That's him lower right at the finish with Helen and Maria. Holding hands...umm...nice touch Geoff!

So the morning was a delight. The only note of concern was the short, sharp pain I felt in the middle of my left foot as I tried to push the pace, not far from home. A couple of hours now after the run, the foot doesn't feel quite right. I hope it is nothing.