Since I signed up for GNW50K my coach thought I'd better spend some time out on the course and I couldn't be happier as I had been itching to check out some of the GNW. Now with Raffertys out of the way it was time for some new exploration. The first leg I was to explore was from Wakefield Rural Fire Service through to Heaton Lookout and back again. Should be around 27k in total with plenty of elevation.
I arrived at Wakefield RFS just before 7am and bloody hell it was 1.5 degrees and howling wind. While I was pumped to get out there I was bloody freezing! In any case I threw on my pack and headed into the bush. The first few kilometres from Wakefield was a little boring but once it started winding up Mount Sugarloaf things got much more interesting. Working my way along the ridgeline was stunning as I got glimpses through the trees in both the north and south directions.
About 9km in I arrived at Heaton Gap servo where I got chatting to a few runners about to head up to the lookout. I made my way across the road and started the hiking ascent for the next 1.5km. It was a pretty slow ascent due to too many photo opportunities! At the top I picked up the pace again and kept pressing on.
A little stretch up the road I saw the radio tower I was told not to stop at so again I kept going. It wasn't long after I reached Heaton Lookout and man was it superb. The view was exceptional. I will definitely be spending more time out this way.
Before making my way home I took a look at the GNW sign for the start of the Jungle. It looked rather ominous so I can't wait to check out that leg next week!
Training Stats:
| Distance: |
27 km |
| Time: |
3:01:17 |
| Avg Pace: |
6:43 min/km |
| Elevation Gain: |
1,034 m |
| Calories: |
2,652 C |
