Crescent Bay

Crescent Bay

Yesterday guiding work took me to the Tasman Peninsula where I get to enjoy a lunch break lasting over 2 hours. Perfect for a run. Starting at Safety Cove I  followed single track from the end of the beach, through the Tasman National Park around Briggs Point, past Dog Bark, over Stand Up Point to the blowholes north of Crescent Bay.  The view from Standup Point over the mouth of Port Arthur towards Arthurs Peak, Cape Pillar and Tasman Island is worth a standing ovation.*

Safety Cove Blowhole (east)

The blowholes were performing a treat which is not very conducive to a fast run. Like surfers waiting for the perfect wave, I hovered over each blowhole waiting for the big rush that would make for the best photo. Perhaps the next one will be best... or the next one...

Safety Cove Blowhole (west)

Eventually I dragged myself away from the entertainment and continued my run over the stunningly beautiful Crescent Bay Beach beneath towering sand dunes and onto the sandy track leading around Maingon Bay. My guest pickup deadline did not permit a run up Mount Brown - maybe next time.

Hooded plovers on Crescent Bay Beach - It's important to run/walk along the wet sand.  These little fellas nest in shallow hollows - so easily disturbed by a single footprint.

At Maingon Blowhole there were encouraging noises below the swell was not quite enough to make the Maingon Blowhole perform like it's smaller cousins at Crescent Bay. After a quick visit to Remarkable Cave a short run down the road and along the beach competed the circuit.

*This is not how Standup Point gets its name.  In keeping with the area it's a convict story.  I will tell the story next time I do this run.

Inspiration

My trail running inspiration comes from many sources. I could mention my childhood home, family, faith, role models and many others. Perhaps living in Hobart, Tasmania on the slopes of kunanyi / Mount Wellington is inspiration enough.

Setting out on the half-marathon Roller Coaster Run

Recent inspiration springs from meeting my delightful, trail-running, South Australian wife, Kylie, in 2013.  That year featured the half-marathon Roller Coaster Run where Kylie and I first met then, a few months later, the 56km Yurebilla Run through the Adelaide Hills.

Feeling fresh after a warm-down jog a day after completing Yurebilla

The inspiration to give my trail running its own blog comes from watching the YouTube antics of Flo & Nord at FloNoTrail. This episode in particular caught my attention:
TRAINING for the WEEKEND

Nord's daily commitment to training is a far cry from my spasmodic approach.  I'm inspired! I also enjoy Flo & Nord's mastery of the technology which works so well together to produce such enjoyable viewing.

I do not have the time or gadgets to rival FloNoTrail. A few words and pictures are within my capability.  I will use the talents and resources with which I've been blessed and  have a go at sharing trail running stories and pictures via this blog.

Sunrise from our Back Yard Loop

Soon after moving to our home on the slopes of kunanyi / Mount Wellington, Kylie and I established our standard "Back Yard Loop", a ten kilometre circuit starting right outside our front door. We have an entrance to Wellington Park only 100 metres up the street!  From 185 metres above sea level we climb 260 metres and drop 310 finishing one kilometre from home.  This gives us a gentle, up-hill, warm down walk at the end.