An Aussie running across France

Just back from the Warrumbungles 50K, was fortunate enough to get a lift up to Coonabarabran with my truckie mate David Spencer who i'd seen the week before at the Princes Park runand had said he'd be doing the race if he could get a load to Brisbane. So it was certainly a different way to get there, almost felt strange not to be behind a steering wheel and certainly being in a vehicle that size (as above) shows just how bad the roads are.
Pasta Party the Saturday night and it certainly looked as though we were going to be short on numbers compared to previous years, i was given number 1 and David as a late entry was only number 4 in the 50K. Some familiar faces, former Traralgon Harriers now living up in Woodenbong, Penny & Neil Burgess with their family and Melbourne Racewalker Brian Glover and his wife Jackie (if i get the name wrong i aplogise my name retention is very ordinary !!) . Had been a beautiful sunny day and looked like Sunday would be similar.
Not sure of exact details but i think it was a field of six in both the Marathon and the 50K's, quite cool (me in gloves and a Coolrunning Tri Top).
Ran along pretty much by myself until i hit the start of the Half Marathon at the 15 K Mark, and then got some half marathoners to chase. At the 25K mark we deviate from the course of the other events and go up to Siding Springs (up and up and up !), was interested to see the signs at the top "Quiet - Astronomers Sleeping" and really enjoyed the great views (whilst the numbers may have dropped because this was no longer a trail run, this view made up for it).
At the turaround was a little surprised to see that fellow Sydney Strider (and late entry) Chris Graham was only metres behind me. That was the queue to throw myself down the downhill 5K return stretch, saw the rest of the field coming the other way and then it was back to the main road. Was starting to feel real good and by the 40K mark could finally feel my hands so took the gloves off (only to drop them accidentally out the tri-top pocket at 45K's - i was moving too fast to put them in correctly !). Where would a Warrumbungles event be without a wrong turn from me :-( !!, didn't see the fellow at the Ultra turnaround (must have been sitting in his car !), and got to the marathon turnaround and was told i should have turned a mile or so back (won't ruin the "G" rating of this blog by repeating my comments !), and thought i'd thrown away another race. Anyway was directed to the turnaround (fellow from the marathon turn drove to there to check what was happening) and found it was where i had gone wrong two years previously (i'd gone over a bridge and continued on instead of turning), was still fuming and assuming Chris was in front and was very pleasantly surprised to find that wasn't the case when i hit the line in 4:07:54 (say 53 K's with my wrong turn). Saw second and third come in (thankfully Chris had picked up my gloves - now i can just say i'd "thrown down the gauntlet" to the other runners !)
1.1 KM walk to the showers at the campground was a good warmdown and David had just finished in 5:06 when i was on my way back and sure enough a wrong turn (still don't know how i missed the sign), meant i missed the presentations but did at least get back !!.
A barbequed rissole sandwich and slice of cake and i was ready for the bus back (large bus for 4 people as most others had brought cars down), don't know his name but one Queensland runner had pulled out the marathon around 20K's with his shoulder popping out (apparently a recurring injury) was one of my fellow passengers.
Back to Coona for a bigger feed and a cappucino and bit of a rest before continuing the journey to Brisbane, many hours and many absolute rubbish roads later we got to Brisbane, where i had a flight bck at 9:30 PM. Caught up with family and friends as well as getting some overseas travelling tips and with the flight delayed didn't hit Tulla till 12:05 (so i'd left in July and arrived in August !!). Bus to Spencer Street station meant i didn't hit the city till 1AM and by then just wanted to stretch my legs (and couldn't be bothered catching a taxi) so walked home (quite a mild early morning).
Just received an updated email this morning regarding Trans Gaule and the people involved and it mentions me as a late entry and that i'll be added to the site when the webmaster returns, so ignore it i am actually there (Number 4).
Two more sleeps to go !