With days like these on offer, motivation for finding a job is not high.

After coming into the Bogong to Hotham feeling wrecked on training that can only be likened to cramming for an exam I’ve been pretty happy in the weeks since that my next race isn’t until early april. This has really taken the stress and anticipation out of training and as a result I think I’m enjoying my running as much as I ever have.

I pulled up a little sore after Bogong to Hotham but returned to running after only 1 days rest (and wouldn’t have rested that day if not for being couchbound with food poisioning) and haven’t missed a day since.  Over the 5 weeks since bogong to hotham I’ve been mixing up my running quite a bit with hilly long runs, short tempo runs, intervals and everything in between.

This past week I was lucky enough to make my way up to Bright to spend a couple days in the Victorian High Country with Mick Donges. Mick took a camera along with him on a couple of runs and the following are a few photos we took over a couple of runs around Mt Buffalo and Mt Hotham.

Lake Catani - Starting point for the run at Buffalo and location of one of the best campgrounds in Vic. (Photo: Mick Donges)

Mt Dunn - Buffalo Plateau. One of many amazing views the plateau has to offer (Photo: Mick Donges)

Running the trail to the Cathedral (seen in background) from Mt Dunn (Photo: Mick Donges)

The scramble up to the cathedral. Plenty of similar scrambles around buffalo to mix up the running and provide an adventurous feel. Its a shame there isn't a more extensive trail network. (Photo: Mick Donges)

Getting ready to roll at Mt Loch Carpark for the second days run. (Photo: Mick Donges)

Mick charging down Swindlers Spur. Initially we couldn't stop commenting to each other how much fun this trail was. Much to our dismay we came across a trail crew half way down rebuilding the trail from Dibbins Hut all the way to Mt Loch.

Nooooooooooo! I get it that it's in Parks interest to make the trails more accessible for more people but a nicely manicured trail in the vic alp high country seems a little out of place. (Photo: Mick Donges)

Excluding the 1.5km of road from the start/end of the Razorback back to the Mt Loch carpark, this (about 3km in length) was the only section of the run not on singletrack. No complaints here. (Photo: Mick Donges)

Diamantina Spur. Steep, rocky, scenic. Cant wait get back up it again. (Photo: Mick Donges)

Mick on Diamantina. After a very steep initial km, it backs off, the trees thin out and the views open up.

The last 8km back to Hotham are via the Razorback. Definite contender for the best section of trail in Victoria. (Photo: Mick Donges)

Not too much of note for the coming weeks, just more training and hopefully trips up into the high country, I’m also pretty keen to get up to the Blue Mountains when 6 Foot is on to spectate that race and check out some of the North Face 100 course then back to Victoria in time to crew my buddy at the Alpine 100 on March 17. Fun times ahead.