Training Log Archive: blairtrewin

Seem to be struggling to manage consecutive days at the moment, even with going out later in the morning. Had the plans of exploring some of my old haunts (starting from the Heidelberg oval) but only got far enough to ascertain that that part of the Main Yarra Trail has been paved since I was last out that way, and that a parkrun's starting out there in a couple of weeks.

Take two was on the bike in the afternoon, essentially an out-and-back as far as Box Hill. Reasonable session (if having to go around a number of recreational riders, as you'd expect on a fine summer afternoon), but more tired afterwards than I really should be.

Do you think this sounds like a good location for a new observation site?

C • Observation site 2

With an exceptionally humid morning (some of the highest dewpoints on record in Melbourne) and a change expected about lunchtime, I decided to head out in the afternoon - as it turned out into reasonably solid rain. Had initial thoughts of doing the Darebin Bridge loop but was feeling fairly marginal early on (plus the creek was rapidly rising) so headed through Alphington again. Never smooth, but started to improve a bit in the second half.

I wasn't aware that we'd had a project funded under the now-infamous Community Sports Infrastructure program (a.k.a. "sports rorts"). Anyone know what it was? (National bodies couldn't bid for these, but states or clubs could).

Turns out the orienteering name on the list is Eureka, who got some money for a permanent course in Daylesford (which isn't even in a marginal seat). Didn't see any other orienteering names on the list, assuming that the Breeza Progress Association is a reference to the small NSW town and not Bryan Keely.

Tried for a run but not quite there, so headed for the pool instead - already starting to get warm (it wouldn't have been a pleasant experience going there in the evening). OK once in the water; seemed to be working reasonably solidly.

Still not really able to loosen myself up, and left it too late in the morning for any alternatives, although on a day as hot as this the commute ride probably counts for something (certainly wasn't setting any speed records on the way home).

Woke up with an ordinary back this morning (and still feeling like I had a bit of a cold too, although that seems to have improved during the day - probably as well not to turn up to an international airport with a sniffle at the moment).

Headed back to Australia today after part of the day in Wellington (partly making a social visit to Metservice at the invitation of a friend who works there, which ended up with going out for coffee with the CEO, whose view of my importance might not be quite in tune with reality). Good to have the break, although having seen the forecast for the next three days I'm thinking perhaps I should have stayed longer.

The view of Wilsons Promontory (which, as of 9.30pm on 29 January, has not yet caught fire this summer) on the way in was impressive.

Breaking up the road trip to Wellington with a swim at Palmerston North, feeling in the process as out of place as I would at an Australian pool at a similar time on a weekday. Was feeling the effects of a substantial lunch early on but the second half felt reasonably good.

Today's main scenic highlight was early on - walked to Taranaki Falls from Whakapapa (despite its name, the falls are nowhere near Taranaki, but are on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu). Fairly easy walk not too far away from the contour, but good views of the falls (which had a decent amount of water), and the cloud on that side broke up enough for some good views of Ruapehu too.

Caught up with some old friends from Australia for dinner in Wellington; taking me back to familiar territory because they live only a few blocks away from where the rest of my family were in 1993-94.

Didn't have a partner but ran the sprint relay anyway. Was in the opens and, somewhat to my surprise, was not last to the start triangle, but was definitely off the back of the pack, and a steep stair climb to 2 reminded me that my body doesn't like these at the moment. Managed to get through the rest of the course (though walked the remaining steep climbs) - a bit disappointed that two of the three men I beat across the line mispunched...

Definitely good to have a relay like this, with the number of competitive teams in double figures - much better simulation of a WOC (or JWOC) situation than a domestic relay which might have at best four or five contenders.

Generation gap moment: Fredo and Tara ran in a team together and wore French tops. I made a remark to some of the Australian group about how France might not be so popular in this part of the world and then realised no-one I was with was old enough to have heard of the Rainbow Warrior incident. (Perhaps there's still an enduring curse, because Fredo mispunched).

A lot of the others headed off in the afternoon to make attempts on Taranaki (there will be some sore quads tomorrow), but I was moving on in the direction of Ruapehu, via the Forgotten World Highway - not as wild as I was expecting (mostly hilly farming country with a 15km forest gorge section, and no peaks much above 500m), but interesting nonetheless. The side trip to Mount Damper Falls revealed some nice country but not much water; the scenic highlights were the views of the central volcanoes from every high point on the road. Also saw the aftermath of a motorbike crash, but the situation was under control by the time I got there and the rider was conscious and talking, so hopefully whatever injuries he got are not life-threatening.