Training Log Archive: Vaala

Hmmm...well I overran #1 because I thought I had to cross 2 tracks and not 1. Then from #2 I started heading off to #4. Lucky I caught that one fairly early! Then coming in to #6 I twisted my knee and it hurt like hell but eventually I got moving on it again but speed was not going to happen (it felt mostly okay by the end but it started hurting a lot afterwards...time for some ice). I was mostly okay until #10 where I got confused about where on earth I was then it went vaguely alright until #19 which somehow I managed to wing but really I had no idea where I was or how on earth I was going to find out. Not the best of tactics. Then I completely disoriented myself attempting to find the last control which was really rather embarrassing. I ended up somewhere near #8 instead and then popped out on the road. Don't know how that happened but oh well! It was real nice out there though and I'm glad we didn't have that cruel leg along the sanddunes like Red 3.

My first ever attempt at riding a road bike...exciting! Actually, I was terrified it was going to throw me off to start with so I road up and down the street a couple of times then round the block another couple of times before deciding to tackle it head on which involved a nice little trip down Balmoral/St Lukes Road to the cycleway (I wished I was at my flat about then 'cause it's easy to get to the cycleway from there). Biked along that then up some other cycleway and then back home again although I bailed on the main road after it all got a bit scary and got a bit lost on some quiet streets and then probably annoyed some cars whilst trying to make a right turn onto Dominion Road. It was perhaps not the best day to take the bike out for my first attempt since it was so wet but I am stubborn. Anyway, the bike is fast.

C • Ooooh, you must have got a ... 3

This felt like seriously rough work but at least I was feeling quite awake.

Lesson to myself...do not have a nap in the morning if you want to feel all right for a run at some kind of decent time. Anyway, I thought I'd head out to the Waitakeres since the weather was so awesome. I was pretty slow but then again it was pretty muddy on some of the tracks and I pussyfoot around too much on the downhills. But it was all very exciting and for once it didn't rain on me! I did encounter some dude and his tiny little dog at one of the stream crossings. He had the dog under one arm and was trying to balance on a rock...it looked precarious! My shoes didn't kill my heels this time either which was more than a miracle!

My alarm went off but I thought I should get some more sleep instead. The cats crawled on top of me and went back to sleep then too so I guess it was the right decision!

Couldn't sleep so just got up and went to class despite not getting to bed until 1am. Was a good class but boy was it hot in there...and it's the middle of winter so I hate to think what it's going to be like in summer.

Ooo, feeling strong in the arms this morning!

C • arm wrestle anyone? 3

Starting at 12 and going up every 5 minutes then back at 12 for the last 5. Legs feel okay but had some pretty bad stomach pain. It mostly faded but then returned later when I was in the shower. I should probably think about getting this checked.

One set of single-leg weights except I didn't to the stair jumps 'cause I thought my stomach might try and kill me if I did that. I've managed to increase the weights on almost all the exercises so feeling pretty happy.

Who knew there were hills in Christchurch?! Bit of a jog around Halwell Quarry with Michael. There was a fair bit of mud so I was really wearing the wrong shoes but it was good fun.