Training Log Archive: Vaala

Just did medium red since the long one seemed far too long for my liking. I have to admit feeling rather anxious about this event...a completely flat map with very little else and knolls that are the size of christmas pudding. So I was quite relieved to survive and it was quite a good course! First couple were okay. Then what was up with #3? Tane and someone else were also bashing around where I was so I didn't feel quite so pathetic. The rest of it was okay I guess but I'm not that good at bearings. From #13 it was like some mad dash sprint which was a bit exhausting. Got thrown by the "distinctive tree" at #21.

C • #3 3

Up (and then unfortunately back down again) Mt Grey with Michael. Cool track with about the right gradient to cruise up to the top no problem (I think it was about an hour of solid climb). Felt pretty good and my new shoes passed their first test. Beautiful day too and we even could laze about for a teeny bit at the top until it got too cold. But I didn't have quite as much fun on the downhill. Completely forgot to breathe until we reached the treeline. This panicking thing is getting a bit out of hand :(

Another ride up to the Kiwi and back. Was just cruising the uphill but came in at the same time as yesterday (31 minutes from home)...yay! I am supposed to be practicing this downhill though so that we can go ride it in the dark but I have to say, today I felt less confident. I think if I really want to get more confident at this downhill road biking business I should be just riding up to the Takahe and down a couple of times. But the thought of doing that twice in a short space of time feels a little bit scary (well, it feels like the uphill would be rather tiring but the downhill would be terrifying...so they even out to be 'a little bit scary' I guess).

At Extreme Edge with Michael, Stephanie and the boys when they finally showed up. Mostly a good session but I tend to get grumpy as the night goes on and my fingers stop gripping what they once found easy. I reckon I can get up that 20 overhang if I try with a bit more conviction!! Fingers on my right hand not too happy with me afterwards though. But defrosted cake and ice cream afterwards is a good pick me up!

Up to the sign of the Kiwi and back. I think it's the first time I've manned up and not stopped for a little break on the way up to the top. I did stop and admire the view from the top though because I like views. Knocked a couple of minutes off the last time I did this ride too despite feeling like I have lost my cycling legs. Perhaps it was my awesome downhill effort (well, awesome by my standards).

ARGH!! So I rode to Bowenvale Reserve and discovered I'd left my bike lock at home which was stupid since it had been in my bag earlier when I'd biked to town. So stupid! So what should have been a 10 minute trip took 30 minutes. Then it was a nice 10 minutes ride home after my walk. Freezing hands and face though.

Just taking it easy in case I go and get sick again so thought I'd go for a walk instead of running or biking today since the weather was so amazing. From Bowenvale Reserve up the East Side Bush Track which then led me to the Bowenvale Valley track after a while. Eventually ended up at Summit Road. Yay! Beautiful view but getting cold and the sun was slowly departing so went back down the valley track. A little bit of jogging. Some rather large boulders lying around at the bottom which did give me the creeps though...

C • Wednesday Run! 6

With Michael from home along the river, up some hill (felt like it kept going and going) then down and over another little hill then back home. Feeling surprisingly good all things considering and once I got into a rhythm my blisters stopped bothering me.

The usual biking about. Feeling fine other than rather tired and painful heels from my lovely blisters.