Training Log Archive: Vaala

Struggled round very slowly. Very little running since every time I tried I fell or slipped instead and I was so scared of getting lost. Got caught in some patch of light green stuff on the way to #3 and it took me several minutes to get out of it (not kidding). I learnt my lesson. Blundered around on the next several controls. Nothing terrible (except for #4) but still lots of lost time. Things improved after #8 (apart from a bit of fighting with undergrowth!). It was a good course in that it minimised the climb as much as possible but I am so slow and sucky at sidling. SO hot today.

We went for a gentle walk and (quick) swim in the afternoon. It was like summer (although the water felt like ice!).

With Michael up the crocodile and Kennedy's then down flying nun, along the traverse track and Mt Vernon and then down Rapaki to home. Amazing weather. Struggled on the crocodile and felt all out of kilter on the new bike...now I have more of a stem and the handlebars are wider so turning corners and climbing steep stuff all felt so out of control. Got better though. Only 3 sections on Flying Nun I didn't do and was quite fine on the rest of it (a little too much skidding though...need to ease off on the brakes a little more!). Also rode the traverse track in the opposite direction to normal which was a big deal to me. In reality it was (mostly) fine of course! Definitely starting to get the feel of the new bike after a while and it is pretty awesome. I didn't want to stop riding! I can't wait for next weekend...

At the Roxx with Michael. Bit tricky and frustrating with the middle finger on my right hand all bandaged up but I did pretty well all things considering. Might be a little while before I can climb without some kind of tape over that finger though. Stupid me. I am now afraid of the boot of our car!

Run to the start with Michael in the freezing cold.

Victoria Park. So yeah, couldn't find the first control for far too long (like over 3 minutes too long!!). I cut into the bush too late and ended up on the top mtb track and didn't work it out. It was so confusing! After that it wasn't too bad although I was so timid and consequently running tentatively and coming up short at controls in a fear of over running them. Cool course again.

Home from Victoria Park via the dog park and track. Little bit of walking down the steepest part of our street.

Wednesday night run up Rapaki, round mtb tracks then down Huntsbury, through the Valley of Death then down Farm Track. Beautiful night. I love running on the Port Hills. Paradise :)

On the new bike and by myself as Michael and tubeless don't seem to be working out all that well :(
Just went up Rapaki, along the traverse track then down the usual way through Vic Park and down Dyers. Didn't want to do anything too exciting or too long as it was late and my fingers hurt (don't shut your fingers in the boot...it is incredibly painful!). Plus the bike feels so different to my previous one and will take some getting used to. First notes is that it eats up the hills then takes off down any slope ridiculously fast. Also corners really sharply. All rather frightening but cool. Not sure if the back shock is quite set up right. Seems pretty hard. But it's all so exciting!

C • New bike! 7