Training Log Archive: Vaala

A run!! Well, more of a run/jog. I managed to run the whole way (well, definitely much more of a slow jog up the hill which was tragic) so yay I guess but boy did I feel unfit and sluggish! Can I blame that on dead cycling legs? Anyway, up old bowenvale and the zigzag then up through the tussock to say hello to Jana and Rob on the traverse. Over my favourite bush tracks and all that then down through the maze of 4wd roads into the valley. Round a bit in there then back down to my bike.
M has started the pimping out of my old Mary Poppins bike to make her a mtb/semi-road bike cross. She has racy thin tyres which look quite funny. We just need a racy long stem and some decent pedals now.

Shortest Day Ride with Joe and M. Rather epic. Time is a very rough estimate of general riding time. Started about 3 minutes late at 8:05 (sunrise here was supposedly 8:02). Cruised over to Joe's but he wasn't ready yet so went for a quick warmup climb to the start of Rapaki track. He caught us about halfway down again. Headed up Rapaki and all the way along the tops and down to Gebbies then round to Purau (via the first cafe stop at Diamond Harbour). Up and over the saddle to Port Levy then up and over Western Valley Road. The boys collapsed at the saddle so we all lazed around in the grass eating cake for a while.
The descent down into Little River was exhausting but that was okay because then we could laze around in the cafe scoffing food. This was when we realised Joe didn't bring any lights, optimistically thinking we'd actually finish at sunset!
Anyway, after a wrong turn we eventually started the longest climb of the day, Reynolds Valley Rd to the top of Bossu Rd. I felt like death by the top!
On the way down Bossu Rd we encountered a car where the driver informed us that the crossing to Birdlings Flat wasn't there any more but the boys seemed convinced we'd get across somehow (I'm never being bullied into this again...sigh) so we continued heading down...to find that yes, the crossing was gone and the water was DEEP and the sun was less than an hour away from setting. Yeah. Joe mucked around for ages trying to find somewhere/some way to cross which no real luck. Nearly 1 1/4 hours later, as we were preparing to head back up the hill a local turned up with a little row boat and transported us across (the boys are very lucky 'cause he said he wouldn't have done it except that there was a girl in the group).
The sun had well and truly set by now so we were riding along the rail trail with just one light between us. Had to stop a few times to eat in an attempt not to keel over. Then M set up some horrible time trial pace along the main road to Tai Tapu and both Joe and I were dying and just trying desperately to hang on. Luckily we got him to slow down for the last few kms though. But I was so anxious about the one light situation that I could hardly breathe anyway. But we got home safely...thank goodness!
Anyway, it was, mostly, an awesome day and an awesome ride. My legs felt pretty good most of the day so we were clearly pacing ourselves well. Nice and slow! The tandem seemed to handle all the gravel pretty well although we both got pretty tired on the bumpy descents. I can't wait to explore more of the back roads of the Banks Peninsula. There are some awesome adventures to be had out there.

C • Awesome adventures... 2

Good ride but nothing too hard so I can survive Saturday. Legs feel less stiff now.

Semi Wed Night run up Rapaki with Tane and Joe to start with then Emily and then just me then along mtb track and down Farm Track and all that. Felt okay for not really running in ages I guess but still a bit depressing. 8 1/2 weeks to go...

C • 8 1/2 4

Bowenvale Valley warmup to the bottom of the track (and back again afterwards) and the various descents between intervals.

3 times up the Vic Park track to the gate with the last interval being up to the park (so a bit further). Who knew uphill walking intervals could be so exhausting! Following M uphill is like torture as he takes such ridiculously long strides. It took all the energy I had to vaguely keep up with him. Definitely a good workout!

Home from work via the river. It counts 'cause I had to walk home really fast to keep warm and even put in some jogging. My walk to work was much more leisurely! Then we had a nice long walk around the river and the park in the evening but that also doesn't count! Also did some rogaine route planning practice.

C • More training 5