Training Log Archive: Vaala

Couldn't go to the orienteering which was a bit sad 'cause it sounded fun. Headed out to Bowenvale instead this morning. Up the valley then, because I'd taken a map with me and it was very sloshy once I got on the track of doom I checked out a random track that is always on these maps but I didn't think really existed. Turns out it does...sort of. Well, there are old marker posts anyway. Over one of the bush tracks, then a couple of loops round the sugar loaf on all the different tracks. Down Harry Ell then over and down into Vic Park. Felt super ill on the way down there so had to stop and rest a couple of times. Seriously my stomach hates me. Anyway, was a fun loop.

After buying up the entire Macpac outlet store we headed out on the tandem (via the library to return my overdue books!) then up Dyers where there was a car crash right by us. Terrifying. So so lucky not to get hit. Eventually continued on a bit shakily to the kiwi then along to the Bellbird. Turned around there and headed back 'cause M wasn't feeling so good. Cold out.

Intended to go for a gentle ride (and at least return my well overdue library books!) but ended up too busy.

Bused out to Sumner after work then ran home via the tops (well, to the bottom of Rapaki where I walked along the main road until M picked me up - was worried about my feet becoming unhappy on the concrete). Got a bit lost just after the gun enplacements on Mt Pleasant and didn't take the mtb track turnoff (well, I did for a minute or so then changed my mind, thinking it was the wrong way) so ended up down at the road. Had to run back up again so must have been at least a 10-15 minute detour. Also, the rerouted "track" around the Tors is quite hard to follow in the dark when you don't know where it goes. You can't see the next marker post from the previous one and the track is a bit non-existant for long, cruel, sidling sections (might just be that it was dark though). Nearly ran into a cow on the wrong side of a fence too which scared us both. Felt good until the awful relentlessness of Rapaki when my feet felt tired and I started to feel too hungry.

Gentle bike while the cake was cooking. Good to spin the legs out a bit as they're feeling a bit stiff, probably from all this being cold and walking around in the cold every day.

Change of location/style for hill intervals this week as not doing so well at life right now. Rode out to the Valley carpark and headed up to Farm Track. Time includes warm up walking up from the valley to the end of the rocky section and the walking sections of the warm down.

Walking hill interval up Farm Track (20:07) which was tough 'cause it was quite slippery then another interval up the second incline of Rapaki (8:38) to the gate. This was easier since the ground was solid!

Jogging from the end of the first interval along the Mt Vernon track and down Rapaki to the start of the second interval then jogging the second downhill section of Rapaki afterwards to make the descent go quicker! I was feeling a tad hungry by then! Patches of snow out and about on Mt Vernon.