Training Log Archive: bradc

Just a short, 60%, 5 x 2/1 Elliptigo turbo interval session, to ease back into proper exercise and to see where the knee is at. Tired legs. Knee a bit grumbly. TRIMP 34.5.

Short 4km walk up to the highest point on Paul da Serra, to get some final sunshine and views before heading to the airport.

Brisk walk up Pico Grande from Boca Corrida. On my own so I was able to set a pace that merits logging as exercise! Beautiful mountain at the very heart of the island, with stunning panoramic views all around. Good steep pull once off the Encumeada path, with just a couple of cabled sections. At the limit of what my knee could stand, unfortunately; pretty sore and stiff afterwards. Sunburnt hands, too!

Levada das 25 Fontes via the 800m Calheta tunnel. 8km. In theory one of the island's classic walks, but it was pretty dull, in cloud, and the first walk we've had to share with more than a handful of fellow walkers. It was rammed with coach parties, which made the narrow sections particularly tedious. Not one to remember. E did well, totally oblivious to the steep bits that frayed B's nerves. Decent coffee at Urze up on the plateau, above the cloud, was much appreciated.

Bica da Cana - Pinaculo circular along the Levada da Serra, on the Paul da Serra high plateau. 6km. Shorter today, as little legs tired after yesterday. Flirting with the top of the cloud, so it was atmospheric for the sections where waterfalls cascading down circular rock walls onto the Levada simulated Scottish rain, but the sun won out and dried us before getting back to the car. Headed south on the crazy road down to Calheta and had to stop in the lovely Ponta do Sol for a stroll along the shore and an ice cream in order to recover.

Having landed on Madeira in the midst of February festival, it would have been rude not to try to see some of it, so we tried the 'must do' Levada dos Piornais walk in order to end up in central Funchal. After an exhilarating section early on the Levada, crawling through several small tunnels and across some very narrow and vertiginous aqueducts that had Beccy jelly-legged, things became a bit too urban for me. I like being out in the countryside. It was also a long walk, about 11km, for little legs on a hot day, so cake and lemonade were needed to recharge before the parade. Which was all a bit mad. Two tired little people.

Stroll along the mountain path from Pico do Arieiro towards Pico Ruivo and back - about 4km. In glorious sunshine above a sea of cloud. Magic.