Training Log Archive: AC

On the bike in the very well-appointed gym in the hotel. Watched an Australian basketball game on the tv, which was great fun.

Nice easy run around the residential streets nearby the hotel. So easy to run in the humidity, especially if followed by a dip in the pool!

Very pleasant run around the streets of Singapore. It is so pleasant to run in the humidity. Not many people out there running - not really the sport to pursue in this climate. Followed up with a nice swim in the hotel pool and a delicious buffet breakfast.

Very pleasant jog around the streets of Lyttleton. Avoid the big hills behind the town and headed out along the coast towards Governors Bay. Very nice coastal track and then came back along the road. Good to have this kind of run to stretch the legs before heading out to the airport for the flight to Singapore.

Downhill mtb at the Christchurch Adventure Park. Seriously good fun at a very nice set-up. The chairlift ride is long and the trails are very nicely made with great berms and jumps. I have never ridden a downhill bike before and it was quite different - wide handlebars, quite a lot of front suspension and a very low seat. I was very conscious of getting on a long haul flight the next day so I took it very easy the first trip down, just getting used to it. No major dramas but brakes were on almost all the way down - as soon as I eased off the brakes, the bike picked up serious speed that was quiet unnerving. The second trip down on a different track was a little more adventurous and was getting into the flow of the berms towards the end. had a minor stack on one corner, fortunately at low speed so no damage done. The third trip down was great and feeling much more confident. But was getting quite tired - amazing how specific the muscles used are. Decided not to go for more trips down as had probably reached my limit and the risks of crashing would be much greater on the next ride due to tiredness.

Last run in Oamaru and, fittingly, decided to have a last crack at the Parsons Rd Loop. In contrast to the last time I had done this loop, this was a serious struggle and kept stopping to "admire the scenery" (aka "catch my breath"). Still managed to do a decent time, but nowhere near the pb I set a efw days ago. Will miss this run, and miss running in NZ more generally.

Tourist run around Oamaru township. Very pleasant way to start the New Year.