Training Log Archive: Lizzie

Training at Baring Head. 5 days running in a row. Too much at the moment, but hard to resist when (a) it's summer and (b) I have nothing much else to do.

Nice area, the beach stuff was super energy sapping with the sand/gravel. And then a steep as climb to the top of the cliffs and the rest of the nice terrain.
The window training was made extra challenging given the weights have fallen off my SH compass, so I put it in my back pocket and went au naturel.

Didn't really plan to run today, but needed a pick me up in the afternoon.

Looped to the skyline in otari. Chased a bunny up the skyline track, then encountered a young cat, which was a long way up the hill and far from any house. And then, on the singletrack to the saddle, I had to give way to a hedgehog crossing the track! He wan't too fussed by me, didn't even roll up, just bristled and warily watched me as I carefully stepped over him.
Was wondering what the cat was doing up there, but maybe the rabbit and the hedgehog answer that question. At least they might keep him from hunting the native birds in Otari-Wilton bush I guess.

Played my first 9 holes of golf in about 8 years. Either the break, or the rehab strength training has made me better, I swear. Consistently cleanly hitting shots where I wanted them to go. Very odd.

Hill reps at Otari with the Wellington crowd again. Got fairly beaten by Lara on every interval. Managed 5x3min this week, and pushed a fair bit harder. My heartrate was 186 at the end of the last interval - still dunno how much of that is post-op high heartrate (which will lower with time), and how much is my new heart's pumping capacity. Either way, words can barely describe the freedom of being able to run intervals without any tightness, discomfort or worry about my chest. It's been a long long time!
...Which leaves me more capacity to feel the pain and discomfort in my legs and lungs instead ;)

Out and back from Karapoti to the giant Rata. Someone's cleared the old tramline in, which made the first couple of km much easier going, there's even put a new rope on the cliff. Although it makes things easier, it kind of takes away from the feeling that no-one else ever goes in there, (although it's probably only the possum baiting people and us). Then a wade and clamber upstream, and a bush bash onto the ridge where the Rata are.
It's kinda big.

Came out the same way. Have spent the evening trying to find old old forestry maps that might have the historic tramlines on them, but no luck. Shame, they make beautiful little singe tracks through the steep native bush.

o-gang run from the Robertson's up onto Belmont. Long slog up the gravel road to the tops, but then a very rutted and fun run down the farmland, a classic bush bash through native stuff on a 'track', and some bonus hills to finish.

And cake. Good amounts of cake.

Kaukau with Tessa.

Jog down the dunes with mum, then broke into the forest for a control pick. Singlet, shorts and no compass, maybe not ideal for the light green stuff. nice stuff though.

C • The Strip? 2