Training Log Archive: Vaala

Along the West Manuherikia Track and up to Omarama Saddle (an hour of solid climbing, about 600 metres). At the saddle we decided to head up along Saddle Ridge Track which saw us mostly pushing our bikes up another 400 metres of climb (more than an hour I think although it didn't feel like it). At the top it didn't seem to get any better and was getting ridiculously cold. Then we encountered snow and there was definitely more snow on the track ahead. Michael suggested we should probably turn back in case we didn't make it out in the daylight and I had a complete and utter panic attack. It was not good. But somehow I managed to ride almost all of the way down the super steep, super rocky stuff to the saddle and then it was just an incredibly cold and painful descent back to the car. Took me a long time to defrost after that. Next time I reckon we need to do it in the summer and I'd rather do the entire circuit instead of the ridiculous push up to the tops (but I think Michael is quite taken with the idea of being up there).

Up the ski field road then along the Richmond Trail for a little bit which was spectacular. So eerily quiet and the views were amazing, especially in the fading light. I wasn't super impressed when Michael said we had to turn back but we made it down just in time before darkness descended. Will have to come back to do the whole loop.

From work out to Halswell and up to the top of the road then home again. Felt okay but that hill gets super steep near the top. It was really starting to get dark on the way back which is a bit scary when there aren't any street lights around and you only have a tiny little front light on. My bike is in serious need of a service.

300 club plus some other stuff after the bike ride. Took a bit of defrosting of my legs before they felt okay though.

Ran up to SOT from home (via the steps and Kidson Tce – about 18:40) to meet the Wednesday night run group then off on an adventure with us all following after Chris. Felt tough…so much for the short, easy run of Tane's email! But fun. I like running in the hills and seeing everyone but I wish I could keep up without dying. Georgia was kind and gave me a lift back down the hill again afterwards.

Then a bit later the top of my left leg was super painful when I tried to walk and I have no idea why. Seemed to improve the more I stood up and moved around but then it would go back to being painful every time I started up again.

Managed to get out of the house about 5:30pm since I still had stuff set up from the night before. Almost dark but not quite. Feeling pretty good especially considering how I have been feeling lately. Some guy passed me on the road up to the track but he wasn't going super fast so I stayed behind him all the way until where it flattens out and he started chatting to me. Then on the second climb I was chatting and he was sounding exhausted. Ended up dropping him easily. Oh yeah! Cruised round Mt Vernon and the traverse track then the usual down through Vic Park and home. Can't wait to ride more of Vic Park but I'm not game enough by myself in the dark. Thought it was going to be absolutely freezing but actually wasn't that bad as there was no wind but definitely needed the 3 layers for the downhill. Took quite a bit of defrosting in the shower afterwards.

I set out to go mountain biking but it was raining once I got about a hundred metres down the road and I didn't fancy riding up into the hills in that sort of nasty weather since I'm still a bit sick and the rain was freezing. Plus I don't know how waterproof these lights are (probably not very). My biggest fear riding in the dark is my lights going out. Even bigger than rocks and downhills. Good plan since it bucketed down at one point after I got inside. Did my own boot camp instead and died. Did the 50 club. In a few weeks I reckon it'll be the 100 club.