Training Log Archive: Vaala

A lovely early start with a torturous run in wetsuits and paddle jackets down to the river followed by a pretty cool paddle down the Rakaia. Then a long mtb when the hot sun started to come out. Trekking leg in super heat. Far too easy navigation but the teams around us didn’t seem to be finding it that easy. Short downhill mtb to transition then a hike to the abseil (very cool) and back. We got a bit slowed down at the abseil when the ropes guys seemed to be ignoring Emily.
Then was the lovely long, extremely hot, physical mtb leg with a nice big climb partway up the ski field road followed by an awesome bit of downhill single track back down. We were second fastest on this leg which I feel pretty proud of!
The next trek was nicely mostly in bush for the climb then following the river where we snuck ahead of a couple of teams who missed the CP. The boys got us through the last transition in just over a minute which got them all very excited and then we pushed as hard as we could for the final mtb leg but I didn’t eat enough and was struggling near the end. Was exciting to finish. Felt pretty proud.
Emily and Amber were awesome team mates and all my mtb training paid off. Oh, we had a pretty awesome support crew :)

Nervous. But excited. But nervous!

C • We expect full explanation ... 2

Biked to the end of the road and then had a nice little jog around Bowenvale Valley. Felt okay once I warmed up.

Took it cruisey up Rapaki, along the traverse and down through Vic Park into Bowenvale and home. Missed the damn 4wd track that I wanted...again. God I'm stupid sometimes!

The wetsuit run with Amber and Emily. Fortunately Michael had left the camera at home (unlike when he pulled it out to photograph me wearing goggles to cut an onion...). Feeling pretty stupid but at least the paddle jackets made it look like we were just out for a run in an Arctic winter and not, well, running to Sumner for a surf!

Nice little walk around in Bowenvale valley.