Training Log Archive: Vaala

Vic Park rogaine with Lara. We had a highly optimistic route planned out (we were definitely taking the planning quite casual today!) with the idea of working out what to skip on the fly. Seemed to work! Lara is much more relaxed about these things than Emily which makes it a bit less stressful! We decided to head up and clear the top first and then head into the valleys which probably suited me quite well and it was reasonably clean under foot. Plus knowing how long it takes to get up to the finish from the bottom of Bowenvale was quite handy at the end. Some of the control placement seemed a bit funny but what do I know! Well, I do know that #28 was not where we expected it and despite Lara going close to where it apparently was we didn't find it. Felt a little stressed with 55 minutes to go on Mt Vernon but in retrospect we had time for at least 1 more control on the way back.

On Mary Poppins into the howling wind up Dyers/Kidson/Vic Park/Dyers to the kiwi then attemped to go along the tops but got blown off the road so decided that seemed a bit of a silly idea and headed back down again. Stomach feels awful.

Up the valley to the start of the intervals, coming down the hill in between and walking back out again afterwards. Cold, silent night tonight. Didn't see a soul.

4 x hill intervals up through Vic Park (4th one was longer, up to the picnic tables which was a bit further than last time). Times were 7:34, 7:22, 7:19, 10:34 (7:21 to the gate where the others finished). Feeling good tonight. Felt like I could have pushed my lungs a bit harder but I couldn't make my legs go any faster!

Easy ride. Spinning the legs.

Still recovering from being too tired and a bit sick so took M's suggestion (for once!) and started from SOT and headed up Harry Ell then round the back of Sugar Loaf and back again on the 2 newly opened tracks then down into Vic Park where I blundered around for a while then back up and down to the car. Took a map with me for added excitement. First hail/sleet/snow run of the winter and it was actually fun (apart from a tiny bit where the hail was being a bully and hurting me)! Only saw a couple of guys at the start otherwise it was just me and the hills which was perfect.

Bringing in controls in Vic Park with M. So so tired. So glad to finish.