Training Log Archive: Vaala

Nice slow start along the flat in about the middle of the pack. There was no way you were going to be able to start off too fast in here which was good 'cause it was actually quite dark in the forest and I wasn't keen on falling over. Not long after the first aid station the climbing started and most people around me started walking. I did a mixture of jogging and walking, passing a lot of people on the way up since I can walk quite fast up hill. Once out of the trees it suddenly got absolutely freezing and I had to stop to put on a jacket before continuing. Got to Luxmore Hut feeling good.

At the gear check the lady suggested keeping out my gloves which was a mighty fine idea as it turned out. I ended up putting them on about 1 km later when the temperature seemed to plummet even more. Still feeling great and still passing people without much effort. My knees were frozen by the high point though so it was a bit of a struggle getting them to go downhill. Luckily that didn't last too long before there was more climbing and some awesome running along the narrow tops.

But then disaster struck! Or, more specifically, I tripped up and was suddenly down in the gravel completely winded and wondering how the hell I was going to get back up again. Luckily the guy behind me helped me up and stayed with me while I limped and hobbled my way to the next aid station at the Hanging Valley shelter. He was getting a bit worried about how much blood was coming out! I tried to mop it up at the aid station but it kept flowing and plasters didn't seem like they were going to stick so I kept going but I'd slowed right down and my knee was pretty unhappy so it was a pretty awful and slow descent down to Iris Burn (1000 metres of staircases and really steep switchbacks - just what a bashed up knee loves!) where I got checked over by St Johns and they gave me the all clear to continue.

I kind of got a rhythm going to the next aid station but after that I'd fully defrosted from the tops and was really starting to feel all the bruising, especially my left knee and my right hip. Fun times! It got really bad so I had so much walking and so much feeling sorry for myself. Lots of lovely people checked to see if I was okay including a Japanese guy who gave me what he called a 'Japanese Miracle Food' but I wasn't game enough to try it!

M was waiting for me a few hundred metres before Moturau Hut which was cool and he came with me to Rainbow Reach. I think I walked about 2/3 of that section when it occurred to me that I could take some paracetamol for the pain. Can't believe it took me that long to work that out! Anyway, that helped and I got through the last 10km way faster than M anticipated! I think I actually jogged most of it...veeeeeery slowly!

I would like to do it again...I can't believe I am saying that though! I'm also trying to feel happy about my time 'cause it is good considering I managed to injure myself up but it's hard when you only know super fit, super fast people who could run it backwards in that time.

C • Nice one! 6

Up the Harry Ell and down something else. It was warm this morning...although nothing compared to the 32 degrees I walked home from work in.

Busy tapering so hard I've basically come to a standstill!!