Training Log Archive: Vaala

With the long ride planned thraughted by the weather, the fires and stomach pains we finally got out for a little blast out along the flat to Taylors Mistake and back with a couple of intervals and an extra climb thrown in for fun. Probably about all I could have managed today. So glad that I ran yesterday otherwise all that running would never have been able to happen.

From Sumner up Captain Thomas and along the Crater Rim to Godley Head then back via a random summit (I can't resist a summit!), the mtb track and Scarborough Bluffs track. Feeling quite good today which makes a change but a bit sad I didn't have company as Shayden had to bail for the millionth time (okay, slight exaggeration)! I guess the ankle is making some progress but it's hard to tell and feels like it will be a long way off before I can run without it strapped.

C • Ankle 3

M decided to go running and, because he looked so ruggedly handsome in his white polypro and shorts, I was convinced to join him. Bit of jogging with some intervals up various parts of Huntsbury although I think it was mostly M doing the intervals and me grovelling along behind. Actually surprisingly good fun!

Street bash up Huntsbury to Kenmure, down Major Aiken and along the river to home. The asphalt was all damp which was nice to see but it wasn't actually wet (so happy to see all the drizzle we got later today though - I've never been so happy to be drenched riding home from work).

Just out and about on the streets with M on the tandem. Feeling shattered. Good to get out but so hard to concentrate.

Wednesday night run up Mt Pleasant from Barnett Park for sad gossip sessions on the top. So glad to have this awesome group of people around in such sad times.

M and I biked over to meet up with Matt and Lara where we were delayed fixing Matt's bike which may have been a good thing?? Then headed off to ride up Worsleys. Passed the entrance to the bike park where people were telling us it was closed but we decided to ride up anyway and come down a different way. It was probably about then we saw all the angry, firey smoke which we thought might have been up near Halswell. Carried on up Worsleys as it seemed quite far away and the wind was blowing it away from us. It was such a lovely single track on the other side of the 4wd road.

Got up to the Summit Rd where Matt and M decided to ride the Flying Nun and Lara and I planned to cruise along the road and meet them at the Kiwi. We didn't get far, getting turned back by a fireman who told us to ride back down Worsleys as there was now another fire blocking access to the Kiwi. At least we were on bikes. Felt for the poor runner who had his car parked at the Kiwi. Met the boys back at the top again as they'd obviously had to turn back what with there being flames and all that. Back down Worsleys and home to start watching the news like hawks.

I reckon we probably got to the top within 15 minutes of that second fire starting. So hard to fathom that when we were there it wasn't that big but turned into a monster. They thought they'd have that one under control with hours :-(