Training Log Archive: ColmM

Planned on just a walk on the beach, but the weather glorious so I couldn’t resist a run. Dip in the water after.
The mountains are an easy #1, but the smell & sound of the sea are a comfortable #2.
This was a not an inspiring beach but still just most lovely.

C • Westport 4

9:01:49 [2] 84.37 km (9.3 kph) +2634m

Old Ghost Road.
Fairly big day. The guy renting me the mountain bike seemed nervous for me, he said it’s usually 9-10hrs for 1-day jobs in summer, and I only had about 9.5hrs daylight. Anyway he was probably right to be anxious about letting some tourist out, and since I haven’t biked this far on road never mind mtb, and I’m fairly useless at bike repairs - his anxieties I’m sure were entirely justified.
Still, he gave me a plb, quick crash course on fixing derailleurs and broken chains and let me off. Kept moving on the climbs up past Lyell saddle hut passing a few people and got through the grade 5 section before Ghost Lake Hut with no issues, despite some snow & ice on the track. Knew I’d done the bulk of the climb so was feeling confident about time at this stage.
Coming down from Ghost Lake hut took an age, cycled early on, but the steep downhill hairpins were probably too tricky for me anyway, but especially with this side having sheet ice, I just pushed down it. Skyline ridge in general was tough going and having to push bits of descent and through ice. After the steps though the track smoothened and we got rolling.
Stopped at Stern valley hut for some more food, and got chatting to a fella from Rotorua doing it the opposite way (one of the many conversations I spent too much time on).
Slugged up through the Boneyard, and took a nice tumble face-first over the handlebars coming down the descent, nothing serious.
It was better going and limited climbs from here so I made decent time, but I knew I was probably going to be beaten by last daylight at this stage. Ticked off Goat’s creek hut and finally specimen point hut, and ploughed on homeward. Needed the head torch for the last 45mins or so but it worked fine.
Got to the finish about 18:15 (10.25hrs) and the rough and tumble lodge was locked so I had no phone to ring my pickup. Cycled on a bit and stopped in a random house who lent me a phone and fed me some beers.

Good days work, pretty tiring but a great adventure. My wrists and general hand muscles are a bit sore, but it is undoubtedly my arse which will be the most tender tomorrow.

Easy with 3 strides, and some shopping.

Easy loop, testing out an easy double. 2 strides.

27.06km
Lovely day skiing, snow is improving and they've opened more runs. Struggling in the deep stuff off-piste. Heading north tomorrow for a few days and will probably miss the best days of skiing yet, but oh well. More opportunities to come.

Stick forest with the trail runners group. Nice & chill, feeling nothing in the ankle which is very positive since it was the sharp descents here that really set it off again 2 weeks ago.
Will mostly stick to flat for the time being anyway to keep it a little safe.

7.75km
Tricky conditions in the mist & cloud but snow is improving.
Quads worked.

No feeling in the foot again, and noticed nothing on the slopes as well. Good signs & good times.
It has been very wet the last few days and today was no different.

Feeling gooood, and moving pretty well. Happy days. Damn, even short-lived injuries like that one give you a real good perspective on your appreciation for the sport. Probably the biggest injury I've had for 2.5 years, so.
Anyway, not out the woods yet, but can't feel it at all walking now, or to touch. Can barely feel it if I stretch my ankle in order to try and feel it. Could feel it get a small bit tired in the last minute or two of the run, but nothing really. Will still take it easy building back this week, and think that should mostly have me over it in a few days - though I will have to see how it reacts to skiing again.
Between that and the shi cf victory this morning, just a good buzz really.

Definitely more good overnight recovery. Didn’t feel anything, will take it easy today and hopefully we’re nearly there.
Did some laps of the pitch watching a junior rugby game.