Running 2:15:00 [3] 16.3 km (8:17 / km) +800m 6:39 / km
Eve asked for a 2hr long run...so I delivered ;) haha
Stopped at Pukenui forest, by whangarei, on our way back down to Auckland. We started from the S side to avoid the extra drive around to the North. Turned out the track I'd picked on the topo map was actually a private access track, but no worries, the house there seemed happy enough to let us through. Once in the forest though it was obvious the track was little used, as there was very little sign of it on the ground, just the usual orange markers on the trees! So the first couple of km was a pretty rude introduction to NZ native bush for the Finns :D
After 25mins (and 2.5km) we came to the more trodden loop path. Half of this was more trodden at least and a proper track. The other half was more 'tramping track' so single track full of roots winding it's way through the jungle.
If I've learnt anything this week, it's that we actually do have home-terrain skills in NZ, in the form of steep hill-climbing and hill-descent skills, and smooth running on rooty and rough single tracks. So I've been tutoring up-hill running (short steps), and down-hill descents (relax and swing like a monkey). Apparently I am the finns 'monkey guide', probably a fair call in this jungle stuff! Anyway, there was a bit of looping and scooping to be done, and some waiting on the last couple of km to make sure Eve and Jesse hadn't lost the 'track'.
Good fun and awesome forest, just not sure it's what Eve had in mind when she said "long run" ;)