Training Log Archive: PrueD

Orienteering at Woodvale, north of Bendigo. My knee was sore so l put it in a brace and walked around slowly. I still managed to make a few mistakes, and fell over once, both due to not concentrating. Lovely day, lovely bush. Thanks Neil and Julie.

Slow plod around Benalla lake. It was a glorious sunny morning after a frosty night, and l was humming 'These are my favourite things....' . Unfortunately, the Sound of Music has been stuck in my head since l went to Austria (we went everywhere they did)., but at least 'Doe, a deer....' has finally stopped.

C • 'Doe, a deer....' 18

Run around Benalla lake and gardens, testing out knee. It was tweaky at first, then settled, then returned to tweaky when l scuffed it. Not quite right yet, or up for a bush event. Back in knee brace now.

Tried to run but knee hurt. Walked the rest, followed by a stretch. Trying to work out what is wrong.

C • Ar least you lasted a kilometre. 1

C • Ar least you lasted a kilometre. 7

Walking is OK.

Hobble around Blackburn before knee got too painful. Lovely windy sunny day - wish l could have run further.

At least l can walk.

Run along the Yarra trail north side from Finns Reserve to Heidelberg, then tried to come back the other side, until knee pain was too much, and l had to walk on the roadside anyway. Walked back.

Run around Benalla lake and gardens on a lovely sunny morning. I focussed in intensity (as per Catalyst the other night) with the occasional stop, so l guess that was intervals. My running speed was therefore faster than usual. Someone yelled encouragement by name as l went under the bridge and I looked up and there was orienteer Elsie Campbell. Small world!

Benalla lake and gardens. Knee was sore for the first k or so, then settled. I've had a sore back for a week, so have been taking things easy.

Limp around Blackburn on a cool morning. My knee was very sore after yesterday's run, so l reverted to my normal shoes, a very slow pace and wore my WA buff. At least it was good looking at the rainbow lorrikeets, which were out in force.

Run around Blackburn lake and streets. I wore flatter shoes, which more closely resemble orienteering shoes, and which seemed to require the use of different muscles.

One observation of life in Austria was the absence of bike helmets and the numerous female cyclists (and scooter riders) riding flat out through crowds while wearing long dresses and either thongs or high heels!. A major issue for me was crossing the road safely, as l seemed unable to judge distances and approaching speeds correctly, and had many near misses.

Public risk management didn't seem to be a concern. In Munich, hundreds of children (and what looked like entire classes) were jumping into the river rapids (where a sign said 'no swimming') and then hurtled screaming downstream for around a kilometre until they caught a rope across the river and could pull themselves out. No life jackets, no lfeguards . Imagine that at Dights Falls!

Those that missed the rope, or were knocked off the rope by others, hurtled through bigger rapids where surfers were trying to surf (and where the 'no swimming' sign also had a scull and crossbones).

And ferrata! I couldn't believe my eyes when l saw the Stairway to Heaven in the West Dachsteins (can't put a picture if it here - but it was pretty scary). It was a 200m ladder that crossed several hundred feet above the ground between two mountain peaks.

Blackburn lake and creeklands. Cool but pleasant morning. Fitness wise, it's going to be a struggle to get ready for Oceania.

First proper run in ages. Around Lake Sambell at Beechworth (where l went to get some bare rooted trees) on a gorgeous sunny day. My jetlag has finally gone. I really felt as though l had been tipped upside down, with my balance (and seemingly brain fluids) totally out. Although not proven, it made me wonder if there is some magnetic field forces at play within the body and which vary according to the hemispheres.

My knee didn't really like the walking in Austria and has appreciated the two week rest, with the swelling dissipating. The good news is that Salomon has given me a new pair of boots to replace the previous (new) pair that fell apart on their second day of walking.