Training Log Archive: PrueD

Thursday, Friday and Sunday might all say "rest day" but they were far from it. Family of 5 has now departed and housecleaning has commencing before returning to Melbourne. I feel as though I have run a marathon. The children were lovely but I was glad to give them back.

After a busy morning with 5 visitors, I managed to fit in a run in Reef Hills. I ran steadily, although slowly and ran up all the hills. It is a beautiful Autumn day.

Had to cancel yoga at lunchtime (*sob*) as too busy. Turned up late to work after packing for Benalla on the weekend (and driving in). I have friends and their 3 children aged under 5 (including new baby) coming to stay for the weekend.

Big lesson for the day was not to wear old rags to work for 'casual Friday' ever again.

On arrival at work (late, tired and looking very scruffy) I was unexpectedly dispatched to the RC where I oddly found myself to be the only state representative and was promptly required to take an active role in providing direction to the state's QCs regarding cross-examination of expert witnesses on organisational restructure (of the state's fire services)! Hopefully the cameras didn't look at me.

Busy busy day with no exercise. Painter calling around before work. Eye specialist then dentist at lunchtime. BKV people to my place for dinner (me shopping then cooking), off to a theatre production at night, then coffee and cake at a cafe afterwards. All this plus a very busy day's work (writing the state's instructions to the QC on organisational re-structure for the RC on Friday). Ho hum....

C • Call that a rest day? 1

Street orienteering just down the road from where I live in Blackburn. It was a freezing night - mainly from the windchill - and I was tempted not to go. However, because it was so close and I had to hand over my map for next week to Vic to put on Ocad, I thought I had better front up. For once local knowledge helped and I knew a few shortcuts (including a new bridge that wasn't on the map). I plodded along very tentatively at the start but sped up considerably towards the end. I was pleased that nothing hurt - I am definitely starting to get into better shape and starting to run more comfortably (though slowly).

Pilates with 'the torturer' at lunchtime today. I expressed some fear before I went in - but there's no gain to be had without pain. Yes TT, I will try to go back each week - pilates on Tuesday and yoga on Fridays. The best part about pilates is when it stops - and surprisingly I do actually feel better after each time. The boss went and claimed an injury afterwards.

Re yesterday, my claim of elevation climbed may be exaggerated, due to Garmin idiosynchrysies yet to be resolved. Regardless - it was still awfully hilly.

C • smug satisfaction 3

I got up a 6am this morning and drove for 2 1/2 hours down from Benalla for the Yarran Dheran Enduro. I just couldn't resist the opportunity to do a long run on my No 1 favourite street O map (actually with quite a significant proportion of bush - and an awful lot of hills - note the 638 m of climb - and I tried to pick the flat route!) The map was a new A3 coloured map and it also included the very nice North Ringwood map. I ran all the flats and downhills, uphills where the gradient wasn't too much - but, like most other people, walked the steep hills. The hills on Glenfern Rd definitely push the envelope. I was also reasonably pleased with my score and placing compared to the other women competing in the 2hr event.

After a large lunch and hot shower (bit longer than I should have - but, despite the warm day, I was freezing), I then went out with Ian Mack to set the course for the Montomorency street O event to be held in 2 weeks time. This is my other favourite map. You are supposed to avoid parks in night Os but this was problematic as the parks in the SE corner link all the roads.

The highlight of the course setting was visting a dam in the NE corner of the map where, 25 years ago, I used to do my slalom kayak training with my canoe club. The dam was empty and probably hadn't seen water for some time. It was deeper than I had thought. The most amazing thing was that, standing up in the middle, was one of our old green and white slalom poles. It must have fallen in back then and not reclaimed when the course was dismantled. Also odd that no locals have removed it - given it is a piece of rubbish and the dam is surrounded by houses. But there you are - a relic from 25 years ago! I would have liked to hang a checkpoint on it but the rules say that they have to be on street lights for night Os.