Training Log Archive: PrueD

Watched the school's relays, where secondary to their amazing orienteering talent was the girls' skill in braiding hair and then running through the bush without any of it getting out of place. I then headed off to Stanthorpe via 'middle earth', spending time admiring the amazing scenery, which looked quite mystical in the mist and did the Queen Mary Falls walk. Decided to rest my knee and not orienteer today.

C • Plaiting 2

Race the Kids midweek public race. Pretty warm day and my knee was a bit tender from yesterday, so l ambled around course E. There were lots of 'kiddy tracks' to follow. Even so, l made a poor route choice to 1, opting to go around the green, and took a bad bearing between 10 and 11, which took me off me back to the start. Oh dear. Nice xanthorrea (can't spell) out there. Also, l found myself observing how dry the litter layer was and the smell of smoke and the yellow light from the smoke. There's benign burning off all around but l'm hard wired to detect smoke.

Walk up Mt Maroon. It was a very steep rocky climb, so l didn't go all the way as l wasn't sure how strong my knee would be on the way down. As it ended up, it was OK, but l probably need to do more of this to get the pro receptors working properly. I also didn't want to overdo it between events.
A contingent of NZ juniors were also climbing. I guess they needed to wear off all the food they had eaten, given the last time l had seen them was in Coles at Beausesert, where they had bought $500 worth of groceries. The checkout lady said it was the pinnacle of her career and then EFTPOS imploded, presumably never having seen such a big load of groceries
I also drove out to Maroon Dam and My Barney NP, which looked quite spectacular. Unexpectedly there is such a lot to see and do in this area. I'd love to come back, but would prefer some company on the walks next time.

Australian Schools Sprint - public event - Currumbin High School. I had a pretty good run with one slight error around 19 to 20 (started heading to 21) and a bit of a wobble towards the end when my glasses fogged up. Pretty happy with the run, just a shame l didn't run like this on Saturday. I am starting to enjoy running now that l am a little fitter.
Spent my last night at Beaudesert last night and will move to near Rathdowney today. Drove to Binna Burra this morning but didn't have time for a walk. The scenery was just gorgeous and l might have to come back.
I had a scallop craving and rewarded myself with three lovely plump fried scallops after the event.

Australian relay championships at Mundoolun. I was first runner in team PMS with Margie and Suzanne in W55. I started carefully and battled the lantana, which l have not met before. Although slow, l was accurate the whole way and brought the team in 3rd out of 7, so was pretty pleased. The rest of the team didn't have such a good run and we finished 6/7. Nevermind, it was all about me anyway. Lovely to be in the bush.

Australian Sprint Orienteering championships at Griffith University. I got up early and headed down the mountain to the Gold Coast, with a well worthwhile detour to Tamborine Mountain on the way. Lovely rainforest most of the way.People travelling up tomorrow for the relays should note there is to be a bike race on that road tomorrow and allow plenty of time.

After most of week on rural roads, I found the Gold Coast to be something of a sensory shock and I felt quite overwhelmed with the roads, traffic and general air and sea traffic around. I finally found a coffee shop (not many there) and a parking spot at the same time. Phew - I needed that coffee. The next challenge was getting to the event.

Anyway, once I got there my run was fairly nondescript. I was slow and got confused around the construction site, losing several minutes between 4 and 5. I also found the map quite hard to read.. My peers all beat me resoundly.

I then headed back to Beaudesert and was actually pleased to arrive at the caravan park. Green views and birdlife are a premium on the Gold Coast. I am definitely a country girl at heart.

C • country girl? 2

I stayed at Boggabilla last night in a very downmarket motel,although it was clean and the owner very hospitable.,. Boggabbilla is one of NSW poorest towns and has the second highest crime rate n the state. Its population is 58% aboriginal. Although I was quite keen to show my support for the locals, it was a bit depressing and I spent half the night awake expecting to hear my car being knocked off.
I then drove to Inglewood, where the recent floods were still very much in evidence. From there I drove to Warrick, in the granite belt. It was much drier and the scenery very appealing to an orienteer. Lovely open forest in undulating terrain with lots of wildflowers. Hopefully Stanthorpe is like that. After Warrick I drove off the map, arriving at Beaudesert with the help of Google maps. BD is another impoverished town. Poverty and deprivation seem rife in northern NSW and southern Qld. And of course the poorest of these live at the caravan park, where I now have my tent pitched. Fortunately the view is nice, that is, apart from the middle aged lady next door walking about in her underpants..
Interesting sign today. A warning that the fine for keeping a pet rabbit in Qld is $44,000 !!!

C • I love that sign! 4