Training Log Archive: Zed

Short loop around Belair with both boys. Bear was manically happy to be running again.

Course 1 at Morialta. After debating whether to attend I am glad I did. Quite fun. No problems although prob a bit slow making decisions.

Back in Belair with a very happy Callum. Up the valley, back via Nookoo spur.

At Bounce with V while the boys jumped. Crowded today and had to take turns.

Short run around Hot water springs little township including some stairs . Sad to leave this lovely place.

Leith sad to leave the large inflatable mat. Then we drove back to Auckland , said goodbye to the Happy Campervan and flew home.

C • Happy Campervan 4

Slow jog along the coastal trail from Wahai Beach to the next bay and back. Strep and slippery in parts.

Many tall trees close to the beach in the next bay - a type I hadn't seen before.

Next stop was Hot water beach. The hot water spot was easy to find from the clouds of steam and the tightly grouped small crowd. The water was so hot some pools were vacated as they were too hot to even put your foot in. We scored a good spot when a family vacated theirs to have lunch, which we defended against the incoming tide for a while before admitting defeat.

Then on to the spectacular Cathedral Cove as the sun was setting.
Stayed at a very nice new villa/ cabin at Hot water springs holiday park - a really lovely location and campsite.

Last Raglan run. Out along the road south to the nature reserve. Followed the ridge until I came to the path that led down the dune to the sea. If I'd had more time I could've run back this way but I didn't so returned the way I came . Packed up, had another chat about hiking with the friendly hotel manager, then headed off to Bridal Veil falls. Spectacular and worth visiting.

Next stop was The Shire's Rest cafe for lunch then the tour of Hobbiton movie set. This was great although Leith was a bit disappointed he had to share the experience with so many others.

Now at Wahai Beach ready for a one day viewing of the Coromandel Peninsula.

Jog around Raglan. Legs a bit stiff.

Oiling my joints.

Decided to stay another day at Raglan motel as poor Leith still quite sick and I didn't have the heart to move him again. He stayed lying down for the entire day apart from a short walk around town in the evening.

After John returned from surfing at the famous Manu break ( sharing it with about 40 others) I went off to walk up Mt Karioi, the local mountain which dominates the skyline.
I eventually found the start at the eastern ( easier route) where I had a steady climb through farmland before reaching the forest. Sunlight through green forest leaves must be my favourite light so I enjoyed this afternoon walk immensely . Climb up took an hour. Views from the top ( helicopter landing pad) were amazing. Rolling green hills, distant hazy mountains and blue sea. I could even here the surf as the lines of waves rolled gently in. Took photos for 2 y kiwi girls at the top ( who celebrated their climb from the west by doing handstands- I was quite envious that I couldn't do same) .

Then a steady walk trot back down through the leafy forest, listening to the birds. Saw 10 people in total - unlike the rest of Raglan which was quite busy.

I miss Callum a lot ( and B and T!) otherwise I would love to stay and explore the many other parks and hikes of the North island.

C • Callum and bear 4

Silica falls loop, also from Whakapapa village. Some many great trails around here. Had the trail to myself.

Then most of the day was taken up driving back to Raglan. Leith still quite sick, poor chap.

Took the foot option from the ski field near Whakapapa walking the track while the others took the ski lift up to 'New Zealand's highest cafe, up the sides of Mt Ruapehu. This was pleasant in the crisp cool air and soup and offer at the top were delicis. Poor Leith though was feeling really bad by this time and just wanted to sleep, so after we all rode the ski lift down we stayed at the lovely Whakapapa holiday park so he could spend the afternoon amd evening dozing in the van.

First night sleeping in the van and it was freezing as the quilt didn't seem to stretch far enough.

Late afternoon venture out from Whakapapa village to the lovely Taranagi Falls. This was stunning and had beech forest, rushing streams, open mountain heath and sunset views of Mt Ngauruhoe . There were few others about. I think I enjoyed this more than the Tongariro crossing.

After a restless night as is my annoying tendency before an earlier than usual start we were breakfasted and off before 7 am. ( This was no mean logistical feat as 3 people needed to visit 4 different locations - bedroom, toilets, car, kitchen - at different times, 2 of which were locked and with only 1 key for both of these locked locationcs .)

Anyway we drove to the finish of the hike, parked and caught the shuttle to the start, to be dropped off with the crowds. The bus driver strongly discouraged walkers from doing the side trips due to these being sacred sites and safety risk of dislodging rocks onto others going up Mt Ngauruhoe. This was a bit disappointing and put us in a bit of a dilemma - in the end we went up the easier side trip up Mt Tongariro partly just to get away from the crowds and because the hike was feeling shorter than we expected. We had an early - 11 am - lunch on Mt Tongariro, which afforded great views of Mt Ngauruhoe. We also did a short side trip to go around the western parent of the red crater.

The walk was as expected spectacular and we were very fortunate to have perfect conditions. The crowds and trying to politely pass slower walkers was a bit tedious, also as expected. After being apprehensive Leith flew along and led the way down the long final downhill section, much of which we jogged. He was surprised to find it easier than he had feared beforehand .

However it took a toll as during the night he came down with a virus and has been doing lots of sleeping in the two days since.

Another time I would like to do one of the multi day walks eg northern loop or the round the mountain loop and also climb up Mt Ruapehu although the staff at the info centre said this required a guide.

Spent another night at the pleasant Pipers Lodge at National Park village.

C • Nice 6

Last run in the Rotarua redwoods with Jenny and Blair. Such a great spot.

Now at National Park Village ready for Tongariro Crossing.

Last o event. Lots of fun. Rotarua government gardens and nearby streets. Pretty happy with this apart from brain fade on way to 3rd last control. Forgot to turn map to north and wasted nearly a minute feeling puzzled.
15th which was good for me and my second best result.

Leith enjoyed his junior relay so much he opted to run a second course. :)

Warm up and cool down - ran back to accommodation.

Touristy afternoon of ( watching) zorbing, sitting in a pool in a hot creek and going to evening markets.

Jog from where we are staying to the start of the o. Amazing tall redwood forest with ferns as the understory.

45 AS - I think I entered myself in this back in February as I was worrying about middle being too technical and thought I'd see how I went concentrating over a shorter distance.
Answer was ok overall although not fast. A couple of slow legs in thick bush where tracks would've been better in hindsight plus I took a while interpreting detail on route. Surprisingly good enough for 3rd. Decided I'd probably prefer to cover more distance even with mistakes on route as I'd get to see more.
A beautiful map to be orienteering on, felt lucky to be here.

Jog around Raglan. Headed towards Manu Bay ( famous surf spot) then found a bush reserve and did a loop in here.

Followed by a bowl of latte at 'the Shack'. And some looking about.

Raglan backpackers have reasonably priced kayak hire. So I hired one for an hour ( John and Leith not being interested) and paddled across Raglan Harbour to an interesting area called Pancake Rocks. These were limestone rocks broken off or eroded from the cliff with vegetation and birds nesting on top which were fun to paddle between. Very scenic and interesting.

Then we drove to tonight's destination- Rotarua via Hamilton- getting caught in Hamilton's peak hour traffic which seemed a lot for a town that size.

Slippery muddy ground! This was crazy!
Happy I had no nav errors but was slow on steep slopes. One not good route choice where I didn't want to follow the pack down a steep slippery muddy slope so instead tired to find a way around / through some steep cliffs. Ended up going through a small canyon like a set off LOTR ( no Aragon appeared unfortunately). Fun event.

Leith managed his mod course well coming 10th so that was good.

Tried to wash my muddy shoes off in a stream after and an eel appeared thinking my shoes were dinner! Jumped up every time I dipped my shoes in.

Then we drove south to Raglan. Cider and wood oven pizza on front veranda of Harbour View Hotel.

Oceania relays with John and Leith. I lost the plot and made mistake after mistake. Only moderate. Did also stop to help a distressed young girl. Shame as the others had good runs. Fun watching the others.

John arrived at our Auckland CP ( north shores, probably wouldn't stay there e again as a bit grungy and pokey) from an overnight flight at 6.15 am. We left for the long drive to the event before 7.30 am. Parked 3 km from start so Leith made it with not much time to spare.
For my 4.0 course I Covered about 7.5 km according to my Garmin. Wood hill area pine forest on a massive ancient sand dune with crazy contours which I found difficult to read in parts. Also Very thick bush in parts. Hard to see ahead. 2 particularly tough controls but even those I felt ok on I was slow compared with the field. Came back feel like I'd been on an epic adventure and was quite happy about it apart from when I glanced at the results. Sometimes it's best not to look!!

Followed by a lovely swim in the fresh water lake on site. Very nice.

Sprint at Unitec campus Auckland. Pretty steady run if a bit cautious. Happy with route choices. Quite good fun. 13th - 4 minutes off winning time.

Leith disappointed to mispunch. Forgot 1 control.
Great results to several SA os- Dante, Angus, Jenny and Toby.

Afterwards walked up Mt Eden, an old volcano with a grassy crater. Very pleasant.

Warm up and cool down.

Organising day picking up camperva from ' Happy Campers' Auckland depot, a name not reflected in that office that day, then a surprisingly good 'bowl' of latte ( sigh... heaven) a shop at an enormous Pak and Save , and a wet drive in an ancient bargain basement camper van across Auckland in pre Easter traffic to a trampoline park for a two hour session. Then another dark wet drive across Auckland to Takapuna beachside caravan park. We had a lovely little cabin. Here we met J and G for a lovely dinner.

There had been many warnings regarding Cyclone Cook hitting Auckland this day in the news but it passed to the east so the weather was fairly uneventful.

At Auckland trampoline park. Got quite sweaty. Leith learnt a new trick so was very happy. I'm working on bouncing neatly between trampolines. Gradually getting better. Totally impressed by the kids at this place. Lots of girls being active.

Last run with Callum up Ballast Pit track before heading to the airport.

Note - Adelaide to Auckland with Leith.
Wet walk to airport hotel from airport.

Loop in Belair with both dogs on blustery morning with occasional showers. Mostly in flatter western end but included nopeet hill.Did last 3 km on streets after dropping dogs off.

Helping at Velogaine at Moculta - left home 6.30 am back 6.40 pm. Long but fun day. About 130 entrants. Not as many as foot events but felt quite busy enough.

Good team of helpers and Bruce as setter was pretty organised. HH at Moculta was a good location.
Thoughts for future:
- as coord remember to check all clear on roles at finish before rush
- 2 -3 control card checkers if score cards. Checking punch marks. 1 not enough. Set up before rush.
- could do certificates for 1st 3 places as well as catagory winners.
- timeline written up for helpers would be useful.

With Biddy up via redwoods to top of QJD back via steps and Nookoo spur. Pretty warm.

C • Hope the Velogaine went well? 2

Belair run, redwoods and back via Melville house track and valley.
Final goodbyes to Stefano.

Before work. Couldn't do the rolls ups this time.

Stefano's last training

Quite a big group of juniors and seniors and we all ran together which was fun. Felt much better than last time and was a bit faster with less effort. Not as puffed and sweaty ( was much cooler) which made me think I could've pushed more at end. I think I get relieved it's nearly done and relaxed a bit. Note to self sprint last 50 m next time and use arms.
Leith also a pb-13:20. Now we both want to go sub 13.

Warm up and cool down.

Pewsey Vale. Probably should've stayed in bed and read a book.

Swim with Lauren at Marion. 1.5 straight freestyle, rest doing some drills and intervals. Felt nicely all over tired after.