Training Log Archive: Zed

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.