Tapering again

The last 2 weeks have been a bit up and down as my long mileage weekend was tougher than expected. The training plan has been mostly adhered to  but I omitted one long 5 hour run at the end of  a 120 km week as I was just too stuffed! I think I have made up missing part of that with a few runs and mountain bike sorties in the Twizel area over Easter, although not for 5 hours. The picture above is of the Lower Hopkins Valley by Lake Ohau which is an area we have never been to before.

Fundraising has gone up to $3500 which is greatly appreciated given that every other run has coincided with an earthquake.

It has gone all frosty the last few days so have my dark morning runs have been at minus 2 with plenty thermals.

There are 2 weeks to the North Face 100 Blue Mountains Run. From here I will have a few 2hour max runs with 5-12km runs during the week. 

Kia Kaha

Staggeringly Stunning Arrowsmith Thee

The second of my long runs this weekend was the "Arrowsmith Thee" mountain run. This is in the high country of the Ashburton river source and lakes. There was a frost in the valley as we drove to the start.  

The frost and mist soon burned off in the morning sun

The start of the run climbed quickly in the first 12km. Not much running was done by me from here

Richard Green and Andy Macfarlane near the high point

Stunning views towards the Arrowsmith Mountain Range

The run dropped down to the Ashburton River valley.

Not much running now - more of a stagger

View down to the river gorge

10km to go

The finish at last. 6hrs 45min later. Speedsters there to greet me home.

The day was just stunning with  another windless sunny day and 360 degree alpine scenery. Slept for 11 hours afterwards.

Ka kite.

Yabbadabbadoo . The Bedrock 50

Today I took part in an inaugural 52km running event in the foothills near Oxford. The day started chilly but the cloud burned off after a couple of hours to have a brilliantly sunny and windless autumnal day.  40 competitors assembled which was a promising turnout for this event.

The first 10 km involved a steady climb through bush. Plenty of bellbirds singing.

At 24km the run followed flat straight gravel roads for approx 15km

The flat road was followed by this killer of a hill going up 600m  over 1km

The top was followed by a mostly steady downhill to the finish. A few bogs had to be negotiated. The winner managed this in 4h38m. I felt pretty pleased coming in at 7h55m

Yet another event which has to be done again next year! The "Bedrock 50" Rocks!

Pretty picture

Just thought I would post this picture from a Hill run up the Mt Hutt Ski Road this morning. Just Beautiful.

Ka Kite

Getting back into training

It is 2 weeks since the Tarawera 100 km. A combination of walks , aquajogging and just ambling about for 72 hours after the run helped me escape any disabling stiffness such that I was able to jog 12 km 1 week later. I also think use of walking poles during the Tarawera run helped reduce a lot of the strain and enabled a quicker recovery time.

These animals reminded me that what a horse looks like on the outside, is the way a  man would like feel on the inside. I am not there yet but at least it gives me something to aim for. 

The last of New Zealand Summer time has passed  with mornings being much lighter for the time being. Being light at 6.20 am makes it much easier to go out early.

This weekend has involved  a couple of 3 hour runs, one of which was back in my favourite haunt of Mclennans Bush. Mileage has been 84 km this week which is quite respectable.

View towards Banks Peninsula from Scott Saddle track

Mclennans Bush

Next weekend I will take part in a couple of events to make up a big mileage weekend, 5 weeks out from the North Face 100 run. This will be the Bedrock 50 ( 52 km) race at Oxford,  North Canterbury on Saturday, and the Arrowsmith Thee Run ( 42km), in the Ashburton High Country, on the Sunday.  I hope to have enough energy for these. The intention is to complete rather than compete. The terrain and scenery should be awesome, and with the NF100 in my mind all the time, the hill work should provide a suitable workout.

Kia Kaha