Training Log Archive: Billenicus

Xterra Race at Makara Wind Farm

Great course - a real mixture including about 3Km along a beach, contouring along steep wet slopes, dving through bushy stuff etc. Unfortunately the hills were a bit too steep to run up, partly because they were so slippery. Also wished I'd worn O-shoes - didn't because I thought much more of it was going to be on fairly hard surfaces, but would have been OK.

Foot felt a bit sore at the start and on the way down the first hill. Then on the beach slipped a couple of times with ankle turning outwards - hurt a lot. From then on, had to be cautious, particularly along the rest of the beach and a lot of the tricky and downhill stuff (though still generally gaining on those bits).

Physically not feeling great. Legs (quads in particular) fairly tired, and struggling with the 9am start.

Foot sore for the rest of the day. Had been intending to go orienteering as well, but probably wise not to.

Cycled home from the cycle shop - exactly the opposite of yesterday's route (and therefore largely uphill).

Felt quite tired - legs were struggling. The servicing seems to have made the bike slower - the wheels are not rotating as freely. But at least it stops now so I can go back to doing hill work.

Cycled to the cycle shop in Upper Hutt to leave it there for servicing. Went via Whitemans Valley.

Had to push fairly hard to get there on time.

After leaving the bike, Susan dropped me in just at the bottom of the driveway that leads up to the water tanks in Silverstream. Ran home from there via Avro, pretty much the shortest possible route.

Legs struggled to start with, but pretty good once I got into a rhythm.

Foot a little bit dodgy at times going up the hill, but it seems to work better on the flat and downhill.

Hills. The 3-4-3 session using the hill the other side.

Legs feeling nice and fresh, so trying to keep pressure on the lungs. Sometimes forgetting to put sufficient effort in.

Had rested the foot a bit. A few twinges early on but pretty much OK while doing the hills. Maybe slightly sorer afterwards than before but difficult to really tell.

The Whitemans Valley loop anticlockwise (sticking with anticlockwise for the moment because the brakes are in no condition to go the other way).

Went reasonably hard and was always going at a reasonable tempo. Conditions just about perfect.

Foot a bit sore during the morning, but cycling doesn't appear to have any effect.