Training Log Archive: Lizzie

Holdsworth Jumbo Mtn Race.

A race I've wanted to do for a few years now. Have memories of camping out there when I was young and Mum and Dad did it (and being bored whilst waiting for them to finish!)

Had the option of racing either H-J way around, or J-H. So I went with a distinct minority and went clockwise, H-J, as that's the way it used to be back in the good ol' days. And I wanted to see what time I could do compared to young(er) and fit(ter) Mum and Dad :) (plus this way around I wouldn't have to race Piret...)

Unfortunately though, just not the day for me. The first 70mins were good. Up to Mountain Hut in 43mins, just about on plan. Then up the steep climb to Powell Hut in 66 (according to the race marshall there, but my watch had 70mins). However, from there it turned to custard. breathing issues, dizzy spells, chest pains. Was constantly having to walk, then sit down for about 2/3rds of the course.
Ended up taking about 45mins longer than I should have, but in the end it was about making it to the finish rather than worrying about the time.

Off to the Dr.

On the bright side, I was still Queen of the Mtn (holdsworth). Saw the 2nd placed chick catching me up after I'd had to sit down and let a dizzy spell pass, so I got up and ran the last 200m to the summit. Then it went downhill (literally and metaphorically) from there.

C • Aw no!! 6

reports for all races now up. I take no responsibility for lack of coherence and/or grammar!

Plod up Johnston's hill with Magnus. Was meant to be O-gang run, but everyone else opted for the earlier Slow-gang run. More than a little offended at this.

Anyway, slowly made our way up Johnston's via some alternative tracks from usual. Ran some of the cleared areas near the top which will soon be mtb tracks too. Then back down through the bush, exploring a couple of possum tracks on the way.

Around and about in Otari-Wilton's bush. Came down the path by the 800yo Rimu for the first time in a while. Some no-fun person has replaced the slippery mud slide and accompanying rope with stairs.

Last day before heading back to work so took the opportunity to hit some hills with magnus. Up from Maungakotukutuku valley up to the tops along a very indistinct, muddy track through native bush :) Then along the tops along a marginally more distinct and more than marginally more muddy track. Popped out onto 4wd and trail bike tracks and had a nice long down hill to meet Lisa at Whareroa farm.

Easy paced and a beautiful day. Once we came out of the bush there were stunning views down to the coast and across to Kapiti Island.

Classic DOC signposting at one point, where we went from 1.9km to the road end, 300m later (running towards the road end) a sign told us we had 2.1km to go?! Not really what you want to see after ~2 hours running! And the final sign - 700m to carpark (18mins)

Back from 2 weeks travelling around races. So time to fill in race reports etc gradually over the next few days :)

Taking a few days to recover mentally and physically, then it will be time to look forward and formulate some goals for the rest of the year.

a very mild paced jog around the tracks with mum.

STB event 3. Knew my body wasn't up to it after last night, so just jogged around. This served me well for the first half of the course which was in a gorse maze by the side of a river. But after emerging from that for the 2nd half of the course, jogging was never going to be competitive! Tried to take out the 2 hills sprints, which left me on the verge of another breathing attack for the last few controls, so stumbled in to the finish. (didn't win the hill sprints either, as Fanni was reccing them a couple of times before smashing them out!)

Decided to bail home to wgtn after this race, as my body is run into the ground and there's no point putting myself out of training for a few weeks by pushing myself too far now.

STB stage 1

Legs were dead from the get go, so couldn't push too hard. Was going to try sprinting with a magnifying lens, but started raining just before the start, so will have to trial that another time.
A few little mistakes and sub-par route choices. But really was hard to get in the right frame of mind after the last week and a bit.
Got smashed on both the hill and sprint legs, but consistency meant I came 3rd overall.

STB stage2 Splash Planet.

Awesome map and course, shame i couldn't do it justice!

Felt fine warming up and for the first half of teh course. But then my body packed it in, again. Felt an attack coming on on the way to 12, so slowed right down and walked, then sat down, then walked and jogged the rest. Figured if I finished atleast I could count for the rest of the week and perhaps win back the time i lost.

But after struggling to the finish line, I discovered I'd mispunched on 13 - just when I was really out of it at the worst of my attack! Only my 2nd mp ever I think, and more than understandable given the circumstances. Was still annoyed though!

Was heading for 2nd/3rd when I stopped, but inconsequential really. Time to ease off and let my body recover. Think I confused the hell out of Judith and Lena, when they both came past me as I was sitting down or walking! Actually kept up with Lena for a fair while as she was running all over the show while I was walking/jogging straight to the controls!