Training Log Archive: Mess Engineer

Event: Newcastle Park Orienteering Series - Hunter River High
 

Time full prior to Street-O.
Hoping since top half only it won't tire my legs.

Long Course.
2.9 km straight line but stated as 4 km nominal.
30 Controls.

What a difference a week makes.
Really like this map.
The name of the game Is "spot the impassable fence" prior to running to next control and then plan route.

No screw ups. Got very close to nominal distance.
Went out as first starter so got my wish of "not following" anyone and no-one lapped me either so I got to be effectively first to every control.

Ran without ankle guards (I accidentally left them home after weekend) with no issues.

Went home happy!

Minor food shop on way home.
Steak, lettuce and cheese rolls for dinner then walking lap of block with dog.
Good afternoon!

Long - Splits

Walk Nobbys car park to town and then return again later. One more to go.

Distraction / relaxation activity.
Picking up all fallen branches and sticks from recent stormy winds.

Pure Performance shop has a weekly run on Monday at Warners Bay and Monday at Newcastle. I was thinking of doing this from the end of Park-O to maintain fitness over winter.
Splits
1. 4:20
2. 5:13
3. 5:31
4. 5:26
5. 5:26
6. 5:30
7. 5:39
Best run, and best 5 km, since August injury.
Still way off best ever pace but happy to maintain pace compared to last weeks unofficial park run attempt.

Weight no longer good indication as moving muscle around.
Try logging measurements for a while.
Waist 83 cm. Chest 103 cm. Right Bicep 36 cm.

Drive through back streets of Heddon Greta to see if estate extension progressed enough to extend last years new map - Answer NO.

Drive through Weston Woodkands Estate to see if estate extension finished to extend last years new map - Answer about 90% so YES.

Also on the way there checked out the 3 newish estates at Gilleston Heights to see if they interconnect sufficiently to make up a single new Street-O map with the new Wallis Creek part under construction. Answer YES but would be ideal if there was better options to cross the main road. Will have to have a better look on SIX site and Google etc now that I have driven around.

Special Sunday class.
Think this may be the final nail in the coffin of my interest in this activity.

C • :-( 2

Wallingat National Park.
Amalgamation of three minor walks.

Must be one of the dullest National Parks I have ever visited.
Never been here before.
So a long drive to get there .... for not much.
Walking tracks very overgrown.

Hmmm am I meant to use this to cross ?

From Forster 2015

Real bridge not much better !

From Forster 2015

Spend over 3 hrs driving around and less than 1 hour actually walking!
Roads very rough with water filled pot holes so gave station wagon a workout.
No phone reception for majority of driving so didn't feel exactly comfortable.
Saw one other car and two people on mountain bikes.

Am I going to regret attempting this ?

From Forster 2015

Came to one section of total slushy mess with a bulldozer doing road repair 200 m down the road. Went and spoke to driver, who was National Parks ranger, about whether I should turn back or continue. He said this patch was the worst of it so I continued on through.

Driving up Whoota Whoota lookout road got very steep to the top and the view was out over the lakes and sea.

From Forster 2015

From Forster 2015

Booti Booti National Park
Elizabeth Beach to "The Ruins" via clifftops and beach.
Return via shoreline of Wallis Lake.

Never walked through here before.

Seal Rocks.

0.85 km in 15:33 around beach and clambering over rocks on island.

3.68 km in 51:56 from beach to Lighthouse and return.

Hadn't been here in over 14 years.

From Forster 2015

From Forster 2015

From Forster 2015

Detour to see "The Grandis" the tallest tree in NSW.
76 metres tall and 400 years old.

Been here before but probably 14 years ago.
Last time I went past the road was closed.

From Forster 2015

From Forster 2015