Training Log Archive: vmeyerIn the 7 days ending Apr 14, 2017:
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Friday Apr 14, 2017 #
Event: Oceania Championships 2017
3 PM
Orienteering 25:10 [3] 1.76 mi (14:18 / mi) +26m 13:40 / mi
ahr:143 max:171
Thursday Apr 13, 2017 #
7 AM
Note
Drive to Auckland - lots of low clouds and rain and traffic going through the city. Likely exacerbated by the threat of heavy rains and winds...people were using the forecast as an opportunity to start the holiday weekend early.
We stopped in several small towns along the one, including one with yummy pies. I ate two of them. Oink!
On the way back from the walk, we stopped at the grocery store to stock up for the next few days when services would be limited due to the Easter holidays. I bought this Rhubarb yoghurt. It was heavenly.
We stopped in several small towns along the one, including one with yummy pies. I ate two of them. Oink!
On the way back from the walk, we stopped at the grocery store to stock up for the next few days when services would be limited due to the Easter holidays. I bought this Rhubarb yoghurt. It was heavenly.
3 PM
Walking 40:00 [1] 2.5 mi (16:00 / mi) +16m 15:41 / mi
ahr:88 max:91
Phillip, Jane and I walked to the Oceania Sprint venue and back. Was spitting a bit at times.
Wednesday Apr 12, 2017 #
9 AM
Orienteering race (Te Mata Take 2) 1:47:12 [3] *** 4.21 mi (25:28 / mi) +341m 20:21 / mi
ahr:121 max:158
Another early wake up...at least the sun rise was pretty...one was taken with my Fuji camera and the other with the iphone.
Hawkes Bay Orienteering Club has permanent courses at the same park where I orienteered on Sunday, so I decided to give it another go.
My hostess, Jane, printed me a map, while I download the iOrienteering app, and off I went, again driving myself, which, btw, was one of my goals for this trip.
I made to the park safely, and after checking this wonderful the map to make sure I was in the correct location, I got geared up to go.
When I was ready, and after scanning the QR code on the map to pick a course, I also scanned the one to start...
off I went across the road to the trail. Oops.
Back on track, I headed to #1, scanned the code, and continued on.
At that point I realized that I hadn’t even stopped to look at the view, so I turned around and went back to the scenic view for a look at the scenic view...
I carefully made my way around the course, learning from Sunday and taking tracks (trails) whenever possible.
On the way to 2
The 3rd control was in the pretty area of redwoods, where we started on Sunday.
Today, I was able to find the pond I had been looking for on Sunday once I had drifted that way anyway that day...
Anyway, I was moving along, happily finding controls, scanning them with my phone and taking pictures along the way…
Control #6
Then the messiness started…
I punched/scanned #7, but the phone was freezing up, and it was a struggle to get the scan. I thought it and gone through, but when I got to #8, I got the message that it was the incorrect control.
Not wanting to DNF a second time on this map, I decided to go back to #7 and scan again. However, I got confused in the maze of tracks coming from the other direction, and it took a while to sort myself back out. Finally, I got back to #7, scanned again, and then it was back to #8, having no problems getting there the second time. In all, the mis-scan cost me 22 minutes.
I was feeling good though, so I soldiered on, enjoying the scenery along the way. Until, that is, I got to #9, where I stubbornly looked for the single tree NE at the end of the one track, when it was actually up on the next track, where the circle was situated, but not the tree.
View out of #9.
Control #10 and surrounding area
I carried on, with just one more little hiccup back through the area of #7 when going to #10, passing that way for the third time, and then I was done.
Hawkes Bay Orienteering Club has permanent courses at the same park where I orienteered on Sunday, so I decided to give it another go.
My hostess, Jane, printed me a map, while I download the iOrienteering app, and off I went, again driving myself, which, btw, was one of my goals for this trip.
I made to the park safely, and after checking this wonderful the map to make sure I was in the correct location, I got geared up to go.
When I was ready, and after scanning the QR code on the map to pick a course, I also scanned the one to start...
off I went across the road to the trail. Oops.
Back on track, I headed to #1, scanned the code, and continued on.
At that point I realized that I hadn’t even stopped to look at the view, so I turned around and went back to the scenic view for a look at the scenic view...
I carefully made my way around the course, learning from Sunday and taking tracks (trails) whenever possible.
On the way to 2
The 3rd control was in the pretty area of redwoods, where we started on Sunday.
Today, I was able to find the pond I had been looking for on Sunday once I had drifted that way anyway that day...
Anyway, I was moving along, happily finding controls, scanning them with my phone and taking pictures along the way…
Control #6
Then the messiness started…
I punched/scanned #7, but the phone was freezing up, and it was a struggle to get the scan. I thought it and gone through, but when I got to #8, I got the message that it was the incorrect control.
Not wanting to DNF a second time on this map, I decided to go back to #7 and scan again. However, I got confused in the maze of tracks coming from the other direction, and it took a while to sort myself back out. Finally, I got back to #7, scanned again, and then it was back to #8, having no problems getting there the second time. In all, the mis-scan cost me 22 minutes.
I was feeling good though, so I soldiered on, enjoying the scenery along the way. Until, that is, I got to #9, where I stubbornly looked for the single tree NE at the end of the one track, when it was actually up on the next track, where the circle was situated, but not the tree.
View out of #9.
Control #10 and surrounding area
I carried on, with just one more little hiccup back through the area of #7 when going to #10, passing that way for the third time, and then I was done.
12 PM
Note
Then I drove to Te Mata Peak...I didn't quite get the review which stated something about it was great once you got to the top. It seemed like the road took you right to the top, and so it wasn't anything strenuous after that...turns out that the reviewer was talking about the drive up, on the one way road with hairpin turns...no drive to Pike's Peak, but a little hairy. Luckily, only one car came down while I was going up, and then there was none when I drove back down.
You can see the top part of the road in the picture...
You can see the top part of the road in the picture...
6 PM
Note
After tea this evening, I was introduced to feijoa. I didn't really like them, but I did have fun playing with my food.
Tuesday Apr 11, 2017 #
7 AM
Misc (Horse riding) 10:00 [1]
ahr:123 max:156
As some of you know, I don't tend to want to do much else when I go to orienteering events, except the orienteering related stuff and then veg out. With that in mind, I decided to find an activity to try in New Zealand, which was new to me. After looking around, I chose a guided trek on a horse. Selected www.boutiquehorsetreks.co.nz as the most suitable place and made arrangements for this morning for the sunrise ride. The pictures with me in them are courtesy of my guide, Dzidra.
Of course, I then decided that I needed to actually ride a horse ahead of time, so that I would more enjoy the experience. So, I signed up for lessons, which I took on Ed in February and March.
With my newly acquired right side driving skills, I took myself off, in a fog soup kind of morning.
I met up with Dzidra, who paired me up with Onyx, while she rode Bowie (named after David Bowie). Onyx was not much for small talk and was a bit of a handful, but I enjoyed the challenge, though it did take me a while to exert enough muscle to rein her in when I wanted to.
[I didn't remember to start my tracks until about halfway through...]
We wound our way around and through some adjacent farms from the stable, even having to dismount to deal with disabling an electric fence. I got to hold the fence handle, coming and going, and I was a bit nervous of that.
Dzidra on Bowie on the bike path.
Along the canal, lots of swans.
D leading Onyx and me around the edge of the Tuki Tuki river after Onyx refused to go along as planned, even turning around after we were in the water. I was too nice to pull her as hard as I should have, so we were led for a bit until we reached the beach.
Hawkes Bay
Back along the canal on a grassy path this time. Along here, I inadvertently gave Onyx the size to trot, and she was off, and she is not nearly as slow as Ed, that's for sure! After an exciting minute, I slowed her down...that was enough excitement for me.
When we came back through the electric fence area, I held both horses while D put the fence back to rights. Bowie was quite aggressive in scratching an itch. What a hoot!
Headed back...sheep 1
More sheep - hard to take pictures in focus when on a horse.
Back at home base, with Onyx enjoying one of the apples from the tree outside of the cottage's front door.
I really enjoyed the ride on Onyx, despite her recalcitrant attitude at times. I am glad that I took the lessons on Ed from Emily. Talking with D was also nice, like chatting up with an old friend. It was just the right amount of time, and I would do it again, if the opportunity arose. I.
Of course, I then decided that I needed to actually ride a horse ahead of time, so that I would more enjoy the experience. So, I signed up for lessons, which I took on Ed in February and March.
With my newly acquired right side driving skills, I took myself off, in a fog soup kind of morning.
I met up with Dzidra, who paired me up with Onyx, while she rode Bowie (named after David Bowie). Onyx was not much for small talk and was a bit of a handful, but I enjoyed the challenge, though it did take me a while to exert enough muscle to rein her in when I wanted to.
[I didn't remember to start my tracks until about halfway through...]
We wound our way around and through some adjacent farms from the stable, even having to dismount to deal with disabling an electric fence. I got to hold the fence handle, coming and going, and I was a bit nervous of that.
Dzidra on Bowie on the bike path.
Along the canal, lots of swans.
D leading Onyx and me around the edge of the Tuki Tuki river after Onyx refused to go along as planned, even turning around after we were in the water. I was too nice to pull her as hard as I should have, so we were led for a bit until we reached the beach.
Hawkes Bay
Back along the canal on a grassy path this time. Along here, I inadvertently gave Onyx the size to trot, and she was off, and she is not nearly as slow as Ed, that's for sure! After an exciting minute, I slowed her down...that was enough excitement for me.
When we came back through the electric fence area, I held both horses while D put the fence back to rights. Bowie was quite aggressive in scratching an itch. What a hoot!
Headed back...sheep 1
More sheep - hard to take pictures in focus when on a horse.
Back at home base, with Onyx enjoying one of the apples from the tree outside of the cottage's front door.
I really enjoyed the ride on Onyx, despite her recalcitrant attitude at times. I am glad that I took the lessons on Ed from Emily. Talking with D was also nice, like chatting up with an old friend. It was just the right amount of time, and I would do it again, if the opportunity arose. I.
2 PM
Note
In the afternoon, I helped label and test the radio controls for the upcoming events. Also admired the results of Philip's 3D printer, the piece attaching the usb cable to the laptop.
And, a custom built box to hold the two monitors for the commentary team...
A chill afternoon...nap, giving the horses apples, being fed a home cooked meal...a good day.
And, a custom built box to hold the two monitors for the commentary team...
A chill afternoon...nap, giving the horses apples, being fed a home cooked meal...a good day.
Monday Apr 10, 2017 #
Note
(rest day)
I am staying in the cottage that Jane's father lived on, which is on the corner of their property. Not unexpectedly, I woke up very early. Talked to Roger at 5 AM, ate breakfast, drank some diet cokes. Then, as a follow up to my driving lesson of last evening, I took the old Ute out for a spin into town, buying postcards, stamps, NZ dollars, a book by a NZ author, and a freezee pack for my sore foot. [April 18 - still haven't sent the postacrds, spent much cash, read more than a few pages, and I left the freezee in the place we stayed two stops ago.]
Right outside the cottage is an apple tree,
and conveniently, the neighbor's horses. Fed them an apple a day,
and a quince one day, when the horses stood on front of that tree and looked longingly at the fruit, just out of their reach. They had already eaten the ones they could reach.
Note: if one didn't close the curtains when coming into the bedroom after taking a shower, then one might have found the same horses peering into the window, up close and personal. No, I didn't get pictures. :)
A lazy day = a good day.
Right outside the cottage is an apple tree,
and conveniently, the neighbor's horses. Fed them an apple a day,
and a quince one day, when the horses stood on front of that tree and looked longingly at the fruit, just out of their reach. They had already eaten the ones they could reach.
Note: if one didn't close the curtains when coming into the bedroom after taking a shower, then one might have found the same horses peering into the window, up close and personal. No, I didn't get pictures. :)
A lazy day = a good day.
Sunday Apr 9, 2017 #
Event: QOC Lake Needwood
5 AM
Note
Got up earlier than the rest, got help getting the bed converted back to a seat, and then watched La La Land. Entertaining, but I have to agree that it probably wasn’t worthy of Best Picture.
Finished that up just as the hot towels were being delivered. So soothing!
My breakfast started with granola and berry yoghurt, and a fresh slice of warm raisin bread. Then I chose pancakes off of the hot menu. Topped with dried fruit compote, vanilla cream, and syrup. Using the syrup was probably overkill, but the pancakes were tasty, and just the right amount.
Things were picked up and we landed in Auckland right on time. I got into a conversation with a woman from Auckland on the shuttle from the plane to the terminal, and when I mentioned orienteering, we bonded…her husband is on the team putting out radio controls at the events. Cool.
The hardest part of the trip was next…
First , I stopped at the Vodafone shop for a burner phone and NZ minutes for the month, in order to stay in touch with my hosts. I was first in line, so that was good, and the dollar is strong right now, so the package was something like $60 NZ, which I was fine with. But, every time I translate NZ to US, I get a smile on my face. I also added the $10 daily passport to my US plan. That math didn’t make me quite as happy, at the time.
Anyway, getting the phone first put me behind all the people off of my flight, negating the value of being off the plane first. Learning curve, though not a big deal really. However, I got into the All Other Countries passport line, where I probably could have been in the faster, self-serve lane. Still learning. Luckily, a bunch of us were moved to the New Zealand line, and thank goodness, because Ii may have had to have words with the young love birds groping each other in front of me, while a woman kept ramming me from behind.
Next, we got to declare stuff, another long line, which I was eventually moved out of to a shorter line. I had food (Skittles and Reese peanut butter eggs) and my orienteering shoes. I had the shoes out in a separate bag, and I had scrubbed them thoroughly before I left. So, I passed the shoe test and did not have to report to the long lines of people having to have their items dipped in a bleach solution. Yay for the internet!!
Finally, off to the domestic terminal to fly to Napier/Hastings. A brisk ten minute walk later, I was at the terminal. I checked my second carry on, since only one is allowed. The flight was only a quarter full, so I probably could have carried it on, but you don’t know that at the time…
No, the propeller didn’t fly off.
Finished that up just as the hot towels were being delivered. So soothing!
My breakfast started with granola and berry yoghurt, and a fresh slice of warm raisin bread. Then I chose pancakes off of the hot menu. Topped with dried fruit compote, vanilla cream, and syrup. Using the syrup was probably overkill, but the pancakes were tasty, and just the right amount.
Things were picked up and we landed in Auckland right on time. I got into a conversation with a woman from Auckland on the shuttle from the plane to the terminal, and when I mentioned orienteering, we bonded…her husband is on the team putting out radio controls at the events. Cool.
The hardest part of the trip was next…
First , I stopped at the Vodafone shop for a burner phone and NZ minutes for the month, in order to stay in touch with my hosts. I was first in line, so that was good, and the dollar is strong right now, so the package was something like $60 NZ, which I was fine with. But, every time I translate NZ to US, I get a smile on my face. I also added the $10 daily passport to my US plan. That math didn’t make me quite as happy, at the time.
Anyway, getting the phone first put me behind all the people off of my flight, negating the value of being off the plane first. Learning curve, though not a big deal really. However, I got into the All Other Countries passport line, where I probably could have been in the faster, self-serve lane. Still learning. Luckily, a bunch of us were moved to the New Zealand line, and thank goodness, because Ii may have had to have words with the young love birds groping each other in front of me, while a woman kept ramming me from behind.
Next, we got to declare stuff, another long line, which I was eventually moved out of to a shorter line. I had food (Skittles and Reese peanut butter eggs) and my orienteering shoes. I had the shoes out in a separate bag, and I had scrubbed them thoroughly before I left. So, I passed the shoe test and did not have to report to the long lines of people having to have their items dipped in a bleach solution. Yay for the internet!!
Finally, off to the domestic terminal to fly to Napier/Hastings. A brisk ten minute walk later, I was at the terminal. I checked my second carry on, since only one is allowed. The flight was only a quarter full, so I probably could have carried it on, but you don’t know that at the time…
No, the propeller didn’t fly off.
8 PM
Orienteering race (Te Mata New Zealand) 1:38:47 [4] *** 2.61 mi (37:51 / mi) +265m 28:47 / mi
ahr:123 max:155
http://rg.orienteering.org.nz/gadget/cgi-bin/reitt...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/vmeyer/albums/721576...
I foolishly thought I could do Red Long...heck, it was only 3.8 km - piece of cake, right?! Wrong.
First, a visit to the loo. Ah, the fond memories of the memorial toilet. Quite a fine facility on a not too warm day...
Then it was off to the start...
The 360 degree views confirmed that it was a steep area, as I Iwas advised.
The Start area - all a blur to my jet lagged brain, obviously.
Did I mention that it was steep? If not, well, it was very steep, and the climb was brutal, and my route choice to 1 was not optimal. I didn't realize that the map was 1:6,000 for a bit and was confused why there was a stream so quickly coming out of the Start. After climbing on my hands and knees to 1, through lots of tall grass, which I HATE, I found the control. That was the one which was a pile of tree branches passing as a rootstock.
And, now we have to go OVER THERE to #2!!
Still a ways to go...
Yup, it is down there somewhere.
Anyway, not the best route to 2 either since I had to slide down to it on my butt. At least it was mostly grass, and I avoided the lava rocks on my descent.
At this point I strongly debated walking it back in, but I didn't see a good wayto do so, so I climbed back up towards 3, which is where I had just come from. My host, Phillip, was coming back up from 2,
and again, I considered walking it in, which is why I went on the trail for a bit. Then, I changed my mind and followed Phillip, King of the Mountain, up the hill.
I made it to the top as well.
so, I decided to just hang with Phillip and continue,
Control 4 in a little patch of white woods.
Then, as I got close to 5, the travel caught up with me, and I just couldn't imagine doing 5, much less 8-9-10, so, I headed back. My tracks are correct...I didn't go to 5, or 6, even though I was so close, and I only got 13 because I ended up right by there, and it looked easy enough to slide down on the pine needles.
Looking back at the Red Long winner, Will T.
Back at the event arena...home, sweet, home. Well, until I leaned my shoulder against the electric fence and the zap went right through my butt.
The park was beautiful...with beautiful areas of redwood trees and tall pines.
The pictures don't lie. I am glad I went out, and I didn't get injured, so it was a good day, indeed.
And, perhaps Sandy can calculate the whole course climb for me. :)
https://www.flickr.com/photos/vmeyer/albums/721576...
I foolishly thought I could do Red Long...heck, it was only 3.8 km - piece of cake, right?! Wrong.
First, a visit to the loo. Ah, the fond memories of the memorial toilet. Quite a fine facility on a not too warm day...
Then it was off to the start...
The 360 degree views confirmed that it was a steep area, as I Iwas advised.
The Start area - all a blur to my jet lagged brain, obviously.
Did I mention that it was steep? If not, well, it was very steep, and the climb was brutal, and my route choice to 1 was not optimal. I didn't realize that the map was 1:6,000 for a bit and was confused why there was a stream so quickly coming out of the Start. After climbing on my hands and knees to 1, through lots of tall grass, which I HATE, I found the control. That was the one which was a pile of tree branches passing as a rootstock.
And, now we have to go OVER THERE to #2!!
Still a ways to go...
Yup, it is down there somewhere.
Anyway, not the best route to 2 either since I had to slide down to it on my butt. At least it was mostly grass, and I avoided the lava rocks on my descent.
At this point I strongly debated walking it back in, but I didn't see a good wayto do so, so I climbed back up towards 3, which is where I had just come from. My host, Phillip, was coming back up from 2,
and again, I considered walking it in, which is why I went on the trail for a bit. Then, I changed my mind and followed Phillip, King of the Mountain, up the hill.
I made it to the top as well.
so, I decided to just hang with Phillip and continue,
Control 4 in a little patch of white woods.
Then, as I got close to 5, the travel caught up with me, and I just couldn't imagine doing 5, much less 8-9-10, so, I headed back. My tracks are correct...I didn't go to 5, or 6, even though I was so close, and I only got 13 because I ended up right by there, and it looked easy enough to slide down on the pine needles.
Looking back at the Red Long winner, Will T.
Back at the event arena...home, sweet, home. Well, until I leaned my shoulder against the electric fence and the zap went right through my butt.
The park was beautiful...with beautiful areas of redwood trees and tall pines.
The pictures don't lie. I am glad I went out, and I didn't get injured, so it was a good day, indeed.
And, perhaps Sandy can calculate the whole course climb for me. :)
Saturday Apr 8, 2017 #
Note
Lost day...
The second flight was San Francisco to Auckland. The trip through the airport was uneventful, and we were back in the air again about midnight my time.
We each had individual cubicles, with the two in the middle having a bit more contact with each other than the ones by the window. I had read the seat guru reviews, so I picked 7K which was last row, and seemed to be the most secluded. It was closest to the service area and bathrooms, but this wasn’t an issue. Especially since I probably set the record for trips to the loo...about 10 over 12 hours. Agh!
I was so sleepy, so I chose the quick bite dinner of soup and dessert. A hot towel beforehand was so nice.
This turned out to be the right choice because the full meal was delivered in freshly prepared stages, and I got help getting my bed sorted, and I was asleep before the last were served. Slept well, in between trips to the loo.
The second flight was San Francisco to Auckland. The trip through the airport was uneventful, and we were back in the air again about midnight my time.
We each had individual cubicles, with the two in the middle having a bit more contact with each other than the ones by the window. I had read the seat guru reviews, so I picked 7K which was last row, and seemed to be the most secluded. It was closest to the service area and bathrooms, but this wasn’t an issue. Especially since I probably set the record for trips to the loo...about 10 over 12 hours. Agh!
I was so sleepy, so I chose the quick bite dinner of soup and dessert. A hot towel beforehand was so nice.
This turned out to be the right choice because the full meal was delivered in freshly prepared stages, and I got help getting my bed sorted, and I was asleep before the last were served. Slept well, in between trips to the loo.