
Spence and Ben headed off to snowboard and ski at Porters Pass in Arthur’s Pass yesterday so I tagged along. I had plans to do some walks so took a heavy pack and walking poles. Once we got there I discovered that I could hire some gear and do some snowboarding lessons so that was that! I opted for a 2 hr session with an instructor and small group. I had skied before when in my teens, but the boarding was something else! My arse now hates me :D (more…)
Jul 25, 2010 | Categories: Runs & Walks | Tags: arthurs pass, climing, porters pass, scree, snow boarding, stupidity, walking | 2 Comments »

Jane and I headed to the Wharfedale track today and opted for the Saddle return or 3hrs- which ever came first. It felt odd being on foot as I’ve only ever been there on bike- but once warmed up the tracks gradient was very pleasant. There was snow along most parts towards the saddle and characteristically the track was wet, technical and slippy from the onset. Running at endurance pace (being able to talk comfortably) it was great to finally run with Jane socially and “talk ultra training” as we zipped up and through the wet rooty goodness. (more…)
Jul 19, 2010 | Categories: Runs & Walks | Tags: jane manthorpe, North Face Ultra GTX XCR, trail running, wharfedale track | 2 Comments »

Today was simply glorious and with a sunny and perfect day for exploring some trails in the Porthills- off I went. The original plan was to meet up with Jane- but she called early this morning and had to bail due to her legs not wanting to “play” today. Fair call too…..as we all know how it feels to have had a hard week on the dirt! Anyway, I scooted to the bottom of the Mount Vernon Track and headed upwards- walking a bit-running a bit- warming up nicely with a bit of a stretch here and there. With the recent rain which has been seemingly non stop for months- there were some magnificent mini falls and lots of running water. I’ve not been up this track for sometime and it was lush- but greasy as hell. (more…)
Jul 04, 2010 | Categories: Runs & Walks | Tags: Farm Track, Mount Vernon Track, North Face Ultra GTX XCR, port hills, sign of the kiwi, trail running | 5 Comments »

Here we go again…at 6.00 am I set my two alarms (yeah two) to go sit in front of the computer. It was about zero degrees in the back study….and I was not impressed. For any of you who were also up at sparrows fart and tried to enter the Kepler Challenge (or Luxmore Grunt) you’ll know just how worryingly slow the site was this year. Infact, it was near impossible to get the website to refresh. I had Firefox open and ready to go. I had bookmarked the registrations site the night before and even swapped over to the newer modem without wireless. (more…)
Jul 03, 2010 | Categories: Thoughts & Training | Tags: 2010, fiordlands, kepler challenge, online entry, te anau, Training, ultra trail | 21 Comments »