Sunday, January 27, 2013

Adventure Runs in New Zealand

 Tom got me the best watch ever for my birthday 2 years ago.  Now you can see I have done 6 runs in New Zealand!


 A map of my runs in New Zealand so far.  1 in Hanmer Springs (see Adventure Run #1).  4 in Christchurch proper and Adventure run #2 (see next Picture).






















Adventure Run #2 was Sunday the 28th.  A map of it on the Banks Peninsula is above.  The short version is:  it was super to run along the high ridge and see the whole peninsula.

The slightly longer version is that I ran out of water around Mile 10/11 at the top of Mt. Herbert (got water at the hut around mile 14).  Then Miles 12-14 were bushwacking through totally overgrown trail with attack bushes (they were crazy sharp) and it took way too long.  Then around Mile 14 you see I started to descend, but I was supposed to be on the other side of that ridge you can see as the other side is where Laura was waiting to pick me up.  Of course, as soon as I started to drop into the valley I had no cell service and realized the mistake way too late.  Luckily a family picked me up when I got to the road.  I think of them as my angels who took me to a service station where (a) I could reach Laura and (b) Laura could find me (see the post Flatmate Laura).  Laura was awesome.  The car company (we returned the car late) was awesome and I am one lucky girl who did a gorgeous adventure trail run.

Adventure Run #1


 Me before adventure run #1 in Hanmer Springs.  This is a map of where I went.  Laura had the good idea to take a picture of it with my camera since I was carrying the camera on the trip!





 The trees were crazy dense.  This does not do the darkness justice on a crazy clear blue day. 


The view of the valley from up high.  That's Hanmer Springs down there.




 You can't see it, but the waterfall I'm trying to get to in my 1500 ft. of climbing is up there somewhere. 
Yeah!  I made it to the waterfall.  The full trip was about 7.5 miles.  Great running, some a bit too steep and technical to run, but overall super. 

Flatmate Laura

 My flatmate Laura who just finished Vet school.  She was my travel/adventure companion for the weekend.  She did a nearby hike as I embarked on adventure run #1.







Spot with bird

The trusty spot made the trip, but my never serviced brakes need a bit of help.  Tomorrow (Tuesday the 29th) it visits the bike doctor.  Some sort of native bird drinking from the dog bowl at the coffee shop.  Downtown is largely shut down due to earthquake recovery, but the scones at this coffee shop (one of few open downtown locations) are worth the trip.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

 The trusty spot all packed up and ready to go on the long trip.  Good news --- 48.5 pounds bag + gear + bike.  This means the really nice United guy who checked me in called it regular baggage and so no fees for me!  Yeah!
Party on my last night, somehow we all wore the same sweater.  Sweet!  That's a good looking group of gals.