Mar
20
Written by:
admin
20/03/2012 10:15 AM
- 19 Mar 2012 12:10:21
- by Katie Ferguson
A very muddy training
Our official team training number 2 has been conquered! 30km from Mt Nebo Rd to check point 4, back again, and on to check point 6.
The rains and some recent grading meant that we were in for an adventure of slippery slopes and muddy mess! Our team approached these obstacles in a variety of ways – Nathan was a big kid and slid his way through the slopes. Alex discovered her great core strength helped her ease down with grace. Brendan, not to be outdone by Nathan slipped his way through – though his choice of footwear made it a little harder to keep up (is brand new Asics will never be white again). Me – well I wasn’t so keen on these slipping and sliding methods and at one stage was seen heading back up the hill instead of down till a very thoughtful Alex came to my rescue with a half a tree truck as a walking stick. It wore me out carrying it but was my saving grace on the slopes.
Our second creek crossing also highlighted the diversity of our team. Our true greenies Alex and Nathan opted to not walk too far along the creek as not to disturb the native vegetation. Brendan, our lark, put on a show tightrope walking across a log, and me, the shorty – hiked up the creek to find a spot with lots of rocks my little legs could reach!!
Checkpoint 5 at Bellbird Grove was a very welcome sight, for me especially! Some fresh socks and a snack was just what was needed to power through the next leg of our journey. Nathan got to stock up on his beef jerky so all was right in his world – such and easy man to keep happy. It was also great timing as a quick shower saw us seek shelter in the toilet block – all class. I did try calling our support crew (in Warwick) for a lift but it seemed a 5 hour return trip didn’t appeal to them so on we must go.
We had done this leg of the track before so it was great knowing what we were in for. One big endless hill and then some great open track with lots of little ups and downs. Our spirits were high and we all were feeling much stronger. I had a slip on one of the slopes earlier on and was having some knee troubles which slowed us on the steeper downhill bits (which I made up for going uphill), but all in all this leg of the trip was much smoother sailing.
Brendan had the foresight to pack an esky and 4 icy cold coronas were a much anticipated celebratory drink at the finish line! One beer and we were all brighter and the hills seemed to have shrunk and were a distance memory.
The drive back to Toowoomba will always be a challenge after these long walks but the lure of a hot shower and bed seems to get us there. Alex and Nathan’s 3 young children had to wait till 9pm to enjoy pizzas when their parents got home.
The good news is that we are all feeling much stronger the ‘morning after’ than after our first big training session – but 100km is still looking like a loooooong way. Only 87 days of training left – eeekkk!