First Long Walk for tigers

Saturday 19th saw all team tiger members rising before the sun to start their first long walk together. We met in River Road in the dark and decided to head towards the Pukete end of the bridges walk along the road with the aid of the street lights. Stripey and Hungry Tiger had flashing lights and ankles to aid with visibility – definitely a good idea in the early morning. Hungry tiger has been reading up on sports nutrition so gave us timely reminders about eating along the way. It was a beautiful morning but a prelude to some of the hot days we have been having in Hamilton so we were glad of our 5a.m start. Friendly Tiger had some interesting dance moves to keep us distracted on the way.We completed our 20km walk on schedule with all team members intact but legs and feet very tired at the end. Definitely was pleased to have that drink at Indulge and to plunge into a tepid bath on arrival home. 100 kms still feels like a very long way but at least we know we can do 20% now. Its the keeping going that make the difference – once you stop the legs and hips start to ache and you (or I) need a big lie down. 

Early morning hiccups

6am training walk this morning saw all tiger members walking together for the first time. Nancy set the alarm but forgot to turn it on. Annike had shoe blindness. So after a late start we attacked the hills and stairs around the University of Waikato. It is a good thing the trailwalker has a defined track as we all seem to have different ideas about where to go. However, we got there in the end. This month will see us working on increasing our hill fitness and speed (especially Tiger Nancy) who being born a flatlander from NSW knows her biggest weakness (apart from food, wine and housework) is anything uphill. Onwards and upwards Tigers.

Team Training in earnest

Now that all members of Team Tiger are in the country we are starting our team training in earnest. (a little later than we should according to the training guide, but never mind) We have all been staying over at Waihi Beach in blissful summer weather and in between enjoying the sand, surf and holiday food aplenty we have been doing some training. Amy and Nancy started first with a walk across to Owakawa Bay accompanied by Anne. We tried to continue our walk up to the William Wright Falls at the end of the bay but after the sixth creek crossing we got a bit discouraged and returned before actually seeing the falls. However, next day we walked from Waihi Beach to Bowentown with encouragement from companions Lu and Lynne and then continued from Anzac Bay over the top of the hill to Shelley Beach. Gorgeous scenery. We have made a pact to stop to look at any beautiful scenery on the trailwalker, so that we don’t fall in a hole by mistake.

Annike and Andrew finally arrived on Thursday night but the team meeting was very brief as Tiger Amy had to return to Hamilton. Friday saw a commitment to undertake another walk to Owakawa Bay, but this time with the walk along the beach to begin with. Again, the scenery was stunning and we made a pact to return to the Flat White Cafe at the end of our trek. This was sufficient to keep us going for the 15 kms there and back. The going got very rough after Owakawa Bay, with the track to Homanga Bay being overgrown by flax and long grasses.Andrew was very keen to invest in a machete at this point but we discouraged him on the principle that legs with machete slashes don’t walk far. There were some steep bits to the track which certainly slowed Nancy down but we all got home in relatively good shape and enjoyed our smoothies and iced coffee from the Flat White Cafe. Tips learned on the trek: Have hat tied on so it doesn’t blow away. Take more water than you think you will need. Changes of socks for trailwalker essential as 15km makes them very smelly. Our walking poles are proving very useful over hilly ground.

Can’t let Tiger Nancy get too far ahead!

Now that I’m back in the country, the three Kiwis (none of us locally born, I hasten to add) have begun some serious training. And of course, by serious, I mean more than just practising tying laces … yes, actual WALKING!

We are going to be SO FIT by the time that gad-about Annika returns to our fair shores, we’ll have to give her a half-hour headstart. “Hungry Tiger” (your’s truly) set quite a dashing figure with his hairy legs and sturdy Lekis, but they didn’t seem to give me any speed advantage over Nancy and Amy. We went out one evening and walked the Riverbank from the Waipa Delta up to Hamilton Gardens and back via Fairfield Bridge. Just a shorty to get us in the mood. We’re off again this Wednesday morning (ugghh!) for another bout of punishment. The next major fundraising event is the St Peter’s Cathedral Advent Fete on Friday 30th November between 5pm and 10pm. There’ll be mini-concerts, food, games and much more. Look for our Team Tiger stand, lavishly decorated and equipped by Nancy – artist extraordinaire. If I can get my mobile internet connection going again, we’ll try and provide an opportunity to donate online, so bring cash AND credit cards!!! Whoopee. Go, Tiger, go!!!

Training has started

In the first few months all of us will try to get into shape as best as we can. In January we plan to start training together.

Since I am currently traveling, I plan to do hikes and walks with people I am visiting. Wendy took me out hiking during the last two weekends here in Canada. We started with a few short hikes just to get warmed up (and not to frighten the horses). Two weeks ago we did the Carthew-Alderson trail at Waterton Lakes National Park. It is right in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Overall 19 kilometers with 650m elevation gain in 7.3/4 hours. A very good day but not fast enough, of course, for the trailwalker. I found that a bit of a shock and an eye-opener.

Last week we went to Crypt Lake and to the Dinosaur Provincial Park. At Crypt Lake I ran out of water before the end (similar to NZ the water in rivers in Canada should not be drunk) and it was a very warm day. Not to be repeated. Again ca 19 km in 6.5 hours (including breaks).