BACK ON TRACK – OR IN THIS CASE, TRAIL

Week 25/37 – Road to Routeburn 2025

Once upon a time I was a road “runner” – I worked and trained in the central city. So, I’d generally run along the waterfront or head down to Westhaven. It was also never something I did “for fun” – it was a means to an end – when I was bodybuilding, running helped me loose weight, when I was at crossfit – running is what you did because you sucked at it, so when I moved onto trails, I really didn’t look back – trails are what made running fun – something that you’d do because you wanted too – not because you “had too”.

So you can imagine how I felt about being injured enough that I was only allowed to walk to a signpost 500m away from my house and back again. But it was a means to an end, so I’d walk down to that post – looking for small signs that I was getting stronger. One day it would hurt less, so I’d try and walk faster, the next time I’d keep that pace but add a lap – small incremental steps forward.

Then last week I ventured back onto the trail and managed move pretty steadily without pain so this week I did all my “running” sessions as hikes on the trail. Order has been restored .. I love my trails – granted they don’t always love me back – this week I managed to get completely lost (yes, if you’ve been following me for any length of time, that isn’t a new thing) but this time I was lost enough where I had to calm myself down and work shit out . .and I did (although I did add an additional 2km onto my planned route)- sigh ..

Trails are the thing I love, running them just lets you do more and see more “faster” – in fact, if push came to shove and I had to choose between road running for the rest of my days, or hiking trails, I’d choose hiking in the blink of an eye – wouldn’t even hesitate!

Here’s hoping I never have to choose!

Till next time