Running the Orongorongos

Am thinking of adding scarlet laces.

Yesterday dawned as bright and sparkling as my new off road running shoes. I had entered the XTerra trail run being held at the Orongorongos, Rimutaka Forest Park at the CatchPool Entrance.To get there involved a drive over the Wainuiomata Hill. As I wound my way up in the car, it confirmed my opinion that biking over here is not an option for me as there is no separate cycling lane and it would be very difficult once I had stopped to start again and it would be hard to cross over the highway if I wished to head down again before  reaching the top.
Once through Wainuiomata I headed out along the coast road then turned left into the Park.

Many people had already gathered and there was an air of excitement in a chilly sort of way as the sun had yet to penetrate. I had been mulling over whether to do the medium or short course. I chose the short course in the end as it was the first time I had done this sort of run, I had invested in a pair of off road running shoes that were not worn in and basically the medium course seemed a long way.  The runners doing that looked lean and mean. The people doing the long run looked as if  they spent their days loping up and down mountains in a pair of tiny shorts and not much else. So, the short course seemed the sensible option.

I was rather conscious of my new shoes. They glowed an off pinkish red on the top. The soles were Chesdale cheese orange with black spots. There were orange stripes on the side. They shouted 'look at me! We are the new shoes on the block!' in no uncertain terms. They had one advantage. If I got lost in the bush I would just have to lie down and wave my legs in the air. The shoes would shine like beacons to any passing helicopter in the area and I would be saved in no time.

The Orongorongos

 After a briefing which was a basic description of the course and advice to follow the red arrows and blue flagging tape we set off. After some shuffling about as the faster types took off and the slower types started to walk on the first hill, I found myself at a suitable point on the pecking order. Though I have been doing a lot of hill running for pleasure, as soon as it becomes a competition there is pressure to go a little faster. I hoofed it up the first hill or two then settled into a pace slightly faster than I normally do. I had chosen to wear my prescription sunglasses which was a bit dim in more ways then one. As soon as we entered the bush my world did indeed become dim. Then they fogged up with sweat. I kept wiping them on my shirt to try and clear them, which made my view of the track dim, foggy and dirty. As the track was rutted and had bits of tree root poking out of it the need to see where I was going became imperative so I removed my glasses. This gave me a fuzzy view which was the best I was going to get so I had to go with it. The track was narrow and hilly.  A couple places were really steep and the people in front of me slowed to a walk so I was forced to as well. Well - truth be known that's an excuse - my body forced me to walk by informing me it could not run and breathe at the same time going up certain hills. Then the path flattened out once more and I settled into a steady run. As I ran I could hear someone breathing down my neck. I could not find a place for a while to let her pass, but when I did she said 'keep going' so I ran the rest of the way through the forest with the sound heavy breathing down my neck. As we came out to scrub we ran across a bridge which wriggled and tossed as we passed making me gasp with surprise. I heard others behind me giving little screams as they felt the same sensation.

Lovely beech and tree ferns to run through

We came out onto the road for a hundred metres then went down another path to another gasp moment. We had to cross the stream. The person in front of me was delicately tiptoeing across rocks. I was about to follow her when my neck breathing person just charged on in, spraying very cold water everywhere  but mostly over me. I was blowed if I was going to let her get away at this point so I just on galloped through as well, christening my garish new shoes well and truly. Coming out the other side my feet felt heavy and squelchy. My breathing mate then ran alongside me as the path and opened right up and we had a little chat. She said she had stayed behind me as she had liked my pace and my trips and slips gave her a heads up to avoid the same. I was on to her though. I knew her type!  As we approached the finish I knew she would make her move. Having used me to her advantage all the way round she would sprint ahead at the end. I decided to go for it at that point and left her in my dust - or in my squelchy footprints more like. I showed her a clean pair of heels and most likely blinded her at the same time with alternate flashes of Chesdale Cheese. I crossed the finish line in a most unusual for me sprint. I turned round to talk to my breather mate but she had disappeared. Satisfied with my little victory I wandered over to the tent and grabbed a drink and a banana. There were also sticky buns with pink icing but I could not face one of those straight after a run.
I noticed the first person from the medium run came in at the same time I finished the short course which put my effort into perspective.

The last part of the run was nice and flat.

I decided not to stay for prize giving and left. I had enjoyed myself and decided it would be something me and my shoes would definitely do in the future.

The Orongorongo  Valley

Here is a link to a D.O.C. video about the area.
Rimutaka Forset Park