Tag Archives: Queentown

Queenstown8

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Everyone loves a bit of drama; a bit of controversy, a fight or some gossip. But it seems that drama may also love me. I can’t just tootle along, going to work, going running, to the gym and occasionally up the mountain to snowboard (fall on my arse). I have to injure myself, have permanently bruised legs, and crash my car into a ditch. Yep that’s right, Arnie is no more. Well he is, but he’s not going far sitting at the bottom of Coronet Peak  with his front wheels like bong eyes. I’m pretty lucky that my spin into a ditch ended how it did. With Arnie (and my travel funds) being the only casualties. 

Naturally my car crash put a bit of a downer on last week. I was planning to sell it to fund my onwards travel, and it was my lifeline to my gym and new running destinations. Thinking about life here without it wasn’t pushing my buttons. Summer back home in the UK with my friends and family was. But negativity is not my niche! Material possessions will not make or break me. With the advice of my personal trainer/life coach I set myself some goals, weighed up my pros and cons and decided to stick out my time in Queenstown and make it great. Cue mega dramatic life changing opportunity email arriving the following morning. What did I say about me and my pal drama?

My decision had been made long before I left the UK for my travels. I would come home if this opportunity ever reared its’ head. I had just over 2 weeks before leaving New Zealand. Now I have 10 days. 

So my time in Queenstown; my runners’ haven, is ticking away. I’ve got lots to fit into my last little time here, including as many runs as I can squeeze around my schedule. Trips up the mountain are on ice. Ha. Not taking anymore risks; I need to be at my personal pinnacle and peak! This week I have enjoyed twilight runs through town, an energetic run to the gym in Frankton (past my fave little rowing boat called ‘Puff ‘n’ stuff II’), and a pinky sunset run to Fernhill. Queenstown is fantastically photogenic as ever and my runs have been most pleasurable. I’ve reached my PB on push-ups in one go (40!) and is it just me or are my biceps and abs looking bulked and buff?! 

   

   

I’m not sure how many people use their travels to get fitter and stronger but Queenstown has served me  well for this. And with this I’m ready to return home and face my future; real life. I’m more than a little excited. 






Sunshine Bay; Queenstown2

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I keep remembering that I live here and feeling a little bit chuffed and excited. After years of living in post-industry industrial British cities (Manchester I still love you), being surrounded by natural beauty is a bit of a novelty. And just like in Piha, getting out and about in this beauty is all the motivation I need to stay active. Even better than Piha, there are so many more tracks and hills to be explored here in the vast mountains. 

Despite starting the day with an early spin class, I was still feeling full of beans and ready to run yesterday afternoon. Who said unemployed people are lazy?! I have recently moved to a cabin on a hill, overlooking the town and lake. Sounds lovely and romantic right? The views are incredible but do they make up for the fact that: I share my bedroom; there is just a curtain between my room and the living room; I have to go outside to get to the bathroom; it’s freakin’ freezin’? Yeah, maybe for now. I’m pretty chilled (in every sense) but may have to be on the move again before winter really sets in. This is the view from my living room anyway.

  

From my hillside vantage point I chose down. This hill is steep. Now you may be under the impression that running down a hill is easy. It can be, especially when intoxicated. But keeping a steady footing to avoid any twists or sprains, or just launching yourself downwards like you’re chasing a huge roll of cheese, takes concentration and control. It’s all in the bum I swear. This time next week my booty will be putting Beyoncé to shame. In my dreams. 

My route took me lakeside to the pretty lake beach of Sunshine Bay. To be honest I’m not a fan of these unimaginative names in English, give me unpronounceable Maori any day. But it did what it said on the tin. The path was pleasantly challenging in its ups and downs and the views did not disappoint. My journey back the same way was joined by a friendly cyclist from Christchurch. The conversation helped those last few k’s disappear and running alongside the bike kept my pace up. As I bid farewell to my be-wheeled friend I took a deep breath at the bottom of the big hill, my little cabin perched at the top. Step by step, I made it home; feeling a little bit superhuman on arrival. Basically Beyoncé.