I've been living in Dunedin, New Zealand for neary two years and sometimes I still feel like a tourist.  That's not a bad thing, though.  It just means that I haven't seen everything yet and I'm super keen to keep exploring!  Training for the Northburn Station 50k has helped, too, because I've been running around different neighborhoods for a change of scenery on my long runs.  

This past weekend I took a solo trip up the Pineapple Track and ventured over to the Silverpeaks.  Normally, I head up the track on beautiful days like this: 

But, it was a cold, wet, windy, foggy day.

I had planned out a 5 hour walk/run, but decided to be sensible when I saw the fog covering the road to Swampy Ridge track.  The Silverpeaks has a reputation for catching trampers off guard and a number of rescues have been made in the area.

I ran/walked for just about four hours and encountered three people in the sub par conditions - all female. Yeah, girl power!  

My baby ultra marathon training has taken me further out of town, too.  Recently, Will and I took a short ride to the Outram Glen to Lee Stream trail head.  It was a slippery trail with plenty of spots that were too steep to safely run, but at the confluence of the Lee Stream and Taieri River we were rewarded with a beautiful sight - the river banks were covered with all sorts of wildflowers!

Racemans track in the Silver Stream Valley.  I'll have to bring my camera the next time I go there - the area that was taken out by a landslide 10 years ago is impressive to see! The section of wiped out trees is quite wide and has cleared the way for some neat views.

Next week, my friend Jo is coming from home for a visit and we're planning on doing a 5k in the Dunedin Botanic Garden for setting off to explore the south island.  I'm sure I'll have lots of pictures to share from her visit!

Ain't nothing but a rain thang

Blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!  The weather has been so meh lately. *sad face*

I recently returned from holidaying on the north island, but there's not too much to report.  Our plans for Somes Island and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing were canceled and I spent a rainy/thundery afternoon tramping to Powell Hut.

There was one fine day in the Wairarapa, though, and so Will and I left Masterton to go checkout Castelpoint.

Castle Rock 

Other highlights of my north island trip include lots of beers at the Malthouse (the Mata Volcano was particularly delish), a pint of ParrotDog's Bitter Bitch at Bin 44 in Wellington, and spending lots of quality time with a fantastic New Zealand family.

Now that I'm back in Dunedin, my attention will be turned back to thesis-ing, working my research assistant gigs, training for the 50k at Northburn, and planning for visitors!! YES, MORE VISITORS!!!!  I have a friend from Binghamton coming to New Zealand in less than a month and a college friend from Salem coming in April. SO EXCITED!