My trip is underway, with the first of four days of travel done I have officially moved out of home, finished my job, and started Uni in less than one week. The changes are daunting but they are now bound to occur, I have organised and planned this week for months leading up to it, hoping that all sails smoothly.
I think the decision to bring my car was the right one for two reasons, one so I can move around Dunedin and surrounding areas, for personal exploring, freedom and access to a range of training of running, swimming and cycling use. And two: from the whole lot of gear I seem to have, I don’t think it would have fitted onto a plane, and if so it would have costed megabucks.
When looking at my gear it was overwhelming but when breaking it down I couldn’t really remove any due to having my, tramping gear and boots, swimming bag + towels and togs, my shoes, consisting of racing, training, track and personal use. My gear bags with heaps of winter running gear like gloves jacket etc, all of my general running gear, my bike and its helmet, shoes, and tools.
With none of that able to stay behind, especially if I am not planning on moving myself back to the North Island long term. After realising its all going to fit and placing it all into my car nick named ‘Meg’ for its number plate we headed off to our first stop of the three.
My training is going to take a rapid change not due to the change in whats planned but change in environment and mindset I have, I’m determined not to let the change and uncomfortable to the lack of normal and consistency to impact the way I can train in this week and the weeks to follow.
Although I move in at the end of the week it is only temporary for three weeks before I move once again but more permanently.
I am still able to become familiar with Dunedin and locations to run outside of just from where I stay so at-least the second time around its not a complete new city all over again. I’m excited and overwhelmed at the same time, but the next few years is where I really need to put in the work too see if my dreams of representing New Zealand are realistic, every step makes an impact so I wont stop trying until I get there no matter the changes I face.
– Jessica Bray