Tuny's Fishbowl: New playground: Mt. Eden, CBD

I felt motivated enough this morning to run a route I've been aching to do since last week, the Maungawhau volcanic challenge, an 8.5 kilometres dash from Symonds St. to Mt. Eden.

Click here to read the route

Maungawhau is the Maori name of Mt. Eden, is an extinct volcano(I hope) that juts out of the Auckland CBD. The plan was to start from Wakefield, Symonds, turn left to Park Road, then up to Mountain Road. When I saw the map, I expected a straight forward and leisurely urban run, leading to a killer uphill to Mt. Eden. Ho-hum.

Until...

Trails!! Woo-hoo!!

Aysus, lumawit dila ko doon ah.

The entrance to the park was an asphalt walking path but immediately turning to single track trails (with roots, ruts and all) and leads all the was up to the highest point. I walked a good part up with my achilles(tama ba spelling? Hehe) starting to ache. After stretching and taking in the sights and fresh air, I ran around the crater and went through beautiful gardens that led to look-out points.

This is perfect training for the 21st. And the view ain't bad either.

Sabi ng cow "Balang araw makaka-akyat din ako sa Skycity..."

That's the creater. With lava (joke, gravel ata yun)

I went down via Mt. Eden Road, passed by St. Benedict, down Queen St., and up Wakefield. Started at about 8Am and ended around 10AM. I'll time this properly next time, feeling tourist kasi ako kanina eh.