Month: April 2023

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Raetihi Gutbuster (Buttbuster!)

Date: 22 April
Distance: 20.7km
Time: 2:17

For years, when this event was still 18km in distance, we have wanted to do it. Not sure why we never did, but then along came COVID-19, no event for a couple of years, a change of hands, and now it is a (nearly) 21km event, as well as a 5km. Also part of the event offering are 25km and 50km cycling events.

But man oh man, did we pick the wrong year. The weather just did not play along. We pre-entered, Nina was coming with us, plus two of her kids, and another of Nina’s friends and her son were also driving up with all the kids bikes, so no chance of waking up and bailing before even getting there.

The weather forecast was for rain and strong wind. It was raining at our place the previous couple of days, but it got progressively worse as the event drew nearer. The night before our two and a half hour drive to Raetihi, it was raining. Our cat would go galavant in the middle of the night, come back inside soaking wet, plonk himself on the bed under my arm for a cuddle, only to go out again after a while and repeat. I wasn’t having the best night’s sleep, and listening to the rain, all I wanted to do was crawl deeper under the covers and sleep the day away.

And as if getting up at sparrow’s fart is not bad enough, we made a miscalculation and got up an hour too early. Eager beavers that we are. Luckily Nina was also up and busy getting ready, and could leave earlier, so we met in Bulls (about 45 minutes drive from us) at 6:50am.

All the way to Raetihi it was raining; not super hard, but persistent. From a distance it almost looked like it was clearing up in the direction of Raetihi. But no. Nope. Not a chance. From around Waiouru the wind also picked up, and I was increasingly less motivated to do the run.

When we arrived in the small town of Raetihi, it looked like a big event. Roads were closed off and a huge #myraetihi sign was placed across the road.

It was a few hundred metres walk in the rain from the car to where all the action was. Food stalls and other vendors were getting ready. Registration was in the fire station, sheltered from the rain. Each participant received a bag of root veges (carrots, parsnips, beetroot and potatoes. Some also had swedes.) – the best goody bag yet. I am a great supporter of practical, useful gifts. We walked back to the car to leave our bags of veges, and get our gear. I was uncertain about the rain jacket, but decided to take it because of the predicted wind. Being wet and in the wind is never a good combination. I knew I would be wet anyway, if not from the rain, definitely from sweat, but at least a ‘rain jacket’ will help against the wind.

The bike events were set off earlier, and then it was our turn (followed by the 5km runners and walkers). I counted 24 runners lining up for the half marathon. We were right at the back again when everyone shot off. The only other participant with a rain jacket was also at the back.

We started with a short flat section (700 metres) followed by a 5.4km mainly downhill stretch, apart from some minor undulations. As it was an out-and-back I knew that we would have to do all of this going uphill when coming back. I was going at a comfortable pace on the downhill, as I wasn’t sure exactly what the course looked like. And running downhill at speed is the quickest way to bust one’s quads.

After the initial downhill, we reached the big hill we had to go up (for 3.2km), over and down (for 1.2km), only to turn around at the other side, and go back up and over.

At the halfway turnaround, we chatted with the volunteers for a couple of minutes while having water, and left when our watch showed we had been going for 1:11. Two and a half hours seemed doable at that point, so after the initial uphill where I had to walk some, we got to the nice 3.2km downhill section. I felt good and could go at a reasonable clip, trying to make up some time for the dreaded 6km uphill back home, not worrying about quads anymore.

A water point with jelly sweets was placed at about 6.5km. We were told it was at 5km, so I was a bit worried that the course might be long when we passed 5km with no water point in sight. After we got back to the aid station on the way back, we knew it was basically six kilometres uphill to the finish.

The rain persisted and rounding certain corners, the wind would be very chilly. In the second half, the temperature must have dropped, as well as the wind picking up. I was getting colder as we went, despite going quicker and uphill. From being almost a bit hot in the first five kilometres, I was quite cold in the final five.

As it turns out, the uphill back is quite runable. Not that I could go very fast, but I could keep going at a reasonable pace. With three kilometres to go, we caught up and overtook another runner, so we had two others behind us at that point, and in the final kilometre we overtook another, nearly catching three more.

I was soaking wet. My hands started to look like prunes and we couldn’t really take photos of the scenery. Not that there was a lot to see. Everything was grey and covered in mist and rain.

Some parts of the course reminded me a bit of the backside of the Wairarapa Country half marathon, except this was hillier, but nonetheless some lovely country roads.

Relieved to get to the finish, I surprised myself by having run a negative split! We did the first half in 1:11 and the second half in 1:06.

This event should be called the Buttbuster, as it kicked my butt. Although I ran a reasonable time (quicker than Footprints in the Sand), it remains a challenging course.

Afterwards we got into dry clothes as soon as possible, and went around the food stalls for some sustenance. Being allergic to certain things meant I couldn’t have anything, but Gerry and Nina bought some sandwiches.

It is a great community event with wonderful support from local businesses. I was surprised that there wasn’t a 10km event, as I’m sure that would draw even more people. All up the event saw about 150 participants across all the events.

While waiting for prize-giving, we were hiding in the fire station from the rain. Afterwards, we poured some coffee and started making our way back to Palmy. This year’s event happened on my mum’s birthday, and next year’s will be on my brother’s birthday. Perhaps we should make another trip that way and see if I could improve on my time.

A big thanks for Cathy and the team for putting together a lovely event.

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Brine to Wine (and some)

Date: 16 April
Distance: 12 + 5km
Time: 1:41

Since our last running of the Brine to Wine back in 2016, the course has changed a bit and was shortened from 16km to 12km. The walkway has also been sealed (cemented) all the way, as apposed to our last running when parts were still on shingle (limestone).

As was the case previously, with the event being a point-to-point, we had to get to the start. Luckily this time, and with the changed course, it was only a 5km run (and not 16km) to get to the start.

We left early from Palmy with the idea to have 15 minutes or so spare to park and pee and get ourselves sorted for the run. On the way there we thought of driving by the start first (to see where it is) and to potentially register. Which, fortunately, we could do.

But by then and with an entry in hand, we ran out of time and quickly had to drive back to the finish, park, pee, and start making our way back for the 9:15 start. For some reason I was terribly unorganised since I woke up. If I hadn’t put out my running clothes, and dry clothes for after the run, the night before, who knows what I would’ve arrived with. Luckily Gerry was a bit more organised and made coffee for the road, packed jet planes jelly sweets for the run, and some snacks for afterwards.

Needless to say, we started later than planned. Only after we started running, did I realise that actually I would have loved to walk the first kilometre or two. However, there was no time. We had less than 30 minutes to run the 5km to be on time.

While running I started making planes in my head for when we arrive late, as I was convinced we would be. I figured we could either run until the last runners came past from the front, then turn around and follow them, or keep going to a deserted start, turn around and just be far behind everyone else. Luckily neither of these were necessary, as we made it in time.

After the first kilometre on our way to the start, I realised that we were going at a (almost) 6min/km pace, and I wasn’t completely winded. Somehow I managed to pick up the pace from there to dip under a 6min/km and kept going at that pace all the way to the start. I knew I could do a parkrun in less than 30 minutes going flat out, but thought I would pay for it later in the run.

By the time we reached the start, race briefing was underway, and with a four minute late start, we ended up spending five minutes hanging around.

It was reasonably cool (about 11 degrees) and being wet from running there, the light breeze just added to my discomfort. Both Gerry and I had to put back on the layer we took off halfway through our run to the start.

Paula counted us down and then we were off on the official event. It took a few kilometres, running into the breeze, before I could take off my extra layer again. This time of year, having to put on and take off layers mid run, is a constant for me. We started near the back, but managed to overtake a couple of other runners. And that remained our position for the bulk of the event. Only near the end did we pass a few more runners and walkers.

As we were running, we saw lots of other runners just out on their Sunday run, and I couldn’t help but wonder why more people wouldn’t sign up for the event. At only $15 for the 12km event, why not support it? Every year with the Manawatū Striders’ Super Sevens events, hundreds of runners crawl out of the woodwork, and one has to wonder where they go the for rest of the year. Obviously there are heaps of runners out there, so why don’t they do the events? My theory is that the running culture in NZ is still one of ‘racing’. Unless you can go with guns blazing, you are not a true runner and should not waste time with events. Whereas in South Africa, the running community was much more inclusive – everybody ran and did events. The system with clubs and events was also different, which might have added to more runners and walkers participating.

The weather was just about as good as it gets. A little bit too cool for my liking, but no rain and no gales. So, ‘perfect’.

I was going surprisingly well. It felt like the good ol’ days when I could run anything from a 5km to a 50km at a 6min pace without killing myself. By the time we were about 3km from the finish, I realised I might be able to make it to the finish in 1:42 – a six minute pace. Surprisingly, I could keep going while the kilometres ticked over quicker than usual. It has been a good few years since I last could managed a six minute pace for anything further than a 10km. I got to the end not feeling like the walking dead, and very pleased that I could keep the pace. I would have been happy with two hours for the 17km run at this stage of my fitness, which on hindsight is probably what I should have done.

It is an enjoyable run, mainly on the walkway away from traffic, with just a short stretch on the pavement in a suburb. At a water point at 6km we got a 500ml bottle of water which Gerry and I could share. As a single person, a whole bottle is a lot of water to down, and not many people would want to run with a water bottle, but it worked well for us. At the finish we got another one, as well as some cheese curls-type chips. We were also handed a token for a free beer at the Stellar pub across the road from the finish.

After changing into dry clothes, Gerry and I went to the pub for our drinks and prize giving. Dave and David were also there with fellow race walker Graeme, whom we met for the first time. 

While this should now be the ‘Brine to Beer’ run, I opted to go for wine, keeping with the Brine to Wine theme. The house also offered some nibbles, really making this the best value for money event out there.

After prize giving (no spot prizes for us), we went by the supermarket for some salad, chicken and olives, to make a picnic at Araheke MTB park/Lakelands Holiday Park/Lake Wiritoa, before heading home.

Cheers to another small, value for money event in our region – long may it continue.

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Tutaenui Reservoir Reserve loops – taking stock

Date: 9 April
Distance: 26km
Time: 3:26

With only eights month to go (to our 100 miler) we should be upping the kilometres, slowly but surely. As with most things in life, getting fit is also a case of one step forward and two steps back. Or is it the other way around? Whichever, the foxtrot is not a linear process. A couple of sidesteps anyone?

Add to that continued physical malfunction (ha!) and it makes it so much harder. I am sure I’m not the only person (runner or no runner) that has aches and pains in various places due to misalignment, and unbalanced muscle strength and lack of flexibility. Nobody is perfectly symmetrical, and certain types of sports just exacerbate (or cause!) these imbalances. I blame my years of playing badminton (and some squash) during University and a bit after. My right forearm was double the size of the left arm, and my adductors developed completely differently due to me presumably always pushing off with the same leg. Using only one arm (as is the case with all racket and bat-type sports) in a variety of positions at full force is bound to cause imbalances.

Since we are now at the point of having to increase our mileage, I am yet again trying to do all the other things necessary to get me to the start line. I try to go through a stretch and strength routine at least three times a week, and hope to get back to more foam rolling. I definitely have much more tightness in certain areas (like my hips) since I neglected everything the past couple of years (or longer). Apart from running, stretching and strengthening are also things that needs to become habitual.

We are running and walking reasonably consistently since the beginning of the year. We aim for six days a week, and occasionally only get to five, or sometimes four days, but mostly we do our bit. At 8km a day, of which 5km are run kays at the moment, we cover 40-50km per week, of which we run at least 30km. We hope to increase that to run 5 and walk 4, and a month or so after to 6 run and 4 walk. Slowly but surely the increased mileage will hopefully condition our bodies enough to withstand the longer distances.

Also, we still need to do a qualifier, but unfortunately there aren’t many races on the North Island. Our options are the WUU2K (62km in July), the Taupo Ultra (74km in October, but totally unaffordable, and perhaps also leaving things a bit late), The Blue Lake 24-hour event (September), which might not count as a qualifier if we don’t complete one of the official distances, and the Trail Trilogy (100km, also in September). Each of these have pros and cons. Some are too far, some too expensive, others just not on our radar for whatever reason. But there’s one other, which we nearly forgot about: the Marton to Whanganui 66km relay race early in September. This is a small town community event which Gerry and I have done a couple of times before as a team. But it can also done solo. It’s an official event and there’s timing, so it should count as a qualifier. Our only challenge will be support, as usually with teams there’s always a vehicle with water, sustenance etc, to support the team.

There are a number of nice looking ultras on the South Island, but going there for an event will set us back a $1000+ (excluding entry fee). We are particularly keen on the Crater Rim (85km in October), have been for many years, so are still thinking of going down for this. As a qualifier this will also be cutting it too thin, as there won’t really be another opportunity to run an ultra before the event, should we not make it before the cut-off, or have to pull out for whatever reason. Or if the race gets cancelled, which can certainly not be ruled out.

But back to our Sunday long-run. A number of other runners and walkers joined us on the 3.4km trail around the dams which made it more social and fun. Was great to see Scott and Dianne, Nina (and Brock on his bike), Stef, Rachael and the boys, and to meet Sandy and Rachel.

The trail around the reservoir was upgraded and officially opened in 2020. The pine tree forest was cut down and other trees were planted. Work is ongoing, and in fact a man on a small digger was working on an extended loop (which we did once, making the loop 4.5k) while we were there. Since it was Easter weekend, a number of Easter-themed boards with a hole to poke your face through and take a photo were placed around the trail. They must be aimed at kids (or very short people),

Quite a few other people were making the best of the good weather day by bringing the kids and dogs for a walk. We saw a few fishermen and at some point I counted 16 cars in the parking area.

With a toilet (hands down the cleanest/non-smelly long drop in the country), picnic areas, and a beautiful undulating trail, this makes the hour’s drive from Palmy worth the effort. Especially for a long-run. The aid station comes around every 3.4km, and running in circles has never been an issue for me. The shorter the loop and longer the overall distance, the better. It’s all about transcendence, isn’t it. Which brings to mind the Self-Transcendence race in Queens, New York – a 3,100 mile race around a half mile block. ‘Runners must average 59.6 miles per day in less than 52 days in order to be considered a finisher.’ [https://www.outsideonline.com/health/running/path-self-transcendence-begins-3100-miles/]

Which also brings to mind the marathon monks who run 52.5 miles for 100 consecutive days in order to achieve ‘enlightenment in the here and now.’ Perhaps totally unrealistic and unachievable, but nonetheless still bucket list items for me.

But for now, I’d be better off to focus my energy on running a half marathon at a 6min/km pace.

Onwards and upwards.

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Cystic fibrosis #27MoreYears fun run

Date: 2 April
Distance: 20km
Time: 2:14

After parkrun in Palmy, followed by a three kilometre walk, we headed home to shower, pack and get ourselves sorted for the remainder of the weekend.

First up was the Kimbolton Sculpture Festival. I was hopeful to be able to create something in time to participate in the exhibition, but alas. Time caught up with me and I couldn’t get it done in time. Better luck next year, maybe.

The festival had lots of vendors including food stalls, but the art exhibition seemed smaller? Maybe just my imagination. While having lunch there (the food truck selling gluten free meals was a good find) it started to drizzle. We didn’t stay long and as we were leaving I poured some coffee from our thermos for the road.

From Kimbolton to New Plymouth is a little over three hours drive. It was already past 2pm when we left, but thought we could still head to the event base when we get to New Plymouth and maybe preregister. This was not to be.

As we were driving the drizzle became more persistent, and by the time we reached Stratford it was raining bucket loads.  At times it was difficult to see the car in front of us, and we had to slow down considerably. The deluge made traveling slow and arduous.

Originally, when Gerry first read of the event, we thought we’d go visit friends and do the event at the same time. But the timing didn’t work out, as they were heading down south the same morning to bike the West Coast Wilderness Trail. They offered their house to us to stay in and left the key with a friend.

At around 6pm we were safety inside the house, dry and sheltered from the rain. We poured the last glass of leftover wine and dished up a precooked meal and salad.

Luckily it was the end of daylight saving (something I am not a fan of), and we had an extra hour before having to get up early for the 8am start.

A persistent drizzle through the night had me worried that we were in for a wet run. According to the weather predictions it was meant to still rain until after 9am, meaning we would run at least the first hour in the rain. When we woke up it was pouring again. Cats and dogs. All we could do was cling to the hope that it would pass soon.

We arrived (not so) bright and early at the event base at Hickford Park in Bell Block shortly after 7am. With an inaugural event you never know how popular it will be and how many runners and walkers will pitch up. Turned out we were the first late entrants and not many to follow. Our ‘bib’ numbers (written on our hands with a permanent marker) were 52 and 53, of which 18 participants were doing the 20km run (the others were entered in the 5km and 3km events). And I thought to myself, here we go again – an out and back next to the sea and only about 20 participants. Same as the Foxton Beach Footprints in the Sand event. Only this one ran along the Taranaki Coastal Walkway, so the path was sealed all the way, as opposed to running on the sand. Theoretically the sealed path should result in a faster time.

While we were waiting around it started to drizzle very lightly. I donned my rain jacket and we walked to the loo which was a few hundred metres away. With ample time to kill we ended up making a second trip to the loo.

The drizzle cleared up, the weather was looking better, it wasn’t too cold, and we decided to leave our rain jackets in the car. We started at the back, but soon passed two runners, and a few kilometres later another. We stayed in this position for the bulk of the run, until we passed another in the last kilometre. The walkway was as busy as always, with bikes, prams, toddlers, scooters, e-bikes, walkers, dogs, as presumably with the improved weather, every man and his dog were out enjoying the outdoors before winter truly sets in.

What I completely forgot about is how undulating the path is. We’ve run and biked it a few times before, but I still anticipated a flatter run. Fickle memory – only remembering the good parts.

I was going okay in the first half. The wind was mostly a side-front wind (meaning the return would be a tail wind), with dark clouds still looming, but no rain. Although it was cool when we started I was soon hot and had to take off my polyprop vest. By about 5-6km, a mist spray made us a wee bit wet, but almost not worth mentioning. We crossed the railway line twice, and in the last kilometre we had the biggest ‘hill’ of all – the path made quite a steep incline to go up and over a big cliff, and repeat on the way back. At Port Taranaki we reached the third and last water spot and turnaround point. They also had bananas which I briefly considered, but they weren’t cut up, and a whole banana is a bit much. We had a bag of jelly jet-planes, so were all good anyway.

After we crested the cliff for the second time on the way back, I started to battle a bit. I suddenly felt short of breath and generally more tired than normal. Plus, I needed to pee, badly. When we reached the Te Henui Walkway and stream again shortly after the Wind Wand, I had to dash for the loo. From there it is about 7km to the finish. During this time, I also saw three 20km walkers, who started 10 minutes after us, coming from the front.

Not used to running continuously for so long, it took some doing to keep going. My pace had slowed down a bit, and all I could think about was to pass each landmark on the way: Todd Energy Aquatic Centre, Honeyfield Fountain, the Light of Land sculpture by Howard Tuffery (the curvy chrome sculpture on the pics), the Wind Wand, the intersection with Te Henui Walkway, with playground and skate park, East End Surf Club, Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park, Waiwakaiho River Mouth, Lake Rotomanu, Te Rewa Rewa Bridge (currently party under construction), and finally the Taranaki Velodrome and Hickford Park back at the finish. A few coffee shops are dotted along the the track (very tempting), as well as other sculptures.

We finished in 13th and 14th place. The weather turned out good – no rain, not too strong wind, and reasonably warm in the end.

Prize giving was only at 1:30pm, so we went home to shower, collect all our stuff, and drop off the key before heading back to arrive more than an hour early. A BMX race was happening next to our event, so we strolled over to watch some of it. It was also a good opportunity to buy some chips there, as the cart at the running event had packed up already.

We both got a spot prize (I think everyone did), which made the stay worthwhile. It is a good new event on the calendar, organised by two people involved with Cystic Fibrosis NZ’s Taranaki branch, with help from volunteers. Organising events is hard work, and it would be a shame if it didn’t become an annual institution.