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.