Running events

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Porirua parkrun

Date: 2 December 2017
Distance: 5km
Time: 29.27
Previous: Hamilton #1, Palmy #1, Kapiti Coast #1, Palmy #2

A big field of about 130 runners/walkers.
Catching up with Gary before the start.
After about 15 minutes of “formalities”, we were on our way.
It’s another beautiful course winding its way up the gorge.
One kilometre down, and still slowly going uphill.
Gary and I charging around the corner.
At 2km, the field has already spread out a lot.
Sheltered from the sun and wind, but still very humid.
The halfway turn-around. Of the four different parkruns I’ve done, three of them have an out-and-back course.
The course is shared with MTBs.
Going downhill was much easier and faster than on the way out.
Nice to have permanent signage for a parkrun. Hope Palmy can also get that one day.

On another work outing to Wellington, we decided to try the Porirua parkrun, which saw its first running in the winter of 2013. We haven’t done it before and aren’t too sure when we will get the opportunity again. Continue reading →

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Proprioception on a flatline

Footprints in the Sand – Foxton Beach inaugural half marathon

Date: 25 November 2017
Distance: 21.1km (we measured 21.8km)
Time: 2:29:52
Previous: 2014

“The way to do is to be.” (Lao Tzu)
Participants making their way to the start on the beach.
Race briefing.
“There are only two mistakes one can make on the road to truth: not going all the way, and not starting.” (Buddha)
The turn-around on the first short out-and-back, with Kapiti Island in the back.
Margaret and John going strong.
“You only lose what you cling to.” (Buddha)
Water point #1 (and 7).
With only 17 participants in the half marathon, it is easy to have the whole beach to yourself.
“We cannot see our reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.” (Zen proverb)
The jolly water point at the turn-around point at Himatangi Beach.
“Energy flows where my attention and intention goes.” (Gabrielle Bernstein)
“Obstacles do not block the path, they are the path.” (Zen proverb)
“Life is a series of thousands of tiny miracles. Notice them.” (Fight for life)
Approaching the finish line.
The sponsors.

When we entered for this event on the morning before the start, little did we know that it was an inaugural. Whoop! Another one in the bag. To be fair, it can hardly count as an inaugural since this event is already in its fourth year. But, previous runnings were only twenty kilometres and 2017 marked the first year that it is an official half marathon. So, technically it IS an inaugural and mind you, I only realised now that the very first one we did back in 2014, was also an inaugural. 🙂 Continue reading →

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Linking two towns – Ashhurst to Esplanade

Date: 19 November 2017
Distance: 21.1km (we measured 21.5km)
Time: 3:25
Previous: 2014

[Photo by Rob Caven Photography] Mr & Mrs Charlie at your service.
The registration team hard at work.
The walkers lining up for their start.
An hour after the walkers, the runners were on their way.
[Photo by Rob Caven Photography] On a slow trot out of the Ashhurst Domain.
In the Higgens aggregates yard.
Some dark clouds and even a few spits of rain on a otherwise warm and humid day.
On Higgins’ property.
Phil and his traffic management team making sure everyone stayed safe.
The last participant, all the way from the Souht Island to do her first half marathon!

This year saw the fourth running of the Ashhurst to Esplanade walking and running event, which is a gem on the local calendar. Organised by the Manawatu Striders Running and Walking club it is a lovely walk linking two towns. Continue reading →

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Palmy parkrun #2

Date: 11 November 2017
Distance: 5km
Times: Gerry – 21.15 / Wouna – 26.37
Previous: Hamilton #1, Palmy #1, Kapiti Coast #1

A cold wind to keep things interesting. (Photo: Richard Berber/parkrun)
And off we go on the out-and-back course next to the river. (Photo: Richard Berber/parkrun)
Gerry at full throttle. (Photo: Richard Berber/parkrun)
Not far now! Without a watch I had no idea what my time was until the results were email later in the day. (Photo: Richard Berber/parkrun)

When we have a weekend at home, we are like puppies that caught a car. We don’t know what to do with it. It happens so rarely that we were totally off guard when the weekend rolled around. Continue reading →

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Kapiti Coast parkrun

Date: 11 November 2017
Distance: 5km
Time: 28.36
Previous: Hamilton #1, Palmy #1

At the start, having a quick chat with Gary (who also offered to take our pic – thanks Gary!).
73 runners and walkers gathered for this weeks parkrun.
Race briefing.
Shortly after the start and we were right at the back with one or two others.
A sheltered path.
Off-road all the way.
The speedsters are already on their way back.
A beautiful morning for it.
The Tararuas in the distance.
Finally at the turn-around point.
Despite a faster split on the way back, we were still quite “alone”.
Passing under the new SH1.
Without volunteers, parkrun cannot happen.

For more than six years, we’ve been driving down to Wellington on Saturday mornings for work. Not every Saturday, but on average about ten to twenty times per year. And for the past many years, we spoke about how we should leave earlier and do a parkrun on the way down. Having to work on a Saturday, is bad enough, let alone having to get up very early to drive down and still be in time. To fit in a parkrun would mean getting up even earlier, which sounded like pure torture. And with Fridays being, well, Fridays – the end of the week, time for a glass or two, movie, late night, contemplating the week and philosophising about life into the wee hours of the morning – getting up early on a Saturday is the last thing you want to do. And getting up really, really early is the very last thing you want to do. Continue reading →