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A 32km warm-up and 10km Sprint (yeah right) – the inaugural Tauranga International Marathon

Date: 7 October 2017
Distance: 42.2km
Time: 4:49:47

Thanks to the early bus to the start, we had a lovely laid-back morning, awaiting the start of the marathon.
Race briefing.
Looking a bit apprehensive at our start-line selfie.
An early ‘pinch’ in the road, as the race organiser called the little footpath near the start.
A short sharp uphill – not something we experienced too often on this very flat run.
Running along a pedestrian path between the road and the lagoon.
Having a laugh with Anita, with 40km to go!.
Following the trail of runners snaking along the edge of the lagoon.
The beautiful boardwalks of Tauranga.
Some scenic green stretches early on.
Look around too much and you risk falling into the wetland.
A tranquil park area in the middle of the city.
Crossing one of six railway lines. Just a few hundred metres after we crossed, a train came past.
Cheers to the 100 Marathon Club!
On the out-and-back stretch.
Little did I know that Ross was standing right behind me! He was supporting the 100 Marathon Club.
Nice to see Marian all smiles.
The turn-around point at the end of the out-and-back.
Some welcome sunshine at the water point on the out-and-back stretch.
Crossing the bridge on Chapel Road.
Mt Maunganui looming in the distance.
Crossing a little man-made ‘hill’.
Passing kilometre markers always gives you a bit of a boost.
Running through the industrial area.
Another ‘uphill’ towards the bridge
Tauranga Bridge.
Mt Maunganui didn’t seem to get any closer.
Loved this spot! Even sunblock and vaseline.
Heavy traffic reminding us that this is a city marathon after all..
Passing a weekend market along the way.
Finally at the start of the loop around Mt Maunagui.
Gerry speeding to catch up with me, after taking his sweet time at the water point just before the Mount loop.
A few wee uphills around the Mount.
Even a set of stairs that was built to cross over a massive slip recently.
The loop around the Mount certainly lifted my spirits.
And Gerry enjoyed it just as much.
The loop around Mt Maunganui was my favourite part of the course.
Distant beach views.
Still smiling. 🙂
No time for picnic, Sir! Got to keep moving.
Back on the tarmac.
Buggered and still a long way to go. But two thirds down!
A very friendly water point.
A road closure truck ensuring our lane was free of traffic.
Whoop!
This is the inaugural Tauranga International Marathon.
Not far to go!
Finally – the finish is in sight.
Happy (and relieved!).
Oh, the pain. So much pain.
Gerry having both our beers (they ran out of ciders).

3:47am. The alarm was set to go off at 3:45, but for some reason didn’t. Unfortunately, luckily, neither Gerry or I slept much, and when Gerry checked for a second time what the time was it started sinking in that the alarm didn’t go off and that we are supposed to be getting up. Continue reading →

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Creatures of habit – Hatuma time again

Date: 17 September 2017
Distance: 21.1km (+11.1km)
Time: 2:25.28 (+1:16)
Previous: 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016

Photo by Nicole Patterson. After about 7km, things were still going well.
Lake Hatuma in the back.
A beautiful run out in the country.
Photo by Caroline Williams.

For our fifth running of the Hatuma Lime Half Marathon, we decided to add a few kilometres before the event start to get to 32km. It might be partially psychological, but I like to do a 32km long-run three or four weeks out from a marathon. Luckily the event was on so we only had to add 11kms to make up the distance. Continue reading →

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Hilder, honey and a half marathon

Date: 9 July 2017
Distance: 21.1km
Time: 2:17.26
Previous: 2014, 2015

Catching up with some fellow club mates.
This is giving me deja vu.
After the cyclists were gone, the small field of slow runners and fast walkers lined up at the start.
Time for a selfie :-).
Walking up the steep hills.
Just follow the signs and you will not get lost.
I don’t think NZ can take any more rain. Everything is soaking wet, with mud everywhere. Huge slips have caused road closures, some of which might be permanent.
Gerry taking a trip to the Kowhai loo.
Oh deer.
Photo courtesy of Nicole Patterson. Cheers!
A long downhill in the valley.
This bridge is about at the halfway point.
Gerry doing a speed session to catch up with me again after his pee stop.
What looks like strong wind blowing me over, was actually an attempt by me to make a Killian Jornet jump. But, alas, my feet wouldn’t go where I wanted them to.
Some ruins in the countryside which I haven’t noticed before (or have forgotten about).
Only the final kilometre through town. A very long kilometre at that!
Prize-giving about to begin.
This is the team behind this lovely event – Sport Hawke’s Bay.

 

The first time we did the Norsewood to Takapau half marathon, it was with family, who at the time lived in New Zealand. I will never forget the box filled with pots of honey that was handed out as spot prizes. Two out of the four of us received a pot of honey. When prize-giving rolled around the following year, I was audibly disappointed for not getting honey again, at which point the Hilders gifted us theirs. Last year the event was first postponed and later cancelled altogether, because of inclement weather, so definitely no pots of honey to be had. Continue reading →

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Stride for Syria

Date: 2 July 2017
Distance: 7.6km (+4km)
Time: 47:31 (30:00)

Setting up.
This is Manawatu.
Our beautiful river walkway.
Palmerston North Girls High School handling registration.
Palmerston North Boys High did all the talking and even had a band playing. How cool is that!
Participants getting ready.
Cool World Vision wrist bands were handed out to participants.
Unfortunately only a small field for this event.
Going round the bend – a very familiar part of the Super 7s event.
A few puddles to jump, if you can.
Gerry turning at the far end of Waitoetoe Park.
PNBHS manning the aid station – great job!
A nice off-road section.
Downstream from the bridge, the Bridle Track received a new layer of grit shortly before the Palmy marathon.

A week out from our half marathon, we had to fit in a last “cutback long-run” and decided to throw the Palmerston North Boys High School and Palmerston North Girls High School’s event into the mix.

The Stride for Syria intended to raise funds for the Syrian Refugee Crisis. It is labeled as “the most urgent humanitarian crisis of our time” after six years of ongoing fighting and conflict in Syria. According to the brochure that was handed out at the event, 470 000 people have been killed, and more than 4.8 million have fled the country, while 6.1 million have been displaced. That is nearly three times the population of New Zealand that is either dead, misplaced or having to flee for their lives. Continue reading →

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5 things no one tells you, bla-bla-bla …

Is it just me, or is everything your read these days on running forums and in running magazines, a number crunching game? For instance: “6 things you need to do right now”, “I did squats for 14 days and here’s what happened”, “do these 3 exercises right now”, “4 stretches that will fix all your problems”, “these 7 health foods aren’t so healthy”, “31 runner friendly recipes”, etc. You can almost not find an article that doesn’t contain a headline similar to these. But, I’m getting off topic.

getting_older_s.jpg

This post really is just a message I wish someone had banged into my head 20 years ago. And despite knowing what I know now, I still find it difficult to practice what I preach, but here goes nonetheless. Even if I fail miserably and have to say to myself 20 years from now, “I told you so!”. Continue reading →