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Hatuma Lime Half Marathon

All smiles at the start of the race: Johann and Nettie who joined us again for this event, moi and Gerry.
A large-ish field for a small town event.
Some super heroes also took part. I was trying to catch the “well endowed” banana, but he stayed a few hundred metres in front of us.
And away we go! The blue t-shirt worn by the lady in front of us is the official race t-shirt, kindly sponsored by Hatuma Lime.
Nettie and Johann in the first kilometre which is an out-and-back stretch to make up the distance for a 21.1km event.
Me at the second turn, finally about to head out on the open road.
A typical scene of me in three layers while the locals wear T’s and shorts.
The snow-capped mountains made for beautiful scenery (and a bit of a nip in the air).
Country ro-o-ads, take me h-o-o-ome!
A nice chap next to the road had beers on offer. Would have loved to just park there and share a couple of beers with him. Next time!
The transition and water points were usually a jollyfication with lots of supporters and team members cheering runners on.
Fly, fly away.
The last few kilometres are run in the streets of Waipukurau.

I recently read in Runner’s World magazine that a PB has an expire date … of about 3 years or so. And here I thought I could still claim my PB’s from when I was in my early thirties.

But I think most runners have an urge, or a longing to reach those goals that have always been eluding you. Whether it’s a 5km, 10km, half or full marathon (or whatever distance), there will always be a little voice in the back of your head wondering if you can still go faster. Even if you’re 15 years older and much weaker. And even though it hasn’t been a conscious decision for me to try and improve on my fastest 21.1km time, I have been hoping to still one day complete a marathon in under four hours. I have never really trained for it, and with 4 hours being a very reasonable target, I’m sure it’s still do-able. Continue reading →

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Pelorus Trust Half Marathon

Shortly before the start.
Some participants in singlets and others in three layers. Okey, maybe just myself in three layers.
Briefing by the Race Director.
Gloomy weather.
The buildings provided some welcome protection against the worst winds as we ran through the industrial areas of Lower Hutt.
A nice surprise for us out-of-towners not knowing what the course looks like. A small section on a walkway in the sea.
Still going strong in the suburbs.
Crossing the Melling link railway tracks.
Gerry on the bridge.
From about the 5km mark we ran on the pathway next to the Hutt River.
A little downhill passing under the bridge for the 21.1km runners. From here the half marathon runners did an out-and-back stretch next to the river to make up the extra distance.
Nice to see an HHH in the club, doing the signage. 🙂
Lovely scenery next to the river.
The route is a combination of on-road and off-road sections. This is shortly after the 8km mark, as the front runner came screaming back past us towards the finish.
Not far to go to the turn-around point at 11km.
A friendly wave for the photographer.
Finally on our way back.
The wind got progressively worse on the return-leg next to the river. Maybe I could fly back?
We spotted another Manawatu Strider on the course.
Only one kilometre to go. I was knackered and gutted when I realised I was yet again going to miss the elusive 2hr target.
Festive looking prize-giving.

This has got to be our race of almosts. Firstly I yet again missed the two hours mark with less than a minute (39 seconds, to be exact – too many photo breaks, perhaps?). Secondly Gerry’s name was drawn as “first back-up” to the winners of the major spot-prize (7 days’ accommodation at Rarotonga), meaning that, unless one of the actual winners decided not to take up their prize, we only just missed out on a great island holiday. So close. On the plus side, if any of the actual winners decides not to use their prize for whatever reason, we’re up for a cool holiday – fingers crossed! Continue reading →

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Mt Tongariro summit and back – 19.5km

Glasses would have helped to combat weary eyes, protecting them from the cold.
The cone of Mt Ngauruhoe is hidden in the mist in the back.
The first few kilometres of the path is well built and maintained, to help combat erosion.
First bits of snow visible as we make our way up the mountain.
A bit of sludgy snow.
South Crater is still extensively covered in snow.
The start of the final 1.5km to the top of Mt Tongariro.
I guess this is what is called a “white-out” – when mist and snow become one and you can’t see the horizon or anything other than white.
The narrow slippery path on the side of the mountain got a bit scary at times.
Gerry at the summit.
And me. 🙂
Still up for a bit of fun.
Not sure why I decided to have a little sit at this point.
The beacons still visible, this one buried rather deep.
Mainly off the snow – heading down to South Crater.
The wind threatened to blow me off the mountain.
Minus seven degrees Celsius is rather cold.
Stopping for a bite to eat and a short rest before heading down the last bit.
Having some fun in the snow. Just don’t take your gloves off for more than a few seconds.
Uhum. Just goofing around with an ice pick that wasn’t really necessary.
Dark clouds looming in the distance.
South Crater.

 

It is very hard to imagine temperatures of minus seven degrees Celsius, in icy winds and sleet, when you are tucked up cosy and dry in front of a fire. We were contemplating the day ahead over a cold happy hour beer in the comforts of The Park lodge in National Park Village, before turning in for a good nights sleep.

In the morning we chatted about the weather to the gentleman who prepared our breakfast – a friendly old bloke who’s probably lived around the area forever. He gave the mountain one good look as thick clouds were rolling over the mountains tops, and announced with a chuckle: “maybe your hike will turn into an adventure!”. Bummer? Yay? Always trust the local knowledge. But not to be deterred, we quickly grabbed out stuff and headed towards the Mangatepopo Road End where we parked the car for the day, hoping we might beat the looming inclement weather. Continue reading →

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Tora Coastal Challenge mudder madness – 32km

When you’re ankle-deep in the shit, you might as well enjoy it.
In the bus on our way to the Tora Coastal Challenge.
At the race headquarters outside Stony Bay Lodge.
Race briefing. Gerry clearly not paying attention. 🙂 (Notice the clean shoes!)
The start of the 32km run and 18km walk. The 18km run and 6km run and walk started later.
Hugging the coastline, the first few kilometres are on a dirt road.
The drizzle kept us cool initially, but turned rather cold on the ridges.
Runners disappearing into the mist.
Should have known at this point already what lay ahead.
Slippery terrain made going downhill as slow as going up.
Trying to find some stable terrain next to the path.
Streams crossing the road became a blessing, cleaning out the worst mud from your shoes.
Watery mud, sticky mud, or grassy mud – you choose. Shoes staying behind in the mud was a common occurrence.
Slip sliding away…
At times it seemed best to stick to the deeper water where the mud was less slippery.
The first bit of single track – just a muddy mess.
Very slippery on the steep downhills.
Our mud-coloured Wildhorses. These poor shoes will never be the same again.
When you’re not slipping downhill you’re slipping uphill.
Careful route negotiation leading to slow progress.
Any hikers doing the Tora Coastal Walk over the next few weeks are in for a surprise.
Gerry on his bum again. One of many falls on the slippery snot.
How do you run this?
The 18km cut-off point and finish for the 18km event.
Not much left of the walking path.
Very misty and cold on the ridges.
This may have been a single track before runners created new routes to get down the hill.
Muddy silliness.
Bum tracks coming downhill.
The main river crossing of the run.
A waterblaster was necessary to hose off participants before getting into cars and buses etc.

There’s no doubt that this event was a unique challenge, and something I will certainly never forget. The jury is still out, however, on whether it was a positive experience.

To be the proverbial stick in the mud (literally!), allow me to give my very subjective opinion on the event that’s now a week in the past. Just to keep the yin-yang intact, I’ll try to tell it as it was. 😉 At least my experience of the day as a very average (heck, maybe even below average), back-of-the-pack runner. Continue reading →

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Manawatu Striders Half Marathon

A few minutes before the start of the half marathon.
All smiles in anticipation of the run ahead on a glorious day with near perfect weather. [Photo by Johann vd Merwe]
The start of the 21.1km. Chris Sanson in the middle, also the overall winner. [Photo courtesy of Rob Weir, Manawatu Striders]
Gerry speeding towards the finish line. [Photo by Johann vd Merwe]
The finish line at the Massey Rec site with Gerry approaching the finish banner. [Photo by Johann vd Merwe]
Me with only a few more metres to go. And June at the finish to welcome me back with a hug. Thanks June! [Photo by Johann vd Merwe]
At the prize-giving with Club President Kevin Palmer. I was very surprised to have won the club female Handicap Cup. [Photo courtesy of Rob Weir, Manawatu Striders]
Gerry also winning the male Handicap Cup. [Photo courtesy of Rob Weir, Manawatu Striders]

I think it’s fair to say that I’m not a very competitive animal. Or am I?

I run for fun. I would never be able to win an event, or be amongst the first 10, or 100 finishers (unless there’s only ten participants), so I don’t do fartleks, or hill repeats or speed work. I just run, for myself and the sense of achievement when completing the odd serious challenge. And for my health. When your doctor and your cardiologist plus your dietician all agree that you should run, you run boy. No questions asked. Every now and again, for whatever reason (wintery weather? laziness?), we take ‘breaks’, where we would completely stop running for a couple of months. But usually we get into again, not without lots of swearing and complaining for allowing ourselves to lose all our fitness and having to start right at the bottom again – what a pain! One great way to break out of an “off” streak, is to enter for an event that would border on the “crazy” side for most non-runners. I firmly believe one should do things that scares you a little. Life begins the moment you step out of your comfort zone, right? And that’s more or less the gist of our running regime for the past 14 years. Continue reading →