beach run

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Footprints in the Sand – Foxton Beach nearly half marathon

Date: 12 March
Distance: Half marathon/20k (we measured 20.9k)
Time: 2:26.44

High tide was at 7am. The event started at 8am. Running out-and-back on a beach is challenging; and running on a beach with an incoming tide that gets progressively worse as the hours tick by, just added to the challenge. But that was all still perfectly fine.

From our house to the event is about a 50-minute drive. We decided to not preregister, as it seems to have become a case of if the event gets cancelled for whatever reason, you simply lose the money you paid upfront. Or most of it  So we’re now at the point where we rather pay more, but register/signup as late as possible. This is as terrible for me as a participant, as it is for the organisers as they can’t plan ahead. But this is the situation we’re at with events at the moment. With the task of still having to register, we had to leave extra early, and therefore had to get up extra early. On top of a few glasses of wine and a way too fatty roast the night before, this wasn’t easy. We had breakfast, Gerry made some coffee for the road, and we were off.

We’ve done this event before (two or three times?), and each time we’re only a few handfulls of participants in the half marathon. This time I counted 23, which included a single walker.

It was overcast and a cold wind was blowing as we signed up, and I decided there and then that I will keep my polyprop vest on top of two shirts. And still I was cold. All participants walked down to the beach for race briefing before the start.

It is now ten weeks since we started running regularly in an attempt to be ready for the 100 mile event in December, and it has been a struggle. The older I get the harder it is. But running 20k on your own, is hard, so doing it with others is far more enjoyable. Even if you run by yourself the whole way. Not that we are ever by ourselves, as Gerry and I always run together. But even so, I prefer doing it as part of something bigger, where you get to see other runners, even if only at a distance.

This specific event was one of those where I have no doubt that everyone ran negative splits. The cold wind was actually blowing a gale, coming nearly straight from the front. I was rowing and fighting and forcing myself forward, gasping for breath and thinking I’m going at a reasonable clip, only to find out my pace was nearly 7:30/k. I was hoping to average a 7min/k pace, but the main goal was to finish and jog the whole way, even if it was very slow. The seven and a half pace was perfectly fine – just surprising, as it felt like I was going much faster. Ideally I should be doing my long runs at a 7:30/k pace, even if that feels like a waste of time.

Fighting with a headwind for 10.5k was something else. I’m not fond of the wind at the best of times, but having to run into it, was just awful. Of course I could have run in Gerry’s slipstream, but that would have been cheating. Plus, facing adverse conditions builds gumption and character, right? After what felt like an eternity, we finally reached the turnaround point. I suddenly realised that the little stream we used to cross/jump in previous years, must have closed up as it wasn’t there anymore.

And boy was I glad we got to halfway and were heading back. Of course that same headwind was now a tailwind, making running infinitely easier. It didn’t take long before I was too warm and had to take off the polyprop. Quite amazing how having the wind in you face or in your back makes such a huge difference to the perceived temperature.

Happy to be over halfway and with a tailwind, we were going well. I was obviously fatiguing, still going slow-ish with running on the sand and all, but it felt much easier than on the way out. I kept thinking to myself that every kilometre done is one less to walk. Luckily I managed to run the whole way.

Despite being more fatigued on the second half, our splits were 1:17 for the first half, and 1:09 for the second half. It’s astonishing what a difference wind can make.

Relieved to be at the finish, we had a drink and time to catch up with some friends. The nicest part of this outing was all the familiar faces. Not that there is anything to fault about the event. It is well organiser, with water points at 2.5k, 5k and at the turnaround at 10.5, and of course you pass them again on the way back. Heaps of spot prizes (I’m pretty sure everybody got one), a fundraiser sausage sizzle for the fire brigade, and coffee cart. With a schools event, a 5k and 10k options, there were about 200 participants all up.

Unfortunately the weather plays a huge part in this event, and more often than not, the wind is a factor. Also, the beach is an open road, meaning there are cars and quad bikes, scramblers, and other nasties to look out for. It still takes me by surprise that people are allowed to drive on NZ beaches. Are there no living animals on the beaches here? No ecological damage cause by driving on beaches and in the sand dunes? Nevermind the fact that people can be run over!

You can tell – I’m not a supporter of beach driving. 🙂

Happy to have achieved my goal of running all the way, we made the trip back home for leftover lunch.

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Staples Rodway Cape Kidnappers Challenge – 32km

I guess you can call this a painfully funny moment. (Photo: Supersport Images)
Equally excited and worried about what lay ahead. A lovely Hawkes Bay morning despite all the severe weather warnings.
En route to the beach. The destruction caused by recent storms and high seas can clearly be seen on the side of the road.
A wonderful morning on the beach, with the early morning sun causing blinding reflections on the water.
It may be flat, but the uneven terrain ensured that you work for every kilometer gained..
Nice to run into fellow Manawatu Strider and friend June Wirihana along the way.
Wouna passing the majestic Cape Kidnappers cliffs, which we had only ever seen from a distance before.
On this section of the beach the sand gave way to large, flat rocky sections.
An early morning run along the beach with the wind at your back – life doesn’t get much better than this!
Out of breath but still smiling – near the end of a 120m ascent up one of the early hills. (Photo: Supersport Images)
Photographing the photographer, while I put up my best pose. (Photo: Supersport Images)
This photographer picked a great spot, catching runners at the top of a picturesque hill where even the most hardy competitors would be moving fairly slowly.
All gates had to be closed behind you, or scaled near the post, which sometimes proved the faster alternative.
Clear directions all along the route.
We noticed a caution sign ahead…
…and soon realised what it was all about – the gnarliest downhill, requiring some clever footwork.
Approaching the first water stop and transition point for the relay teams.
The complimentary bananas were a welcome alternative to our regular race diet of jelly babies (and occasional baby food).
Descending all the way to sea level again – no doubt a precursor to another giant climb.
The very novel checkpoint system, logging your splits along the route.
Running along the coastline on the southern side of Cape Kidnappers.
Enough to stop you dead in your tracks – the mother of all climbs (246m) shortly after Rangaiika.
Taking an involuntary breather.
Clearly Red John was here! 🙂
Relieved to be near the top (or so we thought!). (Photo: Supersport Images)
Despite the climb I still managed some on-camera silliness. (Photo: Supersport Images)
Like ants scaling an anthill.
Just when you think you’re near the top, another uphill appears.
Looking back at the majestic views behind us made the climb worthwhile.
Wouna doing some windsurfing in the 100+ km gales threatening to blow us back down the hill.
No matter how tired, the amazing views kept us energised.
A change of scenery, running through native forest along a jeep track.
Showing off my mid-race snack – some super-tasty chokolate custard baby food!
A rare mild downhill helping us regain our breath.
Approaching the second transition point, where we almost missed the water point as some confused official told us the water point for the solo runners were still further ahead.
The excellent route-marking made sure no-one could get lost.
Another scenic downhill amidst the blustery winds.
With the race happening earlier than in previous years, we passed lots of young livestock along the way.
Tiny specks of people on the opposite hill (with a huge valley in between).
An early river crossing, giving a taste of what was to come.
Up on the hill where we saw little specks of people earlier. Scary gale-force winds threatening to blow you off your feet.
The picturesque Maraetotata waterfall marking the start of our river-crossing section.
One of the few sections reminding us of our Tora experience from a few weeks back.
At least the muddy section was flat, helping you stay upright despite the slippery conditions underfoot.
One of many ankle deep crossings (or knee-deep, depending on your height!).
This looks idyllic, but the path underfoot was very slippery and we saw many spots where previous runners slipped off the path into the river.
A small makeshift ladder helping you get up the riverbank.
The “elbow-deep” river crossing coming up.
Wouna negotiating the best way down the riverbank. I cannot imagine how cold this marshall must have been, after standing in the river for who knows how long to help us poor runners across the water obstacle. (Photo: Supersport Images)
Co-o-o-o-l-d!!!! (Photo: Supersport Images)
Getting a bit more used to the cold, we were even able to smile for the very well-positioned photographer. (Photo: Supersport Images)
After the elbow-deep experience, mere ankle-deep crossings were a walk in the park.
I even tried running through the river every now and then.
Wouna finishing our final crossing before the last little stretch to the finish.
We ended on a short, flat tarred road section, which was most welcome after the preceding tough terrain.
Tired but happy – the end of a truly enjoyable run. (Photo: Supersport Images)
Our timing splits receipts – a great race innovation.
At the prize giving, where some amazing spot prizes were handed out. Not our day to win any, but still a great feeling to sit around with other contented finishers.

I don’t think anyone can blame us for feeling some trepidation in the days leading up to the Cape Kidnappers Challenge, a trail run on the Hawkes Bay coast near Hastings. This race came four weeks after the Tora Coastal Challenge – the mud bath we muddled through in early September. As with the Tora Challenge it was a 32km coastal trail run, taking place on the East Coast of New Zealand’s North Island. As with the Tora the weather leading up to the event had been pretty dismal.

Given our Tora experience, battling through 32kms of mud for 6 hours, we weren’t exactly expecting a fun day out on the trails as we set off to Hastings the Friday before the race. It was a miserable day – cold, wet and windy – and Metservice had issued a severe weather warning for the entire Hawkes Bay area for gale force winds over the weekend. We were clearly in for crazy weather. We even briefly contemplated abandoning the event – weighing up the cost of not doing an event we already paid for, against the added costs of travelling the 150+ km from Palmy to Hastings, paying for overnight accommodation, and risk having the race cancelled and losing our entry fees anyway (the race had a no refund cancellation policy). Continue reading →

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Kapiti Classic Beach Races (21.1km) – 13 March 2011

The participants at the start of the 21.1km beach run.
Gerry looking all ready to go.
Heading in a northern direction for the first 2.5km.
The first turnaround point at 2.5km.
The start of the kiddies 1km dash.
River-crossings added a bit of excitement to the race. Kapiti island is on the left.
Just enough to get your feet soaked.
Gerry, attempting to leap over the streams.
The finish line with a few supporters cheering participants on.
Very please to have won one of the two main spot prizes. You go Gerry!
My feet – clearly not used to running wet!

For lack of another word, I can only say that this race is awesome! What a gem. NZ is full of these very nice off-the-beaten-track small town races and the Kapiti Classic, a newby on the calendar, is no exception. Another inaugural for us.

Continue reading →