jogging

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Round the Vines – half marathon

At the start: Gerry, Nettie, Johann and me.
A more colourful than usual race briefing.
The start of the half marathon.
On our way shortly after the start.
First water station.
Me flying past the vines.
The road leading through Alana Estate.
Second water station. More goodies to tempt the runners.
Meandering through the wine farms.
Lovely views while running through the vineyards.
Close encounters with a vine.
More fancy dress fun at the third water station.
One man show.
Full band providing great entertainment.
The split for the half and 10 on the first round.
Gerry on the extra loop for the half marathon.
“Garage” band.
Water station #4 – Gerry happy with his Sav.
“As I was trying to say …”
Water station #5.The range of goodies at these water stations was quite amazing.
The detour taking you through the school grounds.
Water station #6 on the school grounds.
Round number 2.
One man show.
One woman show.
A “thank you” from the school as you pass through their grounds.
Full band providing entertainment at the school.
The finish. Me still wondering how on earth I’m meant to cover 42.2km in 6 weeks time!

When first we stumbled upon this event, to be staged in the lovely town of Martinborough, we just knew it is a must do. We need to include long runs on weekends as training for the Rotorua marathon anyway, and what better way to do it than in events with lots if other runners. It’s much easier when you know you are not alone out there covering 20+km by yourself.

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Super Seven Series – race 5

ss5

The Manawatu Striders in action

Some of the members of the hard working team behind the Super Seven Series each week, busy inflating and anchoring the start and finish banner. Getting everything set up and ready to play host to 1700+ participants takes a lot of hard work that starts early in the afternoon already. Like a well oiled machine each team member knows his/her role in the process to have the event run smoothly come 6:15pm. I don’t think many people realise just how much organising and effort go into staging events of this magnitude. And with the added bonus of receiving water, bananas and a sausage sizzle, it adds a whole new dimension to the planning and preperation.

A hearty thank you to the Manawatu Striders for putting together these highly successful and wonderful events for all to enjoy. Cheers!

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Just an easy recovery run… Yeah right.

Upon entering Pahiatua, you’re greeted by a large sign advertising the 5km series.
And away they go! The walkers’ start.
The runners – a more serious affair.
Everybody received an apple at the finish and me with a spotprize!

If someone were to tell me I have to do two speed sessions two days in a row, I would have laughed him off, mumbling something like “crazy bugger”. Speed session is not in my vocabulary. Neither is fartleks or hill training for that matter. But if we’re on our daily trot and feeling okey, I’m always up for the challenge to race to the next street lamp, even if “race” implies just picking up the pace a notch or two for the next 50 metres or so.

As someone who’s always on the lookout for affordable events close-by we were happy to stumble upon a series, similar to the Super Sevens, in our neighbouring town of Pahiatua. It is a 5km run and walk hosted every Wednesday by the local club, the Bush Harriers, for the five weeks leading up to their half marathon on 22 March. So Gerry and I opted to go for the first one and see what it’s like. I doubt we’ll go through the trouble of driving 30km out and 30km back just to run 5km every week for the next 5 weeks, but we thought it to be a good outing and you have to try everything once, right? Continue reading →

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Windrush Windfarm Adventure – a fun walk, run or ride event

The start of all the events. Cyclists getting ready.
The runners/walkers in the 2.7km event taking off. Great to see so many youngsters taking part.
The almost complete field of runners and one walker.
Shortly after the start, already the first bit of a climb.
Probably the steepest down and uphill on the course. It’s steeper than the photo suggests, trust me!
The finish area of the cycling tour some 100 metres from the Windrush start/finish.
Trying to get to grips to the size of one of the blades.
Gerry passing 3 massive turbine blades in storage.
Lovely blue skies and a cool breeze made for perfect running conditions.
Cattle and sheep roam the farm.
When not on farm roads, you follow the mowed grass.
Another fairly significant climb.
Gerry speeding by in a blur with the Manawatu Gorge and River below.
A unique view on the Manawatu Gorge.
Happiness is …
Back at the finish.

After our “long-run” the previous day (about 10km) we decided to partake in the inaugural Windrush event of approximately 6km the next day as a “shakedown” (a term used by friends for the recovery run the day-after a hard session). Not that we are even close to double-sessions, cool-down/recovery runs or any other such technical things. But it sounded fancy, so there you have it :-).

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