off-road

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How not to do a 60km trail run – the mud, blood, guts and glory of the Tarawera Ultra

Date: 6 February 2016
Distance: 62km
Time: 12:30.48
Previous: 2015

Nervously waiting for the start in anticipation of the day ahead.
Uhum, is that a slightly nervous face?
Although it was wet, the temperature was fairly warm in the early hours of the morning.
A misty rain covered the whole landscape.
The wide forestry roads helped to spread out the runners.
We looked somewhat despondent.
Deep in thought.
Finally reaching Blue Lake.
I should really try to go faster so that Gerry can get rid of his excess energy!
Trying my luck with crisps. It left no ill effects.
Encouraging signs scattered throughout the course.
Imagine having such a huge group of friends all participating. Must be a blast!
A short stretch on sealed roads.
A jingle-jolly water point before heading back into the forest for more muddy trails.
A big chunk of the trail looked like this.
The single track sections were trampled by all the runners.
Another mud slide.
Beautiful scenery despite challenging terrain.
Some seriously eroded downhills.
A marshall who made herself a little shelter to take cover from the rain.
Peace man! Another lovely water point.
Cool attire and more friendly helpers at the Peace water point.
At the Tarawera falls.
Soaked to the bone, cold and really sore at this point.
We made it!
Finally at the finish line.
Medals to boot.

All photos by us, except the ones containing the TUM logo which are courtesy of Photos4sale and TUM. 

Standing at the start line of the Tarawera ultra, it still hadn’t dawned on me what I was about to do. For some strange reason, the whole event hadn’t registered with me at all. Maybe it was a way for my mind to cope with the fact that we were going to run 60km, not having done the hard yards in training? Whatever the case might be, my mind chose not to make it a reality. And were it not for the excruciatingly sore muscles the day after, I still wouldn’t have registered what happened the day before. Continue reading →

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20 miles of hope and 6 miles of truth (Queenstown marathon)

Queenstown marathon

Date: 21 November
Distance 42.2km
Time: 5:51:44

At the start at Millbrook Resort.
Self-seeded wave starts helped spread out the trail of runners to ease congestion on the walking tracks. We had no problem whatsoever, not sure what was going on in the front.
Not long now – grrrr …
And we’re off. Long road ahead.
The downhill into Arrowtown which was the start of my ITB problems.
Arrowtown – a quaint historic gold mining town north of Queenstown.
Gerry making his way through the suburbs.
Running next to Arrow River.
Enough runners not to be alone, and not so many to congest the walkways.
Lovely scenery and a perfect day for it!
Flying round the corner on a downhill. Yeah right.
One of many bridges across streams and rivers.
Queenstown Trails Trust was getting $10 from each entry towards the maintenance of the river/lake walkways.
A mainly flat course with just a few undulations and a hill or two thrown in for good measure.
Water point with lots of little helpers. All stocked with water and Powerade. Most of them also offered Sport Beans.
Point taken.
One of the short sections on a sealed road, running along the Arrowtown Lake Hayes Road towards the lake.
Reaching and rounding Lake Hayes.
Have to fool myself to look strong, although I was far from it.
The sound of a band drifting across the water, made for a very enjoyable run.
Beautiful paths to keep your mind off the pain.
So very far to go still …
Nice pathways through boggy areas.
Not too far from the end of the 7km circle around Lake Hayes.
Gerry still going strong and having a ball.
Colourful dots all along the walkway.
After what felt like an eternity, we finally reached the halfway mark. Took us 2:37.
A steep downhill which I had to walk on account of my terribly sore ITB’s.
Lush new growth on the trees.
At 26.5km we reach the waterpoint before crossing the Shotover River.
Gerry on the Shotover River bridge.
High fives all round!
Around this area we passed some waterworks which wasn’t all that pretty. But the lupins cheered me up.
Just a few little hills to keep things interesting. This one dubbed “Marathon Hill” which is quite tough at around the 32km mark.
Lots of inspirational posters en route with this one near the top of the hill. 🙂 Next to the Kawarau River.
Some more musicians. I love events that have local bands to entertain runners and crowds.
The Frankton Arm of Lake Wakatipu in the back.
The organisers made the most of the main sponsor, Air New Zealand.
Gerry still doing well next to the Frankton Arm.
Turns out it wasn’t only my legs that didn’t work so well anymore – it was also my trigger finger! Luckily the photographer got his Charlie Chaplan jump at the right time.
With only about 1km to go, these guys were really going all out cheering runners on.
Through the streets of Queenstown with lots of support along the closed roads. This must have been fantastic for the guys who were still part of the event. Being so far behind, we definitely missed out of some highlights the event had to offer.
With his landing gear out, Gerry is on the runway taxiing his way to the finish.
Very happy to have made it to the finish with near nothing training in the two months leading up to the event.
Chilling in the finish zone with bananas, water, Powerade and a happy grin.
Prize-giving. Our luck has definitely run out this year. 🙂

The Air New Zealand Queenstown International Marathon saw its second running in 2015. It boasted a huge field of 9000 participants across all three events (42.2, 21.1 & 10km, plus a kids 2km). At $149 entry fee it is not the cheapest marathon in the country ($10 goes towards the Queenstown’s Trails Trust). Add to that the $15 bus fare, and, if you want, the official event cotton T-shirt at $40, and you’re already looking at $200+. Other event branded merchandise like technical tops, peaks, caps etc were also on offer. The expo consisted mainly of sports-related brands advertising and selling their goods. Continue reading →

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Karioi Classic Run – 44km off road

 

The beautiful Mt Karioi – the playing ground for many a runner and cyclist.
Registration at the Fire Station.
Lisa explaining the route.
Beautiful morning with the sun just waiting to poke an eye over Raglan.
Mt Karioi visible in a distance as we made our way out of town. Most other competitors already disappearing into the distance, never to be seen again.
Gerry going strong.
Passing the golf course and me already huffing and puffing.
Gerry flying down the gravel road.
Passing farmlands in the early morning rays of the sun.
A friendly volunteer handing me a cup of water.
Follow the shadows.
Passing typical farm scenes along the way.
Aside from one or two trucks and cars rumbling past, the road was all ours.
Downhill! Finally :-).
Because of the possum infestation, and particularly their night time escapades, possums are often turned into what is locally known as “kiwi speed bumps”.
The loneliness of the long-distance runner. That’s of course if you don’t run with your partner.
Arriving at the first transition point.
Transition point and drinks table at about 15km into the race.
Mt Karioi as seen from another angle. Slowly working our way around the mountain.
Entering the farmland, the terrain changed to grass and paddocks.
The red dirt girl on the red dirt road.
Sharing the green hills with the local farm stock.
Mt Taranaki should be visible on a clear day somewhere in the distance.
Stunning scenery to make you want to sit down, pour a glass and appreciate the moment.
Pigtail pegs marking the route across the paddocks.
The loneliness of the long-distance runner, Part 2.
Lots of muddy sections on the farm roads.
Mud, sweat and tears.
The organisers making sure participants head in the right direction.
The community rallied behind the event – young’uns manning the water station at the 20km mark.
Very appropriate signage after the kids water point. 🙂
Stunning views in abundance on the Karioi Classic.
Huge Manuka (or is it Kanuka?) trees to provide shelter and shadow on hot windy days.
Running back towards Raglan on the ocean side of the mountain.
Volunteers at a very exposed spot on the mountain. Luckily the weather was good, although a bit chilly.
Sixth cyclist from the front and still enough time to take some pics.
Rolling green hills with happy woolly sheep.
Time for a walk break as a bunch of cyclists came past.
Lots of steps on the scenic pathway that leads to the beach.
Run, in the Forest, Run!
Making our way down to the beach.
Being so far towards the back of the field, we reached the beach as the tide was going out, resulting in hard sand and “easy” running.
Only about 4kms to go. Yeah!
Gerry still feeling strong and running well within himself.
Gerry all smiles on the final 2kms.
The grassy bit to the finish felt like it was nine miles long.
Lisa encouraging and congratulating participants at the finish.
Dirk handling the prize-giving.
And moi as the second female finisher in my age category – a first time ever for me! Age has it’s advantages. 😉
Celebrating with a well-earned bubbly.
Watching the sun set after a wonderful day out.

In our buildup towards the Tarawera (I still get sleepless nights every now and again just at the thought that we’ve actually entered for this mammoth event), we opted to do the inaugural Karioi Classic trail run (a 44km run around Mt Karioi) which is luckily mostly just off-road and not very technical. The cycling event has been going for a few years, but this would mark the first running of the Karioi. Initially I was a little reluctant to enter, due to me maybe not being fit enough, Raglan being too far from Palmy and the event probably being to soon after our previous marathon. However, the race sounded so nice that we decided to do it anyway notwithstanding my trepidation – we desperately need time on the trails, and what better way to spent it than with like minded folk (although we were for the most part by ourselves on the trail). And there’s just something about an inaugural, isn’t there? Continue reading →

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T42 trail marathon – 7 May 2011

Gerry and I on Friday afternoon at the race headquarters – The Park Travellers’ Lodge – just after registration and gear check. Nervously brave.
The Park, where registration and gear checks were taking place.
Doing some carbo-loading at the Speights Ale House.
At the start, with a long queue at the porta-loos on the left.
Gerry, making his way through the DOC footbath, just to ease into running wet.
Foam coming from my shoes after the footbath. Remnants of my attempt to eliminate the pong in my shoes.
Hopping over a fence for a loop through a farm.
Gerry going strong on a grassy patch.
In the early stages of the race, when we could still see some other participants.
A wee bit of a view when the clouds subsided.
Running through the water makes it no less wet.
One of many river crossings. Forget about dry feet!
The widest and deepest river crossing en route.
Mud, mud and more mud. Imagine what the MTB’ers looked like.
Gerry enjoying the hospitality of some very friendly volunteers at the water point/aid station.
Some lovely stretches on gravel road.
More mud, with a very apt caution sign for the MTB’ers.
Not far to go.
Relieved smiles at an almost deserted finish.
Tackling another mountain – this time a Mountain Burger at the Speights Ale House. Much appreciated after a day of jelly babies and water.

On Wednesday, 4 May, we received the fourth and final email update from Total Sport concerning the T42 Central Plateau marathon. Things that were covered in the email, included:

  • Weather update
  • Event contingency date
  • Compulsory gear update
  • Event course update
  • Department of Conservation / Didymo
  • Safety on the course
  • Event start times & locations
  • Course cut-off times
  • Aid stations
  • Gear drop off at start
  • Transport
  • Registration at The Park
  • Post event at Owhango
  • Prize Money
  • Event Photos
  • Dinner & post event at The Park

Continue reading →

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DUAL – Motutapu-Rangitoto Traverse (42.2km) – 26 March 2011

At the start, me sporting full wet weather gear ;-).
Gerry at registration.
Nervous smiles on the ferry heading to Motutapu.
No turning back now!
The organisers must have had a snigger when they planned this start! Up, up, up.
Willie and me negotiating mud puddles early on.
Gerry and Willie with the start way below, right behind Gerry.
Fly, fly away.
MTBs and runners sharing a short section of the road.
Gerry and I on Rangitoto’s scoria.
Most of the surface of Rangitoto consists of volcanic rock and scoria.
Rocks under foot.
Gerry – full speed.
Taking a walk break up a small hill.
Before.
After. They smelled much worse than they looked!
Happy with our complimentary Speight’s Traverse beers at the finish.
What a awesome moment! The last finisher getting a hero’s welcome.

Wow! wow! wow! Phew … wow … I don’t have the words to describe the experience that is the DUAL. It is 2011. For me the year that will always mark our first running of the DUAL, a character-building experience that will probably be engraved in my mind for a long time. The weather god, Huey, played an evil trick on us to help make sure we will never ever forget this event.

Continue reading →