race report

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Manawatu Striders – winter series (5km) – 12 June 2011

Me at the start of the walking event (except for a couple of eager beavers in front!) – the runners were to follow a few minutes later.
Directions to the event with lovely winter sun peaking over the trees.
One might think is was a hot summer’s day if you look at the dress code! We were less brave.
A short section next to the Manawatu River with the Fitzherbert bridge in the distance.
hortly after the 3km mark, running on Fitzherbert Avenue.
he turn around point clearly marked, but everybody followed each other to turn after the second cone leading to the little path on the left, which takes you to the other side of the bridge making us miss the route markers. The 10km runners went straight ahead for an additional loop around Massey campus.
Gerry, flying over the Manawatu River bridge on Fitzherbert Avenue.

We took a little hiatus from running since the T42. I just felt like I was running myself unfit, going slower with every run, which resulted in discouragement and general lack of commitment. We have entered for the Auckland marathon, happening at the end of October, and knew that we must get on the road soon, but the motivation was next to nothing. And with winter in full swing; rain, wind and generally cold unpleasant weather, just the thought of running made me run for cover. Continue reading →

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Opiki School Country Half Marathon – 17 April 2011

Gerry, approximately 5km from the finish with some threatening clouds on the way.
Is that a nervous smile? Almost the whole field of participants are standing around waiting to get going.
Bede Gilmore, the school principal, explaining the course before setting us off.
A short patch of dirt road.
And then mud …
… and more mud. Planning the best path through.
Gerry getting water at about 5km into the race.
Route marker on a typical kiwi farmer temporary fence pole.
The finish “banner” aka the school entrance gate :).

After a week of wonderful, wind-free evenings and perfect weather, it started to rain the day before this event, coupled with some wind. As we got up on the Sunday morning, it was pouring, with a nasty wind, and it took all the motivation I had left in me to get up, get dressed and drive to Opiki, all along thinking that I will just check out the scene and bail before we even start.

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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.

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