running

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Mukamuka Munter

Date: 15 August 2021

Distance: 32k (we measured 31.7k)

Time: 5:48

Since our eight months hiatus last year, we have been running reasonably consistently from the beginning of this year, working on a decent base. It has been tough, and slow going. We’ve had some setbacks, some no-running weeks, and times where the weather just made getting out of bed a challenge, let alone trying to be active. As the event date drew nearer I realised that I wasn’t nearly ready, which seems to be a recurring phenomenon. And then I made the mistake of ‘not caring’ about it anymore either. The Mukamuka Munter would be our first event in two years, but for the past couple of years, I am feeling somewhat over events. Not sure why that happened. 

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Nelson runs

After three weeks of 70k per week, it was time for a cut-back week. Luckily this coincided with a work trip to Nelson. With all the best of intentions in the world, it remains challenging to try and fit in runs while out of town for jobs. That also goes for travelling. When your holiday involves tents and lots of different campsites, it just gets too hard with super early runs, fitting in a shower, and still pack up and vacate the site by 10am, not to mention the pile of wet, dirty running gear. This, of course, is much easier if you can afford (and are that way inclined) to stay in somewhat more luxurious accommodation for a few days or weeks at a time.

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Marshalling on Mt Holdsworth (Jumbo-Holdsworth Trail Race – 25 January)

24 January: Powell Hut via Gentle Annie, Totara Flat, Pig Flat and Holdsworth Track

New Powell hut.
New Powell hut.
New Powell hut.

The month of January is not even finished yet and I already felt like I needed a holiday. Luckily we had the prospect of the two days back in the Tararua Range. Since our tramp over New Year I’ve been keen to get back in the mountain, but on “easier” and more “human friendly” terrain. Continue reading →

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Tauranga marathon

Date: 20 September 2019
Distance: 42.2km
Time: 5:26.12
Previous: 2017 (inaugural)

Shortly after the start.
Check out that loo queue on the left.
Young Rob and I. A beautiful, sunny day with just a light breeze.
We moved towards the back of the starting shoot, but there were still quite a few runners and walkers behind us.
On Papamoa Beach Road.
Rounding the mount.
At the end of the Mt Maunganui loop.
Cars only had one lane and were backed up for miles.
A jaunt through the Port.
A scenic section overlooking Port Tauranga.
Very tempting to follow the Half Marathon course straight to the finish.
Yay!
The mount is getting smaller in the back.
Rob already miles ahead of us.
Checking out the 10km map and wondering what possessed me to do the marathon.
A lovely part of the course.
Another friendly aid station.
Running along the boardwalk.
The mount looks so far away.
The last aid station, less than 2km from the finish.
The finish in the main street of Tauranga City.

On Friday morning, shortly after breakfast, the power suddenly went out. That was when it dawned on us that council scheduled a power outage from 8:30 until 3pm. The house needed a vacuum, the washing machine was halfway through its cycle, the dishes needed cleaning, we hadn’t showered yet and I was still going to cook us something for the road and dinner. We couldn’t wait until after 3pm, so out came the broom while I was cussing away at the wall-to-wall carpet. Oh, how I hate thee! It’s just a breeding ground for allergies and impossible to truly clean. No matter how much water and soap you throw at it, unless you have suction that can peel the carpet off of the floor, you won’t be getting all the crap out. Ever. Well, that’s my take on it anyway. Continue reading →

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Hatuma Lime half marathon

Date: 15 September 2019
Distance: 21.1km
Time: 2:17
Previous:  2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

MC in action.
Cath and Cheryl joined me for the pic.
hi Anita!
Hey Kev!
Lots of traffic on the course.
Gerry practicing his selfie skills.
A lovely section before and after the last change over point.
When there’s “running” in a sentence it can only mean one thing ;-).
Less than two kilometres from the finish.

It was our sixth outing to Waipukurau for the annual Hatuma Lime half marathon, still the event we’ve done the most times of all. Hard to say why we go back almost every year. Maybe because it has by now become a “thing” – the event we’ve done most times? Continue reading →