The destination is worth the effort..

I just realised that i never posted about thursday night's run with "girls on top". We met at the bottom of Haigh access road and headed into the bush at Okura. It was yet again an unfamiliar place in Auckland. That is certainly a great byproduct of all of these runs, I am getting to see parts of Auckland I never knew existed. I started with the turbo turtles from the start. The weather had turned nasty while I waited in the car and so was thankful for my polyprop that I had packed. But only 10 mins into the run through the bush I had stripped it off because my body has it's own heating system when I exercise :)

Rather than being a loop course this one was more of a run in for an hour and then turn around and run back out....so we were told at the beginning. Every downhill we ran in the back of my mind I was imagining having to run it uphill on the way back. There are a lot of stairs through the bush, it's a great trail but I was cautious of slipping down them, especially after my less than graceful fall the last time I had run. the up stairs were aplenty and they were killing my butt and thighs. I would always be lagging behind the other three on the stairs and felt like I was spent and couldn't continue. What amazed me as I ran though was how quickly my body was able to recover even as I ran. It's a funny concept but a fantastic design feature in the human body. To be able to recover from physical exertion while still exercising. I had to keep reminding myself that I would recover as I fought my way up the next staircase. We ran through the bush, then alongside what looked like mud flaps and eventually came out on a beach! It was a glorious sight....but our run was not over. We crossed a little stretch of water and then ended up back in the bush. I was keeping an eye on my watch and at the half time mark we looked nothing like we were turning back. I was having serious doubts at being able tomrun the return journey at the same pace as our outward run. Suddenly we came back out on the beach again! To my delight that signal led the end of the line and we were turning around and heading for home. Even more exciting was realization that we were not going to run back through the bush, but alongside the bush on the beach, which was covered in these amazing flat rocks and shells. Better yet, there were no big staircases on the beach. Out came the head torches and off we ran bound for home. When we got back to to point where we first encountered the beach, others headed back into the bush, but we carried on around the next stretch of beach. The wind was annoyingly strong and it was sapping my energy. But around the next bay it was much calmer. We eventually headed back into the bush. The return journey through the bush was much muddier as everyone had run on the track and the mud was stirred up. A couple of near falls thanks to the combo of mud and tree roots but I managed to stay upright the whole way. We hadn't skipped all the stairs but I reminded myself that it's all good training.

It was fantastic to arrive back at the carpark bang on 8.30pm, exactly two hours after we began. I loved the bush run, the mud, the trees....but I absolutely loved the surprise of the beach. The journey was hard, but worth it to reach that destination. I try and remind myself of the ultimate destination on days when my body is hurting or my mind is tired....the ultimate destination is crossing that finish line at sumner and being handed that sprights Ginger beer, knowing I started the day on the other coast.

I will definately be returning to this location for another run.....in the daylight. Watch out anyone whom comes to visit me in Auckland, you may just find yourself climbing some stairs in the middle of the bush to get to the beach.....

Rest is best

So today I had no scheduled activity and I debated whether or not to run or bike or lift some weights. Then I remembered that resting is also a vital part of life and that includes training. I have my second girls on top run tomorrow and I didn't want to overdo it today and struggle tomorrow, so I rested.

Instead I've been working another vital body part that will possibly turn out to be the most important of all on race day...my brain. I caught up with a good friend who I haven't seen face to face since 2000! It was fantastic to talk about all sorts of things but especially running, physical fitness and the mental stamina required to go the distance. I loved her perspective, her encouragement and her 'research' into running.

So while today has been quiet on the physical front, I still feel like I've done some prep to help achieve the goal of c2c2012.

And I'm learning the art of rest in every area of my life, something I have struggled to embrace at times.

Converstions and challenges

Tonight was no 3 in the adiRun challenge for me. A couple of minutes into it a lovely Irish girl caught up to me and asked if she could run with me. I said yes, while inside thinking "she's going to regret this because of my slow pace" butane ran the whole way together. I was sure I was going to have a slower time because my new Irish running partner liked to talk as we ran, so I felt like I was going to run out of puff before the end! But amazingly I came in under last weeks time. Tonight I ran 32 min 58 sec. Also I have a new partner to run with outside of adirun nites....yay!

After the run I had the dilemma of whether to eat tea as I had hockey practice at 7.30pm (haven finished the run just after 6.30pm). I decided on subway. Hockey was a killer tonight but at the end of it I feel like I've had a fantastic workout. I am tough on myself and have high expectations for myself in most things, and hockey is no different. I have to keep reminding myself it's been 9 years since I picked up a stick and the skill will come back the more I practice. So I'm heading to bed, tired but happy. The biggest challenge of the day and one I will face every tuesday is what to have for tea and when to have it!

That happy place...

I have a big week coming up. Tomorrow I have week 3 of my adiRuns and then hockey practice straight afterwards. And Thursday is the next girls on top 2 hr run so I had thought I would give it a rest tonight. That was until I came home and opened some potato chips....then received a text from a friend who'd been out for a run. I have a few friends who are trying to get fit and stay fit so I've made promises to encourage them as they encourage me. This text was enough to make me realise the night could go two ways.....I sit on the couch eating chips and then feel blah tomorrow nite for adiRun and hockey, or I get off my butt and run! So run I did. I decided to tackle Mt Eden tonight and while I power walked a couple of the steeper sections I was feeling reasonably ok. I decided to make up for the walked bits by going a longer way home again. As I was running something almost magical happened. Those of you who run a lot will know what I'm talking about. I found myself IN THE ZONE!!!! It feels like you could just run forever and not stop. I have visions of Forrest Gump running along the road with his ever-growing beard just because he can! It's such a great feeling. I was most certainly in my happy place. So I'm home now, feeling pleased with my effort and with no desire to eat those chippies, no matter how scrumptious they are. Besides, my happy place is chocolate coated...

one tree hill..

Since arriving in Auckland I have looked at One Tree Hill as one of those runs I want to conquer! I have walked it and knew from that encounter that to run the thing would definately require an improvement in my fitness levels.

Well after "one of those days" yesterday it seemed like the challenge of One Tree Hill would be good for the body, mind and spirit. So I made up my powerade (loving the powder by the way) and off I set.

As I started my run from the bottom carpark I felt like an old woman. I knew that heading straight to the top was not even an option so I decided to make my way around the base first and explore Cornwell Park. Beautiful! So glad I did. I was able to loosen up the legs, clear the head and take in the beautiful day.

As I made my way up to the summit it was a mixture of a power walk and very slow plod up! By the time I got to the top I was "glowing" (a polite way of saying sweating like a pig!)

But the pay off for the hard slog up is the quick run down! I loved it! It felt so good to push the body to make the most of every stride. By the time I got down to the car I was spent. Had anything changed in the circumstances of my day? Not really. Did I feel better? Yep a little less foggy. Sometimes in sweating it out I can reminded to not sweat the small stuff....

it comes down to choice...

Let me begin by commenting on the pics, there are two perspectives of the same location. One from the bottom of the hill looking up at the task before me - reaching the top is the 1/2 way point of the 2 hour run that we did last thursday night. The other is from the top looking down - it looks far more impressive with the eye than the camera on my phone. The third shot is the piece of path that was my downfall last thursday. I was ready for it this week and managed to cross the road without greeting it with most of my body :)

The girls on top group only run every fortnight so I had no scheduled training for tonight. I knew if I went home and sat down on the couch that I may not get up again. The bike is set up on the wind trainer in the lounge but I knew the chances of me doing that were slim.

So I decided I would try and recreate the run from last week and see whether I could remember the course, and whether I felt any fitter.

I did and I did :) Well I found most of the course, there was one bit that I took a wrong turn but was able to find my way to the next bit that I needed to :)

I felt heaps fitter than last week and its amazing how much difference a week can make.

As I reflected on the run I realised that it really does come down to choice. I could have chosen to waste the night in front of the tv, but instead chose to make the most of 2 hours. I could have just given up when I realised I had taken a wrong turn, but I found my way to the familiar again. I could have given up and headed back early since I was running on my own, but I had to prove only to myself.

So I think I made good choices....maybe not the crunchie bar last night..but a treat every now and then is ok by me :)

The difference a week makes....

So tonight was my second adiRun and I was keen to see what difference a week made. I was conscious that since last Tuesday I had run for 2 hours with girls on top on Thursday, done the round the bays on Sunday and been for a short run yesterday. I was hoping it would work in my favour and not against me. My muscles felt tighter going into e run but I felt fitter. I did tonight's run in 33 mins & 45 sec so if I remember right, that makes it a minute quicker than last week! Woohoo! Stoked! Still not breaking any records but it's progress and for that I am very grateful. And only 8 more adiRuns and I get a free tee- shirt so that's an extra incentive to keep running :)

Kayak - new beginnings...

Today was a new day for my relationship with kayaking. If you are wondering why we needed a new day, go back in my blog to see how disastrous our first date was!!!!!

I am having lessons with The Paddle Doctor - Blair Roskruge, ex NZ marathon canoe coach 1992-2002.

After talking about some technique stuff and swapping boats ( first one felt too tippy) it was time to be on the water. So wearing my vest at long last I was on the water in a kayak! I learnt something really interesting as I sat there...kayaking involves the feet too! There are these pedals that steer the boat....the rudder on the back should have been a clue, but hey I don't claim to be an expert :)

So I paddled sound trying to get used to being in the boat, and trying to put into practice the things that Blair talked about. There is much to learn, and I guess the good thing is I haven't got years of unlearning to do. According to Blair I have good posture which is a good start.

I'm not yet ready to go racing on club nights but I am ready to get out on the water and paddle as much as I can.

So I feel like it's a small victory tonight, baby steps towards my grade 2 certificate.

And I'm looking forward to eventually getting my kayak out from the bubble wrap it's been in since I bought it!

Round the bays - after

As promised here is the post event post. My official time was 1 hour and 9 minutes, considering it took me 10 minutes to cross the start line to begin it was actually 59 mins. I had wondered what it would be like to share the road with 40,000 others. It was crazy! The road was so crowded that it was really hard to get any kind of pace. In some stretches of the road I could have walked faster than the speed I was able to run at. So that was slightly frustrating and I decided not to worry about my time but about running without stopping and working on my mental ability to focus on the task at hand. It was a beautiful sunny day and having now completed my first round the bays I have recognized a few hazards along the way....

1. If you are running watch out for walkers who can't tell their left from their right - R is for right, R is for runners people...it's not a hard rule to follow :)

2. Beware of people pushing push chairs who may decide to cut across in front of you without looking behind to see if they are going to cut off any runners who are trying to get past.

3. Water stations are a double hazard....little plastic cups dropped all over the road are potential ankle rollers, and water all over the road is potential slippage material.

4. Don't listen to people who say the finish line is just around the corner! They have no idea what they are talking about!

I also discovered that the hare krishna chant is a great rhythm with which to run to. there were a group on the side of the road, I'd like to think they were cheering us on, but it sounded like their usual chant.

It was a great run for such short notice and now that I have an understanding of the challenges hopefully next year it will be even more enjoyable. I'm loving the feeling of my body starting to expect exercise and getting fitter, stronger and another step closer to C2C2012

Round the Bay - before

Today will be a double posting....a before AND after the round the bays event. For those who don't know check out www.roundthebays.co.nz for more info etc. I only decided to do it on Wed nite after my friend Rhondda talked about it. Am I feeling well prepared? NO. Do I think it will be easy? NO. Do I think I can do it? YES! It may not be pretty but I will complete it. My time is gonna going to have some wondering how on earth I can get fit enough in time for the C2C2012.... I wonder that myself some days....but then I remember it's making choices like this. Choosing to get off the couch and run 8.4km. I'm a little muscle sore in parts still from Thur nite's run, and my knee & hip are definitely still feeling a little battered and bruised, but as a friend of mine often says, "all good"!
So I did what all good athletes in the making do, I had my banana & nutrigrain and I should be ready to take on the world...(unless the adverts are misleading me) and I'm now patiently awaiting the start of the race. There were 40,000 people at last years race, so that'll be a bit of fun sharing the road together. Stay tuned for the post race post.

girls on top...lessons learned

The pic doesn't really display the exhaustion I was feeling at the end of the night...

Well it was with much excitement and anticipation that I turned up at Judges Bay Road, Parnell for my first run with "girls on top" multisport group. I had missed the one two weeks earlier because I ended up in Christchurch. I had put myself into the "slow bunnies" - they jog the flat and down and walk the uphills....only a few minutes into the run I decided I was in the wrong group! So we paused for the turbo turtles to catch us up (they power walk and jog) and I switched groups. It wasn't long into this new group that I began to wonder what on earth I was thinking - I'm obviously way less fit than I'd like to think and I was definately the turtle's tail the whole way. The run was made all the more painful because I managed to trip going from grass to footpath and ended up sprawled on the road. As I was falling towards the hard surface of the road all I thought was "oh no, I'm gonna break my nose". I managed to avoid contact between face and road, instead hurting both hands, my wrist, one knee and my hip on the other leg and of course my PRIDE!!
To cut a long story short, it was a painful two hours of which I felt like giving up and going back to my car most of the way (only problem I had no idea where I was in relation to said car so was forced to just harden up).

As I sat in my car after the 2 hours was over I realised how amazing I felt...mentally it was the best thing I could have done. Physically it was tough but I did it, I didnt quit, and socially it was great to meet some very encouraging girls who each have their own reasons for putting themselves through this.

Here are a few lessons I learnt...

1. NEVER eat an entire packet of shortbread fingers tne night before a big run no matter how moreish they may be.

2. DONT run with a bag on your back bigger than what you need (my backpac last night was not a good fit and not only was the bag flopping around on my back but the contents inside were also having a blast rocking from side to side.

3. ALWAYS pay attention to where your feet are going rather than making eye contact with the person you're talking too - otherwise you could end up conversing with the ground.

4. SOMETIMES being at the back of the group is handy, especially on a windy night

5. ABSOLUTELY believe in yourself...even if you have to lie to yourself sometimes and say 'its ok, this is fun'

6. KNOW that it will be better and if it gets too easy, its time to push on up

So with kind of sore muscles and very sore other body parts, I will sign off for now, and will post some pics of my injuries if the bruises come up looking any good.

Excited....

it been an exciting week, tues I did my first adiRun, then yesterday finally organized my first kayak lesson for Monday nite, last night I signed up for round the bays on Sunday and tonight I am heading out for my first run with "girls on top" multisport group...good times :). I'll update you on how I get on when I get back.

AdiRun...

I was surfing the net the other nite and began following a number of different people & organizations on Twitter & signed up to a few newsletters. Well this morning I got an email from runningcalendar.co.nz with their weekly newsletter. While reading it I discovered that there is a FREE running group that meet at ADIDAS Newmarket every Tues at 6pm for a 5 km, 7 km or 10 km run. So as much as I sometimes red going along to things where I don't know anyone, I went. It was a warm night for a run and my only goal was to run it nonstop so I could give myself a starting time on which to improve on. I managed it apart from having to pause for about 10 sec to read the map as I was getting a bit lost...the runners in front of me had gone out of sight. So my time was 34min 34 sec.... Pretty slow but it's a good start - because I actually got out there and ran! I have come to the realization that for the next 11 months subway cookies can no longer be my friend!
I'm looking forward to the girls on top running group on Thursday nite...and Feb 2012!

Rain or shine

Saturday was the last day of hockey trials. It bucketed down with rain overnight and was still raining in the morning. But the trials were on rain or shine so I got myself ready and counting our warm up time was running around for 2 & 1/2 hours. The first few minutes I thought I'd not survive in one piece but by the end of it I was feeling good. I got home and thought, why not make the most of this moment....so I ran from home to the bike shop to find out about their group rides....then I ran home again. It was raining but it felt so good to be pushing thru despite the elements. And as I know from past years the weather is not always kind...like 2010's weather!

So it was a good end to the week after not a lot of exercise. My planned first run with "girls on top" multisport club was out the window because of the earthquake in chch and my impromptu trip down to see the family.

So now I'm back on track and ready to do this, rain, hail or shine...preferably not the hail...