Saturday's Run with a Tip

Luke had a rugby game today over at Mt Albert Grammar and so he and Shayne left early. My plan was that I would join them with Josh as the driver and to give him some practice of driving on his own with his restricted licence, I'd run home after the game while he drove.

We watched Luke's game of rugby, a very, very muddy game which the boys LOVED and the added bonus of winning the game putting them in to the semi finals.

I guessed the distance to run would be between 6 - 7 kms about all I need to do ready for my longer run tomorrow. I started well. the route was pretty much straight but was stop, start due to traffic lights. Not a route that I will do again in a hurry.

Tip: Try not to over indulge on alcoholic beverages the night before a run.

I found it hard today. I was thirsty and tired and only had myself to blame because of the night before. I have a party to go to tonight and will be the designated driver for my friends knowing that I have a bigger run tomorrow.

The good news, I measured the distance when I reached home. 7.8kms. Next run tomorrow...

Keep Watching

Last Sunday I went for a 16k run. It was long over due and so I needed to go, rain or shine. The plan was that I'd run up to the Pipe Line and meet Mrs G where we would run the Pipe Line together and then home. It was a slow run although I ran most of the Pipe Line on my own. Mrs G wanted me to run at my own pace given that I have a half marathon in a few weeks.

We did ok but Mrs G hurt her knee and so will be out of running for a bit. I believe she will continue with Zumba if anyone wants to join her. I'm holding off on that too until I am back on track in a month or so.

All going well, very soon I will add some photos and news but until then, keep checking in on my Blog as I like to keep in touch with you all. Just over 3 weeks until the half marathon...It won't be a fast one but it will hold such sentimental value and that is awesome. As I type I am filled with a rush of excitement! I CAN'T WAIT!

Just a wee one

On Monday I went for a very gentle run with Mrs G from Kelston Boys High School down Archibald Rd, Up Gt Nth Rd to Hepburn Rd, along to Butterworth and back to St Leonard's to the end and left back to the school. It was only 4.6k but all we could manage in the time schedule. I'm going to have to do some serious running if I want to beat the competition...Can't disclose too much about that at the moment but very soon, you will know who I mean by the competition...

These legs keep on moving

With no Shayne for the weekend I thought I'd head out for a wee hike. I started running down Hutchinson Ave towards New Lynn where I met Mrs G, and then we walked along Margan Ave, to Titirangi Rd and on to Scenic drive. When we reached the Pipe Line we decided to see how much of it we could run. We managed the whole 6ks and then walked back to Titirangi village where we stopped for breakfast.

Back on our feet and I was feeling a little stiff, we walked all the way back to my home for me to drive Mrs G back to hers. We were out for 3 hours.

I have a pain in the arch of my left foot that is probably from the Taupo walk and so I have to take it easy. I perhaps started back a tad prematurely...The problem I have is that I'm feeling SO fit now and I'm so aware of how quickly I can loose it. I want to keep the fitness up! I will try to rest up for a week and see how I go next weekend.

Short and Sweet

My next OXFAM team training is scheduled for Thursday but it is all about injury prevention now and so I had to get out to keep the muscles moving but not over-do it. I arranged with Mrs G to pick me up so that we could head out to Titirangi.

We only walked today as we haven't had a catch up in a while and had a lot to fit in. From the Village we walked up Scenic Drive, along the pipe line and back to the village which equated to about 8kms. Short and sweet - Until the next time...

Thank Heavens for Mrs G

Once again I tried to be lazy and talked myself out of going for my run. The boys and my team mates couldn't make our Monday training session and so it was down to me to sort something out. In the 'too hard' basket, I prepared myself for a night off but didn't feel good about it.

At 4:00pm Mrs G rang to find out if I was planning on running today. My saving grace! There was NO EXCUSE for me not to throw on my running gear and get out there with my buddy. I drove to her place and we walked up from there to Titirangi Rd, up through the village and on to Scenic Drive. We decided to run the Pipe Line there and back which is 6ks and then walk back through the village where we would begin to run again all the way home.

Today we covered just over 16kms - MUCH better than sitting at home feeling bad.

THANK YOU MRS G!!!!

Just a Short One

After an pleasant evening spent with friends, Mrs G and I decided we'd have an early start on Saturday and head out for a run. Just a short one...

I left home at 7:30am and headed down Hutchinson to meet Mrs G. She was walking up to meet me. We then ran towards New Lynn and I can't believe how different the round about is for the train track. It certainly looks a little less hectic these days. On to Totara and then Gt Nth Rd, left onto West Coast Rd, left onto Pleasant, left on to Titirangi Rd and right on to Margan Ave which is where we split up and I ran towards my home back up Hutchinson and Mrs G ran to hers, back through New Lynn.

What was going to be a short run turned into slightly longer at 9kms and I was happy with that.

One week out from my next event and so a gentle week ahead.

Easier Than We Thought

Sadly, no Sunday run this week. Still not feeling fighting fit with an ear infection which has been giving me a bit of grief - ear ache, dizziness and nausea feeling, which at times has been horrendous.

I took it easy instead in the hope that it would fix my ear and let the antibiotic do its job.

There was no way that I could miss Monday's walk with Mrs G and so I prepared myself for a good hike with plenty of water. Since it was my turn to choose a location I wanted to include hills to get that heart rate up. We drove up to Oratia and parked the car in between Shaw Road and Carter Road and do the loop: Up Carter and back down along Shaw until the end at Westcoast Road, back to the car. From memory, Carter Road is quite hilly but I have never run along Shaw Road and so had no idea what we were in for. It was just over 7kms all up and was no where near as tough as I thought. We decided to run along Shaw Rd as the walk hardly lifted the heart rate and to be honest, it seemed quite a non event. NEED to go out again for something a tad tougher. Better that we went but would prefer to run it than walk it next time.

Today, Wednesday and the eve of Christmas eve, my ear is finally starting to feel better. Still a tad painful at times but at least I don't have to take pain killers anymore. The antibiotic is finally working!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Since my last post I have done 3 more walk/runs. I haven't had a great deal of time to update my Blog as it has been way too busy, as it generally is at this time of year.

Walked with Sharon on Saturday morning and did the Pipe Line but we were about 15 mins slower than our last week's effort. I have not slept too well lately and have had a cold or something, sore ears, throat etc. Still have energy to get out and about but feeling it...Anyway, despite the fact that we were a bit slower, I am pleased that we made the effort because it is at busy times like these that the true test to my focus sets in. I had to resist having one more glass of wine and be prepared for the early start, even though Christmas parties are in full swing. Believe me, it isn't easy!

On Monday, it was Mrs G's turn to find a location for our walk and we went on an adventure. Parked at the halfway point of the Pipe Line and walked to the track that we had done last week only this time we followed a different track that got us lost. Anyone that knows the area is probably thinking "How on earth can anyone get lost up there?" Well, anyone that knows me will know that I have NO sense of direction and so it is far too easy for me to get lost. We ended up on the wrong side of the lake and so had a choice of either heading back the slippery, wet way that we came from or cross the lake...We crossed the lake...which was DEEPER than we thought! Soaked up to my waist! Shoe fell in water! Eels! But a whole lot of fun. We laughed a lot! With all that walking and running we only covered 7.4kms.

Today I did a 10kms walk with Sharon. It was hot and I was very thirsty. Could have stayed home instead because I still have an ear ache. Off to the doctor tomorrow to get it sorted once and for all. Glad I did some exercise though as I prefer not to go too long without some form of a work out.

The plan of action for my next walk, we have a 2 hour walk ahead on Sunday with a whole bunch of friends, which I'm looking forward to, and then out for breakfast after that. This should mark the end of my training for 2009 but knowing me, I'll probably throw in a few 6km runs.

My Turn

It was my turn to pick our Monday training walk with Mrs G. We drove up to the far end of the pipe line and parked the car. I decided we needed a few more hills to get that heart rate up and so we followed the path down the hill to the track that goes out to a lake near the the Lower Nihotupu dam.

We followed the track to the end and back and then ran up the hill back to the pipe line. We felt that although the hills were good we still needed a tad more and so we walked the pipe line to the start and back to the car. Next time I'll suggest we run it.

Today we covered 9.2kms and we both felt good. Mrs G's turn next week to find a location...I wonder where she'll take us...

A Change of Scene

Today, Mrs G and I covered 8kms and rather than our usual run around the streets between our houses, we decided to head up to Titirangi Village, park the car and walk to warm up towards the Pipe Line (Expedition Drive).

It is 6kms to the end of the Pipe Line and back and has some beautiful scenery. We met a lot of fellow runners and walkers which is great to see and there was a dad running along with his daughter beside him riding her bike. This brought me back to when my boys were younger and Shayne and I would run while they'd take off on their bikes. Happy memories...

Today's run was gentle and, once again, was a good catch up with my very good friend, Mrs G. It was her idea to have a change of scene this week and so it is my turn to pick the location next week. I know just the place and it will be tough but hey ho, no pain, no gain.

Let me know if there are any questions but in the mean time, until next time, happy running!

Just a Gentle One

Mrs G and I hit the pavement for a small 4.6km jog this evening which at least got the heart rate going. Not a major, just enough to keep up with the regular exercise. Day off tomorrow in anticipation for Wednesdays mountain climbs again and hoping that Sharon will join us...We're currently searching for our fourth team mate and I'm hoping that gentle persuasion will ease her into that position.