 |
| Routeburn Flats just a few miles into New Zealand’s Routeburn Track. Photo: Bryon Powell |
The stunning Routeburn features as today's trail picture. Can't wait to be running in this wonderland.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Trail Porn Features: The Routeburn
The stunning Routeburn features as today's trail picture. Can't wait to be running in this wonderland.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Sunday, March 3, 2013
6 Weeks Till The Routeburn Classic
The realization has dawned that the Routeburn Classic is only about six
weeks away. Time to ramp up the training. I thought that going back to
uni would mean that I was less active and would have less time for
training, but happily almost the complete opposite is true. My lectures
are so well spaced and I have so much time to study, that I also have
heaps of time to get out on the trails and roads during the day. I have
upped my weekly distance a bit, and also have access to the fantastic
uni gym, and especially the Les Mills Fitness Classes, so I have been
making good use of the Body Balance (yoga/Pilates), and cardio classes
and core strengh training to round out my training repertoire.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Saturday, February 23, 2013
The Week That Was
Ran the Manawatu Gorge Track the weekend before last. Excellent trail that I have been wanting to run for ages. Ran with Nneka. The trail climbs steadily up hill for several km (with a few short downhill sections thrown in for relief). Mercifully, the beaut native bush that shrouds almost the entire trail, provided a bit of relief from the heat. Several look outs over the Manawatu Gorge, plains and wind-farm allowed us to get up close and personal with the turbines, as well as appreciate the view (and sneakily rest from the up-hill slog). After descending to the car park at the other end of the gorge, and failing to find a toilet, we refueled, and then made the return run. At around km 15, we started back into the steeper down hill descent to the start. The last km wound on and on (zig-zag after zig-zag, and sooo many steps) I was amazed (once again) to think that I had run up all of this!
I have been listening to a few running podcasts. Initially I downloaded episodes with Anna Frost interviews, but have really enjoyed Talk Ultra, and Trail Runner Nation. I have been finding the experiences of others both inspirational and educational.
It has been a bit of a challenging week at work (physically) and with sorting out the impending semester at Uni (frustratingly), so I eased off some of the tension with a hill run yesterday afternoon. I tried out some of the technique tips for hill running that Anna Frost had discussed in an interview (mostly about using quads rather than calves for climbing), and found that modifying the muscles that do the majority of the work made the climb a bit easier, and my normally ragged (rabid) gasping for breath was curbed to a more seemly panting, I am guessing because my oxygen requirements were reduced due to more efficient muscle usage (but then again I might be just guessing).
It is nice to have running as a release. If I have a good day - I want to run to celebrate. If I have a not-so-amazing day - I want to run it off (note this is NOT running away from a tough day, but rather channeling that day's frustration into a run, an important distinction I feel).
As the semester kicks off next week, I am looking forward to getting into my studies again, and am hoping to continue to build on the fitness and endurance (and speed?) that I have worked on over the summer. It is always very rewarding to take a run at the end of a long day of lectures and sitting in front of a computer. I am also looking at purchasing a uni fitness center membership which gives me access to all sorts of yoga, les mills fitness classes, and the gym. I also really want to join the local running club, so that I have some more running company, and some more comrades-in-running-shoes for advice and for training.
 |
| Half way through the Manawatu Gorge track |
 |
| Wind Farm, Manawatu Gorge Trail Run |
I have been listening to a few running podcasts. Initially I downloaded episodes with Anna Frost interviews, but have really enjoyed Talk Ultra, and Trail Runner Nation. I have been finding the experiences of others both inspirational and educational.
It has been a bit of a challenging week at work (physically) and with sorting out the impending semester at Uni (frustratingly), so I eased off some of the tension with a hill run yesterday afternoon. I tried out some of the technique tips for hill running that Anna Frost had discussed in an interview (mostly about using quads rather than calves for climbing), and found that modifying the muscles that do the majority of the work made the climb a bit easier, and my normally ragged (rabid) gasping for breath was curbed to a more seemly panting, I am guessing because my oxygen requirements were reduced due to more efficient muscle usage (but then again I might be just guessing).
It is nice to have running as a release. If I have a good day - I want to run to celebrate. If I have a not-so-amazing day - I want to run it off (note this is NOT running away from a tough day, but rather channeling that day's frustration into a run, an important distinction I feel).
As the semester kicks off next week, I am looking forward to getting into my studies again, and am hoping to continue to build on the fitness and endurance (and speed?) that I have worked on over the summer. It is always very rewarding to take a run at the end of a long day of lectures and sitting in front of a computer. I am also looking at purchasing a uni fitness center membership which gives me access to all sorts of yoga, les mills fitness classes, and the gym. I also really want to join the local running club, so that I have some more running company, and some more comrades-in-running-shoes for advice and for training.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
AMI Round The Bays
I woke early on race day, and ate porridge in bed watching the sun rise over Wellington from the 19th floor of the hotel. The morning turned grey and drizzle began. I struggled into my race gear and headed into the city. I was excited.
As I walked towards the start area, other brightly-clad competitors emerged, and I joined a growing crowd of very fit looking athletes descending on the start line. Ed Sheran's "Give Me Love" blared longingly from huge speakers. To avoid the misting rain, I joined a cluster of runners huddling under the trees, and started scanning the crowd for my friend Kristy who was also competing (all be it in a much shorter time than I can hope for). I spotted Kristy, and we wandered towards the start line, where Kristy found her spot in the front 10 rows (along with the other elite's), and I tucked in behind the 2hr pace runner.
Race officials led a cramped warmup (shuffle left, shuffle right, punch the air, avoid hitting your neighbors), we were warned to not run into on coming traffic, and a small cannon was fired. We were off.
The field was enormous (some 2300 plus), and I was determined to stick with the 2hr pacer as long as I could, and I was managing the 5min 33sec pace that was being set. About a km into the race the rain stopped, and my bladder started nudging me, I didn't want to stop, but I knew that the nagging sensation would distract me later on. I figured that I might as well stop earlier on in the race (there would be less fellow relief seekers, and I would have more energy to catch up the pace group). I pulled into a rest stop about 4 km in, along with about 7 others before me, well how long does it take to go? I had stopped now so I might as well wait, I would still be able to catch my pace group.
SIX precious minutes, and what felt like a lifetime later, I had made it out of the loo! Countless others were still waiting, and many more had entered, sworn (ironically "shit") and left again. I had read somewhere that if I was going to catch up my pace group, then I should do so gradually and not sprint (not that I could manage 6 min of sprinting to catch up). I sped off, trying to keep my pace around the 5min 20sec mark, desperately scanning the runners ahead to see if I could see the familiar race garb of the pace group.
Fabulous entertainers and motivators lined the course, a jazz band played from a balcony, cheer leaders, supporters holding signs "Run like you stole something", smiling and cheering course officials, and drink station volunteers. Clusters of photographers snapped away. I was having a blast, and I was keep up a fast pace.
As the course wound around the peninsular, new views of the harbor and city revealed themselves. I was passing heaps of other runners, still desperately searching for my pacers. The first of the fast return racers dashed past, two young men neck and neck and looking to me as though they were sprinting, I clapped and cheered, hearing runners behind me take up the cry - those runners are champions. More runners coming in the opposite direction, and shortly, the first woman, Kristy was not far behind. "Go Kristy" I screamed waving both arms in the air, the runners in front of me jumped at the sound of my yells, and then turned to look and shrunk away from my flailing arms. I sped up and passed them.
By the half way point, I was feeling really good (porridge is the answer!) and I sucked down my first gel. At the next water station I grabbed an isotonic drink (more syrup than anything else) and in the process of drinking while running, spilled the sticky solution all down my front, legs and arms. The taste was dreadfully sickly, but was filled of energy and electrolyte-y goodness. I was now scanning the runners coming in the opposite direction, still searching for my pacer, but I must have missed her, as the turn around came and went and I still hadn't found my group.
I tried to keep my pace at around 5min 30sec per km mark, but I could feel my energy levels starting to flag a bit. When I reached the 16km mark my dreadful dehydration stitch had set in, and my pace had slowed to 6min 11sec per km. I heard a pod cast earlier in the week in which the interviewee (a 100miler endurance trail runner) had said that if you could master your mindset in times of challenge, your body would keep going even under adverse conditions. I kept telling myself to keep going, to push past the stitch pain, and to keep running. It worked, and the next water station appeared, thank goodness, I would get a drink and everything would be alright.
No bloody cups! The water station volunteers were pouring the water straight into the outstretched hands of runners. I cupped my hands under the spout, and the distracted pourer tipped the canister, water filled my shoes, and soaked my clothes. I sucked thirstily at my hands and ran on.
As we ran along the last few km I was able to lift my pace again (to around 5min 30sec), and ahead I spied the shirt of one of the runners that had started out in the 2hr pace group, the timer on my watch was only a couple of min off the two hour mark. I ran on, putting in more and more effort. I was waiting for the marker for the final km. As we rounded the last corner, the half marathon runners joined the flow of the 7km runners all heading for the finish. I sped up, and then sprinted the home stretch to the finish line. I was tired, and my legs felt wobbly and a little as though my feet weren't really connecting with the ground. I put in every last shred of effort and crossed the line in 2 hours and 1 min.
I never did find my pace group (although I couldn't have been far away from them). I can't believe that I had managed to run so fast for such a long distance (I had basically maintained my 7km race pace for almost the entire half marathon!). I had knocked 20min off my previous half marathon personal best. Considering that before I decided to run with the pace group I had wanted to try and maintain a sub-7min/km pace, it seems incredible that I can push myself to achieve a pace over a minute faster. Next time, if I don't have toilet troubles, I might make it in under two hours.
An amazing race and an incredible result for me. I loved it. AMI Round The Bays rocked!
As I walked towards the start area, other brightly-clad competitors emerged, and I joined a growing crowd of very fit looking athletes descending on the start line. Ed Sheran's "Give Me Love" blared longingly from huge speakers. To avoid the misting rain, I joined a cluster of runners huddling under the trees, and started scanning the crowd for my friend Kristy who was also competing (all be it in a much shorter time than I can hope for). I spotted Kristy, and we wandered towards the start line, where Kristy found her spot in the front 10 rows (along with the other elite's), and I tucked in behind the 2hr pace runner.
Race officials led a cramped warmup (shuffle left, shuffle right, punch the air, avoid hitting your neighbors), we were warned to not run into on coming traffic, and a small cannon was fired. We were off.
The field was enormous (some 2300 plus), and I was determined to stick with the 2hr pacer as long as I could, and I was managing the 5min 33sec pace that was being set. About a km into the race the rain stopped, and my bladder started nudging me, I didn't want to stop, but I knew that the nagging sensation would distract me later on. I figured that I might as well stop earlier on in the race (there would be less fellow relief seekers, and I would have more energy to catch up the pace group). I pulled into a rest stop about 4 km in, along with about 7 others before me, well how long does it take to go? I had stopped now so I might as well wait, I would still be able to catch my pace group.
SIX precious minutes, and what felt like a lifetime later, I had made it out of the loo! Countless others were still waiting, and many more had entered, sworn (ironically "shit") and left again. I had read somewhere that if I was going to catch up my pace group, then I should do so gradually and not sprint (not that I could manage 6 min of sprinting to catch up). I sped off, trying to keep my pace around the 5min 20sec mark, desperately scanning the runners ahead to see if I could see the familiar race garb of the pace group.
Fabulous entertainers and motivators lined the course, a jazz band played from a balcony, cheer leaders, supporters holding signs "Run like you stole something", smiling and cheering course officials, and drink station volunteers. Clusters of photographers snapped away. I was having a blast, and I was keep up a fast pace.
As the course wound around the peninsular, new views of the harbor and city revealed themselves. I was passing heaps of other runners, still desperately searching for my pacers. The first of the fast return racers dashed past, two young men neck and neck and looking to me as though they were sprinting, I clapped and cheered, hearing runners behind me take up the cry - those runners are champions. More runners coming in the opposite direction, and shortly, the first woman, Kristy was not far behind. "Go Kristy" I screamed waving both arms in the air, the runners in front of me jumped at the sound of my yells, and then turned to look and shrunk away from my flailing arms. I sped up and passed them.
By the half way point, I was feeling really good (porridge is the answer!) and I sucked down my first gel. At the next water station I grabbed an isotonic drink (more syrup than anything else) and in the process of drinking while running, spilled the sticky solution all down my front, legs and arms. The taste was dreadfully sickly, but was filled of energy and electrolyte-y goodness. I was now scanning the runners coming in the opposite direction, still searching for my pacer, but I must have missed her, as the turn around came and went and I still hadn't found my group.
I tried to keep my pace at around 5min 30sec per km mark, but I could feel my energy levels starting to flag a bit. When I reached the 16km mark my dreadful dehydration stitch had set in, and my pace had slowed to 6min 11sec per km. I heard a pod cast earlier in the week in which the interviewee (a 100miler endurance trail runner) had said that if you could master your mindset in times of challenge, your body would keep going even under adverse conditions. I kept telling myself to keep going, to push past the stitch pain, and to keep running. It worked, and the next water station appeared, thank goodness, I would get a drink and everything would be alright.
No bloody cups! The water station volunteers were pouring the water straight into the outstretched hands of runners. I cupped my hands under the spout, and the distracted pourer tipped the canister, water filled my shoes, and soaked my clothes. I sucked thirstily at my hands and ran on.
As we ran along the last few km I was able to lift my pace again (to around 5min 30sec), and ahead I spied the shirt of one of the runners that had started out in the 2hr pace group, the timer on my watch was only a couple of min off the two hour mark. I ran on, putting in more and more effort. I was waiting for the marker for the final km. As we rounded the last corner, the half marathon runners joined the flow of the 7km runners all heading for the finish. I sped up, and then sprinted the home stretch to the finish line. I was tired, and my legs felt wobbly and a little as though my feet weren't really connecting with the ground. I put in every last shred of effort and crossed the line in 2 hours and 1 min.
I never did find my pace group (although I couldn't have been far away from them). I can't believe that I had managed to run so fast for such a long distance (I had basically maintained my 7km race pace for almost the entire half marathon!). I had knocked 20min off my previous half marathon personal best. Considering that before I decided to run with the pace group I had wanted to try and maintain a sub-7min/km pace, it seems incredible that I can push myself to achieve a pace over a minute faster. Next time, if I don't have toilet troubles, I might make it in under two hours.
An amazing race and an incredible result for me. I loved it. AMI Round The Bays rocked!
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Routeburn Classic Entered!!!
Tuesday morning of the second entry attempt dawned much as any other, no sleepless night, no angsty race-entering nerves. As 7am came and went, it appeared that I still couldn't access the site for entering the Routeburn Classic. I frantically refreshed the screen, and the minutes ticked by, I was going to have to go to work soon, and I thought for the second week in a row that I was going to miss out! Then in a last desperate flash of inspiration, I checked Good Times Events Facebook page, and found a link directly to the event registration page...and it loaded. I frantically filled out the registration form, payed the money, and dashed out the door...it was now in the hands of the internet-shaped gods.
After work, I check my emails, no confirmation email yet, had I only made the wait list, had those moments of fruitless page refreshing misery meant that I was too late. Another helpful facebook update directed hopeful entrees to the Starters List page...and there at number 34 was my name. I have made the starters list for the 2013 Routeburn Classic!
Buoyed on by this fantastic and exciting news, I went off to my Tuesday evening Super Sevens Race. I have just received (as a belated Christmas gift) my GPS running watch, and I have used it on a few runs, and started to get my head around it's multitude of functions. Tuesday night was my first official event for testing the watch and its capabilities out. I figured that to beat my previous 42:10 7km effort, I needed to run faster than 6min/km (my long distance pace ranges from 6:30-8min/km), so this run is a good test of my ability to sustain a faster pace over distance. We all started out, and I kept my legs moving quickly, and settled (or pushed myself) into a steady (and faster than usual) 5:36/km. I reasoned that IF I could keep this speed up over the entire distance I would be sure to beat my previous time, even if I slowed up in the later km. I pushed myself to maintain this speed over the entire distance (it was hard work, but not impossible), and I even managed to pick up speed over the last km. I finished in 38:24 which I was very happy with and is my new PB over 7km.
Tuesday was a good day.
After work, I check my emails, no confirmation email yet, had I only made the wait list, had those moments of fruitless page refreshing misery meant that I was too late. Another helpful facebook update directed hopeful entrees to the Starters List page...and there at number 34 was my name. I have made the starters list for the 2013 Routeburn Classic!
Buoyed on by this fantastic and exciting news, I went off to my Tuesday evening Super Sevens Race. I have just received (as a belated Christmas gift) my GPS running watch, and I have used it on a few runs, and started to get my head around it's multitude of functions. Tuesday night was my first official event for testing the watch and its capabilities out. I figured that to beat my previous 42:10 7km effort, I needed to run faster than 6min/km (my long distance pace ranges from 6:30-8min/km), so this run is a good test of my ability to sustain a faster pace over distance. We all started out, and I kept my legs moving quickly, and settled (or pushed myself) into a steady (and faster than usual) 5:36/km. I reasoned that IF I could keep this speed up over the entire distance I would be sure to beat my previous time, even if I slowed up in the later km. I pushed myself to maintain this speed over the entire distance (it was hard work, but not impossible), and I even managed to pick up speed over the last km. I finished in 38:24 which I was very happy with and is my new PB over 7km.
Tuesday was a good day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)