We're going to run the Auckland Marathon 2010

I think it took longer to get into my running gear this morning than it did to do my run.  I guess it’s all exercise of some kind though.  I got to wear my new top.  It’s a Nike sleeveless, dark lilac and black top and it hugs my torso……hmmmmm not quite what we want just yet as it fits so comfortably around my last layers of very very stubborn lard.  Trying to get into my new crossover back strapped bra was like putting on a straight jacket (I am obviously assuming here as I have never had the pleasure of wearing one).  Ade had to help me out altering the length of the straps and making me feel less of a trussed up old bird.  After waving him off with his sarnies in tow it was time for me to get down to serious business.

Armed with my foot pod, heart rate strap, water belt, ipod and watch I was ready.  It sounds like I’m going on an army trek eh.  Today I wanted to achieve a faster time on my short circuit.  I have been ambling round way too slowly so after Ade and I had a natter about it, this was the  aim for today. 

I have Ade’s cold now and breathing was not easy as I climbed the hill away from our house,  yes my favourite bit, always uncomfortable for me and even more so when my lungs aren’t getting their full quota oh O.  I tried to keep my self motivated to go faster by changing the tempo of the songs playing on my ipod.  I remembered what Ade had said about opening stride up and once my breathing had settled I was away.  I looked at my watch at the top of Takutai and I could just about make  out that the time said 13 something so I knew I had beaten the last two times to get to this point.  I was elated and thought ‘I can’t wait to tell Ade’.  I took on the downward slope to the beach and had to slow to regain my breath and take on some water. 

Then I just kept running.  I know my pace wasn’t even but I tried hard to maintain some speed.  When I got to my tree at the end of the seafront I looked at my watch I knew I had to keep up the speed.  I looked down at my beautiful white trainers as they pounded the pavements and just kept putting one in front of the other.  At Musick Point Road, I again looked at my watch and I knew I could do it if I gave it a real last big effort.  I pushed harder and harder and my lungs were struggling for air but I made it up the last bit of hill and my finger was over that button.  29. something.  I can’t confirm the exact time as I don’t know how to retrieve it from the watch but I’m really excited to know. 

Ade has told me that he wants to load the info onto the computer so I will have to wait for him to come home.  He’s at the hospital right now having his leg seen to so I will keep my fingers crossed that it’s something simple that is affecting him and that he can run again with me soon.

I know, I know it’s February now but you don’t want to hear every last boring detail of my runs now do you.  I am pleased to say that I haven’t missed one training day not even when Ade went back to the UK.  I am now up to running 5 times a week.  I must admit I did like it when I got a break in between each run but needs must and all that.

Ade has brought back with him the two ‘running’ watches that he ordered on the internet.  We played around with them this morning to customise ourselves with all their functions.  Well, Ade did really.  There is a pod which attaches to my trainer and a strap that goes around your chest which is the heart rate monittor.  More weight for me to carry…. Ade loaded up his laptop with all the info and there is an abundance of charts and data that we can create and fill in.  I can’t wait to start to analyse it.  We will be able to trace all our times and fitness so I will be becoming even more of an anorak.  We had to do an initial test to see what our fitness levels were and mine came in at 41 which it says is very good.  I can’t for the life of me believe that  but surely it wouldn’t be telling me untruths already ……….

At about 2 o’clock we decided to go for our short run.  I have been doing this all week and my times have been a little erratic.  I wasn’t sure what today’s run would hold as it’s bloody hot,  I am still bearing the effects of my alcohol consumption last night and I am tired but I did have Ade with me to keep my pace up and encourage me.  We left the house all kitted up and I pressed my OK button on my watch and we were off, not like two dogs out of a trap I will say but I staggered up the hill.  This is the bit that always gets me….It seems to go on for ages until it eventually flattens out and then  I can get my breathing onto an even keel.  Ade stayed by my side mindful of his leg injury that he incurred whilst training back in the UK last week.  I ran faster than usual spurred on by Ade maintaining a slightly faster pace for me and we reached the top of Takutai in 14:30 minutes.  It was sooooooo hot,  too hot but we kept running until over the other side of Bucklands Beach, Ade’s leg started to play him up and he had to stop running.  He gave me a water bottle and I plodded on by myself.  I knew I was keeping an even pace but I also knew I was slowing too.  There was no escaping the relentless sun on my face and I was sweating so much.  The odd flash of breeze was welcoming when I turned the corner to make the final run up to our house.  I tried hard to give it a final spurt which I did and my little legs sped up the hill and I had my finger all ready to push the red button on my watch only it was the wrong button and my watch didn’t stop.  Then I remembered it was the side button and 30 seconds later I managed to stop my watch.

 It’s Sunday morning and bright and early Ade and I got up.  With the sun not quite out of bed yet we got together our running gear.  Ade would be riding his bike this morning so as to accompany me because he has to rest his leg…..  I pressed the start button on my watch and I began to run up the hill away from our house but nothing happened so I stopped and waited for Ade to come and sort me out.  How difficult can pressing one button be eh. 

…..And then I was off.  Ade was beside me pedalling up the hill.  The thought of having to run 9.2km didn’t phase me today, I was looking forward to the challenge.  The weather was perfect today.  Ade passed me water every now and again and saying that I must remember not to brush my teeth before I run as it makes my mouth so dry.  Ade and I talked as we went along and I was feeling very comfortable but without Ade to help set my pace faster I was slower today up to Takutai.  I made it in 15:15.  Not perturbed by this I carried on down to the roundabout and then over to Macleans School.  The ‘Hi’s and Good Mornings’ were flowing freely to anyone that met my gaze and they were coming out of my mouth quite coherently. 

We carried on over Richards Avenue instead of turning into it and now we were into new territory.  It felt easy and it was nice to have different things for my eyes to rest upon.  We rounded the corner into Murvale Avenue and I could see at the end there was a slight hill but I knew I could take it on.  Up we went as some other runners were coming towards us.  I was doing well.  My beathing was good and when we came to running down Ghylls road towards Bucklands Beach Road I was flying.  I was setting a faster pace and probably my fastes I had run on my training programme.  The sun was getting stronger but there was a slight wind to take the edge off the heat and Bucklands Beach Road now lay sprawling and long in front of me.  I took it on easily.  I was soon back into my old, long running course as I plodded up the final length to the roundabout.  Ade and me were chattering alot and I was very settled into my pace.  Sometimes I had to tell myself to speed up as it was just so comfortable. 

We crossed into the road that leads to The Parade and I again on the downhill slope picked up alot of speed and carried on the moment for a while along the straight.  Ade told me how proud he was of me and I glowed inside.  He said the difference in me today as compared to yesterday was plain to see.; I could hold a conversation easily and he knew that I had lots of energy in my reserve tank.  The kilometres along the beach were eaten up by my pace and when we arrived at the yellow chalets Ade said that was the furthest previously that I had run so every step now was one step more.

I was soon on the home straight,  I tried to expend a little more energy up that hill and to put my hand on Ade’s car.  As soon as I did my finger covered the stop button on my watch and I was elated.  Ade was right there with me and I got my just reward of a lovely kiss.  Why wouldn’t I run any distance if this it my reward at the end of it!

 

Took Ade to work this morning as he is going to run some of the way home. I was going to meet up with him and then we would run together but I decided to run when I got back…….Today I wold have to carry my own water bottle! I filled it half way to make it lighter and also because I never drink the whole of it; so why carry that extra weight. Talking of which I did carry something else with me today. I used my ipod shuffle that Ade had given me speciifcally for this purpose as a Christmas present. He had already loaded it up with music and it was charged and ready to go….Ideal. I clipped it onto the top of my shorts band, not a great idea as I was later to find out.
Not having the Garmin with me I decided to time my run using my phone so I set the stopwatch, placed it on the stairs then dashed out the door and off down the steps. (This bit of the run was not in my other two days training I hasten to add and I feel the time it took me to get down the steps and back up them (much more of a struggle) should be deducted….It all adds up.

Any way I set off up the steep hill, somebody had moved that wheelie bin completely today. On my last run it felt like someone had it on a rope and as fast as I tried to reach it they were reeling it away. Not dismayed by it’s absence I gasped for breath as the hill started to flatten off. The music gently tickling my ear drums. I found it quite soothing and it took my mind off the run ahead. Every now and again the earphones popped out of my ears but this distraction was welcome as I was soon rounding the corner to face Takutai. It loomed in front of me but today I was feeling confident. No twinges and my breathing had setttled nicely. I faced the hill, not the pavement and my goal was the second lampost as I had stopped at the first one on my second run. I gritted my teeth and passed this albeit slowly and then set each and every other lampost as my goal until I was up and over the top. ‘I can’t wait to tell Ade I had done it’ were the first thoughts in my head as I headed down to Bucklands Beach roundabout.
I was feeling really good and like Forest Gump I just kept running. Every now and again I would meet another fellow runner. They always seem to look fresher and fitter than me but I know one day that will be me. 
My pace wasn’t fast but I had passed all my stops on the previous two days runs and I hopefully have got over these psychologically now. The big descent into The Parade brought with it Nat King Cole’s ‘What a Wonderful World’. What could be more perfect I thought. The beautiful view on my left hand side and to be running with the wind in my hair and the warm sunshine on my face. The run felt really easy.
The last few steps up to our house were easier than the last few days but I knew that I had to get indo

ors and put my finger on that stop button. I charged through the front door and for a moment couldn’t remember where I had left my phone until I saw it on the side. STOP……46mins 30 seconds. Not my best but I had achieved my personal goal of getting round without stopping. I just need to speed it all up now…………………that’s after my kip cos I’m knackered now……..

Oh and I now have a burn on my side.  Definitely not a good place to clip my ipod.

No more putting it off…..training starts today. Guzzled my last glass or two of wine for a wee while yesterday sob sob sob….. Ade is busy looking up running schedules and the like, ready for our first run this evening. We have already had our weigh in. I am 120.3lbs and Ade 214.1 lbs. I am not measuring any other vital statistics, well not just yet…..

We went out for our first run at 6.03 this evening.  23 degrees and a really nice breeze to take the edge off the sun’s heat.  I wanted to run to the first wheelie bin and then turn around but as always inspired by Ade, I trudged up the hill, one little foot  pounding in front of the other.  Ade held my water bottle and he tried to make conversation with me and for once in my life I couldn’t find the breath to reply.  The slurred words ‘waaattttterr  plllleease’ managed to pass my lips at some points and he passed me over the bottle.  My poor lungs could cope with the minimal amount of oxygen entering my body let alone none at all when the welcome water slid down my throat but I was gasping for breath when I’d had my swig.  I ran for 15 mins first off and couldn’t manage the steep hill up to Takuatai but once I had recovered we ran to the roundabout and then back following the route that Ade had covered previously in the car.  My legs started to feel so heavy and every now and then when I stopped I found it hard to start again.  We eventually arrived back at 6:51 and I staggered up the hill all the while Ade telling me to change my stride and lift my legs up……Lift my legs…I could barely move the little buggers……’If you make it up the hill you get a kiss at the end he shouted out……..wooooowwww you couldn’t see me for dust…there I was waiting at the top in our drive leaning on the car with my lips puckered,  sweat dripping off my brilliant red face…….oh goody  day 2 is a rest day……now where is that bottle of wine!