Kahuterawa Two Day Classic - 19 & 20 November 2011 (43.99km)

Taking shelter from the rain before the start of the 15.42km event.

It's official - I have well and truly run myself unfit. I guess that is what happens if you just pile on the kilometers, plodding away at the same pace without doing any quality sessions. And as we all know - when you go longer, you get slower.

A handful of participants getting ready for the start of the
walking event, with some threatening rain clouds on the horizon.

When we ran the 7km section of this event last year, we promised ourselves to do the full event this year. But things don't always work out as we plan, does it?

The Kahuterawa Two Day Classic, organised by the Manawatu Striders, is an on and off road marathon divided into three stages spread over two days: a 7km, 15.42km and a 21.57km. It remains a great way to complete the marathon distance without the rigors and damage done to your body when running a marathon in one go.

But for some reason, the weather has just been awful this year with wind and rain that just won't ease up. We're grateful for every drop of rain since our water tank had been completely empty earlier this year, but sleet and wind just don't do it for me. The only things that spring to mind in such weather, are nibbles, wine and a book, snuggled up in front of a cozy fire.

The field of about 20 participants in the 15km walking event.

It is not surprising then that when we woke up on Saturday morning to gusts of up to 80km/h, rocking our little house on its poles, coupled with sleet, that I couldn't plug up the energy to drag my sorry arse out of bed. The first section of 7kms is run at eight in the morning, which at that point just seemed too early (which it is not! But if you're not training for something specifically, your motivation and willpower seem to be way on the backburner.). Since we have done this part in 2010, we decided to stay in bed and hope the weather would improve for the second leg starting at one in the afternoon.

My energy levels were sapped for no particular reason, and my motivation was at an all time low. I just could not imagine myself running … not even one kilometer. So Gerry came up with the brilliant plan that we could walk the Saturday afternoon event and run the half marathon on the Sunday morning.

Compared to running, passing other participants in a
walking event seems to take forever!

No sooner said than done! The prospect of walking it the countryside at an organised event, getting water and support en route, lifted my spirits considerably. What is it with me and running these days?

The Striders' events are all wonderful and I really didn't want to miss the opportunity again to participate in this run. But walking nearly half if it, sounded grand. So with my bag of jelly babies, we lined up with about 20 other participants in the walking event which started half an hour earlier than the run. The wind was still howling, but for the moment at least, it wasn't raining.

Alister explained the route, counted down and then we were off. It didn't take very long before the pecking order was established between the speed walkers and the casual walkers. I guess we settled in somewhere in the middle. It took us 2:08.40 to walk the 15.42km, if that's any indication.

Not far now. Gerry on the final stretch towards the finish,
with the sun also making a surprise appearance.

The course winds through the farms of the Dam Block behind Massey in the foothills of the Tararua's. Needless to say, the course counts as "hilly" in my book, although it is locally described as rolling. Parts of the road are on tar, others on gravel and a short section in the middle is on a footpath. It is a beautiful event in the quiet country.

At around halfway, we were shocked out of our blissful thoughts by a hail storm! Fortunately only tiny wee size ice pellets, but coupled with a bit of rain, enough to get us wet. The wind was still fairly strong, which cooled us off quite a bit and for the remainder or the couse it rained on and off. Shortly before we finished, it really came down and we were rather wet.

To top it all off, I was so sore by then that I could barely walk. Obviously my "speed" walking muscles were't used to going at a 7.5km/h pace. I got so carried away when I realised that I might be the third lady, that I kept going as fast as I could. But alas, I was overtaken by a small lady making a great effort to pass some participants and managing to maintain her pace.

The start of the half marathon run. Still rainy and windy.

My only hope was for a miraculous recovery overnight. Yeah right!

Came Sunday morning, we rose early for the 8:00 start. Alister again explained the course while a faint rain and wind made me again contemplate my own sanity. Taking into account that I could barely move, let alone run, I wasn't sure how I thought that I could possibly participate in a 21km event.

Before we passed the starting banner, I was at the back of the pack, and there I remained for the whole event. Because of all the rain of late, the approximately 7km loop on the Back Track, couldn't be done. The footpath was damaged and potentially very dangerous. To make up the distance, some out-and-back sections were introduced down Greens Road and on Kahuterawa Road. 

It was tempting to skip some of them and just take the shortest route home (which is exactly what some people did), but we hung in there and completed the full course. Albeit in 2:37.38! Not my best performance of late.

Alister explaining the course before setting us on our way.

The weather really didn't play along and I'm sure more people might have turned up if it was a sunny, wind-free day. As usual the event was absolutely wonderful - I sure do hope that the Striders would not cancel it due to lack of support. They put in a lot of effort and it might not seem worthwhile when there's so little interest. Although, this year saw a record field of 129 participants across all the events. Maybe it is just a case of me being so used to 1000+ participants at every event in SA, that any event smaller than 500 people makes me worry that it might be cancelled (as often happened with SA races).

Glad to have "done" the event, I did feel a bit sorry that my fitness levels weren't up to standard. We went home for a quick shower and dry clothes before returning for the prize-giving and wonderful lunch (with dessert!) at the Dransfield's farm. 

Gerry making the most of the lovely rolling countryside.

This is definitely one of those events that must go on one's "to-do" list every year. A great outing, very well organised in wonderful surroundings. Thanks to the Manawatu Striders for making the effort. More information and results can be found on their website: http://www.manawatustriders.org.nz/latest-results/kahuterawa-classic-2011/.

One of our busier moments on the run - the Kahuterawa Road out-and-back gravel section
on the way to Black Bridge.

The drinking station at the Black Bridge turnaround - me in last position.

Gerry and Alister (who manned the water table) having a chat while we take a rest at the start of
the Greens Road out-and-back section.

When going so slow as we did, there's time for playing around with photo opportunities. 

Wonderful lunch in the Dransfield's Woolshed. This race must be the
best value for money in all of New Zealand.

Alister handling the prize-giving in the woolshed.

Auckland marathon - 30 October 2011

Medals! The first time ever out of all the events we've done in NZ so far.

T'was a rainy day in Palmy when we left around two in the afternoon, heading for Auckland. Gerry and I decided to make a wee bit of a outing of it and packed the tent for a halfway sleep-over.

The Te Kuiti campsite on the pavement
opposite houses.

We took the road over Wanganui and onto the SH4 to drive a section that we haven't driven before. New territory - hilly and curvy roads between farms, a beautiful area in the heart of King Country. About 20km from the Waitomo Caves, we stopped to overnight at Te Kuiti. Should the caves entry fee be affordable and time allows, we would make a trip in the morning, to see amongst others, the glow worm cave. However, neither turned out in our favour. So, off we were to Auckland, to Willie and Alida who kindly hosted us for the weekend.

The front of the field, with the start banner way
up ahead.

We arrived in a hot and humid Auckland in the early Saturday afternoon, when Willie, Alida and her dad took us back into town to register and fetch our race packs. Afterwards they took us on a scenic tour of the city, showing us all the new buildings and shops that were built for the Rugby World Cup. Roads were closed off to become walkways and the recent win still tints everything rose-coloured (or is it black?).

To the back of the field. We were somewhere
in the middle.

Before returning home, Willie drove the marathon route, which gave me a bit of a fright, to again realise how far 42.2km is! Alida and her dad prepared a lovely chicken-pasta dish before we went to sleep at around eleven.


Race day
It was an early start having to catch the bus at 5:05. We got up around four, had some yoghurt, banana and tea, and were off to the "Park and Ride" at Constellation Drive in Northshore where Willie left his car. We caught the bus that took us to Devonport, Kind Edward Parade (at Windsor Park), to the start of the race. Across the harbour, Auckland city is visible in a distance, with the bridge that connects Northshore to the city centre.


It was still dark outside as busload after busload of runners were dropped off in the street at the start of the race. Some also arrived by ferry from the Auckland waterfront. We were fairly early and although the weather was near perfect, the cool breeze was a bit on the chilly side for me. Luckily we had the option of wearing warm clothing until shortly before the start - these we left in our participant bag, (labeled with your name and race number), which we placed into specially marked containers, to be transported to the finish by the organisers.


The fact that we were about to run 42.2km still hadn't sunk in and as the sun started to light up the sky, we made one last pee stop before lining up with 3 262 other runners about to embark on this mind-over-matter, crazy, lovely, challenging, gruelling, tough, long, beautiful adventure. 

A sea of green (the official race T's) with olive trees lining the streets of Devonport.

The half marathon run attracted some 7415 participants while the remainder of the 15 500 field were made up of walkers (42.2 and 21.1km events), quarter marathon and 5km runners.

Sun coming up in the background.
Willie (in green and blue) and me.

At 6:10 the horn sounded and we were off, trotting along in the early hours of the morning in Devonport's lovely olive tree lined streets. The first half of the race is on the hilly side of undulating (although the organisers describe it as "rolling") and it wasn't long before we hit the first little hill. A lonely trumpet player was entertaining us runners as we passed him. Apart from the footfall of hundreds of people and some birds greeting the new day, it was fairly quiet in the suburb. 


As we meandered Northshore through Devonport, Takapuna and Birkenhead suburbs in the first couple of kays, I still couldn't get my mind around the fact that after a first half marathon, a second one awaits! In SA we were used to (spoiled by?) running a 32km event before a marathon as build-up. But this time, we only did a couple of 21km races, forgetting all about how going longer and further, felt. 

Willie, Gerry and myself in front of a (clearly very committed) Tonga RWC supporter's house.

Drummers at the start of the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

At the 10km mark, Alida and her dad treated us with Coke and snacks. Always very exciting to meet friends while on the road, while "suffering" through kilometre after kilometre. Thanks Alida and uncle Esra! 


A few more twists and turns before we reached the Auckland Harbour Bridge at around 14kms. The bridge could possibly be considered as the biggest hill on the course. It is about 1km long with an elevation of 33 metres. A drumming session by a bunch of musicians next to the road gave us extra inspiration for the hill that lay ahead. Having prepared for the worst, the "hill" was over before I knew it, leaving me to think that some of the other hills were worse.

Gerry and Willie on top of the bridge.

Me and Gerry, on our way down.

The western/right-hand-most lane of the bridge was closed off for the runners. Being a big city marathon, the organisation involved around managing road-closures must be cause for many headaches. But to our delight, all the roads were closed for traffic and nowhere did we have to negotiate vehicles. Absolute bliss!


Once over the bridge it is just a couple of kays before we reached the finish for the half marathon. By now, I could feel both my ITBs and generally some niggles in my knees. Maybe because of the humidity? As we passed the finish line for the half marathoners, I wished for the short while that it was rather me. We could hear the jollification going on as the 21.1km runners entered the finishing shoot at Victoria Park.


We took a left turn into Viaduct Harbour Avenue to start the second half of our run. From there we followed the waterfront all the way to St Heliers Bay to turn around at the 31.5km mark to run all the way back. Being a out and back course for the second half, makes it very social. By now I could feel the sun nibbling my ear, but the cool breeze was enough to keep us cooled down. Although we were now well and truly in unfamiliar terrain (having last run that far in May this year), I was still doing okey. I was very sore, but could still shuffle on, taking only a few short walk breaks, mainly at the water stations.


The course layout is such that you can see all the front runners. On the 21.1km, they come screaming past from behind if you're not too fast, and on the full marathon they come from the front as you start with the out and back section.

A loop at the bottom of the bridge, passing underneath towards the city.

Gerry running along the waterfront road
on the second half of the race.

Twelve water tables with at least water and Powerade are en route. Most of them also had Coke which really is a rare feature in NZ races (at least the ones we've done thus far). This is really a great event that is excellently organised - one that might just become an annual fixture on our running calendar.


We finished in 4:45, still feeling okey. And for the very first time in all our NZ runs so far, we received medals. :) We fetched our race bags with extra clothing and caught the bus back to Constellation Drive to get Willie's car. After a lovely lunch at Willie and Alida's, they took us for an outing to Piha - a tiny beach on the west coast of Auckland - where we enjoyed a celebratory bubbly. All in all a wonderful weekend. 

A Star Wars storm trooper.

Water cups everywhere with some runners still coming from the front on their way to the turnaround point.

A runner dressed up in full leather biking gear - helmet and all. Must have been hot.

Auckland Sky Tower, close to the finish, visible in the distance. Still going strong.

Yeah! Only 2.2km to go, and we're on 4:31. Still running without a watch, so we had now idea what our time
was until this 40km mark.

The end. A wonderful run in lovely weather.

Gerry, me and Willie (on the other side of the Sky Tower).

In the bus on our way back to Willie's car. Gerry chuffed with his medal!

Gerry, me, Willie, Alida's dad Esra, and Alida at Piha beach, enjoying a bubbly.

Course map.

Koputaroa 21.1km, Levin - 16 October 2011

At the start. About 30 participants in the half marathon run. Almost clear skies after a very rainy morning.

Yet again, it was pouring with rain throughout the night. If we hadn't pre-entered, a bomb would not have got me out of bed. I was so not looking forward to a drenched run.

Koputaroa School in the country not far from Levin.

As we drove to Levin, the rain started clearing (again, aren't we lucky devils!), but my mood was for some reason "under the weather". I just couldn't imagine myself having to run 21 kms … We fetched our entries in the Koputaroa School hall and made our way to the start, which is just outside the hall in the road in front of the school. The race only started at 9:30 and as we lined up with about 30 other participants, the organiser briefed us about the route. 

The course is a double lapper mainly on country roads. Two short sections are run on SH1 and SH57 respectively. It is a very scenic and beautiful run among farms which at first glance can be rated as undulating. But once I started on the second lap I decided that it is hilly. It could just be my bad mood, thought, that made it feel tougher that what it was? :-)

Wonderful quiet country roads. The perfect setting for any long run.

All in all a great outing. Unfortunately it turned out a very "lonely" run for the two of us as we only saw some other runners in the first kilometre of two. Thereafter it was just us. We knew that one or two runners were still behind us, but far enough that we couldn't see them. Same goes for the ones in front of us.

A friend always uses the expression that he feels "tired as old toast". Well, I had the same problem. We finished in 2:15:38, faster that what I expected. A very nice event which I didn't appreciate at the time. Not sure how on earth I'm going to run a marathon in two weeks time ...

A tunnel of lush vegetation. 

Harry op die tremspoor!

A very friendly lady helper at the water spot, with dark clouds looming.

The section on SH57.

"Guess I should pretend to run up this little hill".

Taranaki Daily News 21.1km - 2 October 2011

One supporter going the whole nine yards, in Wanganui. When we first passed, a whole lot op people were
outside partying. They also had a van painted to match the house. 

Another quaint sign in a paddock created with fencing poles.

The Rugby World Cup is in full swing, and it is great to see all the supporters' flags and messages on houses, in paddocks and on cars. Everywhere you look there's support for people's favorite teams which in NZ is, of course, the All Blacks.

All the way, as we drove to New Plymouth on Saturday, evidence of the country's commitment to the RWC is visible as the world cup fever casts its spell on everybody. There's no escaping the mania that plays off all around us - tonnes and tonnes of little flags representing all the different countries are hanging from every shop and restaurant, while loads of cars are driving around with All Black flags stuck in their doors. The occasional Irish, England or South African flag can also be spotted, but the black flags are hard to miss. An article was even published, giving stats about the amount of extra petrol your car will be using with the drag of each flag sticking out from your window.

At the start - Spider Man and all.

Having attended the Taranaki Daily News half marathon as spectators in 2010, we committed there and then that we will be running the half this year. If I'm not mistaken, we were still joking about the fact that we should do this event, since everybody received medals - a rare commodity in the NZ running scene. We haven't had the honors yet. And guess what? No medals this year!

New Plymouth is known to get it's share of rainfall. No surprise then when it rained on and off during the night prior to the event. We woke up at around half past six to have breakfast, get ready and head off to the TSB Stadium/Pukekura Raceway where the run starts and finishes. A light drizzle is all it takes for me to grab my rain jacket. Not the nicest thing to run in, since it quickly becomes soaking wet and steaming hot from the inside. To it's defense, it does help against cold winds no matter how wet you are, inside or out.

Runners in the distance making their
way up a hill.

We lined up with Henriette, Marianne and Des who all decided to do this wonderful event that is in their backyards, shortly before eight. It is something of an institution with Marianne who has been living in New Plymouth for the past 17 years. 

The showers in the first couple of kilometres made sure that we had a nice wet start. Fortunately it was downhill towards the city centre and after a short section in town, we reached the first uphill. The course is rated as hilly making it a tough outing - not one to attempt a PB! As is customary with the NP events, lots of supporters are en route again with kids cheering-on their moms etc. As the last suburbs fade away, we head into the country towards the mountain - Mt Taranaki which is known to be on the shy side … always hiding in a cloud. 

The farm roads are fairly quiet, making for a very pleasant run. The first half is hilly, whereafter an undulating section follows. Just as you think you are done with hills for the day, a short little surprise uphill appears at about the 20km mark. From there on it is flat to the finish. 

Most of the rain cleared up after about 2kms and the following hour and 45 minutes were sort of dry. Shortly before we finished (in 2:09) it started raining again. Being wet and very cold, we took shelter on the pavilion as we watched runners and walkers finish, waiting for our mates to arrive at the finish line. Deon was our lift to and from the event - thanks Deon! Henriette's excellent carbo-loading meal the previous night did wonders. 2:08:56 is (aside from the Hatuma half) my fastest time in quite a while.

We were also treated by Deon and Henriette to lovely post-run home cooked hamburgers and bubbly! It worked wonders for sore, hungry bodies that are sick of jelly-babies and water.

We went back for the prize-giving where Gerry got a lucky draw prize of 5 months subscription to the Runner's World magazine! A wonderful prize - I always enjoy reading the stories and articles for inspiration and motivation, which I may add, repeats over and over each year just dressed up in different clothes. :) But, repetition is good for your training, isn't it?

The sign that Gerry is nearing is a permanent sign that the school kids created, warning motorist that
they are approaching a school and should drive carefully.

A little girl supporting her mom all the way as dad drove the car further up the road every few kilometres.

Another hill to negotiate.

These chirpy bees livened up the atmosphere for all who were in the area. We recently attended the
Rollar Derby held in Palmy and the Taranaki team are known as the The Taranaki Rollar Corps Rumble Bees.
We were wondering if these two are part of the team?

A wet finish - just to keep one honest.

Frozen to the bone with the finish in the background.

Gerry, myself and Marianne, with Des and Henriette in the front seats.