On Reflection

This afternoon I burnt my half-marathon training plan. Let's call it closure.

That was after I had been for a run. I didn’t wear a watch or plan the route I just stepped out the door and ran. About 35 to 45 minutes, or possibly only 25 minutes, later I arrived back at the door a little tired and a lot warmer. It was satisfying. Whatever part of my will that broke last weekend has recovered. If that is what running is going to be like outside a half marathon program then I’ll probably go again.

Will I run another half-marathon? Not at the moment. I do have unfinished business at that distance but I’m choosing to focus on something else for now.
That something has yet to be defined but in the short term getting out on the road bike and mountain bike are high on the list. Variety will be my motivation.


I need to exercise, my winter running may have improved fitness and prevented hibernation but I’ve retained most of the excess baggage. Bulges can not be attributed to multi layers of jumpers once summer takes hold. I hope the spring will shift my appetite from carbo rich comfort food to crisp salads. I’m investing heavily in this theory and have planted a lettuce patch, nurturing waves of green to feed the anticipated demand.

Half Marathon Blog 10: RACE REPORT

I made it.

2hrs 31min 42 sec, from beginning to end, a week ago I was hoping for 2hrs 15mins. On the day it didn’t happen but I finished and emerged unscathed.

So what did happen? After training in Dunedin’s finest winter conditions including sleet, snow and consistent cold I wasn’t prepared for the rapid progression from spring to high summer. Less than two weeks ago I put off an early morning run to allow frost to melt. I didn’t find out the temperature on Sunday but it was still 20C at 5am on Monday morning. That’s warm for this town.

Before the race I ran my warm up wearing trackpants, a fleece and a thermal top. For the start I pared down to shorts and a vest (“singlet” in NZ speak) and my custom made visor. The race started at 9.30am, about 2000 runners and walkers, a banana, a panda, a gorilla and a collection of fairies set off along the Dunedin waterfront.

For 5km I was comfortable, the second 5km was OK, I began to feel like I was working a little harder, Pete set a good steady pace and things were under control.

After about 1hr 15mins things weren’t going so well. The experience between 12km to 17km was part of my life I’d prefer not to repeat. I was hot, tired and miserable. The miserable mindset probably didn’t help in dealing with the heat and fatigue. Even after using the 15km water station for a cup by cup shower I was still too hot. I walked and ran and walked and grew despondent. Pete stuck with me and managed to conceal any frustration. I never considered giving up. I did wish it was over or easier or cooler or all three.

Oddly I managed to summon energy to run up the hill at the end but couldn’t run all the way down the other side.

Pete and I crossed the finish line hand in hand, aah… I made a bee-line through the crowd to a shady patch of grass by the medical tent. A cup of water later and I was all smiles again.

While I changed out of my soaking wet running gear, Pete had a sausage sandwich and found the ice-cream van. I ate the Magnum Classic I had been looking forward to for the past week so quickly I can’t recall how good it was.

The half marathon mission accomplished we headed home and I spent the afternoon sitting in the sunshine drinking pink champagne.

The End…

… except it isn’t. I set out to run a half marathon faster than before. I ran a half marathon but didn’t improve. I was a minute slower than my first attempt in Auckland. I could blame the weather or claim it was a more difficult course or that I’m 2 years older this time. None of that really counts.

So now what? Do I gracefully retire, or try again?

I’m not making any decisions today, or even this week.

Half Marathon Blog 9: Headgear Update

A brief update on the headgear:

Before breakfast I attacked one of my hat collection with the kitchen scissors and modeled my creation for Pete. He made a fair but uncomplimentary comment and left.

Before investing any more effort I did some rigorous comfort testing. (Wearing the hat while pottering around the house.) I deemed the prototype a success when I almost went to my physio appointment still wearing it. Thank God for a vain glance in the mirror.


This afternoon I dusted off the sewing machine and refined my creation.






I now present to you...

The Visor.




I concede that my standard of finish in not quite up to that of the Asian sweatshop workers employed by major sportswear brands. But I’ll take full marks for functionally. This stylish addition to my running attire will keep the sun off while now allowing my head to breathe.

I have 3 more white caps available for customisation if anyone is interested…

Half Marathon Blog 8: The Taper

This week I am less busy preparing for the big race than the previous 10 or more weeks. I'm in the taper phase so runs are shorter. Today I set out to run for the longest of the week, just half an hour. Fifteen minutes in I met a friend in the street and chatted for ten minutes. Out of guilt I ended up running an extra 10 minutes. Striking a balance between resting and slacking is tricky.

I am doing better at the eating aspect of preparation. The goal is to boost energy stores in my body ready for extended effort on Sunday. I acknowledge that there is a difference between this and just eating for the sake of it. I have no idea which side of the line I'm on.

The weather is warm here at the moment. This worries me. I get overheated in the middle of winter while running. I'm hoping this fine spell will be replaced by overcast skies, fine drizzle and the very lightest of breeze. I'll probably get a howling gale and hailstones.

The warmer weather brings my biggest dilemma, my outfit for the day. Hats. I have been wearing a baseball cap. I have a collection of very un-cool ones all of which were free. For those who care I wash them each time they are worn - does anybody else do this?




The hats keep the sun or rain out of my eyes and stop some perspiration (there is a lot, hence regular laundering) from running into my eyes. Now that it has warmed up I'm finding the hats too hot. I checked out a super light mesh running cap in the shop - $30. I would invest but I may only wear it once. Should I attempt to modify one of my collection?

Half Marathon Blog 7: Fun Run

10 sleeps to go before I line up to charge around Dunedin Harbour for the half-marathon. With just five training runs left, preparations are going well.

I have selected my outfit and have a corresponding list of body parts that I must remember to bandage or apply Vaseline to protect from rubbing clothing. My pacemaker (Pete) is fired up and ready to go and the secret weapon to get me through the last 5km has been organised.

Last Sunday was the official pre-marathon ‘Fun Run’. I shan’t dwell on how poorly named an event this was for me. What I did gain (in addition to the finish line chocolate bar) was a real understanding of just how effective negative thinking can be in sabotaging my efforts. About two thirds of the way through I had become so focused on all the bad things about running that I almost came to a complete halt. I managed to refrain from a full-blown tantrum but I was ready to give up. In hindsight it was silly. I have been training for months, running in a race, even a ‘Fun Run’ supposed to be hard, that’s the point. I was well able to finish the run, I even managed to pick up the pace towards the end passing a couple of people I’d let slip by in my slump.

Since then I have put some effort in to mental preparation, trying to learn from the ‘Fun Run’. This may sound OTT but I believe that my legs, heart and lungs are pretty well prepared to get around the course however I have allowed my head to slob out on the sofa and its ‘race fitness’ is more Homer Simpson than Paula Radcliffe.

I am going to celebrate my half-marathon efforts and as part of my motivation package I have decided what I want at the finish line. First I’ll be looking for a clear patch of grass to lie down for a couple of minutes then I will be heading up the road to the supermarket to get a Magnum Classic ice-cream. Some time after that a glass of bubbly, feel free to use me as an excuse to drink champagne on Sunday 13 September.

Combining brain and body training I forced myself to go out in the rain yesterday, I had to put up with being dive bombed by sea gulls during my strides workout. A week ago I’d have called it quits early but I put Hitchcock style images out of my mind and ran on.

I believe my mind is toning up quite well and most importantly of all I’ve stopped planning my retirement from running.