grass track

Today was speed work day for training.  I was to run 4 1200m intervals at 10K pace.  Which is fine, it's actually on the slow side if you think like a middle distance runner.  I was dreading this workout because there is nothing worse than sprinting on the hard concrete footpaths around hilly and windy West Harbour marina.  

As I loathed this to Jason this morning he informed me that there is an athletics track at Moire Park.  I had no idea!!  It's a grass track painted with lanes and is used for the rugby club that trains there each week.  I was sceptical of a grass track but you can't knock it until you try it.  It's less than 5 minutes from our house.  Now I have a place to do my speed work days without killing my knees, shins, or energy on concrete footpaths. 

The 1200m intervals went well.  I love getting back on the track once in a while.  It reminds me of my glory days! 

 grass athletics track-you'd only see this kind of thing in a rugby loving country

10 miler Week 1

Just completed my first endurance run for my marathon training.  It was surprisingly easy, for which I am grateful!  I ran from the marina out West across the bridge to the North Shore and onto old Albany Highway about 2km.  

I was excited for this run because I've never been able to figure out how to run from West Harbour to the shore.  I could never find the footpath that goes across the water.  It was a beautiful run over the water and Albany Highway has tons of trees and bush so it was really humid.

Running along the Upper Harbour Highway bridge

We got hit with a cyclone last night so the weather was WINDY and rainy.  I usually don't run in that weather but I've turned into more of a trooper since living in a tropical climate.  My only complaint about the run was blisters.  Why do I always get blisters??? 

16 Weeks to Race Day

Rotorua Marathon-April 29.  Week 1 of training has commenced.  
I'm using the same training plan that I did last year.  
Since last year's marathon I have really stepped up in my training.  I feel confident that I will train and race much stronger then I did previously.  
My goal is to complete the marathon in 
3hr59min.  
On Saturday I have my first big mileage day-it is a 10 miler.  
I'm so ready for this!

(The Rotorua Marathon course runs the length of Rotorua Lake.  It is beautiful, scenic, and showcases New Zealand at its finest.)

nudist beach

One of my most frequent lunch times runs is from Takapuna beach to Devonport.  I like it because it is entirely on the shoreline right next to the water.  In some places you must traverse rocks and avoid high tide (see below).  

I think I enjoy it so much because it's a little adventure every time. Not to mention, I am still 100% enamored and amazed by everything to do with the ocean and beach.  

Yesterday I ran into, almost literally, 2 nudists.  One minute they are swimming in the water and the next minute the 2 gentleman are walking out of the water in all their glory as I run by at that moment

.

I admit that there has been 2 previous occasions where I have come across nudist sun bathers and  swimmers in one of the most secluded bays along the run but I chalked it up to a random fluke.  

After this third more awkward encounter, I mentioned it to someone and they informed me that it is indeed known for being a nudist area on the North Shore. 

You have to love Europeans and their love of being in the nude. 

This is the beautiful Takapuna beach.  Just over this cliff face is where the incident happened.  See what I mean by traversing rocks and avoiding high tide?  This picture was taken at low tide but sometimes the water is so high that most of those rocks are submerged.