Its Frosty!

[co] OK it is now officially cold! Yesterday I braved the conditions to race the Run Auckland half marathon in Takapuna. Now I think I might have been doing this race for fun... as had not had an easy week or anything like that beforehand. It all seems part of the 'learn to run when tired' program from coach Tony (also known as the 'harden the f*** up' program).

So along with some other rather crazy people I rocked up at the start line just before 8 to get this sucker done and dusted. Only to be greeted with the news that the race would start 15 minutes late (and it was about 20 when the gun went off). Now I don't begrudge them trying to get all the late entries in... but on a morning when it was around 2 degrees at 6:45 when I got picked up (by fellow crazy person - thanks for the lift Irish) and had perhaps warmed to 6 by 8... not so generous now...

So we huddled together with strangers for warmth... and then we were off.

A rather mixed crowd, as I jumped around children to find some free space... had to hold the under 10s off for fear of trampling them and finding myself in the paper for serious injury to children... I mean really what were they (or their parents) thinking? Fun run? I doubt it...

So the run snakes off to Milford and then back to Devonport and up and around North Head till back to the beach. Now when I read the course description and saw North Head I didn't realise it was up it... so not so happy with all the hills... not then fastest course, but actually despite and probably because of it, a beautiful day with spectacular harbour views at times!



Graph above shows the altitude, my HR and energy extended. (the actual altitude is probably not right, as forgot to reset recently... but you can see the differentials)

So pushed myself, tried to follow those running in the 10km race until they peeled off at about 8.5 kms to get a sense of pace... and then made it up as we continued along... as kilometer markers were few and far between at this point (note to self need to get new gadget with GPS so I will know distance and pacing going forward...any excuse will do).

But all ended well. Ran 1:36, like 'what the...?' totally unexpected as didn't feel in it for most of the way. Perhaps the cold works for me... as certainly couldn't feel much for the first 10 kms...

So have decided I am retiring... I mean end on a high I say!