Vincero!
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Today has been a day of victories for me.
Victory number 1:
My alarm went off at 5:30 AM on a Sunday morning and I got up despite the cold and the sound of a wet, howling gale outside.
Victory number 2:
I left the house to run despite the cold and the very wet, howling gale outside.
Victory number 3:
I chose a hilly route and stuck to my determination to run up every one. No walk breaks for me today.
Victory number 4:
I ran straight past the coffee shops and bakeries without seriously thinking about stopping for a quick snack and a coffee.
Victory number 5:
I kept running even though I foolishly had to do the last 7km into a headwind. Did I mention that the winds were galeforce?
I actually thought I had been cunning and planned my route so that I would have a tailwind for the last half but I got it horribly wrong. I did the first half in suburbia so that I would be protected from the wind and the last bit along the coast line so that the wind would push me home but for some reason the wind was blowing the wrong way, which was a nasty surprise.
Victory number 6:
I ran a full half marathon distance and am still alive! 21.6 km in 2:05:19 baby! Even with the crap conditions and wind.
Victory number 7:
And possibly the most important one - At about kilometer 17 I got hailed on, the wind was pushing me backwards, I was drenched, my cellphone was beeping at me that it had gotten wet (dead now) and I had a massive grimace SMILE on my face. God I’m a nutter but I love this running business.
I love this guy:
I had his rendition of Nessun Dorma on my ipod playlist today and as it was playing I felt like singing along!
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If you can do 21.6 in that time, uphills with gale force winds and hail, I never want to hear you wondering about whether you can do a 2-hour HM again!
Well done mate! Good job on all counts (especially the getting out of bed and out the door ones).
Andrew(AJH)s last blog post..It’s my Shrinkaversary !
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AndrewE
reply on August 25th, 2008 9:56 am:
You are right of course.
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You are SERIOUS about this fitness thing!
Congrats.
Kirks last blog post..Hal Higdon’s Marathon Training, week 9, day 3
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Wow! What a day of victories for you! Congrats my friend!
Kates last blog post..
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WTG 7 time over! Those are huge victories and should be very proud. I would have quit the snuck in for a quick scone at one of those coffee shops if I got hailed on.
Carlys last blog post..It is Official
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Fantastic Job Andrew, what a fast time. You will get sub 2 hrs no worries!
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5:30 on a Sunday??? Come on, that’s not a victory…I’d say 10:00 on a Sunday would be a victory. Oh to sleep in.
TB–Milwaukees last blog post..I Don’t Want to Go
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AndrewE
reply on August 25th, 2008 9:56 am:
New baby keeping you up eh?
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way to go!! There’s something insanely wonderful about running in a gale when you know that everyone else is still tucked up in bed.
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That is incredible! You are such an inspiration
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Wow — what a positive post + loads of personal victories, Andrew!
Many congrats on getting 21 Km completed in 2 hours 5 minutes despite such difficult conditions — your progress is inspirational !!!
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Well done Andrew, very impressive victories on all counts! Enjoy the great feeling of accomplishment!
Cyndis last blog post..Week 4 Update Picture
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OK, I’m impressed, not just with your time in those conditions but with the fact that you went out the door in those conditions. Well done.
Bob Allens last blog post..Kenya’s First Marathon Gold
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I thought we ‘almost’ fixed your phone?
ps. And I think this is not the first time you’ve got the wind direction completely wrong, eh
I know you are very happy that you’ve done it, and you’ve done it better than your dad’s best time in half marathon. Oh and of course, it’s not about beating the old man, it’s about finishing it. Of course. *wink*
But, well done!
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AndrewE
reply on August 25th, 2008 9:57 am:
Shhhh! Don’t make me moderate your comments.
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Fantastic Run!
HM as a casual run..
Are you kidding me?
You knocked out my entire week’s worth of running in 1 day.
I can’t wait until I can do that. Great pace BTW
Daves last blog post..Wipe Out
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What an inspiration, Andrew. Both you and Paul!
Great job getting out there in the elements. I know I’d be turning right back over in bed!
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Good stuff! How’d you feel afterwards? Hope you stretched…
Aarons last blog post..Stop the rot
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AndrewE
reply on August 26th, 2008 2:24 pm:
What is this ’stretching’ you speak of?
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When I ran the half in July (Run Auckland 6) I didn’t stretch the calves enough post race. Walked like a sailor for 3 days after. Mind you I know a work colleague that does NO stretching and she does a lot of running. Maybe it comes down to running style?
Personally I suffer more if there are hills (and how hard I run it).
Aarons last blog post..Stop the rot
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