Thinking ahead
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I’ve got my first half marathon next Sunday. Yay! I’ll write more about what this means to me probably next week but for today I want to look ahead somewhat.
One thing I’ve found is that I like having an event to train for. It really keeps up my motivation to get out there and run.
As such, I’ve decided to do the Cathay Pacific Auckland Half Marathon in February, 2009. This seems to be a pretty informal marathon - more like a fun run. My wife has just about talked herself into doing the 11K event there as well. I really hope she does as it will be such great fun to do an event together.
I’ll also be doing the Run Auckland series again next year. The Run Auckland series is 6 5K or 10K races and a half marathon at the end. I did 5 of the races as 5Ks this year and a 10K at the end. Next year I’ll do a mixture and the half marathon.
I’ve been thinking a bit about my first marathon. My original plan was to do the Auckland Marathon in 2009 as my first one but I’m starting to think that I might like to do the Christchurch Marathon at the end of May 2009. My original plan was to do the half marathon there but I reckon it would be a great first marathon. The course is flat and the weather should be nice and cool.
I’m busy reading Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide
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In other news, I’ve managed to raise $647 for the Heart Foundation of New Zealand so far. Thank you very much to those of you who have sponsored me. I’ve been blown away by your response. You guys rock. 
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I think that you do as much training as I do, so i think that a marathon for you in 2009 is completely achievable. Good luck to you whatever your decision, and I’ll let you know how my marathon in January goes! Of course, May gives you plenty of time to rebuild and train-up after your half marathon.
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Have you revised your HM goal time recently ?
Andrew(AJH)s last blog post..Some things I missed … some things I didn’t
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I agree with Aussie Andrew. You need to revise your HM goal a little given the long run reports I have been reading here. Some people say you shouldn’t predict a time on the first half but considering you’ve been doing that distance in training…
A work colleague of mine did Christchurch last year. She said it was pretty flat and fast and a great course. The only downside according to her is its two laps of the HM course. Of course that has the advantage you know exactly what to do the second time around!
Run Auckland was great. I’ll be definitely be back next year for it. The shorter distances are good to focus on for speed.
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Any chance you could fly me down to Auckland so that I can cheer for you when you run in the half marathon? Need support?? I am here. *wink*
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That’s a lot of runnin’!
I have no doubt you’ll achieve every single one of those goals.
Cammys last blog post..Better News
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“I’m busy reading Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide by Hal Higdon and it’s inspiring me somewhat. Can you tell?”
Er, ….. just a bit
Best wishes with all those races, Andrew!
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Woohoo!!! Marathon!!!!
Can’t wait to read about the half
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Half marathons, whole marathons, any marathons major impressive. Can’t wait to hear about them!
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Huh… I’ve never seen a half marathon described as a “fun run”. Signs you are a runner.
Eric Gervases last blog post..I’m Fast and This is Easy…
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I hadn’t realized that you never completed a half marathon before. You seem to run so well on your training. Just like you have done this many times.
Good luck on your first. Your training will make this a great one!
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Wow, so exciting your first half! I can’t wait to hear how great you do!
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Hi Andrew- I just found your blog, and I wanted to say congratulations on your first half. What an accomplishment!
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Wow! Your first half is coming up? Oooooh how exciting! Good luck good luck GOOD LUCK!
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Big fan of the Higdon book!
I knew you’d be out for a full marathon before too long. Great decision.
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How about the Whenuapai Half Marathon? http://www.coolrunning.co.nz/races/whenuapai/. Not a fast course with many rolling hills, and a killer hill at the end of the run (much worse than the hill at the end of the Waitakere Half), but you run through the country side where there’s hardly any traffic, clean air, green fields and it’s even close to the Whenuapai airbase. One of my favourites. I did Cathay Pacific last year and didn’t really think much of it, got my slowest 1/2 marathon time there
Definitely make the marathon a goal for yourself for next year! Either Auckland or Christchurch are good starting marathons as they are quite fast and flat (with the exception of the Auckland harbour bridge of course!). Never did Christchurch myself, it looks like two laps of a half marathon course, so for me it could be a little “boring”. Auckland will obviously pull in more runners for the event, you get to run over the bridge and run along the waterfront, perfect course!
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