Two nice runs
I neglected to mention it in the post that I did on Sunday but I did a quick 7Km loop around my neighbourhood. It was a good run and I enjoyed it.
Today I had to work from home as my brand new dishwasher has broken down for the 3rd time in the last three months and the repairman could only come in today. I was surprisingly productive and got everything I wanted to do done relatively early so I went for a nice 10K run after lunch.
It was a pretty uneventful run but I enjoyed it. Uphill in the start, then a nice long downhill and then relatively flat for most of the middle and a short uphill bit at the end that is a bit of a killer.
It’s quite nice that I’ve reached the point where I can be relatively blase about a 10K run. 
Overall I did 10.35 km in 1:03:57.
I’ve got two more 5K races (the next one this weekend!) then a 10K race. At this stage I think aiming for a goal of under 1 hour for the 10 K race is not unreasonable.
Two runs by the beach
As mentioned previously, I had a weekend away in Napier. While there I managed to get in two runs.
The first of these was my long run for the week. I wanted to get in at least 10 km as that is what I did last week.
I had gotten up at 5am and then driven from 6:05 till about 11ish as I had driven from Auckland to Napier. The drive itself was fine. However, about 3 hours in my baby daughter woke up and then verbally expressed her displeasure with being strapped in for the next 2 or so hours. So needless to say it was a bit tough.
We met up with our friends in Napier and then had an enjoyable afternoon visiting wineries and having lunch etc. We had hired a house for the weekend and we got there about 3:30ish. I started off for my run at about 4 after unpacking and seeing that my wife and daughter were settled in.
Truth be told my physical condition was not conducive to a great run. I was tired and sore from sitting down for most of the day. Having said that it felt really good to be outside by the beach and running. For the first twenty five minutes or so. Then it became a bit harder. Then a lot harder. Not so much physically, but much more mentally. I started playing little games with myself. I’d tell myself I’ll
run for the next 500 meters then have a rest. Then when I got there I’d say 500 more! and so on.
About 6km in I made a big mistake by heading down and running on the beach for a bit. As you can see from the picture on the right, it looks really great but it’s actually a gravelly rock beach so it’s actually really hard to run on. I stuck with it for about 100 meters but it was just too hard so I headed back to the grassy verge next to the road.
I was really feeling it then and had to resort to more mind games in order to continue running.
About 7 kms in I hit Meeanee Quay. How appropriate I thought. My body reckons I’m being a meanie by making it run today. I turned around at this point and started heading back to our holiday house. For some reason the running is always easier when you know you are heading home.
I got back and boy I felt great. The runners high kicked in when I knew I didn’t have to run anymore!
I managed to do 10.2 km which I was really pleased with. It took me 1:02:42.
My second run was a bit more normal. I woke up at 5am to give my daughter her morning bottle and decided that it would be nice to be out and running when the sun came up. So I had my breakfast and then headed out at about 6ish. It was a beautiful morning and I really enjoyed the run.
I took it easy and did a nice 5.1 km in about 30 minutes.
I know I can go faster now so I’m looking forward to my next race. Two weeks away on a nice flat course.
I was particularly pleased that I ran while I was on holiday as well. As a matter of fact I really, really wanted to run and for me that is something special. I have turned running into an addiction habit and that can only be a good thing.
A run with a view
When I got up today it was raining so I didn’t think I’d be running outside. However, about a half hour later it wasn’t looking too bad so I thought I might as well give it a go. I was supposed to meet up with my colleague who I ran with before but he was a no show today so I went by myself.
I didn’t really have a fixed route in mind today but then as I got going I decided I would head off into an area I had never been before even though it is very close.
I started off in the Domain which is where most of my weekday runs start as it is very close to where I work (red dot on the map). I headed into Parnell and then ran down St Stephens road (past many million dollar homes) until I arrived at Pt Resolution.
Pt Resolution is a tiny park on top of a cliff looking down over the harbour. The views are absolutely stunning from up there and I was just sorry I didn’t have my camera with me. Next time I’ll bring along a small camera as the views are tremendous.
There were quite a few stairs going down the cliff which I negotiated rather gingerly as they were very wet. I’ve marked that point with a yellow dot on the map.
I then ran around the waterfront (into a very strong headwind!) and headed back up to work as the rain started to fall again.
I did 6.13 km in 37:24 so it was a nice gentle run.
Work is offering free flu jabs today so I’m off to get one. I did a cholesterol test last week and I’m hoping my results arrive today. I’ll let you know how I did once I know.
A run up a volcano
Today’s scheduled run (OHR program) called for a run of 38 minutes. I decided that I would be a bit ambitious and try to run up one of the volcanic cones that is quite close to my workplace – not the same one that I ran around last week.
Auckland is built on top of a volcanic field so we have a lot of volcanoes (all extinct I think) around the place.
I started off in the Auckland Domain and headed up Mountain Rd towards Mt Eden. Mt Eden is the volcanic cone I wanted to run up. I should have realised that a road called Mountain Rd would be all uphill but it wasn’t too bad.
I arrived at the bottom of the volcano and that’s when I realised how steep the climb was. I ran most of the way up it but the last 200 metres or so were too damn tough were stairs and it was slippery so I walked them (that’s my story and I’m sticking with it). The view from the top was great and I felt rather virtuous having made it up. Running down it wasn’t bad at all as it was all downhill.
I then headed in towards the city and decided I would run a different route back to my starting point. Unfortunately the run took me pa
st a lot of little cafes and bakeries and the smells were making me really hungry. I was thinking some fond thoughts of a custard pie. Fortunately I left my wallet back in my car so I wasn’t overly tempted.
I ran over the motorway and saw hundreds of people sitting in their cars not really moving much and it felt so great to be outdoors and running.
I arrived back in the domain and was supposed to end my run but I was really enjoying it so I decided I would run a little longer and added an extra loop through Parnell which headed me back towards work.
If you click through to the actual map you will notice that I ran over 10 km today! That’s a personal best and a major milestone for me. It took me 1:09:11 which includes a short walk up the stairs as mentioned earlier.
I probably shouldn’t have run that far but it just felt good today so I did.
Some of you may have noticed that my traineo counters on the right have also hit another mini milestone. This morning I hit over 90 pounds lost. That means I am now just over 75% of the way towards my goal.
Since I started running this year I’ve lost 30 pounds and done 132.5 km worth of running. Not bad if I say so myself.
That is week 05 of the One Hour Runner program completed. Hmm – I ran for over an hour today but I still have 5 weeks to finish the program!
Couch Potato to Runner
It pouring down with rain today so I headed to the gym to do my run. Today’s schedule called for a 32 minute run. I did 5.55 km in the 32 minutes which translates to a 5:46 pace per kilometre (8:12 min per mile for the metrically challenged – there is a great calculator here). I did my 5K distance in 28:18 which I was pleased with. I’m always faster on the treadmill but I have to admit the runs outside are a lot more enjoyable.
I got to thinking while I was on the treadmill (as you do) and I think I’ve come a long way (More on this in a later post).
I used to be a couch potato (307 pounds in the photo) and now I’m a runner (225 pounds in the photo – 218 pounds today).
A run around the Hilton
I was planning on running at Mission Bay again this morning but I found that the road was closed as there was an event on today. So I decided I would go for a run along the harbour and through the city today.
I started off running along the shoreline near where I finished the great run I had on Thursday and instead of going out towards the boatsheds I headed in the other direction towards the city.
This route took me past the Ports of Auckland which is our main container terminal. There were lots of cranes going and people working even early on a Sunday morning which I guess is not too surprising. Just past the port is Auckland’s main ferry terminal which is just behind the historic ferry building which you can see on the left). It was very quiet and the only other people I saw where these big groups of runners all wearing the same uniform. I think they were the YMCA running club but I couldn’t really tell as they were on the other side of the road.
Once I got past the ferry building that I decided I would try and stick to the water side of the harbour for a bit so I ran around the Auckland Hilton.
The Auckland Hilton is located right on the docks and the views from it are phenomenal. I ran around it and then through the area of the harbour where all the nightclubs are located. I guess it was a bit early for the party people as this area was deserted. There were a few superyachts in the harbour outside them and one or two America’s cup yachts which are always nice to look at. I then ran back to my car through the city centre. I should have gone back the way I came as the scenery wasn’t nearly as spectacular.
The run today wasn’t too bad. It wasn’t as nice as some that I have had but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I did 5.25 km in 30:15 so it was a nice easy run and by completing it I completed run 01 of week 05 of the One Hour Runner program.
One other thing of interest that happened was that while I was doing my cooldown walk a girl ran past me and she was absolutely motoring! I was astounded at how fast she was running and truth be told it got me down a bit. I started to hear the negative voices in my head but I borrowed Non-Runner Nancy’s club and beat them down! It’s funny how even when we are doing well we still have to smack down the negativity sometimes. Oh well, at least I realised what I was doing and managed to laugh at myself.
This time next week I’ll just have finished my second 5K event. I’m really looking forward to that and am hoping to set a new PR!
Running to the Boat Sheds
I had a 8am class today and on my way back to my office afterwards the sun felt so good that I decided to go for my run which I had planned on doing after my afternoon class. Today’s schedule (OHR) called for a 35 minute run which I had planned on doing on the treadmill but it was just to nice a day to go run inside.
I think I’ll be making a point of doing more of my runs outside as the weather has been unseasonably great and winter is fast approaching. It won’t be long before it’s miserable and gloomy for most of the time.
With that in mind, I decided I would run along Tamaki Drive (pictured above – My good friend Stephen took the photo). This is a road that runs along the coast and I have run on it before but normally further along near Mission Bay.
It took me about 10 minutes to walk down to it from work and then I set off for what would turn out to be an absolutely glorious run. For some reason I have been listening to a lot of R.E.M. this week and today’s album selection (In Time – Greatest Hits) on shuffle just worked really well. The scenery was absolutely stunning, the weather was great and the tunes were thumping. I really live in a beautiful city.
I ran along Tamaki Drive and then up Ngapipi Rd until I hit the boatsheds pictured below. I then turned around and ran back.
I ran 6.2km in 36 minutes and 36 seconds. That means my pace was 5:55/km which is faster than I’ve run outside for a while. One of the advantages (have to take them where I can find them!) of being overweight is that running burns off a lot of calories. 638 in today’s run. I actually had to stop myself running today as I really wanted to keep on going.
This is the aerial view of my route today:
I felt like I could have run forever today. It was really amazing. While I was running I was reflecting on how far I have come in such a short time.
I really feel that the running has helped to set my spirit free in a way. I’m doing something I believed that I would never ever be able to do and it has changed my outlook on life a lot. And it’s just fun!
That’s week 04 of the OHR running program done.
Run around the volcano
I had to work from home today as we had two sets of tradesmen popping around to fix a) our ventilation system and b) our security system. I don’t think either set managed to fix what they came to fix which is a bit annoying but such is life.
I decided that I would go for a run in Cornwall Park during my ‘lunch break’ as it would be a run in a place that I haven’t run before.
Cornwall Park is a big park in the middle of Auckland. It’s actually a working farm and my run today incorporated the aromas of fresh cow dung when the wind was blowing the wrong way. It’s actually quite nice being in the middle of the city and seeing sheep and cows.
The park also has One Tree Hill (of the U2 song fame) inside it. One Tree Hill is a volcano cone that used to have just one tree on it. Some idiot chopped the tree down as a form of political process and so it is now known colloquially as No Tree Hill.
I ran right around the hill and it was a good run. I had REM’s new album Accelerate blaring away on my ipod and that, combined with the fact that the weather was just perfect, meant that I didn’t even notice how long I was running. I was supposed to run for 29 minutes today but went closer to 31 before I realised that I had shuffled a bit too far.
You can see the volcano and park on this route map:
I love getting maps of my run from my Garmin. It’s great!
The run today was quite a bit hillier than normal. Nothing too steep but just a steady climb and then a sharpish descent on the other side of the volcano. I really enjoyed the run. It was slower pace wise than I normally do (6:11 per km – I like to aim for at least 6:00 per km) but I think that may be a good thing. There is something almost spiritual about getting out and running in the middle of nature. It was great.
That was run 02 of week 04 of the One Hour Runner program.
Weigh in
Well, Monday is my official weekly weigh in day and I’m pleased to report my weight today was 99.8 kgs (220 pounds). That’s down .9 kgs (2 pounds) from last week.
The rule of thumb for weightloss is supposed to be about a pound a week. I’ve been doing about 2 a week lately and hopefully can keep that up. I’m expecting the weightloss to slow down somewhat as I get closer and closer to my goal but hopefully not yet! My goal at this point just relates to getting my bmi under 25. I don’t know how realistic it is but we’ll see. I may have to revisit it at some point.
I had a good weekend, mostly just spending quality time with my wife and daughter. My mother has been admitted to hospital and is awaiting surgery. Hopefully things will go well and she can get her operation done today. She keeps getting bumped for more urgent cases as the hospitals are pretty busy at the moment.
I went for a run along Tamaki Drive yesterday morning and it was pretty good. There was a woman’s duathlon on at the same time and I kept nervously looking over my shoulder looking for the pack as I was running on their course. Fortunately (or unfortunately?) our paths never crossed. It was a beautiful morning and it was great seeing heaps of runners and walkers out and about. There’s something about running before most people are out of bed that just makes you feel virtuous!
I did 5km in 30 minutes. I’m relatively happy with this kind of pace at this point. I’ve done a bit of reading and pushing for pace too early seems to be a common way of getting injured. If I want to do the half marathon later this year I need to avoid injuries. My reading also indicates that increased pace comes with increased distance so I should kill two birds with one stone this way.
This run was run 01 of week 04 of the One Hour Runner program.
One hour runner week 03 completed
I had a good run on the treadmill (rain again) this morning. I ran for 30 minutes and did 5.2 km. This means I’ve finished week 03 of the One Hour Runner program.
Weeks 1-3 has just involved running 30 minutes for three days a week. Week 4 is where you start to add a bit more time. For this week I’ll have to run 30 minutes, 29 minutes, and then 35 minutes. I’ve decided to make Sunday the day for doing the first run of the week as that is always a 30 minute run and my 5K events are on Sundays. This way I can double up a 5K and a 30 minute run.
Speaking of 5K events: One of my friends, the Honorable Rick (his real title too), has bit the bullet and decided to join me at the next Run Auckland 5K race which is on the 20th of April. I think it will be great to have a friend running in an event and I hope to leave him in my dust!
The Run Auckland series has got 6 events so I’ve decided that I will do the 5K runs at the first 5 and celebrate the end of the series by doing a 10K for the final one. That gives me a good goal to work towards. The last one is on the 13th of July so I should be able to run 10K by then. If not then I will run as far as I can, walk as far as I can and then crawl the rest of the way!
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