Two runs by the beach
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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.
