Last Day of September

It has been 3 weeks since the Moro 1/2 marathon and a month since walking with Craig.

As it was the first day of daylight saving Craig and I met at 9.30am in Portsmouth Drive. Craig chose the route this time.

Walked along Portsmouth Drive and turned right into Portobello Road. Walked along Queen's Drive, then Victoria Road to St Clair. Up Cliffs Road until we got to Aberdeen Street. Turned onto Allandale Street and walked to Forbury Road. Walked along Forbury Road until we reached Jacob's Ladder. Turned left onto Easther Crescent and back onto Victoria Road. Down Hillside Road to Portsmouth Drive. 11 kms taking 1 hour 50 mins.

2nd Year of Walking Begins

As it is school holiday time I will try to do 10 kms each day.

25 Sept - Home to Display and Sell and return 12 kms
26 Sept - Home to Port Chalmers and return 12 kms
27 Sept - Home to Blanket Bay (5km), Home to Ravensbourne (6km) 11 kms
28 Sept - Ricoh Copiers, Hanover St, Castle Street, Gt King St, Gardens, North Road, Normanby North Road continued up Mount Cargill to Upper Junction Road, Blanket Bay Road, Port Chalmers Highway to home 16 kms (2 hrs 40 mins)
29 Sept Caversham Harrier's Walk - Down Green Island Bush Road then up Blackhead Road - 11 kms - 1 hour 50 mins. Pleased with speed I walked up Blackhead Road.

A Year of Walking

Today is an important milestone for me - 365 days of walking. Yes, a year ago I starting this walking programme. The stats are:
319 days of walking
46 missed days (15 of these were in North America when doing my sabbatical)
1864km covered.

Today is the first day of the holidays so I walked to the North Dunedin Post Office via the Ravensbourne walking track. I then went along Great King Street to the North Ground, down Dundas Street, past Logan Park High School, along Butt Road and turned left onto the Port Chalmers Highway. I continued along SH 88 until I got home. Distance 15km, Time 2hrs 30 mins.

Yesterday we had Daneka's, my grand daughter's 5th birthday at Chipmunks. I walked home which was a 9km walk.

To Ravensbourne and Back

The Harrier Club Walker's Group (only 8 this time) met at the Logan Park bus stop. We walked along the new asphalt track beside the sea to Ravensbourne. We walked up to the top of Ravensbourne and back down Athol Place. We then walked along the main road back to the bus stop. The walk was around 9kms and took 90 minutes. I walked in front for the last leg.

It is now only 2 days until I complete one year of walking. I am so proud of achieving this and with joining the Harrier's group. It is nice meeting new people like Martin George and getting to know Stephen Hopkins better.

It's Been a Quiet Week Walking Wise

Six days after the half marathon and its has been quiet, walking wise. The first three days following the 21km walk I had meetings at school so it was convenient not to walk. The blister on my left foot is annoying more than painful. On Thursday and Friday I did a quiet 5km walk each day, but the blister was evident. As I wanted to go for a walk with the Cavy Club I decided to lance the blister with a needle. The amount of liquid that came out was amazing. However the uncomfortable feeling went away instantly.

Today we met at the clubrooms and we went alongside the St Clair golf course and down to the saltwater pool. We went along a no exit track beside the sea and back to the pool. We went beside the beach, Kettle Park and Victoria Road until we hit Prince Albert Road. Bayview Road, Surrey Street, Macandrew Road and up Jacob's Ladder leading past Frances Hodgkins Retirement Home. We hit Easther Cres, onto Middleton Road and back to the clubrooms. 1hr 40 mins which I estimate to be 12km.

I found the steps challenging and this maybe, because I am still recovering from the big race.

It was nice to mix and mingle with fellow club members over a cuppa.

I Did It?

It is very satisfying to record that I completed my first 1/2 marathon walk in 3:06:58. This has blown me away as my first goal was
1) to complete the course under 3 hours 30 minutes
then
2) to finish in 3 hours 10 minutes

We started outside the Edgar Centre at 9.30am as a group of over 600 walkers. I decided to start nearer the start so I would not get stalled with too many walkers in front. The course went down to Orari Street, back up Portsmouth Drive to the start and then again north down Portsmouth Drive. This took 2 kms and we were told me were doing 9 minute kms.

I was very happy with my pace doing the first 5kms in 45 minutes and the next 5kms also in 45 minutes. My third 5kms was a shade over 45 minutes as well. I realised I could do the race in 3 hours 10 mins. My legs felt great and it was not until I got to Port Chalmers that my feet started to develop blisters. I still had 4kms to go.

The last 4kms involves walking around the back beach with a tricky hill. However I suffered the pain and was elated with my finish.

Denise and her friends Shirley and Janice were at the finish and we went away for a lovely gourmet lunch/picnic at the back beach.

Apart from my feet my body feels quite good. Denise organised a footbath consisting of hot water and gel. It helped immensely. I had a very long and hot shower.

So some stats:

200th overall, 25th for age group 50-54 yrs, 8.52min/km. There were 619 who finished out of 693 who started the walk.

43rd man, 7th for age group

My next aim is to compete in the Master's Games 1/2 marathon walk.

Second Day of Spring

What a great day to go for a walk with Craig. It was initially windy but as we headed away from the sea, the day was great for walking.

Met on Portsmouth Drive, up Hillside Road, David Street, Caversham Valley Road, Mornington Road, Eglington Road, South Road, Burns Street, Hillside Road and back to the car. Distance 12km, Time 2 hours.

Called into Craig's mothers house in Mornington Road for around 7 minutes.

Thrilled at my pace up Caversham Valley Road. Craig found this challenging. He is faster on the flat.

Purchased some socks for the walk from "Frontrunner" - $35.

One Week until the 1/2 Marathon

15 of us from the Caversham Harrier's Club Walking group met at the Wingatui Racecourse at 12.45pm and left for our walk at 1pm.

We walked along Gladstone Road towards the township. Just before the township we went up Joe Brown Drive and down a pathway back to Gladstone Road. Continued down Gladstone Road until we reached Riccarton Road. Turned right onto Factory Road and walked until we hit the lights at the intersection with Bush Road. Turned right until we got to the road of Holly Cross. Walked over the park through a residential area. Came to Haggart Drive and through the housing area of the horse trainers. Came to Wingatui Road and walked up to Gladstone Road and back to the Racecourse. Time 2hrs 30 mins.

Had a beer at Martin George's house.

Feet sore with a tender left toe.

I did not walk on Friday as I had no time with a meeting at the ERO after school