Rail Trail Section - Daisybank to Hyde

28 January

On the last Saturday in January the Caversham Walking Group pooled cars for driving to Hyde initially then further pooling in cars to Daisybank. We walked on the Rail Trail from Daisybank to Hyde a distance of 21kms. Twenty walkers from the club make the trek in fine conditions. A feature of this section of the Rail Trail is the viaduct and tunnel. The walk took just over two hours.

We stopped at the Otago Central Hotel in Hyde for a drink before heading home.

Master's Games 1/2 Marathon

It has almost been three years since I participated in a half marathon walking event. My expectations were to do a time under three hours and a PB of 2:52 was unrealistic. My mate Craig and I had done quite a bit of training for this event although a week In Surfer's Paradise put paid to much training.

Numbers were down as opposed to 2010 with a round 60+ competing. I was in the 55-59 years band. The conditions were almost perfect. A warm day with no wind and very overcast. The sun came out on the last 15 minutes of my walk.

I walked the first 5kms with Danny and Maree in 38mins. I was very happy with that. My walking partners took off so I did the next 5kms with Grant, a workmate of Craig's. We went through the 10kms in 78mins. Again I was delighted with that. The next 5kms were a challenge. It was a long straight down School Street and I was passed by a number of walkers. However when I went through the 15kms mark in 1hr 58 mins I knew I was in sight of a PB.

This motivated me over the final 6kms and I worked hard to maintain around an 8 minute one kilometre pace. My feet were sore and my body was tired. I managed to finish in 2:45:16 which was a thrill.

I waited for my mate Craig to finish. He wanted to do a time under 3hrs but this time passed. He came in at 3hrs 8mins and was disappointed. He need not be. He should be thrilled that he finished considering a number of health issues that he overcame with determination.

The icing on the cake was that I scored a bronze medal and Craig got gold.

All-in-all a successful event. My next event is the 10km walk in a week's time.

(Image above shows Craig and Grant with their medals)

First 2012 Summer Walk

Twenty one walkers from the Caversham club carpooled to Macandrew Bay. It was a beautiful day so most of the walkers chose to not wear or carry a jersey or jacket including yours truly.

This was the 4th time I have done the walk. We walked up Greenacres Road until we came to a turnoff through farmland up to Highcliff Road. The views of Otago Harbour were magnificent and the weather a bit darker with a slight wind. However the conditions were good for walking.

It was a short walk to the Larnachs Castle turnoff. We had a look around the church on the corner and continued along Camp Road. It was becoming cooler as we hit the Castlewood Road and the downhill section to Portobello Road. While waiting at the intersection it started to rain so we hurriedly walked alomg Portobello Road to our cars. It really started to rain and we all got soaked in the last 10-15mins. The 7.65km wak took us 1hr 40mins.

Four Weeks to the Master's Games

It is four weeks today until the 1/2 marathon walk as part of the Master's Games. Both Craig and myself have registered for this event along with the 10km a week later.

As part of our build-up Craig and I have spent two weekends walking a circuit from North Ground to St Clair. According to the "MapMyWalk" website, the distance is slightly over 14kms. Our walk today took 2hrs 25mins.

The course follows Great King Street onto Cumberland Street until we reach the Oval. We walk across the Oval passing the Kensington Tavern on King Edward Street. Once we hit Cargills Corner we turn right onto Hillside Road and then turn into Forbury Road heading towards St Clair Beach.

At this almost halfway point we walk along Victoria Road past the Forbury Park Racecourse. At the St Kilda roundabout we walk down Queen Street to Anderson's Bay Road. We walk a block towards Countdown and go along Teviot Street passing the Edgar Centre on the corner of Portsmouth Drive. We walked along this road all the way to the St Andrew Street lights going past the rear of the Railway Station. Just past the lights we turned into Leith Street following it all the way to St David Street. This section took in part of the University. We walked over the St David Street Bridge until we got back to the North Ground.

Walks Summary for 2011

Distance for 2011 was 2409kms. My target was 200kms per month or 2400 for the year. 29 Days were missed - 3 weeks were spent in North America and as I had to work for 5 weeks at the Dunedin North Headquarters and 13 days as an Examination Supervisor I could only do 5kms per day.

Summer Walks

For 2011 we have had four summer walks with the caversham Club. I have participated in three of them.

29 October Mainly along Saddle Hill Road from Coalstage Road 9kms.

12 November I had the pleasure to lead the group up Signal Hill Road, across farmland overlooking the harbour to Cleghorn Street. Back down North Road to the Gardens. 10kms

10 December - Around Port Chalmers including Back Beach. Also walked up to the Scott Memorial

An Explanation

No I have not been tardy with this blog but the frailties of technolgy meant the blog would not let me do new posts until now. It has been so frustrating as I have done a number of interesting things walk wise so I will fill in the gaps retrospectively.

3-7 October 2011 A week in Queenstown

Denise had to work in Frankton for a week so I accompanied her. We stayed at the Gateway Motel for the week. My friend Danny was also in Queenstown so we did four walks together.

3 Oct. (by myself)
Frankton Arm Walkway (to Queenstown return)
Frankton – Remarkables Park Shopping Centre (return) 16kms

4 Oct. Started Kawarau Suspension Bridge - Gibbston River Trial. Gibbston Highway Trail, Waitiri Loop Track 17kms

5 Oct. Started at the Arrow River - To Macetown and onto the Anderson Battery (return) 33kms

6 Oct. Started at Kawarau Falls Bridge - Kelvin Heights Walkway including a walk around the golf course perimeter 14kms

7 Oct. (1) Queenstown Hill. (2) Frankton Arm Walkway from Queenstown to Frankton 8kms

6 November 2011 Coastal Classic

Craig and I drove to Taieri Mouth to do the 12km walk as part of the annual Coastal Classic. There are also Mountain Biking events at the same time. When we arrived there was a strong wind and intermittent rain. 86 (incl. 15 men) walkers set off at 10am. The walk included beach, road and farm land. There is one steady climb up a hill on the road just before heading onto farmland. I actually found the farmland challenging as there were lots of divots from the cows and I was worried about rolling an ankle.

I felt reasonably comfortable doing a time of 1:47:49 and was the second man home and placed 10th overall. I enjoyed the walk and would do it again. My mate Craig was the third male home and he was pleased with his time as he wanted to beat 2 hours.