When I started this journey on 25 September 2006 my aim was to walk 5kms daily. Six months later I changed the goal to walk "at least 5kms daily. I have religiously recorded the daily distance walked on a spreadsheet.
Earlier this year when walking with friend Danny, we discussed that I should consider aiming to walk the circumference of planet earth which is 40075kms. As of today I have walked 18448 kms leaving 21627kms to walk. At my current pace this should take 9 years which puts me at age 70.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Cross Country
14 June 2014
The club's annual cross country was held at Island park, in Waldronville where Beachlands Speedway hold events. This is the second time the club held the event at this location. I did not take part last year as I was supervising an exam at the University.
Conditions were perfect for the cross country race. Walkers had to do two laps of the 2km course. The children had their event first. The runners and walkers started at the same time with competitirs doing two, three or four laps.
For the walking event we all started at the same time. The first part was over a gravel road, then over sand dunes, across pellets through a bog, back on a gravel track onto a muddy path and finally over grass to the start. I felt good and was pleased with my pace finishing third in a time of 26:51mins.
The club's annual cross country was held at Island park, in Waldronville where Beachlands Speedway hold events. This is the second time the club held the event at this location. I did not take part last year as I was supervising an exam at the University.
Conditions were perfect for the cross country race. Walkers had to do two laps of the 2km course. The children had their event first. The runners and walkers started at the same time with competitirs doing two, three or four laps.
For the walking event we all started at the same time. The first part was over a gravel road, then over sand dunes, across pellets through a bog, back on a gravel track onto a muddy path and finally over grass to the start. I felt good and was pleased with my pace finishing third in a time of 26:51mins.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Cadbury Dunedin Marathon Course
As a member of the Cadbury Dunedin Marathon committee I do not get the opportunity to participate in the half marathon walk anymore. I have always wanted to walk the full marathon course and so I decided January the 4th would be the day.
Denise dropped me off at Harrington Point before 8am and at 7:50am I set off from the official start point. Luckily the weather was overcast and I maintained a 6km/hour pace initially. I kept this pace all the way to Portobello and felt good. There was not much traffic so this was not an issue at this stage.
Once at Portobello the traffic increased and I had to be careful as there was not a big area to walk on. I met Stella, my sister-in-law just before Broad Bay and we had a brief chat. I hit Broad Bay at 10:05am and then the 15km mark at Grassy Point. This last 5km leg was a disappointing 58mins although I could have taken off a couple of minutes). It was nice reaching Company Bay as I had a walkway all the way to Glenfalloch. I could see our house across the harbour in St Leonards. The sun was out but not too hot, no wind and almost perfect conditions for walking.
When I reached Macandrew Bay I used the public toilet then went to the shop for an ice-cream and chocolate fix. The 20km mark was just past Glenfalloch and then I reached halfway at 11:36pm - 3hrs 46mins. I was reasonably happy with this pace. Craig met me and gave some cold fresh water and a banana. This stop was 2:30 mins long. As I headed towards Vauxhall I noticed a tail wind which was quite nice. However on my way to Port Chalmers it would be a head wind. I could not find the 25km mark but guessed it would be near the boat club. The last five kms took 59mins so I was definitely slowing down. The feet felt good but the legs were getting heavier.
As I walked over the causeway the head wind became a cross wind and it was very strong. Walking along Portsmouth Drive the wind was very strong. I walked around Kitchener Street, Birch Wharf and Wickliffe Street which was a break from the wind. Craig left some water, a banana and chocolate by the Anzac Avenue over-bridge which was appreciated. Somewhere around here was the 35km mark but I could not find it. I called into the Mobil petrol station on Anzac Avenue for another ice-cream and chocolate.
I felt in familiar territory as I strolled along Anzac Avenue, past Forsyth Barr Stadium and down to the Marina so I could join the new cycleway. Frustratingly it was quite a strong headwind. Marathon runners describe hitting the wall at some stage on the run, well I felt I had hit the wall on this 5km leg. My feet were sore (no blisters though) and the legs were still heavy. Just before Maia I had a phone call from Denise and I was on track to reach the destination around 3.30pm. It seemed to take ages to get to St Leonards and I could not find the 35km mark opposite Burkes. Once at St Leonards I knew I had less than 6kms to go.
I made steady but not spectacular progress along SH 88. Roseneath Hill was not a challenge and I reached the 40km mark at 3:17. Only 2.2 kms to go but I was really sore now and was slowing up. Denise was waiting for me at Watson Park in Port Chalmers and I crossed the finishing line at 3:44pm.
It was great feeling to complete my second marathon official course. My official time would have been 7hrs 54 mins. I could take off 4-5 mins for stops but I am happy to have completed the course.
Once at Portobello the traffic increased and I had to be careful as there was not a big area to walk on. I met Stella, my sister-in-law just before Broad Bay and we had a brief chat. I hit Broad Bay at 10:05am and then the 15km mark at Grassy Point. This last 5km leg was a disappointing 58mins although I could have taken off a couple of minutes). It was nice reaching Company Bay as I had a walkway all the way to Glenfalloch. I could see our house across the harbour in St Leonards. The sun was out but not too hot, no wind and almost perfect conditions for walking.
When I reached Macandrew Bay I used the public toilet then went to the shop for an ice-cream and chocolate fix. The 20km mark was just past Glenfalloch and then I reached halfway at 11:36pm - 3hrs 46mins. I was reasonably happy with this pace. Craig met me and gave some cold fresh water and a banana. This stop was 2:30 mins long. As I headed towards Vauxhall I noticed a tail wind which was quite nice. However on my way to Port Chalmers it would be a head wind. I could not find the 25km mark but guessed it would be near the boat club. The last five kms took 59mins so I was definitely slowing down. The feet felt good but the legs were getting heavier.
As I walked over the causeway the head wind became a cross wind and it was very strong. Walking along Portsmouth Drive the wind was very strong. I walked around Kitchener Street, Birch Wharf and Wickliffe Street which was a break from the wind. Craig left some water, a banana and chocolate by the Anzac Avenue over-bridge which was appreciated. Somewhere around here was the 35km mark but I could not find it. I called into the Mobil petrol station on Anzac Avenue for another ice-cream and chocolate.
I felt in familiar territory as I strolled along Anzac Avenue, past Forsyth Barr Stadium and down to the Marina so I could join the new cycleway. Frustratingly it was quite a strong headwind. Marathon runners describe hitting the wall at some stage on the run, well I felt I had hit the wall on this 5km leg. My feet were sore (no blisters though) and the legs were still heavy. Just before Maia I had a phone call from Denise and I was on track to reach the destination around 3.30pm. It seemed to take ages to get to St Leonards and I could not find the 35km mark opposite Burkes. Once at St Leonards I knew I had less than 6kms to go.
I made steady but not spectacular progress along SH 88. Roseneath Hill was not a challenge and I reached the 40km mark at 3:17. Only 2.2 kms to go but I was really sore now and was slowing up. Denise was waiting for me at Watson Park in Port Chalmers and I crossed the finishing line at 3:44pm.
It was great feeling to complete my second marathon official course. My official time would have been 7hrs 54 mins. I could take off 4-5 mins for stops but I am happy to have completed the course.
| Cadbury Dunedin Marathon | ||
| Kms | Time | Mins |
| 0 | 7.50 | |
| 5 | 8.41 | 51 |
| 10 | 9.28 | 47 |
| 15 | 10.26 | 58 |
| 20 | 11.24 | 58 |
| Half | 11.36 | |
| 25 | 12.23 | 59 |
| 30 | ||
| 35 | 2.30 | |
| 40 | 3.17 | 57 |
| Finish | 3.44 | 7:54 |
Sunday, June 2, 2013
What's been happening - 2013 ?
Well I have finished my contract with the Census and feel it is time to write more about my walking exploits.
Papatowai Challenge: This was my fifth walk in this event. I was determined to do this walk as the achievement is recognised by a " year medal". Sadly I could not stay for the presentation as I had to get back to Dunedin for my 6oth birthday party. My cousin David Scobie collected the medal on my behalf.
Papatowai Challenge: This was my fifth walk in this event. I was determined to do this walk as the achievement is recognised by a " year medal". Sadly I could not stay for the presentation as I had to get back to Dunedin for my 6oth birthday party. My cousin David Scobie collected the medal on my behalf.
As for the walk I completed it in 2:09:52 which was slow but reflective of not putting in the training. I was 17th male and 31st overall.
Club Walking Races
1500m: Our first walking race was the 1500m race at Kaikorai Valley College. I managed a time of 10:20mins and was placed 3rd out of 21 walkers.
5000m: This race held at Forbury Park is based on handicaps given following the 1500m race. We do five laps of the racecourse. I was given a 10 minute handicap and some of the scratch walkers did one complete loop before I started. However it is an opportunity for slower walkers to win a club event. I was placed 11th out of 18 walkers. My actual time was 35:58 which was the second fastest time.
Pineapple Track: I was asked to lead 17 club walkers over the Pineapple Track om 1 June. Two of the walkers chosew to run back from the Swampy Track turnoff. We left the Wakari Union Church at 1pm and did a brosk 25 min walk to the start of the Pineapple Track. We had a wee wait for all the walkers to catch up. The complete loop took 2hrs 40 mins but we had five stops probably taking 15 mins.
Daily Walks: Up to the end of July I have managed to cover 1000kms. It has been a challenge to do 200kms per month through work but have managed to do significant distance since mid-April.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Labour Weekend thoughts
It has been four weeks since my last posting, The walking club had its last walk a week ago and I managed to participate in 24 walks and missed four. The walks I undertook covered 209kms.
As of today I have walked 2043kms on 282 days. So far I have missed 14 days in 2013. As I am in fulltime work until mid April I thinks I will struggle to do 200kms per month.
2nd Coastal Classic
On Sunday 4 November I had the pleasure to take part in my second Coastal Classic in the Taieri Mouth area. I arrived at Livingstonia Park at 9.15am and was taken aback at the number of cars parked on the park. The mountain bike riders were taking part at the same but on a different course.
The weather leading up to the race day had been atrocious with heavy rain the night before. At our briefing we were told to expect muddy walking areas. Little did I suspect.
Once on the beach it was a relief to be walking on hard surfaces like rocks and sand. We had to go back onto some more farmland which was about a kilometre to the finish. I was 3rd male finishing at a time of 1:42:53 which was five minutes faster than last year.
The weather leading up to the race day had been atrocious with heavy rain the night before. At our briefing we were told to expect muddy walking areas. Little did I suspect.
As per usual I got away to a good start and for the first three kilometres I was 2nd behind Julie who won the event in the previous two years. After we left the park and went down a road, we turned onto the beach. IThe sand was not too soft and I felt good. Once on the main road we had to walk up a hill unto we came to some farmland. The first part down to the drink station that also gave us a chocolate muffin (Seascape Cafe) was relatively easy.
The heavy rain made the next section of farm land soft and slippery. I tried to avoid the muddy sections but it was a waste of time. The mud was incredible. On two occasions I lost my shoe through suction. On the second occasion I had to use both hands to release my shoe. I fell over a couple of times and my appearance resembled a rugby player after a muddy game.Once on the beach it was a relief to be walking on hard surfaces like rocks and sand. We had to go back onto some more farmland which was about a kilometre to the finish. I was 3rd male finishing at a time of 1:42:53 which was five minutes faster than last year.
Phil, Julie and Dave
My feet are on the far left
Sunday, September 23, 2012
New St Leonards walking track
Once at St Leonards we walked up Burkes Road to our home where Denise and I provided afternoon tea. We had worked hard to get the section is good shape for the hosting. It was nice to watch the reactions of the walkers as orange juice, scones and biscuits were consumed. We stayed at our home for just over 20 minutes and headed back. We walked to the end of Burkes Drive where it meets SH 88. It had been coned off for the Port Calmers Road relays. Once at Maia we crossed the road and did the last section of the cycle track to our cars. I estimated that the round trip was 10kms.
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