Brrhhh!!

Race Report from Sunday May 10, 2009

A fantastic learning experience. That about sums up my first running race in around 8years. The last time I would have been on the start line of a running race was at the end of my 6th Form year at Auckland Grammar School. This event was the National Secondary Schools Athletic Road Race. That day I walked away with a Gold medal in the teams classification. From then on my sporting focus shifted exclusively to cycling. Since that day I have not touched a pair of running shoes, that is until about 4months ago.

While I was in Europe for 4months between December and February, and because I didn’t take a bike with me, I taught myself to run again. So after 4months of a steady build up, starting with ten minute runs every second day, progressing through to 2hr steady runs I was ready to line up for my first run race in a long time – The Onehunga Half Marathon.

The loose goal was to run sub 1hr20min (actually the real goal was a sub 1hr17min because Ali at work has that as her PB and breaking that time in my debut half would have been unreal). The race started well and I settled into a manageable pace and by the 4km mark only 5 of us where left at the front race, we hit 5km through 17min and 37min for 10km and 57min for 16km. At this point only myself and another competitor remained at the front of the race and we had a handy 2minute lead over third place. But this is when my race unravelled and I learnt a big lesson.

I had not pre-taped my feet for the race and had not worn my new racing flats in enough either and given my recent return to running my feet were not hard enough to handle the increased toe strike of racing hard. So with 3km to the finish my race all but ended when I had to stop due to enormous blisters on the balls of my feet and take my shoes and socks off and walk to the finish. I walked across the line in 1hr30min pretty disappointed with my effort, and rueing a missed opportunity but also learning a hard lesson.

So for the past week, I have been wearing my racing flats around the house to wear them in. I can’t wait until my next running race — the North Shore Half marathon in July.

Isn’t this weather awful! Well, it’s definitely time for a few winter tips:

1. If you get out of bed and your competition doesn’t - you are one step ahead.
2. Windtrain when you absolutely have not, not everyday. Otherwise it will wear off very quickly, and it will only be July.
3. Invest in good winter clothing. Winter training is much more pleasant if you are prepared well.
4. Having a training partner is useful as having someone to meet gets you out of bed!
5. Short term gain, long term future: every decision you make around training will effect its effectiveness, and your event results.
6. Light up like a Xmas tree. I certainly feel safer when I resemble franklin road.
7. Swap Saturday/Sunday rides. If it is beautiful and fine on a Saturday take the chance to do your long ride then. We don’t often get two in a row!
8. Most importantly - don’t give in. Don’t let the winter beat you!

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Check out June’s edition of ENDURANCE magazine - in stores now!

Featuring:
Ali - “The Best time to compress”
Aaron - “Tour de France 09″
Amy - “Winter is nearly upon us”

www.endurancesport.co.nz

The NEW Kinetic Edge Cycle Kit Design for 2009 is all ready.

Let us know if you are keen to get a hold of some Kinetic Edge kit.

Get in fast as we are placing the order this Friday, so only a couple days to go.

Click on the link below to viw the items and the pricing for the items are as follow:-

$135- for the short sleeve cycle top
$135- for the bib-shorts
$165- for the cycle vest
$165- for the long sleeve cycle top

A rather damp morning greeted us this morning, but we didn’t get rained on! We ventured through Cornwall park which is always quite spooky in the dark, but adds to the fun. Each ride should be an adventure, and spooky darkness adds to that!

Monday’s (fortnightly)

5:30pm
Auckland Domain
1 Hour
$5

It won’t be fast running but will focus on form, biomechanics and running drills, with the possibility of leading into tempo and rep sessions as the year progresses and peoples skills develop! We would run a “coffee card” system if required (pre-buy a card with 6 sessions and come each time when you feel like it rather than losing $$ when you can’t drag your butt out in the rain!) or a Pay each session option too!

A good way to get your technique perfect before adding speed on (and reducing injuries!). Open to anyone (KE and Non-KE athletes!). Please forward this onto anyone you think might be interested!

RAIN HAIL OR SHINE!!!!!
email ali if you are interested: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Another great weekend for Kinetic Edge athletes around the country.
Robbie Scarlett posted a fast Waterfront TT time to be 2nd fastest on the day in 21.29
Jeremy Turner and his 2-Up partner finished 1st in the sealed handicap of the Counties 2-up champs on Saturday, while the Pairing of Louis Crosby and Gordon Macauley look out fastest time honours.
Matt Foreman produced a couple of good rides on Saturday. Riding an encouraging 22.45 on the Waterfront TT and then backing it up a few hours later with 2nd fastest out at the 2-up. Matt and Daniel Poole broke the hour, great effort.
Tara Allerton finished 2nd in the Taranaki ITT champs over the weekend.
Keep up the good work and send me your results if you want them shared.

Dr Johann Edge is presenting an interesting seminar this Friday at the University of Auckland, about “The effect of exercise on human skeletal muscle.”

Dr Edge (perfect name!) is going to keep us up-dated with research hot off the press from the University so we can keep improving your performance. He is always looking for subjects so if you are keen to participate (and get free testing), contact him on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Click here for seminar details