April 2009: Another New Plymouth Notch on the Belt
By Joff Hulbert
I enjoy the New Plymouth marathon and the summer training associated with it. So after tossing a coin with heads on both sides, the others i.e. Robyn G and W, Wendy and John embarked upon the Wolfsbauer training schedule. Unbeknown to us at that stage Sharon too had secretly decided to enter the event as well. Also Sue and Mike Sheely and Stu and Julie Gourdie plotted to do the half marathon relay.
So all in all a biggish contingent from Run Walk HB had intentions of going West.
I mentioned the Wolfsbauer training schedule. We had the temerity to make unilateral changes to it and suffered the dire consequences. We were exposed to local rules of “eye spy”. First I’ve ever heard of the game which begins “I might have spied with my little eye something beginning with **$$%” and then when the only right answer was given the clue suddenly changed!! We were also subjected to curious nature lessons as we were shown cicada birds sitting on a cyclamen tree watching olive vines.
Amazing what one learns when out on long training walks.
Any way over the traditional hot HB summer we all trained very well; though that Wendy had some issues with blisters. We also experienced the thoughtfulness of friends who on hot days came out and brought us water, dried apricots, lollies and abuse.
Ollie embarked upon her role as self appointed manager and comptroller of language, grooming and attire. In this role and she and her husband, Gig, went across in their bus to get us ideal conditions and to upset the opposition.
Just before we went across to the West John came down with the lurgy and wisely decided to not take part. As it turned out it was the correct call as he actually ended up in hospital.
Race day saw us all on the bus at 5.30 on a dark and cloudy morning, for the new start time for walkers of 6.30. I knew the early starts in training were there for a reason. Believe me, it was dark up the mountain and just before the start it started to rain and when the gun fired the rain got heavier. Though as far as race conditions go these were ideal – no wind, 19 degrees at the start and 22 at the end.
The only unsettling bit at the start was the lights of cars bringing runners and supporters to the start line for their 7.30 start. Talk about blinded by the light. I have raised this with the organisers and they will address this for next year. I do like the earlier start.
I had hoped to do under 4.30 and set out at a pace to achieve that. Remember this is a down hill start so there is a need to be a tad cautious for the first few k’s.
Around 14km and on target I got the stitch. Now in this case a stitch in time does not save 9; it is a real pain in the wherever. I still had it at half way, was maintaining my pace but noticed on the “dog leg” just before ½ way that the 2 Robyn’s and Wendy were a tad too close for comfort.
I think to compensate for this stitch sensation I began walking on an angle. Sure most lawyers are bent, but I had thought this one was immune from such labels.
Penny on instructions from Gig mentioned my angular disposition. Allan Clarke from Race walking NZ said, “what the hell are you doing, you’re all over the place”. I tied to correct my posture but to no avail. As a consequence I lost my rhythm and a bit of pace.
Then around 34km Robyn G and Vanessa Lowl from New Plymouth passed me. Vanessa suggested I should pull out but I think my response to her had as its second word “off”.
I finally broke the stitch at 38 km and tried to pick up the pace a bit.
As a consequence I finished third in 4:38, about 10 minutes down on my hoped for time.
The others all went well. Robyn G got piped at the post by Vanessa and finished second (and thus did not return with her winner’s cup) in a PB of 4.32 (I think a 6 minute PB). Robyn W came in third followed by Wendy. Sharon finished well too. So too did the Sheely’s and Gourdie’s.
Alas no major spot prizes came our way. I got a minor spot prize - a month at a New Plymouth gym!! I gave it to Vanessa.
I consider this is a well organised event and the support us lot from the Bay get from the locals is tremendous. We seem to have quite a lot in common with them as many of them come to our events over here. I shall return next year as I need to find my lost rhythm.
