Karen writes: Go the Eye clinic...and last 30km down

First bit of good news, the Mangere Eye Clinic people have risen to the challenge and are going to take us on in the ARPHS Feetbeat challenge….go Raukura for organising that!  We of course responded with some sabotage by locking their volunteer (read ‘conscripted’) walking team leader in our offices and setting the alarm off on him on Thursday.  Actually, that was an accident, please come back Dale we promise we wont do it again.  I am glad also that our special trophy, gold painted croc shoe on a small piece of 3x2 timber…also gold painted...will be suitably aspired towards.

Anyway, the second piece of good news is I managed my last 'long run' on the current programme with a 30km run yesterday. After feeling thoroughly demoralised and worried that I was going to actually end up with a genuine excuse to cut back on the training because of tendon problems, it would seem that my main issue is having tight calf muscles and the stretching, ice and panadol are making the world of difference…long may it continue.   But overall the 30km was good, I felt heavy legged and uninspired for the first hour, just as well there was the motivation of the Te Puru running group, and the next couple of hours were loooong but ok.     And I have to say congrats to Lucy from the Te Puru group who was originally training for the Auckland half marathon but has now signed up for the WHOLE Marathon which is fabulous news, you have an amazing journey ahead of you.

So the next job on my list is to sort out what clothes I am going to wear for the Perth marathon, some urgent shopping for a new running top might be in order to fit the changing shape, and maybe I should be sensible and invest in another pair of shoes.  It is a no-no, actually a NO-NO, to wear untested gear, or use energy gels or drinks for the first time during an important event, it is essential to thoroughly try them beforehand by using them on a good long run, preferably under similar conditions to what you expect on the day.  It is amazing how far away the finish-line can seem to be when you have a stomachache, and also what worked for a run of 2 hours, might be a source of misery at 3 hours, and pure desperation by 4.  Agony often comes from small things like the seam under your arm sticking out a bit and causing a minuscule little rub each time your arm moves, or suddenly remembering you should have cut your toenails before you started, or this pair of sunglasses digs in above your ear when you wear a hat over top.  Always there is  temptation to be resisted at the expo before an event, the desire to pick something up because it's on special, its a flattering shape, nice colour, it's guaranteed to make you go faster, has more bells and whistles, or the salesperson was really lovely.