There’s always things that you have on your to-do list indefinitely. Such as writing your own successful research grant, learning Spanish, taking up some new hobby, finding time to write a novel, run a half marathon.
I have trained twice before for a half marathon, but never did the actual events I was training for. It was something I wanted to do at least once in life, just to see if I could do it and how it would feel. I enjoy running, even if I’m probably the least competitive runner out in the park (any park). I run not even against myself, and if anything my motivation for running is to eat more ice-cream.
Last year I trained for the St. Clair’s vineyard half marathon, St Clair’s being my favourite winery in NZ and the world.
Every year they organize a half marathon through the golden autumnal vineyards in the Marlborough region here on the South Island, North of Chch. Last year I ended up flying out to the US for my work before the event. This year I half-heartedly started training again early March, until Thomas accepted the job in the NL and I realized “it’s now or never”.
So Mid March I ran 14 km City-to-surf here in Chch, which was tough with only 2 weeks of running training, but doable. It definitely helps to keep fit generally before you start taking up semi-serious running… Then I got some fancy new trail running shoes, telling the guy in the shop that “I get blisters and soreness there and there when I run long distances”. He asked “what sort of long distances are we talking here, 40, 50, 60 km?”. Obviously I was talking “long” distance as in long for me: more than 10 km, so this was a slightly embarrassing moment, but nevertheless he sold me good shoes and some running advice.
When my friend Renske was here, who is training for a similar event, we ran around the park a few times, and climbed a few hills in slower tramping pace … not to underestimate the value of walking. Then we ran a 10 km run together in Hanmer springs, including a mean, nasty hill.
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| That is Renske's hand I'm high-fiving, as she was 5 minutes faster than me. Also I realized I was in need of a haircut from this photo |
And one week ago we went up to Marlborough and after a rainy Friday I found myself amid 2500 other wine-enthusiasts freezing my butt off in the clear sunny 4C morning. After we had started it took me 4 kilometers to even feel my feet at all, a few more kilometers before my hands came back to life and only about halfway did I feel warm enough to take off my woolly hat and extra shirt. But the crispy weather made for excellent beautiful magnificent views and everything bathed in golden light. Although perhaps wine has a distinct European touch to it, St Clair’s NZ wine-growing brings out the magic even more and I felt I was part of a unique New Zealand experience.
As part of the even there were taste-stations, not quite wine-tasting, but other local delicacies such as mussels, chocolate and the unforgettable Sauvignon Blanc Gelato. There was some 5 bands or musicians along the course keeping up our spirits, as well as some Maori kapa-haka inspirational chanting.
As part of the even there were taste-stations, not quite wine-tasting, but other local delicacies such as mussels, chocolate and the unforgettable Sauvignon Blanc Gelato. There was some 5 bands or musicians along the course keeping up our spirits, as well as some Maori kapa-haka inspirational chanting.
I was enjoying myself and had a nice hour of runner’s high I would say, in between the starter’s frost-bite and the dreadful last 5 kilometers, in which I was unable to pass 2 chubby chatting elder ladies. I felt I had to be faster than those ladies, being slimmer and younger, but I suppose they had trained harder, or doped themselves better. Maybe I should have taken two gelati?
I think I finally overtook them at a watering station and either way I didn’t really care anymore.
Hearing the announcer say “and there is Nina Cola (the kiwi way of pronouncing my last name) from Christchurch finishing, well done”
and getting my trophy bottle of Sauvignon Bubbles, all was well in the world and another milestone taken.
At 2hours 16 minutes, off-road, I think I did well enough for a first half marathon, and although my first words after half a liter of sugar-salt drink and a glass of wine were “never again” I am now looking forward to a next half marathon. The running bug has bitten.
