Sunday, June 04, 2006

Noshin It Up

Today Total: 16k
Week Total: 35k
Month Total: 35k
Year Total: 1173k

Family commitments meant I wasn't prepared to give a definitive yay or nay leading up to this one. As it turned out there was a window of opportunity and after adding it up in my head twice I reckoned I had enough time to make it to the start. Pity I'm not very good at adding up.

With just a few stairs to go before arriving at the starting area I heard the gun go off - I'd already done a registration and pin the bib on PB and I might even consider taking up doing accupuncture now I've had so much practice ;-)

As I wove through the tail enders I noticed Wildthing but I was on the wrong side of the trail to say g'day but up ahead through the crowd I could see the unmistakable bobbing pony tail of The Owl and friend who turned out to be none other the Ellie80. I ran with them for a little while before heading off to catch Jen_Runs.

I caught up with Jen and we ran together for a couple of k's oooing and ahhhing at the scenery and having a bit of a chin wag. It really is quite a lovely part of the world so after a bit I decided to have a little rest to take it all in and bid Jen ta ta. Sadly The Owl and Ellie80 were only a few minutes behind and when they caught me slacking by the side of the trail they made me run again. Ellie was stepping up big time and looking strong but we still couldn't keep up with The Owl who was powering.

The Owl was however patient enough to stop for us both to catch up and we set off across Roseville Bridge together. Fortunately for me the gravity was switched on and I found myself picking up momentum as I rolled my somewhat over 90kg frame down the hill and through the 6k drink station and before long I even managed to catch up to Jen again at about the 7k mark.

Jen and I then ran in amiable CR companionship for the rest of the race - Jen very subtly keeping my spirits up by laughing at my lame jokes. I always love the feeling of rock under my hands and the climb up out of the valley was I think the most technical I've experienced in an actual race - great stuff.

We started our decent into Seaforth and it was all over a bit soon really as Jen outsprinted me to the finishline in 1.53.30 - The Owl and Ellie not far behind.

It was great to catch up with GoGirl, MPH and BCFC at the end too - unfortunately I missed Steve L who had flown in from Japan that morning - a real bugger because finally meeting Steve was one of my two motivations for pushing to make it there - oh well looks like I'll just have to go to Japan ;-)

PS - thanks for the lift back to the start Ellie *waves*

18 comments:

Don Juan said...

I could do with an acupuncture session right now after NOSH. Looks like you ran the race the sensible and enjoyable way.

Pity I missed you and a surge of blood made me do it hard.

Ellie80 said...

*waves back! no thank you for the kind escort at the end! much appreciated and i am sure you helped me shave hundredths of seconds off my time!

hope you have a good afternoon! :)

Jen said...

Thanks for the company, the chit chat, the push in the back up those bloody big rock piles & the water. It was lovely to FINALLY run with you :-)

Gronk said...

Sounds like a fun race 2P. Especially the rubble climb at the end. Might have to pencil that one in for 07. :)

Katie said...

Gee the Nosh was the place to be this morning!!! What a great race :-) Nice work 2P~ I would have loved to say hi to Steve! Great run!

Cirque said...

What was the other motivation?

Horrie said...

Well done on getting through it one piece. At least it wasn't raining like it has in the past.

TD said...

Another great post, 2P. After reading your post, alongside Ellie's, I have gotten a good idea of what this run must have been like - certainly a very social run.

Wobbly man said...

Did the other motivation have anything to do with a FHG's attire?

Hilda said...

Nice to catch up with friends, that make me believe you guys are real!

Spud said...

Nice report 2P, I gotta run this one year. Might catch you at W2G?

Tesso said...

With everything you got up to and everyone you chatted to and ran with its hard to believe this wasn't an ultra.

Chelle said...

Wow, it seems like if you werent there this weekend you werent part of the CR Gang!

Steve's Stuff said...

I imagine your heart rate would have been higher than normal, rushing to the start, if it wasn't, it should have been.....I've had some of my best runs when pressured like that.

btw. I have to use my blogger account to post these comments. In my last blogger entry there is a link to my new blog.

Don Juan said...

Great Scott, you're a real tiger with those golf puns; a wie bit over the top, but you're no goosen.

Unknown said...

Go to Japan? What a good idea, 2P!! Great Nosh Run & you were off to a flying start, but try not to let it happen too often just in case you miss the start altogether!

Simlin said...

Were you actually running a race or being a social butterfly?
I must say this sounds like one of the most interesting races and I really enjoyed your race report!

Stephen Lacey said...

Rats! I am back in Japan now and little by little trying to catch up on email and bloglines etc. There is a big space in my blog that needs to be filled. It's such a shame I missed you...had I but known. I had to get back to pick up my lad and attend a BBQ with a bunch of old friends. Man, I am disappointed I missed you though. The consolation was all the other very cool Cool Runners who I did actually meet GG, The Owl, Jen Runs, Don Juan, MPH...

Steve