Kia Kaha

KIA KAHA - I heard this expression last night from my Kiwi friend Peter.  It is a Maori expression, much used in New Zealand by Maori and pakeha alike meaning, "forever strong" and I am now considering writing it in BIG letters and keeping it in my sight every day.  I like it!  And I am a tiny bit Kiwi so maybe that justifies my using it?  It pretty well sums up my current running life.  This week I have felt a little bit "not strong" and in fact, spent yesterday having shiatsu massage by one of my fellow runners, Greg at his practice called, "Access Natural Health".  It was an amazing experience and I do feel better for it.  I spent the afternoon at the physio, learning some stretches and just double-checking I am not making my back worse with all this running.  The physio, a lovely young man called Simon, actually ran the Marathon last year and his only advice was a promise from  me that this would be my ONLY marathon…?  Currently, I felt pretty happy and confident to give him a resounding YES, YES, YES!!  As of now, Saturday evening, I have clocked up 56kms of running this week plus 2km of swimming.  I have pulled my bike out and dusted it off and will try to find some time to do some cycling too, to give myself some variety.  

These are some photos I took this morning while running with my beginner group.  We ran from the shop, over the Go Between Bridge, through South Bank and back over the Goodwill Bridge and home - a total of about 7.5kms.  I had my core group of five regular runners and it gives me such a buzz to see them improving every week.  I can't explain the sensational feeling I have knowing that they are enjoying themselves and feeling so positive about their running.  It was a gorgeous morning too, finished off with coffee and some chat across the road at the coffee shop, surrounded by lycra-clad cyclists.   Speaking of beginners, my partner Spud went in to InTraining today and bought himself some running shoes and then, in a fit of cerebral hypoxia, joined InTraining!!!  So, he will hopefully be joining us on Saturday mornings some time soon.  He is aiming to do the 10km Mullumbimby to Brunswick Heads run this year - not sure yet when it will be though! 

Okay, time to go hydrate and carb load etc etc as tomorrow's training run is 28kms. I am not so apprehensive this week as now I know I can do it (& I WILL do it!) so will write more soon!  Happy training!