The 2017 Hoka One One Marathon was
more than just a run for me. It marked
a year since I moved to Taupo as well as the end of 10 weeks coaching and
mentoring 10 lucky recipients of the Hoka One One Taupo Marathon 10km
scholarship programme.
My game plan for the run was to run comfortably for the
first half and then try to go a bit faster on the second half. I was lucky
enough to be signed up as a Hoka One One ambassador the week before the event
so had a couple of new pairs of shoes to choose from. As half of the run was off-road, I decided
the Hoka speed goats would be best for me. It is always a gamble deciding what
shoes to wear on this course, but I was happy with my choice.
The weather on the morning of the race was cool but nothing
like the freezing sleet and snow that fell last year. As with most races at the start line I
enjoyed catching up with fellow runners and finding out how their training had
been going. The Karakia just before the start gun was pretty special and one of
the best I’ve heard. The Kaumatua had a great
sense of humour and was able to relate to and unite all the competitors. It was
a nice way to prepare our heads for the race ahead.
Before we knew it the start horn sounded and we were off, I
settled into a comfortable pace and as the field spread out I found myself
running alongside Dave Stanley – someone I met at the 2016 event. I chatted to him briefly before focussing on
saving my breath for running. The ground was frozen and crunched underfoot and
the scenery was stunning. The first half of this marathon course is undoubtedly
my favourite. The trails weave through
the bush alongside the river. I love smelling the fresh air and listening to the
sound of nature.
The kilometres and the time seemed to pass pretty quickly
and before I knew it I’d been running for 45mins and it was time for my first
GU Gel. My shoes were so comfortable and
I was pleased to have the extra cushioning when I hit the road section of the
course. The mountain looked amazing as I
ran down the hill and over control gate bridge into town. The nasty little pinch up to the road before
the half way mark reminded me that I had just run 21km but my legs kept moving
and I continued with my nutrition plan and had another GU gel.
As I ran down Kaimanawa Street and onto the Lake Front, I
joined hundreds of other runners and walkers making their way out towards the
airport and then back into town again on the Lions Trail. There were all sorts of competitors giving
the event a go - walkers, runners, young and old. It made my day seeing them
and my 10km scholarship runners and walkers making their way home, all with
determined smiles on their faces.
I crossed the finish line first female in a time of 3hours
23 minutes and felt pretty pleased with myself as my time was several minutes
faster than last year. What a great event. The course was well marked, the aid
stations well stocked, the marshals friendly and supportive. It was a nice
gesture to be handed a Taupo Brown Trout (chocolate fish) at the finish line as
well as a nice medal to remember the day.
The day was topped off by celebrating the success of my 10km
Scholarship runners and walkers and hearing all about their experience out
there on the course. I was a proud
mother hen and look forward to seeing what events they will be signing up to in
the future and seeing them all out on the trails/pavement around town.
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