Westcoaster

It seemed like a good idea, several weeks ago to sign up for a 5-week off-road running training programme leading up to the 'Westcoaster'. As the alarm went off for another early start on Saturday morning, we were rethinking this wise idea!!

The training had gone OK, but we had missed a couple of the sessions due to our Sydney trip and recovering from the Auckland half marathon. Hannah also doesn't really like getting her white running shoes muddy, which is a bit of a problem in these off-road events!

However, we made it to the start line - Gareth doing the 18-km option (which turned out to be nearer 22km on GPS!) and Hannah doing the 10-km run. Now, these are not just 'runs', these are deemed difficult walks, so trying to run up cliffs and through flax led to several falls, bruised knees and sore ankles! Thankfully, the weather was good and the views stunning, so it was all worth it in the end!

Sarah, Shelaine and Gareth

Start of the 18-km run

Can you spot the white dots zig-zagging up the hill?

Bethells beach - event base

Exhaused....

A well earned housewarming party in the evening at Anna and Owens' house was the perfect end to the day! Anna cooked us a big yummy meal and we enjoyed playing with the girls.

Sarah & Leah

The legs were not up to our usual Monday evening circuits class, so we just walked down to the beach and celebrated the great news that Eamon and Lucy are engaged!!!