One more photo

Now this IS on Hatepe - near the top. Still smiling!

Obviously having way too much fun

Do you think that guy behind me in yellow hates me? I think this photo was on Kuratau, but I'm not sure. I'm liking my relaxed position on the climb.


I have no idea where this was taken! I'm also wondering what happened to the photos taken by the two photographers on Hatepe.

Other than the two little Pxts from my race report these are the only photos from the day so far. I'm pretty happy with them though. I was clearly enjoying myself!

Real Duathlon More Photos

The girls - Mum, Sarah and I. I can't believe we ended up with consecutive race numbers. My hair looks a mess in this shot already and the event hasn't even started. I mean - I know it was windy, but come on! Either I'm going to have to take some hair styling tips from my mother or go the bandanna route like Sarah!

Lovely Lola, racked and waiting (bike 555 midshot). I have to admit to a pang of anxiety having to leave her there overnight, not for fear of rain or theft, but because when we left the wind was blowing the bike racks in all directions!


A nice shot of Dad, waiting for us all in the cold and on bag minding duty.

No official photos up on Smileclick yet. Waiting waiting!

On Duck's instructions I took today off, other than an excellent Body Balance with Mike. After all, Body Balance doesn't count! I forced myself to leave my running shoes at home. I was feeling much recovered after a decent night's sleep and it was another of those perfect Wellington winter days, ideal for running. I knew if I had my running gear with me that I wouldn't be able to resist the temptation.

A run with the Squad tomorrow, and two thirty-five minute homework runs on Thursday and Friday (plus a Body Balance, plus a Duck Session, plus RPM), and then a Jog Squad run on Saturday morning, rounded off by 15 minutes of recovery run on Sunday. Might have to follow that up with the oft-talked about but not yet accomplished return to the pool.

The physio told me that my body's been too busy fighting off this UTI to put any energy into recovering from my injury, and that all the other stress I've been under has exacerbated the situation. She's confident that with my antibiotics finishing tomorrow and the pressure coming off that I'm going to be on the mend again. I hope so. I'm sick of being achy!

Real Duathlon photos

That's me - returning from the bike stage, looking remarkably good at this point I must say!

Waiting for the starter's gun in Wave 12. I can't actually see Sarah and I, but I'm assuming we're here somewhere.

Mum - returning from the first run/walk stage, and looking very good!

And in case I forget how far I've come in the last year, this was me back in April, at the end of the first run stage. You've come a long way baby!

Phew - I needed that little reminder!

pip returns from run one
Originally uploaded by leoniewise.

Round the Bays photos

Well, the electronic versions of my RTB photos have arrived. They looked really good in miniature on the sales website. Funny how they're not as flattering when enlarged! The photo at the top of this post was taken about a third of the way in. I was overtaking lots of people at this point and enjoying myself. Not that you can tell from my expression.

Unfortunately I tend to go very red and sweaty when I get hot, and it was a VERY hot day. I just hadn't realised that my neck and chest go as red as my face does! This photo was taken at the finishline, and I was feeling pretty relieved to be there.

Jog Squad continues to go well. We ran for over 40 minutes on Monday night - a reasonably challenging route with some good hill climbs. Tonight we did circuits around Frank Kitts park and the waterfront. I didn't push myself as hard as I could have done, but still stayed comfortably in the front pack. It was easy to tell which of the Squaddies weren't used to that kind of training, particuarly in the case of some of the faster runners, who ended up languishing near the back. Lots of fun, and I'm feeling nice and fresh on the eve of my double Duck session - personal training in the morning, Multis tomorrow night.