Quick Update

I'm back from Melbourne, I had limited internet use, so only quickly updated buckeyeoutdoors, and the Rotorua HIM crew.

Melbourne was great - we got to see filming of Nicolas Cage's latest film, the museum - Phar Lap the great New Zealand bred horse was on display. Caught up with my sister and her husband.

I managed to complete the half marathon, this was despite doing no training for a week, and feeling lethargic and very overweight! I read on that there was a medal for all participants, so that geared me up!! The medal is REALLY cool, the nicest one in my collection I think!

The run was very well organised. The half marathoners started at 7.15, the 10 km runners started at around 9, and the 5 km at about 9.30, so the fastest of the shorter distance runners were running down the finishing chute with me - they were SOOO fast! Brian was standing on an overbridge taking photos as I finished - so many of the runners behind me in the last 200 m were finished in front of me - and I thought I was running pretty quickly (had just passed a girl, who had earlier passed me, and she wasn't going to bet me!)

Actually, my pacing was good - I passed heaps of people in the final lap, something I have never done before - I usually get passed.

Will add photos and more to the post tomorrow.

My friend is coping well, first lot of chemo last week, still a long way to go though!

Just found out my Dad's in hospital too! Will catch up with him and Mum tomorrow.

Motivation!

I'm back into motivation mode. I've got a half marathon to do in 7 sleeps time, and two half ironmans to do in 6 months time. Not to mention the adventure race in three months time! Throw in a bit of normal life and running a dairy farming business into it, and wahoo busy busy!
Just the way I like it!

I've taken a giant step today, and phoned a friend who is a nutritionist. I'm sure she's going to get me back on track, and give me someone to answer to regarding my diet and weight. The first appointment is locked and loaded, so looking forward to a slender and faster me. (Talked to a man today who lost 20 kg, and 40minutes of his half marathon time!!!) - so there's a challenge!

...and then - Reality Check!

Just when I'm feeling lowish - fatter, slower, older, sorer, etc, reality hits, and you realise that things aren't too bad afterall.

My dear friend has just been diagnosed with lymphoma, from what I can read, a nasty blood cancer. She lives in Warnambool, about 4 hours south-east of Melbourne in Australia. We had planned a trip to see her and her husband next week, so I'm pleased to be getting over to see her, and give her and her family some support. She's a very competitive person, so I'm sure she'll give getting on top of this top priority!

So no more complaining from me for now - I'll just keep my goals and abilities in perspective and get on with doing the best that I can!

We're going on a Turkey shoot!

Warning - Content may offend some people!!!

On June 3rd, we took over a new farm, it's fantastic, has lots of native bush and birds. The next door farm was also sold, it has hills with great views over the Hauraki Plains and Firth of Thames.

Both farms have LOTS or should I say had lots of turkeys. These were living on the farm nesting in trees and making quite a mess. Brian asked the neighbours if they'd like some 'culled', so yesterday the crew went out and had some fun!

In the photo are good friends John and Steven, and children - Steven, Ryan, Blake (friend of Ryan) and Celine.

Birthday parties

Ella turned 3 on June 2nd, which was also a public holiday in New Zealand - Queen's birthday, which isn't really her birthday, but a celebration of her coronation. I'm not too sure what we'll do when she finally dies! I wouldn't mind a holiday in August sometime, as there is a long break between Queen's birthday and our next public holiday, Labour day in late October.

Anyway, must put in a picture of the cake. I love decorating cakes - it's good fun, and heaps cheaper than buying one - I looked on-line at the price of decorated ones - whew! Although I can safely say the high cost of them is justified in the time they take to make!

South Island Holiday

Celine with the cast of 'What now' after the show - unfortunately the great photo of her with the presenters was deleted by Ella!

Parents didn't get to go on the show, we watched it in the waiting room.

This is the start of the St James walk on the top of the Lewis Pass. No snow there in late May, but georgous!

We didn't make it to the West Coast, or to Kaikoura. We spent most of our time at Hanmer Springs.

Our friends Ciaran and Sarah came runners up in the Sharemilker contest. This was a great result. We'd loved for them to win, but runners-up I think will suit them better - they will have a busy year anyway, without being in the limelight as well!

We also went to visit Andrew and Anne-Mary at Culverdon. They have been extemely busy! Andrew has just bought 1000 hectares, and is building two 80 bale rotaries - as well as developing the farm for irrigation.

After getting back from Christchurch, I left the family for a two day meeting at the other end of New Zealand - Kerikeri. I love the Northland region, but was really only there for work. I even missed out on going to the chocolate factory there! Well I guess that's a good thing!

I'm trying out new things, here is the map of the Melbourne Half Marathon. It's a two lap course - I will have to run fast so I don't get lapped by the winners!

Holiday

We've got a really neat trip planned for Friday. We're off to Christchurch! (South Island)

Our friends, and ex employees Ciaran and Sarah Tully are finalists in the Dairy Industry awards.

Ciaran and Sarah have lived in NZ for 14 years, they immigrated from England. They have progressed through the farm manager, contract milker and sharemilker cycle of dairy farming, and have just recently bought their own farm! A really cool couple, and we're so proud of them. They would have had no show of owning their own farm in England, so it's neat that they've made it here in New Zealand.

The prize giving is on Saturday night. Before that we have to organise a dinner suit and black tie for Brian! (No overalls and gumboots at this $85 per ticket night!). There will be 700 people there, and I've been warned not to expect to be back at our hotel until about 6 am the next morning!........................

Which would otherwise be fine BUT we're taking Celine and Ella. Celine is going to be on a live childrens programme 'What now' we have to be at the studio at 7.15 AM.

Arghh the things you promise your children, then can't back out of!

I'm actually (secretly) looking forward to the show, who knows, I might get 'gunged' 'creamed' or have some other embarrassing thing done! For those in New Zealand, check out TV2 on Sunday 8 am til 10!

In reality Celine is likely to hide out of view, she's quite shy.

We are then planning to go through to Kaikoura, Hanmer Springs and maybe venture to the West Coast. We have friends farming at Culverton, so will look at their farm. They have huge irrigation pivots on their farm, which is something we just don't see up here in the North.

I've never been to Kaikoura or to the West Coast, so will be able to check out some more of Noo Zilend.

Somehow I will manage to get some running in. I always get a little nervous running outside in a new place.

We're spending a few days away, so I need to organise the house, try to get clothes dry, find warm clothes for everyone and get the dog and cat to the kennels.

So best I get cracking...............

Got in first!

I must have got home first! Now I'd better go and get some groceries!

Taking up the rear

Well, today was the Huntly half marathon, and I struggled along to a slower than wanted 2 hours 25 minutes 7 seconds.
I wanted to go faster, but my body wouldn't oblidge. I think this is due to no speed work, no hills and still carrying too much weight. BUT I finished, and I didn't stop to walk! I only stopped to fill up my water bottle. I drank around 2 litres of water, which is heaps for me. It was quite a hot day though!
I got to meet Mike and his family (sub6) and Kathy and Paul. I wasn't great conversation, as after the race I felt quite ill. But great to catch up! None of us won any spot prizes, which were essentially either clothes driers or shoes.
The run was actually quite fun. It was UNDULATING, not FLAT, but the hills weren't the horrible 'have to walk' ones.
A run through town, then down a road for a couple of hundred metres, back again, down another road for a couple of kms, then round to the coal mine, past the Huntly Speedway. Back into town, round a lake (a very nice way to finish) and to the finish chute.
The first 10 kms felt like a bit of a struggle for me. With the out and back road bits I could wave to Mike, Kathy and my friend Maree from Ngatea. After 11 km I just thought - well I've made it this far, lets just keep going.
The last km was quite hard, I was catching a lot of the walkers at this stage, they have a tendancy to either walk 5 abreast, and you can't get past, or they wave their arms around and you get pinged with a fingernail, which is what happened to me! I was in no mood for either so I just said "coming through", and they soon moved!
I think Mike and Kathy were quite pleased with their efforts. I'll let them tell their own story.
So Melbourne in five weeks time, this time I will travel quite a few hundred kilometres to do a half marathon!!!