Race Website: Traverse 12k Event Info
On Sunday 1st November I ran the Auckland Traverse 12k, which was the event that the Run Walk series had been leading to.
Official Stats:
Distance: 12 km
Time: 1:39:30
Pace: 08:17 min/km
Pre-Race
The day before was fairly low key and I'd almost forgot it was Hallowe'en. We don't get many trick-or-treaters where we live and even though I had bought decorations, I totally forgot to decorate and hadn't bought any lollies so it was just as well no kids came around.We did have a nice pasta dinner of spaghetti and vege sausages in a spicy tomato sauce.
In the morning we were up early to watch the Rugby Wold Cup final between New Zealand and our neighbours Australia. It was quite exciting lots of stand out moments and an emotional win for NZ as lots of these players are retiring now.
Once the game was finished it was time to head into town. The race starts and ends at different locations so we parked in town and then our friend Carmy, who was also racing the 12k, drove us to the start area.
We all waited in a nice big grassy area for a while before it was time to put our drop bags in the cages and head down to the start line. I wished Kane luck and he headed further up the crowd while Carmy and I stayed to the back of the runners but in front of the walkers we had a little while to chat and get our tech sorted out before the gun went off and then it was an easy walk to the start line before we could start running.
On The Course
I already wasn't feeling my best so had devised a race strategy that I would be happy with, which was running for 3 minutes and walking for 2 minutes.
The first 2km went by really quickly to reach Akoranga bus station which was where the race started last year (when it was the Quarter Marathon, 10.55km) most of the rest of the course was very familiar to me having raced on it last year.
Around the 5km mark was where I reached the bridge. The bridge is an evil steep hill. I tried to keep with my run 3 walk 2 but started to struggle with it towards the top of the hill. I saw Alex Asher of Moxiee Running going in the opposite direction giving encouragement along the way. There are cut off times for participants in the marathon, half marathon and 12k to make it over the bridge otherwise the sweeper bus, known as the loser cruiser, will have to take you across to the other side and Alex was making sure his clients beat the bus!
I did a couple of run 2 walk 3 on the bridge so I made up for it on the way down by running for 8 minutes. Then there is another long uphill stretch with a short steep downhill. I had done around 8km at this point and could tell that I had reached the edge of my training. It was also really hot and sunny now and there was no shade as we ran by the marina. I had been sweating lots, drinking a lot of water and had clicked over the hour so I found myself worrying I was going to die of hyponatremia.
The course pleasantly deviated from last years around the Wynyard Quarter and the last 2 km was around this well populated area before heading along the straight towards Victoria Park and the finish line. I must have gone too easy on myself out there because I had loads left in the tank for a sprint finish, I should have kicked it up a notch a kilometre or two earlier.
Kane got me at the finish line and we headed to meet Kelly, who had been doing the half, at her fund raising tent where we got egg rolls and lollies.
Post Race
Once Carmy arrived we all headed back to my office where some of us showered and changed and then we drove Kelly home and Carmy to her car. Kane and I headed out for the Scandinavian Christmas Market.
The market was extremely popular and we picked up some goodies.
I got lots of cute tree ornaments, a little tray and a Yule Goat. We also got some other grocery items, pepparkakor and a chocolate yule log cake.
We got home about 4.30 where I made us some dinner and then we spent the rest of the evening relaxing. It was a really great day.
There is a German Christmas market at the end of the month too! Do you have festive markets near you?
Nice job on your race, especially since you weren't feeling your best! The items you picked up at the Scandinavian market are all so cute! I love all the white and red!
There is a newer Christmas Market that our city just started having last year which is kind of German themed. I wasn't super impressed with it last year, though, so I don't know if I will go back. I was in Germany during Advent back in 2006 and went to many Christmas Markets and they were so amazing so it's tough to find local ones that live up to my memory of the ones in Germany!