Summary for 2014

Summary 2014

Running Stats for 2014

Sessions: 258

Distance: 520.39 km 

Run Time: 52 hours 08 minutes 17 seconds 

Calories Burned: 52329

Elevation Gain: 6024 m

Considering where I came from back in April I have come a long way, over 500 kilometres to be exact.

Back when I started I struggled to get to the corner without stopping or running painfully out of breath. Now I can run the complete mile around the block without a stop even including the 30 meter gain in St Andrews Road.

I was kind of thinking back then that if I could stretch myself at the end then a total of 500 or even 600 kilometres by the end of the year would be doable as that would be an average of 1.5/6 k per day, and that maybe I could even one day do better than 2 k a day and meet 700k at the end of the year. But with 4 months to go and a new goal of around 100 km per month then I could potentially crack 900 or at a stretch 1,000.

Who knows what and where I will end up, I would definitely like to go for broke but I have an unexpected operation (Cholecystectomy) due this month and I assume there will be a rest period for healing where I can only run lightly or not at all for a while. We'll see.

Day 255 - New Years Day - 4k in the sun

Been trying to avoid the hot sun by running mid morning, but each day that I have had to recently has been unavoidable, but not too bad with an afternoon breeze at least.

Ran down St Leonards to Mt Eden and to Balmoral with no stopping, then walked/ran in bursts up the hills, then down again to the lights and to Manukau Road, then in bursts from shade to shade to the Gas Station where I bought some ice creams for the kids just shy of the 3km mark, then ran the final kilometer and change home up Empire Road, running all the way but for the hill.

Distance: 4.02 km
Time: 24:18
Average Speed: 9.9 kph
Soundtrack: Audiobook - The Death Cure part 1

Day 254 - 12.5 km run in two halves

I had to go into the office to deal with DDOS that has been annoying us for the last week, and post some stuff about it during my Xmas/NY break. So I ran to the office stayed for a couple of hours then ran back.

6 k there and 6 k back. Slight differences on the routes but mostly running the whole way.

Distance: 12.47 km
Time: 81:06
Average Speed: 9.25 kph
Soundtrack: The Last 2 parts of the Scorch Trials Audiobook

Day 253 - short run only

After the bleeding nipple and intense heat of midsummer I did not fancy another 5 km or so considering the last week or so of running longer distances. Plus was very tired and not sleeping much at the moment.

Distance: 1.60
Time: 9:16
Average Speed: 10.3 kph
Soundtrack: The Scorch Trials Audiobook part 8.1

Day 252 - Injury Day - 5.4 k

Ran home form the water park and did pretty well running 95% of Dominion Road towards Mt Albert Road, only to discover exactly how much uphill there is on the way back along Mt Albert Road. Slowed down considerably there, looking at the splits there is an 11 kph speed on Dom Road, slowing down to 8-9 on the uphills and rising to 9-10 on the downhill end.

Also my first case of bleeding nipple.

Eewww.

The piercing was either rubbing or banging against my shirt and causing some discomfort about the 3km mark and I was running with a hand clamped to it for the last kilometer to stop the motion and keep it immobile.

I should have got a pic of the blood stains on the inside of my t-shirt but Max threw it in the wash immediately.

Distance: 5.39 km
Time: 34:47
Average Speed: 9.3 kph
Soundtrack: The Scorch Trials Audiobook part 7

Day 251 - Late entry but run was on time

I forgot to add the blog entry in before midnight but I went for a five km run at 5:30 going to the in-laws for a BBQ.

Harder going in the heat of summer and a reminder I need to run in overcast or very early weather to minimise heat sapping my energy levels and mental state.

However I managed to break the 500 km mark today and hit 100 km this month.

I took a picture of my shoes to show the wear and tear 500 km does.

Distance: 5.3 km
Time: 33:27
Average Speed: 9.5 kph
Soundtrack: The Scorch Trials Audiobook part 6.2

Day 250 - Yay for 250 days!

Day 250 and a few milestones all coming along today.

I am 3km from being 100km this month, and 4.5 km from being 500 km since I started.

Ran up Empire and the stopping started periodically from there in the heat of the midday sun and the bright sunshine it was hard to not give into the heat and weariness.

However still made a decent time.

Distance: 4.29 km
Time: 27:20
Average Speed: 9.4 kph
Soundtrack: The Scorch Trials Audiobook part 6.1

Day 249 - 5k run with 2.45 no stops at all!

Ran to the end of the road and paused a little to cross the road, then ran all the way up Empire Hill and down to Pah Road and then all way to Mt Albert Road with no stops at all, 2.45 km the longest unbroken run to date. Some small walks on Mt Albert heading up to Mt Eden and then a couple more stops and walking intersections only all the way to home.

Distance: 5.15 km
Time: 31:11
Average Speed: 9.9 kph
Soundtrack: The Scorch Trials Audiobook part 5 (second half)

Day 248 - 5.3 km - average in speed a bit of an effort

Not feeling it starting off, but I started to pick up after about 3 km and then it started to feel more like a good run. The hills are always the challenging bits but even the long stretch on Greenlane which is only slightly uphill felt like a chore. I did walk more than usual but only in short bursts.

After the park though it felt pretty good and after clearing the mailbox I even ran up the driveway to Mother-in-laws house.

Distance: 5.26 km
Time: 32:52
Average Speed: 9.6 kph
Soundtrack: The Scorch Trials Audiobook part 5

Day 247 - Long run with dry cough

Started out pretty slowly. Straight out of the gate at 7 a.m. not enough sleep beforehand I think. Loads of little stops on the way up St Andrews hill, but then settling into a good pace most of the way, walking the crossings only and running every block. Near Parnell though a dry cough settled in as well and made breathing and running harder but not impossible.

Twenty Kilometers more and I'll have run 500 k this year, so on average I need to run 3k a day to reach it by New Years Eve.

Distance: 6.5 km
Time: 41:55
Average Speed: 9.3 kph
Soundtrack: Audiobook - The Scorch Trials Part 3

Day 246 - 4 km mostly running

Ran up Empire, up Coronation mostly and then down hill all the way to Mt Albert, walked/ran to Mt Eden, crossed at the lights and then ran to animates, crossed back and then ran 95% of the way from there with occasional stops for short periods only and overall ran pretty efficiently.

Ran the same course as 3 days ago approx 30 seconds faster and in the mid morning vs late afternoon.

Distance: 4.16 km
Time: 26:01
Average Speed: 9.6 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix - Ending with Babylon - David Gray

Day 245 - A decent and fast run

Ran up Empire, all the way to Manukau and then to the Drive with only minimal traffic stops, ran up Balmoral to Fairview and walked maybe 50-70 metres up the steep hill then ran all the way home through the park.

Feel pretty good about the whole run, could have kept running if I had a desire to, which I did not of course.

Distance: 3.35 km
Time: 20:00
Average Speed: 10.0 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix ending with Times Like These - Foo Fighters

Day 244 - 4 km minimal stops in the hot sun

Ran up St Leonards, down St Andrews to Empire, up Empire Hill to Coronation(?) to Selwyn, slowed to a short walk for 20 feet then ran down Selwyn Hill to Buckley and all of Buckley to Mt Albert Road. Thats almost 2km non stop in the hot afternoon sun. Then walked 30 % ish of Mt Albert as it is all uphill and uneven and then 95% of Mt Eden Road, stopped at the Dairy for ice blocks and sugar free drinks at the small dairy then ran the rest of the way home.

Distance: 4.04 km
Time: 26:23
Average Speed: 9.2 kph
Soundtrack: The Scorch Trials Audiobook pt 2

Day 243 - Round the block

Got around the block in the rain today quite quickly though I was consciously taking it slow and this time listening to an audiobook instead of music to see how that worked. I find that when my mind wanders I do better and do not think about time or pacing or weariness.

Distance: 1.6 km
Time: 8:54
Average Speed: 10.5
Soundtrack: The Scorch Trials Audiobook (Part 2)

Day 242 - 2.8 km in 15 minutes

Not sure of all the details today as I forgot my phone and so logged it manually using the fitbit, googlemaps and a vague timeline.

Distance: 2.8 km
Time: 15:00 ish minutes
Average Speed: 11 ish kph or better
Soundtrack: Nothing

Day 241 - Ranfurly Road - seems much shorter than ever

Ran 2.5 km as I was running out of time to get ready for the Xmas party, so ran gentle with very little warm up. However made good time and only managed one stop apart from Intersections, and that was on the steep climb of Onslow Ave.

Distance: 2.45 km
Time: 14:27
Average Speed: 10.2 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix ending on Lit Up - The National

Day 240 - 6km best time from work

Was going to run from Ranfurly Road given the bad weather, but with 3 fire engines blocking the way on Parnell Road I decided it was easier to run and see how far I got, as I can always catch the bus from Newmarket. However I was doing pretty well I thought and there were periods of time when I became a machine, my mind switched tracks and I just ran without thinking, which over this distance was a good, if not great, thing.

Raining but bearable and possibly helpful.

Ran best time yet over the 6 km, each time I ran this course recently has resulted in a one minute improvement each time. I ran all the streets and walked maybe half of the intersections, pausing for lights and traffic only.

I have also started doing more stretches in whatever down time there is at crossings, waiting times.

Distance: 6.13 km
Time: 38:28
Average Speed: 9.6 kph
Soundtrack: Full Catalog Shuffle - ending on Information Overload by Living Colour

Day 239 - 3.2 km Run in two halves

Needed to get blood drawn for tests this week so took the bus to Balmoral Road and then ran to Labtests on Manukau Road, 1.5 kms away. Did the blood draw and then ran from there to home, a further 1.8 km.

Distance: 3.2km total
Time: 19:00 ish total
Average Speed: 10 kph ish
Soundtrack: Faves Mix ending on God Is A Dj - P!nk

Day 238 - Shattered

Had a terrible night with little sleep and not much to eat during the day. So when I ran today I was tired and exhausted before I even set out. I managed a run from Ranfurly Road and did an ok pace but the whole thing was hard work.

I woke up with chest pains at 1 a.m. and had trouble getting back to sleep, I thought back on the 24th May when I last mentioned the same symptom that I thought I had pulled a muscle, this time I assumed not and went for a check up.

Ultrasound on Friday, no need to stop running as it's probably Gall Stones and a need to reduce fat from my diet.

Distance: 2.47 km
Time: 14:44
Average Speed: 10.1 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix

Day 237 - 5.3 km hardly any stops

Did pretty well considering rubbish weather rain and wind. Ran the whole way to in-laws for lunch, walked twice apart from intersections and at the end ran all the way up the steep grade driveway to the house without stopping.

Distance: 5.28 km
Time: 33:12
Average Speed: 9.5 kph
Soundtrack: Nothing Has Changed - David Bowie pending with Under Pressure

Day 236 - a light but fast run

Today not feeling great and very tired so decided to whip round the shop to get the kids an ice cream and mix the run into that like I used to a few weeks/months ago before I started stepping up the distance.

Ran all the way to the Dairy - just over a kilometer without stopping including the burn of running the steep part of St A's. At the dairy for less than 3 minutes then ran home as fast as I could while carrying and without exhausting myself.

Distance: 1.57 km
Time: 8:48
Average Speed: 10.7 kph
Soundtrack: (partial)Happy - Pharrell/ Everlasting Love - U2/The Truth About Love - P!nk (partial)

Day 235 - another 6 km

Another run all the way home from the office, which makes 22 km this week alone. Ran up Parnell Road and stopped a few times, after this it was intersections and lights only, everything else was running.

Came in the same distance but GPS took 100 meters off it and yet I did the same course as a few days ago roughly a minute faster. Also ran all the way up Onslow Ave despite the hill as I was determined to beat the time.

Distance: 6.18 km
Time: 39:44
Average Speed: 9.3 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix - ending with Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2

Day 234 - From Domett Ave to home - 3 km

Only walking intersections and two-three times on the hill of Onslow, which is a bit of a barrier mentally.

But overall a god run and not feeling wiped out.

Distance: 2.82 km
Time: 16:59
Average Speed: 9.9 kph
Soundtrack: Faves ending with Lit Up - The National

Day 233 - Longest Run Yet

Ran home from the office, just over 6 km. Stopping for walks on the two big hills Parnell Road and Onslow Ave, the rest was 98% running as I only walked the intersections. Deliberately slower pace but still made a decent time, in the longest distance in the best time.

Distance: 6.26 km
Time: 40:18
Average Speed: 9.3 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix, Ending with Slut Like You - P!nk (x2)

Day 232 - 3 km run through Domain, new best time

Ran up through the Domain again but must have been making good time as I too about a minute of my previous time through the same course, loads of walks/stops on the way up and hardly any on the way down.

I did get passed by some ultra fit looking dude with legs for Africa, running at maybe 11 or 12 kph by the way he sped past me in the domain.

Distance: 3.03 km
Time: 19:36
Average Speed: 9.6 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix

Day 231 - Run 4 km - intersections and 2 walks

Took more of a measured approach, pausing at intersections and waiting for traffic a lot as the side streets were very busy today, but the long-story-short of that being I only stopped running twice when not on a crossing and that was at the final hill climb only.

Distance: 3.84 km
Time: 24:00
Average Speed: 9.6 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix ending on Trembling Hands.

Day 230 - 4 km run to lunch at in laws

Ran from Mt Eden to Greenlane, 4 km by Google Maps though only 3.8 on the GPS. Took a few small walks on the steep hill parts but otherwise only walked the intersections and road crossings, ran the rest so maybe 98% of the way running.

Distance: 3.79 km
Time: 23:03
Average Speed: 9.8 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix - ending on Would I Lie To You - Eurythmics

Day 229 - 2x runs 3.93 km total

Max asked me to run to BK (approx. 2 kms away) to get some cheeseburgers for the kids, so I ran there almost no stops except intersections, though starting off was hard and I walked a short section of both hills to the top of Onslow.

Stopped at BK and ordered food, downed a regular Coke Zero and sweating like a pig, the girl behind the counter looked at me like I needed an ambulance, but it is hot and sunny out and I was sweating and out of breath.

Packed away food and drinks (juice bottles) into backpack and ran back home, running again 95% of the way only stopping for intersections and lights.

Made good time.

Totals:

Distance: 3.93 km
Time: 23:13
Average Speed: 10.3 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix ending with Lit up - The National

Day 228 - 3 km - better than yesterday

Ran a little further this time, adding some 200 odd meters at the start of the course to see what else is in Carlaw Park Ave.

Ran up through the Domain and stopped to walk fewer times than yesterday, ran for longer stretches and ran quicker and better than yesterday's effort.

Distance: 3.01 km
Time: 20:06
Average Speed: 9.0 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix ending with Every Breath You Take - The Police

Day 227 - Run to Domain and back down Parnell Road

Hard work running up the Domain, so many uphill stretches that are long inclines rather than steep hills. Ran to the top of the Domain where it meets Ayr Road(/Street?) and then along Parnell Road until it hit the Hill section downwards to the office. Stopped a few times on the way up as it was heavy going, and then only intersections, and not every one of them on the way down.

Slower than average but the hill climb probably had a lot to do with that.

Distance: 2.86 km
Time: 20:34
Average Speed: 8.3 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix - ending with The Hives - Hate To Say I Told You So

Day 226 - Mairangi Bay to Campbells Bay and Back

On the school trip during the Sun Smart lecture (which I have been through before on the previous school trip) I decided to run up the beach, but it was not as long as I thought it might be. So in bare feet I ran south/east from Mairangi Bay along what turned out to be a stone path along the cliffs which hurt the soles of my feet and when I got to the other end and turned around my calf started pinging.

I had a rest and stretched it out, and ran slowly back to where I started.

No Music, No Shoes, On Sand for 40% ish...

Distance: 1.46 km
Time: 8:59
Average Speed: 9.7 kph
Soundtrack: Silence

Day 225 - Run 2.5 km - Running 95% of the way

Ran from Ranfurly Road, in the hot sun but Ran the majority of the way only walking the intersections and the lights.

The hill section of Onslow Ave a little tough but all in all a good pace in the heat and light.

Distance: 2.51 km
Time: 15 21
Average Speed: 9.8 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix - ending with Borderlines and Aliens - Grouplove

Day 224 - 2km - over 400 km!

Run from BK Manukau Road to home with a full bag and taking it slowly for calf strain.

A few walks on the last legs but only short ones and 95% running.

400 Kilomteres run in 7.5 months!
Activities 225
Distance 400.57 km
Duration 39:33:45
Calories 40422 kcal

Distance: 1.95 km
Time: 11:47
Average Speed: 9.9 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix incl Times Like These/Where The Streets Have No Name/Riptide/Monkey Wrench

Day 223 - A slow mile in reverse

Ran backwards around the block but it was a bit hard on the hills today, probably the heavy heavy lunch weighing on me. Walked maybe 20% of the Watling Road leg and pretty much ran the rest, probably about a minute slower than usual but going the wrong way.

Distance: 1.64 km
Time: 9:49
Average Speed: 10.0
Soundtrack: Faves Mix ending with Dazey Day - Gran Bel Fisher

Day 222 - 4k no longer seems so long - though is definitely still hard work

Ran up to St A's, all the way to the steep part and ran/walked 70/30 to Selwyn, ran Selwyn to Buckley and then started walking the intersections only (95/5), to Mt Albert Road, then ran walked 60/40 up the Mt Albert Rise, and then ran/walked 90/10 Mt Eden Road to home.

Did pretty well though the onset of a shower up Mt Eden was welcome and made the last leg more pleasant when my calf and head were begging for mercy in the heat.

Feel pretty good about running longer distances more often though.

Distance: 4.15 km
Time: 26:46
Average Speed: 9.3 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix - Ending with Aint No Love - David Gray

Day 221 - just under 3 km to accountants

It's been a long and ugly day.

However I needed to sign some forms at the accountants so I ran from home to the offices in Mont Le Grand and had chats, signed some stuff and then got picked up after the school run.

Ran a third of the way without stopping, then ran 90% walked 10% of the last two thirds, mostly on the hilly bits and the road crossings.

Distance: 2.79 km
Time: 17:32
Average Speed: 9.5 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix - ending with Owner of a Lonely Heart

Day 220 - 2.5 km from Ranfurly

Ran in the hot sun with a slightly weightier bag this time, stopped a few times to walk but made ok time doing it tough in the heat.

Distance: 2.48 km
Time: 15:28
Average Speed: 9.6 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix ending with Here Comes The Weekend - P!nk

Day 219 - 3 Km round Parnell

Ran at work since am going out tonight and will not be able to run afterwards, unless it's in the dark, which sucks.

Ran up Parnell Road, Down St Stephens, down Gladstone, Down Cleveland, round the Strand and up Parnell Steps to the office. Had to walk a few times on the uphill parts and the steps/stairs obviously, and walked through most intersections to check for traffic, but ran well over 90% of the way.

Distance: 3.03 km

Time: 20:16

Average Speed: 9.0 kph

Soundtrack: Faves Mix - ending on God is a DJ - P!nk

Day 218 - 2.5 km home - faster than yesterday

Ran from Ranfurly Road again, but this time had to dodge traffic but also got a longer stay at the lights to rest between legs, so walked less often and for less time. No unplanned stops until 4/4 of the way home then 3 smaller walks, particularly uphill.

Distance: 2.43 km
Time: 13:59
Average Speed: 10.4 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix ending with Moment - Gran Bel Fisher

Day 217 - 2.5 km from halfway home

Did pretty well to run from Ranfurly Road to Greenlane West without pausing as all the intersections were in my favour, barely stopped at the lights and then have 3 stops on the way home from Greenlane and Manukau Road.

Distance: 2.42 km
Time: 14:54
Average Speed: 9.8 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix ending with Word Crimes

Day 216 - Mile round the school - Remuera in the heat

Stopped a few times, maybe 4 but with longer uphill stretches and blistering heat in the sun, with a bit of a headache too, it can be forgiven.

Distance: 1.41 km
Time: 8.39
Average Speed: 9.6 kph
Soundtrack: Happy - Pharrell/Beautiful Day - U2/Scream (Funk My Life up) - Paolo Nutini

Day 215 - A pathetic mile

Though 215 days ago a 9.5 minute mile and only three stops would have been amazing to me, now it feels pathetic. I ran all the way up the steep parts, all the way down Watling and then walked a little on Mt Eden and then from there the mental battle was done.

Running into the wind and feeling a bit shit I ended up stopping three times to walk short paces in the last 500 metres.

Pathetic.

Distance: 1.67 km
Time: 9:34
Average Speed: 10.4 kph
Soundtrack: Elevation - U2/Would I Lie To You - Eurythmics/Three Women - Jack White

Day 214 - an unexpectedly longer run

Ran up Parnell Road had to stop a few times as the GPS failed and it's all uphill as well. Ran down St Stephens Ave but instead of turning at the Gladstone Road corner I went straight ahead and ended up on Tamaki Drive, there was a walk-bridge and a couple hundred steps I'm sure.

Ran up Tamaki Drive and walked only 2 times I can think of, walked twice on the Strand before taking the steps up to the backstreets behind the office and then running up the small hill to York Street.

I did manage to crack my head on a tree branch coming up those steps though, low hanging and could not see it as I was looking at my feet and pushing myself up the stairs. Not a bad crack but gave me a fright.

Distance: 3.98 km
Time: 26.55
Average Speed: 8.7 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix ending in Babylon - David Gray

Day 213 - 1 mile round no stops

Ran the block.

Didn't stop.

Did ok.

That's about it really.

Distance: 1.59 km
Time: 9:02
Average Speed: 10.6 kph
Soundtrack: Happy (partial)/Everybody Wants to Rule The World/Would I Lie To You (partial)

Day 212 - Run From Ranfurly Road 2.5 km

Ran from Ranfurly Road to home, stopping for two intersections and the steep part of Onslow Avenue. Apart from that it was a much easier run today and right up til the intersection of The Drive there was little slowing down or interruption.

Distance: 2.46 km
Time: 14:42
Average Speed: 10:01
Soundtrack: Faves Mix ending with All My Life - Foo Fighters

Day 211 - 2Km run - much less stoppage today

Ran from Newmarket to 350 Manukau Road, where I picked up some dinner and then walked the next 2 km to home.

I stopped to walk all road crossings, which was good and safer as cars speed into and out of these side streets, but only managed with 3 exhaust slow downs during the actual run.

Distance: 2.02 km
Time: 12:23
Average Speed: 9.8 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix

Day 210 - From Newmarket - 4k

Loads of stops, the whole thing felt like it was an effort and I could not seem to get a decent pace going. However frequent walks meant frequent runs, I'd coast a little and walk across every intersection and then start running again so maintained a decent pace the whole way.

Distance: 3.99 km
Time: 26:25
Average Speed: 9.2 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix - ending with Would I Lie To You - Eurythmics

Day 209 - Incomplete Figure Eight - no stops

Ran the figure eight the harder way, uphill through park, uphill Watling, Downhill St A's, Downhill St L's, Uphill Park, Downhill Watling, Downhill Mt Eden, Downhill St L's.

Harder because there is less uphill but the uphills are much steeper this way. Ran without stopping until just under 2k and then instead of resting/walking then running the rest I stopped counting there as my calf was groaning a bit and decided it was discretion more than valour.

Distance: 1.98 km
Time: 12:06
Average Speed: 9.8 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix ending with Who, Where, Why - Jesus Jones

Day 208 - A quick mile round the block

Looks like I ran just in time as the weather has severely packed itself in. Ran round the block all the way with no stops and making pretty good time. There was a wind in my face for most of the way which was annoying and slowed me a little but the bigger distraction was the police presence obviously involved in some kind of chase as there was a helicopter, 4 cars and an ambulance all seen following aforementioned helicopter up Mt Eden Road.

Distance: 1.57 km
Time: 9:09
Average Speed: 10.3 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix - Happy/Learn To Fly/Missionary Man

Day 207 - 4.5k FTW!

I'm sure others run further and faster but let's be honest here, this is all about me.

ME!!!

Ran from the office downhill, through the strand and over to Tamaki Drive without stopping, kept that pace up until 2 km away, took my first change of pace and took a breather waiting to cross to the other side. Running back up Tamaki Drive a bit harder as was a bit tired by then but I still ran 95% of the way, just took shorter lighter walks before running maybe 3-4 times and then coming back up the final hill walked about 40% of that since it's steep and I was shattered by then.

Distance: 4.42 km
Time: 28:43
Average Speed: 9.2 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix - Ending with Elevation - U2

Day 206 - A light figure eight

Ran the figure eight, stopped once at the mile mark to pick up some ice blocks for the kids and then ran the rest of the way home. Even managed to run up the steep part of Watling and the steep part of St A's.

Felt pretty crap the whole way round, like my legs were not striding properly, as if perhaps I had forgotten how to run right.

Distance: 2.05 km
Time: 12:48
Average Speed: 9.6 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix - including Happy/Word Crimes and Times Like These

Day 205 - A light jog for almost 3 km

Went for a lunch run - from the office down around Vector Arena, back up Quay past all the Fast Food places, to Mechanics bay intersection, back up Beach Road and then the back-roads to the office - finding out the hard way it's all uphill at the end.

The GPS gave me 2.62 km but the map gives me 2.8 km for the same distance. I ran all the way to just past Vector, though I did get breaks at 3 or 4 sets of crossings. Stopped to massage my calf for maybe 30 seconds or so and then ran up the hill, walking the top section to Beach Road. Ran all the way from there to the steep climb of Earle Street, walked maybe 25 % of the way and ran the rest in fits and starts as the gain was some 40 metres in total. 

Distance: 2.62 km
Time: 17:36
Average Speed: 8.9 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix Various

Day 204 - A light jog again

I was not going to run today as I still had that re-strain from yesterday, however I was running a little late for the bus in the morning so I picked up the pace and ran/walked about 800 meters to get to the bus with about 3 minutes to spare, so I would definitely had missed it had I not run as much as I could - I ran maybe 60% of the way.

I did not GPS my run but manually added the approximate distance to the runtastic app.

Distance: 0.8 km ish
Time: 7 Minutes ish
Average Speed: unknown
Soundtrack: Silence.

Day 203 - A New Strain

Today's run was going to be about 2.5 km or more, but it was cut short by a driver of a Range Rover who wanted to pull in suddenly into the gas station I was running past. I cannot honestly recall if it was indicating or not but it pulled in very quickly and though it was not going to actually hit as it did stop, I did dart out of the way.

Landing harder than expected on the leg that had only just healed from last week and that was that, running was painful from there. It does not hurt as bad as last week so I might be ok tomorrow, but I have to watch those sudden movements.

Distance: 0.72 km
Time: 4:22
Average Speed: 9.9 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix: Including The Temper Trap - Trembling Hands

Day 202 - The figure eight - walked a steep 30 meters

Ran up St A's, ran all the way up the steep part and kept going, down Watling and through the park, twisting out onto St L's and running all the way to Mt Eden, up Watling and then walked the final steep rise (about 1/3rd of the small hill) before running back through the park and home again without walking or stopping and completing the figure eight.

Very hot outside and even in the shade it was a bit hard with sweat pouring in everywhere, but after yesterdays two small runs and feeling like I could go further I decided to push myself a little bit more today.

Distance: 2.07 km
Time: 12:37
Average Speed: 9.9 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix: Get Lucky, Happy, Scream (Funk My Life Up), Aint No Love, Real Real Real

Day 201 - Back on the Horse

2 Runs today, one to the bus stop on Balmoral Road since I had to go into the office for a few hours, and one from Manukau Road to home on the way back from work. Neither run felt hard on my injured leg which I could feel but was not hurting, and in both cases felt like I could run further and for longer.

A rest sometimes a good thing.

Distance 1: 0.79 km
Time: 4:45
Average Speed: 9.9 kph
Soundtrack: Forgotten

Distance 2: 1.48 km
Time: 8:48
Average Speed: 10.1 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Including: Get Lucky - Daft Punk/Borderlines and Aliens - Grouplove/Beautiful Day - U2

Day 200 - last day off my feet

Leg has healed pretty well I think, the grabbing and pinching have stopped and there's only a little discomfort on steep slopes or stairs, no more pain.

Back for a run tomorrow I think, a light jog around the block.

Day 199 - No Run today either

Leg still hurts but beginning to feel a lot better. Whenever walking downhill or relatively flat I can walk normally. Uphill pulls at the calf and twists my step a little bit.

Hopefully by tomorrow I'll be good for a light jog and in the weekend a run, depends on how it heals.

Day 198 - No Run?

I need a day or three for my leg to heal before running seriously again so a rest today and maybe tomorrow and pick it up again on day 200.

Day 197 - Light Jog only

I caught the bus all the way home to hobble up to the crest of the hill on Ferryhill Road. From the peak I jogged downhill to the park, the downhill motion not really hurting much more than walking was doing so I jogged through the park and to home.

Strapped leg up with compression tape.

Distance: 0.63 km
Time: 4:35
Average Speed: 8.3 kph
Soundtrack: Living Colour - Cult of Personality & Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule the World.

Day 196 - My first pulled muscle

Oooh err.

Ran about 500 metres before a twinge in my calf gave way to serious agony. Got on the bus and limped the kilometre or so back to house from the stop.

Distance: 0.5 km
Time: 2:56
Average Speed: 9.7 kph
Soundtrack: The Screaming Pain Inside My Mind

Day 195 - 1 mile - with one stop at the shop for a treat for the kids

Ran up the steep part of St A's - barely notcing the climb but also distracted by the ambulance parked on the footpath I had to run around. As it was not there for me then there was no need to stop and stare like the others in my way.

Ran to the dairy and crossed the road no incident, picked up the ice blocks for the kids and then ran home at some pace.

The App mistakenly added about 3 minutes to my run as it dod not stop properly, minus 3-ish minutes I think it took at the dairy.

Distance: 1.60 km
Time: 8:12 (ish)
Average Speed: 11.0 ish
Soundtrack: Queen: Don't Stop Me Now/A Kind Of Magic/Breakthrough

Day 194 - 3.5 km in the hot sun and hills

Ran down St Andrews, down an alleyway that turned out to be a driveay, to turn around and come back, cross the road, run until the steep part then walk 100 metres almost 50 metres up.  Well maybe not quite that steep, but pretty steep. Ran downhill up the rest of At Andrews, cut though Carlsson School, doubling back again to find the right path.

Ran up Mt Eden Road, pausing once and walking three more times I think and then had a final walk just before home, feeling the burn in knees and thighs.

Distance: 3.53km
Time: 22:53
Average Speed: 9.2 kph
Soundtrack: Duran Duran Greatest.

Day 193 - A mile no stops - feeling a bit shattered

Ran from the house round the block and made an ok time, stopped nowhere and ran even the steep parts. Feeling a bit tired and sluggish today but still made it without stopping, walking or slowing down.

Distance: 1.57 km
Time: 8:47
Average Speed: 10.7 kph
Soundtrack: Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody/Another One Bites The Dust/Bicycle Race

Day 192 - 2 runs 2 km each

The second of my days off this week booked in some time to go to the cinema. It's 2.11 km there and 2.03 km back (though I suspect that the GPS is acting up a little as they were almost the same route). Ran all the way there without stopping and ran to the crest of the very steep part of Ellerton and then had a rest at the top as my legs were burning like that in one go.

Distance 1: 2.11 km
Time: 11:59
Average Speed: 10.6 kph

Distance 2: 2.03 km
Time: 11:24
Average Speed: 10.7

Soundtrack - Faves Mix.

Day 191 - Ran a Mile to School -2 songs

Ran up St L's, up St A's (not stopping for the hill) down Watling, across then up Mt Eden and then down Ellerton to the school to pick up the kids. No stops/walks even crossing the road as the break in the traffic was at the right time.

Distance: 1.54 km
Time: 8:54
Average Speed: 10.3 kph
Soundtrack: Billy Idol -Rebel Yell & To Be A Lover

Day 190 - Run before work, in the rain, 2 song mile

I actually got my breath and rested a little before the second song had finished. It was drizzling and a little chilly but not too cold like autumn/winter was. Ran all the way no stopping and I felt like I was making decent time. The pace and energy of the music certainly helped. I was well over halfway when the first track came to an end.

Distance: 1.55 (1.65 really)
Time: 8:30
Average Speed: 10.9 kph
Soundtrack: Billy Idol - Rebel Yell/Dancing With Myself

Day 189 - Run 2 km from BK to home no stops

Apart from the major traffic intersections where I crossed with the lights for no more than a total 55 seconds in three intersections, I ran the whole way - mostly flat except the Onslow Ave climb to home stretch, but downhill all the from there.

Distance: 1.90 km
Time: 11: 04
Average Speed: 10.3 kph
Soundtrack: Duran Duran - Greatest

Day 188 - 5k run - 2 or 3 stops

Ran pretty well most of the way, though the park section was where I started to fade, and the uneven rough ground and occasional grass patch made it a bit harder in places. By the time I hit Rawhiti Road I ran the last mile without stopping/walking.

Distance: 5.29 km
Time: 32:16
Average Speed: 9.8
Soundtrack: Faves Mix - ending with Best of you - The Foo Fighters

Day 187 - Post 2 - A Second Run again

This time I was running form the bus stop on Kakariki to the dairy to get there in time before it closed.


Got to say that 6 months ago I would not have made that distance in any shape without running out of breath or stopping/walking.

Instead did it in sneakers, not runners, in jeans and a t-shirt not shorts.

Distance: 0.7 km
Time: 3:53
Average Speed: 10.9 kph
Soundtrack: Silence

Day 187 - 1 mile, no stops 2 songs

Ran before heading into work for the day to finish up the office move from yesterday, so got it out of the way early on. But as I'll have my son with me it is definitely better to do it before than try and juggle that later. Ran all the way with no stops and in under 2 songs including warm up. They must be over 4 minutes each but they were not chosen so ... woo hoo!

Distance: 1.63 km
Time: 8:59
Average Speed: 10.9 kph
Soundtrack: Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams & Here Comes The Rain Again

Day 186 - 2 Run day

Unlike times where there have been issues or glitches that caused the two runs, this was a conscious choice. I ran in the morning from old office to new and then got dropped off after and took the opportunity to run another kilometre or so, to add to the day.

No walking each time except crossings, and ran 100-200 meters up Parnell Rise without stopping which was tiring.

Distance 2: 0.84 km
Time: 5:02
Average Speed: 10.0 kph
Soundtrack: Duran Duran - Planet Earth/Girls On Film

Distance 1: 2.14 km
Time: 13:24
Average Speed: 9.6 kph
Soundtrack: Can't Remember.

Day 185 - Mile before work again

I did this last friday to accommodate an after work function that never happened, postponed until today.

Ran all the way without stopping but the time, while good, is nowhere near my best time by 29 seconds and that included 2 stops? I guess with stopping or walking I run harder afterwards?

Distance: 1.61 km
Time: 8:46
Average Speed: 10.9 kph
Soundtrack: Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody/Another One Bites The Dust/Fat Bottom Girls

Day 184 - 2km from the Village

Ran from Baker's Delight to Balmoral Road, trying to pick up the pace now I know what I am capable of in distance, trying to increase pace a little.

Ran from Balmoral lights downhill as fast as I could without tripping and then slowed to a better pace from Irene Avenue onwards. Ran to home without stopping, keeping pace with a bus from Balmoral Road until Watling Stop.

Distance: 1.90 km
Time: 9:53
Average Speed: 11.5 kph
Soundtrack: Duran Duran - Is There Something I Should Know/The Reflex/A View To A Kill

Day 183 - The First Figure Eight

Have thought for a while now that the usual mile round the block can easily be extended by running through the park halfway and then looping back around to Mt Eden and Watling to chop the block into two halves.

Did that today and managed all the way to the Dairy without stopping, picked up a lemonade ice block for my son who I had to pick up from school early as he was unwell. Then ran back to the crossing and back up Mt Eden, Up Watling and then back through the park again. Walked only the last steep part of Watling before the park, at about the 2 km mark.

Distance: 2.27 km
Time: 13:36
Average Speed: 10.0 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix ending in Lanterns by Birds of Tokyo

Day 182 - 2x Runs in parts

Ran a mile or so from town to the bus stop near the bottom of the hill. Was struggling with it most of the way so decided to catch a bus the rest of the way. A few minutes later was feeling rested and the hill was out of the way so I got out at the village and ran the 2k from the village instead.

Did stop a few times but mostly ran it.

Distance: 3.58 km
Time: 21:32
Average Speed: 9.6 kph
Soundtrack: Prince and 3rd Eye Girl - Plectrum Electrum

Day 181 - 1.7 km Run to the Cinema

I walked the same course in reverse on the way home since I came back with some BK for the kids.

Ran up St A's, walked the steep parts as I was tired all the way up St L's which was more to do with lack of sleep than much else. Ran to the Drive, crossed various places and paused 3:30 in total at lights and things and ran the rest of the way to the Cinema where I went to see Gone Girl.

Distance: 1.69 km
Time: 10:27
Average Speed: 9.7 kph
Soundtrack: Various Faves ending in Tacky by Weird Al

Day 180 - 5k run from Town

Had to work in the office this morning for an urgent conference call and so went in dressed for a run and then run home without any extra weight in bag/clothes etc... Ran to maybe halfway up the hill slope of Mt Eden instead of walking it so I ran well over 95% of the way this time but do not appear to have made any significant time improvements. And this time I did not walk the crossings at all.

I stopped in the Village to pick up something (light) and accidentally saved instead of resuming my run so I to start another from that point, which is annoying but thats the way it goes.

Distance: 4.9 km
Time: 29:56
Average Speed: 9.6 kph
Soundtrack: Eurythmics Greatest Hits (Great for running, who knew?)

Day 179 - one mile before work - 300 km in total today

I did a 5k run yesterday because I knew I was close to the new total of 300 km in under six months! Since I am running further and longer now I assume that by the end of the year I should more than double this amount, but for now 300 kilometers is a big achievement for me!

Overall

Activities 180

Distance 300.85 km

Duration 29:20:24

Calories 30455 kcal

Elevation gain 2974 m

Elevation loss 5662 m

If I were running on the road from Auckland that would be 23 kilometers south of Taupo heading to Turangi.

Today I ran a mile round my home block and did so without stopping, slowing or walking even the steepest parts of St Andrews. I thought I might have made it in two songs but the third kicked in when I was about 200 odd meters from home.

Distance: 1.6 km

Time: 8:47

Average Speed: 10.9 kph

Soundtrack: Eurythmics - Missionary Man/Right By Your Side/Love Is A Stranger

Day 178 - 5 km best time

Ran from Queen and K Road to Clive Road only pausing for intersections. Walked 230 metres up Mt Eden Slopes to Honeywell House. Ran to the Village paused for a set of lights, then ran to Balmoral Road, paused for less than 5 seconds as lights changed in my favour as I arrived and then ran all the way home.

Made a record time over the 5k (again despite the GPs claiming 4.72) from work to home.

Distance: 4.72 km
Time: 30:00 (best time by over a minute)
Average Speed: 9.4 km
Soundtrack: Eurythmics - the Best of

Day 177 - 2km from Village no stops

Except for lights at Balmoral Road that is.

However it was also without any music today as I forgot my bluetooth headphones and did not have a wired backup pair on me. So I ran without from the village and made ok time, but I really had no idea of pacing without the music.

Also I ran to the soundtrack of my laboured breathing which was disturbing to say the least. I pity the people I run past who must be wondering if I am about to have an attack of some ilk...

Distance: 1.90 km
Time: 10:20
Average Speed: 11.0 kph.
Soundtrack: Nada, Zero, Nothing, Zip...

Day 176 - 5k run home via Mt Eden Road

I ran most of the way at a slow but steady pace - considering the uphill nature of the course to start off. Walked every intersection - which was a good recharge as well as cautious as traffic turns quite suddenly off Mt Eden Road. Walked a little bit before the hill, ran about a quarter of the rise to Mt Eden, but then walked the steepest parts (about 300 meters or so) to the crest. Ran the rest of the way only stopping for lights and walking the intersections.

Distance: 4.8 km
Time: 31:40
Average Speed: 9.1 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix Ending with Monkey Wrench by the Foo Fighters

Day 175 - 2.33 K run with only intersection stops

Got off one stop before the Village, small rise to the crest of the hill down to the Village. Stopped at Stokes Road intersection lights to change, then ran to Balmoral Road, aching calves but only stopped at Balmoral Road intersection waiting for lights. Then ran all the way to home, though it was a bit grim mentally just kept plugging away at it.

Distance: 2.33 km
Time: 13:13
Average Speed: 10.6 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix ending with U2 Everlasting Love

Day 174 - 4 km run - so much hillage

Max suggested a run down Mt Eden, down Mt Albert and back up Buckley - which is mostly flat apart from that small steep rise at the end.

EXCEPT it was 90% uphill on Buckley and I ran less than half of it. I ran all the way to Buckley, then realised how far uphill it was. I had taken a couple of walks and rests already as it was very hot out and hard work running but doing ok until Buckley. Selwyn was worse (but I knew that at least) and finally got near the top and ran all the way from Coronation Road to home.

All in all probably ran 70% of this route, can't see me trying it again as the hill is just a killer.

Distance: 4.0 km
Time: 29.40
Average Speed: 8.1 kph
Soundtrack: Better Than Ezra and then Faves Mix ending on Pearl's Girl by Underworld.

Day 173 - Run a mile around the Park

Went to BK with the kids and took takeaway to the park behind it - it's the length of a few rugby fields long with a League and Carlton Grammar club presence there. Wore my Zemgear barefoot running split toe shoes and ran the perimeter of the fields from the park bench where we stopped to the same spot again running clockwise.

Grass running saps the strength a little but less so in these shoes which are very thin and conform to the curves of my feet quite well. Ran the whole mile around (it looked like it may have shaved a few meters off here and there, which I know it does.

Distance: 1.54 km
Time: 8:34
Average Speed: 10.8 kph
Soundtrack: U2 - With or Without You/Grouplove - Borderlines and Aliens/Living Colour - Glamour Boys

Day 172 - 5.8 km run From K Road to home via Dominion

Took another LONG run today this time same start and end point but taking the Dominion Road Route instead of Mt Eden Road. This added almost a kilometre to the journey and the start had some serious uphill moments. Ran most of the way, a good 95% of the distance, walking up the steep hilly parts only and a few stretches of 50 metres or so before running again. Tried to stick to running every block, walking through the intersection only. I did stop at Milton Road for a breather of about a minute in the shade as the sun was beating down and I had been up and awake since 5:50 am.

Feeling pretty good with self having done two 5k runs this week. Am 10 days away from 6 months (or thereabouts) and have 20k to go before I reach the 300 mark. If I manage one or more 5k a week then I'll definitely hot 300 before 6 months, but if not then I need to average 2k a day to make them coincide (roughly).

Distance: 5.52 km (on GPS)

Time: 36:47

Average Speed: 9.0 kph

Soundtrack: Faves Mix ending with Aint No Love by David Gray

Day 171 - The Run of the Ancient Mariner

Ran Upper Queen Street to Symonds Street and dammit that is the definition of UP Hill. Hard work and sapping of strength. But made it all that way some half a kilometre without stopping and then waited at the lights to change to get breath back, exhausted.

Then ran the rest of the mile pausing only for lights and taking the uphill in my stride as much as possible.

Distance:1.61 km
Time: 9:50
Average Speed: 9.8 kph
Soundtrack: Faves ending with Three Women - Jack White

Day 170 - 12/13 days from 6 months

Ran from the Village with no stops except the lights change at Balmoral Road. Got tired between GlenAlmond and Watling, but after running 5 k yesterday the nagging voice is switching gears to 'harden the fuck up already' rather than 'I'm too tired - need to slow/walk'.

Distance: 1.91 km
Time: 10:11
Average Speed: 11.2 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix ending with Birds of Tokyo - Lanterns

Day 169 - First 5k run. Work to Home

Ran from just outside the office at the intersection of Queen and K Road and then ran 90% or more of the way home. Stopped for intersections and lights obviously but did pretty well to not walk until at least one mile passed and then on the steep section of Mt Eden Road up to the Honeywell house - maybe 200 meters or more bursting into a run a little but it's a long hard uphill stretch. then in bursts to the village, then the final 2k home with occasional stops but pretty good considering the length of the run, the beating sunshine and the fact that it's not even been 6 months yet.

Distance: 5.1 km
Time: 31:03
Average Speed: 9.4 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix - finishing on Best of You by the Foo Fighters.

Day 168 - A mile no stops

Ran the block again for the second day in a row without stopping all the way and the steep parts included, it's a little slower overall but more of an achievement.

Distance: 1.58 km
Time: 9:05
Average Speed: 10.5 kph
Soundtrack: Happy/Ways to Go

Day 167 - Run the block - no stops no power

Power cuts today made cell coverage spotty, Data infrequent and for some reason could not get a GPS signal until 2/3rds of the way around the block. However ran the mile without stopping in a slowish time but still made it running all the way - including the slow uphill stretch on St A's.

Distance: 1.62 km
Time: 9:06
Average Speed: 11 kph ish
Soundtrack: Jesus Jones - Who? Where? Why?/Foo Fighters - Learn To Fly

Day 166 - Terrible weather - ran to the shops, the longer way.

Ran a mile in okayish time, did not stop for the steep part of St Andrews, feel no need to do that any longer, though still tired from the running.Ran 3/4 of the way and had to stop to cross the road, the traffic on Mt Eden Road has been abysmal of late and getting across is a task. Popped into the dairy on an errand and then ran the rest of the way home, though I could have made the block again with no walking parts.

The wind is high and I had to wait for the rain to pass and now the sun is blazing, but bound to rain again so soon that you have to take your chances where you find them.

Auckland in the Spring right?

Distance: 1.52 km (pfft GPS)
Time: 8:37
Average Speed: 10.6 kph
Soundtrack: Jesus Jones - Who? Where? Why?/The Temper Trap - Trembling Hands

Day 165 - Mile from Fairview - No Stops

Ran from the bus stop near Fairview which is about 1.55/1.6 despite the GPS shortchanging me... It poured with freezing rain as soon as I stepped off the bus but eased by the time I had set the music, the app and secured my bag.

Ran to Balmoral Road with no stopping, waited 42 seconds for the lights to change, then ran all the way home no stops, a little plodding at the end and it was quite windy.

Keen to change up my run and maybe extend the distance a little more once or twice a week and in the weekend.

Distance: 1.49 km
Time: 8:06
Average Speed: 11.0 kph
Soundtrack: Jesus Jones - Real, Real, Real/David Gray - Babylon (Live).

Day 164 - Walked and Ran 5 Km

Buses were mentally full and weather atrocious - waited over 45 minutes for buses that never let anyone on them. Walked 4 k's to the Balmoral Intersection and ran from there. I did have to run in my jeans as I forgot my running shorts, but had the right shoes. Also carried umbrella and bag with extra clothes and some stuff from the shops.

Counting the whole fucking distance though - I earned it.

Sadly the first Bus I saw that may have had space on it was at the Village - about 3 kms from the start.

Distance: 3.7 Km Walking 1 km Running
Time: 41:47 Walking 7:26 Running
Average Speed: 5.3 kph & 8.0 kph (laden and with a stop at the shops/traffic)
Soundtrack: Aphex Twins - Collected Ambient Works

Day 163 - Another Hard 2K

I think it has much to do with lack of sleep these days, the day I did 4k I had a good nights sleep beforehand and a sleep in that morning and a restful day. This week I have been getting up at 6 a.m. to make meetings with the partners in Argentina so have not been getting any more than 5 or so hours.

Ran from the Village to Balmoral but felt it all the way, but did remember to pack a cap today which was necessary given the sun is out again. Paused at the lights waiting to change then ran all the way home without stopping or walking (except halfway across a street to avoid a car).

Distance: 1.90 km
Time: 10:43
Average Speed: 10.6 kph
Soundtrack: Daft Punk - Get Lucky/Living Colour - Glamour Boys/Gnarls Barkley - Crazy

Day 162 - The Hard Yards

Ran from the Village but really struggled today compared to the 4k run I did on Sunday around the same time of day but almost breezed through by comparison and half of that was uphill! Despite this did it with no stops apart from lights for 20 seconds.

However lighter lunch today and a very early start means operating on less sleep and energy perhaps? Also running into a nifty head wind on the way down Mt Eden Road.

The GPS is definitely shortchanging me on the last 50 meters or so - I noted that the map now has a zoom function and I can see on most runs that the GPS is stopping the recorded trail two or three houses away from home.

Distance: 1.89 km
Time: 10:34
Average Speed: 10.7 kph
Soundtrack: Underworld - Pearl's Girl/The Hives - Hate To Say I Told You So/American Authors - Believer

Day 161 - Run in the rain from Fairview - no stops

Apart from the 29 seconds waiting for the lights to change at Balmoral road, and I did not rest but kept moving instead of sitting down on the sign for the park.

Last stretch was harder but not grim, after running 4 km yesterday I was mentally chastising myself for thinking about walking a few ...

Distance: 1.49 km
Time: 8:08
Average Speed: 11.0
Soundtrack: Grouplove - Bitin the Bullet/Gran Bel Fisher - Dazey Day/Foo Fighters - Learn To Fly

Day 160 - 4 km = Longest distance/time yet and no exhaustion stops.

Max asked me to pop up to Baker's Delight and get some rolls since I was running anyway. I balked at the thought because it's well over twice my usual distance and twice the run from the Village I do once or twice a week. It's also all uphill on the way there, but at least downhill on the way back.

Then my - never say no - attitude kicked in - the one where I regret things I had passed up in the past so decided to take things on more often, especially things that take me out of my comfort zone.

Ran to the Balmoral lights and waited a minute for the change, all uphill no stops 1 km. Ran to the
Village no stops also up hill - another 1 km. Stopped at Bakers Delight for maybe 2-3 minutes to get rolls for homemade burger dinner and two finger buns for the kids. Ran back to Balmoral Road without stopping, waited another minute for the lights to change. Ran from Balmoral Road to home without stopping. Music certainly helps with pacing and distraction.

Distance: 4.0 k.m.
Time: 23:05
Average Speed: 10 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix - incl: Happy/Cult of Personality/Real, Real, Real/Glamour Boys/Open Letter to a Landlord/Ways to Go/Biting The Bullet

Day 159 - The Traffic! Gah!

Ran the block and made it to the dairy without stopping, which is great but once I got out of the dairy the traffic was so bad it took me nearly 5 minutes just to cross the street.

Three buses went past which only jammed up the traffic more, but not enough to make it stop so I could get across safely.

Gah!

Still no stops and would have made it home easily without a walk which is pretty good.

Distance: 1.58 km
Time: 9:13
Average Speed: 10.2 kph
Soundtrack: Damon Albarn - Mr Tembo/Living Colour - Glamour Boys/U2 - Everlasting Love

Day 158 - Stomach bug = light jog

Been having issues with my stomach all morning and so decided to run the shortest distance, in jeans and sneakers at a very light pace, which I did quite easily even in the harsh 2:30 sun.

A run, but only to keep the streak going.

Distance: 729 m
Time: 4:16
Average Speed: 10.3 kph
Soundtrack: Grouplove - Ways to Go/Gran Bel Fisher - Bound by Love

Day 157 - Run with barefoot shoes

I got a pair of Terra Shoes, ones that feel and look like water shoes but are supposed to be low profile for running naturally. I ran from Fairview in them but while I managed to run the mile ish from there to home it jarred my heel on my left foot a lot. I did the run with no stops apart from lights and actually ran up Watling and through the park without walking.

When I got to Watling I ran on the verge (no verges on Mt Eden Road) and instantly the run was better. So I also ran through the park on the grass all the way to home and it was much, much better. Normally when running in my K-Swiss I find grass unbearable as it saps at my stride and feels like sand, the opposite is true in the Terra shoes, they felt like the K-Swiss on pavement.

Distance: 1.45 km
Time: 8:06
Average Speed: 10.7 kph
Soundtrack: Birds of Tokyo - Lanterns/Temper Trap - Trembling Hands/American Authors - Believer

Day 156 - Ran almost 2km without stopping

Ran from the Village where I picked up some buns for the kids at Baker's Delight and then ran to Balmoral, the lights changed in only 15 seconds so I'm not counting that as a stop. Then ran all the way home, limiting my pace like I did yesterday and the day before and getting further on one tank.

Distance: 1.90 km
Time: 10:23
Average Speed: 10.9 kph
Soundtrack: Jesus Jones - Real Real Real/ Foo Fighters - Best Of You/ Grouplove - Ways to Go

Day 155 - Run with Flu - no stops

Ran from Fairview and again with no stops running much slower than usual - or so I thought. there was a girl on the other side of the road on Mt Eden also running and she looked to be running at a good pace, so I noticed when I was catching up on her that I should try and keep pace, which meant slowing down a little and then regulating my own pace. We stayed close together in pace all the way to the dairy near my corner and then I was almost home.

No stops apart from waiting for the lights at Balmoral Road.

Distance: 1.50 km
Time: 7:53
Average Speed: 11.4 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix - ending with Lanterns by Birds of Tokyo

Day 154 - Ran a mile without stopping - WITH the flu?

Today I was only planning on running to the end of the street and back, just to keep my hand in, or feet wet or whatever metaphor applies to running, because I have a nasty cold and was not planning on going out at all.

However some drugs kicked in and the sun went down so I decided fresh air was good, so a run may clear the pipes and get me going. I took off and slowed right down expecting to be shot at any time and ready to turn about, instead I got to the corner and saw that the traffic was backed up and I felt good so kept going, knowing the park was not an option so it was time to do the mile, but I felt good. So good I did not speed up, did not walk and did not tire out at all.

Slower than yesterday by 20 odd seconds but yesterday felt worse and walked the steep part of the St Andrews rise, which today I barely even felt.

Odd.

Distance: 1.57 km
Time: 9:14
Average Speed: 10.2 kph
Soundtrack: U2 - Mysterious Ways/Jesus Jones - Who? Where? Why?/Yes - Owner of a Lonely Heart (And Tacky by Weird Al while cooling down)

Day 153 - Flu - but ran a mile anyway

So last night my flu symptoms started, even before I ran from KFC if I am being honest and hit with a vengeance last night. This morning slept in and snotting everywhere - not having trouble breathing yet which usually happens midway through if I get a lung infection, which is possible.

Ran the reverse of the block, ran to a third of the way up Watling and then walked 3 times on the steepest parts, and ran from the top of Watling to home without stopping and feel pretty good.

Distance: 1.59 km
Time: 8:58
Average Speed: 10.6 kph
Soundtrack: Pharrell - Happy/Audioslave - Cochise/Tears for Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Day 152 - Running from KFC to home

We had decided that I would run to KFC - get dinner and then walk home. However it was hosing down outside and we drove to pick it up, but got in running gear to be dropped off some way from home and then run if it was not raining too hard. But at KFC it was clear and I decided to leave Max with the food and run home.

Ran to about 3/4 of the way then walked the steepest part of Wairiki for about 30 meters, (on the last uphill stretch before Mt Eden Road) then ran the rest of the way home. Was pretty good running the flat parts, but as soon as I go uphill it was a bit of a trial, I think maybe flat is even better than downhill as I pick up too much speed that way and wear out.

Distance: 2.08 km
Time: 12:15
Average Speed: 10.2 kph
Soundtrack: Pharrell - Happy/Living Colour - Cult Of Personality/Foo Fighters - Learn To Fly

Day 151 - Running under load

Today had to pick up some bread from the Baker's Delight in the Village which is always a difficult prospect running with a bag in my hands. What I forgot though was the Macbook Pro in my backpack so I was running 2 km with a 7 kg load on my back. I stepped on the scales and came in at 102.8 kg - stripped off the excess and went down to 96.0 kg

Stopped once before the Balmoral Road lights and then twice or three times on the way back to home from there, though each time slowed to a walk, felt like I was plodding at a pace barely above a walk by the end but was actually still making good ish time.

Distance: 1.92 km
Time: 11:08
Average Speed: 10.3 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix ending with Who Am I - Jesus Jones

Day 150 - 5 months in

Ran from Fairview to Balmoral, waited 1 minute at the lights and then ran the rest of the way home without walking or stopping.

Felt pretty good overall not like I was pushing it or suffering and no pain or discomfort from my hip which is slowly improving.

Distance: 1.48 km
Time: 7:37
Average Speed: 11.7 kph
Soundtrack: Weird Al - Tacky/Yes - Owner of a Lonely Heart/Audioslave - I am the Highway

Day 149 - The School Run.

Had to pick kids up so ran from Fairview to School - no stops this time apart from a minute at the lights on Balmoral Road. The run up and down Wairiki undulates more than I realise whenever I run through there but managed to go the whole way without issues and felt pretty good even though felt like my rhythm and speed were off, they were not.

Distance: 1.32 km
Time: 6:48
Average Speed: 11.7 kph
Soundtrack: Weird Al - Word Crimes/Jesus Jones - International Bright Young Thing

Day 148 - Best time from the Village

Had to stop and pick something up from the Village shops for Max so stuffed a half kilo of butter into my bag along with some Gummi Bears and set off from there. Got about 200 meters when it started hosing down so I sheltered for 30 seconds as the shower passed and ran into one of the mummies from my daughters class.

Then ran on from there (Fairview) to Balmoral, waited at lights and then ran home with only one small walk from Watling where I always seem to fade.

Best time on that distance by 20 seconds or so.

Distance: 1.83 km
Time: 9:25
Average Speed: 11.6 kph
Soundtrack: Jesus Jones - Real Real Real/GroupLove - Ways to Go/Paolo Nutini - Funk My Life Up/Living Colour - Cult of Personality

Day 147 - Fairview run - faster than usual (recently)

Ran pretty well from Fairview Road to Balmoral, waited for the lights and then lit off from there as there was a girl running ahead of me at a slower pace, so I overtook and ran to Watling walked a few feet and then ran to St Leonards, walked a few feet and then ran the rest of the way.

Felt a bit weird overtaking so I kept the pace going as long as I could to not seem like I was overtaking for the sake of it. However I did pretty well and got home in good time despite a small nag in my hip, which is slowly recovering.

Distance: 1.46 km
Time: 7:25
Average Speed: 11.8 kph
Soundtrack: The Meices - Ready, Steady, Go/Pharrell - Happy/Foo Fighters - All My Life

Day 146 - Harder work today

I feel wearier, heavier and more sluggish but was only 10 seconds slower than yesterday, the same amount of stoppage/walking and yet so less positive by comparison.

Distance: 1.60 km
Time: 9:15
Average Speed: 10.3 kph
Soundtrack: Empire Records OST: Gin Blossoms- Til I Hear It From You/Edwyn Collins - A Girl Like You/The Martinis - Free

Day 145 - round the block taking it easy

Took it easy and it felt quite easy today, I ran to the steepest part and walked the last 20 meters or so. Then ran to the Dairy - which was about a kilometre from that point, did a quick purchase and then ran home with it at an average pace.

Felt like it was pretty easy though my hip was twinging a little bit.

Distance: 1.58 km
Time: 9:05
Average Speed: 10.4 kph
Soundtrack: Pharrell - Happy/The Hives - Hate To Say I Told You So

Day 144 - Run from Fairview no stops

Apart from the lights at the Balmoral/Mt Eden intersection that is.

Ran the rest of the way at what felt like a good pace, hip not hurting when running, but sore afterwards when rising/sitting as per the last 2 weeks.

Distance: 1.45 km
Time: 7:18
Average Speed: 11.9 kph
Soundtrack: Pharrell - Happy/Foo Fighters Monkey Wrench

Day 143 - From the Village - Full pack - plus bread

Ran from the village but with twice the usual weight on my back as I had a bag full of clothes, food and birthday presents. Then picked up a dozen baps from Baker's Delight and some finger buns for the kids and then ran from there to home.

Got to Balmoral and stopped at the lights for less than 20 seconds, then ran all the way to Glenalmond walked maybe 30 feet and then ran the rest of the way home without stopping.

Distance: 1.90 km
Time: 10: 29
Average Speed: 10.8 kph
Soundtrack: Happy/Get Lucky/Something else from Faves Mix

Day 142 - pretty good run

Ran from Fairview, all the way to Balmoral, then to Watling, walked for maybe 20 metres and then ran the rest of the way, just under 8 minutes.

Long and tiring day and the run was not that bad, hip hurting less mostly just lack of energy slowed me to walk one section but managed the rest fine.

Distance: 1.49 km
Time: 7:57
Average Speed: 11.2 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix

Day 141 - Run 2k to school meeting

Ran from the crest of the hill above the Village (north) and then through lights and to Balmoral without stopping, got 26 seconds paused at the lights and ran up Balmoral Road and then down Ruapehu to Wairiki, much hillier than expected. Walked up the steep part of Ruapehu but ran pretty much all of the rest.

Hip still sore but worse walking than running.

Distance: 2.08 km
Time: 11:18
Average Speed: 11.0 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix: Ways To Go/Owner of a Lonely Heart/Glamour Boys/Cochise

Day 140 - 3 Stops on a sore hip

Last few days my sore hip on the right side had been settling down, especially in the warmth of yesterday's run. Today the temperature has dropped and my hip has been acting up all day. So ran from Fairview to home, not walking before the lights and then small walks 3 times on the last half of the last half of my run.

Distance: 1.50 km
Time: 7:55
Average Speed: 11.3 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix

Day 139 - Run the long way round Remuera School

Was taking it easy to favour my hip which is slowly getting better, but still managed a mile with only walking a stretch of the steepest rise to Remuera Road, and then only the last 20 or so meters.

Much steeper in some places than I realised and once again the running on grass was the strength sapping part, much better pounding the pavement.

Distance: 1.54 km
Time: 8:42
Average Speed: 10.8 kph
Soundtrack: Pharrell - Happy/Gran Bel Fisher - Moment/American Authors - Believer

Day 138 - Run the block one walk

Tried to run at a slower pace but found myself speeding up in places. Ran to the steepest part of St A's - got maybe half way up and decided to not be a hero. Ran all the way home from there, I had to stop for a car pulling out of a driveway and walk behind it quickly but only 2-3 seconds. At Atanga I actually sped up to get across the road to avoid stopping for traffic and made it easily.

Forgot to say that the run last week where I hurt my hip I swallowed a bug for the first time, had a narrow miss with one today!

Distance: 1.57 km
Time: 8:50
Average Speed: 10.6 kph
Soundtrack: Faves Mix - The Hives - Hate To Say I Told You So/ Vance Joy - Riptide/Tears For Fears - Everybody Wants To Rule The World

Day 137 - short run to favour hip

I also did walking in bursts to give the pavement pounding a little bit of a rest but ran well over 90% of the way.

Running not really hurting it so much as walking on it is.

Distance: 1.18 km
Time: 6:46
Average Speed: 10.8 kph
Soundtrack: Pharrell - Happy & Daft Punk - Get Lucky

Day 136 - Injured hip

Been limping on it all day but funnily though I elected to have a shorter run, slowing down and walking are both significantly more uncomfortable than running at a comfortable pace.

Ran from Wairiki Road to home which is just under a kilometer no stops (obviously).

Distance: 0.72 km
Time: 3:48
Average Speed: 11.3 kph
Soundtrack: Underworld - Born Slippy

Day 135 - Ouch

Ran from the Village - barely stopped at the lights and then had to stop at Watling for a breather. Decided to run home through the park and so ran the hard way up Watling, which I regretted but had commited to. Then the park started filling up with overly keen dogs I could see bounding inwards when I ran up so went the long way round. Had to walk the steep parts and had a rest on St A's - hip beginning to bite at me and sore.

Tomorrow will run a short route to rest my thigh and hip a little.

Distance: 2.36 km
Time: 13:44
Average Speed: 10.3 kph
Soundtrack: New Faves Mix / Playlist.

Day 134 - Hard 2.7 ks

So the first time in over a week that I have run over a mile after being very sick. Did not help I had little sleep last night - I note that sleepless nights leads to bad runs the next day, good nights leads to good runs. Coincidence? I think not!

Ran to the Village and waited on the lights, overtaking a slower paced runner, felt a bit guilty like I was showing off but I just could not stay in pace or behind her for long.

Stopped twice on the way to Balmoral Road, walking maybe 10-20 feet before running again and stopped again at the lights, stopped to a standstill for the first time ever I think as my hip was sore and was getting a stitch and then slowed to a walk three more times on the way home.

Distance: 2.63 kms
Time: 14:32
Average Speed: 10.8 kph
Soundtrack: Boyhood OST.

Day 133 - Run at work in the rain

Took a lunchtime run to Ponsonby Road and back, in the cold driving rain.

Had to shower at work - but given the grim conditions on today, the first of Spring, better to do it this way.

Distance: 1.51
Time: 7:42
Average Speed: 11.5 kph
Soundtrack: MOS Ibiza Annual 2014

Day 132 - Started with son on a scooter

So a little further than usual and at weird pacing. I started with Harry on a scooter but it was stop and start so much it was slower than me walking, so we walked up a bit and then scooted downhill to the park, where it started spitting so he gave it up and went inside.

Then I ran a mile from the start again, all on the same clock hence around 2.5 minutes slower than usual.

Going to teach him how to ride his new bike over the Spring so he can ride at a decent pace while I run in the summer.

Distance: 1.66 km
Time: 10:44
Average Speed: 9.3 kph
Soundtrack: MOS Annual Ibiza 2014

Day 131 - short run in rain

Short run to the Dairy again today, raining and very cold so this is less of a run and more of a placeholder or bookmark - longer runs will prevail.

Very cold and hard to run on slippery ground, I take extra care on the slick surfaces of fire hydrants and metal manholes over drains etc...

Reached 200 km total today.

Distance: 1.2 km
Time: 6 minutes ish (app failure)
Average Speed: 11 ish kph
Soundtrack: The Yellowjackets - One For The Road.

Day 130 - Running at work

Today did the Ice Bucket Challenge thing so ran at lunch time instead so I could get drenched in my running gear and have a change of clothes to get into.

So ran approximately a mile or so - all in one go on the way up to Ponsonby Road and then stopped at the big intersections on the way back, as I crossed over to the north side of Karangahape for the return journey.

Distance: 1.51 km
Time: 7:49
Average Speed: 11.6 kph
Soundtrack: Audioslave - Cochise/Show Me How To Live

Day 129 - On the road again

After 2 days of even walking not being a going concern I ran the mile from Fairview to home. Had to stop twice for traffic but other than that ran most of the way apart from a small walk in the last 200 meters (should not have tried to race my sister in laws VW Golf, though I did beat her to my road unexpectedly, thank you Auckland traffic).

Distance: 1.47 km
Time: 7:11
Average Speed: 12.2 kph
Soundtrack: U2 - Desire, Beautiful Day, I Will Follow.

Day 128 - Still too sick to run

Ate the first food I have had in 36 hours and it's staying down which is good.

However obviously I cannot run even though I can walk without keeling over with nausea today.

(seriously - not exaggerating).

Also 'discovered' that I am not jogging but running - apparently jogging is less than 9 kph, whereas my regular average is 11 kph.

Hopefully back into it tomorrow - will do a short one to ease the body back.

Day 127 - Can't even walk today - too sick

So no run today, first time in months. Got some kind of bug/virus - I can't even walk around the house without throwing up.
‪#‎thissucks‬

Day 126 - long run - trying to slow down

Though have not slowed down much and it's a real effort to slow without it feeling like harder work than running normally.

Ran to the Village ok, ran to the Balmoral lights much harder, right hip twinge-ing, and then ran final leg with two slow downs/walks or 20 metres or so each.

Applied Dencorub to both thighs before running and to inside of right hip - helped with thighs but not the hip.

Distance: 2.58 km
Time: 14:32
Average Speed: 10.7 kph
Soundtrack: Audioslave - Cochise

Day 125 - Run the block without stopping

Tried to run a bit slower today to see if doing so gave me more endurance, but it made little difference. I was still tired and weary very early on and was only twenty seconds slower than the first time I ran the block.

Distance: 1.57 km (1.61 really)
Time: 8:27
Average Speed: 11.1 kph
Soundtrack: Jesus Jones - Doubt

Day 124 - 2 runs today!

So today I went to the Remuera School park with the kids and ran the school block and back around the school grounds. Then Max wanted to send me out for ice creams to the dairy since Alex had been sick and wanted some cheering up, so ran through the park up all the way to the dairy, picked up some stuff and then ran home with it.

Distance: 2.36 km
Time: 13:45
Average Speed: 10.28 kph
Average Soundtrack: Foo Fighters - Both times!

Day 123 - Ran from Village to school

Had to be at the school for daughter's certificate for Reading Skills at assembly so got off one stop before the village and ran on the other side of the road (which was odd for a change) all the way to the school hall.

Leg still an issue but this time put some Dencorub on my thigh before setting out and that seemed to help. May have to do my hips/groin as well (though carefully obviously).

Distance: 2.13 km
Time: 11:44 (probably 30 seconds faster as the app had issues as I got a text and it shut the active part of the app down, but the timer was still running).
Average Speed: 10.9 kph
Soundtrack: Foo Fighters - The Best of

Day 122 - Sore Right Thigh, gentle pace

Oddly what I am calling a slower and more gentle pace is not really working out to be - I suspect that pushing that extra speed means I am wearing myself out and slowing down, though it's hard to tell from the .5 k splits.

Ran/hobble-ran to Balmoral lights, waited 25 seconds and ran home with two stops - one on Mt Eden and one on St L's.

Distance: 1.51 km
Time: 7:54
Average Speed: 11.5 kph
Soundtrack: Foo Fighters - Best Of (Times Like These and Monkey Wrench x 2)

Day 121 - Long Route - Slow Pace

By choice today I got off 2.7 kms from home but decided to pace my running as slow as is comfortable to see if it is more bearable that way, which it was.

I also pre committed to taking breaks and walking more as my right knee and thigh muscles have been complaining over the last week or so.

I did not need to take a break until the up hill part because running 1.5- 2.0 k's slower than usual made the first leg much easier and not so hard on my right side.

I took maybe 3 or 4 breaks only and was only a minute slower than usual. May try this a few more times to eke out my endurance.

Distance: 2.58 km (2.7 by map)
Time: 14:44
Average Speed: 10.5 kph
Soundtrack: Jesus Jones - Doubt

Day 120 - Cold and Wet and Short

It's hosing down outside so I ran from three bus stops away to home and got soaked in only 3.34 minutes running. Good pace though.

Distance: 0.74 km
Time: 3:39
Average Speed: 12.0
Soundtrack: MOS Ibiza Annual 2014

Day 119 - Ah the Stitch! The Stitch I tells ya!

Ran from honeywell House to Mt Eden Village - stopped for the lights and double tied shoelaces which keep coming loose. Ran from Mt Eden Village to Balmoral Road and stopped for the lights.

Stitch started stabbing at me on the final leg and I had to stop a few times between Balmoral Road and home, the final stretch on St L's being quite painful and hard to  run through.

Made ok time.

Distance: 2.7 km
Time: 13:42
Average Speed: 11.3 kph
Soundtrack: MOS Ibiza Annual 2014.

Day 118 - Walked to the top of the hill and ran from there

As the title suggests I actually ran to the bottom of the hill, turned tracking off and walked to the top of the hill (maybe 2-300 meters?) and then ran 2km on the flat (and back downhill). Stopped for the midway point to cross the road but traffic was too dense so juts ran back the way I came.

Stopped on one intersection on the way back looking for traffic and other than that ran all of the way except the strength sapping hill.

Distance: 2.03 km
Time: 10:20
Average Speed: 11.8 kph
Soundtrack: Foo Fighters - Best Of

Day 117 - Running while injured

Got a neck muscle injury from sleeping funny and it's been two days of it, today being the worst. turning my head or moving my upper body (twisting) causes sharp pangs in my neck and shoulders, so I decided to do only a short run. Almost immediately the jarring impact is uncomfortable but bearable, unlike when trying to cross the road and turning my head to see - which hurt a lot.

So Ran uphill through the park and to the Dairy (about 650 odd meters) picked up some ice creams for the kids and then ran home (about 400 metres) with them at a relatively slow pace (or it felt gentle) - crossing the road was the worst part.

Still doing it every day.

Distance: 1.04 km
Time: 5:31
Average Speed: 11.3 kph
Soundtrack: Foo Fighters - One By One & Best of You

Day 116 - Run home through park mile

Ran pretty well considering I was running into a head wind for most of the run which slowed my pace a little bit.

Also decided to run home through the park which is windy and hilly but also a climb up Watling Road, which I walked 20 metres or so of before running the rest.

Distance: 1.46 km (1.6)
Time: 7:11
Average Speed: 12.2 kph
Soundtrack: Buckshot LeFonque - I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

Day 115 - New Mile - mostly uphill

Ran from the office to Soul Thai, according to Google Maps it's 1.8 km yet my phone said 1.6, I believe Google Maps.

Quite a lot of uphill on the way up Symonds Street and a lot of stopping and starting crossing a  half dozen roads on the way.

Only stopped (excluding intersections) twice, once on the uphill stretch and then again just before the final stretch to the Thai place. From there took the bus the rest of the way.

Distance: 1.8 km
Time: 9:04
Average Speed: 11.5 ish
Soundtrack: Audioslave - Audioslave

Day 114 - New Record

Ran the longer course 2.7 km from Honeywell House to home.

Ran section one without stopping and paused at the lights only. Ran all the second leg without stopping and paused at the lights only.

Third leg ran to Glenalmond then had to tie my shoe, which took a few seconds and then ran to St L's and walked maybe ten steps before running the rest of the way.

Tired, cold and sore on stopping but all in all managed my best tome over this course by a minute.

Distance: 2.61 km (2.7 really)
Time: 13:10 (previous best 2 days ago at 14:10)
Average Speed: 11.9 kph
Soundtrack: Running Mix - Various (Garbage/Garbage/INXS/Survivor)

Day 113 - 2 songs!

Ran the mile from Fairview road (despite what the GPS says) in 7:05 and therefore in two normal length songs, the first two tracks from Foo Fighters Greatest Hits.

Stopped to walk a few feet three times in the second half of the run but still made very good time. 2nd fastest over this distance.

Distance: 1.46 km
Time: 7:05
Average Speed: 12.3 kph
Soundtrack: Foo Fighters - One By One and The Best Of You

Day 112 - Testing Bone Conduction Headphones

Long run today and it felt like a struggle the whole way yet ran best time over the 2.7 km route.

Stopped twice on the way between the Village and Balmoral Road and then two or three times especially when crossing the road between Balmoral and home.

Borrowed a pair of bone conduction headphones from a mate and tried running with them. They're very comfortable for running in and do not block the sound from other sources which is quite good when running as you can hear all the stuff around you. Recommend them, tempted to buy a pair apart from the fact this model is wired and has no pause or skip function.

Distance: 2.63 km
Time: 14:04 (best time by 10 seconds)
Average Speed: 11.2 kph
Soundtrack: Lemon Jelly - '64 - '95

Day 111 - Eleventy-one Today!

In honour of the upcoming Hobbit pt 3 (not really, just live eleventy-one as a number).

Ran the block, aiming for an unbroken run but stopped almost immediately to tie shoelace come undone (a few metres from home so it doesn't count) and again on the top of the steepest part of St A's, thought I was close to making it when my thighs started burning so I dropped to a walk for 10 feet or so then ran the rest of the way at a reduced pace (in my mind anyway).

Distance: 1.55 km (1.61 really)
Time: 8:22
Average Speed: 11.1 kph
Soundtrack: Jesus Jones - Doubt

Day 110 - Short run

Woke up from a nap in the afternoon spending the morning at a nine year olds birthday party and a bad sleep made me wiped out. Also had very little to eat today and was feeling a bit nauseous so took a short run.

Ran to the dairy (500 ish meters) made a purchase and then ran the rest of the way home, uphill on Watling without stopping and down through the park.

Distance: 1.09 km
Time: 5:16
Average Speed: 11.4 kph
Soundtrack: Yes/Underworld

Day 109 - Good Pace 2nd Equal Time

Ran long yesterday and it's dark, cold and raining outside but managed to get the gumption to run a mile anyway rather than take the easy way out of three bus stops from the house.

Cold and paused only 41 seconds at the lights as I arrived at the right time to not wait long. Knew I was making good time so I sped up at the end but with people in the way and having lost a few seconds for traffic turning into Glenalmond, I could have equal or beaten.

Distance: 1.48 (1.6 really) km
Time: 7:06 (2nd equal and 1st only 7:03)
Average Speed: 12.5 kph
Soundtrack: The National - High Violet (Terrible Love/Bloodbuzz Ohio/Terrible Love)

Day 108 - Longest run fastest time

Though I stopped up to five times it was still a good effort and I was up and running again quickly.

Working my way up in terms of distance as gradually but determinedly as possible.

Distance: 2.7 km
Time: 14:15
Average Speed: 10.7 kph
Soundtrack: The National - Whatever the latest album is called... I forget...

Day 107 - Cold Mile

Today was not hard on my legs but my lungs and face. It's supposedly 12 degrees out but it feels more like 3 or 4 by my reckoning. Even with me running and warming my muscles I still felt cold and running south down Mt Eden Road is into a southerly wind which makes it worse.

I did not sweat at all outside but when I came inside and hit the warm air in my house it was like spraying me in oil...

Distance: 1.60 km
Time: 7:25
Average Speed 12.0 kph
Soundtrack: Jagwar Ma - Howlin'

Day 106 - Buggered but a big run

I did stop more than once to a walk and then pick up again and I seriously considered stopping at the corner and walking home from there but a small rest of 10-15 seconds was enough to get me going again.

It was a hard slog going that far and my diet of late is not helping so I need to protein up more and drop the extra sugar in things again.

Distance: 2.63 km
Time: 14:44
Average Speed: 10.7 kph
Soundtrack: Lemon Jelly - '64-'95

Day 105 - still feeling the sugar

I assume - plus it was hellishly cold out today as well, can't wait for warmer weather and easier breathing. It is getting lighter every evening though.

Stopped three times all in the second leg - weariness and mental fatigue - not enough distracting me. I notice that I run further when I am caught up in something else taking my attention - maybe should try running with an audiobook?

Distance: 1.50 km
Time: 7:45
Average Speed: 11.6 kph
Soundtrack: Jack White - Lazaretto

Day 104 - slow and piecemeal

But just keep going. Ignore those dozen stops or so and the 50 second pause trying to cross the road. Just keep restarting and run your run!

The first uphill is fucking hard work and it drains me before running the long flat part. Maybe next weekend I'll walk up to Orvieto and then take off from there, head all the way to Mt Albert Road, crossover and run home, that should be a decent 3 km.

We'll see I guess.

Distance: 2.11 km
Time: 12:38
Average Speed: 10.0 kph
Soundtrack: Jesus Jones - Doubt

Day 103 - uphill slog but endurance getting better

Ran uphill and was struggling the whole way - however when on the top I felt like I could and should run further so carried on to the end of the block. stopping loads of times and running at a much slower pace (or it felt slow anyway) I managed to get further and felt less like not running when I started up again each time.

Ran 2km and could potentially have run more.

Distance: 2.01 km
Time: 12:25
Average Speed: 9.7 kph
Soundtrack: Classixx - Album

Day 102 - Short mile

Had a drink at work and maybe that worked against me but it was a struggle but managed the whole run but felt crap most of the way. No break at the lights but stopped for 5 seconds to check my bag after paranoia set in that it was feeling too light.

Distance: 1.46 km
Time: 7:26
Average Speed: 11.8 kph
Soundtrack: Jesus Jones - Doubt

Day 101 - Longest run yet

2.7 kms and the longest continuous run yet. Ran from 2 stops before Mt Eden Village and stopped at the lights for less than 10 seconds, ran all the way to Balmoral Road, waited for maybe a minute or more at the lights and then all the way home without stopping/walking (except the intersections where there was traffic to walk around carefully) and there were cars blocking driveways, footpaths and intersections.

Distance: 2.7 km
Time: 14:24
Average Speed: 11.0 kph
Soundtrack: Running Mix - Grouplove/INXS/Fluke/Feeder

Day 100 - hard work on a new route

This was a bit grim but I ran 2.1 kms (though my GPS registered much less) and there were more rises and falls than expected and a LOT of road crossings to get to the Cinema for my NZIFF film this afternoon.

I noted that when I was at the hospital it had only picked up 220 metres when it should have been 800-900.

However I hit 100 days of running today and so over a quarter of the way through the year!

Distance: 2.1 km
Time: 11:23
Average Speed: Unknown.
Soundtrack: Running Mix.

Day 99 - Hard work but good run anyway

Did not feel as good as it did yesterday but still managed to do it without stopping and the pause at the lights was only 23 seconds.

Tomorrow will be a longer one.

Distance: 1.48 km
Time: 7:07
Average Speed: 12.4 kph
Soundtrack: Audioslave - Audioslave

Day 98 - Great!

Ran from a little way beyond the usual bus stop and knew almost instantly that I was ahead of my usual pace and burning through my run in record time. By the time I got past Balmoral I felt like I was making great time and not feeling bad at all, then the three bus stops along Mt Eden I kept pace with the two buses stopping and interlacing at each one until the last one where they were leaving as I arrived, which was a good pace.

Ran all the way with no stops apart from the traffic lights at Balmoral.

Best time by 6 seconds but potentially more like 9 seconds once you figure the extra 20/30 metres and the fussing crossing the road.

Distance: 1.51 km
Time: 7:03
Average Speed: 12.8 kph
Soundtrack: Jesus Jones - Doubt

Day 97 - early run on no breakfast

Yesterday was a bit odd so with the prospect of another film this afternoon at the NZIFF there was an opportunity to get the run in early.

However on no energy in the tank and no breakfast before the run I felt it almost immediately and barely made it to the corner before feeling tired and breathless. I made it to the steep part though and knew I would not make it the whole way. Ran all of Watling, rested/walked on 20 feet or so or Mt Eden and the same on St Leonards, so three non run parts in all.

Distance: 1.62 km
Time: 8:43
Average Speed: 11.2 kph
Soundtrack: Running Mix - Garbage, Yes, George Michael

Day 96 - And odd little run

Today I went to the Film Festival and decided to run home from the village. However I needed to pick up some bread and tomatoes, and ran out of room in my nag to store all my clothes AND the groceries. So I walked up to the 1.2 km mark and then ran in jeans with everything else in my bag and carrying a dozen rolls in one hand.

So I ran/walked about 75% running and then walking pausing, crossing and going to shops.

Distance: 1.30 km
Time: 7:32
Average Speed: 10.3 kph
Soundtrack: Coldplay - Mylo Xyloto

Day 95 - second fastest time

All though it could have been fastest as only 3 seconds slower previous and potentially slightly longer and fussing with the app takes a few seconds to do. Running to beat heavy rave music does kind of help out - especially when it's familiar music that makes you want to move.

Ran from Fairview to Balmoral and into a head wind yet felt like I was making very good time. Then all the way from the lights to home including a nasty bout of ice cold rain the face for the last 300 odd meters.

Distance: 1.51 km
Time: 7:08
Average Speed: 12.6 kph
Soundtrack: Jesus Jones - Doubt (Trust Me/Who, Where, Why & International Bright Young Things)

Day 94- short jog in the afternoon

Day stacking up against me and I have to work from home with a heaeache and nausea so decided that a 1km run and only running a light pace would be the way.

All the steep parts I walked and slowed down for all street crossings.

Maybe 4 walks including lights? 80-90% running overall though.

Distance: 1.14 km
Time: 6:25
Average Speed: 10.7 kph
Soundtrack: High Violet - The National

Day 93 - Cold mile - showing off a little

So normal enough run for now with bloody cold air and low visibility on the way home, but today as I started off a girl ran past me as I was getting ready and so I left enough room for her to get well ahead before I started running. Problem was that I caught up with her at the lights and had been making ground the whole way because I was obviously running faster (I am much taller, longer legs etc...). So on the second leg I overtook her even with her headstart at the lights.

The problem was that as I ran ahead I sped up and maintained it until I was maybe 200 m ahead so I did not just look like I was trying to overtake her, even though I kind of did.

So before I reached home I stopped twice and even with that my pace was mostly faster than yesterday.

Distance: 1.48 km
Time: 7:25
Average Speed: 11.9 kph
Soundtrack: Mandatory Fun - Weird Al