15 km Training Walk

I wasn't out to set any records today - just to do the distance with a focus on my technique. I seemed to loosen up a bit after a couple of km but my pace was averaging 7:38 per km. There was a strong wind blowing which did limit my pace a bit. I completed 15 km in 1:54:31 with average HR 115 bpm.

15 km Training Walk

Saturday 24 November

5 km Race

I was scheduled to play this week's interclub tennis matches (doubles then singles) in the morning followed by a catch up match of my singles that were rained off last Saturday. I didn't expect to start the second match until 1:00 pm but fortunately we managed to squeeze the match in early and finished just before 1 pm.

I phoned Philip to check the time of the race and decided I could get there comfortably provided I did not go home to get my walking gear. I did the race in my tennis clothes and my tennis shoes which are heavier than the running shoes I normally walk in. I tried to walk comfortably and focus on technique and was pleased to see I did the first 500m in 3:02. There were 4 judges on the course which was 4 laps of a 1.25 km loop. It was good to finish the race in second place in a time of 31:14 and great to have no cards and only one warning (from Philip). In less than ideal gear and after playing three tennis matches, I thought this was a pretty good effort. There is no Garmin data since that was at home with the rest of my walking  gear.

Friday 23 November

12 km Training Walk

I needed to fit this walk and a yoga class in so decided to walk to work. This involves a couple of slow km at the start where there is some steeper terrain and carrying a bag on my back which makes it harder to stand straight. I was close to work after 6 km so had to do another 3 km before turning around and heading back to work.

My average pace was 7:55 min per km and average HR 116 bpm

12 km Training Walk

Tuesday 20 November

8 km Training Walk

It wasn't possible to get out at lunchtime and I finished work too late to make the waterfront race so I headed out for a walk at around 5:30 pm.  I started out steadily and tried to increase my effort through the workout. My overall pace was 6:52 min per km with an average HR of 141 bpm.

8 km Training Walk

Sunday 18 November

3000m Track Race

The track at Newtown Park is being reconstructed so this event was on a grass track at the Petone Recreation Ground. The race was an hour later than scheduled so I was well warmed up. I took the lead just before the 200m mark and tried to relax and maintain a good style. There were no judges so no feedback on what I looked like. I found the race hard and was pleased with my time of 18:07. My average HR was 161 bpm.

3000m Track Race

Thursday 15 November

8 km Training Walk

We met up with some other Scottish Walkers at Freyberg pool and did a very easy walk for around 3 km. I then picked up the pace on my own for an extra 500m then turned round to chase the others. I managed to catch them with about 1 km to go, completing 8 km at an average pace of 7:16 min/km. I couldn't find my HR monitor when I was rushing out this morning so there is no HR data.

8 km Training Walk

10 km Training Walk

Sunday 11 November

There was a drizzly rain and a strong wind but I was determined to get out for a walk. It was meant to be 8 km but I felt good at 4 km so kept going to turn around at 5 km. I was into the wind on the way back which was so strong I could hardly stand up straight.

This was a very leisurely walk as can be seen from the stats. I was pretty wet at the end but enjoyed the hot shower followed by a coffee and read of the paper.

Average pace 7:56 min/km, average HR 114 bpm.

10 km Training Walk

8 km Training Walk

It was a nice sunny day and I figured I would go out for a walk at lunchtime. Unfortunately an urgent task came along just at that time so it was nearly 6:00 pm before I was able to get out. I was tempted to flag it but not wanting to start a bad habit, I made the effort.

Having done mostly races recently, I wanted to do an easy walk at around 7 min/km. I did manage that pace but not as comfortably as I had hoped. My average pace was 6:58 and average HR 136 bpm.

I'm glad to have done some training today and looking forward to a walk with club members on Saturday.

8 km Training Walk

Tuesday 6 November - 5 km Waterfront Race

Usually southerly winds mean a good time with a homeward tail wind but this day it was hard work going into the wind at the start. I tried to remain relaxed and to maintain a steady pace. I got to the turn around in around 15:20 so didn't expect to get a time under 30 mins as I had the previous two weeks.

After some competition with a runner on the way back I crossed the line in 30:26, pleased to achieve a negative split. The runner thanked me for encouraging her to a better time.

Looking at the Garmin data I see that my heart rate briefly went up to 249 whilst I was walking into the wind. This is not something I've seen before. My average pace was 6:09 and average HR 169 bpm.

5 km Waterfront Race

Wellington Masters 10 km Walk

This is never a well-supported race so I wasn't expecting many walkers to be there. We arrived in time for me to go once around the block as a warm up. There was a cool breeze but the warm up was enough for me to be able to take my sweat shirt off.

I pulled away right from the start and was managing a good pace of around 6:06.  The first half of the race went quite well but the head wind on the return took it's toll. After 500m I passed Philip who was leading the other walkers on their way out. It wan't too long before my left hip was starting to hurt the way that it did in the race last Sunday. I tried to keep working towards a good time but it was not easy to find the motivation. I managed a bit of extra speed towards the end, finishing in 62:31. The other competitors agreed with my Garmin that the course was around 120m too long this year. The course is on uneven footpaths and a cambered road so it is too much to expect a great time here.

My average pace was 6:11 and average HR 160 bpm.

Wellington Masters 10 km Walk