Aaron...
Well that was tough, not just physically but more so mentally for me and I could not have completed the run in the time we did without Chris, he is one amazing guy. There were times on the run I wanted to walk and he said not yet mate wait till we get on a ways, and sure enough I had plenty left in the legs. Then there was the Redwoods at the bottom of Te Mata Peak where I offered him the timing device and told him I would finish but he should go on, but he told me he didn't want it and to get my arse into gear and I did. But that peak was tough, my legs were screaming for relief and because we knew the trail like the back of our hands we knew what was to come but we just kept on going with Chris leading the way. He had a bit of trouble with cramp near the top and thats when I knew it was my turn to take the lead for the first time and try and spur my mate on. We got to the top and our mate Mike was there and things for me seemed that bit clearer and we were off and I felt great. We met the kids again 1/3 of the way down and I had a good couple of swigs of flat coke cola and I was off and I think knowing the way home the way we did helped enormously and I was on a real high. Disaster nearly struck just at the bottom of the track as Chris clipped a tree root and his leg cramped up and he hit the deck, I looked back and though oh shit I am going to have to carry him now. I could see he was in pain and a bit of disbelief as he hadn't had his legs go like that but he kicked on and we eased the rest of the run out and crossed the line in 5hrs23mins with the kids running in behind us and a couple of relieved and proud wives at the finish line.
The whole event was pretty emotional for me on a personal note and I felt like blubbering at the 2nd transition as we ran in past other teams and their supporters who had seen the newspaper article the night before and were pointing to us saying they are come on guys you are going great, but I looked at Chris and he looked strong and I thought I can't cry if hes not. Then at the finish line, all over, we have done it, kids jumping up and down Lucie and my Mum crying, I looked at Chris and he was smiling and I thought "shit I still can't have a cry". I felt so proud to wear the shirt with Gina on the front, I thought about her a lot through the run and asked her for help once or twice. I am also proud that we have created a vehicle that we can raise money for to help kids and their families whose pain and challenge doesn't have the same defined "finish" line as ours.
While I am at it thanks to Lucie, Ellie, Hannah and Callum, your support has been great. Thanks to Fern Ridge for the sponsorship of our running shirts and Russ and Annette Black and family for the entry fee and the countless others that have sponsored us or just said you can do it.
Lastly, and this is the end, thank you Chris and Debbie, you are two remarkable people and I am privilaged to call you my friends and your strength is a constant source of encouragement and inspiration for me and my family, kia kaha Aaron.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
Saturday 21st (Race Day)
Jesse......
Morning of the Triple Peaks! I have had my breakfast & Hydrated a bit before today, with still 2 hours to go!
Had my last run on Tuesday which was a nice 10km, and have just been doing a bit of biking for the rest of the week! I got a little niggle in my calf, so have been putting the deep heat on, and have worn my tights to bed (I can imagine Aaron reading that and saying 'good on ya mate!).
Hope all goes well today, weather is meant to be in the 20's.....so will definatly be needing plenty of fluids!
Getting quite nervous at this stage, but at the same time, I really want to get out there, and do this! It will be cool to see everyone supporting, and hopefully donating to help out the facilities that helped Georgina!
Before I go......Check out the neat picture at the top! :)
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Thursday 19th March 2009
Chris...
Just the one day left and then its all go.
I have not been updating the blog because i have been struck down with the dreaded 'lurgy'. I woke up Tuesday morning with a sore throat and a blocked up head, sniffing and coughing like a good one. I have not done much at all this week apart from a couple of 3k jogs around the block with Ben. I seem to have gone down hill all week. I felt like shit today when I woke up and realised that it had gone onto my chest, so a visit to the quacks was in order and I am now on Anti Bionics. He said it was the worst case of Man Flu he had ever seen, he did not know how I was still standing, he even compared it to child birth , only worse!! I just hope that I don't get post Man Flu Depression !! - Joking aside I am pretty down with the fact that I have been training hard for many months now, only to get a cold and a chest infection in the last week. I will get round the course no problem but unless these pills start working I am gong to be pretty slow. Still its not about being fast, that's just my pride messing with me, it's about creating awareness and raising funds to help children and their family's who are suffering with Cancer. It's about reminding people that my daughter Georgina, was here and was beautiful, kind and considerate and that she fought long and hard and probably endured more in those 11 months, than most of us have to endure in an entire life time. - proud of you kid
I will post again after the challenge and let you know how it went.
Thank you all for your generosity and kind support.
Later.
Chris
Just the one day left and then its all go.
I have not been updating the blog because i have been struck down with the dreaded 'lurgy'. I woke up Tuesday morning with a sore throat and a blocked up head, sniffing and coughing like a good one. I have not done much at all this week apart from a couple of 3k jogs around the block with Ben. I seem to have gone down hill all week. I felt like shit today when I woke up and realised that it had gone onto my chest, so a visit to the quacks was in order and I am now on Anti Bionics. He said it was the worst case of Man Flu he had ever seen, he did not know how I was still standing, he even compared it to child birth , only worse!! I just hope that I don't get post Man Flu Depression !! - Joking aside I am pretty down with the fact that I have been training hard for many months now, only to get a cold and a chest infection in the last week. I will get round the course no problem but unless these pills start working I am gong to be pretty slow. Still its not about being fast, that's just my pride messing with me, it's about creating awareness and raising funds to help children and their family's who are suffering with Cancer. It's about reminding people that my daughter Georgina, was here and was beautiful, kind and considerate and that she fought long and hard and probably endured more in those 11 months, than most of us have to endure in an entire life time. - proud of you kid
I will post again after the challenge and let you know how it went.
Thank you all for your generosity and kind support.
Later.
Chris
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
March 18th 2009
Aaron...
Well thats it, did my last 4.5km today and have hung up the training gear and now the next trainers I lace up will be on race day 60 hours away give or take. I have to say I have been jumping out of my skin for the past couple of days and cannot sit still at the office it is such a bizzare feeling I struggle to explain it. Its like my body is crying out for a run and the 4-8kms we have run each day this week barely scratch the itch. Lets hope that come Saturday the feeling is the same. Getting plenty of carbos on board now and drinking water like there no tomorrow and visiting the loo more times than I care to count but thats not a bad thing. Spoke to Chris a couple of times today and he sounds like crap, he has picked up a bit of a cold/chest infection and he is sweating on losing it as soon as possible, maybe its time to get in some antibiotics but he will be fine on the day.
We have had a fair few donations to the Trust and we cannot say how thankful and blown away we are to everyone who has taken the time to read the site and send in money especially in these difficult financial times. Again the people in my office have jumped onto the sponsorship bandwagon albeit with a few qualifying statements for the promise of extra dollars, I hope we can meet and beat expectations, its all for a good cause as they say.
Well I think I will make a last pre-race entry on Friday and then thats us, all the hours and kilometers spent training for this race are behind us and its just us, 3 peaks and 47kms, bring it on. Kia Kaha Aaron
Well thats it, did my last 4.5km today and have hung up the training gear and now the next trainers I lace up will be on race day 60 hours away give or take. I have to say I have been jumping out of my skin for the past couple of days and cannot sit still at the office it is such a bizzare feeling I struggle to explain it. Its like my body is crying out for a run and the 4-8kms we have run each day this week barely scratch the itch. Lets hope that come Saturday the feeling is the same. Getting plenty of carbos on board now and drinking water like there no tomorrow and visiting the loo more times than I care to count but thats not a bad thing. Spoke to Chris a couple of times today and he sounds like crap, he has picked up a bit of a cold/chest infection and he is sweating on losing it as soon as possible, maybe its time to get in some antibiotics but he will be fine on the day.
We have had a fair few donations to the Trust and we cannot say how thankful and blown away we are to everyone who has taken the time to read the site and send in money especially in these difficult financial times. Again the people in my office have jumped onto the sponsorship bandwagon albeit with a few qualifying statements for the promise of extra dollars, I hope we can meet and beat expectations, its all for a good cause as they say.
Well I think I will make a last pre-race entry on Friday and then thats us, all the hours and kilometers spent training for this race are behind us and its just us, 3 peaks and 47kms, bring it on. Kia Kaha Aaron
Monday, March 16, 2009
Monday 16th
Jesse (Slacker).....
A bit of a delayed blog post, but finally made it on!
Aaron has caught me in my new tights (As silly as they look, I didnt want to be too left out!!). Training has been going good, usually doing the 10KM runs to the track every Tuesday, the usual Saturday runs with Chris, Aaron & ben, and any other runs I can fit in during/after school.
Saturdays run was good, although went a bit longer than expected!! It was a scary thought knowing the next time we would see the top of the peak is when we will be nearly a marathons distance through the race!! Needless to say I felt very good on the run, and I am luckily getting better each time I run the peak!
The marathon around the Tuki Tuki with Aaron a few weeks earlier was a real confidence boost!! Especially at the end when both Aaron & I had the energy to pick the pace up on the last leg (making it look like we had just run around the block!). I was actually really surprised on that run at our performance, as for the two of us that probably wouldnt have even though of being able to complete a marathon 1 year ago!!
I participated in the Triathlon this weekend on short notice, for the Hastings Fire Brigade! It was my first time in my compression pants, and they felt really good (although I wont wear them on the day of Triple peaks - Sorry!)! I was about the 15th "yellow number" to leave from the swim transition, and by the time I had finished my run, I was the first "yellow number" in, so I must have passed a few people!! The run felt really good, and didnt feel tired at any point, I was even able to manage a powerful finish!!
Mixed emotions about this weekend!! I am excited to be helping Chris raise funds for the facilities that supported Georgina through her treatment! And excited to be part of something that when I complete will be one tick on the bucket list! I am just hoping I do not get stitch or anyhing along the way, but I am sure Aaron & Chris will pull me along! Although I am not too prone to getting caught short on runs, I might pack a few rolls of toilet paper for Aaron (If he goes that many times in a just over 3 hours, I wouldnt like to see the amount of toilet paper he would use in the Triple Peaks Challenge :P!!).
I will probably take Aarons advice, and not go for any more long runs, and just take a few walks/bikes throughout the week.
C ya for now! -- Jesse :)
A bit of a delayed blog post, but finally made it on!
Aaron has caught me in my new tights (As silly as they look, I didnt want to be too left out!!). Training has been going good, usually doing the 10KM runs to the track every Tuesday, the usual Saturday runs with Chris, Aaron & ben, and any other runs I can fit in during/after school.
Saturdays run was good, although went a bit longer than expected!! It was a scary thought knowing the next time we would see the top of the peak is when we will be nearly a marathons distance through the race!! Needless to say I felt very good on the run, and I am luckily getting better each time I run the peak!
The marathon around the Tuki Tuki with Aaron a few weeks earlier was a real confidence boost!! Especially at the end when both Aaron & I had the energy to pick the pace up on the last leg (making it look like we had just run around the block!). I was actually really surprised on that run at our performance, as for the two of us that probably wouldnt have even though of being able to complete a marathon 1 year ago!!
I participated in the Triathlon this weekend on short notice, for the Hastings Fire Brigade! It was my first time in my compression pants, and they felt really good (although I wont wear them on the day of Triple peaks - Sorry!)! I was about the 15th "yellow number" to leave from the swim transition, and by the time I had finished my run, I was the first "yellow number" in, so I must have passed a few people!! The run felt really good, and didnt feel tired at any point, I was even able to manage a powerful finish!!
Mixed emotions about this weekend!! I am excited to be helping Chris raise funds for the facilities that supported Georgina through her treatment! And excited to be part of something that when I complete will be one tick on the bucket list! I am just hoping I do not get stitch or anyhing along the way, but I am sure Aaron & Chris will pull me along! Although I am not too prone to getting caught short on runs, I might pack a few rolls of toilet paper for Aaron (If he goes that many times in a just over 3 hours, I wouldnt like to see the amount of toilet paper he would use in the Triple Peaks Challenge :P!!).
I will probably take Aarons advice, and not go for any more long runs, and just take a few walks/bikes throughout the week.
C ya for now! -- Jesse :)
Sunday, March 15, 2009
16th March 2009
Aaron...
Well its funny how the world goes around in circles as low and behold who turns up in tights on Saturday morning but none other than our esteemed leader Chris. I thought it was only because it was cold but knock me over with a feather and Sunday evening he is in tights again but this time without shorts over the top and despite what has been inferred on previous posts I have always protected the greater public by wearing shorts over the tights but I think Chris really liked the sheer look. I also bumped into Jesse at a local triathlon on Sunday afternoon and he had bought some tights on Saturday so I have taken a reasonable amount of stick and everyone has ended up in them.
As Chris mentioned we did our own thing on Friday and I did about 10km at a reasonable clip and really felt good. Saturday was a good one as well, little bit longer than we expected but nice to knock off the Peak one last time before the day and although it hurt a bit going up, recovered quickly enough and had a long stretch off at home which I have tended to overlook. Sundays run went through the Tainui Reserve again and it was good to stretch the legs out for an hour or so.
Met up with Chris at lunchtime today and had a good hit out for just on an hour, I think its a bit of a case of killing time now and we spoke about getting a bit nervous/excited and it cannot come quickly enough.
Plenty of support about from family, friends and colleagues and I just found out last week that there are comments from the UK on this Blog and I really enjoyed reading those as well.
Kia Kaha Aaron
Well its funny how the world goes around in circles as low and behold who turns up in tights on Saturday morning but none other than our esteemed leader Chris. I thought it was only because it was cold but knock me over with a feather and Sunday evening he is in tights again but this time without shorts over the top and despite what has been inferred on previous posts I have always protected the greater public by wearing shorts over the tights but I think Chris really liked the sheer look. I also bumped into Jesse at a local triathlon on Sunday afternoon and he had bought some tights on Saturday so I have taken a reasonable amount of stick and everyone has ended up in them.
As Chris mentioned we did our own thing on Friday and I did about 10km at a reasonable clip and really felt good. Saturday was a good one as well, little bit longer than we expected but nice to knock off the Peak one last time before the day and although it hurt a bit going up, recovered quickly enough and had a long stretch off at home which I have tended to overlook. Sundays run went through the Tainui Reserve again and it was good to stretch the legs out for an hour or so.
Met up with Chris at lunchtime today and had a good hit out for just on an hour, I think its a bit of a case of killing time now and we spoke about getting a bit nervous/excited and it cannot come quickly enough.
Plenty of support about from family, friends and colleagues and I just found out last week that there are comments from the UK on this Blog and I really enjoyed reading those as well.
Kia Kaha Aaron
Sunday 15th March 2009
Chris...
Not long now, just a matter of days !!
I could not meet up with Aaron on Friday so we both did our own thing, just an easy jog for me.
We all met up early Saturday for our last run together before the big day, we had decided to run for about 1hr 30min to 2hrs taking in the peak as we went. All was good, no problems, no twinges or niggles. We ended up running further and for longer than expected 2hrs 10min I think it was just because we were enjoying ourselves and nobody was really watching the time. It's the last time I will see the peak before Saturday, just easy runs left now, no hills and nothing over 10k to come.
I ended up doing an extra 3k at the end though, because I found myself locked out of my home and had to run up to Anderson park, where Jake was playing cricket, just used it as an extra warm down - no worries.
I met up with Aaron tonight and we ran for an hour up and around the Tanui reserve, we decided that we would complete 3 more runs before the weekend no more that 10k, Mon - Wed with lots of stretching.
Nothing more we can do now, lets just hope we have done enough!!
Bye for now. Chris
Not long now, just a matter of days !!
I could not meet up with Aaron on Friday so we both did our own thing, just an easy jog for me.
We all met up early Saturday for our last run together before the big day, we had decided to run for about 1hr 30min to 2hrs taking in the peak as we went. All was good, no problems, no twinges or niggles. We ended up running further and for longer than expected 2hrs 10min I think it was just because we were enjoying ourselves and nobody was really watching the time. It's the last time I will see the peak before Saturday, just easy runs left now, no hills and nothing over 10k to come.
I ended up doing an extra 3k at the end though, because I found myself locked out of my home and had to run up to Anderson park, where Jake was playing cricket, just used it as an extra warm down - no worries.
I met up with Aaron tonight and we ran for an hour up and around the Tanui reserve, we decided that we would complete 3 more runs before the weekend no more that 10k, Mon - Wed with lots of stretching.
Nothing more we can do now, lets just hope we have done enough!!
Bye for now. Chris
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