10km Waimea Estates - Race two

Today was Race 2 of the 10km Series - Waimea Estates (and is known for its hilly sections. Today was freezing, we are expecting a storm to pass through tomorrow and the temp was showing that. It was over cast and had a real chill in the air at a guess about 8 degs

I have decided to use this Series as training walks..there is just no point to me trying to push to get race pace when I am unfit and recovering from an injury. So I thought I would just go out and enjoy them, push when I felt like it but basically just stick to my training pace.

This course would have to be one of the most confusing ones I have raced on. It sorted of doubled back on itself and to see it here written down made it even more confusing. But to see it on my Garmin print out it was easy...go figure.

THE COURSE

The course has been measured with a wheel so is accurate as we can possibly make it. Start in Bateup Rd (near Collins Rd) left into Wensley, right into Chelsea, left into Squire Way, becomes Middlebank Drive, left into Blair, right into D'Urville.left into Washbourne, right into Farnham, left into Hunter, right into Queen, right into Hill, right into Hart, right into Wensley, right into Chelsea, left into Squire which becomes Middlebank Drive, left into Blair, right into D'Urville, right into Washbourne, right into Hill, right into Brenda Lawson through walkway into Wilkinson, left into Chelsea, left into Wensley, right into Otia, left into St. James. The finish is just @100 meters before Bateups Rd. You go past the Richmond Cemetery 3 times Sounds a little complicated on paper, a course map will be available at the start and as long as the front runner knows where they are going you should be fine.

So we all walked down to the start line and chatted away happily to each other..each of us trying no to focus on the course at this point. The set us on our way....as to be expected Wendy went out like a rocket and remained in that mode for the whole 10km. The first km is a very subtle uphill grade and I felt great. No calf pain yay!! Rounded into Chelsea and again climbed but still subtle, but enough to feel it now, next corner (2km) and its up and round, down and up (short sharp uphill and down hill) these were No goes for racewalking and it was a power walk up...Along Hill street (aptly named) it is a long straight almost 1.5km and has 3 rolls in it...again short and sharp but by now I was down to a slow power walk up but zipped along happily on the downs... :0) the course continues like this and I was pressing my lap at each Km marker rather than letting my watch do it automatically......interesting to see the difference as this was a measured course so it is correct. I was pleased to pop through the 5km in 30:40 but I knew the next 3 km were part of the steepest and so would slow my time down.

The very last two km were the best, pretty much a gentle gradient down hill, so you could stretch out and catch your breath. I was so pleased to turn down were I knew the finsh was and saw Wendy having a drink.....yes the finish line must be near!!! So I finished in 62:33 and I was happy with that. Wendy smoked it in 58:16 wow is all I can say!!!

10km Waimea Estates Series by kyisis at Garmin Connect - Details

So now my training starts!!! I have 2 months to get super fit and finally post a sub 2 hour for 20km!!!! I can do this.