My run 29/09/2007
Club 8km this morning and the new route ~ with school holidays is full swing, not too many people but still around 14 for the various routes. I went out slow as usual to let the legs warm up and the usual [Mike and Jane] headed out fast. I’ve got to know this route quite well [suppose as I designed it] and knew that it was a tough one. At 2.3km a long 800m climb, then not too long after that some steep steps with a sharp hill, then ends off with another 800m long climb at the 6km mark.
I went out with Filona and felt strong on the first climb, so pushed hard and left her – decided to go hard until the legs complained and was still going hard at the 4km when I closed on to Jane, where I sat about 20m’s behind through the paddocks and back towards the 6km mark and long hill ~ I knew I was pushing her but she can run!! Halfway up the last long hill, she had a walk and I passed [I wasn't going to walk but my legs, lungs and everything else wanted to]. Finished in 43min which was not brilliant for a normal 8km but really good on this one. Managed to finish 1:30 ahead of Jane – impressed [so what that she is recovering from flu, on antibiotics and had a party the night before!]
Fishing 28/09/2007
Yup, you read right ~ fishing! The kids got some rods a week or so ago and we got invited to a little fishing with some friends, suppose had to learn sometime living by the ocean. Needless to say we had a lot of fun and a little stress added in as I honestly had no clue on how to get the whole thing going. K actually managed to catch 3 “bait” fish which was really exciting but J’s reel broke before we even got started, so going to need to replace his. We didn’t time it too well as the tide was going out fast and taking the fish with it.
Still great fun and maybe more on the way? Oh yes, no run AGAIN..
No run 27/09/2007
Any excuse I add here as to why I didn’t go for a run would be a lie ~ truth, felt like a day off. The kids are still on holiday and seems to be rubbing off a little and why not. So we played still managed a little work, but no training..
My run 26/09/2007
Even though there is the club run later this afternoon, I have to go out for a short 6km steady / slow run. Just doesn’t seem right not to go out ~ too beautiful out there to miss a moment. There was some rain early but cleared just before going out and blue skies predicted for the rest of the week [sure - this is Auckland]. Maybe it’s the holidays but the roads were particularly quiet this morning, not many people out at all.
Running legs are strong and seem to be really ready for Auckland half in a few weeks – going to have to ensure they stay that way. Club run later so maybe more to come..
We had 6 new faces at the club which was fantastic as it’s school holidays and most people on holiday. In all, 3=8km 14=5km run and 4=5km walk. The feeling speaking to people in the community is that they believe they need to be fit before coming to the club. We need to change that misconception as that’s the reason for the club – to get fit, together and have some fun. I started on the 8km and finished on the 5km = 6,4km and ran strong, maybe a little too hard? Legs feeling great this morning but going to maybe take the day off for a rest and do a 10km slow rather tomorrow. We’ll see..
My run 24/09/2007
Managed to watch the first 10 overs of the India V Pakistan 20/20 final but by 1:30am it was sleep time ~ missed a great last 5 overs of the Pakistan innings but well done to India. This morning was supposed to be heavy showers but the sun had other ideas and won the battle. I had to go past the beaches this morning and as it’s school holidays, activity is starting early now with holiday makers from the South dotting our shore lines in camper vans etc. I did a hard / fast 4km’s to get back so we could do our 3km walk before the predicted showers ~ K also on holiday so joined in on the walk [well, on her bicycle]. Great family morning in the hot sun!!
Legal 24/09/2007
As today is a rest day from running, I thought I would add a little blog about a legal topic ~ shareholders agreements.
All to often friends get together and plan a mastermind scheme to start a business on the “side” and make some additional income. The reality is that there is no such thing as a “side” business. You can create a micro biz however the legal issues are the same as if it were a multi-national company. BEFORE the company is registered, sit with a solicitor who deals with entrepreneurs and get the agreement in black & white. You will find that when you go through the points of the internal and external management of the biz, skeletons start appearing. That’s the idea – get all sorted out before you start so there is no surprises later. Being pregnant and in biz are the same ~ you can’t behalf pregnant!
My run 23/09/2007
Went to the club 7:30 just in case there was anyone looking for a long run, but nobody in site. There is so much sport of at the moment, not much room for anything else. A calm morning so Shakespeare park was a obvious choice. Went into the park and along the beach thanks to the low tide. Through the paddocks to greet the lambs / sheep to Okoromai Bay and still felt strong so decided on a extended route. Back to Army Bay and did a 5km detour back home – around 14km’s in total and ready for the Auckland 21.
One point ~ drink water: been looking at my eating the last few weeks and realised that we pay so much attention to what we are eating, and not enough attention on what we are drinking. So, filled up the empty Powerade bottles with water and will be paying more attention to what I drink, and how much.
Immigration to NZ “Business Owners”
Speaking to Iain MacLeod of Protea Pacific yesterday was pretty interesting. There have been a number of changes to NZ Immigration policy and also incredible as to the number of people leaving South Africa. Iain has been in the game for a “few” years and witnessed the change in market conditions. One big factor is the willingness of the current ‘management’ to look a little more favourably at the SA business owner immigrating to NZ and starting up a new trading concern. This is certainly not the first choice way of coming into NZ as Iain will explain. However, for some that don’t make the points system, and have access to a little cash [not much needed], starting or purchasing a business in NZ might just be the ticket. We are establishing ourselves to assist in the business plan preparation required for a Long Term Business Visa, using our knowledge of both the SA and NZ markets [and the fact that we've been doing this for 14 years now!!].
PLEASE, and it’s only my opinion, don’t use a SA based consultant ~ they are absolutely no use when you are in NZ where most of the work is actually done. Iain assisted our family relocating – yes, I could have done it myself – but had other issues to worry about and money well spent.
My run 21/09/2007
Flat ~ a little like the SA performance against India this morning. Woke up early to watch the SA innings and didn’t get much motivation, so was an absolute struggle to go out after the day off yesterday. The weather matched my mood ~ chose the reverse 5km club run into Shakespeare Park and added on a run through the paddocks. With the increase in the lamb population, comes an increase in landmines so care needed where you place your next step [interesting running]. They are really cute little things and watch you as if saying “hey mom, there’s another funny looking animal running scared through our home”. One got a fright and ran to hide under mom but otherwise they just look at you and carry on their business. Ran the 6km route quicker than I expected as really took it easy – ran in around 5,5m/km.
