Keado’s Weblog

Boy, Friday again.

So what’s been happening ~ have to think about this one, been a little bit of a busy week. I know Saturday was strong rain & windy early so there was no way anyone was going to the club – and neither did I. Felt very guilty though but did manage an hour on the treadmill which was a good change – good music. We pretty much had a dvd day for the kids. JD not too impressed that he couldn’t ride his bike but they played inside for a change. Sunday was even a lazier day – weather wasn’t bad but wasn’t great either. After a really late morning, I only got onto the treadmill at 10:30 and spend the next 2 hours partying to music. Pretty difficult stuff dancing while the treadmill going at 8km/h.

Kids were outside and road was alive as usual – people popping their heads in, kids running crazy after a day indoors the day before – use “Keepers Chaos”. Just asked Kim what we did in the afternoon and neither of us know. I do know that we all went out to do something exciting, but heaven know what we did?

Tues was a day to remember. I didn’t have the best day in the Henderson office and even a challenge by some students who attend a free college upstairs. They have to attend for various reasons but they are drop-outs /rubbish. I don’t enjoy when they hang around the office front door/windows and give “the look’ to which one took offence – anyway, they went on their way. Thursday’s crowd were even better that the police came to investigate.

Anyway, not in a very happy mood and collected JD on my way home – we have fun in the boy racer and he enjoys when we rev the car and pretend it’s a race car. He knows we can only do it on the portion where we can go 70. So I slow to 50 and pretend to accelerate hard all the way to 70 – good fun. Well, the lady a way behind me didn’t think so and called the police!!!! I know this because when we were coming [now slowly] passed K’s school, a police car coming the other way did a quick u-turn and lights up – pulled us over. Not joking - I get out and JD in tears by now – lady officer gets out pretty quick and looks in the car – apparently the lady reported that we were doing tricks and he was unrestrained and hanging out the window. He did have his belt on but was on his knees with the window half down – the other officer came to check and after a little chat, we got let off a $150 fine. All good so back off home – she must have thought I was a youngster in a boy racer doing tricks with my younger brother – move other Cliff Richard!!

By Tues night I decided it was time to fish – fishing resolves everything. So off at 8am on Wed to the rocks for some peace and sunshine. Fish weren’t too impressed that I brought salmon so went elsewhere. Didn’t really mind as I was having a quiet time with a few birds that appreciated the salmon – even had two little ones trying to be brave.

Wed afternoon cancelled but 24 hours later I have new clients, new opportunities and possibly another new company. Last 24 hours have been challenging and exciting – here’s to fishing. Friends from SA coming on Sunday for a 2 week look/see so busy times ahead. Hope energy stays up as Wed night finished 1am and last night 2am – big meeting in an hour so off I better be off.   

Wed nights 8km went great and although went out steady with Chris, when we hit the long hill I got the urge to chase Filona who was ahead of us – caught her at the top after a semi sprint up the last part. I had a little rest and stretch to wait for Chris and went steady back – finished 45min but a hard run.

My right Achilles / calf has been stiff so after a good ice on Wed night, I decided on a Thur afternoon run, rather than go out in the morning. I should know better – the mornings I don’t train starts the day in lazy mode – and it sticks. Never felt energetic the whole day and was pretty boring at times in Henderson – just never had the kick. Came home after 3 and after some work – went out around 6 for a [planned] 9km run. Clouds have come in thick and wind is up big time – you know you in trouble when there is nobody out, cars speeding home with lights on, 2 kids came sprinting I assume heading home, birds on the course all standing fast in large groups-heads down into the wind-bracing for ?

Well, have to train! It went well to the 3km mark then “bang” -the wall? at 3kms? had it before at 34km’s but 3! Wed night something hit the tummy and I felt pretty drained but 80% Thur morning – Kim was also hit Wed night late with sore throat and Thurs full head cold – JD also got it mild – maybe something in the air.

Now I can go hard when I want and normally mind over matter – this one reduced me to a walk. My legs were fine but the body, shame. Walked for a good 2km’s and plodded the last 800m – just to get home quicker for some sustenance. 800ml’s of carb replacement & plus banana made me feel a little better. Just one of those days when the wheels fall off.

I made the decision on our boating weekend away that it was time to try anything food wise – so Kim made a seafood pasta for dinner. Tomato base with calamari, mussels, prawns and [just been told] squid [shivers]..ate quite a bit but very uneventful – tomato got too much though – tried not to watch what I was eating. But the ice is broken and we move forward now – took 39 years!

Just an update – training going well – went quite hard out this morning for around 6/7kms and have the Wed nights club 8km run tonight to total 14km’s for the day. Work – was in Henderson yesterday for the “first” day in the office – met some new clients and got some work in – quite challenging communication through a translator as none spoke English very well or maybe the odd word.

Back every Tues and Thur for meetings. Otherwise, busy and still no fishing for a while – need to get out soon! Had to stop myself last night shopping for a boat – summer is not the time to buy, will have to be patient which for me is virtually impossible.

Friday was a rest day from training but always a dangerous day for entertaining with the early start to Sat morning’s time trial. I managed to restrict the intake to 3 glasses of wine but the 1am bedtime made the first step out of bed at 6:30am a little tougher. The idea was for a easy 5 time trial and then another easy 5 mid-afternoon. Filona was set on the 8km so who was I to let her run alone – 8 it was. It’s a tough 8 so that was it for the day – 2 short. The rest of Sat was relax & dvd’s…

Sun JD went to a friends party from 9:30 and we decided to join Lee & Carmen & kids at Orewa to watch the “nippers” or junior lifesavers in training. I thought it would be a nice 2 hour run so left home 8:30 a little apprehensive about all the hills on the route – it’s either up or down to Orewa, no flats. Did the route on 1h30 which I was happy with – Orewa under the belt.

There were so many kids – from age 3 to [think] 13. They all go through the warm up and the older they are, the deeper they swim. K & JD will definitely do next season [summer] Other than that, spend most of the morning until lunch on the beach and chilled in the afternoon. Picked up K from Lee & C in the late afternoon and after a beer or 2 [okay 3], some trampoline jumping, listening to traditional SA kwaito music & other, watching hundreds of birds in a feeding frenzy in the ocean [fisherman's dream], we got home for an early night & kids flat out by 9pm – all in all a relaxing weekend.

Went our for a nice 4km yesterday morning then did the 8km club run to finish on 12km’s for the day – not ideal to break up a run but 12km’s under the belt anyway.

I went out with Jade once again on her second ever 8km – she started as a walker Sept 07 when we started the club. It’s motivating to think that two months ago she entered her first race as a challenge – a 5km road race in May! It’s Feb now and she is already hitting the 8km run. She’s now looking at a 10km in April and the thoughts of a half marathon are starting to surface – she mentioned by her 30th she wants to complete one. Not sure when that is but sure she’ll be at Auckland half in Nov.

Other than that – an uneventful sleep. Woke the family up to give them each their special valentine gifts. JD demolished the heart chocolate but special day, so not a bad breakfast. Kids heart shaped mug with little teddy inside & rose and Kim what else, wine glasses with hearts.  

What a night? Lets see:

• Finish speaking to SA & Aus 00:45
• 01:00 asleep
• 01:30 awake [cats outside fighting]
• 02:30 awake [who knows]
• 03:30 awake [opposite neighbours 4 year old, birthday yesterday, got changed, unlocked the front door, sleepwalked behind our house somewhere, woke up screaming, I was only one who heard of all neighbours, woke Kim up & went outside to calm her, took her home & woke her mom, all good] Apparently when she went to bed with her daughter in her arms and pops asked “whats happening”, she told him to which he replied “moenie kak praat” [don't talk crap] and went back to sleep.
• 04:30 awake [very bad smell, Disney missed the cat box by two rooms and used our walk in closet]
• 05:30 awake [K at my bedside because her toy was beeping in the lounge & wanted me to fetch, no way, climb next to JD by Kim and go to sleep
• 06:45 awake and start the day
• 08:15 4km run
• 09:00 breakfast
• 09:25 shower
• 10:00 meeting

Beat that!

Wonder if people still remember what sounds the birds make or other of natures wonders. There were plenty people out this morning ~ other than 2 ladies out for a walk and fun, the rest are all by themselves, iPod stuck firmly in their ears and looking stone faced. Personally I’m against ipods when training mainly because you cannot hear a car coming. Although the road / pavement system here is world’s apart from SA, it’s still important to know when a car is coming – or bus for that matter.

It’s also unsociable – I make a point of saying good-morning to everyone out but gets frustrating when you get ignored because of the ipod – and it’s young and old that are using them. I think for our Feb flyer promoting the club, I’m going to say something like drop your ipod, not your friends.

After Sunday’s lazy day and Monday rest day, I was keen to get out this morning for a 8km. My logbook is on the www.gulfharbourstriders.co.nzwebsite under Rotorua 2008. Such a stunning day again and a great run – the coast, sea and landscape was stunning and across Okoromai there was a very slight cool breeze – awesome stuff.

K wanted to walk to school this morning – she actually wants to ride so we’ll see how we go. JD had swimming this morning before school which he enjoyed – learning crawl. Good day ahead – meeting in Orewa – nothing wrong. 

Little peeved with today as a 2 hour run was on the cards and I did jack****. Sat morning did a 8km at the club after a rest day Friday and all was looking good for Sunday – THEN..

An associate from SA now relocated to Aus was in Auckland with his wife & 3 year old ~ we had to promote NZ over Aus any day. I collected them from Queens street around 10:30 after the club and after a visit to the plaza to meet Kim & kids – home for a beer & barbie. As per normal in “the black hole”..the Wayne & Deb joined us and then Lee & Carmen [kiwi friends] also joined later. I had arranged a taxi for them back to Queens at 5pm – by 4:30 we were ready to eat! So, a quick call and taxi postponed to 7pm – they had an early flight out this morning.

Lets just say the wine, beer, whiskey and even the home made bourbon was flowing. Sunday morning was just not going to happen and what a perfect morning it was to run – clouds and little drizzle on/off came in for the morning.

So, annoyed but got some work done and a little play time – tomorrow we try again..  

What not to do before your first 10km of the year – go to Wendy’s and have a “wicked chocolate” ice cream an hour before. I got caught in the moment with the kids and hey,what the hell. Let me say that it took 6km’s to get rid of the taste and burn it off.

Went out at 6pm when it was a little cooler with a slight wind. There are no more excuses and it had to be Gulf Harbour Drive as the hill work. It’s a flat & fast 3km’s to the hill and the 10 was supposed to be a slow one, so no pressure to HIT the hill. I did it nice and steady and was a little surprised that it went as easy as it did – after a few weeks off training. Basically did the same Wed club run in reverse – Wed did the route in 48min with Jade. I added an additional 1,5km to get to around 10 and finished in 50/55min – little too fast but felt great. First one under the belt!

The holidays are officially over – for the kids anyway. This week has been a mix of trying to enjoy the last few days and get into a routine again, a little trying at times.

Went out on Tuesday to Henderson, through West Harbour for the first time – around a 50min drive but yet another beautiful part of the country. Excellent meeting and may be setting up a satellite office there in March>

Back to school today! JD started last week so not that excited but K was bubbling. We took a bike ride to the school yesterday to check out the class and just get re-acquainted with the surroundings I guess. Dropped JD off and back to the school where we were greeted by a mass of cars not normally seen – but I suppose it was first day ever for some. K has many friends from last year so no worries there although I think she is anxious to get to know the teacher – or the teacher to know her. She had a strong bond with Jane last year and suppose all previous teachers, so hope they gel. She’s a young one but apparently very good. Kim already quizzed the head John Petrie as to her abilities!

They had a 30min assembly to welcome all back. John got a couple of the very new/first timers to come to the front and tell the school there name etc. Only about 4 classes of the young ones – all very cute, no tears and confident. The assembly is held informal outside on the basketball courts, so no formal hall – yuk.

John’s a keen fisherman and asked who caught a fish over the holidays – put your hands up…drifted around to where K was sitting to see if she would put her hand up for her fish we caught..she wasn’t there. Then I noticed about 10 kids in front with John to tell there story - yup, there was K.

He started from the left – kid 1, kid 2, says to K “no, talk to you later”, kid 4 etc..she stood her ground. You can imagine what we thinking now…all the kids around as well..John finishes and “oh, I guess I missed someone”..”what did you catch?….” my dad went our for 3 or 4 days and caught a MARLIN”….”did you have a hand in it?….”no?”..few laughs and she got a hug..he obviously knew about the fish and was a little, should we say, jealous! So cool, very proud. We said cheers on their way back to her class and she was beaming.

At last nights club run, Jade [teacher] did her first 8km with me. She started walking/jogging in Oct last year and never been a “runner”. Well, she nailed the 8km last night, so everyone was very proud of her. Some new recruits came last night and it’s going to be a great year at Striders.

Otherwise, all good and 10km planned for later this afternoon, early evening.