Karekare Piha Return

On Saturday the 23rd of June I ran the section of the Hillary Trail between Karekare and Piha.  It's a stunningly beautiful piece of the West Coast, tracking along the cliffs high above Karekare and Mercer Bay, and going past the Kitekite Falls on the way to Piha.  Hopefully some of the photos I took do it justice.

I thought a lot on this run about how running has opened so many doors for me in the last few years.  I've seen some amazing sights (like the ones below) that so many people just don't get to see.  I've met some incredible people, with whom I share a common love of the outdoors and real passion for trail running.  Most of all, particularly on solo runs like this, and on longer events like Tarawera, I've learnt so much about myself - about how far I can push my body; about grit and determination; about what really makes up my character; and of the joy of achieving some long term goals.   I've also learnt that you can do so much more than you think you can.  And in that sense, every run and new experience, opens a door to another.  There are still so many things I want to do and achieve in the world of trail running.  I can't wait until the next adventure.

For now, here are my snaps of Saturday's run.  I'll be back here for Midwinter Midnight Madness III this coming Saturday!

The start of the trail - overlooking North Karekare

First glimpse of Mercer Bay

Another view of Mercer Bay - sun just starting to rise behind and catching the top of the cliffs above the bay

The wind is strong on the West Coast!

The sun rising over the back of Comans Track

The other side of Mercer Bay - rounding the cliff tops to Piha

Stunning Kitekite Falls

Kitekite again - I was quite taken aback by this sight. You come bursting out of the bush, and suddenly, there it is!

Coastal Challenge II

Sunrise over Rangitoto

This morning I did another coastal run, but avoided the road as much as possible this time.  Today was all about time on my feet - I ran and explored the coastline, and never once worried about what pace I was running, or whether I was running at all!

I started from home in Stanley Point a few minutes after 6am, and ran down to Devonport and up to the top of Mt Victoria - practicing hiking the steep hill, and taking in the 360 degree view across Auckland.

From there I ran down through Devonport Village to the coast.  I started on the beach at the bottom of Devonport, and ran along the rocky foreshore on the seaward side of King Edward Parade, and on to Torpedo Bay to the Navy Museum at the foot of North Head.  I ran out to the end of the jetty at the Navy Museum and marveled at the stillness of the Waitemata Harbour in the pre-dawn air.

I then started picking my way along the rocks at the base of North Head, unsure of how far I would be able to go.  After a few hundred metres I noticed a walking track cut in to the rock face above me - serving the World War II search light emplacements along the perimeter of North Head. I climbed up onto the track and followed it right around the circumference of the headland.  Once I reached the northern side I climbed to the top of North Head - tracing the route Mal Law ran 148 times for his "Everest in a Day" event - and took in the view from the top.

From North Head it was down on to Cheltenham Beach, and along to the rocks at the northern end. I had no idea how far I would get along there, but just picked my way along towards Narrow Neck beach.  The rocks in parts were quite slippery - there were large tracts of striated rock forms and flatter sandstone outcrops which had a slimy surface, and it was like stepping on ice - no falls this time though.

I took a nice photo at Narrow Neck, looking across to Rangitoto before the sun had risen above the horizon.

From Narrow Neck beach, just before sunrise

And here is a not so nice one!

Yours truly

On the next stretch of coast, between Narrow Neck and Takapuna, things got interesting. First as I was bombarded by some overly protective seagulls (talk about Angry Birds), and second as the sun started to rise, I got some more nice photos.  If you look carefully you can see a lone Kayaker and a ship coming down the coast towards Auckland.  I loved the golden glow of the light captured in these photos.

See the ship on the horizon to the left of Rangitoto?

Spot the Kayaker

Not long after I took these photos, I hit Takapuna Beach, and had a good fast run along the km or so of the hard packed sand on the beach.  It felt good to stretch the legs out after picking my way along the rocks for quite some way.

At the end of Takapuna Beach I hopped on to the Takapuna - Milford walkway (where I fell last week), and took it a bit more carefully this time.  Some of the houses along the coast there are amazing, and its interesting just looking at how the other half live!

At Milford Beach, about 1.45hrs and 13 or so km in, I turned around and started heading back for home.  I ran along the beach as far as the end of Takapuna, then up on to Clifton Road, and along Lake Road to Devonport, and back to home.

The total time for the run was just under 3 hours, with only 2.20 of actual running, and the rest farting around taking photos, admiring the scenery, and climbing up and over rocks.  Total distance covered was 23.2km.

Overall it was a really nice run. I'd give it 10/10.

Devonport - Browns Bay Coastal Run

The Coastal Walkway

Yesterday's (Sunday, the 3rd of June) run was a 42.2km run from Devonport up to Browns Bay and back.

The first approximately 10km of the run followed the Auckland Marathon course from Devonport, along Vauxhall Road and through Narrowneck Beach, up and over Clifton Road, and up Lake Road to Takapuna.

From Takapuna I dropped down onto the Takapuna - Milford coastal walkway, and picked my way along the rocks and promentaries to Milford Beach.

The view from Takapuna out to Rangitoto just before sunrise

The rocks are quite slippery, as I later found out.

From Milford Beach it was back on the road up to Mairangi Bay, where I rejoined the beach and coastal walkway through to Murrays Bay.  Running along the causeway, a wave broke up against the side and soaked me head to toe.  Great fun, but cold!

The causeway, where I got soaked

From Murray's Bay, there was a steep uphill section through to Rothesay Bay, and along the top of the rolling hills to the turnaround at Browns Bay.  I reached the 1/2 way mark in 1:59, about what I was aiming for.

On the way back I pushed a bit harder, aiming for a negative split.  I felt good on the rolling hills between Rothesay Bay and Mairangi Bay and ran some sub 5.00 kms.  I eased back when I slipped and fell on the rocky section between Mairangi Bay and Takapuna.  I cut my hand a couple of places on my right leg - nothing too bad, but there was a bit of blood for effect.  I was back up and running within a few seconds, pride slightly dented, but otherwise ok.

The last 10kms from Takapuna back to Devonport were just a matter of maintaining pace, and remembering that it is supposed to be fun - not all about hard slog. That is sometimes difficult on longer runs. At about the 3 hour mark I could notice the difference as I my body had burned through the last of the glycogen, and was on to fat burning mode.  I found it noticeably more difficult, but not impossible, to keep pace.

I finished the run back at home feeling good, and pleased with a negative split of 4 minutes, and total time of 3:54.  Two years ago that would've been a marathon PB.  Total elevation gain around 500m - almost twice that of the Auckland Marathon, and with some rocks and beach running thrown in, I was happy.