Training for Auckland Half

A few months back a friend and I snuck under the wire, registering for the Auckland Half Marathon on the weekend, and finding out just a day later that  it was full.   I was really keen to do a longer race; my first and only half marathon was in early 2007 during my first year in NZ.  I thought the October date would be good as it would help me keep up my jogging during the dark winter months; however that idea failed.  As soon as May rolled around I pretty much stopped.  I have only started going out 4 weeks ago a couple of times a week after work for the 5km return jog along Rocks Road.   This is one of the few region locales I don't mind running in the dark.  Only this past weekend have I increased my distance doing a trial jog of 10kms.  I've now got 3 months to go and 2 weeks of that I will be in Canada. 

I've got a few things to battle this time around:  I got the dreaded black runners toenail when i swapped running shoes last year.  I did another switch on the weekend having visted the Shoe Clinic and ran on the treadmill for the assessment of the new shoes I am trialling.  They couldn't figure out what is causing it however I'm hoping my new Brooks pair of runners will be kinder to my feet that Mizuno or Adidas have been.  Mizuno felt great when I bought them, but I have been getting blisters on the same foot as the black toenail.    Adidas felt big and clunky.   I've been out for 16 kms so far in the new shoes.   They have a 30 day return policy so I have a bit more time to figure it out...  Wish me luck.

Of cats, jogs and dresses....

And already the shortest day has gone flying on by. 

Since I last posted my household has expanded by 2. 
First with Lulu the seal bicolour ragdoll kitten.  She came the North Island and was born in January.
Second was Tinkerbell, the blue bicolour ragdoll kitten. She is another North Islander and she was born in October.

How this all happened is that Jasper was lonely and upset after losing his sister so it was time to get him some company.  The decision was between 2 kittens.  One was younger and I decided to go with her since I thought she would be more trainable.  This was Lulu.  What I didn't anticipate was her energy level.  Jasper was not impressed with her... so along came # 2 who was still available about a month after Lu arrived.  The idea was that since she was quieter she would likely take the pressure off Jasper.  It pretty much worked- Tinkerbell is now often playing with Lulu- although I think sometimes that even as another kitten, Lulu has too much energy for her.

Lu is a lapcat - she is the most burmese like ragdoll cat that I've met to date and can sometimes be found sleeping under the covers. In additional to her cuddly/friendly personality she has 2 other personalities:  hyper/playful, and HUNGRY. 

This is Lulu

This is Tinkerbell

Tinkerbell's personality type is TIMID with a capital T.  She is also affectionate, but mostly in the middle of the night when you are not threatening.  She does however have hunting instincts and LOVES to chase the feather mouse.  It took her nearly a week to come out from under the bed after she first arrived at her new home.   She has settled down  a lot and does love to be petted, but she is definitely not a lapcat.
____________

In other than cat news, I have made an exciting discovery.  I have a new almost favourite vegetable. I can't decide whether it trumps the tomato (which I still consider in the veg category), but if not it is a close second.  Bok choy is SO yummy.  Yum yum yum.

____________

In the past week or two, I've been reminded how very much I love living skies.  So many beautiful and changing views out the back yard over the neighbours roof, day or night.  I feel lucky... even though I'm not in Sk with its living skies.

_______________________________________________________________________________

I started jogging again last week.  Oh how very hard it is... I've been out 4 times for 5kms along Rocks Road after work.  This is a decent place to run in the dark after work as the sun goes down.   I feel so very our of shape even though it was only 2 months since I was more or less regular on the roads.  I must really start to kick into shape as I'm registered in the Auckland Half Marathon in less than 4 months!

_____________
I've started wedding dress shopping.  I guess this is a very big and important decision given I've already had a dream or two about it.  In one I was wearing a knee length blue and red one.  Haa haa. I'm curious to see what I finally decide to go with.  I have a while to make a decision yet with a wedding date of next year.