 They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Well, WOOF WOOF, this trail runner has mastered a new trick!! Riding the giant grasshopper! I've learned that balance is not one of my strengths. And, getting to grips with riding the Elliptigo was not immediately easy as is it has been for other people that had a go. My mum managed to turn a tight corner within seconds of getting on and my brother looked like he WAS the grasshopper. I'm a bit slower, but if I can do it, anyone can! My first few sessions out on Simon (the Elliptigo) were all about taking my time and getting the feel of standing up while moving on wheels. You definitely feel more exposed compared to being on a bicycle. And there is no time to completely relax as you always need to be balancing and holding in your core muscles. At my first road junction I discovered a problem. I couldn't balance and hold on with one hand to indicate. Eeeeeks! As I train more on the 'Go' my core is getting stronger and I can actually show people where I'm moving in the road. Gliding down hills and feeling the breeze against your whole body is an awesome feeling of exhilaration. But the best thing about riding on the Elliptigo is watching the reactions on other peoples faces as I pass them. People are gobsmacked and then break out into a huge smile. My first ride was about 5km on day one, and after a week of increasing the distance and adding in the trailer occasionally, I managed to do a full day with all my kit by the end of the week. From zero, to a 75km adventure in one week, is a pretty cool achievement. And, I LOVE IT! It's so much fun.
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Driving the last few kilometres before arriving at the race start, the nausea began. The last race I went to, my boyfriend drove and I was passenger. I get travel sick, and blamed the winding, country roads for my nausea. On Saturday April 1st, I was designated driver on the way to Mavora Lakes for 'Lap the Lake'. Clearly this is not related to driving! As with all the races I've recently taken part in, which is not many, the setting was spectacular . The first half of each lap followed a gravel road meandering down the centre of a wide, sweeping valley between lush, green mountains. After about 5km it turned right onto a foot path, passed a 'halfway' checkpoint and crossed the first swing bridge to the other side of the lake. From there, the trail became thin, undulating and pretty technical. The majority of the second half is inside the forest and pops out a couple of times into fields of waist-high grass. At the very end of the lap you cross another swing bridge before entering the main check point/start/finish area ready to go again! One of many to come fundraising events in a school dress!!! 19th of February, a date for your diary everyone!!! Not really, just my family and friends ;)
Are you looking for a fun idea to celebrate your birthday??? So was I, so I hatched a plan. I never really do anything for my birthday but this year I fancied doing something slightly wacky. I do enjoy partying and having a few drinks but time and time again, it becomes a bit repetitive. I fancied a challenge, but nothing so exhausting it would take the fun out of the day.
Big Easy????? What the #@%&!!!!!!!!!
Big, yes. Easy, no!! If you are looking for a real adventure marathon in New Zealand, then this is the race for you to enter. It has everything... punishing uphills, even more punishing downhills (20kms!), beautiful views as far as the eye can see, fantastic marshals, a gorgeous river run to finish, tonnes of brilliant spot prizes, and best of all, free beer as soon as you finish! I really enjoyed this marathon. There was about a 13km section where there was no enjoyment, but for the rest of it, and definitely after, it was nothing less than amazing. Sometimes I find it hard to describe in words how incredible something is. There are only so many words to describe something beautiful, and I'm not good with words at the best of times. So, I have put together this small video which I think sums up the whole event pretty well. I hope you enjoy it and feel free to ask any questions or write any comments below. BIG EASY from Emma Timmis on Vimeo.
For more information about the marathon, check out their website.
And if 42.2km is not enough for you, well, they do a 100km race too!!! WHAT A YEAR!!! Like so many people, I love to look back over the year and see how much I have achieved. In those times when you are feeling down on yourself, it really picks you up to think how far you have come, and what you can accomplish in a given time. Looking back over 2016, I really can't believe how much has happened. I have been on 20 flights, visited eight countries and achieved so much more than I could have ever planned for. But, the best things, which unfortunately are not measurable, have been the changes in my mind and the mental barriers I have begun to break down.  After not running in any races for many years due to my nerves, I decided recently that I needed to overcome my fear so I could compete again. Taking on a mental challenge can often be harder than a physical one but sometimes with more rewards afterwards. I did some research and picked out a few key points to help me. Below are three short videos to show the main tips that I used to overcome my nerves before the Queenstown marathon. When race day came round I felt confident and calm. Take a look... Tip one - Familiarise yourself with the route and area.
Advertised as 'Flat out beautiful' they aren't lying! Well, about the beauty anyway! The multiple times when I was struggling throughout the marathon, I would look around and be in awe of the beautiful environment. Those magnificent mountains, winding rivers and shimmering lakes can distract from the most exhausted legs.
Before the day of the marathon came round I already felt very confident that this was going to be a great event. Each participant has access to a personalised copy of the route map with target times at various locations during the marathon (above pic). You can also get a wrist band with your expected times at certain distances which you collect from the very well constructed athlete 'check in' the day before. All of the organisation seemed really smooth so at least all my worries and anxiety were only based on my own actions.
It's been so long since I've been uber fit that I'd forgotten how good it feels.
For the previous two years, since completing my cross-Africa run, I have maintained a basic fitness level but I've not really pushed myself. I have kept fit enough that I can participate in all the activities that I love without struggling too much. But I wouldn't have described myself as healthy, and I definitely wouldn't have described myself as a RUNNER
How smug do I feel after completing a month long detox!!!!! After a summer of seriously overdoing it with unhealthy food and too much alcohol (blog about it here), I needed to kick start my body back into health. Being an 'all or nothing' type of person, the best way to achieve this was to give up booze all together. Even with all the physical challenges I have taken on in my life, this was pretty tough for me to accomplish! Through committing to avoid alcohol and junk food for a whole month I learned a few big lessons which I'd like to share...  |
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