Lap after lap after lap.

Certainly saw plenty o’ scenic Auckland Domain my 3 days in New Zealand.  LOL>

What I’ll remember most Day 1 – smile of an elderly volunteer who enthusiastically greeted every time we started UP War Memorial.  6 times she’d laugh & cheer & shout in dialect.  Bestest, most upbeat individual of my journey.  Looked forward to seeing her as much as the Grandstand banner 😊

Hotel lobby 5:30am.  Triple 8ers all piled into a rented van.  Registration & bib pickup.  Day One.  Excited, nervous.  Ready to run.  Head cold almost gone.  Hadn’t long run since the Mobile Marathon.

7am Start.  Gonna heat up fast – Zealandia summer.  Overcast today, not the shine.  super HUMID.  Kinda wish we’d been allowed the early Start with majority of today’s Auckland YMCA marathoners.

Moisture hung HEAVY.  Clouds & head wind ‘round War Memorial created run relief, easiest of all my NZ days but only 2 laps (9 miles) in, just wasn’t feelin’ it… on Day 1.  How am I gonna do 8 days of this?  mini-PANIC attack.  Panting, lungs sucking water.  Air forced, out quickly.  Mind racing.

Walked/talked the hill UP past Domain Gates.  Slowed my pace, searched for tunes.  Gotta regain control.  You’ve done this a hundred times… literally.  One step in front the other.

Cheering us up the Museum incline, there she was again – I’ve got this.  No Grandstand stop, pushed thru lap 4.  High-fives & waves to fellow runners & street marshals.  Short break in lap 5 to look-about the Bay – at the beauty of this Pacific Island city – far far away from Colorado HOME.

Victory Lap, heat STRUGGLED.  More walk, than jog.  Water/electrolytes every aid stop.  Grandstand in the distance – never looked so good.  Domain done.  HUGE THANKS to Auckland’s YMCA Marathon Club, their high 5’s much appreciated this first day.

Last of ‘the Six’.  Hotel ride, shower, unpack/repack.  Gotta go, gotta go.  Plane to catch.

Goodbye beautiful tropic New Zealand – next Continent: Australia! 🦘🇦🇺

2020 8th Continent Marathon

Tuesday, January 21, 2020 06:31 (GMT+13) – Final results

Location:  Auckland, New Zealand

 

Place     Bib       Racer name        Finish time

19        2342    Keenan Haga         5:01:14.6         +1:41:56.6

8th Continent Marathon