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1974 Commonwealth Games Baton Relay
Finished my leg trailed by the Trusty Holden
NBR triathlon team 1988
Rotorua marathon 1989 - Rees and Colin
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| Page Creator: Robyn Gray |
| Event: adidas Auckland Marathon 2009 |
| Event Date: 1/11/2009 |
Hi all!
I've signed up as a Heart Racer in the Adidas Auckland Marathon on 1 November to raise money to support the Heart Foundation. I am actually taking part in the half marathon and although I am entered in the run, will be walking most of the way!
Can't wait to get over that Harbour Bridge, although it is not my first time - I already did that in the Foreshore and Seabed Hikoi!
It is a long time since I ran a half. I ran two with my friend Helen Presbury. We were in our twenties and we ran round Dunedin Harbour out to the albatross colony from Port Chalmers. The other was down in Southland where it was nice and flat!
My running career started early with St Pauls Athletics and Harriers Club in Invercargill. Mum and Dad ran kids' athletics and then in my teens Dad dragged me out on cold winter Saturday afternoons to run harriers. Looking back that was my exercise. As a bookworm, a clarinettist and shortsighted person it was the only way of getting off my proverbial. Running across Southland sheep farms was pretty character building. The best part though was the afternoon teas put on by the farmer's wife of course. The other part I remember was the club fundraisers - collecting swedes from farm paddocks and putting them in sacks. I am sure there was frost on the ground too. Kids these days have no idea!
We got to run with the Commonwealth Games relay team in 1974 - that is Dad my brother Murray and me somewhere between Mataura and Gore. I am sure those are Bata bullets I am wearing!
In my twenties I ran to keep fit, ran a bit with the Otago Uni harriers and competed in a few triathlons - see our NBR team in the photos. But the last few years (decades) I haven't been very consistent (understatement).
As you can see the inspiration in our family for running was Dad. Colin ran marathons. He ran the Southland marathon many times. He ran in Queenstown, in Dunedin, all up 22 marathons, 14 half marathons. he took part in the World vetean athletics champs in 1974. In 1989 he and Rees ran the Rotorua marathon, Rees' first and only to date. Dad beat him. I was pretty worried when I saw Dad come in and no sign of Rees. But now it makes for a good story - beaten by your fatherinlaw.
Dad isn't running marathons anymore but he loved running. He said he used to run 8 kms before work and then after work ran for two hours when in training (one hour out and one back in). It might have been flat in Southland but those Southerlies make for good hill training.
Three years ago Dad had a heart attack. It was pretty scary for all of our family - never mind how scary for him! He has recovered and that is in no small part due to the services that the Heart Foundation provides: seminars, exercise classes, rehab and support.
So by donating through my webpage you will be helping the Heart Foundation continue its work.
Please could you sponsor me?
Select the "Make a donation" button below. It's simple, fast and totally secure and the money goes directly to the Heart Foundation's bank account.
If you live in New Zealand your donation is tax deductible and a receipt will be issued.
Many thanks for your support.
Robyn
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