I must apologise for the slackening off in my blogs - I just don't know where time goes! So to all my readers - I will try to get back to weekly blurbs on my training escapades.

Today, I lined up with an awful lot of people in Devonport for the Auckland Half Marathon. I had been in the past week or two, considering not doing it, and letting someone else use my entry due to my lack of running training, thanks to the long lingering virus. But, then I decided I will do it, but take it easy, and see how I go.

The past week I have not been able to run continuously for more than 10-15 minutes, before having to do 2-3 minutes of walking - then another 10+ minutes running etc. So expectations were very low - my goal was to just survive.

Well, survive I did. I decided to start jogging slowly, and just keep going until my body decided it could take no more. My heart rate was relaxed as I put no prior pressure on myself - this helped immensely I think.

I kept running along, and along and felt quite good (remarkable I thought). Then the bridge came up, and I took a short stint of walking on the uphill section - but then got back to running and kept going until the end. Noone was more amazed than me that I was able to keep up the running! It has done wonders for my headspace - as this journey is such a mental one.

The time was really slow - 2:17 on my watch - but hey, when I was contemplating walking most of it before the race started, I am very pleased with this. Now I can get back into my running training seriously again! Yay! I'm a happy little bunny again.

The rest of the training regime is going well. I have purchased a second hand wetsuit to use for training, so am looking forward to getting into the Parnell openair 60m salt water pool when it opens (believe it can't be far away). I have never swam in a wetsuit before, so want to get used to it. I plan on getting a new wetsuit in due course - but don't want to have all the worry of a lovely new wetsuit while learning how to get in and out - and not getting my fingernails through it!.

The other exciting thing on the horizon is my new bike. I have ordered it and hopefully arrives early November. It is a 2008 Specialised S-Works Ruby (women's specific). I can't wait for it to arrive and get a really good ride on it. Hopefully I can get used to it in time for the Taupo Cycle Challenge (160km) on 24 November. Stay tuned, as no doubt there will more on this in future blogs (I hope I won't brag too much about my new toy - but it doesn't matter how old you are, a new bike is always exciting!).

Well that is about all from me this week - looking forward to a lovely soak in the bath tonight to rest my weary body before next week's training begins.