Ticking off the Bucket List

Ticking the Marathon off the Bucket List

STOP PRESS- Heather Talbot asks in the forum - I'm feeling inspired and thinking about registering for the Marlborough Half Marathon. I definitely won't be running all the way, but I would like to run/walk or just walk. For those who have been before what did you do about accommodation? Sharing seems like a good idea, but I can't find anyone from down here in Timaru that wants to go with me. If anyone is thinking about entering, and wants to share, let me know, reply to Heather here

It seemed a good idea at the time.  When Rachel contacted us in December about organizing a Wisanow group to run/walk the St Clair Half Marathon Raewyn and I were really excited.  Rae had completed a few half marathons so she knew what she was in for, but I was blissfully unaware.  After all, we had wanted to walk the New York Marathon for our 60th birthdays and this was only a 21 kilometre walk through the Marlborough vineyards, so we would be adding another tick to the 'Bucket List'.   Piece of cake, actually.  Not!  More a rush of blood to the head, on my part anyway.

We ran a promotion on our website in February which was enthusiastically received, so there was no turning back now.  A group of Wisanow women were heading down to Marlborough to do the walk.  We made our bookings to fly down to Nelson and it wasn’t until we were at Auckland airport that we realized we were going to Nelson not Blenheim, so had to get a rental car to drive to Blenheim, feeling like Thelma and Louise.  Talk about a couple of Dorklanders!

We had arranged to meet those who were interested, for a drink on the Friday night and it was with some trepidation that we waited in the hotel for the others.  All our fears were groundless of course.  What a fantastic bunch of women they were and they all had an interesting story to tell. It never ceases to amaze me how easily women our age assimilate into any social situation.  It must be because we are all so comfortable in our own skins and are prepared to be honest and open with each other. Everyone got on famously and typical women, talked our heads off.

We had a beautiful dinner at the hotel and managed to limit ourselves to two glasses of Pinot Gris each as we were walking a half marathon the next day and all thought we probably didn’t need to do it with a hangover.

The next morning was beautifully fine and sunny, so that was a good start to an awesome day.  Getting to the starting gate was an adventure in itself.  There were 1900 competitors either running or walking, including 500 from Christchurch and the so called “Mollenberg boys” who were doing the race in their army boots.  The runners went first, then the hybrids and finally it was our turn.  Raewyn jumped out of the starting blocks like a scalded cat and I practically had to run to keep up with her.  Here was I thinking we were going for a stroll.  Not so.  We did the first 6 kms in approximately 45 minutes.  I thought “I won’t be able to keep this up” and sure enough I couldn’t.  But thanks to Raewyn encouraging me I managed to finish the race in 2 hours 55 minutess.  Raewyn finished in an incredible 2 hours 48 minutes, was second in her age group and 11th overall out of 515 walkers;  a magnificent effort for someone who didn’t really train apart from two 16 km walks along Waihi beach and back. 

The scenery on the walk was superb.  You walk through various vineyards, including St Clair, and along the river bank, which is so picturesque.  There were Scottish Pipe bands at two of the crossings and lots of locals encouraging us all the way.  I walked the last 10 kms with an interesting woman whose family owns one of the vineyards we were walking through.  She had specially cut the grass between their vines twice so it would be easier underfoot for the runners and walkers.  She was also hoping to finish in under 2 hours and she achieved that too.

We all met up after the race for Devonshire teas and ice creams and then back to the motel for a well earned rest.  That night we had drinks in one of the women’s rooms and then off together to the ‘finishing toast’ party.

Congratulations to Rachel Anderson for organizing such a well run event.  It’s no mean feat sorting out venues, accommodation etc for over 1900 contestants. No wonder it’s grown from 200 contestants five years ago to what it is today.   Well done to you Rachel!

On Sunday Raewyn and I drove back to Nelson for the flight home and we kept saying how great it was to meet some of the amazing women who belong to our Wisanow community.  They are all so interesting and share a generosity of spirit towards each other which is both humbling and inspiring.
We feel privileged to have met you, even for such a short time and you have all become firm friends. Thank you for making this such a memorable event for us.
The success of this adventure has encouraged us to arrange more events for our members and we will keep you informed.  We are organizing a survey of various destinations and events to find out what your preferences are.  It could be anything from a trip to Wearable Arts in Wellington, a shopping weekend in Sydney, or a tour of South America or Europe.  We will keep you posted.