Proprioception on a flatline

Footprints in the Sand – Foxton Beach inaugural half marathon

Date: 25 November 2017
Distance: 21.1km (we measured 21.8km)
Time: 2:29:52
Previous: 2014

“The way to do is to be.” (Lao Tzu) Participants making their way to the start on the beach. Race briefing. “There are only two mistakes one can make on the road to truth: not going all the way, and not starting.” (Buddha) The turn-around on the first short out-and-back, with Kapiti Island in the back. Margaret and John going strong. “You only lose what you cling to.” (Buddha) Water point #1 (and 7). With only 17 participants in the half marathon, it is easy to have the whole beach to yourself. “We cannot see our reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.” (Zen proverb) The jolly water point at the turn-around point at Himatangi Beach. “Energy flows where my attention and intention goes.” (Gabrielle Bernstein) “Obstacles do not block the path, they are the path.” (Zen proverb) “Life is a series of thousands of tiny miracles. Notice them.” (Fight for life) Approaching the finish line. The sponsors.

When we entered for this event on the morning before the start, little did we know that it was an inaugural. Whoop! Another one in the bag. To be fair, it can hardly count as an inaugural since this event is already in its fourth year. But, previous runnings were only twenty kilometres and 2017 marked the first year that it is an official half marathon. So, technically it IS an inaugural and mind you, I only realised now that the very first one we did back in 2014, was also an inaugural.