Taupo Training

First big group turned up tonight to train for Round Taupo Relay. Racheal walked and daughter Louise jogged beside her. Jarrod, Hedley, Destry ang myself set off running the Woodlands circuit where we were pleased to come across James training. We met up with Peter who joined us. Man it was hot. At the end Jarrod and Hedley added on a small 3k loop as well.

It was very hard work, but at least we are under way. Barry turned up at the end "carrying a small injury" and promised to train next week. If I find out the others headed off for a cold beer afterwards, look out.

Woodlands Cycling

Despite the heavy drizzle over 50 turned up for the tuesday night cycle around Woodlands. There were a few highlights. Leigh cruised up to the gathering area, came to a halt and forgot to take her feet out of the pedals and hit the tarseal in a pile of maniacal laughing and bruising. The boss biked to Maraenui and back this morning then raced around the Woodlands circuit to finish 3rd and drop yours truly 200m from the end. The boss and I picked up Lucy and Rick 1/2 way around and dragged them to a good time.

It's a great atmosphere at this weekly event. Now we have to turn up on Thursdays as well to kill ourselves on the MTB circuit! What with the Round Taupo crew having to meet and run on Wednesdays our week is certainly fill of sporting activity with a neat group of Opotiki people.

New Year's Eve 2007 no.2

Oh Dear!

Holidays

This is what holidays are about - mtbing followed by coffee on the deck with friends (in this case Marg and her whanau and Brian.

New Year's Eve 2007 no. 1

The view of and from the BBQ!

Blue Mountains Are The Best!

What an outstanding area we have in the Blue Mountains for MTBing right on our doorstep. The ride with Leigh, Shirley, Tina and Brian on Saturday over the Greenhorns was cool. Shirley rode all the downhill, while Leigh had a small walking interlude! Tina just ate it all up.

That afternoon Brian and I paddled the upper Waioeka section as he has a new waka, Saracens, and was keen to try it in the river. It was cool to be paddling again. He only had one spill in what looks to be very stable but quite fast boat. I completed a successful roll in it and then gave some help to Brian whi is almost rolling. Quite a tiring day.

Sunday was to prove to be very demanding. The Boss, Dr Kerr, Brian, Roger and I set off to do the Gnarly Old Hands in the Blue Mountains which I hadn't done before. I felt flat right from the start and knew it was going to be tough. As we turned off Valley Station Road we had an awesome single track downhill which was quite testing in places. Getting up the other side was challenging and involved some walking. Up on the 'main road' we were joined by Ross, Colin and Brett and we teared into the first military track which was beautifully carved out by Brett and Colin and others. They have done a wonderful job so that we can all enjoy the area. I was struggling energy wise but enjoyed the bush, spotted a pig and rode over the log bridge!

After a brief rest on Kings Rd we headed back up to the 'main road' and hurtled down the second military track which was largely downhill with lovely berms. Awesome! After gathering back on Kings Road we headed onwards and met at the top of the dreaded 'three sisters' where we sat around building our bravado. This is an awesomely steep set of three downhills that are deeply rutted clay. I followed Colin, Roger, Ross, Brett and Kerr down with the Boss and Brian coming behind. I chose the approach of wedging the seat into my stomach and virtually sitting on the back tyre. This proved successful as I went past a lying down Kerr on the first sister and then came across Brett a long way from his bike and Ross helping him at the bottom of the second and steepest sister. It was impossible to stop at this point so I skidded onwards and downwards and successfully made the third and final. It was a huge thrill to stay on my bike all of the way down, one of only 2 of us I think.

It was a tough ride for me back up the Mangakirikiri and home but was pulled along well by Colin and the others. If you read this Margaret, tell Christopher that I successfully rode over the three logs on the Mangakirikiri track.

All MTBers must get out and enjoy these tracks as they will be logged in a couple of years. Every time you do say a little thanks to Brett and his team for the hard work they have done. Perhaps we need to start thinking of how this area could be preserved. What about a tourism trail for MTB and walking all along the military track to Toatoa. People would travel the world to enjoy it.

Oh yeah, sorry Lea V, we missed you. Get better soon.

MTB Mayhem

This MTBing on Thursdays at Woodlands is fun! In the previous post you would have seen my involvement with the electric fence. What happened this week?

Roger promised to turn off the electric fence but when Shirley fell off in the thistles and encountered the fence she discovered Roger had been remiss!

Kerr did a Brian. Last week Brian went off with a rip and a snort at the start and at the first corner headed off in the wrong direction until I called him back. Could it happen again I hear you ask? I was happily telling this story before the start and Kerr laughed along with everyone else.

At the start he stole the march with a rolling attack, let out a whoop and took off at a rate of knots and went straight ahead without turning!!! He never did catch up again.

Lea V managed to hang on grimly to my back tyre until we hit the farm. As I was pulling away I heard a bit of a yelp but thought nothing of it. She had hit a small ditch in the grass, sailed over her handlebars and did some serious damage to her shoulder. Thankfully Dr Kerr was there and told her to take 2 disprins and see him tomorrow and then carried on. Thnakfully an LA Fire Dept Paramedic and a neuro surgery nurse were sitting on the hill watching (seriously) and along with Lyn took them to Lyn's and called the ambulance.

After the ride Iwas given the choice of having a cold beer or checking out if she was OK. No contest: I had the beer (and then Leigh and I checked on her). She was getting way too much sympathy at Lyn's so I tried telling her to get tough - though I think she was really hurt. Look out for photos.

Leigh had a great ride taking off 5 minutes from last week. Brian is still going like a flying hamster on his new bike. Jarod continues to consider me to be an awesome athlete by handicapping me out of any chance. Though I grizzle, I appreciate the high regard in which he holds me!!

Planning to take Leigh and Shirley over the Green horns this Sat and then paddle with Brian. On Sunday we plan to take on the Gnarly Old Hands. I promise to take the camera as I know you like the photos.

Is there anyone out there?

Tangle With Electric Fence

I enjoyed most of the MTB course we rode on Thursday night. There were bits removed and bits added on from last year and I think it is a better course.

All was going well for me until I missed an arrow and found myself heading for an electric fence gate on Roger's farm. I hit the brakes and skidded up to the gate, went slowly onto my front wheel, teetered at the point of balance for a few seconds and tumbled over the handle bars. Unfortunately the bike stayed north of the electric fence and I ended up south of the fence still locked into my pedals. As the top of my head hit the ground the first of three electric jolts surged through my body as I maniacally screamed and kicked to free myself. I rode well from there.

The adrenalin from the electric shock masked the neck pain. Over the next few hours my neck stiffened and 4 days later it is still very sore and I am about 2 inches shorter! Might see a doctor if not OK by thursday, which is when we race the course again.

Three snapper off Maraenui Beach last night while BBQing at Maraenui Clubhouse! Hooked again.

Weather is like those childhood summers. Having a great relax and looking forward to a couple more weeks.

Have a safe and happy new year. Nga mihi i te tau hau!

Blue Mountain Blitz

On Sunday before Xmas a few of the crew biked from my place and did the Greenhorns ride in the Blue mountains. I couldn't go because of my leg, but they had such a blast that we organised another ride for Boxing Day and I joined in - no problems with the leg!

It's such a cool ride and the rain over Xmas night made the slippery clay and pine needles downhill even more fun. There were no major falls. The ride back out up the Mangakirikiri with a little extra water in it was a blast. We were all hitting the crossings at pace with Chris, Brian, Ellen taking a swim each. It was good to see Brian's brand new Giant XT2 getting all wet and muddy! Peter had a great ride, twice leaving his bike for a short flight into the mud or scrub. Lea had a technically confidence-boosting ride in the tricky bits, though I did see her put her foot down at least once in the creek.

While having coffee and muffins Leigh, Shirley and Tina then set out with Tina doing our ride and Leigh and Shirley turning around at "the big puddle".

Tonight we have the first of the Thu evening MTB races at Woodlands so should have plenty to tell you soon! The firshing tournament is on at Mararnui this Sat as well, so get out there and support the kura.

See ya!

Merry Xmas

Hello conscientious readers. I haven't done a post for weeks and it has been heartening to see that at least three people have asked me why there has been no postings. There are readers out there!

Been very, very busy. Unfortunately it has all been mainly work with little adventuring going on. That is all about to change. Lea and I are both in the Round Taupo relay which will be a real test of the Code of Silence. We are also part of Barry's 24hour adventure team!! I haven't done much fitness stuff over last 6 weeks but will get into it soon. Have had a minor leg operation and should be running /cycling by end of next week.

Hope everyone has a great summer and gets involved in some neat adventures.

We have had a wonderful year at school.

Our touch team represented the Waikato/BOP region at Nationals where they finished third in NZ and had thre members, Tutere, Shayla and Te Hata, named in the World Youth Cup Academy squad. Our Young Enterprise Scheme Company Kei Te Pai once again represented our region at the Nationals. Katarina was named MWWL Intermediate Girls Whaikorero National Champion, our Community Cadet Unit won the right to represent the Northern Region at the National Skills tournament and then won that tournament to be crowned top cadet unit in the country, our Kapa Haka team, Kura ki Uta, took out the Mataatua Regional Secondary School Kapa Haka tournament and will be at the Nationals next year, Year 13 student Steven was named NZ U18 Body Boarding Tour Champion, our Cricket 1st XI claimed for the first time and still holds the Challenge Trophy, 9 of our touch players are off to represent Mataatua at the Maori touch nationals, Opotiki College students were members of the Opotiki Surf Life Saving Club which was awarded the London Trophy for their attaining the highest level of lifesaving awards, Year 11 student, Turoa, was awarded a William Wallace Award in Wellington for overcoming hardship and turning his life around, Year 11 student Matthew attended the Australian Junior National Wheelchair Championships, entered 8 events and got 8 medals, the Girls 1st XI Soccer team won the Pullar Cup for the first time, our 1st XV had a very successful tour to Australia, Mania and Sam represented East Coast and Waiariki at Youth Parliament, Rkanoid made the regional finals of the Smokefree Rockquest, three students, Dylan, Te Amo and Te Hata, were selected in the New Zealand U17 Rugby side and 9 students have attended Outward Bound.

What a great school!

Keep checking the blog.

All Seven Children

IMG_0657[1]
Originally uploaded by m0rehu.

It's such a rare moment I thought I had better post this one separately.

Edith's (Nana) Tangi

IMG_0645[1]
Originally uploaded by m0rehu.

Edith passed away on 30 October and was buried at Taupo on 3 November. This photo shows Adrian and Eryn (with Alex), Thomas and Lucy, Jonathan (obscured) and Bruce carrying her from the service.

It was a moving service which captured Nana's life well.

If you go to Flickr you will see more photos including a rare moment whn all 7 children are together. This may have been the first time in over 25 years.

Grade 2 Kayaking at Aniwhenua

IMG_0639[1]
Originally uploaded by m0rehu.

Here's Sykesie going over the falls. What a great weekend with Kurt and Sykesie and 2 of his mates gaining our grade 2 kayaking certificate. We camped at Aniwhenua for 2 nights and did 3 great runs down the Rangitaiki.

We all had some fall outs on the first run. Kurt nailed a roll and I nailed it so well I went right over!

The second run of the day was the best as we were assessed on rescue, throwbags and tipping out at the top of rapids and surviving to the bottom.

Sykesie chose a 200m rapid with huge waves and corkscrews and told me to fall out and get to the bottom with all equipment. Very scary but hugely exhilirating.

Another night of beers and talk and we had one more run on the Sunday. Not many photos because of water etc but go to Flickr to see.

One of the best adventure weekends I have ever had. Thanks Sykesie.

Opotiki College Kapa Haka Success

IMG_0597
Originally uploaded by m0rehu.

Opotiki College Kapa Haka, Kura ki Uta, are the 2007 Mataatua Regional Secondary School Champions and will compete at the Nationals in Wellington in 2008.

The event was hosted by Opotiki College and our group represented their school whanau, hapu and iwi proudly and performed a magnificent programme to the highest level.

In assembly today I was able to acknowledge the fine work of their tutors, Hemi and Paula Pirihi, and their support crew and the continued outstanding support and guidance given by DP Robyn Abraham-Harris. I was also able to acknowledge the great organisation put in place by DP Hone Green, who led the committee that organised the event. It was also great to take the opportunity to thank the staff of the College who provided awesome background support.

These young people set a high goal and, more importantly, showed the discipline and determination to succeed. We are very proud of them.

Restorative Justice Conference

IMG_0588
Originally uploaded by m0rehu.

This is the view from the conference venue, Twin Waters Resort, on the Sunshine Coast in Australia. The venue was great and the conference itself was inspiring.

I attended workshops on Evaluation and Research of Restorative Practices, A School's Journey, The Role of RJ in Engaging Students and Overcoming Barriers to Implementation.

I soon came to realise that there are a small group of New Zealand Secondary Schools that are leading the way globally in implementing restorative practices; and that Opotiki College is one of them.

I still found a great deal to learn to build on our practices.

More photos are on flickr.

The face says it all!

IMG_0584
Originally uploaded by m0rehu.

Click here to see a series of photos of me, lea and Tina who all competed as individuals.

Motu Challenge 2007

Congratulations to Lea who completed her first ever solo Motu coming in comfortably under 11 hours. There, that's out of the way, now it's about me!

There will be more to follow, especially when I upload the photos, so this is just a short post. I'm off to Aussie tomorrow so there might be a little wait before the next exciting post.

I had never trained better and more consistently (181 days in a row yesterday) and was certain that I would go close to my PB of 10hrs 18 set when I was a much younger early 40s! The MTB was going really well and seemed quite effortless. It took me just under 32 mins to climb Meremere which is my fastest ever and I was in a good group with Dr Kerr and Trevor Standen. Then I got a puncture and the bloody rims on my bike (ask Hedley) meant it took 12 minutes to change the tyre. Huge thanks to Ross Steele who interrupted his race to help. Thanks mate. It was heartbreaking to see Lea and Tina and other superstars go past. I biked in a pretty grumpy fashion to Motu in about 3 19. I was aiming for 3.10 and honestly felt that without the puncture I could have gone quite close to 3 hrs.

The run was agony. The only highlight was finally catching Lea at the Falls Bridge and then picking up Kelvin Harford who was in one of the school teams. Took about 1 40 on the run plus a few minutes in the transition. My support crew of Leigh, Lucy and Kurt were awesome because I was a bit low at the end of the run. I knew that despite the puncture I still could have had a shot at my PB if it wasn't for the wind that I knew was waiting for me at Matawai.

I biked quite strongly (despite cramp kicking in a few times) but found the wind very tough and a bit scary in places - actually getting blown off the tarmac at one stage and almost coming to a halt 3/4 way up Traffords. I picked up Trevor Standen again and we completed the stage together. The full leg took 1.59 so I suppose with transition time I was in the low 1.50s.

Into the waka. The river was great and some of the rapids were quite gnarley. Lots of people in fast boats were tipping out. I caught Trevor after he tipped and he went past again and then had another swim. Fortunately for me while he was chasing me he hit a rock and tipped again. Kurt had to haul me out of the waka at the end and I had a strong cycle and run to hit about 10.24 which is 6 minutes outside my best!!!!!****&&&%%$

Big thanks to Kurt, Leigh and Lucy who kept me going. Thanks again to Ross and to the many locals who took part. It was great seeing everyone congratulating each other etc.

Jan and his crew came from Hamilton and did quite well, though I didn't get much of a chance to catch up with them later. Jan about 3.30 on MTB, Tasha about 1.40 on the run and Ross abou 1.35 on bike (then he rode to end of kayak). I didn't catch Richard's kayak time but I think he smoked it.

Photos to come.

Oh yeah. Well done again, Lea. I might let you put your own posting on.

175 days in a row which includes a swim!

Thomas turned 21 last week so Leigh, Sam, Lucy and I went over to Hamilton on Friday and took him out to tea where we had fine Thai and a few too many beers. He really liked his pounamu - one from Lucy and another from the rest of us.

Came back on Saturday to find Lea had had a good day up the Motu. She MTBed up in about 3.30 and then ran from the Motu Falls Bridge in about 1 26. This would give her about a 2hr run which is great after the MTB and considering her 2 weeks of flu. The boss did a great job looking after her.

On Sunday after the devastating rugby!!!!!! Lea and Andrew biked up to Oponae and then Lea and I paddled the full course. The river was good at about 1.7 but there was a strong head wind all of the way. Lea made it down without swimming which gives her an average now of 3.4 swims per paddle. 17 on the first and then none since.

I made her day by falling out. In an ttempt to avoid running in to her I cut out of the white water through the eddy and flipped. It made her day. My average is now 0.2!!!!

We were stoked to paddle in a fraction over 2 hr 30!!

Predictions for the day:

Lea 11hr (3.15, 2hrs, 1.55, 2.50, 20min, 20min + 20 min transitions)

Maurie 10hr 25 (3.10, 1.35, 2hrs, 2.40, 20min, 20min +20min transitions).

There! That's setting me up for a fall!

175 days in a row today.

Didn't Fall Out But We Bailed Out

After a hard day's training and feasting the day before (see previous post) Hedley, Lea and I with Marg's support headed out to paddle the Waioweka. The river was at about 1.7 so there was quite a good flow and we were looking forward to a good time.

There was a little bit of drizzle just after the start but we pressed on and enjoyed the better water flow. The rain and wind kept getting heavier and stronger and for those of us without wetsuits it was getting colder and colder. Our highlight was passing a group of six paddlers in flash boats with two of them in the water while we charged through the rapids!!

As we reached the gravel pit the rain and wind got stronger and we decided to bail out. There will be many versions of how we came to that decision. Lea will claim that the boys whimped out. An alternative worth considering is that the decision was made to ensure our recovering co-competitor didn't make her flu return. Most will find this version difficult to accept because how could someone suggest something so supportive when they were badly let down the day before by said recovering co-competitor (see previous post).

Pete from Auckland also bailed out and we were able to cart him down to the bottom of the paddle.

Training will be quite low key now so not too tired on the day.

We're off to Te Kaha for 3 day's break then to Hamilton to have dinner on Friday with Thomas who turns 21 tomorrow.

Jan and Dave "I'm not much of a runner!!"

Jan and Dave visited from Hamilton to do some Motu training this weekend. We sussed each other out over a few beers on Friday night and then set off for a big day on Saturday.

After watching Tonga fall to the Poms the boss, Jan, Dave and myself headed off on the MTB course. On the Whitikau Dave and I got a bit of a jump on the other two. Just before Dave dropped me he asked me waht my strongest discipline was and I foolishly said running to which he replied "I'm not much of a runner." I thought nothing more of that.

I should've been suspicious when he not only dropped me but after getting to the end rode back to meet me 500m from the finish!!

It was another fantastic ride on 3hrs 9min! There were many other riders and one guy had a fall after hitting a weka. He bloodied his knees but we hope the weka is OK.

Lea had driven up to meet us as she was still out with the flu. She drove us to the Motu Falls and Jan Dave (I'm not much of a runner) and I started the run in the bush. Dave and I dropped Jan who bailed out and headed back without telling us. We waited for 15 min at end of the bush before other runners telling us he had gone back.

With that Dave (I'm not much of a runner) and I loped off with 5k to go. From that point Dave floated on and disappeared into the distance. The only consolation was that he did not run back to meet me after he had finished!

Lea and I then road biked from Matawai. Of course, I was a bit shagged by this point and there was a howling gale as a head wind. And of course Lea was as fresh as daisies not having trained for over a week.

She dropped me on the first hill and when I caught up I gave her a little test. I told her to go on and not wait for me. After having looked after her for several months of training I fully expected a response of "No we'll stick together and I'll pull you through." Her response was "OK" and took off!!!! Test failed.

For the next 1 1/2 hours I slogged manfully and lonely into the head wind!!!!

I got over my disappointment by having a spa, a few beers, a BBQ of venison etc with Pete and Lea, Marg The Boss, Jan, Dave )I'm not much of a runner), Dad, Hedley and Teleri and old Mad dog Telfer and Faith.

Have to go and have a coffee at 2Fish now so I'll let you know about the Sunday paddling in the next post.

All of the above is true.