I sat around Auckland for a few days, resting up and relaxing in preparation for the Auckland Marathon. Lots of CARBS and water up until Sunday, November 2nd. Carbo-loading day is my favorite holiday:) It's basically an excuse to eat all the crap I usually try to avoid (Dominos, pastries, mmmm). I had to wake up at 3:30 am in order to catch a ferry across the Harbor into Davenport where the event began. A guy in my dorm room was gracious enough to play alarm clock and wake me up when he was getting back from the bars. When I left the hostel at 4:30 am, there were a surprising amount of drunk kids falling all over each other in the streets; some girl incoherently tried to tell me something when I walked into a convenience store for coffee--classy.
After getting myself properly caffeinated, I took the 15 minute ferry ride over to Davenport and wondered around the starting area doing everything that needs to be done before a race--stretch, people watch, chat with strangers, multiple port-a-potty visits, etc. 6:30 am came quite quickly and it was time to start running!
There were so many people dressed up! I'm not quite sure what it is about extreme physical exertion that makes people want to look so hilarious, but there were a lot of characters in this race. A few of the most memorable were two guys dressed up as Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble (WITH a cardboard replica of their prehistoric car), the entire cast of the Wizard of Oz, and, my personal favorite, Borat--IN the swimsuit.
Classic
I thought I was CRUISING. I mean, I had a lot of amazing music on my ipod thanks to Bry Riggs and Bradon Young, I was in a great mood, felt fantastic, there was a really cute guy in front of me that I was following--it was awesome! The first half of the marathon which brings everyone back into Auckland consists of continuous rolling hills. The second half is a 6.5 mile flat course along the harbor and back into downtown Auckland. I thought, I was doing really well; I hardly even walked which is HUGE for me (only to drink some gatorade at a few water stops). I even had a new power song to bring me across the finish line--R. Kelly's "I Believe I Can Fly." That's right! I said it--I WENT there...R Kelly. It was amazing:) However. Not amazing enough to break four hours. Far from it actually; the final time was 4 hours and 36 minutes which is actually 30 minutes faster than Guayaquil (I finally found out that I actually ran that race in 5 hours and 6 minutes; weak:( ). I'm proud of myself for finishing; obviously. Now time for a little break before training for Thailand!
The next day, I got on the Stray Bus to start touring around New Zealand. There are numerous different tour busses that can bring you around the country; I am NOT happy with Stray right now, so for those of you planning on coming here--don't waste your money. Anyway, our first stop was in Hahei which is home of Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach. Cathedral Cove is a beautiful rock formation which can be found after hiking an hour along Hahei beach. Hot Water beach is quite crowded within an hour of low tide; people come and dig pools in the sand near the rocks which then fill up with hot water due to the areas geothermal activity. While walking around the rocks, one step could be ice cold and the next within inches might possibly scald your foot--the wonders of nature.
After Hahei I was back to Raglan for a few days. We arrived just in time to join everyone in the tv room to watch the US Election coverage!!! There was a group of about 10 Americans there, but everyone, no matter where they were from, was as eager and interested as we were to see the results. When CNN finally declared Obama to be the 44th President of the United States EVERYONE began celebrating. The owners of the hostel bought a case of champagne for everyone to share; I was in tears, it was so moving :) Needless to say, nearly the entire world was hoping that we would elect the Democratic candidate. I have yet to meet one person from anywhere (other than the United States) who was a McCain supporter.
I spent the next few days back in the Raglan Backpacker Hostel with Josh, Ryan, and Marissa (American buddies :) ) attempting to surf and reading in the sunshine. My last day in Raglan I woke up at eight in the morning in order to go for a hike. On my way out, two of the guys that work there, Thomas and Iain, were on their way surfing and coaxed me to join. Why not?? The waves were beautiful; nothing like I've ever tried to surf on and, therefor, I was quite scared. I found Josh on the beach and we let the more experienced guys go on their way. I basically spent the morning sitting, or lying rather, on my board watching everyone else catch waves. At one point, I noticed a bunch of people paddling their boards out further. When I tried to turn around a guy near me points behind me and told me to watch out. I looked up just in time to see a giant wave (large to me, at least) breaking on my face. After getting rocked by a few more waves in a row, I decided I was finished for the day. Josh then drove me to Te Toto Gorge in order for me to hike Mt. Karioi. The hike takes about three hours; it isn't really difficult, though a chain rope is needed in order to climb up a steep portion of the hike, but it's fun and has some incredibly beautiful scenic views. Once I arrived at the bottom, I suddenly had a huge burst of energy (I have no idea how that's possible), so I decided to run part of the way back to the hostel I ran about 8 kilometers (4.8 miles) and then hitchhiked home because there was a never ending incline in front of me that I was not in the mood to climb.
The next day Ryan, Marissa, and I got back on the bus and went to Waitomo where we toured some glowworm caves. This area has between 800 and 1000 caves within a 50 kilometer radius, all filled with glowworms, rock tunnels, and underground waterfalls. We all donned some pretty sexy wet-suits, giant white go-go looking boots, and helmets. We repelled down rock walls with waterfalls crashing down on our heads, army crawled through low tunnels with our faces in streams, squeezed through small windy spaces that I have no idea how my hips got through, and climbed up steep rock walls. We also sat in the dark to watch the neon green glowworms shining above us. BEAUTIFUL.
The next day we stopped in Rotorua which is known for its geothermal activity--the town REEKS of rotten eggs due to the sulfur, like the entire city decided to eat way too much dried fruit at the same time (graphic but true). Ryan, Marissa, and I wandered around the town and found the COOLEST park I've ever seen; definitely a step up from your classic swing-set. Then, I was introduced to Burger Fuel...the biggest burgers I've ever seen--literally the size of your head, with gourmet ingredients such as brie cheese and jalepeno aioli. Magical. That night we stayed in Taupo which has the country's largest lake, created from a giant volcanic eruption.
The next day was phenomenal. We spent the whole day hiking the Tongariro crossing. It took me a little over five hours to complete. You hike through snow, craters, forest, along crumbling rocks, up man made stairs. It's beautiful. The colors are stunning, especially the Emerald Lakes and Blue Lake. There are also waterfalls and hot springs--one stream flows through a Maori private land that is home to hot springs; the stream smells of sulfur and is actually very warm. This was another one of my favorite days of the trip, so far. If you are traveling to New Zealand, this hike is NOT TO BE MISSED.
Tomorrow, I get on a Ferry from Wellington to Picton--from the North to the South island. I am meeting up with Annaliese's Aunt and Uncle who are graciously letting me stay with them for a few days--I love NZ hospitality:)
AKWARD MOMENT
Everyone has to use the restroom before a marathon--at least two times, this is just how it works. You drink too much coffee, adrenaline and nerves kick in, whatever the case may be, ya gotta get in the EXTREMELY long port-a-potty line. I saw one line that was moving quite quickly so I hopped in the Q (that's what they call a line/wait list here). I was just looking around when I noticed that the majority of the line was filled with men; now, I have no problem being surrounded by a bunch of attractive Kiwis, but this just seemed odd. When it was almost my turn I finally focused on the oddly shaped outhouse only to realize that it was basically just a giant trough-like urinal. I mean, it was my turn and all, but just imagine the sight if I tried to pee in it; I would look pretty......
