October Newsletter
To all our members, sponsors, partners, ambassadors, guides and volunteers. Welcome to the October edition of the Achilles NZ newsletter.
CHAPTER NEWS
Tauranga
Welcome to new Guides….
Kate Mckenzie - Kimberkey Thom - Leah Davidson - Angela Angell - Robyn Meikle - Cherie Bouma
Tauranga members dressed in pink fo rthe ‘Hot Pink Walk’
Highlight of the month was three of our new members participating in their first event. The Hot Pink Walk. Special mention goes to Sarah Saunders who walked in a large crowd for the first time since she suddenly went blind two years ago. Her incredible courage continues to inspire us all here in Tauranga. Stevie and Guide Warren are now regulars at the weekly Parkrun. We are all proud of our Guide Mark Russell achieving a sub 3 hr Marathon up in Auckland. Next event is the City to Surf in which 5 new Guides will be guiding their first event for Achilles. Happy training everyone.
Rotorua and Taupo
Ekiden Relay team posing for a photo in their fluro gear
Saturday 12th of October saw the 16 th Rotorua Ekiden Relay with over 150 teams take part in not only the relay around Lake Rotorua but the fancy dress component aswell. One of these teams were that of Team Achilles made up of 6 athletes out of the Rotorua Chapter.
The day began early, but made easier with the kindly sponsored Coffee’s by Cofe2U who kindly sponsored team Achilles for the entire event day. Following the early coffees all the athletes and their guides got into their Fluro tutus and other ‘Safety’ attire, the warm up started which saw all teams having a little boogie before beginning the race.
The full team of volunteers, Athletes and Guides posing for a photo
Race time- The first leg was completed by Scott and his guide for the day Faustinah which saw them crush the 7.5km leg from the lake front to Ngongotaha before handing the sash over to the only wheelie to take part in the relay, Colin guided by Michael. Colin and Michael completed the second leg which saw them depart Ngongotaha and arrive 7.88km around the lake in Hamurana. Tom and Jennie were to take on the next leg of the relay which took them 8.43km from Hamurana up, down and around the back side of the lake as the rain began to fall on them until they arrived at the Marama resort. This is where Tom handed the team sash to Karleigh-Jayne guided by Delwyn along the long slog which is leg 4. This saw them climb the uphill grind from Marama resort 9.27km in the rain until they arrived at the airport where the rain stopped and they handed the sash over for the penultimate time. From the airport Livoni and Seini motored their way along the 3.24km leg to Puketawhero park where they were welcomed in by Jayden and his guides Bianca and Lucas, along with fellow team members Colin, Tom and Faustinah who all completed the final 5.88km leg to the lake front where the remaining team members where waiting to cross the finish line in true Achilles fashion as a whole team no one left behind.
This was a hugely enjoyable event for all involved! But this could not have happened without the numerous people who made it happen behind the scenes. Huge thank you to all the volunteer drivers and helpers. But most of all we can not forget those who sponsored Team Achilles to be there! Victory Events who organised this event and kindly sponsored the teams entry and Cofe2U for those coffees. Lastly, well done to all the athletes who took part in this amazing event.
Auckland
Auckland chapter having coffee post Saturday morning run!
It was another Sunny, fun morning in Auckland Viaduct harbor for our weekend run. We had an excellent turnout and everyone had a huge smile on their face. Followed by a delicious coffee and catch up.
Our chapter had a Incredible day today at the ASB Auckland Marathon! Well done to all athletes/guides/volunteers/photographers/supporters and family members that made the day run smoothly and ensured everyone involved had a magnificent time. We are looking forward to next year already!
Check out this video below of our awesome guide Katie using her vocal skills to clear the path during the Auckland Marathon.
https://www.facebook.com/achillesauckland/videos/2449853948627890/?epa=SEARCH_BOX
Christchurch
Marshaling Crater Rim Ultra Trail Event - through a connection with Port Hills running club the Christchurch chapter has been helping out with marshaling at this event for the past few years now. A team of athletes and guides marshal several aid stations and marshal points, giving runners a bit of Achilles style encouragement, directions if they need it and smile to go. It is a great way for Achilles to give back to the running community, who are so supportive of the Christchurch chapter, thanks Jamie Hawker and crew from Port Hills for all your support. It is also a great team building event, i am blown away time and again at the energy, positive attitudes and the laughs that the Christchurch Achilles crew brings to anything they turn there hand too. Great stuff team!
New York 2020 is firmly on the calendar for 6 Christchurch Achilles Athletes and their Guides. Fundraising is well underway and the momentum is building. The latest efforts have seen a very successful quiz night, marshaling at Fusion Running Events, funding applications and guest speaking engagements, with plenty more to come.
Mike with his guides Ness and Mark before the Selwyn Running festival
Mike, with Ness and Mark as guides, and Paul, with Sarah and Emma as guides, ran the Selwyn Running Festival half marathon on Sunday 3 November. It is a flat and fast loop course from Leeston to Southbridge and back to Leeston in rural Canterbury, about 30kms south of Christchurch. Mike and Paul had both planned on running sub 2 hours, but the extreme heat and lack of any wind put paid to that. The road temperature on course was well into the 30's by race end.
Thankfully the race organizers had added an extra/5th aid station at the 19.5km mark in consideration of the predicted hot morning. All finished and will chalk those slower than anticipated times up to the experience of running in differing weather conditions.
Both Mike and Paul are part of the Achilles Christchurch crew of 6 athletes and their guides who are fundraising to attend the New York Marathon in November 2020. Coincidentally, it will be this same weekend next year. At least it won’t be 30 degrees in New York in early November!!
Next up is the Queenstown Marathon event, with a team of 3 athletes and guides participating in the 10km and 21.1 km events.
From the Christchurch Achilles Chapter - GO ACHILLES!!
Dunedin
Dunedin Athletes attended the recent Shoe Clinic Hill free Half Marathon. A course perfect for Achilles members who want to Walk, Run, Wheel or Hand cycle!
We have also had our regular Training sessions, some of which have been very wet!
Pictured Below - Achilles Dunedin members having coffee post training session and Achilles members at the Shoe Clinic Hill Free half Marathon
Hamilton
Congratulations to Sally Marston of the Hamilton chapter who just Finished the New York Marathon. She has finished in 5 hours 12 minutes and 38 Seconds with the help of her Guides Sam and Rachel. I am sure we will hear more about Sally’s journey when she gets back and hopefully we will have a race report from her But for now she will be enjoying the feeling of completing her very first Marathon!
Thanks Marathon Tours for the support and making this life changing adventure happen, and to all the people who supported them over the last 6 months.
Pictured Below - (1st Pic) Sam, Sally and Rachel at the finishers line with their Medals (2nd Pic) Rachel, Sally and Sam pictures with their race numbers before the Event
News From the Board - Allan Smith
1. Health and Safety:
Important for this to be discussed prior to every training session.
· Contact details for Achilles leader and a cell phone between each athlete and guide.
· Environmental conditions on the day
· Identify an hazards on course
· In emergency dial 111
· Time frames and meeting points e.g. out for 1 hour and meet back for coffee.
· Communication regarding any relevant medical or health needs.
· Athletes and guides should carry a card with medical conditions and emergency contacts.
2. John B is working on contacting and keeping in touch with national organisations such as Blind and Low Vision foundation NZ, Autism NZ, Stroke foundation etc in order to create growth and to connect local branches with the local chapters.
3. Chapters are working on ensuring training session venues are accessible for all athletes where possible.
4. AGM / Awards evening. Discussion location and timing of awards night. Venue TBC
Guide of the Month - Tash Vruink
Tash Jumping for joy while running an event in her Tutu
What Achilles Chapter are you a part of? Auckland
What Distance do you Run when you aren’t Guiding? 21km
What Event did you last Guide/Volunteer at? Parkrun this morning
Why did you become a Volunteer/Guide for Achilles NZ? Originally, I just wanted someone else to be there to run with my son Jaxon, so he didn’t have to have his mum with him all the time as he gets older. Now I have fallen in love with the concept and helping athletes get the same joy out of running that I do.
What are you Hobbies/Interests? Running, anything outdoors – beach, camping, tramping, biking, watching my kids’ sports, baking, cooking, volunteering
What is your Favorite food? Mac n Cheese
Who is your Favorite Musician? Cody Lee (google him – you will not regret this decision!)
Who is your Favorite Sportsperson? Tom Daley
A book that everyone should read is…….. Balance – love flicking through this fab book written by our wonderful Achilles ambassador Rachel Grunwell.
What do you love most about being involved with Achilles NZ? The level of support that everyone has for one another, its an amazing community and everyone has welcomed me and Jaxon (and Mercedes some Sundays) into the family. I love that everyone can joke and laugh about things together – or make fun of me when I say or do dumb things!! It’s always an environment that is good for the heart and soul and having fun while exercising is my absolute favorite thing in life.
If you could invite any four people to Dinner who would they be and why? Roger Federer – because he is one of my favorite athletes of all time, he’s so well spoken and humble. I think the conversation would be fantastic.
Rebel Wilson – because she is absolutely hilarious and has no filter!
Russel Brand – again he is hilarious and has no filter, plus I admire all that he has overcome in his lifetime and what has shaped the person he is now.
Lady Gaga – Because she is a fantastic musician and so unconventional, but also is an unbelievable philanthropist supporting so many amazing charitable causes and even spoke at a conference alongside the Dalai Lama to talk about the power of kindness and how to make the world a more compassionate place. She is one of my biggest idols and influences on my life.
Do you have a favorite Quote? What is it? “Life is like a mirror. You only get out what you put in.” – I can’t find who originally said this quote. But my gymnastics coach gave me a personalized jersey that she painted when I was 8 years old and this quote was on it. It’s stuck with me ever since.
Athlete of the Month - Sarah Saunders
Sarah Saunders with her Guide at the Tauranga running Track for Training
What Achilles Chapter are you a part of? Achilles Tauranga
What is your Injury/Disability? Total Blind
How long have you been injured/disabled for and how did it happen? In the beginning of 2017 I suddenly lost the sight in my left eye due to a detached retina, the operation did not go well and left me with light perception in that eye. A couple of months later the same thing happened with my right eye, again very suddenly and was left totally blind in my right eye even after operations to try to reattach the retina.
What running achievement are you most proud of? even though I do not run yet, I am proud of myself for doing the hot pink walk which was my first event.
What is your Favorite Event? that I have not decided on yet as I am still new to events but there is so much possibility for the future.
What are you Hobbies/Interests? I have always liked doing things with my hands like knitting and scrap booking so I an finding ways to do these without my eyes. I also like to bake and cook and am finding it fun to learn to cook in a different way.
What is your Favorite food? I like all food as long as it not seafood.
Who is your Favorite Musician? I have many depending on my mood, and what type of day it is, it ranges from Taylor Swift - mainly to embarrass or annoy my teenagers haha.
Who is your Favorite Sportsperson? Mine would have to be my dad, he is not famous but has such determination and fun that he makes me want to get off the couch and give things a try, he doesn’t let things stand in his way and will always find alternative ways to get out , he has suffered through a shoulder operation and a hip replacement.
A book that everyone should read is……. Any one of the Ka Pai the kiwi books, I love the way he writes and has humor for both kids and adults.
What do you love most about running with Achilles NZ? the freedom of being able to walk with the community without having to use my cane. Knowing I can walk freely without having to concentrate really hard on little things like Terrain changes because I know I’m safe with my guide.
If you could invite any four people to Dinner who would they be and why? Jimmy Carr the comedian as he is the least PC person in the world and he knows how to laugh at himself. My friend Melody as she is such an influence for me she is also blind and a mum of a six year old and a new baby and she lets me know that no challenge is too big. I think I would invite Nikki Wilson the Chapter Leader as she is so encouraging and interesting to talk to, she also motivates me, and I enjoy seeing her each week with her sunny and bubbly outlook on life. The last person would be my musician of the week so we could have great music to listen to
Do you have a favorite Quote? What is it? “You have to fake it until you make it”
Upcoming Events
Queenstown Marathon
Queenstown marathon banner
Welcome to the World’s Most Beautiful Marathon. Set between the backdrop of the world renowned Crown and Remarkable mountain ranges, and taking in the best highlights of the Queenstown Lakes region on hard packed cycle trails, this is truly a flat out beautiful course. After a sell-out event in 2018, demand for 2019 is expected to be high!y Popular! Enter Here: https://queenstown-marathon.co.nz/
Wellington Round the Bays 2020
Round the Bays 2019
Entries for Wellington round the bays 2020 opened on the 1st November so get in while they are cheaper! Its a very worthwhile event for the calendar, it has plenty of distances to choose from, a great atmosphere and awesome scenery along the wellington waterfront. In 2019 Achilles had a record number or members attending the event. How many can we get in 2020?!
Enter Here: https://wellingtonroundthebays.co.nz/
Pure Sports Nutrition
RECIPE OF THE MONTH // CRANBERRY PROTEIN BALLS
Picture of the finished Cranberry Protein balls.
This month's recipe packs a powerful nutritional punch. Loaded with protein and antioxidants, these healthy cranberry protein balls are the perfect energy booster for at home, in the office or out on your next adventure.
New Sponsor partnership - Shoe Clinic
Thank you to Shoe Clinic who have come on board to work alongside us. They are providing awesome product for our New members induction packs!
Shoe Clinic Logo
Achilles NZ recommends Shoe Clinic stores nationwide to ensure you get the very best fitting footwear for your walking, running or every day wear! Shoe Clinic can assess your feet using their Footscan & Treadmill analysis and then fit you in the most correct shoes for your activity. They even back this up with a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee, where if for any reason you aren’t feeling completely happy with your new shoes you can take them back for a full refund or a replacement pair. It doesn’t matter how many times you have worn them within the 30 days, as they want to ensure you are completely satisfied with your new shoes so you have total peace of mind.
Shoe Clinic stock a large range of brands including Asics, New Balance, Mizuno, Adidas, Brooks, Rockport, Merrell, Birkenstock, Keen, Thorlo & Drymax.