November Newsletter
To all our members, sponsors, partners, ambassadors, guides and volunteers. Welcome to the November edition of the Achilles NZ newsletter.
CHAPTER NEWS
Tauranga
Team Tauranga at City to Surf
Tauranga City to Surf - We had a great event on November the 3rd. Karleigh Jayne Jones had a great race guided by Ivan Sullivan. Samantha Barr and Jenni Barr also had a great race in the 11km.
Leslie Warner- Bird competed for the first time as a member of Achilles. Huge thanks to Tash Vruink for coming down from Auckland to help train four new Guides in an event situation. New guides Leah, Kimberley, Lomote, and Rockie had the biggest race day grins the entire time.
Stevie Jensen completed the Half Marathon, guided by Warren, Kelly, and Kimberley.
Tinman Triathlon Tauranga November 10th - Sara Ash, Te Hui Apaa, and Stevie Jensen made Achilles history being the first mixed NZ Triathlon team. They came 2nd in the Para division. Guides were Kezia, Warren, and Dave. They did great job guiding in a storm. Thanks to Suzanne Hardie who set up a base camp for the team. Enormous thanks to Shannon Cleave who organised the team.
Stevie and Nikki have discovered that you are never too old to take your shoes off, and splash in fountains after a hot training session.
Auckland Chapter
Stevie and Nikki cooling off in the water fountain post run
November has been a wonderful month of growth for Auckland chapter, we would like to welcome our wonderful new guides John LR, Libby, Joanne, Yann, Eliza and Jason. We have enjoyed welcoming them to the Auckland crew. This month Auckland has continued to embrace having fun while running and doing Scott Airplanes - a fun fad started by Scott Arrol where you put your arms out like an airplane while you run. We have now got Tauranga and Waikato chapters hooked on Scott air planes as well and they have challenged us with some brilliant team photos and even a formation video! We have had lots of fun getting involved with Hobsonville Point Parkrun, great to see the athletes and guides enjoying this amazingly supportive community. It would be great to see more athletes and guides there each week - and even if you are unable to participate Parkrun is always in need of volunteers to scan barcodes or record times.
Congratulations to Stephen Jenkins for completing the Queenstown Marathon in a fabulous time of 2:20:41 with his guides Mark Whitford and Hannah Milne. A big shout out to Martyn Tucker who has been working incredibly hard behind the scenes and will be joining us back at Sunday training in the near future, we are so looking forward to seeing him back in action! Wishing our junior athletes Jaxon and Jayden best of luck for the first weekend of December where they will be competing at the New Zealand Secondary School national athletics championships.
We have begun planning events and fundraising to attend New York marathon next year so Auckland will be in full action from now on - watch this space.
Christchurch Chapter
Chris, Nicola and Anton with their medals at the Queenstown Marathon
The Christchurch chapter has been in full swing and enjoying the spring around Hagley park this November. Athletes and Guides have been making the most of local running and walking events, including park run on a regular basis.
A handful of athletes and guides gathered in Queenstown for the Queenstown Marathon event this month, athletes getting involved in walking and running the 10km and half marathon. While some of our guides took up a personal challenge and smashed out a full marathon. A big shout out and thank to Cigna for hosting us post race, your generosity and hospitality were most appreciated. Congrats to Nicola Asmussen and guides Anton and Chris, Julie McDonald and guide Heather, Stephanie Rattray and guide Juliet who completed the half marathon and 10km. Along with Jeremy Duggan, and Jonathon Scott who completed the full marathon.
Also in Christchurch there is a hive of activity as 6 athletes keep up the fundraising and preparations to complete the New York Marathon in 2020.
As the year nears the finish line, the Christchurch Achilles Crew wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season!
,
Achilles Waikato
Sam with Sally in their Bright yellow Achilles Shirts
Yee Nin (Sam) Foster - Guide to New York Marathon athlete Sally.
Having completed one marathon (Kirikiriroa Marathon 2019) Sam took on the task of getting Sally to New York. This was a major undertaking. She took an autistic athlete, who had never run 10km, majorly out of her comfort zone to where Sally would fly overseas and complete her first marathon. Sally has developed immeasurably both as an athlete and personally because of this. Sam spent countless hours training not only with Sally but also guiding Steve who is totally blind. The program involved week day runs and swims with long runs on the weekend. Over this period Sam built an amazing rapport with both Sally and Steve and earnt Sally's Trust. She also guided Sally in her first 10km and half marathons, while helping Sally take over 2 minutes off her 5km pb. She then went to New York and guided Sally through her first marathon, providing support and lots of encouragement. Not only has Sam helped Sally and Steve but is happy to assist any Achilles Waikato athlete. She is a valuable member of Achilles Waikato.
Achilles Dunedin
Dunedin is meeting fortnightly with a core group of athletes and guides who turn up week in/week. We can say we have had one bad day since we started in March. Now that is a pretty good record! Our athletes and guides are looking at some events in 2020 to work towards. Thanks always to The Plaza Cafe at Forsyth Barr Stadium for the hospitality and service on our Achilles Sundays.
Michael Bardrick walking
Athlete of the Month - Michael Bardrick
Michael is one of our blind walkers and has made every session since starting on our opening day in March this year. Michael has made huge progress in his walking and along with an arthritic knee has overcome a few challenges to complete 2 x 10km events. Michael's quick wit, enthusiasm and positive outlook make him a very popular team mate. Michael works at Cargill Enterprises when he isn't walking or bowling with the Blind Foundation.
Rebecca Allnut running
Guide of the Month - Rebecca Allnutt
Rebecca has been an Achilles guide since we started in March this year. Rebecca is a teacher, a runner, a bootcamper, a dog walker, house minder and lover of all events and outdoor activities. Rebecca is doing a charity ride in February 2020 before heading on her OE later in the year. Rebecca has guided athletes running, walking and cycling. Thanks Rebecca, for all your love and support towards the Achilles Dunedin team. We will miss you!
Achilles Rotorua
Achilles Athletes at the Rotorua Bike festival.
Achilles was present at the Rotorua airport runway bike where Six Rotorua Achilles members participated.
Thursday Rotorua night markets added a new flavor to our November activities, members of Achilles Rotorua made crafted items to sell and the money will be going to towards paying their way to the next Blackmore Sydney Marathon. Not only do we have great athletes at Achilles but we also have great talents among athletes and guides that include photography, Wood work, card making, Christmas decorations and cheese and cupcake makers just to mention a few.
An Achilles Stall at the local Rotorua market
Rotorua Members have also started to meet for an art and craft activity. We have had such a positive response from our local Rotorua community in regards to our campaign towards Blackmore Sydney marathon trip next year. Thanks to Te Ngae Road Fresh Choice who have generously donated $500 and thinks we deserve financial support towards buying Achilles jacket as preparation for Sydney Marathon next year. Geyser Community Funding has also donated $2000 towards our trip to Sydney Marathon. The Rotorua Council has provided us with four free stalls to sell our arts and crafts made and donated by athletes and guides from Achilles Rotorua. Big thank to Jenni Shanks’s family members who also donated $500 worth of makeup for us to raffle. We are so grateful for the support we get from our Rotorua locals. “Ubuntu - we are who we are because we all are.”
Achilles Whangarei
Thank you Sport Northland for an amazing day at the KeriKeri half marathon last weekend. We really appreciated the support that we were given for our athletes, They also allowed up free entries for our Guides. Congratulations to Steve and Jacqui who completed the Half Marathon with their Guides Ron, Rachel and Kerry.
We had a Fabulous morning with Lots of Achilles yellow tops at the 200th Whangarei Parkrun. Hadlee (Black Labrador) got a run in with his own guides Izzy and Tony. Steve, Ron and Rachel also showed off a Scott Airplane along the way!
PICTURED BELOW LEFT: Steve, Ron and Rachel performing a Scott Airplane RIGHT: Athletes and Guides at the Kerikeri Half Marathon
GUIDE OF THE MONTH- Bonnie
Bonnie Pictured left with Vanessa
What Achilles Chapter are you a part of? Christchurch
What Distance do you Run when you aren’t Guiding? I am Currently injured but would normally be training for mostly 10km and 21km events.
What Event did you last Guide/Volunteer at? Selwyn Running Festival last year. I Try to get along to training sessions as often as I can. We are currently helping to fund raise for Christchurch Athletes and Guides to go to New York Marathon 2020
Why did you become a Volunteer/Guide for Achilles NZ? I Read a book written by Niva Retimanu where she wrote about being an Achilles Guide and I thought I would like to participate in some way. So glad I did as love being involved with this group.
What are you Hobbies/Interests? Travel, Cooking, Reading, Crafts, Grandchildren, Running (when I can) and following sport
What is your Favorite food? Sushi
Who is your Favorite Musician? Phil Collins
Who is your Favorite Sportsperson? My son Scotty
A book that everyone should read is…….. Tuesdays with Morrie – My favorite of all time!
What do you love most about being involved with Achilles NZ? The athletes and guides are amazing and interesting people. I love walking with Steph, catching up with what we have both been up to and she is very knowledgeable about running events around the world and a range of sports – always PLENTY to talk about.
If you could invite any four people to Dinner who would they be and why? My Dad and my grandfather – I miss them so much! My husband Jamie because we love being together and my sons Scotty and Mike (can that count as one?). What a great family dinner that would be!
Do you have a favorite Quote? What is it? Change your thoughts and change your world
ATHLETE OF THE MONTH - STEPH
Steph Pictured left with her guide Juliet
What Achilles Chapter are you a part of? Christchurch
What Distance do you enjoy walking or running the most? Walking 10km
What Event did you last compete in? Queenstown 10Km Walk
Why did you get involved with Achilles NZ? Parents suggested via website
What are your Hobbies/Interests? Walking/ playing with the dog, Reading, Para-cycling, Music, Documentaries
What is your Favorite food? Gluten and Dairy Free Dark Chocolate
Who is your Favorite Musician? Elton John
Who is your Favorite Sportsperson? Any NZ Paralympic Athlete
A book that everyone should read is…….. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
What do you love most about being involved with Achilles NZ? The people that make Achilles International NZ- Athletes and Guides – amazing brunch of people.
If you could invite any four people to Dinner who would they be and why? Maggie Smith and Helen Mirren for their films, Jane Austen for her stories and Kathrine Switzer for her running exploits.
Do you have a favorite Quote? What is it? “Nevertheless she persisted”
SPONSOR NEWS
Pure Sports Nutrition // WHAT ARE ELECTROLYTES AND WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT IN SPORT?
Pure Sports Nutrition Logo
Electrolytes (also called mineral salts) have an important role in sport & exercise. To begin with, they literally get you off the start line by allowing your muscle fibres to contract and function properly. As the duration of your exercise increases, you also need to replace the salts you lose naturally in sweat to help avoid that dreaded onset of cramp or fatigue.
Our sports nutritionist Marewa Sutherland tackles some common questions we often get asked on electrolytes. Follow the Link below to read the full Article…..
parkrun // How to Avoid and Manage Injuries
Image of park runners
As your parkrun journey progresses, it’s possible that may pick up an injury along the way. But there are some simple steps that you can take to reduce the likelihood of you being stopped in your tracks. That’s why we’ve enlisted the help of Noel Thatcher! As well as being a serial parkrun volunteer, a six-time Paralympic gold medalist, and former world record holder for the 5000m, Noel Thatcher is also a full-time sports physiotherapist. Noel shares with us his best advice for avoiding injury, and his top tips on what to do should you suffer from any niggles or problems. Read the Full article below…..
Cigna
Hi everyone,
From the Queenstown Marathon Cigna team we would like to say a huge congratulations to you all for your inspirational efforts at the Queenstown Marathon – you did us, and hopefully yourselves, proud!
We had a lovely time getting to hang out with most of you at our post-race gathering (despite the questionable weather), especially those who we don’t get to see very often – so thanks for dropping in to say hi! We hope you’re all enjoying some much deserved R&R !
Here are some of our Highlights….. (PICTURED TO THE RIGHT, ACHILLES ATHLETES AT THE QUEENSTOWN MARATHON)
UPCOMING EVENTS
Our Achilles Events are all over for 2019 so now we look ahead to 2020 and start to plan our events calendar for the New year. Congratulations to all our Athletes who completed events in 2019. Thank you to all our Guides and volunteers, we could not do it without you!
Rotorua Marathon 2020
Rotorua Marathon Banner
The Rotorua Marathon is New Zealand's most iconic marathon event. For 56 years runners and walkers of all ages have accepted the challenge, taking a lap around the beautiful Lake Rotorua. Experience hidden gems, surreal scenery and stunning natural wonders in Rotorua. Along with the full marathon, the Rotorua Marathon offers the Red Stag Timber off-road half marathon, 10km and a 5.5km run or walk to choose from. We have Exclusive offers for Achilles Athletes and Guides but get in quick because it is limited to 20 people!
Code: GUIDE - Value: 100% off - 20 available
Code: ACH20 - Value: 10% off - 20 available
THE FINAL WORD
Thanks as always to our sponsors, partners, guides, volunteers and chapter leaders -I know the athletes of Achilles really do appreciate your passion and commitment to them and the Achilles family.
Do have a great month in December. Whether you are going to race or just train or attend the various Parkruns around the country. Do keep up all the great work in training and being part of this worldwide Achilles family. Happy Holidays!
