The famous British 10K Run! What a great day in London!

Me after finishing the British 10K Run in London

I completed the British 10K Run along the historic streets of London in 59min20sec and managed to raised GBP228.13 for Tourism Concern! I am very pleased with both results.

Check out Tourism Concern’s update about our Run here.

The Run itself was quite an experience with people cheering up all the runners along the way and loads of good energy around. It was a rather hot day too, but I managed to run 10K in just under an hour and still enjoy myself without much of huffing and puffing.  Training in Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand definitely paid off!

Who knows what’s next? Maybe a half marathon? We shall see 🙂

Here are few pictures from that amazing day:

Just before the 10K Run

Tourism Concern Team before the British 10K Run in London

Walking to the start of the British 10K Run

Plenty of runners walking to the start

The British 10K Run in London – July 2013

Almost at the finish line of British 10K Run in London

Me after finishing the British 10K Run in London

My medal for finishing the 10K!

Trainers prepared and money raised – I am ready for the BIG RUN!

Tomorrow is the BIG day. I will run the streets of historic London with all other participants in famous The British 10K Run. The rather spectacular route will take me along some of London’s most iconic buildings with streets closed to traffic and open to runners.

The British 10K Run London route

Over 25 thousand people will be taking part, so it’s not just a small race as I thought when I signed up few months ago. My number turned out to be 25499 and I hope to do my best tomorrow. I have never taken part in such a massive running event, so it should be an exciting experience! I unfortunately managed to get some blisters on my feet since back in London and my Achilles is giving me a hard time recently, but I shall not give up!

I have been training for over 2 months now in many different locations, including Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. All worth the effort and here is the proof: MY PAGE. I managed to raise £228.13 for Tourism Concern and I am very grateful to all those who decided to donate. Thank you all for your support!

My race number during The British 10K Run in London

Last run in wintery New Zealand – Auckland!

It was my last run in ‘Lord of the Rings’ country.  Back in Auckland I headed towards the harbour, run through Wynyard Harbour and along Quay Street until the Hobson Bay.

Planning running route in Auckland

I felt a bit sad having to leave NZ and at the same time finishing my trip (after 8 months), but I learnt a lot during this time. I also discovered running was a great way of ‘sightseeing’ and getting to know places from a different point of view. While running I visited neighbourhoods I would have never been to otherwise, I got to see loads of street art hidden from the view of usual tourist and I also managed to observe the life of locals. Well, when not out of breath 🙂

I shall not stop training though. The British 10K Run takes place this weekend on Sunday (14th of July) where you see me trying to makes it in under an 1hour to support Tourism Concern. After all it is summer in London, perfect weather for running!

Running in Auckland’s Waterfront. Wynyard Quarter

Street Art in Auckland

Keep Calm and Eat Hot Dogs- simple!

Running Route in Auckland’s Waterfront. Wynyard Quarter

Crater on top of Mt Eden in central Auckland

View on Auckland’s skyline from the Waterfront. Wynyard Quarter

Getting sporty near Lake Taupo – running, hiking and cycling!

River Waikato flowing from Lake Taupo – here is the view from bungy jumping platfrom

Loads of outdoorsy stuff can be done around the emerald Lake Taupo located in the centre of New Zealand’s Northern Island. Lake itself looks more like a sea thanks to its huge size and strong winds blowing right in your face (I felt it!). Even though it was cold (2-7C) and extremely windy, I still really enjoyed running, hiking and cycling here, especially along the picturesque route near the lake.

The area is absolutely stunning with nature all around you: rivers, lakes, forest, waterfalls, not to mention thermals pools and hot streams. There is another reason why all sporty stuff is so enjoyable in New Zealand. Any guesses? It is very CLEAN around here, simple as that. NZ has heaps of natural beauty, but not only thanks to the volcanic scenery, but also because the country really does take care of it. Kiwis pride themselves on environment by fully respecting it, signs like: ‘Help us keep NZ clean’ are everywhere.

Lake Taupo with its bright blue waters

I have not seen any rubbish in the forest, on the beach or along the walking/hiking trails. ABSOLUTELY NONE. Standard and Recycling bins are widely available, so there is no excuse for littering. Every hostel does its own recycling. How I wish this was the case in many other destinations.

Let New Zealand serve us as an example!

Lake Taupo with its beauty

Lake Taupo – green and blue are the colours in the area!

Lake Taupo – it was sunny but freezing cold and windy!

Lake Taupo with its 616 square kilometers looks more like a sea

Black sandy beach on the edge of Lake Taupo

Mountain biking with a view!

Lake Taupo

Cycling in the Lake Taupo area

River Waikato and more

Please Recycle note in one of hostels in New Zealand

Moon viewed from the southern hemisphere

Colours of River Waikato flowing from Lake Taupo

Recycling bins in one of New Zealand’s hostels

River Waikato – New Zealand’s longest River

Mountain biking near River Waikato, Lake Taupo

I spotted few mushrooms during my hike near River Waikato

Breathing in sulphur fumes – running in New Zealand’s volcanic area!

Hydrogen sulphide in the air smelling like eggs. Tick. Steam coming out of the ground. Tick. I am in Rotorua, New Zealand’s capital of volcanic activity, boiling muds and Maori culture. You can smell sulphur everywhere. Steaming fumes from naturally heated thermal pools look surreal spread across the town surrounded by lakes, forests and geysers.

It was about time I went for another run. On a rather chilly day, wearing shorts, armed with a pair of gloves and a hat I convinced myself: You go girl! And so I went. Bear in mind during the day I wear three pairs of long sleeves… I set out on a picturesque path along the lake with its mineral-rich waters almost bluish white, vapour clouds along the running route and noisy ducks walking around. I could almost feel the sulphur in my nostrils with inhaled air, but was it worth it? Sure it was. See the pictures for yourself!

Few photos are from the run and rest from stunning local sites I visited. New Zealand, I salute your beauty!

Rotorua and surrounding areas

Colours of Waiotapu Geothermal Wonderland, near Rotorua, New Zealand

Striking Colours of Waiotapu Geothermal Wonderland, near Rotorua, New Zealand

Rotorua’s Museaum which used to serve as Bath House thanks to local thermal pools

Striking Colours of Waiotapu, near Rotorua, New Zealand

Colours of Waiotapu Geothermal Wonderland, near Rotorua, New Zealand

Colours of Waiotapu Geothermal Wonderland, near Rotorua, New Zealand

Colours of Waiotapu Geothermal Wonderland, near Rotorua, New Zealand

Striking Colours of Waiotapu, near Rotorua, New Zealand

Maori art by the entrance to the Rotorua’s Museum area

Bubbling mud pools near Rotorua

Running Route near the Rotorua Lake

Running path along Rotorua Lake

Running in Rotorua on a cloudy day

Black swans and ducks, Rotorua Lake

Running path along Rotorua Lake

Rotorua Lake, New Zealand

Running path along Rotorua Lake

Rotorua Lake, New Zealand

Running path along Rotorua Lake

Black swan, Rotorua Lake

Rotorua Lake

Running path along Rotorua Lake