Decided to change my blog.
So please check out http://nonutsjournal.wordpress.com/
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
City 2 Surf and What a lazy Week!
Last weekend did the City 2 Surf. Never done this event before, and it is quite mad really, 20 000 people participate and it's mayhem at the start and mayhem and the finish with not much difference in between. 12K of Flat running, was going to be a bit of a test on my body that hasn't see that much distance on the tarmac in a very long time. Came through without to much problem, wasn't speedy but I felt strong throughout, and I finally got a good rthymn at the 5K to go sign.
Well the rest of the week, wasn't quite so good, Running class on Tuesday, I felt "heavy" and everything just felt hard. Wednesday was going to do short bays after work, but got half ways to hills, and wasn't feeling great, so just turned around and went home. Thursday I decided to take off, Firday I was going to go for a paddle but couldn't get up early enough and couldn't be bothered after work, this morning was going to do the Support race out at Cust, but period pain (I'm assuming that this is why haven't been feeling good all week) like I haven't had in ages when I woke up put a stop to that idea. Good thing this week is supposed to be a reovery one eh!
Well there's only 2 weeks to brunner and I am a little worried, because I just haven't been biking much. Well I might just drop down to a easy bunch... but I am way to competitive for that sort of business. and the chch half is only 8 weeks away, which means I really need to put some time on my feet soon.
Other news, I have joined a Canoe Polo team for over winter, it shall be interesting. Supposed to be good for boat control, and hopefully I get to learn to roll. Lets hope it fun, and I don't have to catch a ball :)
Well the rest of the week, wasn't quite so good, Running class on Tuesday, I felt "heavy" and everything just felt hard. Wednesday was going to do short bays after work, but got half ways to hills, and wasn't feeling great, so just turned around and went home. Thursday I decided to take off, Firday I was going to go for a paddle but couldn't get up early enough and couldn't be bothered after work, this morning was going to do the Support race out at Cust, but period pain (I'm assuming that this is why haven't been feeling good all week) like I haven't had in ages when I woke up put a stop to that idea. Good thing this week is supposed to be a reovery one eh!
Well there's only 2 weeks to brunner and I am a little worried, because I just haven't been biking much. Well I might just drop down to a easy bunch... but I am way to competitive for that sort of business. and the chch half is only 8 weeks away, which means I really need to put some time on my feet soon.
Other news, I have joined a Canoe Polo team for over winter, it shall be interesting. Supposed to be good for boat control, and hopefully I get to learn to roll. Lets hope it fun, and I don't have to catch a ball :)
Friday, March 14, 2008
Highs and lows
Well this morning, I had one of the best runs of my life. Went up and did the crater rim track from the kiwi, heading towards the Bellbird. The last time I did this track was about 6 weeks prior to the c2c and it was a disaster. I was having shoe problems and not feeling my best. Well this morning, I was jogging over the hills with not to much struggle, and really enjoying my self. I tried out my new Montrail running shoes, and was really enjoying them. The soles provide really good grip, which was really improving my confidence in sticking to the trail.
I think my rest up period and still taking it easy in training is paying off. Going to keep this level of training up for the next month or so.
Well the rest of the week wasn't so grand was having relationship problems, and bored to death on the bike, though we did have a amazing ride along the summit last Sunday, with no wind, and a fast decent down into Sumner, got up to 80K down Evans, that's probably the fastest I've gone :).
I still have trouble getting out of bed to get a jog in before work, especially as it now DARK when the alarm goes of to get up. brrrr... winter is coming.
I think my rest up period and still taking it easy in training is paying off. Going to keep this level of training up for the next month or so.
Well the rest of the week wasn't so grand was having relationship problems, and bored to death on the bike, though we did have a amazing ride along the summit last Sunday, with no wind, and a fast decent down into Sumner, got up to 80K down Evans, that's probably the fastest I've gone :).
I still have trouble getting out of bed to get a jog in before work, especially as it now DARK when the alarm goes of to get up. brrrr... winter is coming.
Friday, March 7, 2008
The Year of the running
I think on my last post I was getting a bit carried away. And after a bit of email ping pong with Olly, I have a new training plan in place for this year. This year will all be about running, so I need to focus, focus, focus and not get carried away with other events, which I'd really like to do... but No, will focus.
So Kepler is still going to the main focus for this year. As well as the Sydney half marathon. Still going to do the Tour de Tasman, but it will not be a primary focus. So bike and Kayak, will be on "maintenance" for most of the year, with a bit of specificity a few weeks out from Brunner and Tour de Tasman.
Coast to Coast is not on the plan for this year, firstly because, I'd actually like to be able to save some money this year, or even buy a new house (Focusing on running helps this also, because of the 3 disciplines, it is surely the cheapest). Secondly, so I just focus on the running. I'm putting Coast to Coast as a long term 2 year goal, wouldn't mind to be able to get up on the stage at prize giving, but I know to do that, I will have to improve the running, ten fold. I know my body is not equipped to deal with it at this moment, but I also realise that the thing that will hold my body back from being able to achieve this is my mind. I am not genetically gifted, but then I haven't been given genes that would prevent me, so as long as the mind is willing...
So what have I been doing? The last couple of weeks, I have slowly been getting back into doing some training. The weather hasn't been cooperating, and I still am not in the right frame of mind to train what ever the weather. Just been for a 10K jog around the plantation, it wasn't exactly easy, but it also wasn't that hard.
Whats next? Well I have entered Around Brunner, and we have sponsorship this year. There's going to be a team of us, called oursleves the HPA (High Perfomancce Athletes). Think we have Tanya to thank for that name. Then there's the Mount Isobel challenge, in April, 8K run climbing 1000m, then a mountain bike, Kelly's going to do the MTB. Then Christchurch Half Marathon.
So Kepler is still going to the main focus for this year. As well as the Sydney half marathon. Still going to do the Tour de Tasman, but it will not be a primary focus. So bike and Kayak, will be on "maintenance" for most of the year, with a bit of specificity a few weeks out from Brunner and Tour de Tasman.
Coast to Coast is not on the plan for this year, firstly because, I'd actually like to be able to save some money this year, or even buy a new house (Focusing on running helps this also, because of the 3 disciplines, it is surely the cheapest). Secondly, so I just focus on the running. I'm putting Coast to Coast as a long term 2 year goal, wouldn't mind to be able to get up on the stage at prize giving, but I know to do that, I will have to improve the running, ten fold. I know my body is not equipped to deal with it at this moment, but I also realise that the thing that will hold my body back from being able to achieve this is my mind. I am not genetically gifted, but then I haven't been given genes that would prevent me, so as long as the mind is willing...
So what have I been doing? The last couple of weeks, I have slowly been getting back into doing some training. The weather hasn't been cooperating, and I still am not in the right frame of mind to train what ever the weather. Just been for a 10K jog around the plantation, it wasn't exactly easy, but it also wasn't that hard.
Whats next? Well I have entered Around Brunner, and we have sponsorship this year. There's going to be a team of us, called oursleves the HPA (High Perfomancce Athletes). Think we have Tanya to thank for that name. Then there's the Mount Isobel challenge, in April, 8K run climbing 1000m, then a mountain bike, Kelly's going to do the MTB. Then Christchurch Half Marathon.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
What's next?
Why am I thinking about this? It seems I can't even go a week without putting a new goal in front of myself. So my plan to not to make any new plans for 2 weeks after c2c has gone kupuut. So I have now developed a plan.
Focus on running, and improve my Kayaking and be up to the challenge of doing the gorge in a sprinter. Not sure weather I will do c2c again next year, but that can probably wait for a decision till about October.
Well for now heres what I am going to do:
A race :
B races:
Focus on running, and improve my Kayaking and be up to the challenge of doing the gorge in a sprinter. Not sure weather I will do c2c again next year, but that can probably wait for a decision till about October.
Well for now heres what I am going to do:
A race :
- Kepler (or Luxmore Grunt if not up to the whole thing) - December
B races:
- Tour de Tasman (2 day, kayak tour around marlborugh sounds) - August maybe
- Sydney Half Marathon (Only 'cause the girls want to go) or the able tasman Coastal Classic ( Much more fun than tarmac) - September
- Around Brunner - April (and maybe Graperide as well)
- Teva big day at office (if it doesn't clash with Kepler, which it might)
- Amp Multisport or Chch Multisport (depends whats on??)
- Ymak Classic (if it doesn't clash with Kepler)
- Captains Cook Landing(25K run) - July
- Brass Monkey Series (Lets get the Sprinter out for these) - July - August
- Prebablton Winter races (bike 40K, missed them all last winter, try not to this year) - over winter
- Hopefully some local running club events (need to investigate running clubs)
Sunday, February 10, 2008
The RACE!!
Here's the race report for my coast to coast 2008 2 day individual race.
Race Eve - Thursday 7th Feb
I had spent most of Wednesday, packing, making lists and having everything organised, so there wasn't much to do on Thursday morning. Thursday was the start of the adventure, and I couldn't wait to be off. Had a 30min spin on the bike, to get the blood moving. Nades and Tanya arrived over at my house at about 10.30. We packed everything into the car (there wasn't much room left over). Then we began the journey to Kumara, stopping at the Petrol Station, for what seemed ages, filling the car up and the girls grabbing a coffee, passed the keys to Tanya and we were finely ready to be off, there was one last stop to make, pick up my sister from the airport. Thankfully, the plane was on time. So after a minor delima about where to fit her stuff we were well and truly on our way.
The support crew
Let me pause for a moment and introduce my very good support crew, they were excellent the whole way through. I hardly had to do anything the whole weekend (well other than race). I have to admit that repacking, unpacking, organising is one thing I hate. But there I was calmly eating my breakfast on Saturday morning, while the support crew were running efficiently around me taking down tents, sorry getting a head of my self, I'll come back to that later.
Nadine aka Nades - the first member to join the support crew, I think she joined the day I said I was doing the Coast to Coast. This meant that when ever I had 2nd thoughts in training during the year, I had Nades in my ear going "you can't pike out, I'm looking forward to the support crewing". Nadine's a very useful person to take along with you, she either knows everyone, or if she doesn't give her a few minutes and then she does. A very useful thing for a introvert like me.
Olivia aka Olly - my sister and coach. Managed to persuade her to come down from Auckland and have a weekend away with us girls. Was very useful to have a few calm, intelligent and encouraging words along the way. She was the one who had done it before, although 10 years ago now.
Tanya aka Blondie - my own personal masseuse. While others were waiting in line to get their massage, I had my own masseuse, along with massage bed ready and waiting for me as I got of the run. Ahhhhh prefect...
Ok, so we were own our way to Kumara, we stopped along the way at mount white bridge, to show the crew where it was, and for me to have a first look at the river in a few weeks. And it looked low, there was just a narrow shoot where the kayaks would be able to get out of the launch spot. We got to Kumara just after 3, found a place to pitch the tent. I went and registered, and Nadine went shopping. Yes, there was good shopping to be had at the thermatech tent. Got my stuff mostly sorted for the next day, then it was a 3K trek into Kumara to get dinner at 5.30. Rachel came over to say hi at the end of dinner, and she looked jazzed, I think she might have had a permanent shocked look on her face. As I didn't want to walk all the way back to the camp ground only to turn around and come back for the briefing, we lay on the grass and waited around. Briefing was the scariest and most entertaining briefing I have ever been to. Once briefing was over, we walked back to the tent and got ready for bed.
Day 1 - Friday 8th February
Day 1 started at the nice early time of 5am. I had slept reasonably well, the people next door to us had been washing dishes and talking loudly (about balloons of things!! I still can't fathom the reason for this) to who knows what time. But other than that it was a ok sleep.
I left my support crew, still packing up the tent at about 5.40 and made my way down on the bike to the bike transition. It was kinda airy cycling down a dark highway, with only your bike lights and a bit of fog around. You could only see other bike lights in the distance. When I got to the transition, I parked the bike (next to the very first bush on the line, thought that'd be useful), put my cycle shoes into the pedals. and started the walk to the beach. The walk to the beach, though only 3 K seemed to take for ever. The excitement started to rise when you create a little hill and down below you, you can see th start line. As you approach the start you have to walk through a check point, and that's when I saw Barbara, who gave me a howdy dowdy and pat on the back. I was smiling and amped, yet reasonably calm. Went down touched the ocean, short warm up and went and stood on the beach. Judkin's without any fan fare announced 30 sec's to go and then the hooter sounded and we were off.
3K Run
The first 3K run had me the most nervous about the whole thing. I am a slow runner, but I wanted to be fast enough to get into a good bunch. I decided to take it at my own pace, and didn't push that hard. Emma over took me at about 2K. I was just wishing that the run would just end sometime soon, then there was the bikes and I was joyess to see them. Had a quick change over, my triathlon transition training paid off, for while everyone else seemed to be farting around getting there cycle shoes out of plastic bags and what not, I had stuck my feet in my shoes and was off and peddling.
55K Cycle
For the first 6 or 7 K's was in a fairly small bunch, that was seeing a bunch in front of them and trying to catch, I thought stuff this and sat up and waited for a bigger bunch to join me. That's when I caught a bunch of about 10 and mainly all team members and was hoofing it along. I thought I was riding quite comfortably, only had short spurts at the front and let the rest of them do the work.
I had purposely decided not to use a watch or HR monitor for the entire race. Though I think now that I should have used the HR monitor in the cycle. Because it is my strongest and most comfortable discipline I can push myself harder, when perhaps I shouldn't have.
I had a fairly fast cycle time completing the run, cycle and transition to run in 2.06.
33K mountain run
My worse discipline and I knew it was going to be the hardest. But I didn't know how much it would hurt. It was a fine hot day, which was good in some ways but was extremely hot in places. My transition to the run went smoothly, the support crew were there and dragged me to my gear, got me changed and ready to go. Started the run slow, I was feeling quite ill at this point, its a 3K run along farm land, before you start up the valley, and this seemed to take forever. My hamstring started cramping really early on. I never get cramp and I didn't really have much of clue what to do, hadn't bought any cramp stop with me, so I just though take it easy and run it out. Which eventually seemed to work, however I think this cramp, pulled on my knee, and I started feeling twinges in my knee. I incredibly happy to see the foot bridge, where we cross the Otira and head up the Deception valley. I stopped and thought, bloody hell I have already run 6K today and I have another 30 to go. I am not much of a runner so this seemed fairly daunting, But at least on crossing the river I could stop and walk for a bit, didn't feel up to running over the riverbed, so just thought I'd walk it out and get the ill feeling out of me. But I had that feeling for at least another half an hour, but once I got over the first river crossing I was feeling better. Took it easy for the next bit, Rachel caught me just after the 3rd crossing, than Emma caught me before the big boulder and Orange hut. I strained my hip flexor scrabbling up a rock, and from that point on pulling up the rocks hurt like buggery
There was some people that you ran walked with for a bit, and never really lost sight of anyone so that gave you good confidence. Only went badly astray once, when I crossed the river when I shouldn't have. Got to the top of goat pass in just over 4 hours, Not 100% sure as I didn't have my watch, but going by the time the officials said at the top. I thought Ok good, should be able to get down in 2 - 2.5 hrs, so will make my aim of 6 - 6.5hrs. However, nothing much ever goes to plan. I am the worse down hill runner, clumsy, but add to the mix a knee that has pulled one of the tendons than running down hill is even worse. I was so happy when I was about 200m from the last of the down hill bits that I managed to trip over and bang my legs up a bit. I was tired by this time and even running on the nice tracks along the river bed was a struggle. I was starting to get teary and frustrated, trying to run because the more you run the faster you get to the finish line, but nothing was working, and then I came to the horrible section of the Mingha, walking across the river bed. Stumbling and hurting and damn hot. I was so happy to finely reach the pylons. But then there was still another 3K to go to the finish. I had never completed it in training, so didn't know what it would be like. There was about 1K of 4wd track and then it was back on the torchress river bed. You could see the people hanging around the finish line, but took forever to get there, but finally, I scrambled up the bank and ran across the cushy grass (I almost stumbled because it felt so strange under foot) and through the finish line. I almost burst into tears, but a very nice gentlemen pored cold water down my neck, man it was nice.
7hrs 20mins of pure torture, what the hell had I been thinking!
The support crew were there to give me a drink, and Tanya help me take the shoes of. Man it was nice to have those shoes off. then I slowly stumbled back to the tent, where they cooked my bacon so I could have a bacon and avacodo Bagel. Then Tanya gave me a nice long massage and then it was pretty much dinner time. Throughout this we could still hear the loud speaker calling people coming over the line. I couldn't believe that people had been still been going that long. At about 8.30, we went for a wander to try and get some stiffness out of my legs. As we were walking over to the finish line we past the last guy to finish hobbling home, he'd had some bad cramp. and he looked in a world of hurt, but it made me feel better about myself. I thought "at least I am not as bad as that guy". But I was still not in a positive frame of mind about the next day (Nadine told me afterward she was worried that I was looking so bad that I might pull out of Day 2, but she didn't want to say anything). I tricked myself as I went to bed, I said I'll do the first cycle in the morning, I can always pull out before the kayak.
Day 2 - Saturday 9th February
This time it was a 4am wake up. The Support crew needed to be gone with the kayak to the transition by 5am. I on the other hand had to wait around to 7.30 for the start. So I just got dressed and ate by breakfast while the effecient support crew pack everything up. Then, I wandered over to the marque and lay down and dozed. Though it did start to get quite cold, but they brought out a heater so warmed up a little.
15K Cycle
I was in the 2nd wave to leave, I was determined to take this cycle easy, so I just cruised in the bunch on the flat bit, and when we got to the hills I just put it in a easy gear and spun up the hill. When I got to the end of the cycle, theres a 1K run down dirt rd to the kayaks. I decided not to use mountain bike shoes, so I just changed into sandles and started of into trot which went well for the first 50m and then I knee seized up and protested about running downhill. So then i just walked it out with everyone running past me.
67K Kayak
Got to the kayak, and tricked myself again, said to myself just get in, if you are not doing well, you can always pull out at goosebury stream (the last pull out point before the gorge). So had another efficient transition, got in the kayak and was off. I think I took a wrong braid at some point and was groveling along in some fairly shallow water, it was hard work all the way to goosebury stream. The rock gardens about half an hour in, are what scare me the most on this paddle, and with the river so low, I thought they would be bad, but I just cruised down them, and my confidence just grew and grew. I started feeling good. So headed past Goosebury stream without a 2nd thought. Somewhere, near the start of the gorge, there was this big rock with a wave stopper, I could see the people in front struggling, there was a couple of jet boats rescuing people, but I couldn't really tell exactly what it was until I got closer to it. It hadn't been there when I paddled it 3 weeks ago, so took me a bit by surprise. But managed to navigate it without too much hassle. But a couple of corners after that there was another big wave train that I tried to skim the edge of, but misjudged it and hit the eddy and then spun. then a guy hit me turn me all the way around. I was in a bit of a precarious position. The wave train was beside me, and about 5 meters down was a bluff, so I didn't have much room to manavoure. In hindsight I should have just gotten out of the boat and walk it down a bit. But I didn't and tried to turn. Well the inevitable happened and I went for a bit of a swim. My confidence was rocked a bit, but there is no turning back once in the gorge, the only way out is forward so just kept of going. I was confident on bluffs and Hamilton rapid was pretty easy.
As I was going past a check point (I think it was broken river, not 100% sure), I heard over the radio that the first of the one dayers were on the water. Made me dig in a bit harder, as I didn't want to get past by the one dayers. I decided to portage the rock rapid, even though looking at it, it looked pretty calm in comparison to previous times I had seen it. During the portage the girl I shared carrying boats with said the short cut was passable. I had a plan to go around the horse shoe, but no when I cam to it, I saw people heading down the short cut, so dum me didn't stick to race plan and followed, DUH! Dum idea, had to get out and portage the boat twice. Not sure if I lost much time on it but it wasn't a short cut. Finally, Woodstock was passed so it was only 50min of easy rapids to the end. I just sighed a relief, I can do Woodstock blindfolded I have done it so often. It was still painful but eventually the bridge was there and I saw the bright fluro green t-shirts(the were a very good idea, I could see them well when it came to the transitions) of my support crew and headed straight at them. Someone (I didn't have a clue who it was at the time, later I found out it was Pete) lifted me out of the boat, I had told the girls not to worry about it, so it caught me a bit by surprise.
Cycle + Kayak took 6hr 45, which I was quite happy with considering the condition of the river.
70K Cycle
So it was then a run/walk (I opted to walk) up to the cycle transition. My parents had turned up at to watch at gorge bridge, and dad kept on asking me questions as we were walking up, have to say not that easy to answer questions walking up the hill after sitting in a kayak 6 hours. My legs were feeling good and I knew I could do a good cycle into town.
Almost immediately I caught a bunch of 2 other riders and the team member at the front didn't seem to want to give the us individuals a go at the front, which I was quite happy with so sat on his tail for
about 20min. Then another group of about 3 riders caught us, and we were off fast. I was just hanging on in places, but there was no way I was losing this bunch, otherwise it would have rather long lonely road into town. Just after Yaldhurst we caught a slightly slower bunch and some of my bunch took of, and I had momentarily lost their wheel and couldn't catch up, so I moved back into the other bunch and we moved through town. It was fun going through the Christchurch not having to stop for lights and people lining the streets cheering you on. Saw Rebecca standing at the ferry road round about cheering me on. Gave me a bit of a boost. I was quite content to sit at the back of the bunch, I didn't really see much of a need to have to compete with the group to see who crossed the finished line first. We slowed down over the causeway and the always permanent cross wind hit us, then we were quickly, turning the corner at shag rock (where I had pictured before in training rides what I would be feeling when I came around this corner) and on the home straight and running up the sand to the finish line.
Got my beer and Judkins shaking my hand. And then I stumbled into the seething mass of the crowd. I felt quite giddy for a while. Then my friends and family were there to give me a hug and congratulate me.
Transition + Last cycle took 2hr 16
Total time 18hrs30
Summary
Will I do it again? Don't know yet, only know that if I did I'd want to improve my run a lot. Do I want to spend the next year concentrating solely on improving my run? In some ways yes, but in other ways I know I would soon get sick to death of all that running.
Did I enjoy it? I am a bit numb at the moment, and honestly feel a bit lost. Thats done now I have nothing to do, work for. Ask me a again in a couple of weeks, probably by then I will have forgot the pain and think it was the best thing I have ever done. But at least I know, no matter what I can do it, won't seem so bad next time.
I am a strong cyclist compared to the multisporters, unfortunately you can't do well in this race on a few good cycle legs you need to be rarely good runner or kayaker and pretty good at the other.
I was still too heavy for this race, but if I keep up with my current regime then I will be looking good by this time next year.
I didn't eat enough nutrition throughout the race, but especially on the run, and something I would seriously need to concentrate on. And would be best to wear a watch so know when I have to eat.
Photo Gallery at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=18320&l=83330&id=642477075
Race Eve - Thursday 7th Feb
I had spent most of Wednesday, packing, making lists and having everything organised, so there wasn't much to do on Thursday morning. Thursday was the start of the adventure, and I couldn't wait to be off. Had a 30min spin on the bike, to get the blood moving. Nades and Tanya arrived over at my house at about 10.30. We packed everything into the car (there wasn't much room left over). Then we began the journey to Kumara, stopping at the Petrol Station, for what seemed ages, filling the car up and the girls grabbing a coffee, passed the keys to Tanya and we were finely ready to be off, there was one last stop to make, pick up my sister from the airport. Thankfully, the plane was on time. So after a minor delima about where to fit her stuff we were well and truly on our way.
The support crew
Let me pause for a moment and introduce my very good support crew, they were excellent the whole way through. I hardly had to do anything the whole weekend (well other than race). I have to admit that repacking, unpacking, organising is one thing I hate. But there I was calmly eating my breakfast on Saturday morning, while the support crew were running efficiently around me taking down tents, sorry getting a head of my self, I'll come back to that later.
Nadine aka Nades - the first member to join the support crew, I think she joined the day I said I was doing the Coast to Coast. This meant that when ever I had 2nd thoughts in training during the year, I had Nades in my ear going "you can't pike out, I'm looking forward to the support crewing". Nadine's a very useful person to take along with you, she either knows everyone, or if she doesn't give her a few minutes and then she does. A very useful thing for a introvert like me.
Olivia aka Olly - my sister and coach. Managed to persuade her to come down from Auckland and have a weekend away with us girls. Was very useful to have a few calm, intelligent and encouraging words along the way. She was the one who had done it before, although 10 years ago now.
Tanya aka Blondie - my own personal masseuse. While others were waiting in line to get their massage, I had my own masseuse, along with massage bed ready and waiting for me as I got of the run. Ahhhhh prefect...
Ok, so we were own our way to Kumara, we stopped along the way at mount white bridge, to show the crew where it was, and for me to have a first look at the river in a few weeks. And it looked low, there was just a narrow shoot where the kayaks would be able to get out of the launch spot. We got to Kumara just after 3, found a place to pitch the tent. I went and registered, and Nadine went shopping. Yes, there was good shopping to be had at the thermatech tent. Got my stuff mostly sorted for the next day, then it was a 3K trek into Kumara to get dinner at 5.30. Rachel came over to say hi at the end of dinner, and she looked jazzed, I think she might have had a permanent shocked look on her face. As I didn't want to walk all the way back to the camp ground only to turn around and come back for the briefing, we lay on the grass and waited around. Briefing was the scariest and most entertaining briefing I have ever been to. Once briefing was over, we walked back to the tent and got ready for bed.
Day 1 - Friday 8th February
Day 1 started at the nice early time of 5am. I had slept reasonably well, the people next door to us had been washing dishes and talking loudly (about balloons of things!! I still can't fathom the reason for this) to who knows what time. But other than that it was a ok sleep.
I left my support crew, still packing up the tent at about 5.40 and made my way down on the bike to the bike transition. It was kinda airy cycling down a dark highway, with only your bike lights and a bit of fog around. You could only see other bike lights in the distance. When I got to the transition, I parked the bike (next to the very first bush on the line, thought that'd be useful), put my cycle shoes into the pedals. and started the walk to the beach. The walk to the beach, though only 3 K seemed to take for ever. The excitement started to rise when you create a little hill and down below you, you can see th start line. As you approach the start you have to walk through a check point, and that's when I saw Barbara, who gave me a howdy dowdy and pat on the back. I was smiling and amped, yet reasonably calm. Went down touched the ocean, short warm up and went and stood on the beach. Judkin's without any fan fare announced 30 sec's to go and then the hooter sounded and we were off.
3K Run
The first 3K run had me the most nervous about the whole thing. I am a slow runner, but I wanted to be fast enough to get into a good bunch. I decided to take it at my own pace, and didn't push that hard. Emma over took me at about 2K. I was just wishing that the run would just end sometime soon, then there was the bikes and I was joyess to see them. Had a quick change over, my triathlon transition training paid off, for while everyone else seemed to be farting around getting there cycle shoes out of plastic bags and what not, I had stuck my feet in my shoes and was off and peddling.
55K Cycle
For the first 6 or 7 K's was in a fairly small bunch, that was seeing a bunch in front of them and trying to catch, I thought stuff this and sat up and waited for a bigger bunch to join me. That's when I caught a bunch of about 10 and mainly all team members and was hoofing it along. I thought I was riding quite comfortably, only had short spurts at the front and let the rest of them do the work.
I had purposely decided not to use a watch or HR monitor for the entire race. Though I think now that I should have used the HR monitor in the cycle. Because it is my strongest and most comfortable discipline I can push myself harder, when perhaps I shouldn't have.
I had a fairly fast cycle time completing the run, cycle and transition to run in 2.06.
33K mountain run
My worse discipline and I knew it was going to be the hardest. But I didn't know how much it would hurt. It was a fine hot day, which was good in some ways but was extremely hot in places. My transition to the run went smoothly, the support crew were there and dragged me to my gear, got me changed and ready to go. Started the run slow, I was feeling quite ill at this point, its a 3K run along farm land, before you start up the valley, and this seemed to take forever. My hamstring started cramping really early on. I never get cramp and I didn't really have much of clue what to do, hadn't bought any cramp stop with me, so I just though take it easy and run it out. Which eventually seemed to work, however I think this cramp, pulled on my knee, and I started feeling twinges in my knee. I incredibly happy to see the foot bridge, where we cross the Otira and head up the Deception valley. I stopped and thought, bloody hell I have already run 6K today and I have another 30 to go. I am not much of a runner so this seemed fairly daunting, But at least on crossing the river I could stop and walk for a bit, didn't feel up to running over the riverbed, so just thought I'd walk it out and get the ill feeling out of me. But I had that feeling for at least another half an hour, but once I got over the first river crossing I was feeling better. Took it easy for the next bit, Rachel caught me just after the 3rd crossing, than Emma caught me before the big boulder and Orange hut. I strained my hip flexor scrabbling up a rock, and from that point on pulling up the rocks hurt like buggery
There was some people that you ran walked with for a bit, and never really lost sight of anyone so that gave you good confidence. Only went badly astray once, when I crossed the river when I shouldn't have. Got to the top of goat pass in just over 4 hours, Not 100% sure as I didn't have my watch, but going by the time the officials said at the top. I thought Ok good, should be able to get down in 2 - 2.5 hrs, so will make my aim of 6 - 6.5hrs. However, nothing much ever goes to plan. I am the worse down hill runner, clumsy, but add to the mix a knee that has pulled one of the tendons than running down hill is even worse. I was so happy when I was about 200m from the last of the down hill bits that I managed to trip over and bang my legs up a bit. I was tired by this time and even running on the nice tracks along the river bed was a struggle. I was starting to get teary and frustrated, trying to run because the more you run the faster you get to the finish line, but nothing was working, and then I came to the horrible section of the Mingha, walking across the river bed. Stumbling and hurting and damn hot. I was so happy to finely reach the pylons. But then there was still another 3K to go to the finish. I had never completed it in training, so didn't know what it would be like. There was about 1K of 4wd track and then it was back on the torchress river bed. You could see the people hanging around the finish line, but took forever to get there, but finally, I scrambled up the bank and ran across the cushy grass (I almost stumbled because it felt so strange under foot) and through the finish line. I almost burst into tears, but a very nice gentlemen pored cold water down my neck, man it was nice.
7hrs 20mins of pure torture, what the hell had I been thinking!
The support crew were there to give me a drink, and Tanya help me take the shoes of. Man it was nice to have those shoes off. then I slowly stumbled back to the tent, where they cooked my bacon so I could have a bacon and avacodo Bagel. Then Tanya gave me a nice long massage and then it was pretty much dinner time. Throughout this we could still hear the loud speaker calling people coming over the line. I couldn't believe that people had been still been going that long. At about 8.30, we went for a wander to try and get some stiffness out of my legs. As we were walking over to the finish line we past the last guy to finish hobbling home, he'd had some bad cramp. and he looked in a world of hurt, but it made me feel better about myself. I thought "at least I am not as bad as that guy". But I was still not in a positive frame of mind about the next day (Nadine told me afterward she was worried that I was looking so bad that I might pull out of Day 2, but she didn't want to say anything). I tricked myself as I went to bed, I said I'll do the first cycle in the morning, I can always pull out before the kayak.
Day 2 - Saturday 9th February
This time it was a 4am wake up. The Support crew needed to be gone with the kayak to the transition by 5am. I on the other hand had to wait around to 7.30 for the start. So I just got dressed and ate by breakfast while the effecient support crew pack everything up. Then, I wandered over to the marque and lay down and dozed. Though it did start to get quite cold, but they brought out a heater so warmed up a little.
15K Cycle
I was in the 2nd wave to leave, I was determined to take this cycle easy, so I just cruised in the bunch on the flat bit, and when we got to the hills I just put it in a easy gear and spun up the hill. When I got to the end of the cycle, theres a 1K run down dirt rd to the kayaks. I decided not to use mountain bike shoes, so I just changed into sandles and started of into trot which went well for the first 50m and then I knee seized up and protested about running downhill. So then i just walked it out with everyone running past me.
67K Kayak
Got to the kayak, and tricked myself again, said to myself just get in, if you are not doing well, you can always pull out at goosebury stream (the last pull out point before the gorge). So had another efficient transition, got in the kayak and was off. I think I took a wrong braid at some point and was groveling along in some fairly shallow water, it was hard work all the way to goosebury stream. The rock gardens about half an hour in, are what scare me the most on this paddle, and with the river so low, I thought they would be bad, but I just cruised down them, and my confidence just grew and grew. I started feeling good. So headed past Goosebury stream without a 2nd thought. Somewhere, near the start of the gorge, there was this big rock with a wave stopper, I could see the people in front struggling, there was a couple of jet boats rescuing people, but I couldn't really tell exactly what it was until I got closer to it. It hadn't been there when I paddled it 3 weeks ago, so took me a bit by surprise. But managed to navigate it without too much hassle. But a couple of corners after that there was another big wave train that I tried to skim the edge of, but misjudged it and hit the eddy and then spun. then a guy hit me turn me all the way around. I was in a bit of a precarious position. The wave train was beside me, and about 5 meters down was a bluff, so I didn't have much room to manavoure. In hindsight I should have just gotten out of the boat and walk it down a bit. But I didn't and tried to turn. Well the inevitable happened and I went for a bit of a swim. My confidence was rocked a bit, but there is no turning back once in the gorge, the only way out is forward so just kept of going. I was confident on bluffs and Hamilton rapid was pretty easy.
As I was going past a check point (I think it was broken river, not 100% sure), I heard over the radio that the first of the one dayers were on the water. Made me dig in a bit harder, as I didn't want to get past by the one dayers. I decided to portage the rock rapid, even though looking at it, it looked pretty calm in comparison to previous times I had seen it. During the portage the girl I shared carrying boats with said the short cut was passable. I had a plan to go around the horse shoe, but no when I cam to it, I saw people heading down the short cut, so dum me didn't stick to race plan and followed, DUH! Dum idea, had to get out and portage the boat twice. Not sure if I lost much time on it but it wasn't a short cut. Finally, Woodstock was passed so it was only 50min of easy rapids to the end. I just sighed a relief, I can do Woodstock blindfolded I have done it so often. It was still painful but eventually the bridge was there and I saw the bright fluro green t-shirts(the were a very good idea, I could see them well when it came to the transitions) of my support crew and headed straight at them. Someone (I didn't have a clue who it was at the time, later I found out it was Pete) lifted me out of the boat, I had told the girls not to worry about it, so it caught me a bit by surprise.
Cycle + Kayak took 6hr 45, which I was quite happy with considering the condition of the river.
70K Cycle
So it was then a run/walk (I opted to walk) up to the cycle transition. My parents had turned up at to watch at gorge bridge, and dad kept on asking me questions as we were walking up, have to say not that easy to answer questions walking up the hill after sitting in a kayak 6 hours. My legs were feeling good and I knew I could do a good cycle into town.
Almost immediately I caught a bunch of 2 other riders and the team member at the front didn't seem to want to give the us individuals a go at the front, which I was quite happy with so sat on his tail for
about 20min. Then another group of about 3 riders caught us, and we were off fast. I was just hanging on in places, but there was no way I was losing this bunch, otherwise it would have rather long lonely road into town. Just after Yaldhurst we caught a slightly slower bunch and some of my bunch took of, and I had momentarily lost their wheel and couldn't catch up, so I moved back into the other bunch and we moved through town. It was fun going through the Christchurch not having to stop for lights and people lining the streets cheering you on. Saw Rebecca standing at the ferry road round about cheering me on. Gave me a bit of a boost. I was quite content to sit at the back of the bunch, I didn't really see much of a need to have to compete with the group to see who crossed the finished line first. We slowed down over the causeway and the always permanent cross wind hit us, then we were quickly, turning the corner at shag rock (where I had pictured before in training rides what I would be feeling when I came around this corner) and on the home straight and running up the sand to the finish line.Got my beer and Judkins shaking my hand. And then I stumbled into the seething mass of the crowd. I felt quite giddy for a while. Then my friends and family were there to give me a hug and congratulate me.
Transition + Last cycle took 2hr 16
Total time 18hrs30
Summary
Will I do it again? Don't know yet, only know that if I did I'd want to improve my run a lot. Do I want to spend the next year concentrating solely on improving my run? In some ways yes, but in other ways I know I would soon get sick to death of all that running.
Did I enjoy it? I am a bit numb at the moment, and honestly feel a bit lost. Thats done now I have nothing to do, work for. Ask me a again in a couple of weeks, probably by then I will have forgot the pain and think it was the best thing I have ever done. But at least I know, no matter what I can do it, won't seem so bad next time.
I am a strong cyclist compared to the multisporters, unfortunately you can't do well in this race on a few good cycle legs you need to be rarely good runner or kayaker and pretty good at the other.
I was still too heavy for this race, but if I keep up with my current regime then I will be looking good by this time next year.
I didn't eat enough nutrition throughout the race, but especially on the run, and something I would seriously need to concentrate on. And would be best to wear a watch so know when I have to eat.
Photo Gallery at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=18320&l=83330&id=642477075
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