Before my operation, Andy and I talked about doing a high miles week in the first week of the school holidays. We made a "Bucket List" of some long rides and runs we would like to try. This list certainly gave me the motivation to recover quickly and get my endurance back in time to take this challenge on.
Sunday - KONA HEAT VS AKATARAWA FROST
Today is the holy grail of Ironman, KONA. I woke up extra early to follow it on the internet, it looked amazing. I met Andy, Mike and his friend at 6:40am outside the Brown Owl Fish n Chip shop (the best in Upper Hutt). We biked over the Akas in the frost to participate in a 100km fun ride in Waikanae. The race went well with another fast start. This time I was able to hang in the second bunch and chat with Luke (when he wasn't at the front). We regrouped at the finish and biked back over the Akas. I started to blow just as we got back to Upper Hutt. 170km, 6 hours BANKED!!!
Monday and Tuesday were recovery days, easy swims and light road rides
Wednesday - Andy (I ran a 1.23hr in the last Taupo Half Ironman) Brown and I did our swim workout then I took Andy on my favourite run in the hills behind Cannon Point. Running with Andy was never going to be easy and it WASN'T, but my calves seemed to handle everything I threw at them, so I was very pleased with that.
Thursday - THE BIG COAST - A WHALE OF A TIME
We had both wanted to do this ride for a long time and the weather gods certainly looked after us. We set off from Upper Hutt, over the Rimutaka Incline, down to Ocean Beach and back around to Eastbourne. The ride went exceptionally well, the ocean was still, very little wind and it wasn't too warm. As we were making our way to Pencarrow Lighthouse, I noticed something odd on the beach. Upon closer investigation, we discovered a beached whale and I happened to be the first person to report it to DOC (Department Of Conservation). Once past the light house, we took turns 'lapping it out' and time trialled on the road back to Upper Hutt. 135km, 8hr day BANKED!!!
VIDEO STILL WITH PETE JACKSON - COMING SOON
Friday - Rest day for the big weekend ahead.
Saturday - 5HR RECOVERY RIDE
The weather forecast was for a calm day, so to make the most of it, we rode into Wellington, around the bays and out Makara. We had always planned on doing a 5hr ride, but after Thursday it seemed like a recovery ride and we got home feeling fresh, this week must be paying off!
Sunday - THE HARDEST RUN I HAVE EVER DONE (AGAIN)
Peter Stevens very kindly took me on a run a few years back when HE was training for the Sounthern Crossing Running Race (something that is on my bucket list). I had just finished training for Karapoti so thought, how hard could a run in the Tararuas be? Turns out BLOODY HARD!!!! I blew big time and as Peter had an international flight to catch that afternoon, I let him go and walked out for the last hour. As crazy as it may seem, I have always wanted to do that run again and be able to run the whole way, but I needed someone silly, I mean fit enough to do it with me. Andy was up for the challenge.
The run starts at Kiwi Ranch, goes up Marchant Ridge, along to Block XVI, straight down to the river which you cross, down to Smiths Creek and back out to Kiwi Ranch. Sounds simple. Add rain, hail, wet roots and stretches of bog knee deep and hills that go STRAIGHT UP and DOWN (took us 40min from the ridge to the river) it starts to take a toll on your energy, but WE LOVED IT!!!! 28km, 6 hrs BANKED!!!
