Hope you all have a great Xmas with your loving families & we'll do it all again in the coming New Year.
I still have 1 sprint Tri to do on the 28th. Should be fun.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Xmas Kiwi Style
Well it's that time again whan all those in the Northern Hemisphere suffer through a cold snowy Xmas Day whilst us down under have BBQ's & head to the beach.
Hope you all have a great Xmas with your loving families & we'll do it all again in the coming New Year.
I still have 1 sprint Tri to do on the 28th. Should be fun.
Hope you all have a great Xmas with your loving families & we'll do it all again in the coming New Year.
I still have 1 sprint Tri to do on the 28th. Should be fun.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Tinman / Taupo Half Ironman Report ( A little late )
Yes I've been a bit slack / lazy / busy lately & haven't got around to writing a Race Report on Tinman.
Well here is what I remember...
After weeks of crap weather the Sunday morning dawned fine & little wind. Yeehah.
The swim.
This went really well & although most people say it was short I was happy with 21:26 & 89th out of the water. Up into T1 & I just took my time & made sure I was ready for the ride & remembering I just needed to finish. 2:58 later & I was off on the bike.
The bike.
As one would have expected this leg went very well. My biggest challenge here was not to push to hard & kill my poor legs for the run. I had a good ride & finished with a time of 1:10:26. Fairly happy with that time & I felt like I hadn't destroyed my legs. A leisurely T2 2:40, & I was ready for the run ( hopefully a run )
The run.
Now as we all know this was going to be a challenge. I haven't run since Mid August & had no idea if I could get round 10km without walking. All I can say is the theory of lots of cycling will help the running is what I hoped for. I felt good going down the 1st km so hoped it was going to stay that way. By the time I hit the base track of Mount Maunganui I was starting to feel a bit sore but it was there that I overtook a local bike shop owner which gave me a boost & from there on I was not going to let pass me so that stopped me from even thinking about walking any part of the run. Yes the base track hurt but I was enjoying the beautiful weather & scenery which certainly made it more enjoyable. Off the base track & down the last km to the finish there was nothing left & you didn't see any sprint finish coming from my poor legs. I was very happy with a time of 50:47 for the run.
Overall time of 2:28:17. I was stoked to go sub 2:30 & very happy just to get round in one piece.
Was good to be a part of the Triathlon Tauranga Team which once again won the Club Challenge.
Now this race was out of the way I had a week to try & get some very sore legs up & ready for the 90km bike leg of the Pearl Izumi Taupo Half Ironman. I was doing this race with my wife. She was to do the swim & run legs. The race was to have some added spice as we were having a race of the families with another couple from Tauranga.
Having never done or even been to watch the Taupo 1/2 this was to be a new experiebce for the both of us.
Now race morning dawned grey & overcast & a wind blowing already. The atmosphere was great but without all the hype of Tauranga. The swim start was great & Kathy got bashed up a little but exited with a 35:59. Now it was my turn to crank out a quick 90km on the bike. Heading past the Motor Race course the wind was fair honking & it was also raining. Had a great leg out to Reporoa. The ride back towards Taupo, I decided it was time to work a little harder & catch some people up ahead of me. By the time we were about 15km to go & starting the climb I was feeling real strong & started to drop / catch people regularly. Up & over the top I put the hammer down & fair smoked on into transition with a time of 2:45:46 which I was very happy with. ( all I need now is a TT bike & hopefully go a little faster ).
Passed the transponder to Kathy & let her do the rest. Yes we did beat our friends by about 4 mins so that was something to be pleased about. Nothing like a little rivalry to keep the fire burning.
Now that those 3 weeks are over it's time just to chill for a while & let the legs have a wee rest. No I'm not saying I'll do nothing, just smaller shorter rides & start doing a little bit of running.
So the plan for the rest of the year is to go watch the Rotorua 1/2 Ironman this weekend & be a supporter for my blogger friends. Then chill for Xmas with the family, do Surfbreaker @ the Mount on the 28th, then chill some more for New Years.
For everyone racing this weekend go hard do your best.
Well here is what I remember...
After weeks of crap weather the Sunday morning dawned fine & little wind. Yeehah.
The swim.
This went really well & although most people say it was short I was happy with 21:26 & 89th out of the water. Up into T1 & I just took my time & made sure I was ready for the ride & remembering I just needed to finish. 2:58 later & I was off on the bike.
The bike.
As one would have expected this leg went very well. My biggest challenge here was not to push to hard & kill my poor legs for the run. I had a good ride & finished with a time of 1:10:26. Fairly happy with that time & I felt like I hadn't destroyed my legs. A leisurely T2 2:40, & I was ready for the run ( hopefully a run )
The run.
Now as we all know this was going to be a challenge. I haven't run since Mid August & had no idea if I could get round 10km without walking. All I can say is the theory of lots of cycling will help the running is what I hoped for. I felt good going down the 1st km so hoped it was going to stay that way. By the time I hit the base track of Mount Maunganui I was starting to feel a bit sore but it was there that I overtook a local bike shop owner which gave me a boost & from there on I was not going to let pass me so that stopped me from even thinking about walking any part of the run. Yes the base track hurt but I was enjoying the beautiful weather & scenery which certainly made it more enjoyable. Off the base track & down the last km to the finish there was nothing left & you didn't see any sprint finish coming from my poor legs. I was very happy with a time of 50:47 for the run.
Overall time of 2:28:17. I was stoked to go sub 2:30 & very happy just to get round in one piece.
Was good to be a part of the Triathlon Tauranga Team which once again won the Club Challenge.
Now this race was out of the way I had a week to try & get some very sore legs up & ready for the 90km bike leg of the Pearl Izumi Taupo Half Ironman. I was doing this race with my wife. She was to do the swim & run legs. The race was to have some added spice as we were having a race of the families with another couple from Tauranga.
Having never done or even been to watch the Taupo 1/2 this was to be a new experiebce for the both of us.
Now race morning dawned grey & overcast & a wind blowing already. The atmosphere was great but without all the hype of Tauranga. The swim start was great & Kathy got bashed up a little but exited with a 35:59. Now it was my turn to crank out a quick 90km on the bike. Heading past the Motor Race course the wind was fair honking & it was also raining. Had a great leg out to Reporoa. The ride back towards Taupo, I decided it was time to work a little harder & catch some people up ahead of me. By the time we were about 15km to go & starting the climb I was feeling real strong & started to drop / catch people regularly. Up & over the top I put the hammer down & fair smoked on into transition with a time of 2:45:46 which I was very happy with. ( all I need now is a TT bike & hopefully go a little faster ).
Passed the transponder to Kathy & let her do the rest. Yes we did beat our friends by about 4 mins so that was something to be pleased about. Nothing like a little rivalry to keep the fire burning.
Now that those 3 weeks are over it's time just to chill for a while & let the legs have a wee rest. No I'm not saying I'll do nothing, just smaller shorter rides & start doing a little bit of running.
So the plan for the rest of the year is to go watch the Rotorua 1/2 Ironman this weekend & be a supporter for my blogger friends. Then chill for Xmas with the family, do Surfbreaker @ the Mount on the 28th, then chill some more for New Years.
For everyone racing this weekend go hard do your best.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge
Well some many months ago I thought I might do the 320km Enduro race.
My reasoning behind this was to start training for Ironman Western Australia & to make the 180km ride feel short. I then put this idea to one side as I thought I didn't really have enough time to train for it. That was till a good friend I worked with in Auckland talked me back into doing it & as we all know that was the beginning of some BIG training rides.
Well I'm pleased to now write a Race report of the big Day / Night/ Morning.
It all started Friday morning in Tauranga by dropping the kids to school, grocery shopping then heading down to Taupo about 11:00am. Made ourselves at home in the rented house then went off to register. That done it was a quick stop in the Orca shop & back home for an afternoon nap. Got a couple of hours in then woke up & chatted with the rest of the people I was staying with. Got back to bed about 9pm then slept till midnight.
Saturday 28th November.
Awoke at midnight & ate some spag on toast, got changed then got on my bike & headed down to the start line to find my friend & support crew. The organisers had done the roll call by 1:15am & just waiting for a few late ones & we would be off at 1:30am for the 320km Enduro race.
Now after the initial excitement & racing on up the hill out of Taupo we settled down & a group of about 12 formed. We rode like this for about 20km then ended up dropping a few & picking up a few, finally ending up with a bunch of 8. We had 3 support vehicles with us & we were making some great progress. Having never ridin on the road at night this was all very exciting & I was really enjoying the thrill of going down hills at 50+km/hr in the darkness. The bunch worked really together & we chatted throughout the night. By early light we were down the south end of the lake & climbing Kuratau Hill. We just rode steady & made sure we all made it to the top together & formed back up on the Tokaanu Flats. We lost 1 rider here to a mechanical but the rest got into single file & started to crank it up along the shores of Lake Taupo.
We got to the bottom of hatepe Hill altogether but going up I opened a 200m gap ( unintentionally ) which enabled me to stop for a nature break. We charged on into Taupo & into the Caltex station to sign in. I quickly got changed out of my warmer long pants / top & into other cycling kit & after about 8 mins was ready to get back out on the road all stocked up with food & perpetum. A big thanks here to my wife & her 2 friends Jodi & Yvette. A quick photo with my mate Dave who unfortunately due to a family situation could only do the 1st lap with me.
I headed out & 2 others were coming out also so we rode back out together & joined up with the mad rush of the 160km starters. The bunches coming through were the 4:30 seeded riders so a little to fast for us. After about 3 km's of riding with 1 of the others I said bye & headed of alone to try & hang with some of the bunches coming through. This I did manage & so long as I was looking after the heartrate I sat in the bunches I got a free ride. Yes the smallest hill would throw me out the back but I would just keep trucking & the next bunch was never far away. I did end up in a bunch which of about 600-800 people which was amazing. I had great fun & I was encouraged by alot of people along the way. Finally got back round to Kuratau again & got left behind by most people. Once again down onto the Tokaanu Flats & got myself into a bunch which would stay together for the next 40 odd km till reaching Hatepe Hill.
Now this probably had to be my worst fear of the entire race. Could I get back up it a 2ND time. Very much to my surprise I not only rode it quite easy the 2nd time but I smoked heaps of 1 lappers & with the crowds yelling support for me near the top I got to the top with ease. Now time to get to Taupo & that finish line.
I did promise to ring the wife just so she could get to the line in time to see me as she had been out training so I jumped off at 5 Mile Bay & had a nature stop & madea the phone call. Quickly back on the bike & up the slight rise to the Airport. I once again surprised myself by overtaking people, so once on the flat I put the hammer down & 3 others came with me. I now had a goal of finishing with a ride time of less than 11 hrs. We were flying along & knew I was going to make it barring a mechanical so coming into the last few 100m I sat up & made sure no-one was around to steal my moment of glory when I crossed the finish line. Yes I made it in under 11hrs ride time & an offical time of 11:10:48 with which I was stoked.
Now I have been told I don't look excited in some photos we have, but I think I'm just reflecting on what I had just done & a little tired.
Now the goal of making training for 180km for Ironman have been achieved I think. I now look at 90km as a small ride which you can go out hard for.
See you all at Tinman. I'll be the one who can't run.
My reasoning behind this was to start training for Ironman Western Australia & to make the 180km ride feel short. I then put this idea to one side as I thought I didn't really have enough time to train for it. That was till a good friend I worked with in Auckland talked me back into doing it & as we all know that was the beginning of some BIG training rides.
Well I'm pleased to now write a Race report of the big Day / Night/ Morning.
It all started Friday morning in Tauranga by dropping the kids to school, grocery shopping then heading down to Taupo about 11:00am. Made ourselves at home in the rented house then went off to register. That done it was a quick stop in the Orca shop & back home for an afternoon nap. Got a couple of hours in then woke up & chatted with the rest of the people I was staying with. Got back to bed about 9pm then slept till midnight.
Saturday 28th November.
Awoke at midnight & ate some spag on toast, got changed then got on my bike & headed down to the start line to find my friend & support crew. The organisers had done the roll call by 1:15am & just waiting for a few late ones & we would be off at 1:30am for the 320km Enduro race.
Now after the initial excitement & racing on up the hill out of Taupo we settled down & a group of about 12 formed. We rode like this for about 20km then ended up dropping a few & picking up a few, finally ending up with a bunch of 8. We had 3 support vehicles with us & we were making some great progress. Having never ridin on the road at night this was all very exciting & I was really enjoying the thrill of going down hills at 50+km/hr in the darkness. The bunch worked really together & we chatted throughout the night. By early light we were down the south end of the lake & climbing Kuratau Hill. We just rode steady & made sure we all made it to the top together & formed back up on the Tokaanu Flats. We lost 1 rider here to a mechanical but the rest got into single file & started to crank it up along the shores of Lake Taupo.
We got to the bottom of hatepe Hill altogether but going up I opened a 200m gap ( unintentionally ) which enabled me to stop for a nature break. We charged on into Taupo & into the Caltex station to sign in. I quickly got changed out of my warmer long pants / top & into other cycling kit & after about 8 mins was ready to get back out on the road all stocked up with food & perpetum. A big thanks here to my wife & her 2 friends Jodi & Yvette. A quick photo with my mate Dave who unfortunately due to a family situation could only do the 1st lap with me.
I headed out & 2 others were coming out also so we rode back out together & joined up with the mad rush of the 160km starters. The bunches coming through were the 4:30 seeded riders so a little to fast for us. After about 3 km's of riding with 1 of the others I said bye & headed of alone to try & hang with some of the bunches coming through. This I did manage & so long as I was looking after the heartrate I sat in the bunches I got a free ride. Yes the smallest hill would throw me out the back but I would just keep trucking & the next bunch was never far away. I did end up in a bunch which of about 600-800 people which was amazing. I had great fun & I was encouraged by alot of people along the way. Finally got back round to Kuratau again & got left behind by most people. Once again down onto the Tokaanu Flats & got myself into a bunch which would stay together for the next 40 odd km till reaching Hatepe Hill.
Now this probably had to be my worst fear of the entire race. Could I get back up it a 2ND time. Very much to my surprise I not only rode it quite easy the 2nd time but I smoked heaps of 1 lappers & with the crowds yelling support for me near the top I got to the top with ease. Now time to get to Taupo & that finish line.
I did promise to ring the wife just so she could get to the line in time to see me as she had been out training so I jumped off at 5 Mile Bay & had a nature stop & madea the phone call. Quickly back on the bike & up the slight rise to the Airport. I once again surprised myself by overtaking people, so once on the flat I put the hammer down & 3 others came with me. I now had a goal of finishing with a ride time of less than 11 hrs. We were flying along & knew I was going to make it barring a mechanical so coming into the last few 100m I sat up & made sure no-one was around to steal my moment of glory when I crossed the finish line. Yes I made it in under 11hrs ride time & an offical time of 11:10:48 with which I was stoked.
Now I have been told I don't look excited in some photos we have, but I think I'm just reflecting on what I had just done & a little tired.
Now the goal of making training for 180km for Ironman have been achieved I think. I now look at 90km as a small ride which you can go out hard for.
See you all at Tinman. I'll be the one who can't run.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Race Report to folllow later
Just thought I would let you all know that I did complete the 320km ride on Saturday in an offical time of 11:10:48.
Will write more later when I have time.
Will write more later when I have time.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
2 more sleeps
That's about it.
A sleep tonight , then try & sleep Friday afternoon till about midnight , then off to race start for a 1:30am start time.
Hopefully the rain doesn't come till the 2nd lap & I finish. Around 3pm would be good. I'm looking forward to a beer & BBQ Saturday night.
Good luck to anyone else out competing in the Lake Taupo Challenge.
A sleep tonight , then try & sleep Friday afternoon till about midnight , then off to race start for a 1:30am start time.
Hopefully the rain doesn't come till the 2nd lap & I finish. Around 3pm would be good. I'm looking forward to a beer & BBQ Saturday night.
Good luck to anyone else out competing in the Lake Taupo Challenge.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Not a bad race.
It would appear the bike & run legs were a little short but we all had to race on the same course so who cares.
I had a great 2nd half of the 84km. This half was over hilly roads & into the wind. I managed to finish with an average speed of 30.1km/hr so I was rapt with that.
For some photo's of our team competing check out one of my teammates blog.
Thanks to the team for asking me to fill-in. Was great to go hard for 90km & know I could just get off at the finish.
I had a great 2nd half of the 84km. This half was over hilly roads & into the wind. I managed to finish with an average speed of 30.1km/hr so I was rapt with that.
For some photo's of our team competing check out one of my teammates blog.
Thanks to the team for asking me to fill-in. Was great to go hard for 90km & know I could just get off at the finish.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Some useless information
Just thought I would share these figures with you all as I enter the last 2 weeks before Taupo.
Since the 1st of August ( when I finally decided to train for the Enduro ), I have managed to knock off 3169 km in 119 hrs for an average speed of 26.6km/hr.
For the entire year I have managed a total of 4643 km in 170 hr, 20 mins for an average speed of 27.3 km/hr.
Right now I'm feeling confident in finishing the ride. People keep asking how long I hope to take & my answer to them is hopefully between 12 -13 hrs. That will just depend on how many times I stop.
Oh well this weekend I've been asked to fill in for another blogger at the Karapiro 1/2 IM so that will be a great chance to try go hard for 90km. It's not the flattest course around but all the more challenging.
Good Luck to anyone else competing this weekend in any event, anywhere.
Since the 1st of August ( when I finally decided to train for the Enduro ), I have managed to knock off 3169 km in 119 hrs for an average speed of 26.6km/hr.
For the entire year I have managed a total of 4643 km in 170 hr, 20 mins for an average speed of 27.3 km/hr.
Right now I'm feeling confident in finishing the ride. People keep asking how long I hope to take & my answer to them is hopefully between 12 -13 hrs. That will just depend on how many times I stop.
Oh well this weekend I've been asked to fill in for another blogger at the Karapiro 1/2 IM so that will be a great chance to try go hard for 90km. It's not the flattest course around but all the more challenging.
Good Luck to anyone else competing this weekend in any event, anywhere.
Monday, November 9, 2009
What a difference a week makes
Well we all now that last week I failed in my 250km ride..
This week nothing was going to get in the way of me completeing 250+ kms. So I planned myself a ride which would hopefully see me ride into a building SW breeze , then have a strong tailwind home.
This is what I came up with..
So the day dawned nice & sunny with a light SW wind blowing. Yes everything's going to plan. Set out after waiting for the boys to wake up. Normally I would have been gone by 6am but this weekend the kids had a overnight Cub Scout Camp so wanted to say goodbye & to have a great Saturday. I was attending on the Sunday for the bush walk.
So off I went over the Kaimai Ranges & off into the unknown. What I was install for was probably the most enjoyable ride I have had over the last few months. The stretch of road from the Kaimais down to the corner of SH1 was great, then on to Horahora Rd which runs alongside Lake Karapiro. Some great real estate along here & something to keep the mind off the riding. Next was onto Old Taupo Rd which was just great riding. Nice rolling country roads & a pretty good surface also. I was going great guns along here & feeling damn good about things.
Now when I left I was quite prepared for the 1st 120km to take upto 6hrs ( into the wind ). So when I got to Tokoroa ( 101km in around 4hrs I was stoked. Only problem that I now realised was that I had been riding with a cross tailwind. Oh well shit happens!! NOTHING is gunna stop me this week.
So on I went & down to the turn-off onto SH30 & heading home. The NW wind that was blowing quite hard did assist me along this stretch of road so I was off. I txt Kathy to ask what the wind was doing in Tauranga to be told it was a strong NW. Oh well atleast the sun was shining.
By now I wss in Rotorua with 160km down in 6hrs. I was still very happy with what I had donee so far. Now up the side of the lake was very windy & it wasn't till Okere Falls that the wind really started to help my cause. This next part of road I really like as it's very fast going towards Tauranga. Mainly down hill as we head back to sea-level. As always the last part of the ride through Te Puke was hard & along Papamoa Baech Rd was getting tougher as I pushed into the breeze. Got to Pilot Bay & had done 240km. So now just the last few km's home & mission accomplished.
I was stoked with the ride & felt great !!!
This week nothing was going to get in the way of me completeing 250+ kms. So I planned myself a ride which would hopefully see me ride into a building SW breeze , then have a strong tailwind home.
This is what I came up with..
So the day dawned nice & sunny with a light SW wind blowing. Yes everything's going to plan. Set out after waiting for the boys to wake up. Normally I would have been gone by 6am but this weekend the kids had a overnight Cub Scout Camp so wanted to say goodbye & to have a great Saturday. I was attending on the Sunday for the bush walk.
So off I went over the Kaimai Ranges & off into the unknown. What I was install for was probably the most enjoyable ride I have had over the last few months. The stretch of road from the Kaimais down to the corner of SH1 was great, then on to Horahora Rd which runs alongside Lake Karapiro. Some great real estate along here & something to keep the mind off the riding. Next was onto Old Taupo Rd which was just great riding. Nice rolling country roads & a pretty good surface also. I was going great guns along here & feeling damn good about things.
Now when I left I was quite prepared for the 1st 120km to take upto 6hrs ( into the wind ). So when I got to Tokoroa ( 101km in around 4hrs I was stoked. Only problem that I now realised was that I had been riding with a cross tailwind. Oh well shit happens!! NOTHING is gunna stop me this week.
So on I went & down to the turn-off onto SH30 & heading home. The NW wind that was blowing quite hard did assist me along this stretch of road so I was off. I txt Kathy to ask what the wind was doing in Tauranga to be told it was a strong NW. Oh well atleast the sun was shining.
By now I wss in Rotorua with 160km down in 6hrs. I was still very happy with what I had donee so far. Now up the side of the lake was very windy & it wasn't till Okere Falls that the wind really started to help my cause. This next part of road I really like as it's very fast going towards Tauranga. Mainly down hill as we head back to sea-level. As always the last part of the ride through Te Puke was hard & along Papamoa Baech Rd was getting tougher as I pushed into the breeze. Got to Pilot Bay & had done 240km. So now just the last few km's home & mission accomplished.
I was stoked with the ride & felt great !!!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Catch-up Time
Well it's been a few weeks now since I last wrote something so just thought I'd do a little catchin up.
Yes I did manage my ride upto Pukekohe although it was into a strong Norwesterly for most of the way & then when I got over the Waikato River & started on the Glen Murray Rd it got worse. It was about 60km to go from here & I'd been doing ok, but this back road is very undulating & into the wind, VERY HARD. Then to top it off the afternoon heavy showers came in & it was accompanied by Hail & Thunderstorms. So being out in the middle of nowhere one must just push on. Was very happy that day to get off the bike & find a hot shower. For the record it was 225km in 9hrs 5mins.
The following day was the Bauer Express in Pukekohe & I had the job of lead vechile for the 50km race. The day had it all with Gordon Macauley turning up to take the win, numerous crashes due to the strong winds & a record field ( despite the weather there were heaps of late entries )of over 1300. Well done to all.
A quick trip home & out for dinner for my 9 year old twins birthday. What a weekend !!
Now whilst this was all going on my work was in the process of moving. We had done the office on the Friday. This was to go on for the next 2 weeks & make me extremely tired. Luckily it is all over now.
The week 19th - 25th I very little training. Just a few little bike rides. Come Thursday night I drove north to Auckland with other crew members to sail in the Coastal Classic ( Yacht race from Akld to Russell, BOI ). The race got underway at 10am Friday with a nice 18knt Souwesterly blowing. So up went the spinnaker & we sailed the next 120 nautical miles with it up. Very good sail & finished around 1am Saturday. Some of us then drove home about 10am & finished back in Tauranga around 5ish. Then once again straight out for Kathy's dads birthday dinner. BUSY, BUSY.....
Not us, but taken just after start.
So after some good nights sleep I moved on with the next week of training. Monday saw an easy 80km ride over the Mount, then my normal 45km Wednesday morning ride, followed that afternoon by another 45km ride. Both these were good & wanted to do more even though it was very windy. Damn wind!!!!! Is it ever going to stop. Thursday saw the normal am swim of 2500m.
So onto the weekends long ride.
Where do you go for 250kms ??? My plan was to go via the direct road ( Pyes Pa Rd ) towards Rotorua but go over the top of the lake through Hamurana past Lake Rotoma & on to Whakatane. Then head back home through Matata, Te Puke & the Mount. Now I hoped to be home by 5pm so as to go out with the wife & kids & friends for a kids Halloween dinner at Bureta Park.
So up at 4.30am & out the door by 6am. Things were looking great with no wind & the sun about to come up & eventually warm the day. How things change. Going past Pyes Pa school ther was still no sign of the wind & I was going great guns. %kms further up the road I was just thinking, Oh F#*k Here we go again !!!!!!!! A bloody strong headwind AGAIN.. So as one does they just put the haed down & hope for the best. 2hrs into the ride I had come through the Mangorewa Gorge roadworks & heading for the lake. Well a km up the road I had my 1st flat for 100's of kms. Stopped outside a farmers drive & started to fix it. He soon turned up & asked if all good. I said " Yep just pump this up & I'll be off " . Well that is if you don't snap the valve !!! Next tube & the farmer tells me he has a compressor, so luckily with the adaptor I carry we took the bike on the quad bike 400m up his drive & fixed the puncture. After a wee chat I was off 30mins lost.
So back into the headwind but now heading for Rotorua as to get some replacement tubes. Thanks to the guys at Rotorua Cycle Centre for letting me fix you up on Monday with a couple of tubes. Back on the bike & for the small trip out to the Whakatane turn-off I had a tailwind. Once on this road & going past the Lakes the wind was back in the face & swirling round. Up & over the hill & past Kawerau I was beginning to look at the time of day & whether I would make it back in time to go out. Some quick calculations told me that if I proceeded to Whakatane I wouldn't have enough time to ride that 105kms, so I took the next left turn & started to head for home. A cross tailwind for about 20kms so finaalty some relief. Next thing to do was stop in Matata for a pie & coke.
Now for the last 70km home. Easy I hear you say the winds a strong southerly. Yes it was in Matata but the forecast was for afternoon sea breezes ( 8-10knts / 10-15km ). Yes this did happen 5km up the road so I was now looking at riding the next 60 odd kms into a strong NE wind. It wasn't no sea breeze!! Around about here I was starting to think where I might get to before pulling the pin. I had told myself long before that if the wind did change then I would just stop right there. But I didn't !! I wanted to get to aleast 8hrs. So I carried on only to get attacked for about 3 minutes by the same shitty Magpie which attacked me last time I went this way. I was really pissed off about now. Just outside of Te Puke I finally made the call to Kathy & asked her to get ready to come & get me. I finally struggled my way to Baypark Stadium at 4pm for my totals of 204kms in 8hr 5mins.
Man I was glad to get off. It felt like I had ridden 300+ kms. So on reflecting on this ride I'm glad I stuck it as long as I did but hugely dissapointed I didn't get up to the 250km mark.
Sometimes Family must come First
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Great Ride !!
Not much to mention really as the weeks & km's just seem to be ticking by.
Last weekend I did manage my ride from Tauranga to Auckland, & in some strange way I really enjoyed the 238km / 8hr 45 min ride. The weather was pretty good considering what it was like on Friday & yes I did get my gentle southerly & a pie & coke at Ngatea. Mighty fine change to perpetuem.
So that brings me on to this weekends ride in which I hope to go over the Kaimais again then upto Te Aroha, over to Ohinewai then over the Waikato River at Glen Murray & come into Pukekohe the back way.
Sunday we have the company sponsored Bauer Express so I'm going to ride up & be a lead car for the race.
Will let you know next week if I make it.
Last weekend I did manage my ride from Tauranga to Auckland, & in some strange way I really enjoyed the 238km / 8hr 45 min ride. The weather was pretty good considering what it was like on Friday & yes I did get my gentle southerly & a pie & coke at Ngatea. Mighty fine change to perpetuem.
So that brings me on to this weekends ride in which I hope to go over the Kaimais again then upto Te Aroha, over to Ohinewai then over the Waikato River at Glen Murray & come into Pukekohe the back way.
Sunday we have the company sponsored Bauer Express so I'm going to ride up & be a lead car for the race.
Will let you know next week if I make it.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Not much to mention.
The recovery week has gone fairly well & the legs are feeling ready for some more action.
The week only consisted of a crap 5km run on Tuesday, 83km between the 2 rides on Wednesday, a 3000m swim Thursday & 90km flat ride on Saturday. Will finish it off with 2800m in the pool this arvo.
So that leads into this week which will see the weekday rides moved to Tuesday so I can squeeze in Wednesday night summer yacht racing ( just for the next 2 weeks till the Coastal Classic race Labour weekend ). Normal swim Thursday, hopefully a small run, then the biggie.
With school holidays & Kathy's last exam, she'll be taking the kids to Auckland on Friday to visit the Zoo & stay with her mother on Saturday. Dad will join them sometime Saturday afternoon once he has cycled there via the Kaimais, Paeroa, Miranda & up the East Coast Rd to Kawakawa Bay. Somewhere along the journey ( Miranda ?? ) I will hopefully run into my Round Taupo cycling buddie who will make his way from Auckland. Then off into town we go.
So this week I need to eat well & get plenty of sleep, & hope for great weather with a nice southerly blowing.
Will let you all know how it goes.
The week only consisted of a crap 5km run on Tuesday, 83km between the 2 rides on Wednesday, a 3000m swim Thursday & 90km flat ride on Saturday. Will finish it off with 2800m in the pool this arvo.
So that leads into this week which will see the weekday rides moved to Tuesday so I can squeeze in Wednesday night summer yacht racing ( just for the next 2 weeks till the Coastal Classic race Labour weekend ). Normal swim Thursday, hopefully a small run, then the biggie.
With school holidays & Kathy's last exam, she'll be taking the kids to Auckland on Friday to visit the Zoo & stay with her mother on Saturday. Dad will join them sometime Saturday afternoon once he has cycled there via the Kaimais, Paeroa, Miranda & up the East Coast Rd to Kawakawa Bay. Somewhere along the journey ( Miranda ?? ) I will hopefully run into my Round Taupo cycling buddie who will make his way from Auckland. Then off into town we go.
So this week I need to eat well & get plenty of sleep, & hope for great weather with a nice southerly blowing.
Will let you all know how it goes.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Off to Vegas
No unfortunately I didn't get to go with the boss to Interbike, Las Vegas.
I had to settle with riding to Rotovegas.
I rode over the Kaimai's for the first time which took me 1hr 25 to cover the 29km from home & climb 490m to the summit. Once again the weather didn't know what it was doing & I had rain & sun on the way up. Then the descent it was raining. On to the flat rolling country roads it stopped.
Now the left turn onto State Highway 5 was like the unknown. I travelled this road from Auckland to Rotorua all the time but haven't for atleast the last 8 years, so had forgotten what it was like. It was basically up!!! The first 22km saw me climb 450m with nothing more than a 5% gradient. At the summit it once again threw it down, & with nowhere to hide I just kept riding to Rotorua.
The sun was shining on the airport side of the lake when I got to Rotorua, but by the time I had made my way round it was raining.
The road back to Tauranga from here is predominently downhill as we head back to sea level. Had a great ride along here & heading up towards the Mount I eventually had to head for shelter as the roads began to flood.
Only a short time later was back on the bike & heading over the Harbour bridge for home.
DROWNED !!!!!
I had to settle with riding to Rotovegas.
I rode over the Kaimai's for the first time which took me 1hr 25 to cover the 29km from home & climb 490m to the summit. Once again the weather didn't know what it was doing & I had rain & sun on the way up. Then the descent it was raining. On to the flat rolling country roads it stopped.
Now the left turn onto State Highway 5 was like the unknown. I travelled this road from Auckland to Rotorua all the time but haven't for atleast the last 8 years, so had forgotten what it was like. It was basically up!!! The first 22km saw me climb 450m with nothing more than a 5% gradient. At the summit it once again threw it down, & with nowhere to hide I just kept riding to Rotorua.
The sun was shining on the airport side of the lake when I got to Rotorua, but by the time I had made my way round it was raining.
The road back to Tauranga from here is predominently downhill as we head back to sea level. Had a great ride along here & heading up towards the Mount I eventually had to head for shelter as the roads began to flood.
Only a short time later was back on the bike & heading over the Harbour bridge for home.
DROWNED !!!!!
Another great ride !!
This weeks long ride was to include hills so check out below to see where I got myself to
Will write a bit more later.
Will write a bit more later.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Whakatane here I come
Thought I had better sit down & let you all know what's been happening.
Last weeks mid-week training went really well. I got another couple of rides in on Wednesday totalling 93.50kms, did a 7km run & 2.8km swim. Then on Friday I loaded the companies trailer with tents & bikes etc & headed on down to Taupo. We had staff & riders staying in a couple of houses down there & the one we stayed in was huge sleeping 13 in total & space for more. Saturday dawned grey & overcast for the race but it was quite nice, not hot & no dust.
Once again my time was taken up making sure everyone was happy, doing all 3 prizegivings & generally making sure as the sponsors we all had a great day. For the record our Elite team won, the open & 90's revival team's were both 3rd. Phil a husband of 1 of the ladies at work won the 12hr solo & a Jude from Porirua cycles ( Big Jamis supporters ) won the womens 12hr solo. All in all a great day & couldn't wait to hit the sack around midnight.
Now the plan was to ride part way home but with the boss not coming down & me having to tow the trailer I didn't do a 75km ride.
Instead I did do 45km after work on Monday.
So the next week has rolled around & once again I mangaed 92km between my 2 rides on Wednesday, then knocked off 205kms on Saturday. Had a great ride from home to Whakatane & back. Beautiful morning at 6.30am with a slight westerly blowing , once I turned for home light showers started & a soueasterly ( Tailwind ), then by the time I hit Te Puke it was raining quite hard. Was glad to get off the saddle after 6hr 45mins. Feel like I could have kept riding, but this was only a flat ride. See what I fell like next week after 180km with hills.
The plan is over the Kaimai's, then down through Rotorua & back home via Te Puke.
You all have a great week.
I will !!!
Last weeks mid-week training went really well. I got another couple of rides in on Wednesday totalling 93.50kms, did a 7km run & 2.8km swim. Then on Friday I loaded the companies trailer with tents & bikes etc & headed on down to Taupo. We had staff & riders staying in a couple of houses down there & the one we stayed in was huge sleeping 13 in total & space for more. Saturday dawned grey & overcast for the race but it was quite nice, not hot & no dust.
Once again my time was taken up making sure everyone was happy, doing all 3 prizegivings & generally making sure as the sponsors we all had a great day. For the record our Elite team won, the open & 90's revival team's were both 3rd. Phil a husband of 1 of the ladies at work won the 12hr solo & a Jude from Porirua cycles ( Big Jamis supporters ) won the womens 12hr solo. All in all a great day & couldn't wait to hit the sack around midnight.
Now the plan was to ride part way home but with the boss not coming down & me having to tow the trailer I didn't do a 75km ride.
Instead I did do 45km after work on Monday.
So the next week has rolled around & once again I mangaed 92km between my 2 rides on Wednesday, then knocked off 205kms on Saturday. Had a great ride from home to Whakatane & back. Beautiful morning at 6.30am with a slight westerly blowing , once I turned for home light showers started & a soueasterly ( Tailwind ), then by the time I hit Te Puke it was raining quite hard. Was glad to get off the saddle after 6hr 45mins. Feel like I could have kept riding, but this was only a flat ride. See what I fell like next week after 180km with hills.
The plan is over the Kaimai's, then down through Rotorua & back home via Te Puke.
You all have a great week.
I will !!!
Monday, September 7, 2009
Another good week
This has been another successful week of training.
I once again managed a couple of short runs, totalling 9.55kms ( whahoo )& got in the pool for a total of 5.7kms. Both of these two discipline are taking alittle of the backseat at the moment but still just trying to be consistent.
Now the cycling on the other hand has been coming along great. On Saturday's ride I managed my longest time in the saddle of 6hrs. I have ridden 5hr 43mins before on the way to Taupo 2007. I also managed two good rides on Wednesday. So in total I rode 265.5kms with a total time of 10hr 13mins. Saturdays ride was quite a challenge as I was doing a hilly ride which involved not only the hills but a very strong headwind. It also was quite cold & even by 1pm I don't really think I was much warmer. Yes the sun was out but not warm.
This week is an easy week which is good timing as I head off to Taupo for my works sponsored MTB race. The boss may not be going to join us again this year so I 'll get to run around like a lost sheep. She'll be right !!
Hopefully the plan is for me to ride my easy 75km ride from Taupo then get picked up on the way. Just an easy few kms down Broadlands Rd.
Wednesday's rides will hopefully be a little longer this week as the daylight hours get longer. The rest of the week will fairly easy & hopefully the weather gods will be nice.
I once again managed a couple of short runs, totalling 9.55kms ( whahoo )& got in the pool for a total of 5.7kms. Both of these two discipline are taking alittle of the backseat at the moment but still just trying to be consistent.
Now the cycling on the other hand has been coming along great. On Saturday's ride I managed my longest time in the saddle of 6hrs. I have ridden 5hr 43mins before on the way to Taupo 2007. I also managed two good rides on Wednesday. So in total I rode 265.5kms with a total time of 10hr 13mins. Saturdays ride was quite a challenge as I was doing a hilly ride which involved not only the hills but a very strong headwind. It also was quite cold & even by 1pm I don't really think I was much warmer. Yes the sun was out but not warm.
This week is an easy week which is good timing as I head off to Taupo for my works sponsored MTB race. The boss may not be going to join us again this year so I 'll get to run around like a lost sheep. She'll be right !!
Hopefully the plan is for me to ride my easy 75km ride from Taupo then get picked up on the way. Just an easy few kms down Broadlands Rd.
Wednesday's rides will hopefully be a little longer this week as the daylight hours get longer. The rest of the week will fairly easy & hopefully the weather gods will be nice.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Ticking along
Well this has been a good week of training.
I managed to get on the bike before & after work on Wednesday & was riding till about 6:45pm. Something I'm not used to riding in the dark. Before Taupo I'll have to get up in the middle of the night & go for a ride just to see what it really is like. Will also need to practice eating pies at 5am in the morning.
This week I've managed a small run of 5km, as well as my 2 swims totalling 5.5km & bike rides which totalled 253km in 9.5hrs.
Health wise I'm good & not to tired. Am really having to start seriously thinking of what I'm eating during the week & on the ride. It's alright at the moment but will have to start stopping at the pie shops soon as I can't get that much food & drink around with me.
Oh well that's enough from me this week. Keep training & have fun.
I managed to get on the bike before & after work on Wednesday & was riding till about 6:45pm. Something I'm not used to riding in the dark. Before Taupo I'll have to get up in the middle of the night & go for a ride just to see what it really is like. Will also need to practice eating pies at 5am in the morning.
This week I've managed a small run of 5km, as well as my 2 swims totalling 5.5km & bike rides which totalled 253km in 9.5hrs.
Health wise I'm good & not to tired. Am really having to start seriously thinking of what I'm eating during the week & on the ride. It's alright at the moment but will have to start stopping at the pie shops soon as I can't get that much food & drink around with me.
Oh well that's enough from me this week. Keep training & have fun.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Back on the horse
Well not quite a horse but after 4.5 hours on that saddle it felt good to get off.
Yes I seem to have got over the ankle injury ( just a ligament strain ) & got back on the bike Saturday morning. The plan was for 110km. I did the Welcome Bay loop with 3 hill climbs up Reid, Rocky Cutting & Waitao Rds.
Now I haven't ridden this distance since Lake Taupo Challenge 2007 so by the end I was begining to struggle, especially into the headwind. It felt good just to have done the distance though even if it wasn't fast. We have to remember that 320km round the Lake aint going to be fast, just Loooong. So the plan from here on is to increase the long ride by 35km for 2 weeks then halve it for a rest week. So next the next 2 weeks will be 145km then rest week of 70km, following 2 weeks 180km, rest 90km. This will get us through to 2 weeks of 250km rides then a couple of weeks of taper rides. Sounds mildly mad.
I did manage a short 10min run off the bike just to see if it was possible & I felt no pain so hopefully I'm all good.
This week will hopefully see me getting out before & after work on Wednesday's for more biking. The plan is 1.5hrs before & 2hrs after.
Now it's only 3 more weeks till the Jamis Day Night Thriller in Taupo, so all of you that are thinking of entering do so & we'll see you down there for a great day.
Yes I seem to have got over the ankle injury ( just a ligament strain ) & got back on the bike Saturday morning. The plan was for 110km. I did the Welcome Bay loop with 3 hill climbs up Reid, Rocky Cutting & Waitao Rds.
Now I haven't ridden this distance since Lake Taupo Challenge 2007 so by the end I was begining to struggle, especially into the headwind. It felt good just to have done the distance though even if it wasn't fast. We have to remember that 320km round the Lake aint going to be fast, just Loooong. So the plan from here on is to increase the long ride by 35km for 2 weeks then halve it for a rest week. So next the next 2 weeks will be 145km then rest week of 70km, following 2 weeks 180km, rest 90km. This will get us through to 2 weeks of 250km rides then a couple of weeks of taper rides. Sounds mildly mad.
I did manage a short 10min run off the bike just to see if it was possible & I felt no pain so hopefully I'm all good.
This week will hopefully see me getting out before & after work on Wednesday's for more biking. The plan is 1.5hrs before & 2hrs after.
Now it's only 3 more weeks till the Jamis Day Night Thriller in Taupo, so all of you that are thinking of entering do so & we'll see you down there for a great day.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Great day..... but Ouch !!!!
I'll start with a quick update on this weeks training. My running has been a little slack over the last few months so I thought I should start increasing my long run. So this week I did if only by 1.3km, to a huge distance of 6.3km. I had a good windtrainer session & hit the gym twice & a good solid swim. All things going good !!
Then along came Saturday & the Waikato Draught Tough Guy & Gal. I ended up going to the event alone as our friends had a funeral to attend & as it was hiffin it down with rain, Kathy decided to stay home & study. For those that don't know this event is a 6km or 12km run through mud, swamps, bush, over slippery farmland & taking in some manmade obstacles. I opted out of the 12km & just did the 6km. I thought 45 - 50 mins in the rain would be enough.
11.10am & off we went. I had alot of fun & it was a great to be finished. Through the finish chute & collect your cold Waikato then off to the water truck to get blasted. Then down to the not so hot showers changed & ready for prizegiving. Now don't worry about being last at this event as there were people finishing after 3hrs.
Now what did happen during the race was as I jumped down from one of the climbing obstacles, I felt some pain in my right ankle. I think the fact that you have your shoes taped on it gave my ankle some support & I was able to carry on without any difficulties. That started much later.
A quick drive home, shower then off to Kathy's dads for dinner & a beer & that's where it all started to turn to custard. My right ankle just started to lock up with immense pain. I started to get the shakes & we needed to get home. I could barely get out to the car.
Once home I iced it & had some drugs & hit the sack, a little pissed off that there would probably be no training for me for a little while.
Well 24 hrs later I can atleast walk on the ankle but still sore. Might be a trip to the physio come Monday. Hopefully will be back into it soon & back on the bike especially. Running can wait till later.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
An observation
Now as you know I went to Auckland this weekend.
I had a great 90km ride, but I'm not going to bore you with any details. What I am going to say though is after riding on Saturday & being out early Sunday morning taking Kathy to Uni, is how little amount of cyclists in Auckland wear bright fluro jackets. Is it still not cool to be seen wearing clothes like that. Do the jackets mean your just a commuter or recreational cyclist.
Do the jackets clash with upmarket brands of bikes or do you have to be seen in your bunch with a bike shop's kit on. I thought getting home in 1 piece would be of more importance.
I know for sure that more & more people in Tauranga wear them & that's probably to do with the Safe cycling promotions we always have.
Anyway I've had a good weekend & have caught with my cousin & an old school/work mate so now it's home & more training.
Got the Tough Guy race on Saturday so that's going to fun??
I had a great 90km ride, but I'm not going to bore you with any details. What I am going to say though is after riding on Saturday & being out early Sunday morning taking Kathy to Uni, is how little amount of cyclists in Auckland wear bright fluro jackets. Is it still not cool to be seen wearing clothes like that. Do the jackets mean your just a commuter or recreational cyclist.
Do the jackets clash with upmarket brands of bikes or do you have to be seen in your bunch with a bike shop's kit on. I thought getting home in 1 piece would be of more importance.
I know for sure that more & more people in Tauranga wear them & that's probably to do with the Safe cycling promotions we always have.
Anyway I've had a good weekend & have caught with my cousin & an old school/work mate so now it's home & more training.
Got the Tough Guy race on Saturday so that's going to fun??
Thursday, August 6, 2009
I think Spring is in the air
The days are getting longer, warmer & the blooms are coming out. This has to all bode well for training. It's so much more enjoyable running in the mornings with no ice & cycling without the thought of black ice around the next corner.
This week has seen me get back into training after having a week off. I have taken it easy & just got back into it slowly.
Now the latest on the Taupo Cycle Challenge is that I've been asked to reconsider doing the 320km Enduro. My old work mate from Akld & fellow triathlete is keen to give it a crack & thinks it would be more enjoyable to ride at Taupo with someone else. Remember that the 320km race starts at 1am, so riding round the back road by yourself could be very lonely. Yes you do have a support crew but you can't talk to them. So the next steps from here are to get up to 150km by September 5th & assess how we are both going.
If it's the go ahead then I'll have to put some serious k's in. I might have to team up with Mike Kelly who's training for Kona & hang on his wheel. The plan will be to build up to 2 rides of 250km. So this week I have spent some more time on Google Maps looking at potential rides I could do. These rides would take in places like Tokoroa, Putaruru, Rotorua, Kawerau, Whakatane & maybe even Taupo. The last thing I want to do is get bored riding round & round Tauranga. I may even take a ride to Auckland.
Obviously as a result of this I won't get alot of time for running, but I feel that so long as I keep doing 1 10km run a week then I'll be able to stuggle my way thru the 1/2 IM in Rotorua. It won't be fast or pretty but just a steady IM pace. Remember this is all part of the big picture some months away in Perth.
The family are heading to Auckland this weekend & yes Saturday afternoon I'm planning on riding from West Harbour, thru Albany to Dairy Flat, then over to Helensville & back down to West Harbour. Should be a good 90km ride.
So things should go well & we'll be signing up for 320km. Sounds scary but a great challenge. People have asked me why???? My answer is that it's there to be done. I've done the 1 lap race once. Yes I could go back & get a better time, but that just means getting in a faster bunch & hanging in there. I want a challenge!!!!!
So I think I have now talked myself into doing 320km.
BRING IT ON !!!!!!!
This week has seen me get back into training after having a week off. I have taken it easy & just got back into it slowly.
Now the latest on the Taupo Cycle Challenge is that I've been asked to reconsider doing the 320km Enduro. My old work mate from Akld & fellow triathlete is keen to give it a crack & thinks it would be more enjoyable to ride at Taupo with someone else. Remember that the 320km race starts at 1am, so riding round the back road by yourself could be very lonely. Yes you do have a support crew but you can't talk to them. So the next steps from here are to get up to 150km by September 5th & assess how we are both going.
If it's the go ahead then I'll have to put some serious k's in. I might have to team up with Mike Kelly who's training for Kona & hang on his wheel. The plan will be to build up to 2 rides of 250km. So this week I have spent some more time on Google Maps looking at potential rides I could do. These rides would take in places like Tokoroa, Putaruru, Rotorua, Kawerau, Whakatane & maybe even Taupo. The last thing I want to do is get bored riding round & round Tauranga. I may even take a ride to Auckland.
Obviously as a result of this I won't get alot of time for running, but I feel that so long as I keep doing 1 10km run a week then I'll be able to stuggle my way thru the 1/2 IM in Rotorua. It won't be fast or pretty but just a steady IM pace. Remember this is all part of the big picture some months away in Perth.
The family are heading to Auckland this weekend & yes Saturday afternoon I'm planning on riding from West Harbour, thru Albany to Dairy Flat, then over to Helensville & back down to West Harbour. Should be a good 90km ride.
So things should go well & we'll be signing up for 320km. Sounds scary but a great challenge. People have asked me why???? My answer is that it's there to be done. I've done the 1 lap race once. Yes I could go back & get a better time, but that just means getting in a faster bunch & hanging in there. I want a challenge!!!!!
So I think I have now talked myself into doing 320km.
BRING IT ON !!!!!!!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Rest week
This last week I have been resting. All my week consisted of was 2 gym sessions & a swim Thursday morning. All this rest is meant to get me on the right path mentally & physically for the next 17 weeks as I build for Taupo & 20 weeks till Vegas 1/2. On the Taupo race I have now been asked by a mate if I still want to do 320km's. I'm leaving it up to him to decide. If yes then 320km it is!!
So in anticipation of the go ahead I've been on Google maps measuring rides all over the greater BOP. Rides through places like Rotorua, Kawerau, Tokoroa.
This morning I had a good 80km ride then a 5km run off the bike. First time this winter I have been rained on whilst riding so have done fairly well. Next weeks long ride will be done up in Auckland as the family goes north with Kathy.
Just to show it's not all triathlon in this household this afternoon I've watched a couple of NPC rugby games & it 's been great to see the big unions getting beaten. The best result had to be the team from my old stomping ground getting up to beat Canterbury. Go the mighty Harbour.
Yes it's a long season but you take the wins when you get them !!!!!
Anyhow might go watch the Warrios now, then get up & watch the AB's whilst other bloggers are preparing for a Half Mary in Taupo.
So in anticipation of the go ahead I've been on Google maps measuring rides all over the greater BOP. Rides through places like Rotorua, Kawerau, Tokoroa.
This morning I had a good 80km ride then a 5km run off the bike. First time this winter I have been rained on whilst riding so have done fairly well. Next weeks long ride will be done up in Auckland as the family goes north with Kathy.
Just to show it's not all triathlon in this household this afternoon I've watched a couple of NPC rugby games & it 's been great to see the big unions getting beaten. The best result had to be the team from my old stomping ground getting up to beat Canterbury. Go the mighty Harbour.
Yes it's a long season but you take the wins when you get them !!!!!
Anyhow might go watch the Warrios now, then get up & watch the AB's whilst other bloggers are preparing for a Half Mary in Taupo.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
That was FUN.
This morning dawned fine & frosty. What better weather for riding. Luckily by 10am it had warmed up a little & it was action time. I was nowhere near the front at the start so in the 1st few km i just went all guns blazing to get up nearer the front. I think it worked.
Now my biggest problem with bunch riding is when the front doesn't work & people don't roll through. As a result the speed drops & I always think we should be going faster so head off up to the front. Another reason for being at the front is so you don't collect traffic cones that almost throw you off your bike. Yes I was near the back on 1 corner & almost bit the turf. Everyone near me did commend me for staying upright.
Anyway the race went well after that & got home safely with a respectable time of 2:07:33 for 70km.
I am now going to have a rest week which will only have a couple of swims. No running or windtrainer. Back on the bike next Saturday. Think I need to work on hills.
Now my biggest problem with bunch riding is when the front doesn't work & people don't roll through. As a result the speed drops & I always think we should be going faster so head off up to the front. Another reason for being at the front is so you don't collect traffic cones that almost throw you off your bike. Yes I was near the back on 1 corner & almost bit the turf. Everyone near me did commend me for staying upright.
Anyway the race went well after that & got home safely with a respectable time of 2:07:33 for 70km.
I am now going to have a rest week which will only have a couple of swims. No running or windtrainer. Back on the bike next Saturday. Think I need to work on hills.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Race tomorrow
Sunday morning 10am I am competing in the Okoroire 70km fun ride ( race ). Hopefully the rubbish weather from this week has passed & as per the forecasters it is going to be fine with light winds.
Mid week I heard over 400 people had entered & more are likely with good conditions. This race for me is purely just something to do mid-winter & blow out the cobwebs. It also signals the start of some serious bike training for Round Taupo Cycle Challenge . I have now decided that 160km will do this year.
The 2 North Island reps from work are also doing it so that will be good motivation for training & race day.
Hopefully tomorrow I'll catch up with Phil & Kate at the race. Always good to see other bloggers at events.
It's time now to go do some family things with the kids & put the race tyres on the bike. Will be back tomorrow arvo with a small report on how the race went.
Mid week I heard over 400 people had entered & more are likely with good conditions. This race for me is purely just something to do mid-winter & blow out the cobwebs. It also signals the start of some serious bike training for Round Taupo Cycle Challenge . I have now decided that 160km will do this year.
The 2 North Island reps from work are also doing it so that will be good motivation for training & race day.
Hopefully tomorrow I'll catch up with Phil & Kate at the race. Always good to see other bloggers at events.
It's time now to go do some family things with the kids & put the race tyres on the bike. Will be back tomorrow arvo with a small report on how the race went.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Windy Waihi.
Sunday morning dawned reasonably fine but very windy. At least that was an improvement on Saturday's weather. We packed the family into the car & headed 40 mins north of Tauranga to the small mining town of Waihi for the inaugural Newmont Waihi Gold Town Duathlon.
Race HQ was the Waihi Rugby Club. After a short race brief the long distance race got under way at 9:15am. Starting with an 8km run, which was 2 laps of the Gold Mine on a gravel walking track. Before the race I had heard a local say uphill & headwind in the same sentence when describing the course. How correct he was!!! 1km into the run & bang up quite a steep grind. I just took it easy for the 1st lap then built into it for the 2nd & managed to pass a number of people going up the hill. At the top it over looked the mine & had a great view of the greater Waihi area. Each lap the family gave me words of encouragement. I don't know who was doing it tougher, me in the race or them freezing in the howling gale.
Onto the 4 lap, 20km bike leg & it started with a nice tailwind , followed by severe crosswinds then straight into the wind up the hill. By the 4th lap it was getting tough. Besides the downhills the most enjoyable part was going through town with the tailwind. Reached speeds up to 50km/hr along the flat. I started getting a sore calf when I got out of the saddle so hoped it wouldn't stop me from running.
Luckily it didn't & I got round the 4km last lap in one piece. The finish was on the soft rugby field so was no chance of a sprint finish.
Was happy with my offical time of 1:41:58 & 6th place for the long course race.
Managed to pick up a spottie ( sports bag ). Kids got a good look @ the mine & wife got to watch for once so all in all a good day.
Headed home & did the afternoon swim squad.
The rest of the weeks training went well. Now this weekend I've got the Okoroire 70km fun ride on Sunday so hoping for fine weather.
Will add some photos at some stage.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Things are a gunna get BUSY.
As if they aren't already.
Lets start with work. We have our 2010 bike launch in Christchurch in 3 weeks & we have alot still to organise. Then when the show is on for 3 days, only 2 of us are staying in Tauranga, whilst the rest are at the show. Hope the phones are quiet.
After that we get things ready for the Jamis Day Night Thriller www.daynightthriller.co.nz/ MTB race in Taupo 12 September. We have a number of Pro teams competing so quite a bit of organisation. We have 2 houses booked for the weekend so looking forward to this event again.
Mid October we then sponsor the Bauer Express road race in Pukekohe www.pukekoheexpress.co.nz/. Whilst all this goes on we launch the new product & summer comes around, then we all go biking. Hopefully before Xmas Kathy & myself will get new TT bikes which we plan on racing in Perth.
On the home front Kathy will be back at Uni which means weekends away for us. I've got a duathlon this weekend then 70km bike race the following weekend. We'll both keep trying to train ever spare minute in between swim coaching, being a Leader at the kids Cub Scouts & watching the TDF.
All the time I keep telling myself Daylight savings aint far away then that extra light will be a godsend.
On a real high note for us at Jamis, it was awesome to see Richard Ussher podium at Challenge Roth. For Kathy & myself it was also pleasing to see Elina finish her first triathlon. A very small one but we all started somewhere. She really admired that fact that Kathy had done IMNZ & we wouldn't be surprised to see her on the start line sometime soon. Watch for Xterra next year.
After spending a bit of time with them back in May, Richard said his goal was to go hard with Normann Stadler. Well he did that & grabbed 3rd place on the podium.
The training went without a hitch this week & I got a good 92km bike ride in on Saturday morning.
Onward & upward. Remember,
Beer makes you fat & wine makes you lean......
Against thing
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Absolute Madness
That's about the only way to describe what happened this morning when entries opened for the 21st Port of Tauranga Half Ironman.
If you managed to be one of the lucky few who wanted to do the event & got your entry, well done . What this does mean for me is I'm now the swimmer for a team, so I will be a small part of this event.
I find it staggering that every year people moan & bitch about drafting, to many people, blah, blah, blah but for the last few years the race sells out within 1/2 a day. Is it the venue, the Long Distance champs, it's flat & fast, or is it the only 1/2 IM race in NZ you get to compete against the worlds best whether in a team or individual. Maybe it's just Tauranga & you guys all wish you could live here.
Whatever, congratulations to Sport BOP & the Patter Group for making this event.
As for me you'll see me at Hooksie's 1/2 grinding up them HILLS.
On that note I had better go & get the windtrainer out for my session in the morning. Might TT against the TDF teams. Go the Kiwis. Let's have a Kiwi win a stage of the Tour.
If you managed to be one of the lucky few who wanted to do the event & got your entry, well done . What this does mean for me is I'm now the swimmer for a team, so I will be a small part of this event.
I find it staggering that every year people moan & bitch about drafting, to many people, blah, blah, blah but for the last few years the race sells out within 1/2 a day. Is it the venue, the Long Distance champs, it's flat & fast, or is it the only 1/2 IM race in NZ you get to compete against the worlds best whether in a team or individual. Maybe it's just Tauranga & you guys all wish you could live here.
Whatever, congratulations to Sport BOP & the Patter Group for making this event.
As for me you'll see me at Hooksie's 1/2 grinding up them HILLS.
On that note I had better go & get the windtrainer out for my session in the morning. Might TT against the TDF teams. Go the Kiwis. Let's have a Kiwi win a stage of the Tour.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Another good week
Not much happened this week.
The week rolled by with the normal gym sessions after work, windtrainer sessions before work, swimming, running & a long Saturday bike ride. The long bike has been going well over the last few weeks & am now looking to increase the distance ( probably up to 90km ) then get into them hills & get some good strength.
I know there is still 24 weeks till the Rotorua 1/2, but that's not many long bike rides left, when you might not be able to get out every weekend. Also in the back of my mind is the long goal of IMWA so the more of a base I can get now hopefully next winter will be easier.
This week I had a day off work as one of the boys was sick. As I sat there during the day I thought about how cool it would be not to work. Drop kids off at school then go out & train when your ready. Only deadline is to pick them up on time. I know it's great to work, to interact with other people but it would be good especially in the summer.
Right time to stop dreaming because Kathy would want to be the one who doesn't work.
Today was going to be some running hill reps but I just felt lazy. The weather certainly didn't help. Instead I went online & checked out dates for some of the summers events. Ocean swim series, Contact Tri series, Across Lake Taupo swim & some bike races. Want to do some long swim & bike races this summer to help the training & as many Tri's as one can afford.
Once again the forecast for this week looks dodgy so here's hoping next weekend is fine & we can all get out & smell the fresh air.
I think the next few weeks are going to be busy with the Tour de France on. Thank goodness for My Sky & a windtrainer.
Train safe.
The week rolled by with the normal gym sessions after work, windtrainer sessions before work, swimming, running & a long Saturday bike ride. The long bike has been going well over the last few weeks & am now looking to increase the distance ( probably up to 90km ) then get into them hills & get some good strength.
I know there is still 24 weeks till the Rotorua 1/2, but that's not many long bike rides left, when you might not be able to get out every weekend. Also in the back of my mind is the long goal of IMWA so the more of a base I can get now hopefully next winter will be easier.
This week I had a day off work as one of the boys was sick. As I sat there during the day I thought about how cool it would be not to work. Drop kids off at school then go out & train when your ready. Only deadline is to pick them up on time. I know it's great to work, to interact with other people but it would be good especially in the summer.
Right time to stop dreaming because Kathy would want to be the one who doesn't work.
Today was going to be some running hill reps but I just felt lazy. The weather certainly didn't help. Instead I went online & checked out dates for some of the summers events. Ocean swim series, Contact Tri series, Across Lake Taupo swim & some bike races. Want to do some long swim & bike races this summer to help the training & as many Tri's as one can afford.
Once again the forecast for this week looks dodgy so here's hoping next weekend is fine & we can all get out & smell the fresh air.
I think the next few weeks are going to be busy with the Tour de France on. Thank goodness for My Sky & a windtrainer.
Train safe.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Should I stay or should I go.
Our good weather forecasters told us that the morning would be clear then start raining again Saturday afternoon. Well it was grey & misty when I was thinking of going but thought maybe I should wait & see, stay inside & watch some more back to back Jackson hits on C4.
Finally around 8am I thought it looked promising so headed out & expected it to clear up. Well that never happened & the misty rain closed in & for the 2nd hour of my ride it was wet & getting worse. On the upside, it wasn't cold so that made things just a little more enjoyable. Had a great but cautious ride around the Tauranga area. Great fun getting on the new asphalt on the Expressway & watching the speed. Have been stuggling over the last few months with the weather & other commitments to get any really big bike k's but hopefully over the next few weeks I can at least be consistent & get a 2+ hour ride in most weekends.
Finally getting home dripping wet I changed & headed down to the pool for a quick 2km splash & dash. Spent the rest of the arvo inside with 2 boys who kept telling me they were bored & a wife trying to tell me all about her Uni exam, that she barely understands let alone try to explain it all to me. Don't get me wrong, I'm interested it's just quite complex.
The rest of the week has gone pretty much to plan. I did miss my interval run on Thursday to attend the kids school parent / teacher interviews. Once again they tell us they have no concerns for either child which is awesome. Now hopefully this continues for thier entire schooling. Liam appears to have picked up some his Dads traits, but so long as it's only the good one's.
This next month is just around the corner & all things going right I have a couple of events I'm hoping to enter. The first one is the Gold Town Duathlon Waihi ( being held @ the mine ) 19th July. This event is being held for the 1st time so if you can get along & support it, do so. The 2nd event is the Okoroire 70km bike ride. This event is always popular & attracts good numbers, even if it does rain most years.
Now the last couple of days have had me thinking. Love him or hate him I'm sure we'll all miss Micheal Jackson's music. Which made me think. We've had Elvis, now Wacko, who's going to be the next King. Is there currently any solo musician who might have it in them.
I think NO !!!
Finally around 8am I thought it looked promising so headed out & expected it to clear up. Well that never happened & the misty rain closed in & for the 2nd hour of my ride it was wet & getting worse. On the upside, it wasn't cold so that made things just a little more enjoyable. Had a great but cautious ride around the Tauranga area. Great fun getting on the new asphalt on the Expressway & watching the speed. Have been stuggling over the last few months with the weather & other commitments to get any really big bike k's but hopefully over the next few weeks I can at least be consistent & get a 2+ hour ride in most weekends.
Finally getting home dripping wet I changed & headed down to the pool for a quick 2km splash & dash. Spent the rest of the arvo inside with 2 boys who kept telling me they were bored & a wife trying to tell me all about her Uni exam, that she barely understands let alone try to explain it all to me. Don't get me wrong, I'm interested it's just quite complex.
The rest of the week has gone pretty much to plan. I did miss my interval run on Thursday to attend the kids school parent / teacher interviews. Once again they tell us they have no concerns for either child which is awesome. Now hopefully this continues for thier entire schooling. Liam appears to have picked up some his Dads traits, but so long as it's only the good one's.
This next month is just around the corner & all things going right I have a couple of events I'm hoping to enter. The first one is the Gold Town Duathlon Waihi ( being held @ the mine ) 19th July. This event is being held for the 1st time so if you can get along & support it, do so. The 2nd event is the Okoroire 70km bike ride. This event is always popular & attracts good numbers, even if it does rain most years.
Now the last couple of days have had me thinking. Love him or hate him I'm sure we'll all miss Micheal Jackson's music. Which made me think. We've had Elvis, now Wacko, who's going to be the next King. Is there currently any solo musician who might have it in them.
I think NO !!!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Shortest day
There's not going to be many daylight hours today so thankfully it's a lovely day. Being the shortest day must be a good thing, as we can now look forward to Daylight Savings only 14 weeks away & warmer temperatures. Kathy & I really hope next year isn't this cold as we build for Busselton.
Back track to last weekend & we had a great weekend in Auckland whilst Kathy was slaving over the books at Uni. The kids & I went up the Skytower on Saturday afternoon then had dinner with Kathy's sister & her 4 kids. Noise , noise , noise !!!!
Sunday we met up with a friend I worked with at Fuji Xerox in Auckland & also a budding Triathlete, his daughter & went to Kelly Tarlton's. The kids love anything to do with animals & this was no exception. Being able to see King penguins is pretty cool, freezin infact. We were there when the keeper fed the huge Stingrays which was quite unreal ( gave me a few tips for this summers open water swimming ).
Great weekend & then the drive back home. This is the only reason I actually went with Kathy was to drive home.
The rest of the week has been good on the training front. The normal hill windtraining session was good, morning run felt good ( apart from the temperature ), interval run on the treadmill was a little more successful than last week, good swim, & I got a small ride in on Saturday afternoon.
Spent Saturday morning down in Whakatane at the Monty's Revenge race being support for an athlete work sponsor.
Swimming this afternoon then the week rolls around & we do it all again.
Why ??????
To lose weight, go faster on the bike, run faster, to be a good role model, you enjoy it even when going gets tough, or does this sport become addictive unlike playing soccer, rugby, netball etc.
For each individual it is slightly different but the common thing I think is the bond between triathletes unlike team sports. We're all mad !!!!
Back track to last weekend & we had a great weekend in Auckland whilst Kathy was slaving over the books at Uni. The kids & I went up the Skytower on Saturday afternoon then had dinner with Kathy's sister & her 4 kids. Noise , noise , noise !!!!
Sunday we met up with a friend I worked with at Fuji Xerox in Auckland & also a budding Triathlete, his daughter & went to Kelly Tarlton's. The kids love anything to do with animals & this was no exception. Being able to see King penguins is pretty cool, freezin infact. We were there when the keeper fed the huge Stingrays which was quite unreal ( gave me a few tips for this summers open water swimming ).
Great weekend & then the drive back home. This is the only reason I actually went with Kathy was to drive home.
The rest of the week has been good on the training front. The normal hill windtraining session was good, morning run felt good ( apart from the temperature ), interval run on the treadmill was a little more successful than last week, good swim, & I got a small ride in on Saturday afternoon.
Spent Saturday morning down in Whakatane at the Monty's Revenge race being support for an athlete work sponsor.
Swimming this afternoon then the week rolls around & we do it all again.
Why ??????
To lose weight, go faster on the bike, run faster, to be a good role model, you enjoy it even when going gets tough, or does this sport become addictive unlike playing soccer, rugby, netball etc.
For each individual it is slightly different but the common thing I think is the bond between triathletes unlike team sports. We're all mad !!!!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Another week goes by, QUICKLY
This week has flown by & we get another week closer to half way through the year. I'm sure as a kid the weeks & months never went by so quick. It used to take forever for school holidays to roll around, & school work just dragged on. Now you just need a couple of busy days at work & there seems to be no time left in the week & everything gets behind.
I finished off last weekend with a good 70km ride on Sunday morning, so that ended a great weekends training. I then took Kathy's swim squad on Sunday arvo.
This week saw the freezing cold weather be replaced by humid warm rain. As a result of the heavy rain I didn't get my long run in on Tuesday morning so replaced that with a short ride on the trainer whilst watching 20/20 World Cup Cricket.
The rest of the week went pretty much to plan & have done a couple of Gym sessions, just over 2 hours on the windtrainer & an interval run on the treadmill. Being the first interval run I had done since the 10km race I stuggled a bit with the 16km/hr intervals but I'm sure I'll get back into it next week.
The weekend has now rolled around again & the kids & I have joined the wife & travelled north to Auckland. She will head off to do her Uni studies whilst we hopefully do enjoyable stuff & catch up with some old mates.
Will get out for a couple of runs hopefullly. Had hoped to bring the bike but the weather was shocking when we left home that I didn't want to stick the bike on the back of the car & get it covered in grime & road crap, so I left it tucked up in the garage @ home.
I finished off last weekend with a good 70km ride on Sunday morning, so that ended a great weekends training. I then took Kathy's swim squad on Sunday arvo.
This week saw the freezing cold weather be replaced by humid warm rain. As a result of the heavy rain I didn't get my long run in on Tuesday morning so replaced that with a short ride on the trainer whilst watching 20/20 World Cup Cricket.
The rest of the week went pretty much to plan & have done a couple of Gym sessions, just over 2 hours on the windtrainer & an interval run on the treadmill. Being the first interval run I had done since the 10km race I stuggled a bit with the 16km/hr intervals but I'm sure I'll get back into it next week.
The weekend has now rolled around again & the kids & I have joined the wife & travelled north to Auckland. She will head off to do her Uni studies whilst we hopefully do enjoyable stuff & catch up with some old mates.
Will get out for a couple of runs hopefullly. Had hoped to bring the bike but the weather was shocking when we left home that I didn't want to stick the bike on the back of the car & get it covered in grime & road crap, so I left it tucked up in the garage @ home.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Solid days effort
Got out this morning for a 4km hill repeat run. Not a long run but good all the same. I then dropped the kids off to a Birthday party at noon & headed for the pool. Managed to do 4km of drills & freestyle. Never swam that far in one session so was quite knackered in the shoulders.
Got home & the day was still fine so headed out on the bike for 1 1/2 hours & managed 50km. Just cruised around the greater Tauranga area so I could be home in time for the kids to get dropped off after the party.
Here's a list of events I've currently got on the to do list in the next 6 months,
26th July Okoroire Fun Ride 70km
15th August Waikato Draught Tough Guy & Gal Challenge
28th November Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge ( maybe ?? 2 laps, 360km )
6th December Tinman Triathlon
19th December Rotorua Half Ironman.
The Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge may not happen but I'll still put it down as something to keep in mind. Will need some serious biking miles under the belt to enter that one.
Well time to rest up for Sunday's long bike ride.
Got home & the day was still fine so headed out on the bike for 1 1/2 hours & managed 50km. Just cruised around the greater Tauranga area so I could be home in time for the kids to get dropped off after the party.
Here's a list of events I've currently got on the to do list in the next 6 months,
26th July Okoroire Fun Ride 70km
15th August Waikato Draught Tough Guy & Gal Challenge
28th November Wattyl Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge ( maybe ?? 2 laps, 360km )
6th December Tinman Triathlon
19th December Rotorua Half Ironman.
The Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge may not happen but I'll still put it down as something to keep in mind. Will need some serious biking miles under the belt to enter that one.
Well time to rest up for Sunday's long bike ride.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Global Warming
For the last few years we've been bombarded with talk of how the planet is going to rise in temperature, ice sheets will melt & sea levels will rise.
Well I think they should come & spend some time down here in NZ because this weather is sure making it hard to get motivated & get outside & train.
I think the easiest discipline for training at the moment is actually swimming, as it's alot warmer in the pool than out. You've just got to get there.!!
So here's hoping for a fine dry weekend so we can do some quality training.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Mount Joggers 10km Run
The 23rd running of the Mount Joggers 1/2 Marathon, 10km & 5km fun run was held Sunday 31st May. The day dawned crisp & sunny. What better way to spend a Sunday morning than with the family all doing an event together.
The kids & Kathy were doing the 5km fun run together & I was out to give the 10km run a good nudge & hopefully a PB.
With a nice start time of 9:40am it was game on. The course takes you down the main beach of Mount Maunganui then turns back on itself & then around into Pilot Bay & then heads onto the Mount base track in a clockwise direction finishing at the surf club. From the start I managed to sit in about the top 30 in the race & that's where I stayed for the entire race. Now one of my goals was to catch the rest of the family who started 10 minutes after me & were also having to go around the Mount in their 5km run. I caught 2 of them where I thought I'd catch them but 1 of the kids was not to be seen. I found him within 100m of the finish ( a good couple of minutes ahead of the others ). Goal 1 complete.
2nd goal was obviosly to run faaaast & get a PB. I felt like I went out a bit to hard but you do that in a race so now it was just a case of keeping it up. The on road parts felt fine but did stuggle on the last hill around the Mount. Happy to say I achieved my goal with a 45:15 minute run.
Now for the last part of the morning & the most exciting bit for the kids. To see if they could win a spot prize !!!!!! Even with all the redraws that happened we still got nothing but the kids were still happy.
Lazy afternoon then finshed the day off with swim squad. A good 2000m swim in which the kicking drills did hurt.
It's now time to ramp up the cycling miles & just keep the running ticking over.
The kids & Kathy were doing the 5km fun run together & I was out to give the 10km run a good nudge & hopefully a PB.
With a nice start time of 9:40am it was game on. The course takes you down the main beach of Mount Maunganui then turns back on itself & then around into Pilot Bay & then heads onto the Mount base track in a clockwise direction finishing at the surf club. From the start I managed to sit in about the top 30 in the race & that's where I stayed for the entire race. Now one of my goals was to catch the rest of the family who started 10 minutes after me & were also having to go around the Mount in their 5km run. I caught 2 of them where I thought I'd catch them but 1 of the kids was not to be seen. I found him within 100m of the finish ( a good couple of minutes ahead of the others ). Goal 1 complete.
2nd goal was obviosly to run faaaast & get a PB. I felt like I went out a bit to hard but you do that in a race so now it was just a case of keeping it up. The on road parts felt fine but did stuggle on the last hill around the Mount. Happy to say I achieved my goal with a 45:15 minute run.
Now for the last part of the morning & the most exciting bit for the kids. To see if they could win a spot prize !!!!!! Even with all the redraws that happened we still got nothing but the kids were still happy.
Lazy afternoon then finshed the day off with swim squad. A good 2000m swim in which the kicking drills did hurt.
It's now time to ramp up the cycling miles & just keep the running ticking over.
From the beginning
As most of you would know, my good wife Kathy has been blogging for some time now. Well I thought seems I have finally given myself a major goal of getting to Ironman Western Australia 2010 that I would join you all.
I haven't been doing this Triathlon game very long as it was Kathy's sport & I wasn't allowed to join in & compete knowing that I would be faster & she'd get grumpy. So I sat on the sideline & supported through the good & the ugly then eventually started doing the shorter events & finally the Rotorua Half Ironman December 2008.
We somehow manage to both get out & do the training which requires a very structured lifestyle, juggling 9 year old twin boys, fulltime jobs, Kathy's coaching after hours, kids Cub Scouts & I even manage a bit of keeler yacht racing.
That's enough of all the boring stuff.
I haven't been doing this Triathlon game very long as it was Kathy's sport & I wasn't allowed to join in & compete knowing that I would be faster & she'd get grumpy. So I sat on the sideline & supported through the good & the ugly then eventually started doing the shorter events & finally the Rotorua Half Ironman December 2008.
We somehow manage to both get out & do the training which requires a very structured lifestyle, juggling 9 year old twin boys, fulltime jobs, Kathy's coaching after hours, kids Cub Scouts & I even manage a bit of keeler yacht racing.
That's enough of all the boring stuff.
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