River Taniwha 1 - Ruth 0

The first Gorge trip of the season had been much anticipated by me for the last few months. The group were competent paddlers, all having been through the gorge before...yet we were a subdued lot lost in our own thoughts when Josh took us through the mandatory ‘rate yourself from 1 – 10 on how you feel right now’!

Optimistically I gave myself a 5/10 – like I said Optimist!

We all SO happy to be here lol

As I took to my boat – Lisa a fellow paddler from last season couldn’t quite contain her relief/joy/amusement at being the driver and not being in the water with us – I kinda envied her at that moment.

Thats about as good as the smile gets at this point!

Four times I’d previously been through the gorge and the last time I was on this stretch of water I was held up unexpectedly for some time and I fought to push those memories away telling myself it would be a-ok.

Rock Garden rapids (of which there are four) are famous for - well- their reputation to pick up paddlers, chew them up and spit them out – sometimes with themselves and/or their boats in pieces...so it’s always good to get these out of the way.

Rock Garden 2 had a blind drop which I went a little too right of centre and ended up in some of the biggest waves I’ve been in a long boat before...once through my legs were literally shaking! Rock Garden 3 I found the most technical of the day with some weaving to and fro to be had – dropping down into a big hole was a highlight (not lol) and although if you’d asked me earlier if I knew how to brace it would have been an emphatic no....well the brace I supposedly didn’t possess stopped me from taking a swim and I just kept on paddling to my exit point.

The rest of the trip was straight forward although when asked I would say it was a very average trip for me – ghosts of coast past came to haunt me that day– despite almost being laughed off the river when pointing out my ‘accident’ location...of course the river was running entirely different that day – not the benign, blink and you miss it corner that presented itself.

How many kayaks CAN you fit on one vehicle!?

Well avergae it may have been but as they say a dry run is always a good run, so perhaps its River Tanwhai 1 Ruth .5 !

Keep ya posted!

Easy does it

Easy week – one where you take full advantage of recovery and repair of your body through lots of sleep, good nutrition and general restfulness....

OR

go to the Races have a huge blow out, even forgetting conversations you have had with people (sorry if you were one of those – it wasn’t actually THAT much alcohol) be in bed by 8.30pm and opting to relegate yourself to driver on a planned paddle the next day due to serious lack of senses. Senses still intact at this point

Keep ya posted

Running around the volcano

With the onset of ‘race season’ i.e. post September - there are always clashes when it comes to racing – I had eyed up the 20km Crater Rim run as an event however due to clashes with frostbuster it wasn’t to be. So armed with my trusty flat mate Leah and fellow paddler Alma we decide to hit the Crater Rim a couple of weeks later.

Sleep in – the rare glimpse of a ‘normal’ life the multisporter gets on the rare occasion (or carefully constructed training plan allows).

Alma and I at the top of Farm Valley Track

So with this in mind we thought that a 10am start was very civilized…we forgot to check the weather and found ourselves coming up Farm Valley track in very hot conditions. As you’ll know from previous posts me and the valley track don’t usually see eye to eye and today was no exception. Coming off three hard weeks I felt pretty much every step – compounding matters was our first ‘proper’ hot day and very little wind in the valley.

On our way back down...some hours later

I was glad for the company and we saw a few complete performers out there as well. So all told not my best day out, however in this game there’s always a lesson to learn – with every action there’s a subsequent reaction – have a great run with Flag Pole the previous weekend, the body is going to need time to recover again – oh yeah and f you can’t take enough water on your for your run make sure you fill up when you can!

Keep ya posted!

Sometimes life happens...

And sometimes the lesson itself it not about how much training you can do – but it in fact how you can maintain a balance when other just as important (althou sometimes its easy to lose perspective) things take our time and attention away – it’s been a challenging month, you know the ones..getting hit with a paintball every other day – and you literally can’t see the wood for the tress cos you are covered in someone else sh*te! But as the wise people of the world often say what doesn’t kill you will make you stronger…hmmmm so here’s my last month..or so

Keep ya posted!

Doing the double...

UP – at a higher level, rising above, upright.

The Flagpole ‘Run Up’ took place this Saturdays and I have to admit I did find myself at a higher level (approx. 1000m in 5kms to be exact); I definitely was rising above - the valley – quite rapidly. Upright, hmmm yes I actually managed to do that to – despite higher waters gangs of cheery runners linked together through river crossings.

This event is in its 4th year and with record numbers showing up to race it’s proving its popularity. In past years the course has been 19km however at the race briefing they mentioned it was now a 21km course – it then dawned on me – excellent I’m about to do my first ever half marathon!

The route itself takes you along just under a 1km on a flat 4WD track and then the ascent starts. Once broken through the tree line the front competitors were visible – just – looking like little ants carving up the side of the hill. The view from the trig at the Summit was worth the hard slog, however no time to drag ones heels as you soon find yourself set off and a thrilling downhill ensues.

After my experience getting lost (I know I know) in Frostbuster I was nervous about this run – however there was no need. Chris Cox and his team had superbly managed this route and which lead to a relaxed and enjoyable run.

To add into the mix walkers had left an hour earlier so as you progressed through the course you are intertwined with these folk, so always someone around to exchange pleasantries with. Getting across the finish line I felt a great sense of achievement and in 2 hours 44 mins! I would highly recommend this as an event for your calendars next year – even if you’re not keen on the run there is of course the walk option – the scenery is magnificent and it possesses an atmosphere to match.

On the back of Saturdays run the Down River Kayak Club held its second race of the Spring Series – Horseshoe Bend through to Gorge Bridge [above is the start of the mens race].


Again we were very lucky with both the river and weather conditions. Having gotten everyone to meet at the bridge we loaded up trailers and proceed in true convoy fashion to our put in. It really did feel like a club trip, a group of like minded people wanting to have a good time.

[A few laughs in the face of competition - the Gurney/Huntsman Showdown]

[Ian Huntsman in winning form - for both the slalom and the down river race]

Unexpectedly however the highlight of the day must have been the slalom course set up at the finish. A ‘seemingly’ basic course set to pit your skills against the river – and oh - all of us watching from the side lines. This provided a lot of entertainment for us river bank huggers and the grand finale came down to the paddle off between Ian Huntsman and Steve Gurney….just brilliant. Also a great opportunity to for us to see these guys in action, up close…usually Ian paddles past me so fast I swear he has a outboard motor attached!

[Ian flying....hmmm is there a engine at the back there! : ) ]

So all in all a fab weekend and a really good step up for my journey to Coast. Next week Conquering the Crater Rim!

Keep ya posted!

Doing Hard Labour

Despite the best laid plans, injury, illness oh yeah and a Grade 2 assessment plagued our merry team of wannabes for a labour weekend Sat expedition over Goats Pass. So I found myself driving up to Mt Sommers on the gorgeous spring morning that greeted Christchurch, ready to undertake my first ever solo mission.

I decided to be cautious and head over to the ‘other’ side of Mt Sommers – taking the Miners Track past the first hut and up to the saddle, before the decent to Pinnacles Hutt begins. As I signed into the DOC intentions book I did ponder how long it would actually take me – this being a reccy for the Teva Run in late November which I am doing as a team with the flying Scotsman.

Due the rain we’d had during the week it was quite wet underfoot – to a point where there was a stream running down the track – a great way to wear in my new off trail shoes – ok so I may have stood in some muddy patches I didn’t need too! :)

It dawned on me throughout this hike/run which I guess kinda equates to a ramble (can it be called rambling when done outside of the UK I wonder?) that I have a bit of work to do on my running between now and coast. In reaching the saddle some 2.5 hours later I was rewarded with a sense of achievement and snow (and the knowledge it was pretty much downhill from here!)

So a successful solo mission complete, 4 hours in the saddle all up, injuries sustained - just 3:
1. Cut my finger (opening one of the farm gates on the way in) 2.Another smaller cut sustained on cutty cutty grass (or is it just cutty grass – hmm not sure)
3.Final injury – scrambling off trail to take a short cut and my leg got taken out by some falling debris – a wee reminder to stay on track when on your own!

Monday saw my first venture out on the road bike properly…probably since coast this year lol taking on short bays and shaving off around ten minutes on my usual time (still dam slow up those hills though!! J) I had a combined session where had to hit the hills running straight after – so of course I thought it would be a ‘great’ idea to head into unknown territory – so I headed up Farm Track – doh!

So much for running –the first 20 or so minutes was really uncomfortable – simultaneously my legs were screaming out me ‘you’ve got to be joking’ whist my brain was doing the math for Coast and telling me ‘you’ve got to be joking’, thankfully things started working again and it was great to get to the top of the Mt Vernon Track – take in the views and head off home.

This weekend is my first proper off trial run – The Flagpole Run Up – my aim for the day is to have lots of fun (and maybe take a few photos?? Lol)

Keep ya posted

Expecting the unexpected

Don’t you think that sounds like something Steve Gurney WOULD say… :)

My first Multisport race as an individual and what should I have expected?

1. Needing a nervous pee can sometimes actually be a sign you should ‘go’ before the start of the race and the sound of a rushing river forces a pit stop 10 minutes into the run

2. Whilst your number one rule in the kayak is never follow the person in front of you (pick your own lines), learning that having others (or their wet foot prints) to follow on a trail run is helpful…perhaps even vital… to avoid getting lost and losing precious time backtracking

3. Cycling along at 35km and suddenly having a knotted pain take hold of your calf muscle – so this is what cramp feels like!! – quelling the panic and trying to focus on the road ahead (and not wobbling off ones bike) getting it under control only to have the other calf follow suit – yikes this hurts!

Some may read this and think what a total mare of a race, but as Richard (my coach from Complete Performance) has taught me – you can learn from every experience and hence why we race!

So as I ponder in reflection of the day that was I remembered I managed to stay upright in my first ever attempt at multiple river crossings, I now appreciated there is no shame in power walking when running would blow yourself up on steep terrain and most importantlyI realised when the chips are down you just have to chillax and treat the experience as a training run (don’t tell Richard that)!

Next adventure – weather gods permitting, planets aligning and a stroke of good luck, we plan to get over Goats Pass this weekend!

Keep ya posted!

Blasting the 6 hour barrier

Donning my favourite pair of gummies I set off through the mornings drizzle to Mcleans Island for the Blue Dog Events 6 hour blast. Thankfully the weather gods had gotten out of the right side of bed as whilst wet under foot the rain had stopped although damp clouds were blanketed across the sky.

As I started gearing up it dawned on me the potential enormity of what I had chosen to do on this particular morning - to ride my mountain bike for 6 hours – non stop. Some would say I’m from the school of ‘throw yourself in the deep end’ – others perhaps just that I’m a bit loco – whatever the reason at 10am on that slightly grey day I found myself at the start line surrounded by 100’s of other keen mountain bikers.

Considering the rain we’d had over the recent wet week conditions were ok. It was a slow start with the mass of bikes crawling along the paddock, choking at the sides and spilling out riders left and right. The route itself was a great mix of 4WD, single track and a bit of the ‘new’ section which could only be described (to the uninformed such as myself) as a mini BMX track – with lots of rollovers. There were of course a couple of climbs up stops banks thrown in for good measure – just in case your legs were actually starting to recover after flying fast on sections of slick single track.

First lap - 34 minutes and reminding myself to not get caught up in the flurry and to pace myself (no easy task), laps 2 – 5 actually very pleasant and I could feel my confidence building in that I would achieve my objective of remaining on the bike for the whole 6 hours. Laps 6 – 7 feeling a bit tired now but continue with momentum knowing I am only getting closer to the point I no longer have to turn these pedals around. Lap 8 – its getting dark now – no hang on that’s just me almost passing out! Lol well perhaps not that bad but by this time some 5 hours into it I am in a whole world of hurt and having many conversations with myself about the meaning of life, endurance and convincing myself I need to push on through the physical and mental barriers. Lap 9 – pure magic, a fist full of Sharkies later, energy reserves I didn’t know exsisted and even overtaking people again – determined to make this last lap count. Finish – smiling – unbelievable ache in my legs – not sure if I want to sit, stand or perhaps just cry!

Awesome event, will back next year (but perhaps with some training under my belt). This weekend Frostbuster out in Methven – here’s hoping the hail stays away this year.

Pic below on the Waimak Sunday morning - days like this makes it all worth while!

Keep ya posted

Lazy n hazy

An ‘easy’ training week - admittedly sometimes I translate this into a ‘lazy’ training week, alas a habit that I need to kick this close to Coast. Running along Mt Vernon Valley track was a struggle, as I fought for air to my tired lungs I had to push down the anxiety in the pit of my stomach which called out to me ‘are you sure you are going to be ready’ and reassured myself it was ‘just one of those days’ …instead of feeling sorry for myself I should have spared a thought for those folks over in South Africa doing the legendary Fish Marathon – two days of the craziest paddling you’ll ever see!!

Sunday saw the inaugural race of the newly formed Down River Kayak Club Inc –The club has been born out of a passion for moving water racing, the desire to see the sport supported and the continuing development of both safety and its club members paddling skills. I bowed out of the racing aspect to help out doing tail end Charlie – coming in along the back of the field to ensure no ones left behind….despite the light flecks of snow that fell on our noses (that’s all we were prepared to poke out the window when arriving at Rakaia Bridge) the weather played nice – a bit of wind for good measure (just to separate the men from the boys) and everyone was greeted with a roaring bonfire and hot sizzers from the BBQ!

Amped by our success in the 6 hour challenge and wishing to ‘capitalise’ on my staying power in a moment of ‘non’ lucidness I thought it would a be a fantastic idea to enter the McLean’s Island 6 hour blast!?! So took my new pride of joy out for a wee spin to try and get myself in 'endurance mtb'ing mode lol' …watch this space for a full report from the weekend

Keep ya posted!

What WOULD Steve Gurney Do....

Endurance: staying power - patience - stamina - continued existence.

All these things came into play this past weekend with Spring Challenge, an awesome all girl teams adventure race.

Our team raced under the banner of ‘What Would Steve Gurney Do?’ (the man himself showed up at the finish line just to find out!). To quote Rosie Shakespeare – ‘there were highs and lows and places in-between’. For me the biggest take out was I lasted 6 hours 40 minutes of racing.

If you had run that last (flat) 3km picturesque trail around Lake Rotoiti to the finish line with me and happened to ask ‘do you have anymore in the tank’ I probably would have said no, thankfully the question wasn’t asked….nor you were there to ask it! : )

Ask me a year ago could I see myself out there racing for that length of time – the answer – in-between takes of chips and dip and probably a smattering of laughter would have been ‘holy shit batman, that’s just crazie’

So there I was, with my awesome teammates, rafting, hiking, mountain biking and mountain bike trekking around the gorgeous Nelson Lakes District. My Complete Performance training programme had seen me doing several ‘training missions’ in the lead up to this event –adventures in themselves!! and I can now say hand of heart I could probably walk about Victoria Park blindfolded and not get lost…ok well…maybe with an eye patch then!

My quads were pretty sore over the next few days – avoidance of all stairs was high on the list, however a massage from Jason at Good Massage and wearing skins as P.Js seemed to help the progress along. So feeling ‘almost’ normal again.

Hmmmm now where’s that diary of mine….

Keep ya posted!

So here it starts

135 days to go.

That’s 19 something weeks.

About 18 weekends.

In general broad terms I have just over 4 and bit months to go. 2010 Speight’s Coast to Coast 2010 as an individual.

Hmmm counting down in months seems to draw the least increase to the heart rate. .....Months it is then…for now.

After a successful winter of keeping up maintenance mode with my paddling (thanks to the Brass Monkey Kayak Series) and working on turning my shuffle into running (thanks to Karen at Fit For Life) the ‘summer season’ has finally arrived and I find my diary already bursting at its tatty and torn seams with a plethora of events!

I will attempt to recall the hurt, pain oh yes and of course the shear thrill of these as well as my training for this journey. It always surprises me when I mention I am training for Coast to Coast peoples reactions - 'that’s incredible' 'so brave' 'crazy'...but most of all 'I could never do that'. So I am here to say - 'um yeah actually you can'....seriously. Alas I have no god gifted athletic talents or abilities - my driving force has solely to be the best I can and keep challenging my own limits.

Keep ya posted!