A Touch of Frost
Even though it is now mid-spring, this morning Christchurch awoke to a frost. Not a hard one but one that did leave the grass semi crunchy and the roof tops white. (I was glad that I had put my tomato plants in the garage!)
Awaking at 5:30 for a training paddle, I must admit that I didn’t particularly fancy it and seriously considered a run instead (staying in bed was not an option). Nevertheless, I packed my bag and cycled round to Arawa Canoe Club to use a club boat (Eclipse 5.7). I must say that once I was on the water I did not feel cold at all. The pogies kept my hands warm and a beanie kept my head toasty. In a ‘Wuthering Heights’ kind of way, it was quite beautiful paddling through the suspended mist and with the early morning sun shining at an oblique and blinding angle. There was just me, another kayaker, a few rowers, the hardy whitebaiters and the wildlife. Swans, ducks and the odd pukeko! I do like pukekoes! If you don’t know what one is you need to google it.
As part of my training program, I am entering various lead in races. It is important to enter various events so that transitions can be practised, the body gets used to using different muscle groups and progress can be gauged. There are two basic approaches to entering these races: use it purely as a training event, or race it. Personally, I feel that if I have paid money to enter an event then I want to do the best I can (even if it is someway down the finishing field).
Awaking at 5:30 for a training paddle, I must admit that I didn’t particularly fancy it and seriously considered a run instead (staying in bed was not an option). Nevertheless, I packed my bag and cycled round to Arawa Canoe Club to use a club boat (Eclipse 5.7). I must say that once I was on the water I did not feel cold at all. The pogies kept my hands warm and a beanie kept my head toasty. In a ‘Wuthering Heights’ kind of way, it was quite beautiful paddling through the suspended mist and with the early morning sun shining at an oblique and blinding angle. There was just me, another kayaker, a few rowers, the hardy whitebaiters and the wildlife. Swans, ducks and the odd pukeko! I do like pukekoes! If you don’t know what one is you need to google it.
As part of my training program, I am entering various lead in races. It is important to enter various events so that transitions can be practised, the body gets used to using different muscle groups and progress can be gauged. There are two basic approaches to entering these races: use it purely as a training event, or race it. Personally, I feel that if I have paid money to enter an event then I want to do the best I can (even if it is someway down the finishing field).
Unloading the kayak at Rakaia Gorge Bridge.Last Saturday, I competed in the Frostbuster Multisport Race (8.5 km trail run, 26 km road cycle & 15 km kayak). Last year, even though there was not a frost, it was an aptly named event: cold rain/sleet & windy. This year, however, the weather was pretty much perfect. There was no discernible wind and it was a good temperature. I had high hopes of beating last years running and cycling times, and posting a decent kayaking time.
Kayaks lined at the transitionPleasingly, I completed the race in 2:54.27 hrs, and beating my target time of 3 hrs. I knocked two minutes off last year’s run time, five minutes off the bike leg and clocked the same time for the kayak leg as I did in a kayak race a fortnight ago! I am pleased but already want to do better. I reckon I can knock 10 minutes off my kayak time if I have a multisport kayak!
Finishing this short (compared to other multisport events) race with an aching and tired body, did bring home to me how much training and effort I need to put in just to make the cut off times and complete the one day Coast to Coast race! Oh well, just under four months to go!
Chantal helping me transition from the cycle leg to kayak.
posted by pandc at
20.10.09
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