A Day Off!

It's now mid-November so for Christchurch that means 'Show Week'! Traditionally, this is when countryfolk come to town to show their pigs, chickens, shiny tractors, wood choppng skills and to race their nags! The main events of the week are the three day A & P Show (like the New Forest Show), Tuesday's Cup Day, and Saturday at Riccarton Races.

'Cup Day' as it is known is when the top sulky racers (horse and cart racing!) compete for the New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway. It's a dressy day when everone starts out in their finest threads, drinks plenty of bubbles and ends up in a heap on the ground. As well as showing the elegant winners of the 'Fashion in the Field' competition, the local paper is very fond of showing shots of women being carried on shoulders or sitting with their heads between their knees examining the pavement!

Once again though we went along to Riccarton Racecourse for flat racing's New Zealand Cup. (There is a third New Zealand Cup during the week: a greyhound one at Addington Raceway). Again, hats are bought and people dress up for a day at the races. As is now our tradition, the day started with us having friends around for a champagne breakfast before heading off to the races. Actually, as I am training, my day started rather earlier with an intense training run!

At the races bets were laid (even though Chantal had no idea what the trifecta she betted on was), drinks were had, sausages barbecued and the sun threatened to come out! Unfortunately, there was a persistently cold wind all day and the high of 24 degrees never eventuated!

Towards the end of the afternoon, we decided to leave the windswept pastures to the hardier horsey folk and retreat to the sanctuary of Pomeroy's to watch New Zealand 's World Cup qualifier game against Bahrain . It was great watching a game of football in the pub at a normal time. In the past, we have watched England or The Netherlands at some riduculous time like 5am when the pubs do a roaring trade in pots of tea and bacon butties! For the record, the 'All Whites' won so they will be going to South Africa ! As per usual, Pom's provided good beer, food and company! It's a hard place to leave!

All in all, a good day was had! In case you are wondering, I did mange to clear the head to go for a bike ride on Sunday morning! I also took Tuesday afternoon off work to fit in the bike/long run session that I missed at the weekend. Training must not be neglected!

Halfway There!

I am now half way through my training program so the big race is just over three months away. So far I have not slacked off from my training program! Yes, I adjust it to fit around races and other activities (i.e. visits to Pom’s) but then that is expected as I am using a generic training program.

Overall, I am happy with how things are going as I can see and feel big improvements. This has been borne out by the improved times I have clocked in recent races, compared to ones from last year.

The last race I competed in was the Christchurch Multisport race (17 km run, 28 km cycle & 6 km paddle). This year I finished in 3:10:04 hrs which was a whopping 20 minutes faster than last year! I was stoked! A huge chunk of time was gained on the paddle. Admittedly, I paddled a multisport boat, this year, instead of our old Puffin sea kayak but I am also a much improved paddler, anyway! I also managed to shave some time off the run and bike legs. (Maybe shaving the legs will save me a few more precious seconds!)

I was also very pleased to beat two other people, who will remain nameless. Passing these two on the run up the Rapaki Track was very satisfying. Knowing they were behind really helped me dig in and keep going strongly, on the cycle and paddle legs! There is nothing like competition to provide motivation!

Support crew duties were performed by Chantal who did a great job of helping me transition from one leg to the other. Multisporters really rely on their support crews so it’s important to not forget them and even reward them. So yes, Chantal, you can go and buy a fascinator or hatinator to wear to the races on Saturday!

Restful Weekends

The weekend before last was a very sporty one. We arose early, on Saturday morning, for the drive to Flagpole Farm, where we were taking part in the Flagpole Hill Run-up. Although, for me, there was no running involved as I had entered the walk category. Walkers are on the whole slower than runners. Therefore, my start was an hour before the runners. Pete was aware of this but certainly not impressed...

Not having been on the course before I did not really know what I was letting myself into. Pete had told me a few things, so at least I had a vague idea. It was probably just as well that I did not know too much. The 5km slog up Flagpole Hill was steep but I managed it, and still felt fit enough to tackle the remaining 16km! Once Flagpole Hill was out of the way, I descended into the Selwyn River Gorge. The scenery here was absolutely beautiful, and I was enjoying myself until I came across the first real river crossing. The river was a little deeper, and flowing swifter, than I had anticipated. However, I safely crossed it and the following 12 other river crossings without any mishaps or swims!

Pete passed me about 2.5 hours after I had started. He was running well and in the top 25. I had an idea I was doing pretty well, too as I knew that not too many people were ahead of me. I kept the pace up as I felt really good, without any aches or pains. I managed to shake off 2 ladies right near the finish line and crossed the line in 3.25.26. I then found out I came first in my age category, 2nd in the women and 5th overall. Not a bad effort, if I say so myself… and I even got a prize for my efforts!

I really enjoyed myself and now wonder why I ever bothered to jog half marathons! Incidentally, Pete did do really well, too. He beat last year’s time by 4 minutes and finished 23rd out of 233 in 1.54.36. hrs. He wants to make the top 20 next year!

Saturday night we rested our weary legs, but only in the way of wearing Skins. We were invited to a BBQ at a friends' house but did not make it too late, as we had to be up early again on Sunday.

On the start line

Sunday morning was another early wake-up call; 7am is just too early! We had to be at the Waimakariri Gorge Bridge by 9am, for the second race of the Down River Kayak Racing Club series. Pete participates in these races to gain more experience of kayaking Grade 2 rivers.

Anyway, Sunday saw Pete enter the Waimakariri River at Horseshoe Bend. This is approximately the last 15km of the Coast to Coast river section, which meant it would be very good training for Pete. As the races have only started this year, they do not yet attract a big field, which means the races have a nice, friendly feel. However, people are out to win so serious paddling is the order of the day. On Sunday Pete shared the river with Steve Gurney, who holds the record of winning the Coast to Coast 9 times! Incidentally, Pete is currently reading Steve's biography!

The usual people did well in the race but Pete is not up there with the contenders… yet! Partly due to the fact that our Beachcomber is a lsea kayak, whereas the others have sleek, fast multisport boats. Anyway, Pete is confident in his ‘barge’ and wants to concentrate on a good paddle technique rather than get fatigued keeping a tippy boat upright!

After the race a skills course was set out. Only the really confident and good paddlers took part in this technically challenging exercise. In the end, it was between Steve Gurney and Ian Huntsman to set the winning time. They both thrive on competition, so we were there a while.....all good fun though!Steve Gurney on the skills course

For Pete, his training weekend was not yet complete as he still had to fit in a bike ride, that afternoon. I decided to cycle, too, so we found a nice circular route around Darfield. For Pete it was easy, as he has been training for a while, but I know I need to get out on my bike more. The 50 km ride we did was not that easy. Luckily I have a bit of time until my next event, a 60km road bike race at the end of January!