Not Quite The Longest Day!
Thursday 12th February
The big day had almost arrived but first we had to get to the start line! We awoke to a wet and cool Christchurch summer’s day but I was not going to let that suppress my excitement! Leaving at 10 am, we drove to Kumara on the West Coast to set up camp and register for the race. Before leaving home, much checking and rechecking of gear had been done and it was all packed into the appropriate container (running gear and cycling gear). The last thing I wanted was to be prevented from competing because I had not packed items such as ankle reflectors!
Meeting Colin (my team mate) on the way, we arrived at a soggy Kumara racecourse, early in the afternoon. Choosing a pitch that was not too squelchy, we proceeded to erect the tent in the rain! Camping in the rain separates the soft from the hardened and I’m pleased to say that we did not let it affect us. Chantal & Ange (our support crew) even got themselves a beer whilst we athletes stuck to tea!
The rest of the day was spent reading through our registration packs, preparing gear and wandering around the camp looking at other people’s gear, in particular kayaks. We were amazed by the number of people opting for stable sea kayaks (lots of Barracuda Beachcombers like ours) and wondered how much faster the people in the longer, narrower, multisport kayaks would be. Being in tippier boats, we suspected many of them would fall out in the rapids!
As we were newbies, we had to attend the evening briefing and popped into the banquet . Being a primed athlete, I tucked into a gorgeous dessert of trifle and kiwi fruit pavlova before retiring for the night.
Friday 13th February (Day 1)
Meeting Colin (my team mate) on the way, we arrived at a soggy Kumara racecourse, early in the afternoon. Choosing a pitch that was not too squelchy, we proceeded to erect the tent in the rain! Camping in the rain separates the soft from the hardened and I’m pleased to say that we did not let it affect us. Chantal & Ange (our support crew) even got themselves a beer whilst we athletes stuck to tea!
The rest of the day was spent reading through our registration packs, preparing gear and wandering around the camp looking at other people’s gear, in particular kayaks. We were amazed by the number of people opting for stable sea kayaks (lots of Barracuda Beachcombers like ours) and wondered how much faster the people in the longer, narrower, multisport kayaks would be. Being in tippier boats, we suspected many of them would fall out in the rapids!
As we were newbies, we had to attend the evening briefing and popped into the banquet . Being a primed athlete, I tucked into a gorgeous dessert of trifle and kiwi fruit pavlova before retiring for the night.
Friday 13th February (Day 1)
The problem with most races is that an early start is required. Therefore, a 4:45 am alarm call signalled the start of the big day! Colin needed to be on his way to the start on Kumara Beach by 6 ish so he had his breakfast and got his kit together while we took the tent down in the drizzle.
Whilst Colin was on his way to Kumara Beach, we packed up and joined the convoy to Aicken’s Corner. This is the transition from the cycling stage to the mountain run stage. We arrived with enough time to cook up some energy providing porridge before walking down to the transition area.
When Colin raced in on his bike, our support crew got to work: transferring the transponder and race vest and I was off. Being a team not an individual competitor, I was able to set off at a good pace and quickly raced pass people. However, trying to pass people on the narrow sections was very difficult, if not impossible but I am pleased to say that most competitors are very considerate and step aside for faster runners.
I was aiming to arrive at Goat Pass in 3 hours but got there in 2:50 hours. That set me up for a 4 ½ hour finish! I just had to concentrate on my footing (roots, rocks, etc) and keep going but running into a headwind for the final 3-4 km along the Minga Riverbed (and probably my early pace) combined to wear me down so that I finished in 4:41 hours. I managed a good finishing sprint to end the stage at Klondyke Corner in Steve Gurney’s arms (9 times winner of the one day event).
I was pleased with my time as my target was 4:45 hours. I spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing with a couple of beers, a massage and ice cream before retiring to our tent at 8:30!
Saturday 14th February
How was your St Valentine’s Day? Probably not like mine. I awoke on a chilly morning at 4 am due to Ange and Katrina (Colin’s wife who arrived yesterday afternoon) arising at this ungodly hour. They had to take the kayak and gear to Mt White Bridge to be scrutinised and have ready for Colin’s arrival. Luckily, Chantal and I did not need to get up at that time so we rolled back over, dozed and read for a bit before getting up at 6ish. We then kept Colin company at the start of Stage 3 (15 km cycle before the 67km paddle) until his wave started.
After seeing Colin off, we packed up camp and drove straight to the Waimakiriri Gorge Bridge where I was to start Stage 4 (the 70 km cycle into Christchurch). I had about four hours before Colin’s arrival so I had plenty of time to set up my bike, have a cup of tea and read the paper!
About an hour or so before Colin was due in, we moved down to the transition area to soak in the atmosphere and wait for Colin’s arrival. There were hoards of people and kayaks down there. It all looked very chaotic and was very exciting. However, by this stage, I just wanted to get going.
Soon Colin paddled into view so Ange and Katrina jumped up ready to lift him out of the kayak. Like a newly born foal, he unsteadily made his way to the transition area where Chantal whipped off the transponder and transferred it to me.
Finally, I was off on the cycling leg into Christchurch. First of all though, there was a nasty 500m uphill run from the river bed to the bike stands. Slipping on my bike shoes, I grabbed my bike and jumped onto it.
Unluckily for me, there was nobody else transitioning at the same time so I had to go it alone into the headwind. I soon settled into a good rhythm and maintained a 30-32 km/h pace. As I passed people, I hoped that they would be able to tag on to me so that we could take turns drafting. No such luck but after ½ hour of going solo, I realised a couple of cyclists were working together and catching up with me. When they passed me, I was able to tag on to the rear wheel but soon the three of us were working together to rotate drafting and pace setting duties. For the next hour we maintained a 34-36 km/h pace, going like a train passing others. It’s amazing the effect sharing the work has.
On the edge of Christchurch, I realised I was hanging on and hoped that I could stay with the group. However, a nasty short climb up an overpass meant I dropped off the group and once that happens, it is almost impossible to get back on the rear wheel.
The final 10 km or so into Sumner was very hard work. The headwind got stronger and my legs were getting weaker; not a good combination! Going across the Causeway, my speed dropped to 22-24 km/h but once over it I found a little bit of strength from somewhere and managed to pick the speed up a bit. With the end in sight, I was able to put in one last spurt, before jumping off my bike and managing a sprint over the Finish line.
One of the best things about the Coast to Coast Race, is that everyone (elite athletes and the weekend warriors) are all treated equally. Every finisher is met by Robin Judkins (the race director) who shakes your hand, gives you a can of Speight’s and poses for a photo with you.
It was great to see Chantal, Markie, Michelle and Rose at the finish line. Thanks everyone! Michelle even brought a cup of tea with her for me so I had a beer in one hand and a tea in the other.
I had finished but was not ready to go home! I wanted to see the winner of the one day race come in, have a few beers and of course dip my feet in the sea (the race is called the Coast to Coast!).
So will I do it again? You bet! However, I want to up the stakes so will do the individual race in 2010. However, I have made a deal with a fellow competitor (Chris) to do the one day race (a.k.a. The Longest Day)
Whilst Colin was on his way to Kumara Beach, we packed up and joined the convoy to Aicken’s Corner. This is the transition from the cycling stage to the mountain run stage. We arrived with enough time to cook up some energy providing porridge before walking down to the transition area.
When Colin raced in on his bike, our support crew got to work: transferring the transponder and race vest and I was off. Being a team not an individual competitor, I was able to set off at a good pace and quickly raced pass people. However, trying to pass people on the narrow sections was very difficult, if not impossible but I am pleased to say that most competitors are very considerate and step aside for faster runners.
I was aiming to arrive at Goat Pass in 3 hours but got there in 2:50 hours. That set me up for a 4 ½ hour finish! I just had to concentrate on my footing (roots, rocks, etc) and keep going but running into a headwind for the final 3-4 km along the Minga Riverbed (and probably my early pace) combined to wear me down so that I finished in 4:41 hours. I managed a good finishing sprint to end the stage at Klondyke Corner in Steve Gurney’s arms (9 times winner of the one day event).
I was pleased with my time as my target was 4:45 hours. I spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing with a couple of beers, a massage and ice cream before retiring to our tent at 8:30!
Saturday 14th February
How was your St Valentine’s Day? Probably not like mine. I awoke on a chilly morning at 4 am due to Ange and Katrina (Colin’s wife who arrived yesterday afternoon) arising at this ungodly hour. They had to take the kayak and gear to Mt White Bridge to be scrutinised and have ready for Colin’s arrival. Luckily, Chantal and I did not need to get up at that time so we rolled back over, dozed and read for a bit before getting up at 6ish. We then kept Colin company at the start of Stage 3 (15 km cycle before the 67km paddle) until his wave started.
After seeing Colin off, we packed up camp and drove straight to the Waimakiriri Gorge Bridge where I was to start Stage 4 (the 70 km cycle into Christchurch). I had about four hours before Colin’s arrival so I had plenty of time to set up my bike, have a cup of tea and read the paper!
About an hour or so before Colin was due in, we moved down to the transition area to soak in the atmosphere and wait for Colin’s arrival. There were hoards of people and kayaks down there. It all looked very chaotic and was very exciting. However, by this stage, I just wanted to get going.
Soon Colin paddled into view so Ange and Katrina jumped up ready to lift him out of the kayak. Like a newly born foal, he unsteadily made his way to the transition area where Chantal whipped off the transponder and transferred it to me.
Finally, I was off on the cycling leg into Christchurch. First of all though, there was a nasty 500m uphill run from the river bed to the bike stands. Slipping on my bike shoes, I grabbed my bike and jumped onto it.
Unluckily for me, there was nobody else transitioning at the same time so I had to go it alone into the headwind. I soon settled into a good rhythm and maintained a 30-32 km/h pace. As I passed people, I hoped that they would be able to tag on to me so that we could take turns drafting. No such luck but after ½ hour of going solo, I realised a couple of cyclists were working together and catching up with me. When they passed me, I was able to tag on to the rear wheel but soon the three of us were working together to rotate drafting and pace setting duties. For the next hour we maintained a 34-36 km/h pace, going like a train passing others. It’s amazing the effect sharing the work has.
On the edge of Christchurch, I realised I was hanging on and hoped that I could stay with the group. However, a nasty short climb up an overpass meant I dropped off the group and once that happens, it is almost impossible to get back on the rear wheel.
The final 10 km or so into Sumner was very hard work. The headwind got stronger and my legs were getting weaker; not a good combination! Going across the Causeway, my speed dropped to 22-24 km/h but once over it I found a little bit of strength from somewhere and managed to pick the speed up a bit. With the end in sight, I was able to put in one last spurt, before jumping off my bike and managing a sprint over the Finish line.
One of the best things about the Coast to Coast Race, is that everyone (elite athletes and the weekend warriors) are all treated equally. Every finisher is met by Robin Judkins (the race director) who shakes your hand, gives you a can of Speight’s and poses for a photo with you.
It was great to see Chantal, Markie, Michelle and Rose at the finish line. Thanks everyone! Michelle even brought a cup of tea with her for me so I had a beer in one hand and a tea in the other.
I had finished but was not ready to go home! I wanted to see the winner of the one day race come in, have a few beers and of course dip my feet in the sea (the race is called the Coast to Coast!).
So will I do it again? You bet! However, I want to up the stakes so will do the individual race in 2010. However, I have made a deal with a fellow competitor (Chris) to do the one day race (a.k.a. The Longest Day)
posted by pandc at
23.2.09
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