Epic Camp Prologue 2009 Prologue

If really doesn’t seem like long since the last epic, here we go again……

We’re just in from the welcome dinner. The usual ribbing is taking place with sandbagging a plenty and building everyone else up, just like before a big race. There are plenty of epic vets back for this camp that know the points system intimately. So some sneaky training for bonus points is sure to be taking place over the opening days. I was pretty sure I could open up in Italy with the Pink jersey but Steve “MadMan” Lord had other ideas. Russell Cox is looking bronzed and fit after spending some time on the Gold Coast and Chris MacDonald will kill us all on the bike if he wants to. With three speedy females on this camp there should be a different dynamic to this bunch which will be great. Tara Norton is back from killing us at ECNZ08 and Jo Carrit, likewise was ripping up the roads in ECIT08, finally Marylyn McDonald (triathlete turned cyclist) will be keeping us all honest.

We’ve got a great route on offer this time round. Scott and I are both regulars up the top of the South Island around Nelson and the Golden Bay which is where we spend the bulk of this camp. Neither of us have been on the Heefy Track which we will do a good long run mid week. There will be some great short races at Kaiteriteri beach,Lake Rotoiti and Nelson along with the usual daily dosage of swim, bike and run. Piet, our Dutch athlete, asked about gym workouts (which we do give a point for) but I am yet to see anyone make it to the gym on an epic camp.

I’m looking forward to riding some roads I haven’t ridden before on this camp. Day 3 (Kaikoura to Nelson 255km) looks like a cracker of a day. If you go 255km why not tack it up to 300km I say – but I might be singing a different tune after the first few days.

What I’m looking to get out of this camp? I’ve been doing some short course racing this kiwi summer and will continue to do so. On limited training volume I’ve been holding my own swimming and running but my biking has been really miserable so I really want to get a good lift. There are a few specific days/events I’ll be looking to target and give it a good push. Of course we need to make sure everyone gets their moneys worth so not letting anyone get an easy ride in the points jerseys will be a must.

Let’s see if I can keep up a daily blog this time round. Bevan will joining us from Tuesday so there will be daily podcasts from then at www.imtalk.me

Until tomorrow