It's a wrap

It’s a wrap….

The dust is settling after a great Epic Camp. At the start of every camp athletes and support crew have visions of being able to provide daily insights into the camp. As you have probably read KP was the only one that managed to stay on top of this. The camp is a complete drain on all time, energy and will to do anything that will not assist you in meeting your daily targets. God know what is going to happen in France where locating internet access is like finding a needle in a haystack..

It was a new insight for me watching from the outside as athletes ventured into un-chartered territory after the first few days of training. The challenge we set was to meet the daily targets for 10 of the 11 official days of training (day 12 is just for fun). If you look through the points table the athletes with the bonus 20 points are the one’s that really deserve a lot of credit. Having been a camper myself I know how incredibly hard this is to achieve. There were some quiet achievers who never complained and just did the business day in and day out. You might not have seen there names in lights but guys like Matt Erbele, Ciaran Cassidy, Randy Weintraub, Monica Byrn and Jason Rivas were like the energizer bunnies (they just kept going and going and going). It was just like watching an Ironman unfold. I couldn’t believe the carnage on day one to Akaroa and back. There were bodies splattered everywhere. But as we know an Ironman doesn’t really start until halfway on the marathon. Epic Camp doesn’t really start until week 2.

I’ve got some more thought that I want to put down but it’s going to take a few more days to get on top of things.

Epic France is now open for registration. It will be another amazing chapter in Epic history.

Thanks for reading

John

Mon to Wed

All a bit late sorry
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Monday 16th – The monster ride

Clear and sunny at the start today but one small issue which was a head wind. This wouldn’t normally be so bad but it was a 230km ride today. As usual I gave the description of the terrain as “kiwi rolling” which loosely translates to hilly as hell. I did feel a little sorry for the guys as we zipped past them in the van and they were in a single pace line crawling along. So I was surprised that when they arrived at aid station 1 quite chipper. The scenery today was nothing short of spectacular which probably helped.

For many today was new PR for distance on the bike. 230km is a long long way but everyone took it in their stride and still managed their 50min run + 3km swim AFTER the ride. This is really what epic is about – pushing the boundaries you never thought possible.

Tonight we stayed at the small town of Westport, a place famous for having about 15 pubs in the main street. There are some hard nuts around here with most involved in mining, forestry and farming. It seemed only right that we head out to taste the local ale. The support crew really savor the 1hr we usually take to the pub most nights. It’s go go go from 5:30am to 9pm every day. There’s always something to do or someone asking for something. That’s what we’re there for and it’s an enjoyable role, but sitting down for a laugh at the end of the day is great. It’s a great team with Pete, Michaela, Daryl and our masseuse Richard.


Tuesday 17th – Keep on rolling

I was chastised again for describing the route as ”rolling” today. To be honest I really didn’t have too much of a clue for the terrain today but we were skirting along the West Coast of the South Island so I figured it wouldn’t be flat. As we checked out of our accommodation I asked the host what the ride would be like and she looked at me as if we were lunatics. Rolling here eyes she told me it was up, down, up, down, up ……… ahhhh another kiwi rolling day I said to myself with a smile.

The West Coast has a huge annual rainfall so I’d forewarned the guys to expect for the worst. What turned out was a stunning day with unbelievable scenery. Scott Molina said to me it was one of the most beautiful coastal rides he has ever done. Some of the others were having other thoughts and Jonas was heard to say “don’t they know how to build f……ing tunnels in this country”.

As a coach I’m always looking at athletes technique and giving feedback when and where I can. As we head into the tail end of Epic NZ some of the guys technique is starting to falter noticeably. However some of this is not fatigue induced. I’d driven past Matt Erbele several times noting he was rolling all over his saddle. He later told me that his undercarriage isn’t doing so good and he is a constant state of trying to find a comfortable position.

Wednesday 18th – West Coast Weather
As I mentioned in my previous post the West Coast is renowned for rain and today it showed it’s face big time. Our planned triathlon was turned into a aquathon as the heavens opened. I don’t actually know how much rain came down but it was forecast to be 8.5 inches. There were a few no shows for the aquathon which was a little disappointing. Sure it was incredibly wet but it wasn’t cold. Stephan finally cracked Clas taking the win with Jonas 2nd and Clas 3rd.

There was a little concern about the midday 65km ride to Arthurs Pass. This is one serious climb with sections up to 20%. The committee (Gordo, Scott and myself) convened and we decided that we’d roll out and give it a go. To their credit most of the guys made it and loved every minute of it (well maybe not every minute). With all the rain the waterfalls were stunning. Even with the rain the Pass is amazing sight.

Tomorrow is the last training day (Friday is special events day). It’s 170km and you guessed it the first 80-100km are “rolling”.

Sun 15th

It’s 3 months to the day since Hawaii where I managed to do some pretty decent damage to my groin. I wasn’t able to run until Christmas and since then I’ve managed a handful of runs at best (my longest run was on Friday when I did 1hr on the Abel Tasman). So running a half marathon today was always looking a bit ambitious. I set off with fast boys and I was surprised that the pace was quite brisk. I hung for a while but it didn’t last and the rest of the event was a bit of a suffer fest. After a while I just settled into a steady pace and could really muster much more. I’m thinking that I will rise tomorrow with some significant muscle soreness.

Today is the last relaxing (relatively) for the support crew as we hit the road again tomorrow. It’s 230km which for most will be the longest ride of their lives. Great stuff…… should be some awesome scenery.

I had a chuckle today when I was in the shower block. You know guys are getting tired when you see plastic chairs in the shower. There is some serious fatigue kicking in now.

Sun 15th

It’s 3 months to the day since Hawaii where I managed to do some pretty decent damage to my groin. I wasn’t able to run until Christmas and since then I’ve managed a handful of runs at best (my longest run was on Friday when I did 1hr on the Abel Tasman). So running a half marathon today was always looking a bit ambitious. I set off with fast boys and I was surprised that the pace was quite brisk. I hung for a while but it didn’t last and the rest of the event was a bit of a suffer fest. After a while I just settled into a steady pace and could really muster much more. I’m thinking that I will rise tomorrow with some significant muscle soreness.

Today is the last relaxing (relatively) for the support crew as we hit the road again tomorrow. It’s 230km which for most will be the longest ride of their lives. Great stuff…… should be some awesome scenery.

I had a chuckle today when I was in the shower block. You know guys are getting tired when you see plastic chairs in the shower. There is some serious fatigue kicking in now.

Saturday 14th

Saturday 14th

I guess there was a reason why there wasn’t a toaster in the accommodation block that we are staying in. We found out the hard way at 6am this morning when someone decided to burn some toast and got the fire department out of bed. Needless to say everyone was on time this morning for swimming.

On Epic Australia last year we had a triathlon to the top of Mt Kosiscos (highest point in Auz). This included some massive climbing on the bike with Bjorn off the front. Behind was Clas, myself, Gordo and Scott. I wasn’t surprised that Clas & Gordo (both pro’s) were chasing but Molina showed he still what it takes when he wanted to turn it on. Today was a repeat performance. The bike was a 170km ride including a double crossing of the takaka hill (750m elevation gain each way). All the athletes regrouped at the bottom of the climb and started together. I decided that I’d like to get in a bike so I started at the back of the bunch. The group shattered within seconds of hitting the climb so I thought I better make my way to the front quickly where Scott had applied some pressure and was already starting to pull off the front. For the first 2-3km Scott was staying out of his seat and tapped out a solid pace while everyone fell by the wayside. When the gradient eased I thought I better get on the front and help out the cagey veteran. As we neared the plateau we were both slowing considerably but I felt like Scott’s domestique and I wanted to pull him all the way – I was hurting big time though. As we rolled over the top Scott got the double bonus KOM points with Clas, Mike & Stephen about 1min back. I knew Scott would drop down the other side like a stone, turn and then try to hold on for the return climb. He held on until 1km from the top when Clas finally caught him and spat him out the bike. Still a great performance from Scott.

The fatigue is really setting in for the guys. Tomorrow we have a “guess your time half marathon” which should be interesting. Then Monday we have a monster 230km day

Day 3

After a trip to the pub last night Peter and I gingerly got out of bed at 5:30am and opened up our day with a 30mins run. As we ran out of the lodge I felt a warm breeze whistling through the trees. Most would jump for joy but Peter and I knew that this would make for a difficult day. We knew within a few hours this wind would be up to Hawaii proportions and we’d be heading straight into it.

With the athletes leaving in two groups this morning we frantically packed up so we could get to the first aid station on time. As we zipped past the bunches there was not a smile in sight. I’d described the route as ‘rolling’ but the reality was it was pretty tough going and with the head wind this was amplified.

Aid station 1
Jason Rivas “that was the f***** hardest 50km riding in my life”. This is what we want to hear on Epic. Many of the athletes are now hitting record weekly totals and its only day 3. Throw in a bit of wind and some decent climbs and they’ll come out the other side with massive gains in mental and physical strength.


I’m going to try and get out for some training now (7pm)

Day 2

Day 2

It’s official; support crew duties is as hard as doing the training. I was up at 4:45am this morning to pack and get ready for 10 days on the road. It’s been a long last week with plenty more to come.

After yesterdays carnage I was a little worried that the guys were going to be spread far and wide again today. Thankfully I was wrong this time.

The roll out was apparently quite gentlemanly and we hit our first stop of the day with the group in tact. The second part of the stage was through the rolling Weka Pass. With KOM points on offer there was sure to be some action. Clas and Stephen came steaming up the final rise with Clas taking it by half a wheel. Mike continued to dominate the civilian category, again taking maximum points. I was really pleased to see the tail enders not far behind and seemingly enjoying the day more than yesterday.

As we rolled to the tourist town of Hanmer Springs the sun was blazing and NZ was showing off its top notch scenery. It’s days like this that I’m bloody proud to be a kiwi and show off our wicked country.

The guys are now starting to relax and there’s plenty more banta. The war stories are already getting longer and more extravagant. God knows what they will sound like at the end of the camp. That’s the great thing about Epic, it really is a once in a lifetime experience for most of these guys. They are covering distance most of them never thought possible.

I remember last year when I started the camp I said I didn’t give a toss about the points competition. Yet after a couple of days I was watching the totals quite closely. Before this camp there were plenty of athletes who started out like I did last year. It’s only day two and those that said they did care are already paying close attention to the points totals J

It’s now 10pm and the support crew have a 5:30am run planned tomorrow so it’s time to hit the sack

Day 1

Yesterday we had howling nor west winds in Christchurch and I boldly told the guys that tomorrow was forecast to be clear with light winds. I guess 1 out of two isn’t bad. The wind had certainly dropped right away but we were greeted by a light drizzle that stayed with us until about 11am.

Scott, Gordo & I decided to open the camp with the traditional 2000m timed at the pool. Sitting on the sidelines was quite entertaining. No quarter was given with plenty on head on collisions, cracked arms and the odd dunking here and there. Times were not hugely important to most – all they wanted to do was log their 3km to get their swim point for the day. As always there was some controversy with points scoring. The rules are if you use a pull buoy the distance only counts if you putt on a band. There’s “no hoax training on Epic Camp”

On to the bike and we had a classic installed. The Akaroa return ride of around 190km. We’d hoped that the team would stay together for much of the opening day but boys will be boys and apparently the hammer went down pretty early. By the time I caught up on the Akaroa highway the campers were splattered everywhere. Almost everyone looked to be in their Big Rings giving it plenty. Each time I stopped and drove past the front group it was whittled down a little more. By the time we hit the big climbs into Akaroa it was complete carnage. As I write this I am sitting in the van on the outskirts of Christchurch waiting for the tail enders so I can direct them home. With out new cut off rule of no training past 8pm a few may be pushed to fit in their 10km run after the bike. Whatever happens I think everyone will sleep soundly tonight myself included. I’ve actually found the last few days harder than doing the camp last year. There’s always something to do or get ready.

I’m really looking forward to observing the next few days. I saw some guys out there today riding really sensibly and others who I think pushed a little out of their comfort zone which may come back to haunt them come day 4 or 5 when the fatigue starts to really kick in.

If I get time when I get back I’ll try to include some post training observations

Epic Camp Prologue

Epic NZ Prologue

This time last year I was embarking on my first Epic Camp not knowing what the hell to expect. Whilst I had done some BIG training and racing in all corners of the globe I had never attempted 12 days of back to back BIG training. Epic Australia was massive!! It was an adventure into the unknown and the athletes loved it. I went on to finish 10th at Ironman NZ, Epic played a big hand in this result. Twelve months down the track and I have joined forces with Gordo & Scott to take the Epic brand to a new level. Last year I was reporting from the inside, this year I will be taking an outsiders view as I am now the Epic Point man on all organization (there’s no Ironman for me this season as I’m getting married in February!). With the daily diaries of Scott, Gordo, myself and other campers we should be able to provide you with an interesting insight to 12 days of sweat, tears and glory (apologies in advance if we don’t get reports up every day as there might not be internet access everywhere we go).

Epic NZ is starting from Christchurch where Scott, Gordo and myself all live. We’ve got an awesome route planned with some monster days taking in the natural beauty of New Zealand. We open up with the Christchurch to Akaroa return ride of around 190km. This is a classic ride with about 2hrs of flat to open up then a 7km climb followed by about 15kms of short sharp climbs. We then turn and do it all again (we gain about 2000m on the whole ride). I love this ride but my god it’s hard if you get a bit excited on the way out. I’ve lost count on the numbers of times I’ve cracked on the final 7km climb. Just to make it interesting we have King of the Mountains points up for grabs on both crossings.

Epic NZ is going to be an adventure we’ll all remember for a long time. The benefits of epic are not just physiological as has been documented on previous camps. Completing Epic Camp makes Ironman seem so much easier mentally. It just doesn’t seem like that big a day when you’ve done 12 days of maintaining around 10hrs training per day. I look forward to sharing the next 12 days with you.

Cheers
John