tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759Sat, 30 Jan 2010 07:27:41 +0000http://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/noreply@blogger.com (john)Blogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-301322367611625860Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:24:00 +00002010-01-18T20:25:12.083+13:00ECNZ 2010 – Day 15 – Balclutha to Bluff part 2<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Everyone was in good spirits for the roll out this morning although the profile looked like we were in for a tough day. After about 1km we turned off the main road and for the rest of the days ride we were on a great coastal road around the Catlins where it seemed traffic washttp://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2010/01/ecnz-2010-day-15-balclutha-to-bluff_18.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-8392512329559517100Sun, 17 Jan 2010 04:41:00 +00002010-01-17T17:42:35.563+13:00We made it.Great day, great sights, sunny day and tail winds. All good.Off to celebrate now - more tomorrowhttp://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2010/01/ecnz-2010-day-15-balclutha-to-bluff.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-5192477875255160049Sat, 16 Jan 2010 06:42:00 +00002010-01-16T19:43:31.619+13:00ECNZ 2010 – Day 14 –Waianakarua to Balclutha<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> 15mins to dinner so this is going to be quick. A bit of sting in the tail of Epic. First 50km was friendly riding – niceThen an awesome stretch off the main highway via Karitane, some tough climbs and lovely views. Along with that the scariest moment of the camp. We were http://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2010/01/ecnz-2010-day-14-waianakarua-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-166313448060519983Fri, 15 Jan 2010 08:22:00 +00002010-01-15T21:23:06.770+13:00ECNZ 2010 – Day 13 – Geraldine to Waianakarua<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> A couple of highlights todayThe pool in Geraldine. A awesome 25m pool in a tiny town that none of us locals (Myself, Scott, Gordo etc) knew of. The coastal ride from Oamaru to Waianakarua. The highlight of the camp for me so far. A brilliant stretch of coastal road, sun in thehttp://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2010/01/ecnz-2010-day-13-geraldine-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-2856553097829290767Thu, 14 Jan 2010 06:33:00 +00002010-01-14T19:33:47.175+13:00ECNZ 2010 – Day 12 – <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Christchurch to Geraldine<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Ahh the highs and lows of Epic Camp and the NZ summer. I really wanted to show off my favourite run in Christchurch to the crew today. It was always going to be tough throwing a hilly 17km run onhttp://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2010/01/ecnz-2010-day-12-christchurch-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-7793583155938090666Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:07:00 +00002010-01-13T21:08:20.122+13:00ECNZ 2010 – Day 11 – Kaikoura to <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Christchurch (home)<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> I’ve made it home to my family so this will be very brief.Ran to the pool and did 1km easy, 5x200 on 3min and 10x100 on 1:30 with Dan and Tara. Bike threatened to be hellish with headwindshttp://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2010/01/ecnz-2010-day-11-kaikoura-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-7912786326408938969Tue, 12 Jan 2010 06:58:00 +00002010-01-12T19:59:47.466+13:00ECNZ 2010 – Day 10 –Blenheim to Kaikoura<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> After yesterdays rest day everybody looked keen this morning. I had a target on my back by putting on helmet cam facing backwards (for the TV crew). With a KOM only about 15km into the ride there were fireworks as we left town. I was more concerned about athletes falling off their http://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2010/01/ecnz-2010-day-10-blenheim-to-kaikoura.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-5076728053214681079Mon, 11 Jan 2010 06:56:00 +00002010-01-11T19:57:34.422+13:00ECNZ 2010 – Day 8 – <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Wellington – Picton - Blenheim<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Today is a mandatory re-group day. An Epic first if I am not mistaken. We’ve got varying levels of fatigue through the camp but nobody is complaining. I actually feel pretty good, we’ll see http://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2010/01/ecnz-2010-day-8-wellington-picton.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-1927572237532773829Sun, 10 Jan 2010 07:29:00 +00002010-01-10T20:30:10.685+13:00ECNZ 2010 – Day 8 – Masterton to <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Wellington<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Good old windy Wellington delivered again. I think every time I have been to the capital in my life it has been miserable and I’d estimate I’ve been here about 15 times. I changed today’s plan, http://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2010/01/ecnz-2010-day-8-masterton-to-wellington.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-8512320782050532330Sat, 09 Jan 2010 08:27:00 +00002010-01-09T21:28:27.339+13:00ECNZ 2010 – Day 7 – Wanganui to Masterton<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> The bottom of the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />North Island is in sight and it feels good. A couple of days back we didn’t seem to have made much progress after some tough days but now we’re getting somewhere. I had to drive thehttp://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2010/01/ecnz-2010-day-7-wanganui-to-masterton.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-8775134150528252026Fri, 08 Jan 2010 07:41:00 +00002010-01-08T20:48:54.933+13:00ECNZ 2010 – Day 6 – Turangi to Wanganui<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Today’s profile showed us descending from a high point of 900m elevation to sea level. On the face of it I thought it was going to be a relatively straight forward day. However throw in about 1.5hrs of persistent rain to start with and a total of 2000m of climbing and we had anotherhttp://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2010/01/ecnz-2010-day-6-turangi-to-wanganui.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-7509930590983717467Thu, 07 Jan 2010 08:28:00 +00002010-01-07T21:28:51.162+13:00ECNZ 2010 – Day 5 – Matamata to Turangi<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> On most Epic Camps cracks start to appear on day 5 and this camp is no different. After a fairly torrid opening few days everyone is getting tired and some, myself included, a little cranky at times. I got some negative thoughts as we were hammering along well above the pace I http://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2010/01/ecnz-2010-day-5-matamata-to-turangi.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-3707374219359558779Wed, 06 Jan 2010 08:12:00 +00002010-01-06T21:13:56.083+13:00ECNZ 2010 – Day 4 –<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />North Shore / Coromandel to Matamata<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> Long day and I am short on time. I don’t remember who made the suggestion to get a ferry to Coromandel from the North Shore but is a brilliant idea. It didn’t cut any distance, we http://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2010/01/ecnz-2010-day-4-north-shore-coromandel.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-2138758786751572279Tue, 05 Jan 2010 07:38:00 +00002010-01-05T20:40:07.451+13:00ECNZ 2010 – Day 3 – Whangarei to <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />North Shore <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> We opened up the day with an easy 2km run to the pool and I did the 3km IM set (12 x (100IM / 150 Free – continuous). This was made slightly more challenging as the main 25m pool was closed this http://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2010/01/ecnz-2010-day-3-whangarei-to-north.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-2076062875355232660Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:55:00 +00002010-01-04T20:56:08.903+13:00ECNZ 2010 – Day 2 –Kataia to Whangarei<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> On this camp we have approximately 2/3 epic vets and 1/3 newbies. This is a pretty common trend with many athletes coming back many times for there dose of Epic madness. One of the reasons the camps go down so well is the support crew who work their butts off and today threw some http://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2010/01/ecnz-2010-day-2-kataia-to-whangarei.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-1089465113518168053Sun, 03 Jan 2010 08:32:00 +00002010-01-03T21:33:49.365+13:00ECNZ 2010 – Day 1 – <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Cape Reinga to Kataia<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> We’ve got a TV production company following us on this camp so all you readers can forward to a documentary of what we are doing some time down the track. When they shoved a mic in front of me at the http://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2010/01/ecnz-2010-day-1-cape-reinga-to-kataia.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-4764570402377933543Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:27:00 +00002009-12-31T10:40:34.854+13:00Prologue – ECNZ 2010 – “The length of New Zealand”My first epic camp was in Australia in January 2005. I was an Epic greenie and wasn’t really sure what I was getting myself in for - it’s fair to say there was plenty of apprehension with the distances we had planned. Gordo just said to come along and get some solid training done as I was training up for my first serious attempt at an Ironman (I http://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2009/12/prologue-ecnz-2010-length-of-new.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-4534699001890099599Tue, 10 Feb 2009 02:43:00 +00002009-02-10T15:43:58.450+13:00Swim events (400IM, 200 kick, 50 free)Triathlon (Swim 1.5km / Bike 40km / Run 10km)The swim events are always fun to watch. Mike Walker takes the prime for entertainer of the day with his 10min for 200m kick. He was in the first heat and the 2nd heat finished before he was done. Some mid event coaching from Heath helped him along. Mike was first to say he was off for some swim coaching when he http://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2009/02/day-8.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-8776051299373453782Tue, 10 Feb 2009 02:42:00 +00002009-02-10T15:43:10.139+13:00Bike – 16kmSwim – 30min lake swimRun – 50minsWe don’t get a whole bunch of injuries on epic camp which is strange given the nature of what we do. Yesterday after doing some big pulls on the front I felt me knee going on me as we approached the winery. I absolutely grovelled home on one leg and hoped a nights sleep might do the trick. It didn’t. After about 1min of riding this morning the pain http://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2009/02/day-7-broken-man.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-323412955323501197Fri, 06 Feb 2009 08:59:00 +00002009-02-06T22:00:20.636+13:00Swim 50minsBike 140km (broken)Aquathon swim 1.5km / run 8kmWe opened up with a catch up 50min open water swim at 6:30am – this was to catch up the swim we missed on the big bike day. I spotted a buoy several hundred meters off short and was going to do a couple of loops of it. The water at Collingwood is very tidal and shallow. As we swam out it just didn’t get any deeper (.5-2m) and we could seehttp://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2009/02/day-6-takaka-take-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-1297527277063932450Fri, 06 Feb 2009 08:58:00 +00002009-02-06T21:59:14.671+13:00Swim 3km open water raceRun 2hrs (Heefy Track)Bike 60kmChris McDonald says I am trying to get back at all the race organisers who set short swim courses by always setting long one’s. Today I threw a couple of buoys out and eyeballed it as about 2.8km but in reality it was about 3.2km. Unsurprisingly “the fish” took it out pretty easily. In the bunch behind was myself, Scott sitting on the toes ofhttp://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2009/02/day-5.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-1078330729643108860Thu, 05 Feb 2009 02:10:00 +00002009-02-05T15:11:44.772+13:00Run 50minsSwim 3kmBike 130km incl 16km race/KOM over Takaka hillBefore I start you can catch the McDonalds blogs on www.trimacca.comIt was always going to happen. Last night I was beaming after seeing the forecast for the next few days – clear, cloudless, warm days. What happened today - gentle rain pretty much all day, nice work met service!When Mullie and I were doing the podcast earlier this http://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2009/02/day-4-its-supposed-to-be-summer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-6603799698370127716Tue, 03 Feb 2009 09:08:00 +00002009-02-03T22:09:33.268+13:00Bike 255km Kaikoura to NelsonRun 50minsSometimes we have to bend the rules on epic camp and today was one of those days. Normally we have to swim, bike and run each day but today we ran out of time to swim given the brutal bike – don’t worry though, campers still have to do the swim by catching it up later in the camp in order to achieve “camp completion”.255km is a long way, throw in a ton of http://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2009/02/day-3-big-ride.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-8342395642569420195Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:40:00 +00002009-02-03T21:41:31.289+13:00Swim – 3kmBike – 190kmRun – 10kmEverybody seems to think I’m sand bagging when I say I’m in miserable bike shape (and have been for some time) but today was just a horrendous display.The swim was pretty straight forward swimming with Roly’s swim squad at QEII. Today’s bike was a toughie from Christchurch to Kaikoura (190km) with no shortage of climbing. The KOM at 85km was interesting. Macca washttp://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2009/02/day-2-oh-baby-that-hurt.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20441759.post-2083388388796712017Sun, 01 Feb 2009 07:38:00 +00002009-02-01T20:43:10.941+13:00Day 1 – The Old West Coast Road has the last laugh.Run 10kmSwim 3.2km incl 2km TTBike 150kmAhh the tactics of epic camp are entertaining. Everyone says “I don’t care about the points”, that lasts about 5 seconds once we get going.We opened up with the traditional 2km TT in the pool. Before we even dived in it was apparent Heath “the fish” Thurston (I’m giving everyone nicknames on this camp) was http://www.epiccamp.com/blogs/john/2009/02/day-1-old-west-coast-road-has-last.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (john)