Tara's report on Day 7 and 8:

Epic Day 7: Alberts Point Run (3:50 when you get lost and do some serious bush-whacking), 3K swim, 60K bike up Coronet Peak

Woa, one day left!!!!!!! Right when I thought things couldn’t get any tougher, Day 7 happened. Only I suspect the toughest day will actually be tomorrow (yikes). Epic was taken to a whole new level today: The ‘long’ run up to Arthur’s Point was EPIC for sure! I was in the group that took some wrong turns and ended up running for 3 hours and bush whacking for 50mins. Seriously, we were out there for 3:50 and I have the cuts to prove it. But thanks to Albert (who went into backpacking mode from triathlon mode); he navigated us back to the path. I was just starting to think we may be spending the night in the bush, stranded for a LONG time.

We did get back in time to do the 3K swim (thank goodness because I was starting to worry that I had come all this way and may miss out on the bonus 10 points if I missed the pool time).

After the swim we rode up Coronet Peak and I seriously lost the ‘love train’ today – I couldn’t switch into my small ring on a wee climb out of town and everyone was GONE! I managed to catch a few and finished close to the yellow jersey for the KOM but I didn’t care about the KOM points! I have switched into survival mode!! These last few days I have spent more time on my own, but I will do everything in my power to finish this camp.Tomorrow is the “uphill” triathlon and we have to climb that same climb (up Coronet Peak) which is completely nutty and then run up the ski slopes to the summit after swimming in Lake Hayes.
Wowzers. Wish me luck!Have to run for my massage. More after camp completion tomorrow…

Epic Day 8: FINAL DAY: Uphill triathlon: Swim in Lake Hayes (to the other side and back), Ride from Lake Hayes past Arrowtown and up Coronet Peaks (again!) and then run to the top of the summit.

Woa, zero days left!!!!!!!! Today was the uphill triathlon. We swam across Lake Hayes and back and like the last few days, I missed the love train. I swam on my own but tried to enjoy the amazing lake despite my pure exhausted state. Onto the bike and up Coronet Peak again. That is some climb! Especially after hours of training in 7 days. But I just rode steady and made it to the top. The run up to the summit was pretty interesting as parts were so steep I was even having trouble walking. Talk about a whole new meaning to the Ironman shuffle!! The view at the top was worth all the pain. It was spectacular beyond words and being able to see the Crown Range where we rode, Lake Hayes where we swam, and Queenstown was incredible.
I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I did every workout and some, and I also met the greatest people, some of whom I am sure I will be friends with for a long time! I laughed A LOT (some of it in a state of delirium) and shared some amazing moments with amazing people. I am grateful to have been able to attend this camp, I am grateful that Scott Molina is my coach, and I am grateful that I was able to push myself to limits I have never achieved before now. Scott, Gordo, John and the support crew (John, Michaela, Chris, Rob and John) put on a PERFECT camp! I know I have gained a new fitness level and I have also gained new mental strength. Seriously, if you can do Epic, you can do anything!

I think my totals were:Swim: 42km
Bike: 1090kmRun: 125km

And TOTAL TRAINING TIME: 62hrs
My training log is now off the charts, like never before.

I worked hard, I dug deep, and I had the time of my life!!
Thanks for the “GOOD TIMES”!!
Tara