jo - day 4&5

Day 4. Collingwood

Started the day with a fairly uncomfortable run to the pool (50 min out and back up along concrete pavements with Russ and Steven) and full of intentions of a 6km swim, which would include 2 ‘points’ sets – 10 reps of 200m off 3:20 and 20 reps of 100m off 1:45. The former is manageable if I am swimming well and the latter would normally be attainable swimming steady, though this experience is from 25m pools, rather than the 50m that we were using today. I figured that it was worth giving the 200s a go first whilst fresh and following with the 100s afterwards. That should help the 6km pass by. Unfortunatly all did not go to plan, as the pool guy failed to show up and unlock as arranged at 7am and during the 25 min wait in damp run kit I cooled down a bit too much. The water was warm still from the previous (scortching) afternoon but I struggled to warm up, and thought the best thing was just to get going with the swim. After 3 reps I was failing to get in on the 3:20, so reverted to the 100 rep set…which Russell and Piet just happened to be starting off on in the adjacent lane. It was going ok for the first 4, I just missed the 5th and by the 6th could see that Russell had pulled away considerably and I wasn’t going to make it. I was getting pretty cold so I also decided to knock the long swim on the head and completed my minimum 3km with another 2x[5x 100/1:45 + 500 steady with paddles] and hopped in the van or a ride home and relaxed breakfast.

We rolled out on the bikes at 10;30am, for the relatively short trip to Collingwood. The pace was very gentle indeed since everyone was tired after their big ride the previous day. That suited me as it enabled me to ride easy and just get the sore quad working lightly. I felt so much better on the bike it was fabulous to be riding comfortably. There was a big climb to get over, with a points race and KOM over the top, but I wasn’t going to get drawn into that today. As it happened, there was considerable temptation to do so – finding myself some way behind the group as we started the ascent, I tried to put in some work and catch the back few and work my way through the groups during the climb, but after a short effort that proved too painful and resorted back to plan A – sticking at a comfortable power and taking my time. The 10km climb over 750m ascent proved pretty tough regardless and although my right leg and lungs were quite happy with the situation, left quad was far less pleased with the treatment and the whole of me pleased to finally reach the top. Great descent, albeit a little hairy in the very wet conditions, and a quick lunch preceded a 30km cruise into Collingwood for a relatively early end to the day, and plenty of time to notch up to 150km for an extra ‘camp point’.

Legs stiff as a board getting of the bike, but very satisfied to have been able to ride today.

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Day 5 Back in the Game

The day started with a sea swim race. The usual sick in the stomach fear that comes to me before every open water swim was present as we waited in the chilly morning for John to tie off the buoys for the (kiwi) 3k course, and as usual it subsided pretty soon after we got going and I realize that I’m actually enjoying myself. With so many strong swimmers on the camp, I really didn’t even consider racing this hard, just a great opportunity to swim a reasonable distance in my wetsuit. So, there I was, swimming steadily towards the buoys and ever receding arms and leg splashes of the others ahead, when I noticed that all of those who’d already reached the buoy were stood up and were walking around it. I realized that I as actually only swimming in about a foot of water myself! Still, I tried to ‘swim’ the whole distance – which I am sure was longer than 3km….

Another fine breakfast spread followed by a ride in the van to the start of the Heathy Track – a tramping trail – or a 2hr –ish off road run. I’d been a bit nervous as to how my quad would hold up on this, given that I’ve barely been able to run 50 min on it recently, but taking it nice and easy on the way up, it felt great to be running on trail, through the sunshine and screaming Ciccada chorus. We ran up the track for just over an hour, before turning about and running back down again. The descent was a little tougher, but I have done plenty of this sorts of running (and had a few falls) so got down reasonably quickly on my nice, fresh legs. A few of the guys tumbled on this decent and there were plenty of wounds to be mopped up at the bottom!

We hastily returned to Collingwood since the ‘free’ afternoon was going to allow me, in my revived condition, o try and make up a few of my missed bike miles. In 5 ½ hours I was pleased to get 150km done – ridden as 1hr easy, 2 hours steady, 1 hour moderate (IM race pace) and 2 hours hard (HIM-OLY pace) in order to squeeze those last mile in before the 12 hour deadline. An exhausting day but very pleasing to feel that I’m back in the game.