jo - day 6

Day 6 Aquathon

Motivated by a good day yesterday, I decided to get up and go for a bonus 2 hour run before breakfast. This meant setting off in the dark with a head torch at 5:15 and heading out on the road toward the Farewell Spit. I was running very slowly, legs still tired from the hard ride yesterday afternoon but enjoying the dawn chorus and incredible sunrise over the estuary.

Arrived back just in time for a big breakfast and pack up to move on again. We were heading back to Nelson – via Waikirikiri for an Aquathon race. Initially I was feeling good riding the group, but this was because the pace had set out very easy. As soon as the pace picked up I began to feel pretty nauseous from my ‘double breakfast’. I’d tried to get extra calories in to refuel after my run as well as fueling for the ride, but you cant fit a pint in a half pint pot and spent the next couple of hours throwing it up again into the side of the road. I wasn’t able to take on any water and my legs just drained of all their power. I was disappointed to be so far off the back and not have the energy for a strong ride up the hill to Takaka but I was glad to make it, thanks to a tow over the gently rising approach from Heath! It didn’t seem as bad going up this side as it had from the other way. Managed to consume some coke and water at the top and made my way down to meet the others at Waikirikiri beach.
I was unsure as to how I’d survive a 2km swim and 8km running race, but as it turned out, I fared pretty well in both the swim – beautiful sea swim – and run where I was able to hold a comfortable steady pace very a very hilly course without any real complaint from the dodgy leg.

The ride back was a bit tough after that hard effort, but with John and Chris holding a quick but not too brutal pace on the front we got to the winery, where a few beverages were on offer fro those who wished to sample some real Kiwi wines, whilst the rest of us headed back to Nelson to gain a few extra bike miles. My legs were done in and rather than tank it for a further hour until my 5:15 deadline, Steven and I grabbed a coffee on a leisurely spin back to the very luxurious Monaco apartments.

Its hard to believe that there are only 2 days left now, but at last i am beginning to feel a little Epic'd ;o)