Day 10 Blenheim to Kaikoura

January 12th, 2010 Day 10 Blenheim to Kaikoura

I woke from a good night’s sleep and we ran down to the local pool, where I banged out a 3k set with no goals or sets aside from saving energy for the day. A quick transition and Lordy who had ran in the dark before swimming ran again with me. We headed down a nice riverfront path and had a very nice conversation getting to know him a lot better. I am usually sitting on his wheel, barely able to breathe so this was a nice change of pace that enabled me to learn a little about him. Oxford, mathematics and a speedy sister who swims better than him.

After the run, I got a little bit of breakfast down, and I was primed for the KOM. Perhaps a little too primed as the two light days had me feeling ready to red-line. Upon the city limits sign, attacks started happening and when Clas went up the road, we had to cover that and the Lordster went. I got gapped but had help with the E-machine who did a massive pull to bridge up closer. Lee was there but was gassed already so I had to give er’ to get on the train. Peter was hanging on and the 4 of us were a good bit up the road, when the Lordster made the most massive pull to the base of the climb I had seen yet at this Epic.

I was feeling pretty worked by the time I got there as the surges and steady accelerations were emptying my tank quickly. I hung on for a portion before I had to back off and try and find my rhythm. I eventually started to fade, when Johnno and Molina who were in the next group up, went by me I could nothing to respond. Jo, and DC got me with just a little to go and I when I saw the line, I went Nordic to sprint back past Jo. In review of my power file I averaged about 330 watts for 19 minutes with an average HR at 177! I was pretty worked. The aid station could not come quickly enough and I needed to refuel in a big way to make the next 60k. The winds were steady and I was happy I had company. Big E was feeling good today and did a heck of a lot of work. It is good to see the E-machine back into his form. Eventually we reached Kaikoura and I had some food which helped a lot, and a mighty nice nap.

Later Gordo and I ran out to the point for another 10k run, and ran up to the lookout. It is a pretty sweet spot, although it did not feel that good on my quads walking up the big cliff. It talks about how this area is ‘Life on the Edge’ and I felt it was very appropriate given the circumstances of the day, and the camp in itself.

10k run
3k swim
128k bike
10k run
HOURS 7 ½ HOURS