Day 13 Geraldine to Oamaru--Almost There

Friday, January 15th, Day 13 Geraldine to Oamaru—Almost There

Today started with a nice run with Lordy and Tara. I have banged out 60k in the last 3 days and I am feeling ok surprisingly! It was not fast and most likely not pretty but it was done in just over an hour. We finished up at the pool, and although Tara and I had put our swim bags in the van the van was gone back to breakfast and was not returning for an hour. So, it was either sit or figure out a solution. I am surprised I was able to figure anything out in my state, but I asked the pool guard if there was a lost and found and some extra goggles. I had running shorts on and figured those would do since they could be tied. We scrounged through the goggles and I found a couple of kids pairs, one that worked ok, but was about to snap at the nose. It worked well enough although my eye sockets were aching when I was done. Tara scored a very snazzy looking suit; I wonder if she kept it? It looked good straight out of the lost and found!

My drag suit, running shorts, did the trick and I swam just shy of 3k when my bag showed up. It felt great to put a suit on and I felt immediately faster. The goggles were not cutting into my eyes and I could actually see again, so the next 3k should be a snap. Before I could finish my 6k for the day though we had to swim a 400 IM for time. I was lined up in the first heat with Lordy, Molina, G and Tara.

I had swum nearly 10k in the last 12 hours so I was interested to see the fatigue in the race. The minute I was up on the blocks I felt the rush of racing and I was ready to go. We were off. I focused the fly on stretching it out and just rolling through the first 75. I worked the last 25 to get in and rolled onto my back for the backstroke. My worst and least favorite stroke I just tried to relax and get through it. I assessed my position after that and noticed a bit back of Lordy and Molina, so I worked the breast hard to close the gap, not getting close enough and they pulled away on the free. I ended up in 6:05, and took a short breather before I resumed my 6k swim. I got through it completing 12k in 12 hours and my 4rth 6k swim of the camp. It has become meditative in the water swimming that far.

A quick return to the hotel and transfer to the bike. Not a lot of time to eat, and we rolled out about 6 strong as most folks either left early or just a few minutes early. G spun out easy and our small group was led out through the rollers by Johnno. I suffered on the short bursts seeing 400 watt surges to keep with the group and get over the hills. Sometimes it easier to set your own pace and I decided to do that shortly after our first break. I pegged 300 watts for the next 20k and when Lordy came by to take over I was ready to relax. I spun into lunch and had a leisurely lunch and Gordo and I spun out for the remainder of the ride about 50k to socialize and enjoy the scenery. We had a great coastal section a lot like California without all the people…plenty of place KJ to have a nice secluded picnic ;)!

I rolled into the accommodations at 5 and felt like I had a whole lot of time to kill. Nice to be done before dinner and not having to rush around!

10k run in 1 hour
6k swim with 400 IM in 6:05
150k bike with 20k at 300 watts—4:45
Total 7:45