Epic Camp NZ 2010 Day 11 Tara

Day 11: Kaikoura to Chirstchurch

Totals:

Run: 4k (2k run to and from the pool)
Swim: 3k
Bike: 181k

The day started with a jog to and from the Kaikoura pool. I was expecting it to be miserable and freezing cold based on the reports, but soon realized the neoprene booties I put on were not necessary! I wasn't feeling the love in the pool and so it was good that I joined in a 2k set on a 1:30 pace time with Daniel and Johnny N. It made the swim go by faster.

Headwinds were predicted but we got lucky today! As we set out on the bike, the winds were not so bad and the rain held off aside from a few sprinkles at lunch. It wasn't however, very balmy and it was the first time I have ever heard Johnny N make audible shivering noises!

There was a KOM today and I kind of missed the 'regroup' which didn't matter too much except that I thought it was the kind of regroup that I could unload some fluid but instead I did yet another KOM with two full water bottles...One day I will learn! At the briefing, Dave (our support extraordinaire), said he would try to make it to the top before us if he could. Sure enough I saw Dave parked at the side of the road and the film crew were there as well as I came to the top of the climb. So I assumed that was the end of the KOM. But Dave made a mistake: There was a HUGE descent and second climb which was the final KOM. We were told that there was a descent and a second climb, but it wasn't clear to me that it was such a huge descent (you know how roads wind and go down and then up, all while climbing - that is what I was expecting, not a full descent). Instead of continuing to hammer to the next climb, I spun easy after I went over the top. Douglas came by and I could see him chatting with Jo up ahead which looked to me like they were taking it easy too. But right at the top of the "real" KOM, Nick came sprinting past me with about 1 meter to go. Ha, here I am spinning my legs and Nick comes sprinting by. I still thought Nick was incorrect about the top of the climb until I got to the aid station when Dave told me he had made a mistake. So I lost a few positions on this KOM (unless the committee rules otherwise)! Even if I am SOL, 'Sh$t happens' and I can't say it was a waste of an effort, because once again, the intensity was great! Good times!

I was a bit slower rolling out after the aid station and rode about 20k on my own. It was nice to be solo and in my aero bars riding easy, but it was also nice when Jo and Russell caught me and we rode to lunch together.

The rest of the ride was supposed to be 'friendly' and while it was certainly friendly :), we were rolling at a good clip so I would say that it was fast and friendly. Scott, Pete, Jo and I took a pull each, but then we all caught the David Craig train again for most of the way home. I think we were going at about 40k/hr. That train is the one you want to catch to finish a ride sooner rather than later! The 181k ride only took 5:28 (with some slow solo riding factored in there too).

Tomorrow is a big trail run in Christchurch, starting from Molina's house. I will be doing the run, but doing it VERY carefully... No swim tomorrow but we ride to Geraldine.

Wow, 11 days down and 4 to go. THAT is unbelievable!

Tara