Germanys a hoot!

Time certainly flys when you are having fun and enjoying great weather.  Ive already been here for 2.5weeks, having competed in an Olympic Distance and Classic Distance triathlon, been to a world cup final soccer party….admittedly falling asleep and missing the end of the game, and watched the best Iron distance race in the world – Challenge Roth.

Making the long journey in the motor home back to Rednitzhembach (7hrs) today after the weekends race I thought I would put the fingers to the keyboard and look back at the last couple of races.

First up was the Karlsfelder OD Triathlon with a longer bike thrown in for fun.  This went pretty well despite feeling a tad knackered from the long haul flights over from New Zealand only a couple of days earlier.  I came away with 2^nd place and was happy enough with this.  The girl that ran past me around half way through the run was on a mission and I barely had time to think as she whipped by.  Very impressive stuff!

I have really been trying to work on my run over the last couple of months and I can definitely feel some improvements happening so looking forward to testing the legs out over the longer Iron distance again in a few weeks.

Next up was the big journey to Waren for the Muritz Classic Distance Triathlon which is  a 2km/80km/20km.  I didn’t realize it was so far away when entering but it was worth the trip.  A comfy ride in the Baum Family’s new motor home and a day of relaxing on the lake after the race made it a great weekend.  The race started at 12pm which was a new experience for me.  Getting a sleep in was great but feeling a little sluggish sitting around all morning waiting to get going was not so great.

The swim started off with a beach start with the men and women together.  It was really shallow and reminded me of Challenge Wanaka a couple of years back. My hopeless duck dives ended up with me eating sand and being trampled from behind.  That aside I just seemed to have an absolute shocker in water.  We had 2x 1km laps with a wee beach run in between.  After the first lap I got a 15min call, 2^nd girl.  Hmm shit I better swim faster this next lap! Not able to see anyone in front I knew the lead girl was already miles away.  Second lap done and a 33min call, 4mins down on lead girl SHIT I thought, should I just stop now! German camera men were yelling “where you been, where you been?!” was rather embarrassing! 

On to the bike and in a bit of a panic I made a plan to go absolutely as hard as I could until I found the lead girl.  This may not of been the best idea, as my legs were already feeling fried but I figured today was a good day to try the “go until you blow” theory.  Around 35km I caught her and was really paying for it.  The wind was getting really strong and the sun was melting me.

I survived until the end of the bike…just...and managed to get a gap on the second girl!  Right just a run to go then I can stand still J Going round and round in my head was don’t do your usual fade on the run and look like a staple! Am sick of being the girl who gets to the run and cant hold it together. The run was super hot and I felt as though I was running scared the whole time looking behind me which is stupid because one day im definitely going to fall over or run in to something doing that.  Some things never change though I guess as I always use to get a bollocking for looking out of the rowing boat at the other crews.  I managed to distance myself a little from the girls behind at every 5km turn around.  Every aid station I was grabbing as many cups of coke and water as i could.  Even my arms and legs were getting a load of coke. Figured it couldn’t hurt J

I was really happy to come away with 1^st place as I had been really tired heading in to this race but the body still managed to stay strong and do what was needed even though I thought I could collapse at any minute.  PAIN IS DEFINITELY ONLY TEMPORARY.  Now back to some good training, 2 Olympic distance races to go and then the biggy Ironman Copenhagen in 4weeks.

Big thanks to the Baums for taking me in to their home for the 4^th year and being great supporters at the races.

Keegan at Vo2coaching for always being a great support and pushing my body to what I sometimes don’t believe it can

Cycleworld for their help with Specialized products – aero is everything!

Casey at Kinetic Health for getting my body ready for Germany

Robbie and Stacey at Shoe Clinic Dunedin – finally think my feet are behaving in these shoes and Aloe Up Sun and Skin Care and Nathan Performance Gear for their great products

5 marathons in 5 weeks ending it in style at the Rustic Run!

Firstly a huge thank you to Terry Davis, Ed Stevens and all their team for putting together this amazing event.  They had so many different runs taking place at the same time giving plenty of options for everyone.  Everyone I know is always asking for great local events that are affordable to attend, have a good social aspect and great scenery.  The Wild Earth Ascent and Rustic Run answered this.  I really hope to see this event supported by a lot more local people next year.  I know it sure beats heading out for a lonely long run.

A big goal of mine this year is to work on my running for my Ironman racing.  Hence running 42k+ each weekend for the past few weeks.   When I heard about this race I wanted to be on that start line.  While it may seem crazy to go out and run this distance every weekend (although im guessing not to the people that took part in one of these events) having finally beaten my injury ive had for over 12months I couldn’t think of anything better.

On to the race…  Packing up the car and heading to central for the weekend is always a great change.  The weather in Dunedin had been so cold and damp and I couldn’t wait to get out of there!  Well I forgot that I mostly head to central in the summer and it was actually pretty freezing up there but was so still, with not a breath of wind.  Race morning came like any other and I was excited about the fact I was only running a marathon and didn’t have a whole ironman nor the 3.30am wake up call.

Out to the location at the Gold Miners Trails in the pitch black with the head torch on and it was time to go.  I was suddenly thinking what have I got myself in to? As I am far from a mountain goat with my running ability and was sure I was going to fall over a million times.  Luckily I had only signed up for the Rustic Run and not the Wild Earth Ascent J (maybe next year).  My marathon race consisted of 8x 5 and a bit km loops.  They were a great change from the roads I am use to.  Made up of wider trails, rocky parts, single tracks, grass and some good wee hills up and down, all making the time go by.  There was also the option of a half marathon around the loops or straight up the mountain!

As I got around each lap the hills got bigger and the legs were turning to jelly but there was always a group of friendly spectators to send you on your next lap and Glen there to hand me my goodies.  The great thing about this event is you can set up your own aid station and drink and eat what you like J Proud to say I didn’t fall over once, only a few close calls and actually really enjoyed all those laps, coming away with the win.  Definitely a must do race to put on your calendar for next June.  Hope to see you all there.  Big ups to my sponsors Kinetic Health, Shoe Clinic Dunedin, Nathan Performance Gear, Aloe Up and Cycle World Dunedin who all keep me in this sport.

Happy running

Tams