The journey to the TransRockies Run- August 2012
The TransRockies - 6 glorious days of running, 5 nights camping with a bunch of like-minded athletes with all meals and race fuel provided. Or as we like to say “just another training day with full catering provided”. For information on the distances and at what altitude we will be running please read newsletter #2.
Still no formal training started as yet so it’s playtime for yet another month.
Read on for this month’s topics which include
- Xterra Trailfest Riverhead
- Mt Taranaki Summit Climb
- Tussock Traverse Trail Run
- Baldrock Adventure Race
- Food at the Transrockies
“Do one thing every day that scares you” Eleanor Roosevelt
Whether you are a couch potato looking to change and what scares you are those first few steps walking around the block
Or
You are Emma McCosh of Team Kauri competing in the Patagonian Expedition Race in Southern Chile (and coming 4th which was an amazing effort)
Or
You are Natalie Seay and Susan Prater tackling a new event.
The best thing you can do is meet the challenge you have set yourself head on, be prepared, and then enjoy the journey and always finish with a big smile on your face.
Susan’s February challenges
Total Sport Xterra Trailfest Riverhead– Duathlon 22km MTB and 12km run
I decided it was time to get over my fear of entering a mountain bike race.
My technical mountain bike single trail skills are poor so the thought of holding up other riders has stopped me from entering this type of race before. However I finished the event with a huge smile and along the way I got to hug a tree, sit down in the middle of a gorse bush, collect some impressive bruises and bang up my knees. When I got to transition I got to meet the winner of the duathlon there – he was collecting his bike and I still had 12km to run! I had a great day, met the challenge head on, and most importantly made the winner look very good - he should thank me!
Mt Taranaki Summit with the Sunset Coast Multisport club
This is a fantastic community club that organises monthly weekends away. This month’s event was climbing Mt Taranaki on the Saturday and caving on the Sunday. What can I say about Mt Taranaki except pretty steep going up, ice and snow at the top so freezing and then sliding down the scree on the way home made for an enjoyable day out, plus lots of bruises on the Gluteus Maximus. Caving the next day was great – 1.5 hours underground on private land – so a huge thanks to the 29 other people for a great weekend – another tick off the bucket list.
This climb is totally achievable but you do need to be prepared for all weather.
Now all I need is for my quads to stop hurting so I can walk without looking like a waddling duck.
Natalie’s February Challenges
Tussock Traverse - 25km off road run from the Tukino Ski Field to The Chateau
I had heard that the first two kilometres of this event were straight up but just having run the Wharf to Wharf race the week before in Waiheke, I thought this would be a piece of cake.
Ummm wrong – this was to be my first introduction to running at altitude.
Altitude - Distance measurement in the vertical direction
Unbeknown to me the Tukino Ski Field is approx 2000m above sea level, and it felt like it. People were trotting past me while I thought my lungs were going to explode. I just wanted to lie down and die, but I pushed on and once I got my breathing back to normal had a very pleasant and enjoyable time.
Hard to believe that when we take on the Transrockies in August, the whole race will be at altitude. Luckily we will be in Boulder for a couple of days beforehand to acclimatize.
Baldrock Adventure Race – Kaiwaka - 10km off road run, 14km MTB
I love participating in low key, small community events and this was no exception. About 20 of us lined up at the start line and off we went.
Baldrock itself is in Kaiwaka, north of Wellsford and is on private land, so we were privileged to be able to use it. Baldrock is about 6km into the run and the terrain is straight up but the views are amazing.
Then onto the MTB section. Now I’m no expert on a mountain bike, as being a runner I’m paranoid about breaking my legs, so I’m more than a little cautious. The course was like a Vibratrain session, over farm roads and lanes and fields that had been pugged up by the cows. It took a while to stop the wobbles once I got off the bike. But again a fun day had by all.
So enough about our challenges in February and onto another of our favourite subjects:
Food - at the Transrockies race
Breakfast and dinner are provided each day of the race.
I am not sure how we are supposed to run after a breakfast like below but bring it on we say.
Breakfast
- Hot Oatmeal
- Diced Fruit & Berries, Whole Bananas
- Orange Juice & Cranberry Juice
- Coffee, Hot Chocolate & Herb Teas
- Fresh Scrambled Eggs with Cheddar Cheese, Country Potatoes
- Sausage & Bacon
- Vegetarian Potatoes with Onion & Peppers
- Mini Bagels, Butter, Assorted Preserves, Peanut Butter & Cream Cheese
Dinner
- Greek Salad with Feta, Tomatoes & Olives
- Lemon Oregano Dressing
- Boneless Breast of All Natural Chicken over Rotina Picata
- Baked Tomato Basil Vegetable Lasagna
I am sure after reading the sample menu that you will all be signing up to come along with us.
At the end of the day –you have to dream big and then just get out there and make it happen.
We shall both be working at various events on the INOV-8 stand so drop by and have a chat with us.
The next event we will be at is the Colville Connection on 10th March – see you there.
Having fun - hope you are too Natalie Seay and Susan Prater
Ambassadors and long-time users of
INOV-8 The best off road trail shoes around http://www.inov-8.co.nz
KINeSYS Excellent sunscreen http://www.highbeam.co.nz
Numa Sunglasses Even we cannot break these! http://www.highbeam.co.nz
Fans of
Total Sports event Best off road events ever! http://www.totalsport.co.nz
Hammer Nutrition Fantastic training and racing fuel http://www.hammernutrition.co.nz