Steven Lords Website

Thats at least £100,000 worth of bikes racked up on the Wellington to Picton Ferry. The North Island is finished. In the first 8 days I’ve covered 1,326 KM at an average pace of 29.9km/h together with 28.2km of swimming and 113.5km of running. It means I’ve done the camp minimums for swim and run so provided I ride the rest of the camp I’ll achieve camp completion. That is not the aim now though… it’s definitely to hold on to the yellow.

Last night I struggled to get to sleep thinking through the day.  Deeply disappointed about not being in on that climb and knowing that I would have cemented my 3rd place in the KOM the mountains. This would mean I was 4.75 points ahead in the GC which would be tricky to lose this week unless something untoward happened. I estimated that instead I would be down in 9th and the competition firm in 3rd which means I’d only be 1.25 points ahead. Today on the ferry Gordo showed me the standings and it was not as bad as that. Petro is now firmly in 3rd and I am in 6th tying with Scott and John ahead by 4 points. With two KOMs left I’ll be unlikely to catch John but Scott is one hell of a competitor and if he puts his  mind to it is difficult to beat. Seems worst case is I end up 7th which would make my lead 2.25 points. Should be able to defend that provided there aren’t too many running races but it probably means I’ll have to do more running than I’d planned.

Last night we had a lovely meal at the hotel with everyone over indulging (big time) on the lovely array of desserts. Then Scott took us to a local Belgian bar for a drink or two to celebrate finishing the North Island. With today a rest day with no points for additional training everyone was able to relax.

Breakfast this morning was great. Not only later so we could sleep in but also full cooked – so tonnes of bacon. Lots of coffee and for the americans a waffle machine. Petro was particularly happy. I think I saw him have at least 3 waffles.

The 3 hour boat ride again was a chance to chill out and chat with the guys. Some good banter as usual. It’s the banter that makes these camps to enjoyable. You don’t often get the chance to spend so much time with so many like minded individuals.

We had 28km to ride over to Blenheim. My bike had been fixed. not as bad as I’d feared. The chain needed replacing and it turns out the inner cage of my dereilleur was bent. It’s been straightened but needs replacing. As we rode over I checked it out and in my fourth biggest sprocket the chain keeps jumping. The mechanic here has looked at it and the cassette needs replacing. I may be able to do that in Christchurch with a little luck. I rode with Gordo and he told me he was very impressed with how I dealt with the chain problem yesterday and that he’d learnt something from it. He said he thought I was the best guy on the camp for it to happen to as I dealt with it so well.

Everyone is just chilling out now. Getting a beer or two down (one of the sponsors is Steinlager!) and snacking endlessly. Barbeque tonight. I’ve taken a look at the next few days and been thinking about tactics for the KOMs on the next two days together with where I can do additional runs / swims to try and secure the jersey.

Perhaps one day I’ll manage to do a camp without getting caught up in the points. This camp has been so much fun I’d really love to do the Boulder camp next summer but unless my premium bonds come in I don’t think we’ll be able to afford it.

We’re in Masterton this evening with one day before we finish the North Island. Another storming day. The highlight was at the swim this morning. Look at the picture above does that or does that not look like a proper fly swimmer ? Thats Jo about 149m into her 200m fly.  The first time she’s completed 200 fly continuously !

The swim this morning was a success for me as well completing 10 x 200m on 2:45. I’d be happy with that in a regular training week sitting in the draft let alone leading the lane on the 7th day of Epic Camp. Pleased I continue to do the gentlemanly thing ;o) in pursuit of the yellow jersey by letting Gordo wear his Blue Seventy and towing him and Petro through the set. Must admit though doing this sort of thing together is what really makes this sort of camp. At the end we’re all so pleased with what we’ve done. It’s a bonding thing ;O). I was impressed with Petro’s swimming since the other day he dropped off when we did the 3k straight in 42 minutes. I really didn’t think he’d manage it. Was pleased with my pacing – I kept them all 2:39 / 2:40 which helped keep us all together. TOUGH session. If the yellow comes down to a single point perhaps I’ll regret being the nice guy … probably not.

Today was the longest day of riding. What an awesome day it was, especially the second half. I’d decided that today should be an attempt at recovery and I fully intended to stick with the last group but not do any big pulls other than my fair share if we were sharing the load.

Someone must have spiked John’s breakfast as he went to the front and pulled us along at a nice old pace. It was nice sitting in but we were certainly making good progress. He needed a loo stop and right by where we stopped was a coffee shack and Gordo got the coffees in. It felt like a proper ride. John then continued to pull us to the first feed station. All the way I had this big rattle but a couldn’t figure out what it was. As we left the feed stop I noticed my front quick release skewer was almost fully released !

After the stop the fun started. Firstly there was a substantial climb that no one expected. At the top both Petro and Clas wanted to get a photo, there was a slight ease up in the pace but not much. Daniel absolutely flew down the hill and once on the flat didn’t let up. As Clas said he maintained his momentum for about 20k. I was a ways behind and had to get down on my aero bars in my top gear and go on the rivet for a couple of minutes to get back on behind Daniel and Clas. Gordo and Scott got back on and Daniel just kept going and going. Eventually John came back and went straight throught – game on. What fun !

We turned and found there was 25k to lunch so we each took turns doing decent pulls in to the wind. Had a leisurely lunch but it was a full 20 minutes before Petro turned up. I think he’d not had a map and went a little wrong. He wasn’t a happy camper but think he managed to take the banter in good humour. I was imagining his lovely photo from the top with a road going off in to the distance with us guys racing along it. [ just had Daniel and Pete come in to do a a video interview with Tara – could be interesting … I’ll try not to get distracted]

After lunch I completely threw out the idea of keeping it easy. I caught up the the guys and saw Clas up ahead so TT’d by them and got on his wheel. Before I know I’m hammering along on the TT bars along this awesome road. Spinning out my top gear on certain sections. Clas sitting there telling me I can do what I want. Asking if I’m feeling strong and finally saying he is getting fit. I was on a mission, he’d mentioned last night about how the 200k ride today would take at least 6 hours and I was determined to get under 6. We got in in 5:53 for the 201k (~34.2kph!). Clas said when he writes his race report or his sub 8:10 Ironman he will mention this !

We’re a week in … here are my totals so far:

Swim: 22.2km

Bike: 1,189km

Run: 108k

Hours: 54.5hr

Jo and I lucked out tonight and got the honeymoon suite (above). Scott nearly choked on a carrot he was eating when I came in to the communal area and said to Jo “ come on sweetheart, we’ve got the honeymoon suite and should try and make the most of it”.

I’ve had a few nicknames over the years but I’ve been given one from Scott thats one of the better ones “The TGV” following my pull on the front yesterday.

Today was one tough and awesome day. Gordo and made it clear that it would be difficult to complete the ride together with the optional KOM tack on in the 12 hour time limit. He clearly thought it was going to be tough as he chose not to swim first thing or run after.

Me… Jo had come up with a great strategy for me. So … 6:30 into the minibus already in my wetsuit. 6:35 hit the water and the clock starts. Cruise in the beautiful Lake Taupo for 45 minutes then run a 10k with Petro and Blanco. Back at room at about 8:20. Jo had grabbed me a great breakfast sarnie which I ate as I sorted myself out. 8:20 riding over to the other lodging and breifing.

It was a big day ahead with head winds all the way and hell of a lot more hills than I’d realised. As we headed out we saw Clas coming in late. There was a massive hill at the start and Gordo was keeping the pace low to allow Clas to get back on. Soon Rob Quantrell came up to the front. We joked that now we could blame it on him if Clas had to work too hard. Once over the top and with Clas on (I thought) I started my plan of pushing the pace early to break up the group before the main part of the KOM. Unfortunately Clas wasn’t on and when he bridged up he wasn’t the happiest with us. I think my pull yesterday was cancelled out.

I kept pushing and soon there was some playing around and we managed to drop 3 of our group. We hit the climb as a group of 5 and early on there were a few surges from Gordo which I covered and when I saw  we’d gapped Petro and Blanco I put in another surge. I hung with Gordo and Clas as long as I could and established a decent gap over the others. At that point I decided I should go at my own pace. I’m glad I did because it was a long long climb often into a gale force headwind to the Top Of Bruce (aka Whakapapa) – the highest Tarmac’d road in New Zealand (1300m apparently). It was good to be going at my own pace. I managed 3rd.

On the way back down I saw that most of the camp had decided not to do the climb but about halfway up there was Jo sticking her tongue out at me heading up. Good on her.

At the bottom I’d decided to wait for her and told the guys. They said they’d wait as well and then we joked on about them telling her I’d wanted to leave.  Then the documentary crew put the camera on us so I say “Come on guys lets get going we shouldn’t wait for Jo’. Gordo  told the story tonight and it  got a huge laugh. Jo won the green jersey for a gutsy performance.

That was just the half of it. She then sat on my wheel for a good hour of pushing along at a pace that dropped loads of people on the previous days. After lunch it was harder work for her but she guts’d it out right to the finish. God knows how much work she did but I’m so proud of her. It was a superb bit of riding and seems to me she’s got to be getting stronger on the bike.

I’d decided not to run off the bike but we made such good time that when Clas asked if I’d  join him I couldn’t resist. So a very enjoyable extra point was had as we chatted the whole way. Foot felt great doing a 52 minute 10k after such a big day.

Tomorrow there are no competitions so perhaps I’ll get an easier day.

What an absolutely awesome day. So enjoying this environment. Firstly todays photo – we were issued with Chamoix Cream and this tub above at the start of the camp to try and help keep are arses aok with so much riding. Made me smile seeing who Scott had got to prescribe this.

On the bike I’m feeling stronger each day and today was great. We were heading to the south end of Lake Taupo. A huge chunk of the day was gently rising terrain which is just the terrain I’m strongest on. Half the camp had headed off early. The rest of us had Gordo pull us along at a nice pace. I sat on the back and chatted with The Baron. At the back of the group you get all the accelerations over rises and certainly if you want to keep the group together then strong riders that aren’t pulling at the front should be on the back.

After about 60k we had a stop for drinks. Gordo made a couple of comments that got me in the frame of mind to do a pull. The first that the rest should be worried about letting Clas and I just cruise at the back chatting. The second was he thought we’d catch the Grupetto by 100k but now thought we wouldn’t before lunch.

Not long after that I went to the front just to do some work but without realising a gap appeared, I eased off and then Gordo went to the front and the gap appeared again. At that point I went to the front and slowly built the pace till I was in a groove pushing along at just the point where you notice your breath. It was so nice. Clas made me smile when he said “It’s hard having so much power” and “you’ve got to use your horsepower”. I pulled the whole way to lunch at which point I think there was only Scott, Clas, John and Tara. I’d managed to pop Gordo… well he said “I pulled the pin whilst I still had a choice”. Scott said he’d kept thinking at least we’d get to lunch sooner but he’d not be able to eat anything. John said I’d lost an ally.  Tara seemed chuffed to have hung in and Clas told me I was riding like a pro.  The banter was great and it really made me laugh.

The documentary crew then asked to put a camera on my helmet pointing backwards. I’d not really planned to be on the front again but what the heck. I pulled the whole way to the finish making for a total of 100k stretch. I came in with Scott, Blanco and Clas. I was buzzing. We did 182k in 5:40 !

Straight out for a 10k run with Clas and Russ. Then down to the lake for a 45 minute swim before running back for another 10k. The extra run has put me in yellow again !

Tomorrow is sounding rather full on and Gordo is reckoning we’ll struggle to finish everything in the 12 hour window. I’ve hatched a plan that will take slick and smooth operation to work !! Will report tomorrow. Rest assured I am having the time of my life on this camp so far.

Firstly something I forgot to mention. The “Ripster” has had problems with his bike so yesterday he couldn’t ride whilst it was taken to a bike shop in Aukland. Keen to not lose any points he got in the pool and swam 15.5km straight ! Took 3h40.

Todays photo is our arrival in Coromandel. It’s been a gorgeous day.

Quite a relaxed start to today as we were catching a ferry across to Coromandel. We all cruised around the outskirts of Aukland and spent 2 hours chilling on a ferry across to Coromandel.

First up was a Aquathon. Main aim here was to firstly protect my foot and secondly to protect my position in the points. Needed to get a reasonable placing without doing too much. The first issue was somehow shaking everyone on the swim. I was a marked man by all the strong swimmers so I decided there was no point in sprinting at the start – best go steady and become anonymous and then surge when i judged the others were still maxed out from their initial sprint. It couldn’t have gone better. Turns out Gordo was on Johns feet thinking they were mine. I cruised off to the left and noticed I had come level and I was just cruising. The first buoy was approaching so I redlined briefly to get ahead and to the turn first. Seems John got on my feet briefly but it was killing him. I got clear and probably had maybe 30 seconds on them into the transition.

My transition was slow but I had to make sure my shoes were on properly. I’ve had such a problem with them that I wanted them just right. Both John and Gordo got me in transition. I ran reasonably hard, hoping just enough to prevent Petro catching me. Scott came by then Clas going like a rocket – it was awesome to see. Petro was catching me and did so about a third into the second lap. He stayed with me. I surged a little just to see if he’d done too much to catch me. He stuck with me so I decided that I wouldn’t contest that place wanting to preserve my legs and foot. We had a brief chatted – he said he wanted the spot and I said “unfortunately I do as well” but that was just mind games I had no plan to surge. He came in 5th to my 6th. Happy only dropping a 1/4 point on that. To be honest I’m just so happy with how I’m runnning. I’d thought I’d just be completely outgunned on the runs. I think in the past I would have comfortably held off Scott (possibly!) and Mark but not the others so only being 2 further back is a result as far as I’m concerned.

I’ve now run 4 days on the trot !

Next up was the King Of The Mountains. Again the aim was to just place well whilst not busting a gut. Decided to take Gordos advice that if I just worked steady and hard my strength would see me through. Unfortunately I was chatting with Petro when the turn was made to start the first climb and someone shouted “single up” so we  eased up and didn’t realise the race had started. I managed to bridge up to Gordo, John and Clas by the top of the first climb (the KOM was top of the second climb).  There were  a few games between the climbs but nothing special. Petro and Blanco were with us now. Start of the second and it wasn’t long before Clas and Gordo cleared off. John and I tried to surge each other a couple of times before he pulled away. In the process we gapped Petro and Blanco so I was happily in 4th and stayed there over the top.

After lunch Gordo did a fantastic pull on the front. Fast enough to stop anyone attacking and slow enough to keep everyone together. It was a great piece of riding. I’d cruised forward to check on Jo and she warned me off from going to the front and making them suffer. I had no intention to. I told Gordo later and he said he thought he was riding just right so that the social pressure would stop anyone attacking. After the drinks stop the pace slowed somewhat. I’d been at the back chatting with “The Baron” (Clas) and he said to me “the pace is too slow you should go to the front and pick it up”. Now Clas is the strongest rider here and a great person to ride with (he doesn’t surge) and would be a very useful ally so I went to the front aiming to just pick up the pace a little. The other factor encouraging me was I knew that David had to get a shimmy on to have his pre breakie run to count. I’d not run before breakfast as I’d judged we wouldn’t finish the ride inside my 12 hour training window if I did. I checked  the rules with Gordo and realised at this pace we wouldn’t finish in time for his run to count. Though I must admit that part of me thought I should just leave it  as there hadn’t been “full disclosure” about the run but decided it was the right thing to do to pick up the pace.  Gordo and Petro didn’t change pace at all and with no effort I had a gap. I checked the map to make sure i knew where I was going and just kicked off. I knew Clas would come through and get on. So off we went. Charlesy got with us and did a few ~30 second pulls which gave me a bit of relief. In then dropped off. I pulled us all the way home for the last 30k or so. It was a fantastic road and I was comfortably hammering along – felt strong and was loving it. I think Clas was pretty happy with the pull especially as I knew he’d have no problem with me down on the aero bars so I got to really kick it up for a few K. Both of us were very pleased to arrive before the others to get our fill of recovery shakes before the rush.

That move speeded up the rest of the group and they arrived 3 minutes before Davids cutoff. He was oblivious to the fact !  He’d done a great job at maximising his training time today and got the “Play of the Day” jersey for it.

Gordo’s performance in the Aquathon had put him in Yellow on the road and at various points in the day I’d decided to run off the bike to keep it. Various little reasons added up to me not doing that: 1) foot was a little sore, 2) we’d arrived quite late so  I’d be rushed and late for dinner and 3) thought it would be more fun if it kept switching hands. Scott also pointed out to me it’s a long camp and there’s a lot of time to go.

Tomorrow there are no races or KOMs so I’m really looking forward to it. I’m riding stronger with every passing day so we’ll see about tomorrow …. could just ride steady of if people start playing I may chose to join in the fun.

Yeh baby ! Like last time here’s a piccie – not sure I’ll be in it for long so will be sure to get a picture tomorrow. Anyway … to keep the tension I’ll write it chronologically (even though you know the ending).

Day started at 5:50am with a 2k run to the pool. Just needed to get 3k done so just cruised through it straight. Was swimming real comfortable but felt I was moving well. So much better now I could push off. Gordo jumped on my feet and managed to stick. Seemed Petro tried numerous times but didn’t stick. Completed it in 42 minutes – faster than twice my 1500m TT on day one ! Augers well for 10 x 200 on 2:45 and 20 x 100 on 1:20 (unlikely) – have to work out someway to stop having Gordo and Petro on my feet for that. Wonder if they have to go 5 second interval ? Gordo and I hung around briefly to watch Scott do his 200 fly … it was pretty amusing.

8k run with Gordo to get the 10k done. Nice and gentle but nice to be running quite comfortably.

Plan today was to try and go pretty easy and recover. Managed to do this through to lunch. Did a couple of big pulls on the front but felt totally comfortable. Jo commented that I looked so relaxed. It was a ‘friendly’ ride in to a headwind so when on the front I stayed on the hoods. To me if you’re on the front you’re meant to be pulling the group so you shouldn’t go down on your aero bars. It’s not cricket, especially if you’ve sat in for ages. We kept the group together pretty well till I punctured don’t know from then. Was happy to cruise in at my own pace to lunch.

After lunch I ended up on Clas’s wheel and he was doing a great pull. Not really aware of what was going on behind but feeling he was keeping a nice steady effort I was surprised to find only Douglas, Scott and Peter behind me. Scott was heard to say “Douglas do you want to drop off this pace is too much for me” to which Douglas replied “I want to drop off but on my own”. He stuck with us for another few KMs. It made me smile.

So for the last 50k or so it was just Clas and me. Great fun to be riding with him and chatting.  With about 30k to go Clas waved me through and after such an awesome pull I felt obliged to try and continue so bang went my recovery day. I put in a pretty solid effort for about an hour. As we approached the end the camera crew (we have a documentary crew following us on the camp) came alongside for a good long time and there was I with Clas on my wheel !! Hope it makes the cut – here I am pulling a 8:15 Ironman along.

Early in the ride I’d decided to tack on 10k since Gordo is only 0.25 points ahead so unless he ran I’d be in yellow tomorrow. Was keen to stir it up and see if he wanted the jersey everyday. By the end of the ride I was in two minds – should I be sensible. I have not run two days on the trot since february and have been wary about testing it. Now I’ve run three days on the trot and done 55k – so in 3 days I run my biggest week in 10 months ! So I felt perhaps I should be careful.

When Clas and Peter said they were doing 6k I thought what the heck I’ll run. The only flat bit was the track so round the track we went. The time passed so quick as we were chatting away and running 5 min Ks. Clas decided to stay with me for the full amount and we discussed training methods. He’s run a 2:42 marathon in an Ironman so it was really interesting to here his approach to run training. I think I may be trying some myself.

So …. Gordo didn’t run and I’m in yellow. Perhaps he was being kind because of all the help I’ve given him in the swims and he also knows he’ll beat me in all the races and the KOM. Tomorrow there is an aquathon and I’ll really have no chance to beat Gordo (or John, Richard and probably Petro) as I’m unlikely to be able to shake them off my feet. Then there’s another aquathon two days after that.

Anyway – it will be nice to be in yellow and more importantly my foot is feeling AOK running. For camp completion we need 105k of running and I’m already on 55. Worst case is later I can start skipping runs.

Oh yes … I notched up another Eddington number. Life is good ;o)

Here’s Jo and I at Cape Reinga for the start of our End to End challenge across New Zealand. Everyone was happy and raring to start our 15 day challenge.

When the schedule for the camp was first circulated and I heard rumours about the first day I knew it was going to be tough. Far from protecting us from ourselves this day had the potential to put people in a hole right from the out.

First up was a 22k run with a 10k race at the end. Clearly a chance to tack on to 25k to get the bonus. We’d driven out along the road (largely unsealed) we were to run back along. This was a nice touch as it meant we are doing the full length having started at the Lighthouse. This road was far from flat. First up was 13k at whatever pace you liked. I made sure I was one of the first to leave and went real steady with the whole camp coming by me and I just tagged along with the last group. I was saving myself for the 10k ! I knew I wouldn’t be able to help myself from racing it and thought it would be a good test of my running.

At the start of the run, as I was defending yellow and I thought it would be slightly amusing, I set off like a bullet and was leading for maybe 100m and then hung with Gordo, Clas, John and Rip for a while. They soon left me and I settled in and ran for a good period with the next group to catch me – Petro and Richard. After about 5k they left me and I soldiered on alone soon catching Rip. I finished 7th in 46:04. I would have  been pleased with that on a flat course but on this course I was well chuffed. Slightly concerned how much I would pay for it though as that is by far the fastest running I’ve done in 10 months. I tacked on the 3k to get my bonus !

Lunch and then off on the bike. Must admit it feels like Jo and I are the poor relations here. Every bike seems to have a SRM or powertap on it and there are god knows how many GPS’s there are. Here’s me doing it on feel – no HRM, no powermeter just a sense of what my body can handle based on what it’s telling me.  We had about 60k or so before finishing with a 30k TT.

I was looking forward to this. There was some initial testosterone fueled speed and I stayed with the front group but pleasingly didn’t do a single turn on the front. It was ok effort levels for me but no way would I do that pace on the front. We caught Charlesy who had set off early and he decided to “help us” by going to the front and picking up the pace. This was too much for me (and Scott) and we dropped off and came in with Nick at a more friendly effort level. I’d had twinges of cramp throughout this ride so as we waited for the TT I had gels and water to try and get it under control.

Now for the TT. Over the years I’’ve learnt to LOVE these balls out efforts and I had every intention of going for it. I had Petro, Gordo, Clas, John behind me and had no plans on letting them catch me. I hit the start hard and was over 40km/h almost the whole time. I was only using my top two gears for most of it which felt great though there were sections where I ran out of gears. I need an ’11’. The cramp though was bad it kept coming on in both calves and I had to ease slightly for a pedal stroke and it would ease off. It was touch and go. As I passed Rob Quantrell I couldn’t help myself and yelled “yee-ha”. He told me afterwards it made him jump. I was chuffed to bits when I caught Daniel knowing he’d headed off at least 3 minutes ahead but a few Ks after that both calves cramped completely and I had to stand up and stretch them and just freewheel. This continued till I was only just moving forward and Daniel went by and asked if I was OK. I had to start pedalling again but at least I’d managed to get a gel in and loads of water. There was only 2k to go and I managed to get through without further problem. Gutted that I’d had to ease up for so long but can’t believe it cost me more than 30 seconds.

Back at the hotel I went and got a load of salt sachets and started downing water with them in knowing that I’d never complete the swim without cramping if I didn’t get some salt in. Got back outside to find I’d won the TT in 40:30 with 2nd over a minute behind and 3rd over 2 minutes. Chuffed.

Now I stated downing a salty water like there’s no tomorrow. Off to the pool pretty promptly and I got in a cruised the majority of my required distance in the warm up. 1500m TT. Draft legal with a mass start across 4 lanes. All I wanted to do was win this and wasn’t bothered about times as I reckoned my run performance would mean I had no chance of finishing highly in the overall competition (a Tri based on the 3 TTs). It seems my blog / twitter posts recently had made everyone determine I was the fastest swimmer so John and Petro wanted to draft me. I was happy enough as I would get a clear swim.

It was carnage – at the start Gordo and Scott immediately switched to draft me. It was a bun fight behind with some collisions. Eventually it settled by my calves felt right on edge and I was cursing John for tapping my toes and knocking my calf every turn (I find out later it was Gordo on my feet). All campers at some point started to cramp. Gordo and Petro on my feet did after about 1.1k which gave me the gap. Luckily as Gordo had planned to switch lanes with 2 to go and sprint by.

A length to go and I cramp big time ! Manage to ease it and swim the length with a club foot for the win on the swim TT. 21:14. Not the fastest but it was a pretty easy effort other than the cramp.

It’s caused a lot of laughs over dinner the level of cramping. Think there could be some suffering tomorrow. So much for saving us from ourselves. A simple bike tack on would have been easier. There’s this film crew following us to make a documentary. I reckon they’ve seen enough to day to portray how bonker we are. Run 13km then race flat out 10k. Ride 60k then race 30k flat out. Swim 1.5k the drown trying to race 1.5k flat out.

Just got the points and remarkably I ended up second in the Triathlon behind Gordo and only a matter of seconds ahead of 3rd. Thank god I got going again on the bike TT.  Gonna test out my foot tomorrow by doing a run before breakfast.

What a great day.

The photo is a brand new Yellow Jersey and as current holder of if I’ve the pleasure of starting this camp tomorrow in Yellow. Should get a photo in it just in case it’s my only day in yellow ! I hope not. Already I can see that I’m getting drawn in to it thinking how best I can play the points. The changes in the rules really aren’t playing to my strengths. There are no additional points for cycling. You get 4 points for completing the days ride and thats it. Furthermore if you don’t complete all the riding you’re not eligible for yellow at all. In effect this means that cycling counts for absolutely nothing in terms of winning yellow unless everyone fails to complete ! I guess there’s the odd TT where you could pick up points by being fast.

So swimming – there will be a few opportunities for getting extra 3ks of swimming – I will grab all of them. Perhaps there will be a marginal day – say 1h20 of swim time and I could try and crank out 6k ! With luck some of the sets will allow me to get extra points that others can’t.

Running this time is done on distance with 10ks counting for a point and if you hit 25k you get an extra bonus of 2. You can do this twice. You can tack on as much running as you like. Now, I’m not running as fast as I was so this now being distance rather than time based makes it tougher. Tomorrow we are running 20k as a minimum so an extra 5k will get the bonus. I’m sure loads will do it and my reaction is of course I will. However, when I engage my brain I  think I definitely shouldn’t. In fact, by not doing it tomorrow I could set the right precedent for myself. My compromise thought is … I’ll run the 20k and see how I go. There’s no reason the foot won’t hold up. As long as I’m prepared to back off if I feel anything untoward.

Getting handed the yellow made me feel a little pressure and certainly a need to give it a shot !

It’s a big camp, seems like 25 riders. Think I’ve managed to speak to them all and they seem a great bunch. Everyone looks so fit but I know that you can’t really assess how strong someone is till you’re out riding and done a few days. Will try and do as little work as possible until the dust settles a bit.

Got chatting to one guy, Roger I think. He follows this blog and told me how at Kona last year after the race he was telling his wife how he’d seen this guy just collapse on the run. Just fall over like a felled tree in agony. Then someone grabbed his foot and he screamed. He then read my blog and realised it was me !

I really feel for Jo though. She tweaked her foot a few days a go. It seemed minor at the time but has been sore to run on since. It’s looking like she won’t be able to run tomorrow – the first event on the camp. I’m impressed though at how upbeat she is. Taking the right attitude. The run minimum is purely 105km over the whole camp so she can make up the distance later in the camp.