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It’s  been a wet day on Epic Camp. Above you can see Jo being a good bike owner giving her bike a good clean and oil. You don’t want it inefficient on a camp like this. I’m still in yellow and have in fact managed to extend my lead.

We’re staying in Collingwood for two nights. A tiny little town at the end of the road at the north end of the south Island. We’ve just come back from the little bar. I liked it cause it was just how I imagined a Kiwi bar to be. Great views over the mountains and Scott telling some hilarious stories about the other three “big 4”, namely Scott Tinley, Mark Allen and Dave Scott. He’s such a great story teller and had us all creased up laughing.

Day started with a run to the outdoor 50m pool in Nelson. I ran with Jo and Russ. As we left we bumped into Tara and Heath heading out as well. The run passed quickly, we chatted whilst running at a comfortable pace. We had time for a 6k swim so thats what I was going to do. Whilst we waited for the pool to open I agreed with Tara we’d do the set of 10 x 200m on 3 mins for 2 points. As we got in to the pool we found that John and Scott were going to do 20 x 100 on 1:30 so we tagged along with that as did Chris. It was all very fair with us going at 10 second intervals. It was agreed it was a slow pool and I had to work hard to come in on 1:22. I told Tara I was going to do a few lengths easy then do the IM set (12 x [100IM, 150 freestyle]) for another 2 points. As I finished my easy I saw Tara doing her 200 fly (for 2 points as well) before starting the IM set. By now we’re the only ones left in the pool. I was almost laughing at how we were each doing all of this to get points but because the other was as well we could just call a truse and head back ! I of course did the 200 fly at the end to get the points and ended up swimming 6.1k. Tara and I laughed about it in the van back to the hotel.

Todays rides was relatively short (about 124k) but in the middle had a big climb (something like 15k to 750m) – this was double whammy as it counted towards the KOM jersey but also it was a competition in it’s own right so points would be scored towards the general classification. It was  key for me to finish ahead of Tara to consolidate my lead in both competitions (at the end of the camp the KOM is viewed as a competition and points go to the GC). I felt my best tactic was constant steady hard effort from the off – given my TT result I felt this should put me pretty far up the field.

I was hoping for an easy ride to the start of the climb and that was the case. Another organised group ride. I felt awesome for about 10 minutes and then felt terrible. I felt dizzy and faint and it crossed my mind I should pull to the side for a moment. I didn’t, I stuck it out, had something to eat and with time it seemed to pass. There was an aid station before the climb. Immediately from the off after the aid station Scott sprinted off (there were a few KMs of flat before the climb). I started to chase him down, then Chris came through I hopped on his wheel and we caught him before the climb. I stuck to my plan and rode at an effort I felt I could sustain but since I didn’t really know the climb the plan was to go with John and Scott if they went by. I didn’t look back. Bevan and Chris were way up the road. Piet went off, Heath did and then Lou went by at a rate of knots. I eased slightly and Scott and John went by. I couldn’t accelerate with them so they pulled away. Looking back I could see Tara was gapped and I was reasonably happy. I slowly pulled back towards Scott and John. Passing Piet on the way who had done as expected – hard and then stalled. As I went by he jumped on my wheel so I said “Don’t blow up Piet. I need you to finish ahead of Tara and she’s coming” … next time I looked he was gapped. I got back to John and Scott and stuck with them. I knew I didn’t have it in me to sprint at the end so I just rolled over behind them. Piet finished next then Tara – 1 point gained !

Long descent (we’ll be racing up it in two days) – very hairy in the rain. I was happy to cruise to lunch on my own for 30k. About 10m from lunch the “Tara train” caught me ! Ashame it hadn’t happened a little earlier – she told me she was hungry and cold so had TT”d to lunch – there were alot of happy campers being towed in her wake !

The weather was still pretty miserable but I was warm and happy enough so there was no doubt about tacking on. Getting to 210k was not possible without an unreal TT effort so 180k it would be. I cruised with Jo for a while before I realised I needed to pick up the pace. We bumped into Tara who was out tacking on but she only planned to 150k so I ended up gaining another point. I did a lovely ride out to Farewell spit and managed my 180k with 20 minutes to spend. Not much I can do points wise with 20 minutes so I used the extra time wisely and ate !

Despite my best efforts to track the points I’m not absolutely certain but based on what John said tonight it seems I’m 4 or 5 points ahead. There is some sort of competition now each day and that will be key to the jersey I reckon. In terms of tacking on as long as I do what I can points can’t be gained on me there but having a bad race could be costly.

This is great fun !

Here’s Jo and I at the first aid station proudly wearing our respective jerseys for the day.

Last night I had a pretty restless night – so much going over in my mind. It was just like this on Epic Italy – took days before I slept properly despite all the training. The points obviously matter to me as it was this going over in my mind. I was 1.5 points ahead of Tara but knew she would gain 2 points on me today as I’d already claimed both my 200k bonuses. I was working out how to not lose the jersey. Then as I thought it through I realised that unless Tara had managed 210k yesterday I should be 2.5 points ahead. I checked with Tara she hadn’t – funnily enough it turns out she’d gone for a coffee with Scott after the TT and if he hadn’t pointed it out she would have missed 200k and possible her run, as it was she didn’t manage 210k. It turned out John and missed my 1k band only point. PHEW

As a result I’ve managed to retain the jersey today. I made a tactical move of not running before breakfast so the clock started when we rolled out at 7am. Was pleased to see Tara had run before breakfast which meant the clock must have started at 5:30am latest. With the length of the ride today I felt sure she wouldn’t be able to extend it to 270km by her cut off time. As it turned out she joined us for the tack on and it was great chatting with her but like on the first day where I did 210k but only claimed 200k she’ll only claim the 254k. So 2.5 points up at start of the day, she gained back 2 for 200k bonus but then I got an extra point for 270. John hadn’t managed to do the points but I should be 1.5 up. It’s not much.

Today was a massive day. We had to ride to Nelson some 254km over some pretty hilly terrain and with an appreciable headwind. The first aid station was at about 60km and the ride was friendly through to there. Riding in a tight bunch, 2 up and rotating through. It was generally considered this was like speed dating as you got about 5 minutes chatting with someone before moving on. It’s such a good way to get to know your fellow campers.

Between the next two aid stations it got a little broken up. It was underlating which never helps keeping a group together and there were various surges. As ever I just tried to stick with the strong people – so generally if Chris or John moved I’d go as well.  The pack broke up but I managed to stay with the MacDonald train. I realised that as long as I stayed with Marilyn Chris wouldn’t drop me ! We got to the aid station and waited for the others.

Only 45k till lunch. No talk just an awesome spell of the bunch rotating continuously – the time whizzed by and we had a well earned lunch. 170k done but with headwind we were slow. I checked with John about getting a swim done. I think perhaps it came across as me hassling him (sorry John !) – I wasn’t meaning to but after the swim TT being draft legal without me knowing I just wanted to be clear what rules I was playing to. The pool was only open till 6pm so unlikely anyone would manage a swim and run so we’d be allowed to make the swim up later. Clear plan of attack – get to 270k on the bike and run off. Was pretty sure there was no way Tara could get to 270k in her remaining time.

I was feeling the strongest I’ve felt on the bike all camp and was optimistic about the KOM. This was a proper climb, not some short sprint and felt over a longer distance I’d be better able to do well. I stuck with Chris and Bevan as they put the hammer down. I was working hard and felt not many could stick with it. After a good spell a quick glance confirmed we’d dropped everyone. I was feeling a little sprightly so decided what the hell I’d give it a go and went passed them both. Boy oh boy did my legs scream at me and I realised if I continued like that I’d probably blow and everyone might catch me. Luckily Bevan went by, then Chris and I got back on the wheel. When their started their move for the finish I had nothing and just rolled over for 3rd. Was very pleased when Chris told me I was climbing well.

We absolutely belted down to the final aid station. We hooked up with Tara there and me, her and Piet continued to tag on to 270k in a manner I think only Epic camp could induce – back and forward along a road in a housing estate. Turns out this was Tara and Piets longest ride. Luckily for Tara as she’d run before she didn’t have to run off the bike. I ran with Piet but his ‘jog’ was rather faster than what I’d call a jog and after running together for 20 minutes we did our own thing eventually meeting up again to do a couple of laps of the motel carpark to get to 50 minutes !! Perhaps Piet pushed a little hard as he had the shakes by the end – a sit down and some food sorted him out.

You’ve guessed it I’m in yellow ! It was bloody hard work to get it and it’s pretty certain that tomorrow I will lose it as we will all do a 200km ride but I’ve already done two so won’t get the two bonus points but Tara will and she’s only 1.5 points behind. The swim drafting may haunt me at the end of this camp as it’s equivalent to 1.5 points as rather than me finishing one place ahead of Tara I finished two behind. It played on my mind last night making it difficult to get to sleep. Luckily Jo provided a sympathetic ear ;o) Though for me a TT is an individual thing – no drafting I guess at Epic in the swim it’s triathlon rules … perhaps next time I’ll draft … probably not though. I’ll just have to win despite that but Tara is pretty tenacious from what I’ve seen. I was hoping to run back from the swim this morning but John seriously discourage me. After the swim Tara said she’d run back with me … we decided not to and lets face it since we would have run together it made no difference. I feel at the moment the race for yellow is really between Tara and I… I don’t think Tara will break easily ;o)

Today was tough. We headed to the pool for a Roly swim session. I did 4.7k of the session, then 1k bands only for a point then 300m for 6k session and two bonus points. Tara got her 6k in as well. Jo was a total trooper and got her 6k done including 1k bands only. Whereas for me the band makes little difference for her it makes he legs like an anchor – very hard work.

Very rushed breakfast – the food on the camp is superb. Last night homemade pies, lasagne, carrot cake. Tonight a great BBQ – as much steak as u liked (and I liked alot) homemade burgers (I reckon lamb with mint sauce). I’ve been eating alot.

Todays ride was going to be tough, more so that we all would have to run off the bike. The ride was about 190km with a KOM at about 82km and ending with a 66km TT. Everything was friendly to the first feed station – great rotation with everyone doing abit on the front and a change of rider beside you so we got to get to know each other better. This continued initially after the feed and I was thinking that for once we’d get everyone to the bottom of the KOM so everyone could compete for it. I was particularly keen for this for Jo as she could do well on it but if someone decides to crank it she often pops off the back. The Piet gets to the front and just hammers – we all go single file and it turns out Jo got spewed out the back in the mayhem. Ken was in front of me and I said we should just let Piet hang out there and kill himself. He did a long pull then sat up looked back and commented about the number of people still there. I thought to myself “you’ll have to be a little more subtle to jump this group” – if he’d done that move from 3 wheels back he’d probably have split the pack in two with maybe only half a dozen of us making the break. Then someone else made a jump and Piet got on his wheel. I let them go but then Chris jumped across so I went for it. I was about 5 metres back when Chris caught them and closing. He stayed at their pace. Then looked over his shoulder saw me now only 2 metres from getting on and he went to the front and picked up the pace – no way could I close those 2 metres now. I eased off and joined the next group. I stuck it out and fought to stay ahead of Marilyn since Tara was behind her and the KOM points roll down at the end could be crucial.

Douglas and I got on the MacDonald express to lunch – sitting in behind Chris and Marilyn (on his wheel). He pulled us all the way to lunch, even kindly looking back at the top of rises to make sure we were back on. It is really impressive to see the power Chris has on the bike – it certainly makes me pleased I’m not racing Pro !

TT was set off at 30 second intervals. As I was second on GC I got to go second last with Tara behind me. I was racing scared but with so many people ahead to real in I got into a groove and felt great. I kept expecting Tara to come whizzing past. At 30k she hadn’t and I realised she wouldn’t whizz past if it took that long to close 30 seconds, by 50k I realised the liklihood is I’d be going quicker than her. I managed to pass everyone other than Chris. He punctured so I went by him whilst he was by the side of the road, when he went back past me it was truly impressive. I wasn’t expecting to catch Piet as he’d been s strong busting up the pack but he looked to be suffering when I saw him and I must admit after his shenanigans earlier I didn’t have much sympathy – that effort may have been better spent on the TT where points were at stake ! I had two goals with this TT – get to the end of the TT ahead of Tara and then TT on another 20k to get 210k (for extra points) with enough time to spare for my 50 minute run. I did it with 7 minutes to spare ! My bike ride ended up just over 210km in 6.5 hours. Thats an average of over 20mph.

After this tough day tomorrow could be very interesting as we have a 252km ride to Nelson. Reckon we could some people really suffering tomorrow.

Totally over the moon with my TT – went 2:00:12 and was second fastest. Chris went 1:54 and Tara just over 2:01. Unfortunately no one finished between Tara and I whereas in the swim TT John was between us – thats the half point difference that should result in Tara getting the yellow tomorrow. BUT – I have a cunning plan – if at the pool I do the 3k IM set and then 200 fly I should still be in the lead … that or get two runs in somehow … oh dear I’m totally caught up in this.

Jo had a tough day today but battled through – had some long spells on her own before lunch but still did a great TT. For this she’ll be in the green jersey tomorrow as “Camper of the day”.

Finally – what made my day is that Scott came up to me after dinner and gave me a Whittaker Nut Slab (he knows I love them ) for my “damn impressive TT”. I was pleased with it but it means alot for Scott to notice it. I just need to somehow convert this sort of TT performance into a good IM bike split.

Cracking first day. Without intentionally trying to get in to yellow on day 1 I ended the day equal on points with Tara but she got the yellow as she did better in the swim TT and the king of the mountains. Must admit it’s abit of a surprise I’m in equal first, thought I’d be a ways off and had kind of decided not to chase it. Now though…. my competitive side has been poked ;o)

Day started with a run to the QEII pool. 9.8km (apparently) and we did it in about 48 minutes. Did a 1km warm up. Heath and Tara did it with band for a point (cunning). Then the 2k TT. I was in a lane with Chris and Lou. I lead off, with Chris behind me who had stated he’d probably hold 1:22 (per 100m) pace – this was fast enough to have me swimming scared. Heath lead of the lane next to me, behind him were Scott, John and Tara. The Epic high jinx had already started and I’d made a mistake not being in there with them. Heath was quick – I kind of went with him but when I hit the first 100m (long course) in 1:13 and he must have been a few seconds ahead of me. I eased off and hit the 200 in in 2.33. I was swimming very well. Eventually it became clear that I was pulling away from Chris until at 1k he disappeared ! Turned out he’d switched lanes to get a draft from John and Tara. I could see I was close to 50m ahead of John and Tara and since they’d started 20 and 30 seconds behind I was aok in second place. Unfortunately for me Heath was fast enough to lap them. He didn’t lap me but he did get close enough to pull them along so they beat my time ! Gutted. Got to admit I felt a little cheated but this is Epic camp and it seems drafting in the swim is aok … perhaps I’ll be cleverer next time ! Anyway – did the 2k in 26:15 which is great so well chuffed.

Jo, Tara, Russ and I decided to get an extra run in by running back.

Awesome breakie – loads of eggs then fruit and yogurt before heading out on the bike. Gorges ride for us. Nice pack through to the feed station with some rather fast spells at times when people on the front got abit perky. I happily didn’t do any work on the front. With a peleton of 18 that wasn’t too tricky. I made the mistake of eating too much at the feed station because almost from the off the pace picked up. There was a minor king of mountains (purely put in place to get someone in the polka dot jersey) so everyone was trying to get the jump. I sat at the back for a fair bit and managed to judge my move forward perfectly as I ended up on Chris’s wheel as he moved from centre pack through the front and off. I worked my arse off to stay on his wheel – at times I was even throwing up what I’d eaten earlier – but I stayed on his wheel. Finally on a small rise the elastic broke and I found only Tara, Marilyn and John had managed to stay with it. We worked together and stayed away – I was happy enough to be ahead of the pack and didn’t contest the KOM. After that Chris waited and we all rolled into lunch together about 5 minutes ahead of the next pack.

After lunch Jo, Russ and I decided we were going to do a major tack on – Porters Pass – 939 metres. In terms of points this was not a wise move as getting the extra KMs would be alot easier on the flat around Christchurch but to be honest though  I want points I want good demanding riding more.

This was the second time up Porters Pass and it was tough again – for a good 25km it climbs very gradually and there was a stiff wind. The weather came in and we considered turning back but soon cast it aside. I was most of the work on the front pulling us along. The photo above shows Jo and I at the summit. We belted back down to Springfield refilled water bottles. We had till 6pm to amass points (there’s a rule at Epic Camp that you have 12 hours to train and the clock starts when your first session starts). With bonus points for 200km we were aiming for that. We had 1h40 to do 60km – 36km/h. Conveniently thats 5 hour Ironman Pace. Tough. By now Russ was feeling ill and did no work on the front. Jo like a trooper did her bit but it really fell to me to push it along. I did my best busting a gut to maintain the pace but with half an hour to go the average required was up to close to 38km/h. We decided to ease up a little. As we came in to town and turned on to the ring road we got a tail wind – 4km needed in 6 minutes. I hammered at over 50km/h and at 6pm ha 199.76 km !! They gave us the 200k. Not enough for yellow though.

A seriously tough day. Especially the 1h15 TT on the way back. I certainly feel I’ve done more work here on day 1 than I did in Italy. This may prove costly when it comes to tomorrows 70k bike TT.