Day in the life of an Adventure Racer. Jo Williams

Yesterday 11/01/12 I had a portering job up to French Ridge hut for two climbers. Jo caught wind of this and thought it would be great idea to join me as she is training for a 10 day Adventure Race in Patagonia. After several days of back to back missions her day went something like this. In the lake at 7am for a 1.8k swimm (Jo is doing Wanaka Challenge) at work by 8am, finish work at 1pm meet Ed at 1.15pm. Drive to Rasberry flat, hop onto MTB 2.30pm and bike through to Aspiring Hut . I drive to Aspiring Hut in Nigel No Worries, (Nissan Safari) with the gear to be portered to FR. 23kgs, off bike on with pack, trek up to FR hut. Spend about an hour there as Jo’s hubbie, Simon, was there guiding. Whilist there Simon talked Jo into her bring down his wet climbing rope, the deal was a free dinner out on Simon, I thought Jo bring the rope down was a great idea as it would give me a chance of keeping up. Next a very quick trip back down to Aspiring Hut arriving 8.45pm, onto bike to Rasberry Flat head back to Wanaka at 9.15pm. Goodness knows what she is doing today. I don’t know how she does all that training and work as well, it is amazing!!!

All the best for Patagonia Jo

Getting fit for adventure

Terry’s all psyched up after years of average fitness (blamed on the young children) and recently 6 weeks off running due to injury… he’s back in the saddle and motivated to get fitter than ever.

Goals:

Off road half marathon, mid October in under 1hr20mins.

Deans bank 12hr MTB ride, Labour Weekend. (Either 6hrs hard with a mate or 12hr steady solo)

Southern Lakes Multisport Club 24hr Adventure Race, 19th November. (Top 3 finish)

Northburn100 (as the race director I cant do it on race day 24th March 2012 but would like to complete it in under 30hr about mid December this year)

I’ll be keeping a training log on our facebook page and using my not-so-secret training weapon bHIP.

Update: 12th July – after starting back into training nice and slowly for two whole weeks I then  went and ran 10ks per day for 4 consecutive days and noticed niggles appear back in my stress fractured feet. Damn, just too keen. So since then I’ve been running no longer than 5mins at a time with 3min walking/stretching and doing about 3-4 reps 2-3 times a week. Also been doing some reasonably steady MTB sessions and a couple of bigger MTB/RUN/Tramp session in my nice ridged soled tramping boots (I can do anything in these awesome Gronell boots and not stress my feet) -

I’ve incorporated a wobble board into my training – have it set up in the office and when ever I’m on the phone (cordless) I just wonder over and stand on it for a few minutes at a time.

Did some good hill work yesterday climbing up the old cromwell reservoir track (basically steps straight up for 4 mins then a rough track through some rocks for another 4 mins) x 3 reps. Ran an easy flat 12mins 3min walk/rest and another 12min run home (in running shoes) – longest run in running shoes for nearly a month, I stretch it out with a good steady 10min MTB before and after.

At least I’ve been consistent – the most consistent I’ve been in 7 years! Only taking one or two day off per week.

So fitness will still be improving enough for my 10hr MTB and 24hr challenge goals but my 80min half marathon may have to get put back a couple of weeks…

Update 25th July: Feet feel fine – did a 10k today, first 5ks in 22mins then eased off on the way back, still walking the odd short steep section just so as I don’t push too hard. Running 4 days per week, biking 2 other days, one run mid week is  steep hill reps. Longer run in the weekends all hills. 2 other mid week runs are the flat trail vid below.

My regular 10k ‘flat’ run from Old Cromwell Town to Bannockburn Bridge and back…

FREE STUFF!

Come along to our navigation team sport event known as ‘Rogaining’ and get yourself some free stuff!!

If you’ve Rogained before and know how much fun it is then we would like to challenge you to ‘spread the love’ and bring a newbie Rogaining,  if you do we will give you a merino beanie and give your newbie mate(s) a Brunton Clasic compass (these are very cool wee compasses, ideal for Rogaining).  To be eligable for this deal you must enter before 16 May so we can order all the stuff.

If this is the first time Rogaining for you and your whole team then you will ALL get a compass. Rogaining is a team sport so there must be at least 2 and up to 5 of you.

Everyone is up for prizes from MITRE 10 Wanaka – the main sponsor of this event and everyone will get a great hot meal at the end of it all.

Either 6 or 12 hours of adventure out in the hills with your mates – what is there  not to love??? And because it’s in winter and the later part is in the dark you get to use all your best gear!! Bring layers of merino, that fancey seam-sealed, jacket and your headlamp and finally put them all to good use!

Click here to sign yourself up now. See you on the 28th May.

Terry and Ed

Ed’s best kept Secret for Endurance Food

Mitre 10 wanaka – Mt. Pisa Rogaine

Ed was down at Mt Pisa today scoping out the course for 23 May.  “This course is going to be awesome with heaps of interesting geographical features as well  as historical features from the early gold mining days”. 

We are going to have a family section this year.  This means either mum and/or dad with their under 18 year old sibblings. 

We will be plotting the course in the next week or so.  Keep an eye on the website for some photos.