Ironman Camp in Taupo

Well, I survived my Ironman Camp in Taupo. Yay!!

As per my last update, I was feeling pretty lousy with a virus that got me - in fact, the Friday and Saturday (18-19th January) I feel like dying. I was laid up in bed and was really sick. My chest hurt like hell from the infection and pleurisy, and I was not sure if I was going to recover enough to head to Taupo the following weekend. But, I did - thankfully.

After religiously taking my antibiotics, and having to lay low for several days due to being sick, my body seemed to recover quite well. I got in a few training sessions before having to head away, so I was pleased that I was able to get back training again.

So, Friday I packed up the car (boy, what a lot of stuff!) with everything that I would possibly need - you never know what the weather will do in Taupo either, so had clothing choices, especially for the bike. Lots of gels, water bottles etc... I hope I had everything!!!

I headed off Friday late morning out of Auckland so I could have a leisurely drive down and got into Taupo feeling good. Time to unpack the car and get organised for the weekend ahead.

We were all staying at various places, with a group in one house - I chose to stay at my usual motel retreat, but we all met up for dinner at night.

Saturday morning 7am started with a 30 minute swim near the top end of the course (I didn't fear well, again), then we got changed by our cars into our bike gear and headed out for a 180km ride (2 laps of the Ironman course). The morning was lovely and sunny but the wind came up on the second lap just to keep us honest out there! Then straight off the bike for a 20 minute run. By now it was incredibly hot and all I felt like doing was jumping into the lake. My weigh in at the end was good - same as at the beginning, so fluid intake was good. Phew! Next on the agenda was a shower and a nano nap before dinner! Body felt shattered.

Sunday morning 7am another swim, this time at the start of the swim. The wind was up already and the lake was choppy (which I didn't like the look of). Again I freaked out in the swim (getting really annoying now!). Then a quick change and onto our bikes for a 90km bike (1 lap of the course), followed by a 10km run. Besides coping with the strong winds on the bike all went well and I felt pretty good. The run was again very hot - Taupo was sure turning on the weather! On the run back into town, the Offshore Power Boat racing was starting, so people had lined the street and it was crazy - just like Ironman Day! Then back to the motel for another nano nap before dinner.

Monday was a casual day - so I left the group and headed down for a swim by myself to spend some time in the water. This time was better. The morning was lovely and calm, the lake like a mirror - so perfect conditions. I just needed to stay calm and feel ok in the water - just for my head's sake! This weekend was the first time I have swum in Lake Taupo, and I must say, that is must nicer than swimming in the sea. It is "not" salty - Yay - and no currents and tides to contend with. It is also clear, so you can see the bottom which is nice - better than Takapuna which is murky. But somehow, I just need to find a mechanism to stay relaxed and calm in the open water.

So, overall, my body felt really good after the weekend which surprised me, especially the hours spent on the bike, as this usually causes problems with my back/shoulders - but it didn't this time, so I was rapt. Each lap of the course took around 3.5 hours which I was pleased with considering we were in a small group and we stayed together. At least now I know that I can manage the 180km without too much problem, even with the wind which is my worse enemy!

But there was still a few weeks more training .... I am really looking forward to getting this over, as I am getting over this training .... Perhaps I am getting grumpy - probably ...