Epic NZ, Jan 9th, round up

Oh my that was a tough day.

We opened up with 3200m in the pool (good to see Roly again). Main set was 2000 timed. I swam a 29:10 which was at least 10s per 100 faster than anything I had been doing in Montpellier -- can't beat the group environment.

Then we rode 190-205K depending on the group and the route home. I did much better than I expected for the first five hours. Some good times there. The highlights...

Wim and I dropped back for a pee and the lads picked it up -- swapping it out for 15 minutes we averaged 325w+ and bridged back. Just as we caught the group they slowed down -- naturally they claimed it was an accident we had to work so hard.

Did OK on the first KOM -- 9th over the top, no points but nothing too bad.

On the second KOM -- had a little more trouble, started to feel dizzy at the top but managed to be 7th over the top and get a single point. Probably the first climb (ever) that I legitimately beat Bjorn -- of course, he'd done back-to-back 180K days before today!

Later it was Swedish revenge though when Mister A freighttrained me out the back after 40 minutes with the A Team.

Had a great smile when we were sitting well over 40kmh and I am thinking about rolling out the back. I look over and it is KP!!! He was hanging with the Big Dogs.

The lads notched it up a level and that was it for KP, and me shortly thereafter.

Jonas smoked by a little later -- guess his van ride over the 2nd KOM let him freshen a bit... (check the photo gallery later, oh the SHAME...) he was penaltised. Anyhow I was going to say something but Bella was on his wheel. Big J pulled over and Bella put the HURT on me. Ouch! It's been five years since I was dropped by a girl and as soon as Jonas assumed control, I went right out!

Baron ended the day in Yellow by winning all the KOMs and getting to 200K. Pretty impressive given he's been injured for the last two weeks. He's very tough to beat when he has the attitude that I saw out there today.

My ride ending with an hour of personal time totally blown, nearly riding off the road once. I was pretty darn depressed. Then I got a flat, had a break and perked up a bit. After a 40 mintue break at HQ, managed to get my run done with a couple of the lads. That run was a big victory. No way I would have done that on my own.

Quite a few guys set distance and duration PBs to day, including Monica.

Tomorrow is a bit more reasonable -- 140K as 60K flat then 80K rolling up hill.

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Lots of emotional ups and downs for me today. That's a lot of what this is about. It's just like an ironman -- we need to learn to control the peaks and get ourselves through the valleys.

Have to say that I didn't really master my pacing. Wim summed it up nicely... "Nice ride today, g. However, given your preparation you might have managed it a little bit better." I think that Wim is going to have a great camp. He's got an excellent attitude and is in great shape.

Plenty of horsepower out there on this camp! We have some outstanding Civilian athletes. Mike from Canada was right up there all day. Dude has some massive quads and climbs like a goat.

OK that's enough. I gotta go to bed.

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Tomorrow is dedicated to David Plew -- your homework is to google the Queenstown AG Standard Distance World Champs.

I'll also write a little bit about what I am going to talk about tomorrow after dinner. "What are we trying to accomplish here?"