What event are your training for and what is your goal?
Coast, longest day and redbull defiance. Finish in day light and survive.
What it is your motivation for wanting to achieve this?
About time to turn some potential into performance.
What is your background and how did you get into your sport?
Orienteering since I was at school. I’ve always been a runner of sorts and picked up biking along the way.
What is your favourite event/or training mission so far?
Tramping into lake Christabel in the Lewis pass.
Why?
Really cool spot. It was for our wedding anniversary and we found some bubbles in a can to have in the evening with some crackers and cheese.
What is your favourite training ride/run/kayak/swim etc?
As much as there are times that I am hating on it out there, pretty much all of the time paddling on the river. The Gorge with a fair bit of water in it is exciting.
Who is your inspiration?
David Goggins
Who is your biggest fan?
Dad
Do you have an inspirational quote that you would like to share?
What event are your training for and what is your goal?
Medals are my goal – just got to find bike events that have them!
What it is your motivation for wanting to achieve this?
Medals – All about the BLING!
What is your background and how did you get into your sport?
I needed to tidy up the body – started by walking then running – then found out about medals – done Buller Half for my first medal, followed by a bunch of other great runs……..and medals. Got a hip injury so now I can’t run at that length anymore. I have started to ride – and just starting to find how I fit in – it has been really hard making the change but there are so many cool people in the Team CP crew that nudge me along.
What is your favourite event/or training mission so far?
Any event with a medal – but if I really had to pick my fav it would be Bullar – first medal and all.
Why?
The views, the people, the medal, you never forget your first time.
What is your favourite training ride/run/kayak/swim etc?
It would be a training run I used to do from the top of Kennedys Bush along summit road to Sumner – nice wee 21k views are amazing and it always felt like home.
Who is your inspiration?
All my friends – they keep telling me I am awesome – I do my best to believe them and that drives me. No one person has that effect on me.
Who is your biggest fan?
My hubby Keith ! I hope.
Do you have an inspirational quote that you would like to share?
No body die !
What is your favourite recovery food?
DANIEL LE BRUN – Whitestone lindis pass brie – Mainland Blue Cheese
What event are your training for and what is your goal?
There’s always another Christchurch Half on the Horizon. 1:20 is my aspirational goal.
What it is your motivation for wanting to achieve this?
Last year saw me cut it out in 1:28. I’d love to make a 1:20. I kid myself that if I achieve that I can retire from road racing. The books tell me I’ve seen my fastest years (they happened before I got back into running) so pressure is on to do it fast now!
What is your background and how did you get into your sport?
I ran and played hockey at school, and loved harriers and cross country. In my late 40’s I got sick of the size of my tummy so followed my Sally out the door for a run, and I’ve not been able to stop – the journey towards mastery beckons.
What is your favourite event/or training mission so far?
That is a wicked question, they’re like children and you risk hurting feelings by answering.
Why?
So many, both races and regular workouts, are like celebrations of life – the bubbly lively children. Others are dark, testing and help you grow.
Who is your inspiration?
Sally Wright – she’s hard as nails, never stops trying, and we’re always finding adventures together.
What is your favourite recovery food?
There’s a rumour that it’s always about the bananas
What event are your training for and what is your goal?
I’m in training for life actually, but hoping to learn to ride a MTB properly and get some events in next year to keep me focused. This is officially a code change for me, form IM and 1/2IM triathlon to MTB. A significant hammy injury has meant that after 12 months I am still not running pain free.
What is your background and how did you get into your sport?
I took up multi-sport in 2000 and loved it. I kept however wrecking my ankles, so was told to try swimming. This then saw me convert to triathlon – IM2004 (a life time ago) and numerous other tris and 1/2IM’s. I have also done a lot of endurance stuff – i.e K2 (never again), Coastal Challenge Full Monty etc. It was a life time ago! I am a sucker for anything off road like the Rotorua ½, Xterra etc. We live in such an amazing country, and when you go off road, you get to see and experience places you might otherwise not.
What is your favourite event/or training mission so far?
Favourite event was IM2004 – I had the perfect day and race. My then coach Jon Ackland, was just wonderful and set me up so well mentally for the event. I didn’t hit the wall and achieved all my goals for the day. Was just incredible.
What is your favourite training ride/run/kayak/swim etc?
Running – anything off-road! In Wellington I love the skyline trace, and the Xterra locations – especially around the Meridian wind farm, and around the coast. Can’t beat a good ocean swim – love the Wellington ocean swim around the lighthouse. Riding – anything out in the country. Not a huge fan of riding around cities….
Who is your inspiration?
It will sound corny – but it has to be Cameron Brown. I first met Cam at a training weekend in 2003 – that he and Scott Molina were running. Have kept in touch ever since. He is an incredible guy – he is so humble, kind and approachable….and has on numerous occasions gone out of his way to help me. And, all the people that cross the IM finish line after 16hrs, they are incredibly inspiring too!
Who is your biggest fan?
My kids – Casey and Noah (5 y/o twin boys) and my 12-year old daughter Cameron.
Do you have an inspirational quote that you would like to share?
‘To uncover your true potential you must first find your own limited, and then you have to have the courage to blow past them!’ (Pacablo Street)
What is your favourite recovery food?
Wine – that is a food group eh?
What event are your training for and what is your goal?
Motutapu Xterra
What it is your motivation for wanting to achieve this?
Got to set goals, not to mention having fun
What is your background and how did you get into your sport?
Terrible at sport as a kid. Started cycling with Lord Ludds (Andrew Luddington) and after my first 100km cycle race Team CP took over and are responsible for a large part of the result.
What is your favourite event/or training mission so far?
Abel Tasman Cycle Challenge was a favourite albeit now no more. Coast to Coast and Blue Dog 6hr MTB
Why?
They set goals and I was able to see what I could achieve.
What is your favourite training ride/run/kayak/swim etc?
No one favourite as such but anything involving the Port hills. They are pregnant with choices not to mention right on our doorstep.
Who is your inspiration?
Other Team CP athletes, but most importantly my son Alex.
Who is your biggest fan?
Definitely my son Alex
Do you have an inspirational quote that you would like to share?
Stay relaxed… don’t push the tempo, First time you want to pick it up, dont. the second time, don’t… and the third time… you won’t be able to. (Above the door of Frontrunner Colombo. Thanks Oska)
What is your favourite recovery food?
Coffee Culture Mixed berry smoothies
Any other comments?
The race is the result of all the work you put in before, but the best part is realising what you have just achieved, the fun you had getting there and the awesome people you meet along the way. Racing and Training, if done right is like a drug that gives you a few lows, but the highs are the best part. It will always leave you wanting more.
What event are your training for and what is your goal?
Tauranga half, Brecca Wanaka
What it is your motivation for wanting to achieve this?
To prove than an overweight can do it
What is your background and how did you get into your sport?
By accident. I did some riding, entered the blokes tri and went from there
What is your favourite event/or training mission so far?
Rotorau Half Ironman. (favourite event believe it or not)
Why?
I hate it because it beats me every time.
What is your favourite training ride/run/kayak/swim etc?
Run and swim in Lake Roto Kohatau
What is your inspiration?
Getting to the end
Who is your biggest fan?
Me
Do you have an inspirational quote that you would like to share?
A previous coach shouted at me once during Wanaka Half, ” You’re never going to beat Roger (another fellow workmate) by walking up that hill.” I always think of this and beating roger.
It’s been a long time since my last blog post. 2018 has been a year of change; after finishing my degree and completing GODZone it was time to enter the ‘real world’ and start a full time job. This has been exciting but challenging at times due to doing both day and night shift work. This has made it a bit trickier when planning races. The bonus is that I was already used to not having a consistent training program.
For a long time I have wanted to give racing a marathon a crack. I’m not much of a street runner so I wanted it to be a trail run. When I saw that Mission Mt Somers Marathon would fit into my schedule, I was keen to give it a crack. The main events I’m training for are Red Bull Defiance and Coast to Coast Longest Day so Mission Mt Somers became a training run/race rather than my main focus.
The lead into Mt Somers was never going to be great for preparation and that was just something I just had to accept. I was in the field camping for work the week beforehand and got home on Friday. I knew this would be the case when I planning the race but did not want work to prevent me racing or having adventures.
I was feeling nervous at the race start, it was great to see some Team CP members just before the start for some encouragement. Before I knew it we were off, the first 6km was a run along farm tracks and a few stream crossings. My aim was just to complete the race so I tried to work on not starting too fast and maintaining a steady pace. I was looking forward to the first big hill climb. Once there I pulled out my hiking poles and settled into a steady pace up the hill. I found it challenging finding my rhythm with so many other people around and guys powering up the hill. However, I just focused on sticking with my own pace.
I enjoyed hitting the downhill and flew down the technical terrain. I made some time up on the downhill sections which was exciting. I was feeling pretty good when I reached the halfway mark (21km) at the Woolshed creek car park. I quickly stopped to resupply and then headed out onto the next section.
Everything seemed to go downhill from here. I ate a banana heading out which is a usual food choice for me. Not long after that my stomach started to feel sick and that’s how it felt for most of the way from then on. Once that happened I struggled to eat food and just focused on keeping on moving forward. I tried having a gel but my stomach rejected it. Progress was slow up to the saddle. I was stoked to reach the saddle and was looking forward to getting to Pinnacles Hut and for some fun technical running through the bush.
I wanted to get some fuel in so tried eating a jam sandwich. This was no good, causing me to throw up. So I went back to focusing on going forward. I ran with someone for a while and it was good to chat to him and have a distraction. My stomach felt a lot better after throwing up so I focused on drinking. Luckily I had some Pure and Tailwind.
Eventually I made it to the Sharplin Falls carpark, so there was only 6km to go. It was a slow struggle and hard mentally to be running on farm/gravel road to the end compared to sweet technical single track. But in the end I made it. Tired and worn out I was stoked to have completed a marathon and somehow still really enjoyed it.
Mission Mt Somers wasn’t my best race but that’s okay. For me it was about getting out there, giving it my best shot, and completing it. It gave me the opportunity to really push myself and test my mental toughness, which I will need for future events. We think my upset stomach may have been due to dehydration; through not drinking enough water in the first half of the race. This is a learning point I can take away and make sure it does not happen again. Mission Mt Somers is an awesome event and I would definitely do it again.
What event are your training for and what is your goal?
Queenstown Marathon & Goat Pass Mountain Run
What it is your motivation for wanting to achieve this?
To see what I am capable of in terms of endurance
What is your background and how did you get into your sport?
I played a lot of rugby up until I retired at an old age of 25. After that I didn’t do any sport for a couple of years. One day I was out for a run on the Harry Ell’s track and saw a poster for the Mount Oxford Odyssey & thought I’ll give that a crack so I did. After completing that I got the trail running bug and haven’t stopped since
What is your favourite event/or training mission so far?
Mount Oxford Odyssey
Why?
It was the first trail run event I had done. Tackling that mountain is always a challenge no matter how many times you do it. The event is well organised & it keeps getting better each year it’s held with different category’s that caters for range of abilities
What is your favourite training ride/run/kayak/swim etc?
Any training run where I run and new trail and have an adventure
Who is your biggest fan?
My Family. They support me a lot
Do you have an inspirational quote that you would like to share?
Nobody can tell you to do this. You do it because you love the game.
What event are your training for and what is your goal?
Corsair Bay Classic Triathlon and the RailTrail Duathlon.
What it is your motivation for wanting to achieve this?
To be fitter, faster and stronger.
What is your background and how did you get into your sport?
Have always loved running but love the mental and physical challenges that triathlon brings.
What is your favourite event/or training mission so far?
Arrowsmith 17km Run
Why?
Stunning scenery and the relaxed atmosphere.
What is your favourite training ride/run/kayak/swim etc?
Port Hills for running, especially early in the morning.
Who is your inspiration?
Anyone who is out there pursuing their dreams
Who is your biggest fan?
My husband, he’s awesome! and Luka, our hungarian Viszla.
Do you have an inspirational quote that you would like to share?
MINDBODY LOGIN
Mission Mt Somers wasn’t my best race but that’s okay. For me it was about getting out there, giving it my best shot, and completing it. It gave me the opportunity to really push myself and test my mental toughness, which I will need for future events. We think my upset stomach may have been due to dehydration; through not drinking enough water in the first half of the race. This is a learning point I can take away and make sure it does not happen again. Mission Mt Somers is an awesome event and I would definitely do it again.