The Routeburn Classic 2009

The first snowflakes fell about 5 minutes before the race start. True to form. But then its called an "Adventure Race" with good reason....so off we went with a couple of raucous keas squawking us on. Or were they laughing?

The Routeburn is my favourite race- I think because its a bit rougher, a bit more of an alpine experience and just the right distance that you don't feel like you are completely killing yourself.

It was definitely winter from there. From Lake McKenzie hut to Routeburn Falls we were in serious snow and at times ice- at times I felt like I should be diving for an iceaxe, running without even a bag on my back as I was wearing all my gear- well it made me feel strangely exposed, but definitely free to charge!

This years finish line felt good. About 5 and a half hours, and I had a strong finish for the last 10km once out of the ice. I reckon the snow added about half an hour to times (not to mention the endless clicking of the camera) so the target of 5 hours might well have worked in snow free weather.

Some great stories were shared at the prizegiving, none less than the woman who came last ("The Worlds Slowest Indian" award), who had never seen snow before starting! I think she enjoyed it, but talk about a baptism by fire!

I'll be back next year for sure. In the meantime you'll just have to live it vicariously through a few photographs-:

As always just click on the pics for bigger sexier versions :)

Weather for Raceday

It would be fair to say its looking marginal...seems to be a recurring use of the word "snow"! Maybe we should pack ice axe and crampons.

Fri 8
Showers with snow down to 700 metres, clearing during the day and fine spells increasing. Cold southerlies.

Sat 9
Fine with frosts at first and light winds. Rain and cold southerlies developing in the afternoon with snow lowering to 400 metres.

Sun 10
Showery with snow down to 400 metres. Cold southerlies.

Mon 11
Showery with snow down to 400 metres. Cold southerlies.

Tue 12
Snow with not much wind.

Routeburn Classic

One week to go. My favourate event...here we come!

Really really keen to break 5 hours this year please!

Routeburn all go

I just got email confirmation that I am expected to run the Routeburn track 3 weeks tomorrow in the Routeburn Classic race. No longer waitlisted.

Should I:

a) Cast aside the colds, late nights working, sleepless nights parenting, and general downturn in training and take the bull by the horns and slaughter the course?

or

b)Hide behind the couch for 3 weeks cowering in fear?

Routeburn Round 3

Only 3 weeks to go. Uh oh. Been sick most of the last 2 weeks but on the mend now so training gets serious again now.

However, I always have my olympic record (Click) to fall back on, apparently.

Must have been in a previous life!

The Deed Is Done

Will post more later, when fully recovered, but all went to plan. Very very much to plan. A slightly sprained ankle, but nailed I it in 5 hours and 1min, which proves that I've worked out how to beat the ageing process... I'm faster at age 35 than I was at age 30. Full report soonish. We live in an amazing country!

Picture attached comes thanks to Warren, me (apparently) training on the Kepler Track on Friday prior to the event.

Its All Go....

Race day tomorrow. Snow on the hills but sun is shining, cannot wait. Chomping at the bit for this, its the culmination of something set in place six months ago as a target and its deliverance day tomorrow.

Been in Te Anau the last couple of days, still my favorite place in the country. Milford Sound yesterday- went for a cruise down the fiord and got dutably blown away. We are damn lucky with what we have in this country- I'll post pics next week!

In the last 8 days I've been from Great Barrier Island to Milford Sound....now theres a challenge to beat!

See you all on the other side of 35.....
Te Razor

The Final Run-In

Well I absolutely stuffed myself on the 15km run home for work in what will be the last big hit out before Saturday Race Day.

Probably had something to do with the 20km in the Waitakere's yesterday from Karekare to Whatipu along the hills and then back up the beach. What a stunner of a day I'll let the pics do the talking!

So it's off to the Mainland tomorrow and the drive down through Central Otago is always a treat at this time of year- the colours of autumn like no other place in NZ.

Latest weather prognoses for Saturday range from snow to 700m down there to a big fat high sitting over the South Island. Fingers crossed for the latter... but snow would be quite surreal given I had my first ever May swim in the ocean in NZ yesterday- and yes it was even warm!

Training Update

Sometimes the Auckland scene ain't all bad folks....



















This was the scene for one of my training runs this week, around the bays. All is going good guns, have managed four 15km+ runs in the past week in Wellington, Tongariro and the above setting. Have also sneaked the usual Mt Eden runs at lunchtimes from the office. Two weeks Saturday to race day, no niggles, no drama's and now the cricket is over sleep patterns can return to normal too. I reckon the pictured round the bays run was the fastest 15km I've ever done. I just want to run the race now please!