Recovery Day......

If you call 5 hours of training a recovery day. It seems like forever ago since we left Christchurch on this epic journey. Sorry the posts have been light. I have been so shelled at the end of everyday that I couldn't even type.

Well so far so good. I am hitting all the camp minimums and I am injury free so far. That was my two main goals coming into the camp. So far.....
Day 1
3k swim, with a 2k TT mixed in.
103 mile bike with some of the most beautiful views I have ever seen.
50 min run

Day 2
3k swim, with a 400IM mixed in. I have never done a butterfly before so lets just say it was very interesting.
150 hard bike miles
50 min run

Day 3
130 mile bike
Organized local Aquathon. 1600m swim, 50 min run

Day 4 today Recovery
5k open water swim TT in Wanaka
10k watch less time predicted race
30 easy miles

So that's it so far. I have to say I am learning quite a bit about what its about to "hurt". I have been dropped off the back in every single ride, and have had to mentally stick with it. It is amazing how fast these guys and gal are. That's it for now. That is all the energy I have to type. I also keep losing my train of thought.

Cheers,
RT

The night before the storm

We had our pre epic dinner and meet n greet. On the way there everyone was talking, it was almost loud in the van ride to the restaurant. On the way home, pretty much complete silence.

The dinner was great. It almost had the feel to the Last Supper. We ate, then you had John, Gordo and Molina explaining to us exactly what we had gotten ourselves into.

Tomorrow morning at 6am Epic Camp NZ08 kicks off in full swing. Day one starts with a 1k swim warm up then a 2k time trial. The ride is about 180k, with a 30k time trial toward the end of the ride. Then we wrap the day up with a 8k run

Lets just say that is kinda the easy day. I will surprise ya'll with the rest as the week goes on. Lets just say it will push the limits of just about anyone. To finish the camp will be a huge accomplishment for me. I guess that is exactly what I am looking for in these kind of experiences. In the end, it is all about the journey.

Cheers,
Ron

ps Hope to get pics posted when Rob shows me how.

Epic Camp off to a rocky start......

Well, I am here in New Zealand. I really almost didn't make the trip. I had some severe food poisoning or the flu. Whatever it was, it was violent. And it happened the night before I got on the plane. It was crazy, I couldn't believe it was happening. Anyway, again it was Amy that came to my rescue. I don't even remember packing. She took care of everything and got me on the plane. I know it hurt her to see me leaving in such bad shape. She knew that if I didn't go I would regret it. I have to say that I am feeling better today. I got a good night sleep. I was able to get some coffee and a cliff bar down this morning. I am staying with a cool group of guys and the triathlon talk is endless. I am already learning so much.

Training starts tomorrow. I hope I will be ready to go. Maybe this little setback will make me start easy. They say that the first three days are going to be really tough. Something like 350 miles on the bike in three days.

Here are some links that you might find interesting.

www.epiccamp.com
Here is my roomys blog.
www.robchancesworld.blogspot.com/

Epic Prep

I have been looking at Epic camp prep two different ways...

1. Physical
2 Mental

Physically things are coming together very nicely. I have taken Gordo's advice on how to prepare for epic. It is really pretty simple. The past 5 weeks I have been getting a minimum of 3 swims, 3 bikes, 3 runs, and 2 weight sessions in a week. I have only had 3 days completely off in the past 42 days. So my consistency in there. My weeks haven't been extremely high volume nor have the been speedy by any means. Just very consistent and steady. My foot is about 95%, and expect to be 100% when I get on the plane. My diet is good. I am not at race weight yet, which is fine, I am not racing till April. So things are good.

Mentally..... Well, to be honest.... I am training out of fear. I haven't really felt like this since my first Ironman. I think it is more fear of the unknown. I am excited and looking forward to the experience.

Thats it for now. I am going to keep posting throughout the camp. For more info. check out www.epiccamp.com

Train Safe.

RT