Snowfarm training and Luke Harrop Memorial race 26th February 2007
Hi everyone,
Well Palmerston North has greeted me with its usual gail force winds and sunshine that's trying its best to squeeze through the clouds whenever it can... This was however not the case in the Cardrona valley over the last two and half weeks where I was for my first training camp of the year.
The Snowfarm as its know is New Zealand's only Natural altitude training Facility. The farm is situated in the Cardrona valley 20ks out from beautiful Wanaka before you hit the infamous 13k skywards dirt road or what Mary and John Lee the owners would refer to as a long driveway to there beautiful home. At altitude of 1520m and with cross country ski trails for miles... the place is a running mecca.
Throw in the beautiful cycle rides around the surrounding valleys and you have a training mecca. With 22 Tri NZ athletes up there is was a great atmosphere. And having been up there many times before the place just keeps getting better.
After the camp I was invited to race in Australia at the Luke Harrop memorial sprint triathlon. I was pretty sure it was going to be a big ask after the heavy load at the training camp. But I have always wanted to race in Luke's race. He was a good friend of mine and was tragically killed by a motorist whilst out training.
It would also only be my second race of the season and with no taper I was in for a hard day. Add to that going into someone else's backyard. There is no doubt you better be on your game. There's also nothing like being in a big group where you are the only kiwi racing. And out of the 15 guys in the first pack 11 come from the same training group!! team racing in triathlon is alive and well.... Anyway I finished 6th, I had some small problems as I normally do on the run with my first few races.
Interestingly though my recovery is really good after all the hard sessions which is what the race was to me. And so that means I'm laying a really good base down for when I head into the business part of the my season around mid year. I'm looking forward to my next 4 week block of training heading in towards the first World Cup of the season in Mooloolaba Australia.
I also have the pleasure of heading down to the local Tri clubs kids triathlon tonight. Every Monday for the past month they have been holding these kids events. And with over 300 hundred kids aged from 5 to 12 its been amazing. It makes me smile when I'm out there doing my own training seeing these kids compete like there is no tomorrow. I hope everyone is well and you all will hear from me soon again.
Cheers, Kris