The C2C Double


Funbeat.net says I’ve racked up nearly 23 hours of multisport training in the last 8 days – and that’s with 2 rest days (!). This is exactly the “build up” I had planned for and with just 3 weeks left until C2C, it’s time for some rest and recovery.

Here’s what my weekend looked like:

  • Friday: Race simulation: 3 km run from beach (10 min) + 55 km road bike (1 hr 45 min) + 27 km mountain run (3 hr 10 min)
  • Saturday: 3 hr 45 min paddle on the Waimak River. Easy tempo.
  • Sunday: Rain out and rest day
  • Monday –The C2C Double …

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The C2C Double

Coast to Coasters judge their training form based on their performance in “The Double” – a training session typically done about 3 weeks before the race that tackles the two biggest legs in one day: (1) the 3+ hr mountain run (and 30 min bike) and (2) the 4+ hr kayak. As you can see – it covers most of the distance from coast to coast, except for two bike legs on each end.

map Double

For my Double I teamed up with Luke Osborn, a Kiwi  that I met in China back in September. He’s a 29 year old ex-motorcross guy that switched to multisport. He’s never done C2C, but he’s faster than a mountain goat.  He’ll go well on 15 February.

DCIM100GOPRO

Luke and I at Woodsmoke Cabin in Arthurs Pass Village.

Before I was ready for the Double I had some repairs to do. Among other things I had to fix the padding in my kayak (5 hrs in a boat demands comfort!) and create a waterproof lunch box by gluing Velcro to my neoprene skirt. The lunch box worked great. The menu for the test run was sweet potatoes, energy bars, 85% dark chocolate, and chocolate-covered cacao beans.

lunch box

I had big expectations for my Double and I’m happy with how it turned out (see detail here), despite Mother Nature’s best effort to challenge us. There was a lot of rain the day before and the snow level dropped to 1200 meters, which gave us some beautiful views when we awoke at 6 am.

DCIM100GOPRO

 

That also meant ice cold streams on the mountain run. Luke and I had to choose conservative stream crossings, rather than the faster ones we’ve practiced all of January.  Nonetheless, we both stumbled and fell in a few times while trying to cross (the water was up to our hips). We got a short ride in the wrong direction (downstream!) before swimming in to an eddy and wringing ourselves out. But it was hard to warm up and I had to stop and change my clothes. That’s why we always train with the mandatory clothing and equipment we’re required to have during the race.

run stream crossing

A stream crossing from a week earlier. Knee level ain’t so bad … 

Then came the wind. We had a nonstop headwind for 6 hrs (on run, bike, and paddle).  But, to be fair, Mother Nature did throw us a bone – the rain gave us very fast water on the paddle leg. I was consistently paddling over 20 kph in the Gorge, bouncing over huge standing waves and manuerving my way around big boils – exciting action!

Here are a few pics from the weekend

 

run transition

 

 Practicing the transition from run to bike near Kumara Junction

 

taping

Dr. Cole taping Luke’s ankles before the run

 

run scouting crossing

Examining our options for crossing the Otira River at the beginning of the run. 

run scott

Coming in off the river bed to Klondyke corner during the double — a 30 min bike and 4+ hr kayak awaits.

 

paddling esk gauge

 

The river gauge showed quite an increase overnight before our paddle during The Double, but still within reasonable limits and guaranteeing a fast speed.

paddling  water levels

This picture was taken on Saturday, but when we paddled this on Monday I didn’t even see this rock as we entered the Gorge

 

I’m happy with the big weekend and the outcome of the Double. My form is better than it was 6 weeks ago when I started training here in NZ. I’ve been pushing myself to reach speeds and endurance levels that I haven’t ever attempted before – even though I’ve been doing this for 16 years. Coast to Coast makes you up your game.

I’ve also had incredible support from Michelle Craw in helping me achieve what I have so far in my training. I’m lucky to have her on my team.

One other thing related to New Zealand Multisport.  Braden Currie (last year’s C2C winner) has teamed up with his sponsor Red Bull to promote a two man, two day stage race in Wanaka, NZ, in October 2014 (Two 6 hr racing days). Details will be coming out soon, but it sounds like it will be an epic race. Something to put on your calendar …

That’s it for now … perhaps some of you noticed some new parnters on my website. More on that soon.

Scott

 

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