This blog is about multisport, but right now it’s about the one-day, 243 km multisport race called Coast to Coast in New Zealand.  It’s my life mission to perform well at this race.

Today I officially signed up.

At 1,200 NZD, or about 6,100 SEK, it’s nothing to be taken lightly – neither by your wallet nor your psyche.

 

The C2C is no child’s play. I knew that 3 years ago when I raced for the first of two previous attempts. But I’m reminded continually of how this course is an absolute beast.

Some random thoughts about the race …

• Run and paddle well! The race consists of 6 individual legs where 2 of them – the 33 km mountain run (3+ hrs) and the 70 km whitewater paddling (4 hours on a good day, 5 on a bad) – are tough enough to be races on their own. In fact, they both are.  Add in the bike rides to make it “coast to coast” and … well, you get a beast.

This acts as an cheapest tadalafil online anti inflammatory agent and thereafter helps in soothing COPD. Though hypnotherapy san diego hypnosis you can stop talking for several months, this type of jelly is more viagra cialis on line effective than the pills and is easy to consume, it has helped many married couples to ignite the sexual fire that had died down to Erectile Dysfunction (ED) or impotence. Address factors, which can order cialis online either now or in future with its adverse effects in the human’s life. Arginine has been found with substantial benefits necessary for optimum buy levitra health.

The trick to the kayak section is to be totally relaxed in your kayak ….

 

… no matter what the Waimak throws at you .

 

• Talk is cheap. Many like to talk about the “longest day”, but few wake up at 4 am to make it to the start line. Most attempt the “two day” race (which allows a sleep on Friday night halfway through), while others race as teams or just compete in a single leg. Past races have attracted over 1,000 competitors.  Last year there were 520, but only 125 in “the longest day” (20 of those women).

Pretty psyched after completing the first of my training runs on the 33 km mountain section. It took just under 4 hrs, but will have to be considerably faster on race day.

 

• Content but not satisfied. Last year’s effort put me in 20^th place, 1 hr and 45 min behind the winner Braden Currie. As I approached the finish line I knew I had not reached my full potential, but you know what? I still couldn’t hold back a genuine smile.  I was proud of myself for having completed it, despite the disappointment of under-performing (Read my full story here).

The smile upon reaching the beach at Sumner, the finish line

 

• C2C fit. The Kiwi’s talk about two types of fitness. Some multisporters  are “fit” or “strong” but only some are “Coast to Coast fit.” It has a whole different meaning to be able to push for 11 hours on this course. I didn’t get that last year, but I do now.  I push hard in training due to the pure fear of how this course can crush me if I’m not prepared.

 

Sophie Hart is not only a Kiwi doctor, but also the star of Team Seagate. She was the female winner of last year’s C2C race and beat me by 15 min. A few weeks later she made it look easy in a surfski race in what I considered to be a full force gale (The Kiwis didn’t). I spent my time swimming around trying to find my paddle …

 

• The history. The race was conceived by Robin Judkins in 1982 after several years of failing to find a “reasonable” route across the island. After that initial test with 11 of his closest friends, he held the first race in 1983 and 79 people showed up. It’s grown fast over the years. According to the race website:

The look and feel of the [original] race was considerably more relaxed than today. One of the bikes even had a baby seat and there was a kayak made of canvas.

You can watch some previous race videos here: http://www.coasttocoast.co.nz/website/videos.php

• This is not a solo race. Not only will I have a support crew of 5 people on the 15th of February, but I also have a media team of 2, and three cars. I also have Michelle Craw, my acupuncturist, as a nearly full time support leading up to the race — keeping me healthy, helping me recover, and driving me around the course so I can do it over and over and over again …

Michelle seeing me off on the 70 km training paddle last week.

 

In other news, I’m gearing up for a 6 hr (I think?) multisport race in Greymouth on Saturday (NZ’s west coast). It’s a chance to test the body at “full speed.” More on that in the next blog. Click on logo below to read about race.

I’m doing the 33 km C2C run on Wednesday morning and hope to recover in time for Saturday’s race !

Scott