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A week ago I took part in the Anaconda Adventure Race. This is an off road race based around Forster, where Carol and Bob live, in fact the first day goes right past their front door.  I had been booked to race in both days of the event, but as I’d only borrowed a surf ski a couple of weeks before, I was not confident of paddling in the ocean so pulled out of the first day.  This was a great move, as i found out that the race was really hard.

The second day of the race was also the Anaconda Half race.  It started off with a 1.9km ocean swim at Seals Rock, which is a very picturesque village with a light house.  but no matter how pretty it was the swim was hard.  It went out around a headland and the current made it very difficult to make headway at one point.  I managed to finish though and got changed ready for a 17km run.  After an uphill towards the lighthouse there was a nice gentle run along the beach.  If there was going to be a hard run, at least there were nice views.  Then it headed off into the forest along sandy tracks, it was very different to a triathlon as most of the time I could not see anyone in front or behind me.  There were a couple of very steep uphills on sand dunes which made is difficult.

After a couple of hours running i arrived at Bungwahl to change onto my bike, then back into the forest.  After a long period of dry it had rained the previous few days so the tracks were very muddy in places.  And at one point I had to wade through mud up to my knees, it was hard work.  Some of the cycling was great fun though, single track and 4wd tracks through the forest.  One of the problems was that I had to hold on to the handlebars all the time so it was difficult to take and drink and something to eat.  I also did not have enough liquid with me so i could not eat my powerbars, as they need extra water.

I was very tired when I reached the Myall Lake at Coomba Bar and had cramp in both my calves, so I wasn’t looking forward to the lake paddle.  It was lovely to see Sarah and the kids waiting there for me, and just as lovely to see the big bottle of cold water that Sarah had for me.  Half straight down my throat and the rest in my hydration backpack for the paddle.  I had only practised a few times on the surf ski and still struggled to keep balance but set off at a reasonable pace.  And once I was going I was fairly steady and able to look around at the gorgeous scenery.

It was a 13km paddle which should have taken 90 minutes, but I stopped at every sandbank I came to, to stretch my legs.  Then I finally paddled past the wharf at Forster and across the lake to Tuncurry.  there was a bit of current heading out to sea which caused a few waves for me to get through.  I ended up falling off just before the end as I was too tired to keep balance.  At another sandbank though, so I was able to have a rest then get back on.

There was a 3km run across the bridge to finish at Forster Main Beach.  Even my normal slow running speed was too hard for me and I walked some of this, and it was a great relief when I finally ran up Main beach and into the finish chute.  I was absolutely shattered and feeling not too well after not getting nutrition right.  Still I will know better next time, which I am sure there will be.

All in all it took my 7hrs 24 minutes, and was very hard.  But I felt good about it afterwards.  It was one of the harder adventure races, so I shall pick an easier one next time round.

Last weekend, Sarah and I had the luxury of a weekend away without the children.  carol and Bob came to stay in our house and we flew up to the Gold Coast for some rest and relaxation.

We arrived up in Queensland late afternoon, picked up a rental car then had a drive up the coast to Surfers Paradise.  by this time it was getting dark and we stopped to walk around some crafty markets.  Before going to the hotel we picked up some cheese and a bottle of champagne.  This was duely polished off before we went out for a lovely dinner.

On Saturday, we’d planned to go for a long drive through the Gold Coast Hinterland.  As the forecast was for good weather we’d hired a convertable, so top down, we set off into the mountains.  There were some incredible views over the coast and inland and we also we for a few walks around the rainforest.  Plenty of fun driving around twisty turny roads and the last walk was to a waterfall through a cave roof.  Impressive.

Once back at the hotel, we freshened up (with another bottle of champagne) and went out for dinner.  Unfortunetly this was a bit dissapointing, but then we continued on to the Casino fo a bit of night life.

Sunday was also lovely weather and we were able to spend some time on the beach and a relaxing lunch before flying back to Newcastle.  Jack, Grace and their grandparents were waiting to meet us saying they’d had a good weekend without us!

Now, 4 days later they are having torrential rain and flooding on the Gold Coast, so we were very lucky we hadn’t planned to go this weekend.

This time last week we were in Port Macquarie relaxing after finishing the Australian Ironman.  We drove up to Port in the pouring rain on the Thursday to find a very wet campsite.  This was actually quite good as we were able to find a spot for our tent out of the water, when people arrived the next day it was not so obvious the best places to pitch.  We went up a few days before the race so I could have a train on the race course and to soak up the atmosphere.  There was some sun over those days but also a lot of rain so the transition area of the race got extremely muddy.  At least the tent stood up to the downpours.

After registering, checking the kit in and the carbo loading I was ready to go for Sunday morning.  it rained heavily overnight and I was up at 4am so not much sleep.  But I felt reasonably good as I walked to the race start.  The day started to get light when the professionals started at 5:55 and it was not long before I got into the water ready for our start.  All the age-group competitors started together at 6:30 and we were postioned at the start by expected swim time.  I was in the last group due to a slow time, which meant there were less people around to battle with.

The cannon went off at 6:30 and we were off, it seemed to be a few minutes of swimming before I even crossed the start line as there were so many people (1400ish).  The river was extremely murky due to the rain and you could not see your hands through the water, but there was not too much current which was good.  It was 2 laps around bouys in the river and actually went pretty well.  A lot of bashing around with the others and I had my goggles ripped off twice, but nothing different to normal, then I came out of the water almost at my estimated time of 1 hr 15 mins.

A very squelchy run (walk) to the change tent and then onto the bike.  The rain stayed off to start with and it was actually good fun as there were so many spectators cheering us on.  I knew most of the course having competed in the Half Ironman there in November, but the extra added on was not very nice, hills and rough roads.  There were 3 laps of 60kms and the middle one was in the heavy rain, which at least kept us cool.  I passed Sarah and the kids at one point and got a big cheer even though they looked a little wet.  I made sure I took in plenty to eat on the bike as I wasn’t planning on taking in solids while running.  there were aid stations every 10kms which had bananas, biscuits as well as water and gatorade.  So a ate lots of these and also had a vegemite sandwich I’d prepared and powerbars.

When I got off the bike after 6 hrs 30mins I was ready to walk the beginning of the marathon, but I felt good so went straight into a slow run.  This was what I had trained for and I was able to keep this up all the way round the 3 laps of the run.  I stopped at all the aid stations for drinks and energy gels and just kept a slow plod going.  It was an amazing experience running past so many spectators.  My name was on the front of my number so I was being cheered on by name, a bit disconcerting at first as I didn’t know my name was there!  It got dark when I had about 7 kms to go and then it was a different experience as everyone was running with glow sticks.

As I ran into the flood lights in the finishing line I was Jack and Grace at the side so I stopped to give them a hug before crossing the line after 12 hrs 23 mins and 59 secs.  Exhausted but still standing.  Much to my relief I was led past the medical tent and straight to a massage.  Then after some hot food I was out to find Sarah, Jack and Grace.

We went back to the tent, and after the kids were in bed, Sarah and I were sitting outside the tent and could see runners still in the race till about 11 o’clock.  I was very impressed with my time as I thought I’d take about an hour longer, but it shows what you can do if you put your mind to something and prepare properly.

Tomorrow we go up to Port Macquarie ready for my race on Sunday. Unfortunately there has been torrential rain, and this is due to continue for the next few days. And where are we staying…. in a tent!. Let’s hope we get a good spot in the campsite and don’t get flooded out.
It will be good to be there a few days before the race to soak up the atmosphere and get ready in a relaxed fashion.
Then we will return on Tuesday so the kids can go back to school for a couple of days before the term finishes for Easter.

Last Wednesday David and Rachel had another baby boy.  Ethan William Crane was born in the evening and Sarah, jack and Grace went to the hospital to meet him the next day.  He seems very healthy and is now at home with the rest of the family.

Today has been my birthday and a very busy one at that.  I got up very early for a Newcastle Tri Club race.  Only 2 weeks to the Ironman so I am in peak fitness at the moment, and this paid off as I came 3rd in the race.  Then after a barbeque breakfast, back home to see the others.

We’ve spent most of the day at Norah Heads lighthouse.  We had a picnic with some of Sarah’s family who live nearby and then walked from the lighthouse down some steps to the rocks and sand.  We all had a good time playing here and the kids went for a swim in the rock pools.

Once we got home, Carol and Bob, David, Rachel, Blake and Ethan all came round for tea.

Then a couple of phone calls from the Uk and I’m very ready for bed.  Photos to go on the website tomorrow.

This week has been the peak of my training for the ironman.  So I thought I’d write up what I’ve had to do this week.  Monday evening I had 90 mins swimming in the pool, then Tuesday morning I had a short run before breakfast then another swim straight after work followed by 90 mins on the bike.  Wednesday I was due a 75 min run but I set the alarm clock wrong so didn’t wake up, then it was pouring with rain later so I fitted the kitchen sink instead of running.  Thursday I went for a 2 hour ride before work, then Friday was an hours swim before work.  After work on friday was a 3 hour run (28 km), then finally a day off on Saturday.  This morning I was up early for a 6 hour bike ride (172 km) followed by a slow 20 mins run.

Next week is a recovery week, so lots of short sessions, then I start 3 weeks taper into the race.  This is when I slowly reduce the intensity of training to ensure that My body is ready for the race and I am not too tired.

All this training paid off a few weeks ago when I competed in the Newcastle Foreshore triathlon.  I never stay around for the presentations as it’s just time hanging around, but this time i should have, as I came 3rd in my age group and ended up with a medal!

I have now put my money where my mouth is and entered the Australian Ironman on April 5th.  After 2 months of training the rest of the training plan does not look too intimidating, and if I can do all the training I must be able to complete the race (surely?).

Because it is such a challenge for me I have decided to try and raise money for the Cancer Council in NSW.  This is a charity that is both funding research into cancer and also supporting those with cancer.  I have set up a website to help raise money and the link is here.

Please help me raise as much money for this cause as possible.  And if you can support me on the day, it will also help me get to the finishing line.

Last weekend, Jack and I went camping in The Watagans.  This is a national park that we’ve camped in before, and in fact we pitched the tent is almost the exact same place.  There are a few campsites close to each other and we had a drive around and decided this one was definitely the best.  It is in an area of palm trees, with plenty of shade but also a clearing to catch sun if needed.

We arrived about 6pm on Friday after school had broken up for the holidays, and so had to pitch the tent in the dark.  Then the evening was spent getting a campfire going and toasting marshmallows.  The next morning we had a drive around the forest going to areas we hadn’t been before, then spent the afternoon in and around the campsite,

There is a stream running beside the campsite which has a couple of waterfalls in, and we found one pool that was deep enough to swim in.  This would be good for the hot summer, but, even though it was warm, we weren’t game enough to try the waters.

That evening (after more fires and marshmallows) Jack was asleep fairly early.  I was able to just do some reading beside the campfire before going to bed.

On Sunday Jack had a party to go to at lunchtime, so we packed up and drove home after breakfast.  We met Sarah and Grace at some markets in Adamstown before going to the party.  The party was down at Merewether beach with a barbeque for all the kids and parents.  It was very hot by now so it was lovely to be beside the sea and have a swim.  Some very tired children at the end of the day.

This week we’ve been able to see the wooden floorboards and kitchen installed in the house.  It is making it look a lot more like a house now instead of a building site.  Not long to go now.

Today is Sarah’s birthday and we are driving up to Forster for the long weekend.  Grace’s birthday is on Monday so we’ll have a party up there before I come home for work.  Then the others are spending a few more days of the school holidays there before coming back on Thursday.

Next week I start a new job.  Still within OneSteel Wire, I shall be responsible for implementing LEAN working throughout the business.  This is a ‘way of working’ all about reducing waste…. waste time, waste materials, waste effort etc.

It will be challenging job but also very exciting.  I’ll be starting off in the rope works in Newcastle for 6 months or so then working my way through the Wiremill and our other 2 factories in Victoria.  Lots of training to start with and I’ll be expected to be running everyone elses training myself.

I read an interesting article in last weekends papers.

The most deadly animal in Australia is………… the horse, which caused about twice as many deaths in 2007 as the second most deadly………… the cow.  Followed closely by dogs and then snakes!!

I’ll not worry about swimming in shark infested waters, I’ll just keep away from farms!