Hairstyle for my Mother
Trainer ride
So my time in Wanaka is coming to a close.
What a fantastic place full of happy and friendly people. I could definately see trying to work out settling in this town someday.
I have recovered well from Challenge Wanaka and have continued where I left off. I have a lot of work to do and am entering a strength phase at the moment (lost of mileage on the bike). I am feeling the progress almost daily as I work the big gear and can see being stronger than ever by june/july. I am very happy to not have another IM to do until July. It is completely manageable to do a lot of Ironman racing but I also have found that the training is very compromised after each one. It takes a good 4 to 5 weeks to get back to where you were before the race and to continue the work you were doing. I am following a full program of aerobic base, strength and then sharpenning up before Challenge Roth. The shorter races in May and June will be the key efforts to get me in top form in July. I have been reading a lot about Peter Snell and Arthur Lydiard and the training they used to do when Arthur revolutionized distance running around 50 years ago. Peter, training for the 800m would do over 100miles of hard aerobic running per week before he would even venture into his strength routine and then not even hit the track untill the last 4 weeks or so before races season would begin. There are all kinds of ways to skin a cat but there are also optimal ways and I think that Lydiard was way ahead ahead of his time and coincidently, my coach follows a lot of his principals without even realizing it.
Anyway, I will be heading up to Auckland to continue my training, will watch and support some of my good freinds at IM NZ in Taupo and then finish off another 3 weeks of solid base before testing myself at the Auckland half on Mar 28th and then flying to Germany on Mar. 30th.
Thanks once again to the Ormandy’s who have completely integrated me into their family and made my stay here really memorable. Also thanks to all the freindly Wanakan’s who have also made me feel part of the community here.

So I have been on the recovery program for a few weeks and am now getting back on a schedule and working into the next training program which will prepare me for the best summer of racing… EVER!!
Anyway. We we’re just chatting about doing something different, when we thought of getting some of the craziest locals out for a freindly game of paintball wars. A few days later we were dressed up in overalls and facemasks and ready to battle. It was capture the flag style with teams and we set up in a really cool forest venue just not far from Wanaka. Anyway, it on right from the starting whistle and balls were a flying. In the end most of us were completely covered in welts. They had made a guideline rule of no close range shots, and no headshots, but we soon realized that in some situations these were impossible to follow and we had some very close encounters where we couldn’t help but unload a dozen rounds at point bland on one another. They don’t hurt all that bad, anyway although some of the welts were pretty impressive looking. I think I am giving the MVP of the day to one of our flag guards Bronnie, who at the tender age of 11 was holding out against full grown adults and taking hits without the slightest tears!!
Anyway, the next adventure was to head up into the hills for a night to hunt for some deer. The conditions didn’t allow for us to see any deer but the hike was amazing!! Rob took me through a pretty rugged forest track along a steep valley and after 3 hrs the valley opened up to a wide grassland with steep wooded ridges on either side. Not a soul for miles. We stayed in a cabin the was built for hunters and trampers who might pass through the valley. Anyway, we stalked around the valley that night, but as I said, the winds didn’t play in our favour and no deer came out to play.
I am getting regenerated and starting a structured program again. The focus will be getting some more strength on the bike and to continue the gains I have made swimming and running. I am looking at heading up to Christchurch this weekend to get into some of the swim squads and group rides that are turning the place into a bit of a training mecca.
Will touch base when I get into the hard stuff.
l8r
Come here wittle wabbit..