Training Log Archive: Kim

Cold and wet start to the race. I thought I started off quite well but bonked a bit at about the 15km mark - should have eaten more maybe. I think it may also be because I ran along with Del for a fair bit in the middle - very tiring! The tracks were extremely slippery particularly in road shoes putting a bit of extra pressure on the quads. Saw a couple of good muddy stacks :-)

C • nice report Kim. Josh will ... 2

Once in TA where Dave (my super-crew) had left my gear (but wasn't allowed to stay) but I couldn't find it! Rapid Ascent didn't have any organisation so it was all randomly placed. Found it and threw on some gloves and was on my way. Caught up some places on the Black Spur and Healsville decsent despite being held up by some arrogant vehicles - support crews! Missed the first turn by 50m as the direction man wasn't brightly dressed. Had a good ride up to Kinglake where the TA was again poorly organised with no one telling you what to do. I picked up a drink here then had a fun descent back down. Had a flat spot at the bottom but enjoyed the final few kms with the TA coming sooner than expected. Got to pass 3 guys walking up one hill that the compact cranks just chewed up!

I ran like a granny on this leg having just gotten off the bike. Feet were numb for the first 3-4kms so it felt like running on stumps! Had a quick toilet stop in a well placed public toilet. I passed quite a few on this leg despite being pathetic. Again the TA popped up sooner than expected.

Finally in the kayak and rushed the TA to get on the water before Keith Colomb hoping for a wash. He soon caught me and I stayed there for about 3kms. It was a tough wash with the swirly and narrow waters. Soon after Andrew Nash came past who was fresh being a relay paddler. I hung in for only about 300m (just long enough to compliment each other on our good looking boats) before dropping off. With about 4kms before the portage I lightly hit a log and went straight in. My boat kept going which was a little concerning but I ended up throwing my paddle in the same direction and eventually caught up. Would have been funny to watch. I got the boat to the bank and found a tree root to perch on and got going again. It took until the portage to pump all the water out! The last 3kms before the portage I was towing something as my speed dropped to <9.5km/h and steering was out. Had a good portage trying to keep up with Dave.... Then enjoyed the high flow section just after Dights Falls. Again struggled with debris, but with the incoming tide I was able to paddle backwards every now and then to clear the rudder. Hit a few waves through the city with the concrete walls but didn't have any issues.

I finished 8th which was higher than I would have liked, but my time was faster than expected so I can't be too disappointed.

Paddle at Patterson Lakes. Windy day but the pump's working well. Forgot my GPS so time and distance are rough.

Two more runs with Maya between Forbes and Melbourne.

Three 20 minute runs to stretch my and Maya's legs at different towns between Vegas and Forbes on the long drive.

Ride to and from Coopers Plains to get the car serviced. Made a few wrong turns, nut managed to stay on back roads.

Run from home on Oxley Creek loop.