6am (hopefully!)

This morning when I checked my gmail, I saw there was correspondence (well, an email!) from the Convenor of the Taupo Challenge. The organisers of Taupo have “invented” a new category – the 6am start for people that have entered the 8 + hours catergory.  So, I’m trying to get into that!!!
Not that I think I will take me over 8 hours - but it could take me over 8 hours.  I figure if I can start at 6am – it will help me cope with the ‘crowds’ – and be with people on the road – which is quite a big thing.  Also, the “slowbies” will be starting as the pack then so it may help that we have each for  “support”/commradship for our long distance/day ahead.  Also, I am used to getting up at that time, so the early start is not a deterrent.  Also, its how I coped with the longest day on Milford Track.  I just set off an hour or so earlier than the main group.  I didn't write it all that down in the email :-) - Just my bib number and registration number as requested, and a "false positive" on an estimated time - just hoping I get in the group of 80. The Convenor is restricting the numbers that can enter this catergory to 80 people.  So, I've written back and said I think it will take me up to 10 hours.  Hopefully, a little white lie, all in the fulfillment of the bigger goal.

Check the guy out in the paper today doing it for basically 3 days non stop –wow~!  That will be me next year!!!

Back to this year - *Fingers crossed* I get into that pack  -  Reminds me of when I first “enrolled” for rpm classes at Corrections, and it was oversubscribed! - and for some unexplainable reason I was determined I wanted to do the classes...

Today’s workout: Tuesday session with the PT.  He sneaked in a few new tracks for his own practice.   I caught up with the Body Balance Lady, who reminded me her seat is 19 – and on Tuesdays my seat is 20!  The PT asked at the end of the session who was doing Taupo.  I was the only one on the room to say yes.   The PT is man who it is fair to say most of the time is "hard to read".  Not today though when I said yes, to his question.  He almost fell off his bike seat he looked that surprised - as did the BBL next to me.  I wanted to say: and "yeah man,: I’m doing all 156km of it and not just the relay". The BBL recovered a little more quickly from the news and offered to give me extra stretching tips!  Nice! 

That could be my new aim in life – to shock people – in a nice surprising way.


In terms of the actual workout today, it felt "easy". I hope that augers well for Taupo.  I think it felt easier  because of the long rides from the weekend.  I tried to go harder on the hill numbers.  So, even though it felt easy, it was a good workout.

I think I'll make today's session the last rpm session for the week.  I like the Wednesday sessions, but I'd rather return to Hutt girls class with the news I've completed Taupo, and then she too can fall off her bike seat;-).  Because when she asks in class, whose doing Taupo I never say yes.  Not really sure why that is. But there you go.

Also, I think one day on, one day off is the way to go for this week.  I'll aim for a very light real road ride on Friday morning, I think.