Having done three expedition length adventure races between November 2011 and June 2012 I was quite happy having some time off training and heading out the door once or twice a week for the occasional run or ride. That was until July 23 when Macpac contacted me about doing the Macpac Coromandel Classic. My first reaction was hell yeah, sign me up but as the start date of August 25 loomed, I began to regret my initial enthusiasm. However, out came the road bike, out came the single kayak and my running shoes and I launched into a multi sport style training programme.
D-day arrived all too soon and before I knew it I was lined up on the start line ready to head up the Kauaeranga Valley Road on the first stage which was a 20km mountain bike leg. The start gun went and wham we were off straight into a hill. Talk about leg burn, lung burn, heart burn and brain burn ! Man I had forgotten what speed work was and it hurt like hell. Matters were not made any better as I saw Rachel Cashin spinning like a demon and latching on to the bunch ahead of me. All I could do was slow down and focus on getting my breath back and getting my legs to continue to go around. Luckily I found fellow Girls On Top member, Robbie and she led a small bunch of us at a more respectable speed up the valley.
Once off the bike and into my running shoes I headed off on to the 27km mountain run which climbed almost immediately up a fairly decent hill, past the Pinnacles and on to the summit. Half way up I caught Emily Wilson and we then ran together discussing the Godzone and the joys of adventure racing. The track was awesome it was steep, technically challenging, muddy, and slippery and what I call a true off-road run. Woo hoo I was in heaven !! However once we hit the 9km gravel road the fun came to abrupt end and my misery began causing me to have to dig deep. Emily didn’t seem to notice the gravel road and continued chatting away before pulling ahead and disappearing into the distance. What a struggle it was for me ... I was sooo happy to catch sight of the Coroglen hall where the run ended.
After a quick drink and bite to eat in transition I was bundled into my kayak by my support crew. This was my least favourite leg of the race as I really struggled to keep my form on the 17km paddle to Cooks Beach, via the Whitianga Harbour Mouth. The incoming tide and bottom suck was draining and my left buttock decided to go numb and get excruciatingly painful at the same time – no matter how much I wriggled I couldn’t ease the discomfort. Finally, after what seemed like an age I landed at Cooks beach very relieved to be there
From here it was a 28km cycle leg from Cooks Beach to Tairua over what is called Pumpkin Hill. It took me a while to warm into this leg but once I hit the hill I started to enjoy the ride and before I knew it I was at the finish line and I had survived 7 hours and 17 minutes of racing.
Day 2 started at 8am with a 15km kayak from Tairua Wharf to Hikuai. The only problem was it was dead low tide so water was in short supply. The hooter went off and we had to make a call to go right and portage or stay left in deeper water. I had intended to stay left but the night before at the briefing Matt Tuck had told us that someone had portaged twice and got 8 minutes on the field so I decided at the last minute to go right -bad call - nex minute I was knee deep in mud with my kayak on my shoulders struggling across the mudflats - talk about frustrating and energy sapping. Eventually after another similar portage I hit the river proper and the real paddle began. My mindset for day two was very much about making sure I was in my comfort zone and enjoying myself as I didn't want to blow a Fu Fu before the run. I had memories of doing the event in 2006 or so and hitting the wall on the run - it was something I did not want to repeat.
The rest of the paddle was pretty uneventful but once again I was happy to spot the transition and after a decent feed of creamed rice I was pushed out onto the 30km road bike to Whangamata. I spent the first half of this ride being passed by a number of riders and was starting to get a bit frustrated. Luckily about 10 kms out of town a chick came passed and I was able to sit on her wheel into town. Thanks to whoever it was - you made my day :)
Now for the 21km run which I had been dreading all day. I used the first km along the main road to ease into a rhythm and get some food down, once we turned right into Wentworth Valley Rd, I knew it was 4km along the gravel road to the bush tracks - once again it was all about gritting my teeth and digging deep to stop myself from walking. I was passed by a few people heading along the gravel road which didn't do much for my headspace but I was determined to run my own run and keep my own pace to ensure I didn't run out of steam on the hills. Once I hit the bush trails it was bliss, the track was in the shade and I was joined by another talkative chick who kept me company past the waterfall and onto the Maratoto Track. We stayed together for most of the run but once we hit the descent she left me in her dust. I was pretty pleased with myself at the end of this leg as I felt I had paced myself and managed to conquer the hills that had slaughtered me previously.
The final 30km cycle from Maratoto to the Thames Racecourse was hell as there was a slight headwind and the scenery was rather uninspiring. I spent the whole ride waiting for a bunch of riders to come past but no one did. The only thing that kept me from complete boredom and from stopping at a nice looking cafe was my support crew who kept stopping at regular intervals to encourage me and shout words of support. Finally I reached the finish line after 6 hours and 17 minutes on the go on day two. What a feeling !!
What a weekend !! 3 rd women, 13 hours and 35 minutes and 188km of beautiful scenery and physical and mental challenge. The Macpac Coromandel Classic http://www.coromandelclassic.co.nz/ is one hell of a tough race but it is in such a beautiful location and such an awesome course that you can't help but get a real buzz out of doing it. If you are looking for a challenge as an individual or a team or looking for a training event for the Coast to Coast or the Lakes to Lighthouse then this is the race for you!! Thanks to Macpac for the entry, gear and montrail shoes, and the awesome prize of a Tempo jacket. Thanks to my awesome support crew (Anne, Tyler and Dad) and thanks to Tania and Matt for putting on such an awesome event.
Debbe Chambers
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