Return to Taupo

Hotel provisionally booked at $600 a night for  3 nights.  Thankfully I can cancel that when I get something more sensible sorted, but it's there as a backup. 

Happy to provide assistance and will be bringing the bike workshop down with me, so don't stress about bike tools. 

 Flights - we really rate AirNZ foir the direct flight LHR>AKL via LAX.  Bike is loaded on once and stays on all the way so less chance of damage.  Excess baggage is dead cheap too compared to other airlines.  If you're based ooop north then get an avis one way hire car to get down to LHR - is a lot less stress than trying to get the AirNZ baggage applied to the internal flights. 

And can I put in a request to have shared first option to purchase the CO2 catridges you buy before the race and don't use during the race - they are crazy expensive over here and you can't fly with them. 

If you're looking for a campervan then I'd really recommend Gateway motorhomes and then debretts thermal resort in Taupo.

Oh, 90% sold as of 9am this morning.  So I assume will be pretty much gone by now.    Hmmm, move 12000 miles to be near an IM that doesn't sell out in seconds only for the Aussies to do everything to ruin it.  Thankfully took the opportunity whilst supporting to remind as many of the convicts that trotted past who had the ashes and who won the Webb Ellis last (thankfully few Springboks there to chip in).

Spoke with event director Jane today and she said the course capacity is 1500-1600. They expect a natural attrition of 20% so let the race oversubscribe.

BUT the race will fill tonight, well, definitely by the time my story hits the streets at 9.30am NZT Thursday!

Wow!  3 year ago there were still places available in December but I think it was the first year they actually sold out.  Last year filled up in 3 weeks, this year looks like 2 days

Why'd it take over 26 years to get so popular?

Kiwis are a bit slow, innit ?

Sold out!

Unless you go with a travel package deal

Feijoas do not taste of deep heat. They won't be in season anyway, fruit still ripening although I saw some in the supermarket today for almost $10 a kg!

Anzac biscuits a definite however.

Boing!

Accommodation booked.  Looking at flights tonight.  Started the Fink base, base training and have a month to go before training starts for real.  

<bounces round thread>

 You're just too organised for your own good!   Must give my friends a call and start organising myself.

And as for training - I'm way ahead of the Fink on swimming, about on par for pedalling and haven't run since 1 June.  Tried a couple of 10 metre jogs while walking dogs today and didn't cripple myself so maybe ready to start the long slog back to run fitness.

WHEEEEEEE, bring it on!!!!

Flights booked now

Wish training was as easy...

Just had a bit of a read through of the 2009 thread and got all excited again

Week one of thirty successfully completed - though not fully according to Fink.  With Vit only a few weeks away, I need to be doing more than 30min bike sessions!

201.5 days to go

Finally got around to booking my flights

Can now run again - but only up to 3.5miles; pedalling is getting stronger; swim is fine.  Still haven't managed to complete a whole week entirely according to Fink but I'm about on par with where I should be.  Schedules are made to be adapted

158.5 days to go

Tis going really well though Trogs

I can't believe I attempted a half marathon off the back of diddly squat but managed it ok with relatlively little in the way of aches and pains.   Just goes to show there is quite a lot there under the surface I guess.