Specifics Event Reviews

The first ever Specifics Training triathlon camp was held at Mount Maunganui from Thursday 5 to Sunday 8 November 2009.

The training camp was a resounding success and attracted 8 triathletes who put their hearts and souls into some hard core training over the three days. Steph Murray, Evan Worts, Teresa Stevens, her partner Bruce, Evan Agnew, Rhonda Rock-Evans, Nicki Futcher, Jo Wilmott and Simon Bartlett all participated to make it an awesome event.

The camp started with everyone congregating at the Bay Palm Motel near the Mount.

Each person was required to transport no end of gear including bike and bike gear, wetsuit and sea swimming gear, togs, several lots of running gear and other auxiliary bits and bobs for the weekend.

Some turned up with a modest amount of gear in their Tri bin. Others an ever so slightly more elaborate collection of attire including 13 pairs of shoes, three hand bags and several designer dresses in two bulging suitcases - we love ya Steph !

The camp began with a very comprehensive briefing including introductions, safety, course layout, directions and the tasks of our very helpful support crew consisting of Victoria Smith and Bruce Stevens

The camp was also subject to the collection of 'jugs' for those individuals who encountered a blooper or two, which added to the spice and humour of the weekend for all.

After a quick bite to eat on Friday afternoon everyone assembled at the glorious golden sandy beach at the Mount armed with wet suits and swimming gear for a 3km sea swim.

Shane and Victoria were in the water on sea kayaks to ensure no one swam off to the Coromandel or were bothered by any unwanted sea creatures, of which there were many.

Jelly fish, the occasional shark and sting rays are often reported in the warm waters of the Mount so it was comforting to have Victoria and Shane along to fend off any trouble makers.

The water was warm, calm (apart from the occasional wipeout for those who swam too close to the shore - me !) and the sea swim went without a hitch.

For some it was their first ever swim in the sea and quite a different experience for them. Well done guys.

After the sea swim we all started again at the base of the Mount for a gruelling run in the hot afternoon sun from the base to the summit. The route was on a winding shingle 4 x 4 track and extremely steep in places.

Despite the very comprehensive direction briefing by Shane given beside the very comprehensive 6' x 5' colour map at the base of the Mount, one of our more 'esteemed and respected' participants managed to err off the 4 x 4 track onto a single track to the summit resulting in a full blown group search, Shane to have a litter of kittens with worry and the remaining participants to unexpectedly have to complete the entire summit run again looking for her. (we enjoyed it though Victoria so no problem).

Once regrouped at the summit we all ran down the beautifully scenic single track to the bottom, around the Mount and the 800 metres or so back to the truck.

The day ended with a quick de brief at the motel and a hearty group BBQ around the pool. Suffice to say everyone well and truly earned their dinner and it was an early night for all.

Saturday dawned a beautiful cloudless day for the 'Brick' session. A brick session consists of a full on bike ride followed by a quick transition (some quicker than others!) and a run off the bike.

An early jug was earned by Steph arising all keen to venture outside and check out the weather and surrounding environs only to lock herself out of the unit at 6am, a time that everyone else in the world was fast asleep.

Once the rest of the world awoke it was off to the Mount for an early run, which brought back a few memories of the previous day where some legs had not yet recovered. This followed by a light brekky in the sun.

The brick session was based at Pilot Bay at the base of the Mount. Shane had put together a make shift bike rack which worked a treat and everyone laid their gear out in anticipation.

Spirits were high and there was an air of competiveness as everyone eyed their opponents.

Everyone is fiercely fit in this group and so highly motivated to train hard. Their enthusiasm and focus was truly impressive.

I was tasked with the role of tail end Charlie, a role that suited me down to the ground although I was slightly anxious that the person at the end of the group was going to be twice as fast as me, which would have resulted in tears and a fair degree of cheating on my part to keep up with the pace!

Everyone did so well in the brick session and by the end of the day we had run a total of 32 km and cycled a total of 36 km.

There were no major incidents apart from Simon adding 7 minutes to his run time on the fist leg by running off in an entirely different direction much to his disgust and everyone else's amusement and me arriving in from my bike leg and running off around the Mount not realising I was still wearing my cycle helmet for the best part of the run. Teresa, who I was running beside later attesting to being so focused she didn't even realise!

There were some impressive times and efforts for the day and everyone was excited about their performances.

Everyone completed at least four circuits of the 8km bike and approx 4km run.

After the brick session everyone was again suitably exhausted and it was back to the Motel for lunch, a catch up and short rest of weary bodies.

There was a late afternoon run/walk of 8km from our Motel to the Mount and a glorious, well earned soak in the hot pools for a few hours.

A group dinner then it was down to packing gear for the return home.

On Sunday morning there was a 1km swim time trial. Everyone put in their all and did really well. Some personal bests came to light, which was awesome.

We all gathered together at a beach front cafe for brunch, a group photo then it was off home for us all.

A thoroughly enjoyable event that was run with precision and considerable thought and planning.

I'm sure this will become a regular event as everyone had loads of positive things to say and invaluable feedback.

Well done and thanks to everyone involved, who participated and who gave their time and effort to come and support.

Karen Vaughan

View all photos from the weekend

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