The Speight’s Coast to Coast traverses the South Island of New Zealand from Kumara Beach on the Tasman Sea to Sumner Beach on the Pacific Ocean. Over either two days (individuals or two person teams) or the one-day event (individuals only), competitors cycle 140 kms (three stages of 55km, 15 km and 70 km), run 36 km (including a 33 km mountain stage that crosses the Southern Alps) and kayak 67kms of the grade two Waimakariri River through the Grand Canyon of New Zealand, the Waimakariri Gorge. Icebreaker is sponsoring this event in 2010, and a bunch of us are competing. Here’s an excerpt about the lead up from one of our team members:
So why am I doing the one day Coast to Coast? Mainly I believe, because it is a fantastic opportunity to learn about myself. I know that to get there I have to push myself to my physical and mental limits.
So with only weeks separating me and the start line, do I feel ready? Well yes I think I do, but I am sure there will be some nerves and doubts… But that is part of why I’m doing it really. We face challenges because they test us and make us stronger. In the act of thinking about the question of “am I where I want and need to be?”, I have to reflect on where I was when I was told I would be on the Icebreaker Team. I was nowhere fit enough (7kg heavier than I am now), and I had no kayak or decent road bike. All I really had was a desire to find a new challenge and a giant opportunity.
So now here I am, metaphorically putting the last strokes of the first rapid that we call preparation. The next rapid is more of the same but longer and I know from experience that to do well in a race, a rapid or life in general you need to be prepared, relaxed and focused on where we are going. Bring it on!
- Dave Tait, Speight’s Coast to Coast competitor - Team Icebreaker
