The intrepid Team Yellow (Watercare) ready for the 'off'. 5.50.a.m Taupo Central. Look at those smiles/set looks of determination! How proud of them? Plenty! (Esp the older fulla on the right who stood up to the plate only 4 days ago!)
And they're off! 100kms. For a cause. Training done. Fitness levels up. Team Spirit through the roof. Go you beauties! Supporters are with you all the way...no napping or slacking!
A couple of innovative supporters. Checkpoint 1. Note the atmosphere... Just waiting for the sun to crest the brow...
About 7.30 a.m. Frosty ground, crisp air & fab view across the paddocks. Man, it's great to be alive & part of something that counts! All set up ready for the walkers who'll come through from around 8.10a.m. onwards.
Yay! Made it to the first checkpoint! 17kms down. It's all about speed walking at this point...Note the teams coming through in the distance.
All smiles at the end of 2nd leg. Checkpoint 2 pitstop 2mins away.
Pitstop, Checkpoint 2. Fueling up & taping time.
Replenished, re-taped & ready for the next leg. Leaving Checkpoint 2. All well.
Set up at Kinloch Checkpoint 3. In the sun, 2 Watercare support teams hard out waiting for the walkers. The BBQ was set up a few metres along. Doing it tough but someone's gotta!
Checkpoint 4. No smile. Stuffed! Others seem to be bearing up...ish. Last of the sun & a 19km leg. Honest going for sure. Time for decent re-fuel, extra clothing & blister taping/'Anti-Flamming' before the evening legs. Pitstop took 18mins.
Supporter husband & a very weary but smiling walker at Checkpoint 7. 13kms to go. Piece of cake...after all, it's downhill all the way now. (You'd probably be NOT surprised at how hard it is to smile when you are stuffed, so he's still OK!) Note the groovy tights, man!
Checkpoint 8. So excited about finishing inside 19hrs that the pikkie is less than great by far. Right hand time says it all for the 6a.m. starters which included Team Yellow. (Time 12.55 a.m.)
Done...No 5 Trailwalk. Still smiling/standing & able to intake restorative fluids...
Ahh...the saved bacon butty from Checkpoint 3 at Kinloch that was meant to be intake with the beer at the finish line. Somehow it ended up for part of the next day's brekky. Tasted just fine with a 'touch-up' in the microwave.
6 Intrepids/crazy fullas/...youth & wisdom combined. After hilarious story telling from the trail, including 'air-walking' with hand held sticks... True story, the sticks were NOT touching the ground...how tired?! Pikkie also includes 2 SA's who conversed in Afrikaanse most of the way...now known as 'Prawns' (you gotta see 'District 9...')
Yay! Made it to the first checkpoint! 17kms down. It's all about speed walking at this point...Note the teams coming through in the distance.
All smiles at the end of 2nd leg. Checkpoint 2 pitstop 2mins away.
Pitstop, Checkpoint 2. Fueling up & taping time.
Replenished, re-taped & ready for the next leg. Leaving Checkpoint 2. All well.
Set up at Kinloch Checkpoint 3. In the sun, 2 Watercare support teams hard out waiting for the walkers. The BBQ was set up a few metres along. Doing it tough but someone's gotta!
Checkpoint 4. No smile. Stuffed! Others seem to be bearing up...ish. Last of the sun & a 19km leg. Honest going for sure. Time for decent re-fuel, extra clothing & blister taping/'Anti-Flamming' before the evening legs. Pitstop took 18mins.
Supporter husband & a very weary but smiling walker at Checkpoint 7. 13kms to go. Piece of cake...after all, it's downhill all the way now. (You'd probably be NOT surprised at how hard it is to smile when you are stuffed, so he's still OK!) Note the groovy tights, man!
Checkpoint 8. So excited about finishing inside 19hrs that the pikkie is less than great by far. Right hand time says it all for the 6a.m. starters which included Team Yellow. (Time 12.55 a.m.)
Done...No 5 Trailwalk. Still smiling/standing & able to intake restorative fluids...
Ahh...the saved bacon butty from Checkpoint 3 at Kinloch that was meant to be intake with the beer at the finish line. Somehow it ended up for part of the next day's brekky. Tasted just fine with a 'touch-up' in the microwave.
6 Intrepids/crazy fullas/...youth & wisdom combined. After hilarious story telling from the trail, including 'air-walking' with hand held sticks... True story, the sticks were NOT touching the ground...how tired?! Pikkie also includes 2 SA's who conversed in Afrikaanse most of the way...now known as 'Prawns' (you gotta see 'District 9...') P.S. A long time ago, January, the 'prawns' were out to beat the fast team of 'old fullas', however AJ's back gave in during training and the 'old fullas' were out! Curiously though, both the oldies competed in different teams (at the last minute!) and still beat the 'prawns'! Note the prize of 'Bundaberg' rum in AJ's hand!
There we are, gang of 4...intrepid walkers/supporters. 2 days after & feeling great! 2011=? Watch this space....
