So for anyone interested in my New Zealand exploits I was up on the Coromandel Peninsular for my first race, just 72 hours after flying into Auckland.

It was 30km from the east coast to the west across the central divide of the Peninsular. Whilst it only reaches a high point of around 550m there was a lot of switchback climbs, leaving you drained at the top only to have to plummet down and climb up again. I reckon 18miles and 2500ft ascent.

The day was hot and dry, with a cooling breeze across the tops. From the start on the beach we ran 2km along the shore before heading inland and climbing through the forests. It was mostly on narrow tracks and rutted 4WD roads. Some really gnarly tree roots and slippy rock made it tricky in places. I struggled in the heat with no water and some foreign energy gels that made me feel sick. There were drink stops along the way but I went 3 hours without peeing which cannay be good. The competition was tough, I thought of the 100 competitors I might make top 5, but from the off I was only in the top 10. It was very tough not knowing where the guy in front/behind was given the twisty nature of the track. Every now and then a couple of runners would come together and overtake on an up, for me to take them on the down.

With the final 4km decent I overtook 3 or 4 guys, which put me into about 8th, but I could feel cramp coming on for the last 10k and sure enough it hit BIG time on the final 1 km run in along the road into the township. Absolute agony with the quads and calves in BOTH legs cramping simultaneously. Screaming in agony I dropped to the floor, writhing like a man possessed. My brother was watching and he came over to stretch them off. But what was most gauling was watching the 4 guys I'd overtaken trot past! I finished 12th, humbled and a little disappointed, but I got another race this weekend!