Dear Stu, Love your body.

Before I start a little joke … So did you hear about those three Evangelistic mice that went around knocking on doors saying “hi, we’d like to talk to you about cheeses?”

Today, there is good news and bad news. The good; I am done after a particularly tough day. My body is not quite sure what to do once it gets to about 80km, the last 9 or 10km after that are very sore. Well, umm. No. Fine. Yes, i hear you little voice of reason, perhaps i should have trained? hmmm. Perhaps i should have rested more between Ironman and now? hmmm … I think, … ummmm “Yes! I think with all these questions, I will have another Hansa.” The bad; there isn’t any bad news. Today took me and shook me hard. It took the wind out of my sails when i needed to call on it. I am grateful for the experience. It was long, not desperate. Just long. Thanks BIG for hanging with me. I think i have seen more of your ‘bottie’ than should be allowed between mates.
So as it turns out we were not in Underberg yesterday, we were sort of somewhere an hour from Howick. Today we are in Underberg. This farm is gorgeous. You have to find out where it is and come visit. WOW. The 6th day is “katele” (finished) and I am lying in my tent. We have 3 days left. Two of which are BIG, the last i am told is relatively easy (done by 10am)

How does this compare? Compare to what? Life? Work? The Epic or Ironman? Lets leave the first two to a bottle of Warwick and a good steak when i am done and chat about the other two. This is definitely NOT the Epic. It isn’t crazy stupid hard. It is however crazy hard. It is tough, and whilst i have no doubt that the organisers intend for it to be open to any one with a passion for life on two wheels beyond posing with a latte. It will test you. I have done 4 Ironman (i know the plural is men, but that doesnt sound right … “i have down four ironmens”. sounds like i have change my menu from the fairer gender and have a thing for Tony Starke. Back to the race, I mean challenge) – so ja, i have just come off an Ironman, 3 weeks ago and i did 11h48m. It was tough. This is nothing like Ironman. You simply can’t compare them. Ironman is predicatable., You know the track, you know the loops and you know your “lacky-band” (elastic) and you can WIND-IT when you want to. There are crowds. Here the hills don’t stop. Tufts of grass hurt your ar#s even more on a downhill. “Undulating” means that you willprobably climb another 600m in the next 15km. “Fun” is loosely defined as anything to do with a bicycle (not al of it nice) and “the finish is just over there”, is well ummm one of the nicest things you will hear. It constantly asks you to dig in and find a little more. So can you? For that you need to get up, stand up and do it.

Quotes of the day
- from the marshal at the water station “careful of the cow at the bottom of the hill” From Stu “really? my ex is here?”
- 445am. Craig to Stu through the tent ” Hey Stu, What comes after “S” in teh dictionary … … Stu: “T”. Craig: “Thanks that would be lovely”

The ten things you will know VERY well by day six of The Fairburn Capital Old Mutual joberg2c (www.joberg2c.co.za)
1. Your saddle
2. That you can change the flavour of your carbo-juice but in the end, it all tastes muck!3. Don’t trust the organisers judge of distance. 88km is often 98km or 105km. (Same goes for the exact definition of “undulating” “fun” and “nice”)
4. It is possible to grow a significant beard in 6 days … *and inmy case hair do, I am thinking a comb-over.
5. That after 6 days your clothes can smell pretty bad, and when its raining out you are more than likely going to sleep quite happy in the knowledge they they are closed into your tent
6. The sound of your partners bike squeaking
7. That it is possible to ride for 9 hours. Eat lunch (3 hamburgers) @ 4pm. Shower, massage and be back for a full dinner at 6pm as though nothing happened and consider this normal
8. Stretch. A lot.
9. Lubricate liberally. (don’t ask, just everything! Bike included)
10. Things said in a moment, last a long time on camera

Dear Body, Thanks man. I love you. I hear you. I feel the sore. Lets go speak nicely to that lady with the sign up there, the one that says “riding better through pharmaceuticals” (Don’t worry mumzie, i promise i am taking good care. No, yes I am 36, and yes I should know better. There are three more days of fun and then i will sleep. massage right now? ok, after the Hansa)

Until tomorrow. (1) sign up for this next year or something that ignites you (2) train for it (3) Just push play.

YOU ARE BRILLIANT.

A HUGE Thanks to my sponsors for making this a reality and believing in LIFESTRUCK and the power and passion that lives within us all.

Stu

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