Ann's First Multisport Event - The Tongariro Classic '99

This text was read by OCR from a scanned newsletter and has not been proofread yet, so expect odd characters and mistakes.

The Tongariro Classic '99 Bike; run; bike; paddle; paddle; run. Thanks Stuart for putting the idea in my head; I wasn't really cursing your name close to the finish. Thanks Tarnia for lending me your DR boat the day before; You know, you can overtrain for these things. Thanks guys for waking me up at 5.30am yes, I had overslept; Was my subconscious telling me something? Thanks Shane for helping with last minute adjustments to my bike; 3-2-1 and we're off! Thanks cyclist who had a puncture 5 minutes into the race; At least I knew I wasn't last. Thanks guy-on-tacer-with pigtail'; I draughted behind you most of the way up to Mangatepopo. Thanks Phil... and John.. oh and Harriette and Alice; All these friendly faces at the first transition! Thanks weather gods for a fabulously cloud-free and sunny day; Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and longariro all looking their best. Thanks noo 33 who I followed in the run; "Well if she's walking that bit SO am I." Thanks back-packers for stepping to the side as I panted past; At least I was overtaking someone! Thanks course marshals on top of Tongariro with encouraging comments and water bottles; It was a hot run alright. Thanks knees for not giving up on the downhill run. Thanks Phil for finding some suncream for my reddening nose. Thanks safety boaters at the bottom of the crucial rapid; You seemed impressed I didn't fall out given the extent of my support stroke. Thanks freshwater shag for playing at the top of each rapid; It kept me entertained on the paddle. Thanks Phil for racing around in the car making sure encouragement, food and gear was ready at each transition. Thanke girl-in-flash-DR-boat' who yelled "left here" at crucial fork in river. Thanks little-boy-on-a-bicycle' who assured me I was still running in the right direction; And yes.oo the finish was in sight! Thanks Greg (race organiser) for an entertaining prizegiving; Well I didn't win the kayak spot prize, but knowing someone who did is good enough (well done Harriette!) Thanks Tramping Club Lodge for making an excellent base for the weekend; What a comfy bunk... what an exhausting day N N L A great weekend was had by all!