On day 3 you can’t believe it is only day 3 and you wonder how are you going to survive 5 more days. On day 6 you can’t believe there are only 2 days left! Just like an Ironman, there are moments where you think you can’t and then next thing you know the race is done! I felt lots of positivity today and the women’s spirits were high…amazing what a rest day does, as does ‘only’ 30km/hr winds when you are expecting 40-50km/hr gusts! The quote of the day goes to Robyn: “I didn’t even swear today!” – Robyn wears the play of the day jersey tomorrow for not only having the quote of the day but for getting stronger and stronger as the camp goes on. Love it!
Last night the winds howled all night and I was reminded of my Ironman races here on the island (six in total). Each time I raced here, the night before the race, I lay awake at night listening to the wind howl, hoping it would die down by morning. This island is breathtaking, this island is magical and this island is powerful. I love to race here, I love to train here, but I don’t think I could live here. The constant wind makes you strong, but for me, some quiet air is necessary to keep me sane!
Today started out with an ocean swim (some have been doing more pool swimming which we realize means more option to do swim sets…but it is Epic Camp and that is how things roll…) and while it was quite rolling in the early morning winds, it was quite enjoyable. I got LUCKY today: As we walked down the steps to the swim start, I realized I forgot my wetsuit at home. Oops! I was just thinking that I was actually happy I did not have to go into that ocean (and would do a pool swim later) when Daz kindly offered up his wetsuit which fit me just fine. Thanks Daz…did I mention I want to keep you around!? Oh ya, everyday I say this about 5 times! The support has been great from Trisports Lanzarote!!!!
On the note of support, I wanted to make a huge shout out to Etienne and David (Epic Woman Camp coaches and support crew extraordinaire) who are not here this camp. I MISS you both and think about you every single day. All has gone really well here (Jo has been an incredible addition to the coaching roster at Epic Woman Camp) but Etienne’s mental tips/support and love is greatly missed, as is David’s humour, great laundry folding technique and generation of knick names for everyone! Love you guys and we will be re-united again soon!
The bike today was a shorter ride (the ride from today has been moved to the last day) and while in retrospect, we realized we could have done the long one given the less-windy-than-expected conditions, I am happy we will end the camp with such a big accomplishment on Saturday. There were a lot of tack-ons and additional training today as the points competition heats up between some of the places! Jo now has a significant lead with her 4-point run and 200fly (way to go Jo – we have footage to prove it) but I am proud of getting in an additional point for the bike 20km tack-on and for my 1000 band only today.
I ran 9kms after Maya play time and finished the night with a short yoga session (Maya did it with me) with Thomas, a fabulous osteopath treatment with Jamie and a scrumptious fish dinner a-la-debs-and-daz! My knee actually seems to be getting better as the camp goes on! There is something to be said for how beneficial movement (and lots of it) is for our joints 
My Maya turns 2 years old tomorrow (wow, how time flies!) and I am feeling like the luckiest person in the world right now. I am able to run an intensive camp, I am able to participate in my intensive camp, I am able to spend time with my girl while doing all this training and watch her thrive in this environment with strong, determined, amazing women, and I am able to be here without missing my most amazing husband in the world, all while doing my PASSION. Life is good. What is so amazing about what is happening with Maya is that I see her growing up to be similar to her Dad – she is such a good person. She already seems so grounded, determined, strong, kind, respectful, ok maybe sometimes a little too loud and sometimes demanding, but all in a good way . I love her so much… I came into this camp with the idea that it may be difficult this year for me to complete the camp because Maya would want more Mummy time and I would want more Maya time now that she is older and so aware. I was prepared to do what I could while making her my priority. This is what I am doing, but she genuinely seems happy to tell me to “go ride my bike”. She seems so mature for only being almost 2 years of age. Ok, I am biased, but hey, I am her Mom. I am so proud she is here and having such a good time.
Good night. Two more days to go…