Allan’s preparation not without mishaps

Lee Allan prepares for a training run at Signal Hill last month. Photo: Christine O'Connor
Lee Allan prepares for a training run at Signal Hill last month. Photo: Christine O'Connor
Lee Allan plans to head for the hills during his honeymoon next week.

Allan (26), the Otago Rugby Union  coaching development officer,  marries partner Alyce Carson tomorrow, and will cap off a West Coast honeymoon by contesting the longest day at the Coast to Coast next Saturday.

"It was just one of those things that happened to line up the way it did," he said.

"It will be two awesome weekends in a row to be honest."

Allan initially entered the two-day Coast to Coast challenge, but was swayed by seasoned Coast to Coasters Shannon Edgar and her father, Kevin Edgar, to switch to the Longest Day.

Kevin Edgar has contested the event  eight times, winning the mixed team section in 2012 with Lyn Weedon.

"It was something I’ve always wanted to tackle.

"They [the Edgars] have been awesome and gave me the confidence to pull trigger on it. So, hopefully, it goes all right."

Allan’ s love of the outdoors, was what first drew him towards multisport.

He has always had a love of running, but cycling and kayaking were uncharted territory. Despite a series of mishaps, perseverance is now paying off.

"Personally, it was more the mental challenge and knowing how far I could push myself.

"There’s been a few days where I’ve definitely tested myself, that’s for sure. There’s been a few tough training days. Hopefully, it’s all going to be worth it."

Allan switched his attention to multisport at the end of his final season as a rugby player in 2016 when he retired due to concussion.

He entered his first duathlon in April last year, badly rolling an ankle which curtailed any more training until he concluded his assistant coaching role with last season’s Otago Mitre 10 Cup squad.

"It wasn’t a great start to my multisport career, to be honest."

Learning the ropes of multisport and Coast to Coast preparation proved to be a challenge.

On his first major training ride, he learned the hard way the lesson about carrying a spare tyre when he punctured, "in the middle of nowhere" on Otago Peninsula.

In his second major training ride, his chain broke while going up a hill in full flight.

Misfortune also followed on his first long kayaking session down the Taieri River between Henley and Taieri Mouth, when partway down his paddle broke, forcing him to drift in the current while using part of his remaining paddle to make it safely down to Taieri Mouth.

"These are the things they always tell you to be prepared for, but I guess I had to learn the hard way. Apart from that it’s all been awesome since."

Allan has found perseverance builds confidence and confidence is the foundation of success. He has since ramped up his training to from 10 to 15 hours a week.

"Probably the one thing that has surprised me, is just how open and helpful other multisporters are and just how keen they are to help.

"Shannon and Kevin, for example, have helped me a lot and I wouldn’t be where I am without their help.

"I really enjoy it. And I enjoy the people.

"I’ve got a few goals in coaching rugby that I want to try and hit. But in what is my first year in multisport; it’s just about participating.

"For the Longest Day I just want to finish. I’ll be a happy man just to get across the finish line."

Allan is already contemplating a return to the Coast to Coast course next year with the hope of contesting the tandem section with Alyce.

"She has been awesome. Without her I wouldn’t have been able to do half the training that I’ve done."

She will skip a support crew that includes Allan’s father, Wayne, and in-laws Kaye and Chris Carson.

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