March 2026 Update

Written By Kim Manunui

March was a massive training block! arguably the biggest month of training I’ve ever done. I was fully locked in, and equally focused on nailing my recovery between sessions. Alongside the riding, we also introduced a heat block: 4 weeks of 40-minute spa sessions post training, 5 days a week. I know it sounds nice, but I’m talking full sweating, barely staying conscious type spas. The purpose behind it is that research has shown that heat exposure increases blood volume, improving oxygen delivery throughout the body and creating a more efficient cardiovascular system. On top of all the training, I also took part in a 5km fun run in Cambridge, which conveniently doubled as a race against my coach to settle the debate over who was the faster runner. I not only beat him by a solid 30 seconds, but I also placed 2nd female overall!

Outside of cycling, I’ve also started working at Velobike, the company I did my internship with back in 2024. They reached out and asked if I’d be interested in coming back, and I jumped at the opportunity. It’s incredibly valuable for me to be building real work experience while still competing, and it’s something that will really help set me up for life after cycling. On top of that, I also started my master’s research this month. I’m collaborating with Harraways Oats, exploring how the cost of living crisis is influencing consumers’ purchasing behaviour, specifically whether it’s driving people towards cheaper private label brands over Harraways’ premium products.

Bryony Botha

📍 Current location: Hamilton, NZ

March Training Stats:

Kilometers cycled on the road: 2,290

Total hours spent training: 93hrs 58mins

  • Road cycling: 74hrs 47mins

  • Gym: 9hrs

  • Track: 9hrs 26mins

  • Running: 45mins

Bee sting

I was unfortunately stung by a bee on my lip during one of my training rides. My lip instantly swelled up and stayed this size for a few days!

 

First Quarter Progression


Hours spent in each training zone for the first quarter over the past 3 years. The yellow line is 2026, which shows I have spent significantly more time riding in endurance and tempo zones vs. the recovery zone.

 
Kim Manunui

Hi, I’m Kim and I work with a great team to help individuals, as well as small and not so small businesses get their message, product and services to the world using digital media and creating wonderful websites that don’t cost the earth.

I was born in Canada, and grew up around Vancouver and the mountains of British Columbia. My love of pristine environments led me to New Zealand and eventually to the mountains, lakes and rivers of the central North Island which is home. My family’s heritage is here, and it’s from here that Korio traverses the planet.

The digital world is never static and neither are we.

And I say ‘we’ because I work with an awesome group of talented people who I gather together as required to complete a project.  Whatever your business, not-for-profit or individual needs are we gather the best team to get the job done.

Collaboratively we are creative, share sustainable values and work hard for great outcomes because that’s the buzz of satisfaction that drives us.

If you have an audience and market to reach, we can make that happen. Creative design, words that work and smart behind the scenes stuff that cuts through the online noise. We’ll design your website and then build it. We’ll manage the content as well as all your hosting needs. We can handle your online advertising so you get noticed,
and we’ll manage your social media presence so you get the clicks, likes and engagement to grow your business. All within the budget you set, because none of this needs to cost the earth.  And the job doesn’t stop when your website goes live. We are your virtual business partner.

https://www.korio.co.nz
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January/February 2026 Update