Running race 5:31:23 44.02 km (7:32 / km) +1471m6:27 / km ahr:146 max:191 shoes: Nike Air Zoom Elite 4
6Foot Track Marathon.
Well that didnt exactly go to plan!!!! :)
Started in Wave 3 and, as instructed by others, went fairly helter skelter for first 200m before the steps to get in a good position. Still got slowed by a bloke I christened "the cork" on the way down. He was about 10 people in front of me and I dunno how he got there but he was slowing everyone.... anyway reminded myself not to worry as race was 45k!!
Track opened up and just tried to long run pace it. Seemed ok but it was just hard to know what pace. I also kept an eye on HR keeping it in low 150s. First 15k is downhill to Coxs River and really enjoyed the final section which was single track as I ran with a couple of other blokes yaking about this and that. Crossed Coxes up to my waist which was refreshing mostly.
The first serious climb was next - just short of 5k up to Mini Mini saddle. I ran slowly but steadily up the hill while virtually everyone around me walked. I dunno how many people I passed but there wasnt many from my start wave - they were all from earlier waves. It was kinda weird being in this race where we hit a hill and everyone walked - i seemed the weird one for running!
Down the hill to ALum Creek and had some soreness from my othotics. Also very quickly had sore quads even though I wasnt really fanging it. I guess the first 15k was downhill! Lots of water in the various creek crossings before starting up the Pluviometer -the big wall climb basically 4k straight up. Rob & the others had told me to be as fresh as possible at the top of the Pluvi as thats when the race started and after the downhills I wasnt feeling very fresh so alternated between walks and running trying to save a bit. Got to the top of Pluvi a bit sore but felt like the race was starting.
Unfortunately thats where it pretty much stopped for me. I'd been having gels, water and sport drink the whole way and it seems I overdid it. I had, literally, a fingernail of banana and immediately regretted it as my stomach lurched. 50m later I was down on all fours emptying the contents of my stomach - and there was plenty to empty! Stopped eventually so got up, feeling a little better and started to shuffle along. Unfortunately a km or so (?) later started to get dizzy and a little wobbly and things became a bit hazy till I got to next drinks station. To be honest was relieved to see drinks station as I felt like I was in a little bit of trouble. Sat down, then lay down and had some drink. Hurled up the stomach contents again. I probably have gone into too much detail already..... Anyway started to feel a little better and the good lady from Lawson Bushfire Brigade said I had some colour back and it was only 400m to next drinks station so I walked there sipping water. Garmin shows I was at the Lawson bushfire brigade stop for 18mins.
Got to the next one, refused their offers of sportsdrink, and figured I'd be right for the rest to at least walk although another 15k did seem a bit daunting. It also started to piss down raining about then which was, well, cold. Anyway started jogging and walking. Got to the Deviation at 35k and was feeling the legs but not the stomach at least. Running got more often and walking less often and I started to "race" competitors around me, chat to a few of them and pass people again.
Got to Caves Rd Crossing (38k) and thought I might shoot for 5hrs 30. I basically thought I wouldnt make it but if I ran as much as possible I'd give it a shake. I also knew that from about 43k it was all downhill. By now I was passing people fairly frequently which was encouraging. There was no chatting from anyone!
I'd looked fwd to the last 2-3k as it was downhill but it was basically agony on the quads and ITB. The less said about it the better but I kept a good pace and wont forget in a hurry the face on the guy who, about 500m from home, was lying in the mud in agony cramping while another runner tried to stretch out his calf! Very pleased to hear Belinda's cheer as I came down the final bend and see the family after crossing the line.
Obviously I'm dissapointed with what happened re the spews. But having done it I'd have to say I've learnt a lot on how to tackle it and realise the experience of someone like ROb whos run Wagga Off Road Mara, 6ft before etc is invaluable - there's certainly some lessons I'd put in place next time. I also am pretty pleased to have finished such a tough run. Getting to the top of the pluvi, even before the spews, and knowing there is about 17k to go is daunting. Rob & Scotty did amazing for their 3rd and 4th. Ended up having a terrific weekend and I guess I'll give it another crack some time. Maybe even next year. :)
Orienteering20:40 3.69 km (5:36 / km) +13m5:31 / km ahr:148 max:160 shoes: Brooks Cascadia Yellow ones
Cruised round SS at Black Mtn Peninsula. Ran with Dev for a little while but he was travelling a smidge too fast and a fleeting convo with Moira Goddard meant I lost him.
Running warm up/down 6:20 1.04 km (6:06 / km) +10m5:49 / km ahr:130 max:144 shoes: Brooks Cascadia Yellow ones
Jog with Dev.
Orienteering warm up/down 18:43 1.82 km (10:16 / km) +15m9:52 / km ahr:114 max:134 shoes: Brooks Cascadia Yellow ones
Orienteering1:01:13 5.23 km (11:43 / km) +51m11:10 / km ahr:111 max:142 shoes: Brooks Cascadia Yellow ones
Checking control sites for next weeks summer series which I'm course setting. Always been curious how much ground you actually cover checking sites and as suspected its not much. If you are really keen you can look at the garmin download and embark on some course analysis.... as I said, you'd have to be keen!
Rode to and fro work. First half of the ride home was the AImee Mann, Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds ride. Song came on my iphone first up and I wondered what the hell it was and how it got on my iphone (its in a soundtrack). Tried to skip it but headphone-controller wouldnt do it so figured oh well just wait. Problem was I did something naff with my iphone and consequently song kept playing over and over. Stopped about half way when couldnt stand it any longer and fixed problem. Frustration had faded by the time I bumped into Gramps and we rode up the hill together - think he wants to beat Olle Poland in Summer Series accumulative more than is healthy.