Training Log Archive: dkonotopetz

The race started at 5:00 am. in the dark, with the temperature at a hot 27°C according to the race clock. I was moved into block A after I asked to be moved from block B, which was the original block that I was placed in. I started off at a comfortable pace running down a narrow dark road and onto a trail with my headlight on. Around the 3 km. I overran a left turn into tall grass by about 20 meters. It was very difficult to follow some of the flagging tape markers and small signs in the dark! I continued along until I came to a four way trail junction when I was running with another guy. There were no markers in sight, so we continued straight. After about 250 meters I knew something as not right, as I did not see any markers. Four runners continued straight and I turned back to the junction where I figured out that I should have turned right originally. Another wrong turn by about 150 meters and then I began the first of three straight-up hills, the first one being about 250 meters. I passed the 11 km. checkpoint (SP3) where I filled-up my CamelBak and took a gel. I continued along and straight-up about 300 meters along a nasty trail. It was even more difficult coming down the steep hillside ducking under bamboo with rocky ground under foot and some rock scrambling. I reached the next checkpoint (SP5) at 17 km. and I was already feeling the effects for the heat, humidity and climb, which was not a good sign so early into the race. I filled-up my CamelBak and I took another gel. After SP5 I mostly walked, scrambled and crawled. I filled-up my CamelBak again at 23 km. and I continued walking along the road, only slightly slower then the joggers. I reached the bottom of the "big hill" at 350 meters up over 2 km.! I was starting to cramp-up, I felt dizzy, delirious and I had no energy. I starting climbing almost straight-up. I didn't get far until I got cramping in both legs that caused me to bail to the ground. Another runner called for two "runner guards" at the bottom of the hill to assist me. They were very helpful and brought me some Pro Freeze spray for my legs. It helped my legs, but not my lack of energy as I "hit the wall" hard. Another runner gave me a nose sniffer to "wake me up", which I quickly gave back. I could only go 10 meters at a time before I needed to take a break. It was bad! The "runner guards" were very helpful encouraging me and the other runners. One "runner guard" was particularly helpful, as he told me I had 1 hr. 30 minutes to get to SP10 before the 12:00 pm. cut off time. After many stops, rests, laying down and physically not knowing it I could make it to the top the "runner guard" told me that I made it t, but it seemed like I walked for another 1 km. before I reached SP10. When I got there I was hungry and I needed salt. I ate some basil stir fried pork with rice and rice with clear soup (for the road). In addition I refilled my CamelBak for the filal time, had a Sponsor sports drink, a gel and lots of water. I was told the last 6 km. was downhill and I had about 1:22:00 before the 1:00 pm. cut-off time at the finish line. I walked and ate going downhill, which was a nice feeling! As I was walking a runner from the Netherlands caught up to me. He was running the 53 km., we had a nice chat and he carried on. The sun was baking down on me and I was struggling big time. I asked some camera guys "how far to go" they told me "2 km.". It was going to be tight. I was going around a puddle covering most of the trail and I slipped, which triggered my right leg to cramp bad and then my left leg. I put both of my legs into the cool mud puddle, until I could crawl to my feet. Then my legs cramped-up on the road with about 500 meters until the finish line and it was very hard to get to my feet. I crossed the line walking, as I was not physically able to run or jog. I finished before the cut-off time in the hardest race of my life! I placed 71/199 overall and 23/43 in the 30-39 age group.

Route:
Results: https://www.sportstats.ca/display-results.xhtml?ra...