Probably the most satisfying event I have taken part in. Finished well, hardly a record breaking pace, but very controlled and no real points where I felt I was in trouble.
Here is an account of events (P is Petersen Road at Woodford, the start).
P – CP7 – CP7a
This was my first event to start in the dark and having done a lot of night time training over the last 3 – 4 months I was looking forward to it. It was stupidly warm (‘nice’ warm though) for 3:30 in the morning and though I knew it was faster than I wanted to be, I got to CP7 in just over half an hour and was pretty comfortable. I ran straight through the intersection feeling pretty good, and waived Andrew up to CP7a.
Just before you get to the wet stuff in this section I could hear footsteps creeping up on me and was aware of a light getting closer. My first thoughts were that it would be that bloody Michelle Healy and Glendry about to cruise past me again like they did in September when I blew up, but I shouldn’t have been surprised (other than the fact I thought he was already ahead of me) to find that it was Roger Guard. Nice and steady, hardly a breath, we exchanged a few words about how it was good we weren’t doing the powerlines after all this rain and he was gone, a faint light beam disappearing into the distance.
I carried on like this, really comfortably though I knew this wouldn’t be something I could keep up for too long, but it would be a good if I could get through the first twenty km like this. I ‘thought’ too soon.
I was just coming up to CP7a thinking to myself that this was a nice start when I looked up for a second to find a huge (it was really big, honest) spider in front of my nose in the middle of its web … ok, it was about four feet away which means it was probably bigger than it looked. Either way, I wasn’t up for running through it and I just managed to duck under and to the side of it. I was just patting myself on the back and telling myself how cat like my reflexes must be to have avoided it like that (you know, being a dick head), when I lost focus for a second – on the ground that is – and turned the same bloody ankle! It felt pretty bad, I walked about twenty feet and it hurt more, to the extent that I thought this was it for the day. I determined to jog to 7a which frustratingly turned out to be only about fifty metres further on and mentioned it to Andrew. He suggested I keep walking/jogging, see if it warmed back up, etc. It did. Through the rest of the morning I had a few scary moments where I landed a bit unevenly but was fine (it’s better this morning than it was before the event thanks to the physio I got from the doctor when we finished at Woodford – thanks, I don’t know your name and I’m still not sure what you did but it worked!).
CP7a – CP6
This was what I needed after the scare. I’m pretty familiar with this road and even knowing it was only a couple of km’s, it was good to already have a feel for how long it would take to CP6. A nice run to the second part of the hill (a fast walk up with a long look to the right at the powerlines thinking how much nicer it probably was ‘here’ than ‘down there’) and from there to the foot of the hill at 6. Stocked up on GU, no need for more drink. Dumped the light and on to CP5a and CP5.
CP6 – CP5a - CP5 – CP4a
The Beerwah loop is one of my favourite parts of Glasshouse events (coming a close 2nd to the run up the bitumen to the pool at Woodford!), the turn right at the bottom of the hill wasn’t too bad, pretty much like the track that goes straight on toward Mt. Beerwah if you don’t turn. To the end then past Ian and up the track to the lookout and down to CP4a. Nice to see Susannah and Balri there (Susannah, you had a look about you that said, “am I awake yet” – same though crossed my mind!). The only significant thought coming down from the lookout was that it wasn’t going to be too pleasant making the climb back up but after that it would be relatively easier with not too much serious uphill but I was getting way ahead of myself (having conveniently forgotten that I had to make the two climbs on the way back to CP6 later on!).
CP4a – CP1 – CP2
This was new territory to me and I wasn’t looking forward to running on the bitumen. We were about 19.5 km here and I was feeling pretty good. I could feel the makings of a blister on my usual blister site, but felt it was ok to carry on and sort it out at Beerburrum. The run to Caves Rd. was pretty ordinary, took the decision to run down and walk up even the easier climbs, still a long way to go.
Just as I got to Caves Rd. I was caught up by a nice Irish bloke (sorry mate, I can’t remember the name, one of my failings). We ran most of the way to CP1 together and he started telling me about how this sort of stuff was all new to him and how he ought to seek some advice. I was starting to feel it a little and he seemed in considerably better shape than me so I was disinclined, with my limited experience, to offer any (I did anyway though, ‘Bloke Man’ took over!). At this point, David Waugh and Don Wallace came back past us. Aside of the fact that they had obviously gone the wrong way, both were running well and I got a close look ad Dave’s face and his expression suggested he had a race on his hands. Anyway, turns out that my new found Irish friend works with horses, eventing to be specific. He’s only recently taken up running because they’ve had nothing to do while the EI thing has been going on, just killing time! We chatted a bit more and I decided to take a breather and told him I was letting him go. He duly obliged but yelled back, “I’m sure you’ll catch me up, I only have little legs!” Top bloke (must have been the Gaelic-Celt in him).
I started jogging a while after and got to one, then onto Beerburrum. I never realised how far it was along the road to CP2 much longer than I remembered when passing in the car. I had Andrew attending to my every need (the amount of Mozzies there reminded me to put some more repellent on) while I dressed the blister on my heel, the doc made sure I was happy with the dressing I was putting on, that I ‘d used that type before and just to let him know if I needed anything.
Just then, I heard a “hey Taffffffyyy!” No mistaking Glendry and Michelle’s arrival!
Anyway, not too long a stop - change of socks, cup of Coke, over half way and off down the road.
CP2 – CP4a
I’d been dreading this section since I knew that the course had been changed. For some reason, I had it in my mind that the run along Beerburrum – Woodford Rd was going to drag. As it turned out, I had a pretty steady time to the foot of the hill just before the turn to Caves Rd. I ran it all the way from Beerburrum, it started to drizzle a bit, which was nice, but I found something that I hadn’t found before in other events: The ability to just dig in a little when I was feeling well travelled.
I turned onto Caves Rd and heard the voices that I’d been picking up for the last km or so getting closer. I’d passed a couple of guys on the way out of Beerburrum and had a feeling it wasn’t them. I went on for probably about 3-400m when it became unmistakable ... it was Ms. Healy! My suspicions confirmed when I heard, “Aluuun! Alun!” There was no escape!
I turned around and there was a little banter, then carried on until they caught up. They being, Michelle Healy, Glendry and Mark Rasi(?) the supposed Trail Snail. It was the best thing that could have happened to me! Lightened things up a bit before they had chance to get dark. Added to my joy was Michelle’s question of “have you lost weight since September?”, I stated no but thanks and “it’s amazing what a pair of tights can do for your figure though!”. Inside I was pretty chuffed. I turned 42 two weeks ago, how to make an old man feel happy eh?
We turned off Cave’s Rd.(on which we got passed by the first hound) and headed toward Old Gympie Rd. (which always makes me think of some bloke in a strange leather suit with zips and buckles everywhere) and up to CP4a. I didn’t notice who was there and went straight to the car, picked my stuff up and braced myself for the climb up to the lookout.
CP4a – CP5
It may not have looked it at the time, but this was a lot easier than I’d anticipated. Glen was feeling it a bit here and I had much empathy. He looked a bit like I felt at GH in September. It was getting really warm and Michelle was keeping both Glen and I going. As for Mark, I don’t think I noticed any difference in his motion or mood, he just kept going and chatting to Michelle. Both of them obviously have too much energy. The comment from Michelle of, “erm, we’re walking? Why?”, when we’d encountered an almost imperceptible downhill of at least four yards during a 1:4 uphill section sort of summed it up, but it made me smile.
Anyway, we made it to the top, both Glen and I were feeling the heat I think but I have to say that it was easier than I’d anticipated and it took a lot less time. Michelle had a bit to do with that I think, very motivational ... other cultures might refer to it as nagging!
CP5 – CP5a - CP6
We were all still at the checkpoint at more or less the same time though. I skipped the car (and a scheduled electrolyte) in favour of water at the checkpoint. The other three were still there and I wanted to keep moving so I seized my chance. I must have been doing at least 8km/hour (!!!), I don’t know how the hell they caught up with me!
It was a pretty uneventful run through the now uninhabited CP5a across the undulating stretch to the foot of the first hill back to CP6. I was flagging quite a bit and was getting left behind but I seemed to be doing enough toward the end of the stretch to get back to the guys in as much as when they started walking the hill, I just got there and started walking too. As we walked up it was clear that Michelle and Mark were hanging around and they made the (correct) decision toward the top to move on. Didn’t see either after that and I’m pretty sure that Rachel would have had her hands full for that 2nd place if Michelle had gone off earlier.
Glen got ahead of me and before I caught him up we were passed by another hound and a young bloke whose name I forget but marvelled at what he did yesterday (more of him later). I caught up with Glenn and we walked down the hill at the point that I can only refer to as the big dipper, then back up the other side. I was glad of the walking for such a spell and I think it did me good. We walked a bit further and Glen came up with, “I have to run, because if I don’t start now, I won’t ever again!” With that, we ran into CP6.
CP6 – CP7a
What a delight to reach CP6. I’d had this point in my mind since the start in as much as any hard stuff would be behind us now whatever the course had been. The aforementioned guy who’s name I have forgotten (let’s call him Runner ‘X’) was there too. He was just taking off, Glen and I were on the move at the same time when Glen went back to check something in a bag. I yelled back that I was heading on but I don’t think he heard me (sorry Glen). I felt a bit guilty but was already moving down the hill, just one of those things.
Down the hill and X man could barely move and stated that his quads were shot. Across the following straight and he told me that he’d never run further than 20km prior to Sunday! This guy had no water, not even a bottle. I checked my Garmin and we were just creeping up to 42.2km so I congratulated him on running his first marathon. His response was something along the lines of five hours + being pretty poor ... I advised him of the achievement. Anyway, I don’t think he heard me as he’d taken off ahead of me to run up the hill before running down past the powerlines. I walked the hill and over the brow to see him unable to run down and caught him again at CP7a. I grabbed a couple of GU’s and one for Mr. X and took off down the track to CP7 about 10km to go.
CP7a – CP7
This was the second most satisfactory section of the day for me. I caught up with Mr. X after about 200m (about the point where I’d turned my ankle about 400 years prior) and offered him the GU. He didn’t want it as he didn’t like one without a drink, I offered him a drink but he didn’t want one - so be it. We ran together for a while, walked the occasional short spell and ran again then at one point I dug in and I was on my own. I made it to the intersection before CP7 and walked down to the CP with Andrew and used the time to rest a bit. As I got there, who came down the track behind me but Mr. X, my surprise obviously showed (I was going to mention to the support that he was out there with no water) as he proclaimed he had found a ‘3rd’ wind!
CP7 to P – my most satisfactory section
Had a quick chat with Ian and the guys, watched Mr. X run off and took off myself shortly after. Talked to Andrew about time – I had 5:56 on the clock and decided at a push I could make 5:35. Thankfully, as I left, Glen was coming down the hill to the CP.
I’d escaped the hounds, had a little over 5km to go and had discovered some fortitude that I hadn’t had at this stage in the other two events I’d run and I felt good. I managed myself really well, had Mr. X in sight for most of the time but couldn’t make any ground on him. I was conscious of Glen behind me and I wasn’t going to let him get me now (I mean, I knew he was doing it tough, but my feeling good was relative, it was no picnic!!)
Another undulating stretch and a run down to that hill before the downhill that looks deceptively like the one just before the finish only to find you still have the best part of 3km left (I hate that hill). Anyway, as I went over the brow, I looked back and saw someone’s head just go out of sight as I started down. Glen! How the hell did he pull that back? Bugger this, I thought, he’s not getting me now. I stuck with it and ran most of the way down that interminably long straight (I know, but I was tired). I looked back and saw no one. Then, in the distance, coming around the corner, some other dude appeared and he was catching me. Turned out, he was as tired as I was, a hound I found out after asking him, “a hound, how far is it?” No more than 10 minutes at worst I told him.
From that point, I ran the rest of the way home bar for about 40 metres and came home in 6:31:32 on a day that took a few people by surprise. The run up to the pool is pretty special. I mean, you have to actually run it (people watching and all that) and there’s always someone looking for you. For me, it was my wife (Rhys, my son had already given up hope and was in the pool!), my crew, Andrew and his partner, Donna. In addition to these welcome sights, Michelle Healy was standing out there, leading the applause for anyone who was finishing, that was a nice moment. I told her that Glen was ok and not too far behind but had gone through a tough patch.
Epilogue (see the Streets of San Francisco reference at the top!)
I have to say that this was a ground breaking event for me. The last 16km or so showed me that the more I’m running distance, whether it’s the events or more often the 20+ and 30+ km training runs I’m doing, I’m getting somewhere. I was actually able to run purposefully during this period and during the last 10km make some time as opposed to surviving and just making it to the end. That thought occurred to me with each stride and I can’t really describe what that felt like. I’m sure that those of you who do manage to wade through this will relate to it. This has done wonders for my attitude toward the 50 mile event at GH in May.
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