DARING TO DREAM WITH A 100 MILER

Contributed by Sue Robertson, AURA member

WTF 100mi, WA
September 28, 2019

It’s been on the mind for a year or so, but finally in March 2019 my daughter Bianca Jane and I decided we would sign up for the race of our lives. 

After my dad’s passing last year I had wanted to do some fundraising for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and this seemed the perfect challenge to do that.

Our back ground together after a few years of triathlon was the Feral Pig 50 miler, the Wild Goose Festival and the Australia Day Ultra 100kms so WTF was always going to be the icing on the cake to see if we could pull it together.

Training had gone well, I had signed up with coach Glen Smetherham from Consistent Running at the end of June and was extremely happy to follow his expertise in the lead up to this event.

Apart from a shin splint Bianca and I were both feeling okay in our bodies when we went into taper at the beginning of the week, although the nerves were certainly making their presence known.

It was fabulous to head down to Nanga Bush Camp on Friday with friends and enjoy lunch with the hospitality of the Blue Wren before heading to the campgrounds. When we arrived mid-afternoon at the Bunkhouse, it was great to be able to soak up the excitement of other runners arriving, and race director David Kennedy and his crew setting up everything for the race.

Up early to get breakfast and dressed, the excitement was building and by 5.45am everyone was in the main area at the bunkhouse just waiting to be let loose. Finally it was 6am and we were off, 60 or so runners doing either the 100 miler or 50 miler whilst the juniors did the 15kms. 

The weather was perfect, quite a pleasant 12 degrees or so, and calm. 

The first leg was 19km out to Nanga Brook Rd, 10km or so of quite pleasant trail with the sound of the river on the right of us. The next 9km were the much talked about powerlines of joy, a section that is extremely hilly. It didn’t bother us so much but the loose gravelly surface on the downhill certainly did.

Bianca’s description of Bambi on ice, summed up the two of us perfectly.

Nevertheless we made it to the aid station and were looked after by the angels there, our bottles re-filled, food from our drop bags put in our packs, and we left 15 minutes earlier than was in our planned schedule. 

As we headed back the way we had come we passed some good friends as they were coming towards us. This had happened on the way out too, with the fast runners coming past us with plenty of encouragement; it’s always nice to get a hug and cheer on.

We headed back the 9km along the gravelly section, and were very happy to get back on the normal trail, but were filled with dread of how we were going to tackle that in the dark and during the night.

We enjoyed plenty of gentle running back along the 10km section back to base camp, and chatted occasionally with plenty of quiet while we watched where we put our feet. 

Back at base camp, we were greeted by more volley angels, who again filled up our water bottles, gave us food and generally fussed over us to make sure we had everything. 

It was getting warmer as we headed out for the next section, again pretty much on schedule, which was great. We were comfortable, and knowing we had done this section before meant we were confident of being able to run some of it, and enjoy the prettiness of the surrounding bush. 

We enjoyed seeing the fast runners as they ran towards us, again full of encouragement, more hugs and cheers, it was fantastic. It did start to get warm out there, and we were grateful for the creeks where we could dip our hats to cool off.

It was great when we finally got to the white gate which signalled the 1km uphill to the Nanga Road aid station. When we got there, there was delicious food, cold fruit, a chair for a while, and we were looked after like we were celebrities. After being topped up, we said our thank yous and took off back down the hill. 

We were hoping to get back to base camp around 7.30pm and were excited about being able to pick up our first two pacers who were joining us for the powerline section. It was very pleasant covering that next 22km or so, we were moving well between jogging and walking, and just enjoying the camaraderie when we met other runners, and enjoying the beautiful scenery.

We passed our girl friends who were heading to Aid 3, and after hugs and photos, we continued at a pleasant enough pace. Eventually dusk came and we put on our head lamps, and were eager to get to what we now call Kelli’s Hill which would take us up to base camp.

That actually felt awesome when we could see the twinkle of the lights in the distance and knew we were not far away. It is always lovely to be cheered in, even though we knew it wasn’t going to be long before we were heading out again. We used the facilities there, and enjoyed a cup of noodles provided so quickly by volunteers and our pacers, who were all there. We were looked after so well, bottles all filled up, food in our packs, a change of shoes, swill down the last of the noodles and the fours of us were away. 

Our first two pacers were Kathryn Hookham and Jesse Williams, and were we ever glad they were with us. Altogether we set off walking and I know Bianca was as nervous and apprehensive as I was about the powerline section. I managed to trip over a branch within 3km of leaving the aid station, and scraped my knee and my arm, but after being patched up we were on our way again.

After what seemed an eternity of the hill that keeps on giving, we turned right onto the powerline section. We took it easy, walking in the ruts on the way up when it was slippery, and trying to follow Jesse who seemed to know the right places where to put our feet. Eventually we came to the right hand turn where I knew we were reasonably close to the aid station, and it was great to see the lights from the volunteers who were manning that one; it was at least midnight! 

Thomas, one of the runners, looked very comfortable snuggled up under a blanket and fast asleep, and although sleep would have been lovely we did a quick turn around and were back out there, with one goal to get through the powerline section and hopefully in one piece. 

Eventually Thomas came running past us so he had had a good nap and was moving well again and looking comfortable. The feeling when we came to the last powerline was almost elation, so we took a photo and carried on our way feeling much happier and very relieved. The next 18km in the dark for me was definitely a huge challenge, and I am not sure if I could have done it without our two pacers, very grateful for their words of encouragement and the occasional shoulder to hang on to.

Next, was one of my favourite sections besides the finish and that was to watch the sky change and to finally see dawn break. Back at base camp we enjoyed a cup of coffee, warm food, I changed my shoes, cleaned my teeth, refilled all our bottles and grabbed our food. Saying goodbye to our first two pacers, we set off amidst the cheers from volunteers and friends around the camp with two new pacers Georgia Snowball and Siobhan White. It was at this stage I was hopeful we would complete our massive journey, and we had 12 hours to get it done.

We were walking at a reasonable pace, and enjoying the wildflowers and pleasant chat while it was still reasonably cool, but gradually the day heated up. It was a blessing when we came through to the first river crossing, we were ready to get our hats wet and soak our buffs to put around our necks and it felt like heaven. 

My walk was definitely getting slower but Bianca seemed to be moving along well still. Georgia and Siobhan moved between us, a little bit of a chat, sometimes just enjoying the silence of the bush, but more importantly making sure we were eating and drinking, and just moving forward, occasionally with a little jog, which didn’t last long. 

Around midday we finally saw the white gate in the distance and knew we had a hill and then we were at the last aid station.

We certainly felt refreshed and ready to tackle the last section, but our pace had considerably slowed. It was hot out there, about 28 degrees it felt like, and we just wanted to get back to the shady parts. Occasionally my mind would think of the finish, and tears would fall down my face, later Bianca told me the same had happened to her, such huge emotions.

As we neared the campsite where there were lots of families, there were a number of people on the trail. Past that campsite we knew it was about 7km to the finish. We were going to make it, but oh my feet were sore and so were Bianca’s. 

Siobhan and Georgia gently pushed us along, making sure we were still drinking and eating. Finally we were at Kelli’s Hill, and there at the top was coach Glen, a tiny figure in the distance. He jogged down to us, said congratulations, and as we turned right off the trail to come towards the finish Bianca and I joined hands, and our angel pacers came in behind us. Bianca and I looked at each other and the tears came, massive emotions of what we had achieved, and this amazing group of friends and volunteers cheering us in, I will never forget that. 

Race director David was there with our medals, and there were hugs everywhere, and then there was a chair and we could finally sit down. We had done it, and we were inside the time, just over 34 hours, and in one piece. 

There are not enough words to say thank you to our pacers, who we are convinced helped us to achieve a goal that was a dream. For your time and encouragement, for looking out for us, and caring we will be forever grateful. 

To David who gave us a race to dare to dream on, and to all the volunteers and friends, our families, who were part of such an incredible journey, our sincere thanks.

We are proud to have been able to raise a fabulous amount of money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (WA), to my dad, and Bianca’s grandad, this one was for you.

Pictured: Sue Robertson (white cap) embracing her daughter Bianca Jane after their 100 miler finish at WTF earlier this year. Photograph – Supplied.