Leading up to the big day, I’d also restricted my longest training runs to 32km so as to not flare up any previous niggles, so I was understandably nervous for not having included a particularly long run in my training – I was, however, happy with consistent high mileage weeks.
Another big thing I had been working hard on was slowing down my pace; I have a tendency to go out too fast and blow up early, so my plan was to start at a 5:30 pace and hold it as long as I could, knowing I would slow down after a few laps. A normal cruising speed for me is about 4:30.
One part of ultra running I love is the whole lead up to the race – all the planning, nerves and adrenaline.
Race day plan was to get up, eat a hearty but healthy breakfast, light healthy lunch then rest, rest, and rest – and not eat again until 10pm when I’d eat my normal race day breakfast. It was awesome advice from WA ultra runner David Kennedy; this way I wouldn’t be running on a full day’s worth of food, and it worked a treat because I didn’t stop for a toilet break until around the 70k mark.
Finally midnight arrived. Lining up at the startline I tried to seed myself towards the back of the pack to stop the adrenaline from getting the better of me. Off we all went down a dark path with a beautiful view of the red moon shinning over the top of the water.
My first lap was slower than planned. I was averaging around a 5:40 pace which I was very happy with, and for the first time in the three years I’ve been running, it felt comfortable to run at a slower pace.
Around 37km my knee started playing up (this was a new issue and not one I’d had before) and it felt like it was clicking every time I lifted my leg and was getting quite painful.
I quickly re-adjusted my goal to 15 hours. I was going to finish this no matter what. Early on, I decided on a walk/run strategy and to focus on breaking the distance down into 3km segments, so each aid station. These 3km segments felt more like 10km though!
I reached the 50km mark, halfway through. A quick shirt and shoe change, a few Panadol and my wife had managed to find me a knee brace – and what a difference it made. I was pain free for the next 15km and managed to run more than I walked.
By now the course was pretty full with competitors, because as the sun came up the shorter distance events were starting. It helped enormously to see lots of my friends on the course, and it was great encouraging them and getting the same in return.
The 75km point came around, and I was in a lot of pain, walking more than running. On a positive note though, I hadn’t had any cramping, I usually struggle with cramping around the 40km mark so I was staying focused on the positives.
