STUNNING VIEWS CAPTURED AT GOW100S

Karen is my BFF running buddy, but the usual suspects such as Dan Beard, Cathy McGuire, Kathy Mac and Ben Phillips were all there. My favourite volunteers, the Swinkels, Kathy and Mark, along with Pasty Robinson (Greg) were going to be at Aire River and Johanna checkpoints, so I had some great motivation coming into those sections. The other attraction of this run was the hot competition it drew from some of Australia’s top runners such as Lucy Bartholomew, Blake Hose and David Burn.

As like last year, it was a 5:30am start on the foreshore beside the large anchor at Apollo Bay. After my Comrades adventure in June, sustaining an ankle injury, I felt I was bit under cooked for this 100kms. I am keenly aware that this is a tough course with lots of elevation, and warm weather conditions that will test even the strongest amongst us.

The first section of the course was a sealed walking path through the outskirts of Apollo Bay and along the coastal drive towards Marengo.

Kathy Mac joined Karen and I very quickly and the conversation went a little along the lines of the following:

Kathy: Ladies how are you feeling about today?

Karen: Taking it easy, enjoy the day and just want to finish without breaking the body

Gayle: Kathy, what about you?

Kathy: I’m going to be a tourist, hang out the back, take lots of photos and enjoy the day

Gayle: So that just means instead of 12 hours you’ll run it in 13hrs (and we all laughed)

….and then she was gone. Just to set the record straight Kath ran it in under 13hours – how’s that for taking it easy!

One of the greatest pleasures in life is to experience the break of dawn and as we approached Three Creeks Beach I looked back at this amazing landscape. The shoes quickly filled with sand climbing off the first beach as the trail headed slightly inland winding its way up through the forest towards Shelley Beach and Elliot River. It had felt like we had been out there for ages but in actual distance covered it was barely 10kms. Blanket Bay was the first checkpoint at 21.5kms.

The next challenge was the Otway Ranges and the infamous mud which has haunted me the previous three times in this event. Karen and I were still travelling at a consistent steady pace and had caught up with a guy named Luke. He had completed six GOWs and was taking it easy in the first half to ensure he had enough juice in the tank for the hills at the end. We got chatting, as you do, moving quite well through the mud without too much slipping and sliding.

First checkpoint was done and dusted as the volunteers marked us off, and pushed us on to Aire River. Blanket Bay was a no-go section for support crew so the first opportunity we were going to see Nick was at the Otway Lighthouse. Leaving Blanket Bay and the cheering sound of the volunteers, the single trail would take us along the cliff top before a steep descent into Parker Inlet and a long step climb back out.

Through the winding forest trail of dirt, rocks and lots of tree roots, I took what is known as a face plant where I simply ate dirt. Left elbow and right thigh were bulging with pain as I lay face planted into the earth. Karen turned to see me in all my glory – funny how it never gets captured on video, but I had been officially marked by the trail. I checked all the vitals and Karen helped me up off the ground as I took the first few tentative steps to assess the damage. A short walk, push away the bruised ego and we were off running again.

It was very soon after the amazing views that we got our first look at the Otway Lighthouse and a chance to see Nick. If I remember correctly, the lighthouse is about 32kms into the run and I had gone through in a little over four hours. Nick was there to greet me and then it was only 10kms to Aire River. By this stage Karen and I had parted, and I had pulled away by about five minutes. I would not see her again until the next morning over breakfast.

The first kilometre was a descent climb up past the lighthouse cemetery before the trail became a bit more runnable. About four kilometres out from Aire River I came across Ben Phillips who was walking. I stopped to make sure he was okay, but he had hurt his calf and was considering pulling out at Aire River. We walked for about a kilometre before he told me to continue and enjoy the rest of the day. I was looking forward to seeing Greg and Nick, I had completed a marathon – 42.2kms down and only 58kms to go.

This was my first chance to re-fuel and get some fluid into me. I didn’t want to leave but after a few minutes I knew I had to continue so as not to lose momentum. The next section of the course was one of my favourites as I wound my way up to Castle Cove and ran under the high cliffs, taking in the views of the gorgeous blue-green ocean water below. Castle Cove was roughly the halfway mark between Aire River and Johanna Beach and roughly 50kms, halfway overall.

It was great to see Nick as I came out of the climb to the tip of Castle Cove, even if it was for a sheer moment, before I continued onto Johanna and the dreaded soft sand awaiting me. The descent into Johanna beach was quite steep and technical with lots of rocky steps and windy single narrow trail. I was also conscious that snakes could be sunning themselves on those very same steps, so I was very tentative until I finally planted my feet on the sand.

Johanna beach was a soft deep sand run for about 2kms before I climbed back up to the campground and arrived at the third checkpoint at 55kms. Depending on the tide, Johanna River can be anywhere between waist and ankle deep. For the second year in a row, the river was below knee deep but over the years the water had forged a deep sand gully that I had to climb out of the other side. Let’s just say, I did not exit the river gracefully on my first attempt as the sand collapsed under my feet and I fell back into the river. My second attempt was no better, but I secured my footing and used my hands to push my way up and out.

Another 750 metres and I was greeted with the welcoming cheers of the volunteers and the many support crews waiting for the arrival of their runners. Nick’s smiling face led me into the checkpoint where Kathy and Mark greeted me and tended to my every need. I was forever grateful for the numerous cups of ginger ale Mark gave me to help settle my stomach. A walking couple were a few minutes ahead of me and I had not given it much thought until I saw them climbing up the ridge out of Johanna, that competitive nature unleashed itself, so I set a target to catch them before we hit the dirt road leading to Milanesia Beach.

The section between Johanna and The Cables can make or break the strongest individual. The first 3 to 4kms involved climbing through sweeping hills of lush green farmland providing spectacular views back towards Johanna. The sun was still projecting its strong rays onto my face and arms, so I was very aware of the 20kms between me and more water.

Remember that target a few kilometres back, well I had caught Paul and Kay Lewis as we got to Old Coach Road. It was perfect timing to have some company and talk to someone new whilst climbing to the top of the junction where it met Milanesia Beach Road. Old Coach Road went for a good 5kms.

The track continued, ascending a few timber staircases before coming into the next campground at Ryan’s Den, not  far from the climb out of Moonlight Head and this was where I came across a runner sitting on the side of the track. He told me he was over it and pretty much done. There was still roughly 7kms to the Gables and he wasn’t happy to know there was still a lot of climbing to be done. To be honest I don’t know if he finished or not. After checking if he was okay on his own, I was determined to keep moving and just survive this section.

One last effort through the forest as I headed inland and at a small bridged creek crossing stood an official who told me it was a little over 1km to the water drop.

I had begun to clock watch a little now and calculate an estimated time I could arrive at the finish. Fifteen hours  was a very realistic target if I could get into a good rhythm through the first section after The Gables.

The Gables was the 80km mark and the final checkpoint. This year was a spot check of mandatory gear so as I entered, George clipped me off and then asked me for two mandatory gear items – my mobile phone and long sleeve thermal top.

Last year I learnt that an avocado sandwich with salt did wonders for an immediate energy boost – so I applied the same principle this year and inhaled two of them within seconds. Last year I had met Ewen and I was pleasantly surprised to see him sitting at the Gables with another fellow team runner. They had struggled over the last 25kms and were just taking some extra time to recover a little and try and eat some solid food. I was ready to head back out to complete the last 20kms and asked if they wanted to join me. I had been pretty much running the last 50kms solo and any company was welcomed.

It is awesome to see the last official trail sign saying 5.4kms to Gibson Steps and 7kms to the finish line at the Twelve Apostles information centre. We still had about 20mins of last light before the headtorches would have to come out and our speed would reduce to a steady paced walk.

Time had slipped away quickly and it we were now estimating a 15.5hr finish time. Either way, Ewen was going to smash his time on last year’s effort. Suddenly, we exited the tundra into the carpark at Gibson Steps. We were greeted by Ian and Nick, a wonderful feeling especially to be told we were only 1.5kms from the finish line. I kissed and hugged both before we entered the tunnel under the road. The echoing of the tunnel was a perfect way to finish with an Aussie war cry of Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi.

The finish line was now in sight as the bright red clock shone brightly at the end of the gantry. Ewen, Lucas and I all ran proudly across the finish line to cow bells ringing and cheers of other runners and supporters. We had finished in a time of 15:36:52.

One of the great things about this event is the race breakfast that follows the next morning. We all get presented with our GOW buckle but more importantly got to share the stories of how everyone faired during the day. There was definite consensus the weather conditions were tough and there had been a high DNF rate for the run but at the same time there had been some remarkable achievements.

Remember way back before Aire River when I mentioned Ben and his calf injury? Well Ben is strong, and he persevered and finished the race in a little under 17hrs. Total respect Ben! Karen stayed strong and finished faster than last year missing out on breaking 17hrs by just seconds. Rob, Mark and Michelle all finished the 10thrunning of this event. Rob decided to celebrate with a run across the finish line naked – wish I had seen that. Blake and David broke the course record for a team completing the 100kms in 8:16:00 – incredible! Paul and Kay finished strongly together for their first 100kms in a little over 16hrs. And Dan Beard, one of my favourites finally landed on the podium and won a fish.