A quick summary of 2011

A long time between updates but with a new year upon us thought i should at least update the year 2011. 1,770 K's of races in 31 races including 23 Ultras and 2 Marathons and 2 wins, so pretty solid but nothing too spectacular, details here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmHlaBl11jzWdGtaV0w2R19DZlZlSm02QXJvMmtGN3c#gid=0
At this moment not quite sure of my plans, i know i have a trip to South Africa for the Comrades Marathon (89KM) but am still vaguely thinking about other international runs as well.
For the first time for a few years i am working virtually full time, as a meter reader, this means i spend 7 and a half hours a day walking between buildings reading meters with a little computer to record the readings, in all honesty that means i tend to not do a training run on days i'm working as i feel work is enough, maybe this will help me with multi day races as well, only time will tell.
As for this blog, i'm not promising more frequent updates, but i'd like to think i will do some race reports, we'll see !

Badwater as crew

In what i can only claim to be a very spasmodic blog recently some people may have picked up that again this year i will be at Badwater, this time not running (if i'm honest probably the next time i put an application in for this race will be when there is an Aussie trying to beat my 3 finishes here or possibly many years on going for an age record - i'd have to be 75 so don't wait around to much for that one !).

Instead i am crewing Indian runner Arun Bhadwaj, he flew into Las Vegas last Monday (sure i lost him at the airport but i never claimed to be perfect), and since we have been doing some training in the heat (which isnt really that hot - high 90's low 100's, although at times quite humid as well as going through Walmart discussing the sorts of foods required and that work here.

I have had one race here, my third Running with the Devil 50 Miler , have to admit this was my worst run there, first 30 miles was fine, but from then on my stomach simply couldnt handle the Hammer Heed drink. At the half way mark i'd got through in just under 4 hours and had lost only 3 LBs so all was good, but with a half marathon to go was told i was dehydrated (this was determined by a race official giving me a drink that was apparently salt and sugar and tasted terrible, if i couldnt taste that i was dehydrated ????), so ended up sitting under a shelter drinking cranberry juice and pepsi cola and eating oranges and lollies for the best part of half an hour.

Finally i went off and struggled a bit as i had only filled my handheld with water (which is no use in a race of this sort), next aid station had another gel and filled the handheld with Pepsi Cola instead, was worried about using it as my main drink as i feared it could dehydrate me but had to chance it.

Last 5 miles or so were horrendous with alot of wind, and i could feel my calves tightening, cramped up shocking with half a mile to go and ultimately had to use a Hammer Gel i'd picked up on the road to get going again !!. Eventually ended up doing 9:31:41 for 12th place, not good at all, still sometimes these things just dont work !.

Only thankful i didn't end up doing the Badwater solo the week after, with Mt Whitney under snow (and needing climbing gear) and Anna Maria unable to arrive earlier (to crew me), i've got to put that ambition on the backboiler for the moment :-(

Now to put all my experience and knowledge of Badwater to good use to help Arun achieve his goals.

North Face 100 May 14-15 Blue Mountains

A while since my last blog post and i was still getting up to date, but with a notable race last weekend thought i should update.

The North Face 100 is a 100K Trail race in the Blue Mountains, where every March i run the Six Foot Track Marathon to Jenolan Caves and a place i have spent many weeks hiking over the years ever since 1979 when i went with a week long hike from school (and spent the last 4 days hiking on a broken ankle unbeknownst to me !) and is one of a serious of races all over the world where North Face is the naming rights sponsor.

It is in it's fourth year and the field of 850 sells out way before entries close and i admit it was a race that i never had a great urge to enter, as simply i could a 50K or 50Mile race up at the Glasshouse Mountains only a 2 hour drive away rather 900K's away, as well with less than fond memories of incredibly cold and wet and snowy days spent there in winter never thought of it as having a climate ideal for me.

Anyway around Easter, a running friend offered me his number (one of the very few races where number transfers are allowed in Australia), and with no Badwater run for me this year (well the official race at least, i will be there crewing and am looking at doing a solo run beforehand but that's still to be finalised), i was very tempted by the challenge and eventually decided that this would be my year there.

I'd run a reasonable race (apart from running off course on the 5th lap :-)) at the 53.5KM Wildhorse Criterium so had 3 weeks without races in between, so after getting some back issues sorted got some significant training mileage in, with 230K's over 9 days of running, so that was good.

Sadly my Nike Free Run+ Shoes had finally fallen apart at that run, so i was looking at getting the new model of these for the race, and spent the next couple of weeks haunting the local Rebel Sports store (only way i was going to pay $160 for a pair of shoes was using a Rebel Gift Card i'd received for winning the Marysville Ultra Marathon, otherwise i'd pick up the same shoes when in the US for around $70 !), finally the Monday before the race the shoes arrived, so that was one part of the puzzle solved, only trained twice in them but they would be fine.

I'd be honest and say the other reason i'd been previously less than enthused about this race was the fact that there was so much mandatory equipment, i'd run with a similar level of equipment at the 3 Peaks race in Tasmania (that had even more gear requiring a sleeping bag, but did not need as much if any fluid to be carried) and i felt like i was carrying my whole house, at a guess this was around %10 of my body weight, i knew it was necessary but i didn't have to like it !.

Drove down on the Thursday, staying at Buladelah the Thursday night, certainly waking up to a cold, crisp day there i was worried that the Blue Mountains would be much cooler, still just as long as the rain stayed away !.

Got into my accommodation in Katoomba at lunch time Friday and it was as cold as i could remember, very thankful the apartment i had had heaters !, with a check in at 4 had plenty of time to have a rest and have a warm lunch and in theory i'd be early for the check in which i assumed would be pretty busy. Slightly lost on the way to the Leura Fairmont Resort but what a shock to arrive and see massive lines of people in the conference room where the number pick up and gear check were being held.

Join my queue and ultimately get signed in and pay for my number transfer and get my gear checked, have a chat with a few people but eventually back home at 6, 13 hours before race start. Cook some pasta, pack and repack and repack again my pack and in bed by nine with an alarm set for 4:30.

4:30, as i usual i wake a little before my alarm and it's freezing cold, i'd woken just after midnight and turned the heater off as it was too hot, didnt have that problem now :-).

Breakfast and i was off by 5:30, this time made it to Leura more directly and was happy to find there were still car spaces available.

Had a couple of drop bags, checkpoint 4 (which had my compulsory fleece and waterproof pants as well as a change of shoes and some spare food) and a drop bag with warm clothes and towel and sleeping bag for at race end, i rather doubted i would be heading anywhere post race.

Time for the pre race briefing, firstly from one of the aboriginals of the tribe that lived in the Blue Mountains first, complete with some native dancing and then from the race director with the sobering thought that of all the crowd in the hall it was likely 150 wouldn't finish (okay i admit i was thinking that unless the course was booby trapped and had snipers out waiting for me i wasnt going to be one of those 150 :-).

I found the wave starts a little strange as you could go into whatever you thought your time would be, from what i had seen of previous runners that i knew i was reasonably confident that if i got through the weather low 13 Hours was possible so went off with the Gun runners, including a large international contingent with Team Salomon runners such as race favourite Kilian Jornet (http://www.kilianjornet.com/), overall there were 75 or so international runners although the only one i knew being North Face Sponsored NZer Lisa Tamati who i'd had battled with at Badwater in 2008 and 2009.

Finally we were off, i'd thought long and hard about starting in tights but decided eventually that i'd be going to fast early on to be wearing more than my usual running shorts, nevertheless i did take one thermal top out the pack and put it underneath my short sleeved X-Bionic Fennec top, was a little worried my arms would be too cold, with only my gloves on my hands and also two buffs one on my head and one on my neck.

First mile or so was road and worryingly i was passed by a number of familiar faces, really couldnt get the muscles in the legs warm, funniest thing was being passed by Mal Gamble, we had a quick chat and then he fly by and turned a corner, next thing i see a number being blown along in the breeze and Mal chasing it, so i repassed him as he went the other way (made me glad i didnt use a triathlon belt for my number), but he was soon passing me again.

Off on to some trails and then more road and then finally it looked like the trail race proper had begun, as we headed onto thin trails with some ups and downs, was happy enough to let some people pass me as i was still finding my feet.

Now at least i knew where we were as i'd often hiked around Leura Falls and towards Katoomba, but being familiar with the course wasn't helping my running as after only a few steps i was beginning to feel my left knee, a problem i've had at last years Sydney Trailwalker but nowhere else, felt very tend as i thumped down what seemed endless steps, and not much better as i went up others. Still i'd found a group at around my pace and we were moving fairly well, and really enjoying sections that let us stretch our legs a bit more, enjoyed the boards near the Scenic Railway but then it was off onto the landslide and i was struggling there, with my big, clumsy feet not really being at there best on these more technical bits, was a relief to finally hit a dirt road and many cheering spectators including my injured mate Blue Dog (he provided the photo in that blog, looks awful sunny when you consider how rugged up i looked) . At that point was still trying to get warm so i had no intentions of spending large amounts of time at the first checkpoint, grabbed a muesli bar, but found it was rocklike in the cool conditions so gave up on that and had an Engura Gel washed down with raspberry endura.

Now we were on a dirt road and i found i could move fairly well, wasnt missing the steps at all, and by now i was even starting to get some feeling, so for a little while removed my gloves and let the sun soak into them.

Made it to Tarros Ladder and was very happy to see that the normal handholds had been replaced for the day by ladders, so much easier and enjoyed that section, enjoyed the more technical trail section after somewhat less. Still i was moving forward and that was the main goal, another quick stop at the next aid station and a fruit bun after my Endura Gel, and i was feeling pretty good, unfortunately i then reached the out and back section i'd read of and i found that totally demotivating, hard to explain but with thin trails and runners constantly coming towards me i just lost my mojo, possibly it was the fact i was seeing runners in front of me i expected to see behind and some behind me who i didn't expect to see but i struggled on that section, was very relieved to hit the turnaround and at least was entertained by an aboriginal playing "Clapsticks". Still the highlight of this section was hitting the real course again, now i felt i was going somewhere. Had lost quite a bit position wise here and struggled a little on the loose dirt on the single trails here but once off them was on road and made the most of that, particularly happy to reach the 50KM sign from then on it was less than half way.

Looking at the results i'd made it to the 54KM checkpoint in 7 and a half hours, hardly quick but at least the sun was still high in the sky (i had my mobile phone somewhere amongst my compulsory gear but couldn't imagine having to use it, as i'd have no signal on the Three network anyway). We had our gear check (only to check we had lights, i actually had my new 45 lumen headlamp, my favoured led torch and a second old everready headlamp so had 3), and then it was time to get some food into me, noodles and another fruit bun. Mel Parry was here (her partner Sean Greenhill was elsewhere following the leaders) and she gave me a hand getting food while i sat down, i made the decision at this point it was time to put on my running tights as i knew the next stop was Katoomba and warm and May are two words not used at the same time there. Heard a few people complaining that the mobile pizza van that was meant to be there hadn't made it, but considering i never carry money when i run (whether in training or racing) was no issue to me, found out later the road had been too rough for it to get there.

15 Minutes later i was off, refueled and refreshed, however it was a little depressing being passed by one bloke absolutely flying past, i assumed he was one of the running pairs as this checkpoint was the changeover point.

Ran through a few paddocks and finally past what seemed like deserted stables and onto Nellies Glen Road, now at least i was dead sure what was ahead of me, as of course Nellies Glen is where the steps go to at the start (rather lemming like nowadays) of the Six Foot Track Marathon.

Soon i head footsteps behind me and a familiar voice, Alison (Coolrunner "Eveready Bunny"), think she was a little bit surprised to see me at this point, but i'd seen her come into checkpoint 3 when i was leaving, so whilst normally i wouldn't be expecting her to pass me in a race (going by races such as Coast to Kosci and GNW100 Miler) but this wasn't normal times.

Normally i don't talk much when i'm running, okay sometimes i do talk a little in an attempt to intimidate runners who don't know me :-), but found chatting along the way made the long climb up the stairs go faster, certainly when we reached the top i had no ambition to start heading towards Jenolan Caves.

A few little paths and then we were on roads around Katoomba, sort of vaguely knew where i was but was thankful for the course marking to Checkpoint 4 at the Swimming Pool (complete with a 65KM sign), felt strange running into a building as a checkpoint but realised that it wouldnt be long till it would be truly cold outside. More noodles, another bun and some lollies, then it was time for my battle to fit my compulsory fluoro vest over both me and my pack (now i have a full set of fluoro vests, one with European Specifications bought for Transe Gaule, one with US specifications courtesy of a race sponsorship arranged by Matt Mundy for Badwater and now one with Aussie specifications - i'll either have to race everywhere or just get a job on a road gang or construction if i want to get full use from all of these :-)).

Eventually i headed off, apparently i'd been there 15 minutes, however just as i got to the road crossing i realised i'd forgot all about by drop bag and compulsory gear (fleece and waterproof pants), so back i went. Took a while to find my bag and then the problem of getting my fluoro top off and back on again, must have wasted 10 minutes there, and i'd also got a little cold, not sure why as i was indoors.

Finally off again, and onto some trails heading towards the oval and then Katoomba Falls, had memories of the carpark at Katoomba Falls the day before my first Six Foot Track (in 1992) when i brilliantly managed to lock my keys in my Holden Camira and had to wait in the cold for the NRMA to break in for me, it was getting cool now and although only just after 5 was begiing to get dark. Was enjoying the run along the cliff top (always love it there), but knew that soon the fun would be over and we'd dive into the valley.

Lots of tourists as usual at the Three Sisters, so we had a whole new audience to applaud us which is always good for the ego. Next it was down the Giant Stairway, was glad i had the headlamp as with the thin steps i was using my arms on both rails, love it here but as it was getting dark felt i was on my way down into the bowels of hell or something a little less dramatic, soon though i was on the valley floor and now i knew it was the time to make up some ground running along the road which best of all was mainly downhill, of course i knew that later this meant uphill as we did have to make it out of the valley floor.

Finally in the distance i saw a 5K marker, believe me i was hoping it wasn't the 70K Marker (i hadn't seen it, i'm assuming it was somewhere around Echo Point) and it was the 75K, at this point i had a couple of runners exuberantly passing me and saying only 25K's to go.

It was great running on the long 4WD track but thankfully being in the valley made it very cold meaning i didnt need to drink, i'd discovered 2 problems with running with the fluoro vest over everything, one shoulder strap kept on slipping of my shoulder which was simply annoying (and made me thankful i wasnt a girl, must be a problem they have all the time with dresses), and secondly if i was going to get my 500ml bottles of cytomax/accelerade mixture out i was going to have to stop and take the vest off as simply i couldnt reach in the side pockets of my pack because of the vest, so i was stuck with what i consider to be the most useless fluid for ultras, water in my camelbak bladder, i'd actually probably used a litre or so from there in the whole previous sections so had plenty in my 2 litre bladder.

Now we hit a creek crossing, a little frustrating as i'd done over 3/4 of the race without getting my feet wet, but i guess it's a case then of having faith in your socks and i did (my Drymax Maximum protection Trail socks had done just over 1,000K's since last August and they'd been through heaps of rivers and creeks, so i had no worries), was certainly entertained by some runners around me who got out plastic bags and carefully put them over their shoes, very strange, i'll even admit that whilst cold that water was very refreshing, not making me any colder than i already was.

I few uphill sections, where i caught some of the runners who'd passed me exuberantly earlier and then another creek crossing and again runners with plastic bags and various other attempts to keep their feet dry (in this races short history i know i've often thought disparagingly of it as the City to Surf of Aussie Ultras with a very long cutoff time - 28 Hours - for the 100K's and a big dnf rate simply because a large proportion of the field were runners who to my mind had achieved their goals at the City to Surf - the worlds biggest fun run 14ks from Sydney to Bondi Beach - and then decided they would try this as their next challenge - only logical explanation i could see for the sold out field of 850 for this race, i'm pretty sure there aren't that many "real" ultra runners in Australia going by entries in other race, still i take my hat of to them for attempting this and going out of their comfort zone, but i couldnt help but think all this as i was watched people desperately trying to keep their feet dry !!!).

Eventually we made it to a corner and out of the mist a bloke tells me 2K's to the checkpoint, i'm not a great judge of distance but i could see the cliffs still far away and as far as i could work out we still hadn't the 85K mark, a while later we did hit that 85K mark and a little later i'd hit the checkpoint.

Was fine when i got there, just cold but sat down with some noodles and couldn't stop my teeth chattering, obviously i was fine while moving but as soon as i stopped my body couldnt handle the cold, was glad to see my Melbourne Trailwalker mate and all round good guy Keith (Coolrunner Buzz Lightyear) working the aid station he remebered how bad i was in the cold at Trailwalker last year as we'd sat down with Bryan when he was looking at pulling out.

So he put me in front of the fire and i had two cups of coffee and then two cups of tea, with all that caffeine i don't think i was going to sleep any time soon !!, him and another checkpoint person helped me change into my spare thermal and compulsory fleece as well as a new buff and beanie, only problem was my spare gloves were in my drop bags at CP4 and the finish, so Keith lent my his pair as mine were no longer keeping my hands warm.

Finally 38 minutes later (and having something like 30 pass me in that time) i was off, was so glad to be running on a real road, although with lots of traffic to and from the checkpoint (and half the road blocked for us) was not enjoying the car headlights.
After a while i was off on to tracks and the undercliff track which i could vaguely remember walking years ago (in daylight), very slippery and muddy but by then i was not worried about keeping my new shoes clean !!.

At points i was quite glad my light wasnt showing how sheer the drop off was of some of the cliffs as i remembered but by now it was just a case of getting to the end as fast as possible (and whilst having no idea of the time - hopefully in the same day i started). One cameraman in the middle of nowhere and he tells us there's 4K's to go, seemed a little optimistic and sure enough a bit later i see the 95KM marker. From then on K Markers all the way to the finish, i could see lights in the distance but was pretty sure the Fairmont Resort was around a corner and out of site, eventually i come of the trails and am on the manicured lawns of the resort, just before the final corner i catch up with Natalie (Coolrunner Go Girl) obviously she'd passed me when i was having my cold issues at the checkpoint, she tells me to go on (which i did as i was sure that she would ultimately beat me having started in a later wave) and then the finish line.

Barbie going and lots of lights, i'd done 16:35L43, around 3.5 hours more than my guesstimate time and 231st of 501 finishers (looks like the race directors estimate of 150 was actually on the low side ??), but this was one one of those times where it didn't really matter, now i could get warm in a hot shower i hoped.

Grabbed a cup of coffee and lined up for my Belt buckle (only a bronze one, needed sub 14 for silver, but i felt like done more hard work for this one than i'd dnone for any of my Badwater ones) and a certificate which ahd to be made in front of me as the pre prepared one still had Brendans name on it.

Finally off to the shower and warm clothes, although with the caffeine in my system and probably being too tired to sleep simply a case of lying in the sleeping bag in the registration room, funny enough tiredness didn't hit me till around 2PM on the Sunday on the drive back, 200K's north of Sydney where i had a nap in a rest area and didn't wake till 3 hours later.

A really great course, a glorious place to run, but truly May is not the time for me to be there, not sure if i'll be back, certainly it worries me that i only have knee problems (left knee) on trail courses with lots of steps (or maybe my knee doesnt like Sydney ????? :-)), certainly a warmer time of year and i'd be back for sure trying for silver and possibly trying to cram everything into my camelbak, racing packs are just too big for me and i don't enjoy, certainly the fact that i am thinking of ideas to improve there may mean i'll return sometime. Still at present i think my mind is on a North American summer, after of course a good run on my home course in the Gold Coast 100

Finally an update

I know those few followers out there must by now think i've disappeared and raced of into nowhere, not quite it pretty simple i'm been either running or training and there are times i'm simply not interested in writing about it, particularly at times when i don't consider my race performances have been good enough and that frankly has been the way it's been so far this year.

But on Sunday i do my 400th race at a Marathon or further (more precisely it'll be 142 Marathons and 258 Ultra Marathons), and if nothing else it will be a milestone for me certainly way back when i did my first 25 years ago the last thing i was thinking was i'd knock up those sort of numbers, i know at the rate this blog is going i'll be needing a ghostwriter if i'm ever to write a book of my experiences which i must admit at some point is tempting, after all i've probably run more race than most of the the blokes who have read those books and as for memorable and often funny experiences they are too numerous certainly as i read one of great heroe's Keith Richards Autobiography (5 days in and i've almost finished all 550 pages of it - a great read, i've no idea just how he manages to remember some of those times), i do get ideas on some of the times that happen in a running career, like him maybe i'll have to wait till i'm getting up towards 50 years in the game, but anyway back to the present, i'll give a quick synopsis of my running year so far - well at least the first three:

The year started with the Glasshouse Mountains Hares and Hounds Race, basically this was the beginning of the great deluge in South East Queensland and with parts of the course flooded the race was shortened to 50K's i think, knowing this would be a bog decided to head out in my my super heavy 2005 Model Nike Trail shoes (as in photo), way too heavy for me but were really what i needed on the day, felt that extra weight on the way back and ran pretty ordinarily, basically doing what i needed to to get through it, Anna Maria ran as well and towards the end took a wrong turn meaning i had to run much further on my way back (after i finished) as i promised to join her on the way back . Ultimately 7th of 35 finishers in 4:47:37 way behind the winning time of 3:52:31.

The following week was the first ever official Two Bays Trail Race

down on the Mornington Peninsula a race i'd done twice originally as a "Fatass" and one i'd been in the original event in 2005.

Only problem was that the floods meant that i had to leave home a day and a half late (and via the Newell) as the Pacific Hwy was cut after Ballina, ultimately we hit Melbourne late Friday night and come race day felt good early and was well placed at the 28KM Turnaround in 2:37:54 but after that simply felt the tiredness in my legs and dropped further and further behind to ultimately finish 28th of 99 finishers in 5:51:00 way behind the winner who did 4:48:15.

The following Sunday was the 50K's at Mansfield to Mt Buller , but with Lachlan Fraser's wedding the night before and finally arriving at Mansfield around 1AM and unable to find accommodation this was never going to be a fast one, ultimately a good solid training run, finishing in 5:19:42 for 10th of 17 with the winner doing 4:35:56

Not a great start but things were to improve !!!

and

A new year begins

Again very slow between updates, but as i type i'm now trying to get a handle on my races in the coming year, certainly January will begin soon with Hares & Hounds (52KM), Two Bays Trail (56 KM) and Mansfield to Mt Buller (50 KM) the next three Sundays.
January 6th 1992 was the beginning of my Ultra Career so as i type i am now contemplating the start of my 20th year of Ultra running, feel i have achieved many things as a runner, but also know that i still have unachieved ambitions maybe this year i will achieve these, so this blog will continue so people can see where me and my Drymax Socks end up.
Look forward to more regular updates as the year progresses and my plans become more concrete.

As for 2010, i was ultimately pretty content with my year, 3 100+ Milers, One overall win (to keep up my streak of at least one a year since 1994), a sub 9 Hour 100KM, and back to sub 90 Minutes for the Half Marathon, biggest downside was no sub 3 Hour Marathon (meaning i haven't broken 3 Hours since 8th October 2006 something i intend to correct this year), another ordinary Six Foot Track Marathon run (looking to fix this one up for my 20th !) and no Trailwalker complete team win still (not in my plans this year).

Still quite sure i can achieve more at Badwater but it's the one race i seem to have problems that i have nowhere else and due to that fact struggle to work out what to do different, unlikely i'll apply this year, maybe something else if i want to head overseas, time will tell.

Coast to Kosci also remains a conundrum, 2010 had a perfect run during the daytime sections on day 1 and after eating well at night and being paced by Anna Maria throughout that night was well ahead of my 2009 split, but again problems with my inability to perform well in cold weather, once night was over (and the coldest part in theory gone), simply couldnt get my legs supple again and couldn't run, so unlike 2009 when i was like a new man when the sun arose, i instead walked and struggled to run from Jindabyne onwards ultimately resulting in a time 90 minutes slower. This year will try some new tactics but realistically none of us will know whether they work until 11 months time.

Great North Walk 100 Miler 13/14 November

After injury and illness in September, i'd decided that October was going to be the big comeback month with at least a marathon each weekend, with the aim to be back in really good running shape for Coast to Kosci in November. Being 25th on the waitlist for the Great North Walk 100 Miler (which i'd done in 2008), didn't really give serious consideration to the fact i may end up doing it, but late in October (with the 46 KM Bribie Beach Bash and Melbourne and Toowoomba Marathons under the belt) was offered a start.

The next day i was off to Lamington National Park to mark the course for the "Lamington Classic" and simply to check the course was runnable as storms the previous fortnight made it debatable in my mind, so i told the race organiser i was off bush for a few days (and 3 days of running 44K's of trails should make up my mind as to whether my mind was really into a trail run at that time). Ultimately the answer was yes so i had an extra long Ultra now to finish off a very patchy 2010, no horrifically bad performances but no real highlights either (and until the week previous not one solo win, had one at least on race per year since 1994 and was desperate to keep that streak up, guess at best i could count my Sydney Trailwalker mixed team win).

Knew this was one race i had to get really organised for as Checkpoints are around 20 miles apart and there are plenty of maps and descriptions to carry as well as fluids and various compulsory gear. Also whilst i'd done it two years previously i'd actually forgotten how i'd got my car from the start to the finish over 100 Miles away !!.

So firstly a note on Coolrunning to see how that could be achieved and i was offered accommodation and a lift to and from the race from a couple of coolrunners who knew me better than i knew them to be honest, so a very big thanks to Graham and Jo as that worked out perfectly.

After checking out parts of the course into and out of Checkpoint 4 (Yarramalong) and most importantly to me going over the 2010 deviation (due to Cyprus Rust disease we weren't able to use one part of the course this year), ended up doing 20 odd K's the day before (thankfully fish and chips from the Yarramalong General store kept me well fuelled !), which personally i thought ideal, after all i'd spent the previous day driving 600K's in the car and really do need to run (or at least walk) every day.

Found my way to Avoca Beach to my accommodation and with a very steep walkway down to the house felt like i was moving enough stuff out the car to stay permanently as i needed to fix up my dropbags beforehand as this would be a very early start.

Thankfully fellow ultra runner Kevin "Brick" Heaton had already arrived so at least now i was assured of having my normal camelbak, i hadn't seen it since Trailwalker (where i hadn't used it but had accidentally left it with our crew) and as late as the day before was organising getting it from my Trailwalker Team Mate Paul to Kevin as i really wasnt anxious for a drive into Sydney.

To be honest i hadn't used it since the Glasshouse 100 Miler in September 09, as i much prefer using the handheld bottles but with extra gear would need it this time, had an older one just in case but this was much better in terms of number of pockets and having used it in this event previously had been worried about not having it. Beautiful lasagna and a beer and a lot of chatting about running (maybe i needed an interpreter with all being English Expats !).

Having to leave at 4:30 meant i'd be settiny my alarm for 3:30 and then i realised i had no idea how to on the new phone.

After 15 minutes of fiddling with the phone decided i needed a shower and half an hour later my alarm was set, shame it was to wake me in less than 5 hours.

Typically woke up a couple of minutes before my alarm and headed down to breakfast (my usual 6 Vita Brits, muesli, yogurt and banana, only missing fruit salad), and soon the rest were up as well.
Reasonably full car but worked out it was only 50 minutes to the start line and we were there by 5, plenty of familiar faces as we checked in and handed in our drop backs (and had our pre race photos taken).
Of note it was interesting to see Hardrock finishers, Andy Hewitt and Phil Murphy who had already run from the actual start of the trail at Newcastle 30K's away with the aim of breaking the record for the entire course to Sydney, apparently held by race favourite Andrew Vize, as well as the only person to have finished all 6 GNW 100 Milers Wayne "Blue Dog" Gregory.
We then had the race briefing and finally (and not a minute too soon i'm useless at waiting and had pretty much been ready to run from the time i woke) we were off.
Was already warm and seemed it would be humid, so minimal gear, old faithful Lululemon top, Nike Dryfit shorts and headband with the Nike Free Run+'s and Drymax Maximum protection Trail running socks on the feet, as well as the Camelbak with required equipment to weigh me down :-).
Supposedly we were to run with the traffic along the road early on, but with massive tip trucks on their way backwards and forwards seemingly totally disregarding us, this was pretty nerve wracking and i was quite relieved to finally make it onto a trail. Easy early on as we headed underneath the freeway and towards Heatons Gap but even at this early point some runners were making navigational errors with one pair running towards me before we'd even made the road. On reaching the road it was great to see some of the crews and spectators but knew from then on it was going to be a hard slog.
Up numerous wooden steps and then it was very rainforest like, was in a group of 4 or so and already at this early stage the humidity was kicking in savagely. any thoughts i may have had of ever doing the Brazil 135 Mile race were eveaporation away rapidly, only wish my sweat was.
At one point to the shock of Glenn Lockwood (who knows my lack of navigational ability very well) i ended up in front of our group as we got a little lost, only o then lead them astray and head back to the back of our pack, finally after what seemed like hours (but couldn't have been), we were on the escarpment with views of the Hunter Valley, soon we would be hitting Checkpoint 1.
Although only 26K's away it had taken 4 hours to get there and i was keen to drink and eat as much as possible, every drop bag had a bottle of Gatorade as well as a GU and fruit bar and Clif Bar and a scoop of either Cytomax or Accelerade so that i would have only need water in my camelbak bladder but have a real useful sportsdrink in my handheld.
Skolled my bottle of Gatorade as well as had some of the Powerade supplied and some orange pieces and water melon, too early for me to eat too much yet.
Was gone within around ten minutes and running with another bloke (i'm useless at names he'll know who he was), for a while it was easy 4WD track running but ultimately we made it to Barrabas camp area and back onto the thinner trails again, i was feeling good but the humidity was drenching me and i was worried about chafing in the inner thighs, hadn't felt those sort of conditions since the Furnace Creek to Stovepipe Wells section of Badwater 2008, i'd have to keep an eye on that, was regretting i didnt have my Diaper Cream in the Camelbak (hoped i did at least have it in a drop bag).
Knew there was some running along the fence line and a gate, and possibly the funniest thing was me opening the gate and holding it for the next fellow along (only a minute away) as i accidentally let get go of it and it swung towards him (swear i didnt know him well enough for it to be some dirty race tactic), was surprised to see Rachel Waugh also at this point (her husband David was far in front battling for the lead i assumed), eventually i hit Congewai Road, will admit the puddles in the paddocks left by recent heavy rain looked so refreshing and tempting but also knew that soon i could stop and replenish at Checkpoint 2.
A number of runners on the road certainly livened me up, was happy for myself to see Blue Dog, but knew that he must be doing it hard (and injuries catching up with him) for me to see him this early.
Tookn at seat at CP 2 Congewai School and ate as much as i could as well as grabbing a fresh supply of S! Caps, i'd been through my first 10 in only 55 odd K's, was definitely feeling the heat, as well i put on my legionaires cap to replace my headband otherwise i'd be burnt to a crisp.
Ran with Gordie another localish runner for a while as we found our way through the paddocks and unfortunately couldn't avoid getting our feet wet crossing the dam, by now i was sweating profusely and had my shorts tucked in the waistband to avoid excessive rubbing, only wish i'd brought a pair of speedos to wear instead (as i'd carried the whole way in 2008).
From then it was up and more up, caught up with some runners and was passed by others was really looking forward to the unmanned drink stop at the top.
I'd pushed myself hard and almost up really felt my heart beating very rapidly so decided next chance i had i'd stop and sit and simply get some deep breaths in, next big tree with a root formation seemed ideal and sat there for a few minutes gathering my thoughts and relaxing, until the next runners came along.
Finally made it to the unmanned stop (which was manned by race director Dave Byrnes), and having a chat with him (between large intakes of water), heard that Blue Dog had rang to say he'd pull out here, very sad but for once he was doing the right thing by his body.
From then on it was relatively easy and a nice trail follow with even some shade, soon i was with another Coolrunning mate and we ran together, good idea as i always find the track into the Basin (CP3) confusing.
We were going the correct way (as evidenced by the faster runners coming towards us) when our biggest problem hit, a massive tree across the track, i tried above he tried below and ultimately that was the way to go, worrying at this point though as we knew we would encounter it in the dark on the way back.
Ultimately we would encounter one more fallen tree before the checkpoint but it was relatively easy although with tired legs the climb seemed much harder.
Finally we made it to CP3, Michael Lovric (a multiple finisher and Australian representative) was there and happily played waiter to me, a day of humidity and total sweat meant my top was now soaked beyond redemption and with evening setting in i was beginning to feel the chill, very thankful he offered me a long sleeve t shirt. Now it was the time i would struggle, on with the reflective vest and headlamp and also time to put on the Buff, still very warm but with the setting sun hidden from where we were cold could be an issue for me.
Spent a deal of time there, but though it was well spent having soup and fruit salad, knew soon it would be pitch black so headed off eventually, managed to go off track somewhere between 1 and 2 fallen trees as i was very close to the creek and could see runners above me, thankfully saw Rachel and she directed me up the track, was dreading that big fallen tree but as luck would have it reached it concurrently with some people going the other way, still a pain but between us we worked it out.
Now i was on trails i hadnt seen since 2008, was a little lost in one section and expected to see Paul Every (who'd reached CP3 not far behind) and asked him about the smallish snake at my feet, however it wasn't, possibly better it was one of the local runners who had done this section in the dark in training.
Finally we hit the road and i well and truly knew where i was having been there the day before, however i also knew we had 12 K's till checkpoint 4. In 2008 myself and Michael had absolutely flown his stretch loving the road but this time it was run, walk up minor incline, maybe run, maybe walk and so on, eventually hit Yarramalong a little after 11 (17 hours in !). Knew i had no intention of dropping to a 100K finish but nevertheless really spent too long at that checkpoint eating, drinking and even for 15 minutes laying down on a campbed, was what i needed at the time.
Eventually i headed off, knew this next section perfectly so that i wouldn't have any temptation to pull the pin.
Michael was pacing another runner and they passed me just of Bumble Hill road as we hit the track claiming that his was the 9.5 Hour train, wasnt interested at that point i had to make my own pace, probably making up ground when daylight came.
As i staggered towards the top of the hill i could see two headlights in front of me, i was a little mystified as they appeared to be going of track and once i made the top i could see it was Glenn (and his pacer TW teammate Keith Hong), they appeared to be heading off into the paddocks rather than on the road and then the detour, i yelled out to them and shone my torch and appeared to get a reaction as they turned around, so thought they were right.
Going down along the road to the new turn i could see them again out in the paddock, somehow they were still lost, again shone a torch at them, wasn't really sure if they had replied (and by then my voice was soft with tiredness - not normally megaphone me) but doubted they could go too wrong from there.
Finally made the deviation and headed off to where i'd been on the Friday, certainly no need for the unmanned water stop, it was still very warm and humid (and not a bit refreshing) but i wasnt drinking as much now, as i reached there was passed by another runner with pacer, really hoped it was Glenn but on speaking to them found they had seen them so at least they were back on track.
Managed to get the feet wet again at Ourimbah Creek and despite everything my feet were beginning to feel a bit tender, i'm guessing the heat of the day had swollen them and now they were relatively soft, next part to me was a mystery i had maps i had directions but somewhere something didn't feel right, followed the road for a long way and stopped at intervals to see if farm names matched up with it, at one point even sat down on the side of the road on an abandoned plastic chair near some roadworks, oddly enough when there a car came by but going by the speed it appeared to be going wasnt game to pop up and ask for directions.
By now it was almost getting lighter and i saw the Somersby forest sign that at least appeared to jel with my instructions but this is where i do get confused as it seemed very familiar as though i'd been along it an hour or two previously, maybe i did stuff up somewhere my mind was beyond solving that puzzle.
Finally Somersby school, a real toilet, food, drink, toast with vegemite (normally i love multigrain bread but with that level of tiredeness i've never struggled to eat toast so badly before), off with the lights and also the T shirt simplest idea now was to run the rest of the way in the reflective vest.
An "Up N Go" and a quick read of the instructions and i was off, had vague memories of being really refreshed running this section in 2008, but between chafing and tender feet doubted i'd be going that sort of speed again.
Maybe i'm a rubbish judge of distance but at one point (before the water storage area) i thought i'd gone too far or missed a turn, thankfully within
5 minutes i'd run into antoher run who assured me i was on course. Over Mooneny Mooney Creek and all was beginning to feel good, so nice to not have to cling to rocks and slippery trails and soon i was at the last checkpoint.
One last chance to put my feet up and get my thoughts together, looked like this time i wouldnt be seeing too many other runners so had to keep my wits about me.
Within a K saw a lady sitting not wanting to go on, didnt really have much persuasion left in me so was thankful she had another runner with her, from then on it was sandstone rocks and more sandstone rocks, passed two more runners and then almost immediately took a wrong turn as i tried to make sense of directions about waterfalls (the brain was struggling by now, worse than my body !), finally made it to the unmanned water drop where i drank copiously as well as filling up everything i had, this was going to be a long, hot, dry last 15K's. As usual never quite sure of my navigation so kept on stopping at corners as they all looked the same to me, could feel i was melting away (and probably being roasted to a crisp) in my plastic reflective vest but by now i had one thought only get to the finish line and i could stop, nothing simpler !.
Finally i crossed the Patonga Beach road had very fond memories of this sections and was simply letting my body take over as it knew there was not long to go. With a mile or so to go i ran out of water and cytomax, talk about perfect timing, downhill then the beach and i could stop.
Finally 32 hours and 8 minutes on, i arrived at the finish line, kissed the GNW sign marker and essentially just stopped on the spot.
Feet were sorer than i can ever remember but strangely unblistered just cut on top from them swelling may have taken a few minutes for me to take the shoes and socks off but then it was in for a dip, relieved and very happy.
If i'm honest in ultra race number 249 this was my hardest, after all in Badwater and Coast to Kosci we are on roads and never far from our crews here we are on trails seemingly miles from civilization and carrying all we need for miles, tough incredibly tough, may have only been 13th but i was first of the interstate runners and at times in deep thoughts out there reckoned we should have had three divisions: Runners with pacers, runners who'd trained on the trail and the rest of us, tender feet, raw chafed inner thighs and bloodied lower back from camelbak bouncing but all was well with me, 4 weeks to get my body back into one piece for Coast to Kosci :-)

Australian 100KM Championships 13th June

Was great to have a fortnight between events (although i ended up aging a year in that time :-)), but now it was back to the serious stuff, my local race The Gold Coast 100, which is also the Australian Championships.

Myself and Anna Maria and trained quite regularly here and by now she was feeling as at home as i was (she was doing the 50).

After shockers here the last 3 years i had one goal and that was to get back under 9 hours, only one house guest this year, Malcolm Gamble, so not quite the usual houseful of runners but was hoping we'd all have an early finish.

Had been a little worried about just what would happen at our start finish line as being a long weekend there was "Green Day Out" festival as well as some marching band parade as well as some charity walk with our Mayor Ron Clarke, Kurrawa was going to be a happening place !!.

With the 50K also being an Australian Championship (due to the cancellation of the Canberra Marathon with 50K), there were some strong runners out there, Dean Cook, Andrew Lee, Kerrie Bremner, Chris Hill, Brendan Davies as well as Susannah (also doing Badwater) and Malcolm, knew i just had to run my own race and hopefully pick up a placing before it was over.

Started the first lap with my Lululemon top and buff and gloves and was feeling good, thankfully not too many people around too.

Now it was getting crowded at Kurrawa but with 4:03 for the split knew i had a decent time in front of me, so it was off with the top and gloves and buff and on with the headband. Always find that 3rd lap bit of a nothing lap but no choice but do it by now the other competitors were familiar and i could judge whether they were making ground on me or i on them.

Still not much time to worry about that as Wednesday it was off to Los Angeles and my third Badwater.