Mount Mee Classic 26th April 2009

Obviously the previous weeks beach race had taken more out of me than i realised. Certainly the camber of those beaches had meant my hips and back were badly out of whack so i had booked in to the chiropractor on Wednesday, essentially my only training until visiting him was walking as running wasn't an option.
Fixed up i did a relatively easy 30K's on the Thursday as well as a short run on the Friday, so effectively was tapering for Mount Mee.
Whilst i was far from excited that this race was now effectively a marathon (being that distance) and seemingly a shoo in for a new Marathon PW, i could fully understand the organisers reasonings as i'd done this race three times previously on three different 50K courses (for two wins) with field sizes of 6, 10 and 5, so for it to continue bigger numbers really were needed and being a really beautiful place to run it would have been sad to see another race bite the dust.
With a 6AM start i was in bit of a quandary, really no accommodation close by everything seemed at least a 30 minute drive away, so i was probably better having a short sleep at home at setting the alarm for 3 and after having my usual breakfast driving the 100 minutes or so straight there.
Didn't even need the alarm, went to bed after the AFL telecast and with a nice cool night had a really good deep sleep waking at 2:40 quite refreshed, for mine it's the quality of the sleep rather than the quantity that makes the differences (probably explains my occasionally less than great state of mind after night upon night of humidity, sleep long enough then but quality wise is rubbish).
Made it to Dayboro at 5, just in time to see the organisers vehicles starting to unload, so checked in and had a lie down in the car for a bit.
Ultimately 25 starters, a big improvement, lot's of the usual suspects Bruce, Tamyka, Adrian, Rod, Alun amongst them. A few i recognised by sight but couldn't put names to and also suspected were fast at that distance.
A few words from the organiser and we were off, took the lead early, after all it was a road and i always like to run off a few nerves first. Lead for the first 2.5K's but could here footsteps and definitely not interested in taking people on at the non business end of the race, so happily let them take the lead, a man and a woman (Jeff Rudd and Glenda Banaghan i was to find out later), ran comfortably behind them and was overtaken by another bloke, at this point was in a quandary as whether to give fight as the course so far was nowhere near as hard as i'd imagined (and still a bitumen road), ultimately decided i'd run my own race and save myself for the harder parts supposedly ahead.
At the 12.5K checkpoint i was joined by another runner and also saw this wasn't just another marathon we were looking at a dirt road seemingly going up and up infinitely, this was a time to get back into ultra tactics and forget this was a marathon. Walked and ran this, with the other fellow just a little in front doing exactly the same, knew it wasn't helping my time but was confident this strategy would pay dividends. Was passed easily by Adrian Pearce (winner here the year i didn't win), a very good runner on his day, so wasn't going to give chase at this point, just had thoughts of revenge in the back half.
Hit the half way point in a little under two hours, refilled my handheld (my 600 mls of fruit cup cordial, endura mix had lasted that far quite easily with two drink stops in between) and took off, soon a turn, for a little while wasn't dead sure i'd taken the correct turn as i just couldn't remember whether i'd seen an arrow or not (typical me in race mode, will follow an arrow and then question whether i saw it till i see another indicator), thankfully was soon to see a K Marker, thankfully after the 500 odd metre climb from 13 to 21K's it looked like we were having a 500 metre drop, at this point i dropped the other runner and every time i turned a corner expected to see Adrian but not such sighting.
28K's and a checkpoint, thought it was time for a couple of Succeed Capsules, whilst fiddling around there was passed by Tressa Lindenberg, as well as being told my time, my mind definitely wasn't in a good spot, 4 Hours looked about as good as i could achieve and as for being passed (and by a woman at that - excuse the sexism but all is fair in wars such as any race that i contest !!).
Another uphill climb and both Tressa and the fellow i'd passed on the downhill had got away, not sure if i was just mentally down but the last drink didn't seem to be sitting "quite right" on the stomach either, interesting.
From then on ran reasonably but definitely not at my peak, finally made it to the next checkpoint and found it to be a 700 Metre out and back, didn't actually dawn on me at first as i saw two of the marathon runners coming towards me and i said great run thinking they were running back to the start (nevertheless it was still a worthy comment as they were well in front of me).
By now i knew where i was as this was part of last years course, not sure whether that made me happy or not as i knew alot of this was still a tough bugger.
At least now i had 10K runners to chase and pass and did find a new lease of life, towards the 41K mark i was reduced to walking up a hill but noticed the fellow in the front was doing the same, strange but true it looked as though i'd be trying to outwalk a competitor to the finish line, didn't actually pan out that way though.
Got one last effort out of my weary legs and passed him and then essentially ran like hell all the way to the finish line just in case i'd spurred him in.
Less said about the time the better 4:00:50 a Marathon PW by 9 minutes, although i finished in 7th place only 18 minutes behind the winner, definitely mixed emotions.
Confident i'd made the right shoe decision the ancient safety pinned Nike 4.0's (had been a toss up with the Lunarlites, just didn't fancy their lack of achilles protection if the trails got rough), and confident i'd done the right thing using trail Ultra tactics as opposed to my usual road marathon tactics (which are to run as fast as possible the first 20 miles and just see how well i hold on, reckon i'd have been lying on the side of the dirt road somewhere past half way if i'd have tried that), but not impressed with having a 4 against a marathon time.
Still sometimes a need a kick, good training so far this week and maybe i can put together a decent run at Coffs to Grafton on May 10 at least i'll be back to my pet distance.

Red Rock to Coffs Jetty

Having run from Currumbin Creek to Surfers Paradise and back via the beach on the Thursday (approx 30K's ?, with Burleigh & North Burleigh Headlands the only non sand sections), i reckoned i was in pretty good shape for Red Rocks to Coffs.
Having successfully completed the training run in my old Nike Free 3.0's reckon i had the shoe issue pretty sorted although a couple of holes in them meant that i was sure to let some sand in.
Come Friday night there was plenty of lightning and thunder on the Coast but barely any rain had no idea what it may have been 300K's further south, but on wakening the next day to find a very windy day (with a wind from the south) had the feeling i'd be experiencing similar the next day, unfortunately that did prove to be the case.
With an April event this year (a little later than usual and out of daylight saving), it meant we got daylight for the start, very pleasant but with the headwind as predicted it just meant we could see the sand being blown about further ahead.
A still largish field of 43 surprised me somewhat as this was really one of those weekends for Ultra runners, with a choice of this or the Coburg 24 Hours or the Canberra Marathon and 50K events, having done all 3 last year not exactly an option this time so i'd chosen the easiest to get to.
Many familiar faces including Steve Sayers who would certainly have to be favourite having won twice here before (and second his other start), but looking around was not really sure if there were any i'd be able to pace off of.
This became evident early on with Steve in the distance and then essentially two lots of two runners in front of me and then a gap after, this could well be a solo run i feared (interesting thought considering my navigational ability on some of those headlands).
Early on i was trying to keep my feet dry, but the camber of the beach and the unpredictable nature of the waves meant that i'd soon given that idea up, salt water was hardly going to kill me.
Couple of beaches solo, but made a mess of the the headland before Woolgoolga Beach as i found Bomber Hutchison coming towards the next beach entry from the other direction, saying he'd made up 500 metres on me. Talked for a little but was soon by myself again, was now starting to catch the early starters unfortunately only whilst on the beach.
Was certainly begin to feel the affect of the soft sand on the calves and hips and also cramping a little so had a couple of Succeed Capsules, was glad to see coke at the next aid station and had a couple of cups of it as the sportsdrink didn't seem to be quite doing the job.
Was beginning to see people out on the beach now so knew it was more civilised hours now but if i was honest really wasn't sure which beach and headland was which.
Even had the odd dog join me (note to self people don't have a problem with me calling dark coloured dogs "Snowball" but get less than happy looks when i call light coloured ones "Blackie").
Not sure which headland it was but after following bunting for a while had no idea where to head so followed a track thinking it would lead down, only problem being that i seemed to be getting higher above the beach, ultimately reaching an exposed cliff face with plaques in memorial to people who had died there, evidently this wasn't the way to go !!, so backward turn and more wasted time.
I'd love to know just how much time i wasted on headlands but i suppose this is one of the challenges of this race, certainly finding a set of steps boarded off from pedestrians (at Sapphire?) meant i was thoroughly confused, i had vague ideas that i'd experienced the same last year and had simply climbed over and used them, but seemed much more tired and proned to cramping this time and had thoughts of being just stuck on top, so with a seemingly fresh landslide fenced off nearby decided i'd find another way around. Interesting sums it up, muddy trail and then a little swim (at least i picked up a golf ball) and i'd reached the base of those steps.
Frustration had got me a bit fired up by that point so took off with new determination, by the time i reached Park Beach was busy avoiding casual strollers but was finally getting my best pace up with the finish in sight.
What more can i say finally made it in 4:31:37 for sixth place, my slowest performance in three starts there (4:13:12 for sixth in 2007 and 3:53:02 for 6th last year), only consistency being the placing as the weather conditions and state of the beaches meant every race was virtually totally different to the other, so honestly not unhappy with the time except for the fact it looks bad for that short distance.
Was glad for the warmish water at sea although my tired body struggled with a strong undertow so wasn't quite as carefree in the post race swim !!!.
Long time till the next runner and then over the next few hours the rest of the field made it in, coffee and great homemade sandwiches and cakes making the wait very easy to bear as well as good conversation with runners i don't often see.
Big thanks to Steel and all the aid station people, this run is definitely one of those little gems.

Frankston to Portsea 55KM

After having had a reasonably easy week after Trailwalker, thought i'd better get some of my usual high mileage in again whilst on holidays.
After waking up with a sore neck on Thursday (that "LA Freeway neck" seems to be a twice yearly occurrence for me unfortunately) i ran 100 minutes that night mostly around Lillydale Lake although spent a little time lost as i tried to find my way back to a bike path from between houses in the dark.
The next morning my chiropractor rang me back and slotted in appointment for that afternoon, that being the case i could go for a long run beforehand.
Starting in still warmish weather black clouds rolled in and before i was back thunder and lightning were about everywhere and i'd had a good drenching, was alarmed to find i'd been out 3 hours and it was now 11:58 i was going to be late for my 1PM appointment, very quick shower (and quickly manhandling the dog back outside - don't think he liked the thunder), knew it was just a case of how late i'd be for my appointment, ultimately the answer being half an hour.
Much better after that i ate cheap food (food discounted after the lunch hour rush) at the 1 Queens Road Food Court whilst waiting for the rain to clear, eventually it did and i decided this would be the ideal chance for a quick drive down to Elsternwick to see what had become of my old house.
Pretty simple really, my old 15 Square home with massive pine out the front had become a huge 40 Square McMansion complete with swimming pool and minimal yard, quite staggering, still they'd paid what i considered over the odds for it so of course could do whatever they liked.
Popped in and said gidday to some neighbours and more relaxed now was ready for my next race.
Being the first Saturday of the Month it was Tan Time Trial time for the Victorian Road Runners and Robert was running that Saturday morning, ultimately i ran one warm up lap, then the 8K race itself in 33:56 and then a warm down lap before heading off for a little jog with the Nike Run For The Kids Team at Fed Square (and Easter Egg hunt). So in total i'd done a little over a half marathon (and 8K of that at full pace) the day before a run over what (to me) was virtually a sprint distance Ultra, possibly not my greatest move.
Lazy afternoon, at least Richmond gave a reasonable account of themselves against Geelong, much better than the shocker the week prior.
With daylight saving ending on race day it was early to bed and an alarm set for 5, obviously i had slept too well during the week (the lack of humidity a godsend for sleeping) and was awake at 4 and showing no signs of getting back to sleep, so an early 7 Vita Brits etc, and Robert and i were off by 5:20 or so meaning that with new tollways we were at race start around 6AM, an hour earlier.
With the end of daylight saving we'd definitely also got an end of the summery conditions, and there was a decent chill whipping off the bay.
Time for a stroll down to McDonalds for a cuppa (and a toilet stop with the public conveniences being renovated), and also the shock that Dimmeys was no longer on the Highway (and even bigger shock was to follow on reading that their Department Store in Swan Street Richmond had closed the day before - this was Melbourne but not as i remembered it).
A number of runners used the facilities there, definitely a change from the regular crowd i can imagine coming through the store early on a Sunday morning and then it was back to where Kevin Cassidy was still busily signing in runners (almost a record field with 43 Starters).
I'd finally decided i'd wear the bike top and keep my buff bandanna on my head as well as wearing gloves, with the trademark headband in the top pocket (as well as 3 GU's and a muesli bar) for when it got warmer later.
A little after 7 we were off, comfortable pace and reasonable, though cool, conditions. Settled into a good pace and for a while ran with local Mike Wheatley, a former winner here and just out training locally today, we had a good chat and time went fast before he turned off.
I had a number of runners in front of me including my Trailwalker Teammates Michael Lovric and Rob Hall, our TW opposition Rohan Day, and around 8 others from what i could work out, definitely had a bit of work ahead of me.
Had a fill up of Rob's Powerade/Endura Mix (Mal who had crewed at TW was crewing for Rob again and generally lending a hand to all), and i was a a little worried as the clouds darkened and the rain started to get heavier. By now i'd passed the ultra consistent walker Bryan Glover (starting an hour ? early), just before the Freeway overpass, and could no see Michael as well as two Peninsula Road Runner Runners.
Just before we hit the beach road i was a little surprised to catch up with Lachlan Fraser, possibly the lack of training after his Marysville bushfire problems was doing his running harm.
From then on i was following Michael and the Peninsula Runners, another half a bottle of sports drink was needed again just before Rosebud and thankfully the sun emerged again.
Eventually beat them off and on the longer stretches heading towards Blairgowrie could see Rohan in his distinctive red board shorts and Rob in his long 2XU socks bit frustrating but i really had no more speed.
Just before Sorrento got my second bottle of Staminade (so approx 1.8 Litres of fluid would last me 55K's - it was that sort of temperature !) from Malcolm Gamble as well as a couple of lollies.
Typical me with lollies they lasted for ages and seemed to expend more energy than they produced. Still moving well but making no ground on the leaders, then i saw the Chris McTaggart struggling (virtually on the footpath) and then the Japanese runner with a back pack on the other side of the road (i will always run into traffic, if worst comes to worst i'm quite sure that on my deathbed my dying words would be the number plate of the car that came towards me and hit me and put me there).
Piece of Fruit cake from Malcolm seemed a good idea, but my energy wasted chewing (and virtually choking) said otherwise (cake's usually the easiest thing to eat).
For the first time i was struggling as i went up the Sorrento Hill to the shopping centre, so got a GU out on an uphill stretch and washed that down with my Staminade, thankfully that was enough for me to pass him on the next hill
From then on it was a case of just block out everything, don't look behind, don't feel any pain (was beginning to feel the infamous neck), and just get there.
Finally i was there in 4:32, close to a 7 minute PB, frustratingly within 9 minutes of 2nd to 4th places.
Overall a good run, about as good as i can do on the shorter stuff at present and on this hilly course no great complaints.
As i type this i'm back from a 22 Hour (plus 3 Hour sleep in back of car just outside Grafton) drive, already focussed on the next starts and what i can do to improve (some people would say "have a shave", others don't run 70 odd K's in the 2 days preceding), whatever it is i'm pretty content, bring on Red Rocks to Coffs in two weeks time !!!.

A week of interesting training

Having spent the week in my old hometown of Melbourne, i've had some interesting between Ultra runs.
After 33KM's at Humevale on the Sunday, fronted up and did the 5KM with the Gunn Runners (along Beaconsfield Parade) as Albert Park was still in Grand Prix Mode, finishing second in a bit over 20 minutes (no exact time as this pc has no pdf reader), reasonably content with that.
After a number of glorious days in the mid 20's to low 30's (32 degrees on Thursday), did 100 minutes of running at Lillydale Lake, very comfortable but not timing nightfall to well (rather dark as i tried to find my way out of a housing estate and back to my parked car).
Thursday morning i'd woken with a very sore neck (the really bad sort of neck i get about twice a year), so had booked an appointment for Friday with my old Chiropractor Andrea Bisaz.
3 Hour run yesterday to Ringwood and then following the Eastlink Trails and back following Dandenong Creek (so long since i've run there) to Heathmont and then Bayswater, a little before home lightning and thunder showed that the summery weather was well and truly over and ended up a little waterlogged by then and more importantly only giving me an hour (after a very quick hot shower) to drive to my chiro appointment.
This morning it was the 8K Victorian Road Runners Tan Trial, so did a pre race warm up lap and then the actual event in 33:56, again very comfortable and feeling good.
Couldn't resist a warm down lap with two of the original Spartans (including another visitor Bruce Hargreaves) and also an easy trot with the Nike Run For the Kids Training group, good way to get the legs ready for tomorrow.
So tomorrow it's my Third Frankston to Portsea, haven't run this since winning in 2004, but in those intervening years the class and numbers in the field has improved exponentially so no big predictions but reckon i've got a pretty good one in me.
Bit of a worry looking at the weather on the drive back, recently Coffs Harbour has been flooded and the northern NSW appears to have been indundated, so could be an interesting drive back home !!!.

My love/hate relationship with Trailwalker continues

Limited internet access since TW (still in Melbourne for Sunday's Frankston to Portsea), so a brief report on the Team #65 Upstream Foundation Org Experience.
When i was called in as a replacement a few weeks back i knew the team was looking at around 10 Hours according to the Teamspace on the web but really had no idea whether this was realistic or not, certainly we had two well known Ultra Runners Mal Gamble and Sydney's Michael Lovric, but team organiser Rob Hall although a multiple trailwalker veteran was an unknown to me.
With a seemingly endless queue for check in just wondered whether we would even start close to time (i think race start was about 5 minutes late?).
A good sign for me was the fact i'd had a very nervy sleep the night before (definitely better than having nightmares about Richmonds performance), waking frequently, better for me to go into a race thinking about it (albeit negatively) than going in unfocussed.
Early on i was running with the eventual winners as we talked football, but realising i was getting a little too far in front dropped back and rejoined my team. Lot's of kangaroos about as we were in the lead 3 groups and they hadn't been disturbed as yet by the herds of teams to follow.
All running comfortably at the first checkpoint, although the feast at each checkpoint that i'd recalled in my other 4TW's didn't look like it was going to eventuate as it appeared we were getting in too early, so just a couple of cups of sports drink for me.
Next section again pretty cruisy, personally i was content as i was sure that if i was to have stomach problems (my biggest worry after Six Foot Track) they'd occur early on in the race. By now we'd settled at a certain pace and could see no one either ahead or behind us, 3rd place was ours alone. Mal was pretty much setting our pace and whilst i would have liked a little more speed, it was one i could live with.
Next Checkpoint i had a Gu Gel and some more sportsdrink and also got our crew to give me my handheld (or as Rob speaking to the crew on walkie talkie said "Kelvin want's his hand held" - maybe that just sounded funny at the time :roll: ).
More easy running and i'll admit i was a little worried about "The Leyland Brothers" (ie Mike and Mal), as me and Rob continued very steadily and easily and they seemed to be getting further behind.
Got a little confused at Checkpoint 4, a little misunderstanding meant that i went and had a Gu and filled my bottle whilst the team continued but ultimately this cost at worst 2 minutes so no big drama.
Next was a part i knew very well, through to Olinda, certainly Hacketts Rd hadn't grown any less steep but all the familiarity made it feel like a casual stroll. My ultra lightweight Nike Free 4.0's complete with holes did let me down here with a stick coming in the hole meaning i had to pull up and take the shoe off, otherwise all good but a little worried about how some members were going.
We made it to Olinda Oval and i admit i was disappointed i didn't see one of the lead teams come back out towards us, found out we were a good half hour behind. Another Gu and filled my bottle up again with the Powerade / Endura Mix (Rob's secret weapon).
Good running down some hills but Rob and i did keep on having to look back, the others were far from struggling but just weren't going quite the pace i'd have picked.
Silvan Dam and we found we were 37 minutes behind the leaders, i had a meat pie thinking that i may as well have some real food to get me through the last half (asked for a coffee flavoured Gu but was invited to have a coffee and a cup of GU2O not quite the same !!).
Back out and i realised that with 5.5 Hours gone, even with the dead flat Rail Trail 10 Hours wasn't going to be an option. All team members appeared to be in reasonable shape but i was beginning to feel a sore back as i was running just under optimal slow speed.
Finally we hit the rail trail (i kept my mind off the speed by taking mental note of the electrical equipment etc dumped on the side of the road), now we could put the foot down.
Not quite as planned, Rob and i were still going cruisily and Mal appeared to be back but Michael was having nausea problems, ultimately it meant i walked alot as i simply couldn't run as slow as necessary. We got the news that Bryan had dropped out from Team Muttley, so we were now officially in Second Place, sort of nice but i knew it was a case of the Midday Milers needing to blow up badly for us to improve, would much have preferred fate to be in our hands.
Another Gu washed down by Coke at the next checkpoint and finally removed my gloves and Moeben sleeves, and then an easy, albeit slow, run and walk along the trail to Checkpoint 7. Had a chat with Bryan there about his problems (remembering well his problems there in 2007 where our team had spent an interminable amount of time), and took it fairly easy leaving as Michael was in worse shape than before with nausea.
Lot's of walking sums it up, a vomit did help Michael and off the paddock section of the trail we started running again.
Our crew had bought some chips and a half a dozen chips and half a stubbie of VB was a treat awaiting me when we hit the pub on the Highway, if i was feeling a little frustrated before now i was a little more mellow. Cruised nicely into the last checkpoint at least i wasn't going to have to worry about finding my headlamp.
After some coke at the checkpoint and some more chips i was positively jumping out of my skin to get the thing finished again, we knew by now a win wasn't an option but still we would get under 12 hours.
A fair bit of walking and then at last to the Little Joe track, at last we could all easily move at the same pace to the top. Once atop me and Rob headed off and ran easily knowing we'd have a walk stage a little on, i was full of beans but really no point as we needed to finish together.
With the race finish in view, i had our crew give my our race T Shirt so we'd all come in looking the same and then regrouping just outside the oval we ran in together in 11:44.
As fast as we could go under the circumstances and i admit was still very fresh but doubt i could have gone fast enough to have beaten the 10:33 of the Midday Milers. Overall a good team performance, but again frustratingly close now the third time from 5 Trailwalkers that i've finished on the podium but not won.
Kelvin

Just one of those days

I'd been looking forward to the Six Foot Track Marathon for weeks now, having been in really good form prior to Caboolture i'd struggled a bit with the layoff, simple fact is i'm much better at racing week after week than just doing long training runs.
I suppose firstly there's the fact that when i head out on a training run, i tend to get carried away and pretty much say to myself just one more hill or just till the next corner etc, but whatever it is i often end up biting off a little bit more than i meant to (i'm sure some would also question the fact that i don't drink or eat on these runs, as i'd much prefer to focus on pushing myself hard and don't want to ease that pressure by wandering around looking for taps and the like and as for food as far as i'm concerned all i need is a front door key when i'm out, money would only give me a soft option !), so in short i flog myself way worse than when actually racing.
Leaving the coast early afternoon meant i got within 200K's of Sydney by bedtime, so curled up in the car and had a very deep sleep at the old Leyland Brothers World servo, it's quite amazing the deeper sleep you get in cooler conditions, i'm quite convinced i'm never as refreshed after a sleep in the humidity back home.
Slept in a little so decided best option to get to Katoomba was to cut across and avoid Pennant Hills Rd, ending up going via Berowra Waters (and the ferry which just like when running there i was just in time to miss) and hitting the Great Western Hwy at Springwood. By 11, i'd made it to Katoomba and similar weather too home, wet and grey but without the heat, first time i'd ever been to the Carrington (way back in 1992 when i first did this race it was a ramshackle building looking to be prepared for demolition). Picked up my race number and discovered that i'd actually not bought a ticket for the bus to the start, just thankful i was able to remedy that, really wasn't anxious for a 12 Foot Track.
With bad weather looking a real possibility decided the old faithful Nike Free 4.0's would be struggling to last out the 45K's so it looked like i'd be using the 7.0's in which case new shoelaces would be a good option (as the one's in them always undid whether double or triple tied - frustrating), so bought a flash new fluoro green triathlon pair wondering just whether they were the go.
After catching up with a few mates at the Expo and also a little shopping headed off to Jenolan Caves and by 2 was settled in, nice lazy afternoon as the rain also settled in.
Awoke at 4:30 for the 5:30 bus, great nights sleep (not a good sign usually i'm awake hourly pre race - i shouldn't be that relaxed !). Deciding it would be cool, broke with tradition and put on my Lululemon Bike top (if i can wear it across France twice, Germany, Death Valley and numerous other places couldn't see me being uncomfortable spending less than 5 hours in it), and took my Moeben sleeves with the thought they may be needed.
The usual mixing bowl of Vita Brits and banana and fruit salad and being still a bit flat from the previous weeks also mixed my Ultra Muscleze Magnesium stuff in with my juice although not often having that sort of thing race morning, could only do good (so i thought !).
5:30 we were off and by 6:50 were at the start line, strangely uncrowded (no portaloo queues), obviously things were happening slowly at the Skyway buses.
Caught up with heaps of people and laso saw many strange sites, numerous blokes wearing pink running skirts in aid of breast cancer (some notable names including my "twin" Paul Every and previous race winner Paul Arthur as well as numerous others).
Finally decided the Moeben sleeves wouldn't be needed, it actually appeared to be perfect running conditions, a little cool, but clear and looking like being a marvellous day.
At 8:01 we were off, was happy with my position in the field when hitting the Nellies Glen steps, and was comfortably behind one of the Canberra "Gramps Army" contingent making a good pace. Down to the valley in nice time, and i felt very comfortable and now ready to put in some solid running.
First drink station and was disappointed to see only water (no sports drink or coke), so whilst not overly happy with that decided it was best to have a cup.
Around a K on i was still having that water, personally i thought it was a little cold and as sometimes happens when that's the case, it just seemed to sit on my stomach, definitely not good.
For the rest of the run to Cox's River ran reasonably but was holding back a little (and sometimes dropping off packs) as the stomach was an issue. Made it to the river in 1:20, probably 5 minutes slower than i'd have liked but was thinking i had plenty left if only i could sort the gut.
With more uphill now i realised this was causing me more and more grief, couldn't even walk up the hills with my usual speed and was passed by numerous runners heading up Mini Mini Saddle, things weren't looking good. Bit of downhill but even then i had to back off as i wasn't feeling comfortable and then struggled as i went for the last steep bit up the Pluviometer.
Last year the Black Range had been bit of a Death March as i hadn't handled the cold, this year much better weather conditions but it still didn't look promising.
By now my stomach was churning badly, i'd been having coke at most of the drink stops hoping to fix it up all with one big burp but all i'd managed to do was pile more stuff on the gut and i was simply getting fuller and fuller.
Decided now the idea was to get rid of all that stuff via the other end. Wandered off into the bush and had a toilet break, relief of sorts maybe now i'd be right.
Within a few minutes my gut was back to feeling as bad as previously not a good sign, and with this all my muscles around there were feeling pressure resulting in some pretty horrific cramping. More and more people passing me, talk about frustrating many recognising me and saying gidday and then passing easily if nothing else my ego was taking a hell of a battering.
The ups and downs of the Deviation were knocking me about badly and by then all i could think of was another toilet break, but upon reaching the checkpoint discovered the real toilet had a fence between me and it, and climbing over wasn't an option considering the cramping hell.
Again wandered off the track and again momentarily better, but on hitting the road crossing was back to gut plagued. Really no option but to just keep on moving as best able and simply getting to that damned finish line.
A few ups and downs but maybe a little better, at least i knew i'd get to the finish line, certainly wasn't bothering with eating as all it did was fill my stomach further, so a cup of Hi5 was my aid station drop each time.
Finally made it to the last stop along the road, now only heading inland past the cabins and to the finish line. Normally i'd be disappointed if i couldn't pass 10 runners from this point, today they'd have to have been nailed to the spot for me to pass. Was at least keeping pace with the runners around me, but if there were any lip readers around they'd have been disgusted as i said the "F" word to myself frequently just to ease the pain. Was pleasantly surprised to find the steepest downhill was less leaf littered and easier to run than usual but i wasn't exactly making the most of it.
Finally hit the stairs and in one of my most degrading racing moments, moved aside to be passed by a runner half way down the stairs, simply couldn't fire up, certainly that passion was burning deep inside but my body wasn't capable of responding this time. Finally it was all over a 20 minute Personal Worst 5:11:31, 18 years after the previous worst time, very forgettable day indeed on a day that should have been memorable as i'd later get my 18 race jacket.
Having had a few days to think about it all post race before i wrote this, believe me this is almost a happy smiley version compared to what an immediate post race copy would have been, still not sure what went wrong, maybe too much magnesium, maybe the water at the first aid station was crook (some say chlorine was in it as a disinfectant), but whatever it was life goes on, and i live to race another day.
Just got to put it down as a shocker and as sometimes happens, a shocker often produces that boot up the bum that's needed to bring out the best in upcoming races.

Time for a race: Half Marathon March 1

I'd been putting of doing this post as i was waiting for official results and possibly a picture so i could be a bit less vague, but with none forecoming i'll just have to ramble on with my thoughts.
With no races since Caboolture i freely admit i was hanging out for a race, any sort of race as long as it was at least a half marathon.
Me without races sometimes is a bit reminiscent of the quote
“All I want to do is drink beer and train like an animal.”
from the New Zealand running great Rod Dixon
http://www.olympic.org.nz/Athletes/AthleteProfile.aspx?Print=&ContactID=1102&id=3774
tend to push myself well over fatigue point when i go on a training run when there isn't a goal that next weekend, would some it up and as for the drinking beer best said i always do find beer (and wine) a great recovery tool !.
Having noted that there was a Half Marathon in Brisbane on the Sunday (at the ungodly hour of 6AM meaning i'd be up and having breakfast at 4 with the 100K drive to follow from the Coast), decided that was my best option.
Only one Half Marathon last year (Warwick in May) and before that my previous two were in April 2006, so admit that nowadays they aren't really my thing (not sure of exact figures but have listed 58 since 1992, quite possibly another 70 odd in the years before - once upon a time they were my "thing"), so it really was a case of going in with no specific training and hoping the legs would remember just what was needed.
Went for a run on Saturday morning, but was feeling so fresh at what i considered to be my standard turnaround point that i decided to go on a bit, the hills of Bilambil Heights did eventually knock the stuffing out of me and what was originally an easy 2 hours turned into more like a tortorous 4 hours, not exactly a brilliant way to freshen up for a half the next day !.
With the petrol gauge light coming on at Beenleigh, spent the rest of the trip looking worried at it, and it was only once i got of the M1 at Stanley St that it dawned i didnt actually know where the Brisbane Road Runners Club venue was, a little worry. Thankfully after a few wrong detours i saw runners parking cars and so did the same.
Running a little late was relieved to find a queue of people still entering so had time to take a breath and relax a little.
Thankfully only hand written numbers, so i could race as i train, topless, lots of familiar faces but a course that i knew from the Brisbane Marathon as being somewhat mind numbing !!.
First up was 550 metres out and back and then we would do 5K loops, however i was a little worried when the 550 metres went on and on, surely i wasn't running that slowly. Went under the clock for the first short lap in 8 minutes+ (bit unsure of exact time), evidently something wasn't correct and was a little peeved, this wasn't going to be a good one, sometimes you can just tell.
Was chatting with Adrian for a while and he was saying we'd gone 1K out rather than the distance meant, was almost relieved thinking it might mean a 22K race instead of a dud half marathon time. Let him and then Keith go as i was still struggling to get the rhythmn needed, i was hoping distance was on my side. Was surprised to see him coming back towards me, sure enough with the wrong distance for the short lap, they had remeasured for our second lap so that the last 3 would all be 5K's, suppose all i could do was keep on going and maybe sometime i'd get that something that hadn't appeared so far.
Another lap and pretty much i'd revised my goal to just making sure i wasn't lapped by the winner, a course that to some degree should provide enough variety (turns, little climbs, etc) but one that just doesnt seem to suit me, still struggling and definitely p*ssed off as i realised sub 90 was going to require speed that my legs didn't appear to have on the day.
One lap to go, and at least the winner was within a lap of me, didn't look back to see him come in but i'm sure he wasn't far behind, i then had another Gold Coaster come up beside me (names aren't my strongpoint as i type this his escapes me !) and then pass me, finally i was a little fired up and made sure i was back in front the next turn. However i then heard footsteps and a strange noise, damn it was Aussie 24 Hour Rep John Pearson complete with running stroller and his son Jack, i do recall having been beaten by a bloke with a dog before but now one with a kid !!, definitely one of those days.
Was glad to at least get in before the clock ticked up to 93 Minutes, 92:3? i think, not a great time and it means i'll have to front up at Warwick again for a faster half. Still next week it Six Foot Track, finally i can get back to doing Ultras, been training hard this week and i'll even try to taper a little next week.
AC/DC tribute band tonight ought to give me some non running exercise