Tuesday, 19 March 2013

This time of
year I would normally be inclined to have done what most Sydney trail runners
do, but recently there have been so many new trail running events added to the
calendar that I decided to mix my race schedule up a little.  That is why I decided
to enter the Tarawera Ultra Marathon in Rotorua, New Zealand. 

At the
beginning of January I made my regular pilgrimage down to Mt Beauty for the
Bogong to Hotham race.  There was speculation that this race would be called off
due to the extreme risk of fire danger in the National Park.  As race day loomed
and the daily temperatures kept peaking over 40deg the inevitable became
reality and the race was sensibly called off.  My trip down to Mt Beauty
therefore turned into a training camp.  Was trail racing going to be disrupted
the same in 2013 as it was in 2012?  I certainly hoped not! 

Shortly
after my return from Mt Beauty a pain in my lower back/hip area started to
emerge.  This was a new injury unlike anything I had had previously.  I could
feel it constantly and it was excruciating when I tried to run.  After some
tests I placed myself in the hands of a highly recommended chiro who helped the
healing process.  He was good but he was still unable to get me right in time
for Cradle Mountain, which for me went down as a DNS. 

In the lead
up to Tarawera my recovery had been enough to allow me to run but not without
discomfort.  My training had mainly consisted of 2-3 short daily runs.  My nett
weekly mileage was high, but I wasn't able to do any long runs.  I did have some
things to look forward too though.  One was the support from Salomon Australia
who provided my race outfit.  In the lead up to the race Salomon Australia had given
me shoes and waist belt to train with, which I really enjoyed using.  The other
was that even though the original Tarawera race course had to be altered due to
extreme fire danger, the race looked certain to proceed, and with me there to
enjoy it. 

The Tarawera
pre-race activities (see earlier blog post) were fantastic.  It is a real
highlight in my running career.  It was a good opportunity to mix with some
serious international talent while also a good opportunity to check out the
competition, only it was difficult to know who exactly the competition was.  I
had entered the 100km event, however there was also 85km and 60km and relay events
on offer as well.  To make it more confusing entrants were able to amend their
distance during the race.  Then to add into the mix the fact that the trail for
this years race had been altered due to drought and extreme fire danger in the area. 
The 100km course was altered so that entrants ran 60km out then 40km back, with
the shorter distances being a variation on this.  It was all very crazy and
confusing.  The approach I took into the race was the simplest approach, which
was to run my own race at my own pace. 

In the
predawn light under the giant red woods outside of Rotorua I lined up on the
start line with all the other runners.  I felt totally out of my depth standing there
with all the international elites.  The countdown to the start began, then we
were off and running, uphill, guided by glow sticks and our head lamps.  This
was not an easy race start.  Not as hard as Western States, but the mix of fire
trail and single trail that we followed just kept climbing.  The views over
Rotorua at the top were spectacular and set the tone for the surroundings we
would run in for the rest of the day.  As the shadows slowly dissipated I became
more aware of where I was amongst the foreign field.  Running in local races I
have an idea of how I'm going judging by the people around me.  In this event I
didn't recognise anyone so had no idea if I had gone out too fast (though I was
pretty sure Shona was still in front) or too slow (though Brian definitely hadn't
caught up).  The pace that I settled into was one that I thought I could manage
for the rest of the day.  I could still feel discomfort in my back while I ran
and thankfully it wasn't getting worse. 

The first
few legs were lots of fun with plenty of people to run with and pockets of
supporters cheering us all on.  The trail kept changing constantly from tared
road to gravel road to fire trail to single trail to what seemed at times a
made up single trail and variations of all these.  The second major checkpoint
was at Lake Okareka, which was also the 100km finish, approximately 20km into
the race.  Everything I was running beyond this point I'd be running again.  In
my mind this played horrible games.  Every downhill I enjoyed I knew would be a dreaded
uphill with tiering legs on the return. 

By the time
I arrived at the Okataina Lodge checkpoint there were people everywhere, music
blasting over loud speakers, it was the place to be.  This checkpoint was also
the main finish area for the 60km and 85km runners.  It was awesome to hear all
the commotion from about a kilometre out as we ran down the hillside towards the
Lake Okataina shore and checkpoint.  As I quickly transitioned through the
checkpoint the announcer said that I was the third woman to come through.  My
guess was Ruby 1st, Shona 2nd, then me.  On I went around the lake, I could hear
the sound of the checkpoint slowly dissipate as I went in pursuit of those in
front. 

Somewhere
around Humphries Bay I saw Sage Canaday (eventual 100km race winner) heading
towards me.  It meant that he had reached the out and back section and was on the
return journey.  I cheered him on, as well as all the other runners I crossed
path with on this out and back section.  There was a long break before the next
lot of lead runners started filing past. 

I eventually
caught up with Shona shortly after the Humphries Bay checkpoint and we ran
together for a couple of kilometres.  She was looking a little stressed and said
as much.  Shortly after she took a heavy fall behind me.  I stopped to make sure
she was alright before helping her up and get her going again.  We kept together
for a little while longer until I started to pull away.  Ruby passed by, pretty
close to the lead guys and I knew that she was untouchable. 

Somewhere
along this leg I made the startling realisation that I no longer had any pain
in my lower back.  For almost two months I had been dealing with this constant discomfort
and now after more than 40km it had disappeared.  I went through the checklist
of what hurts more.  If my back doesn’t hurt any more then there must be
something that is more painful.  I could feel a blister or two starting to form,
but other than that nothing. 

On the out and back section.  Courtesy ultra168.com

I eventually
made the turnaround point at Tarawera Outlet where we were met with another
checkpoint and the always present media contingent covering this race.  I had
spent the last few days around these guys as part of the pre race activities
and they were full of encouragement as I came in and left.  Now came the first
of the mind games, the return run over ground I had just covered.  Other than
traversing the same terrain backwards, the only variance this time would be
passing all the other runners on their way out to Tarawera Outlet.  The further
I ran back the more exhausted the people were who were heading out.  I didn't
mind this more technical part of the trail (though it is not nearly as technical
as the trails in the Blue Mountains) and I took pleasure in knowing that I could
leave it all behind me. 

I passed
Shona again on the return and she said something about pulling out.  I hoped she
was ok. 

Heading into
the Okataina Lodge checkpoint I was turning over in my mind the possibility of
stopping short at the 85km race distance.  I had passed all those runners doing
the 85km and 100km distances and knew that I was safely in 2nd place.  I
eventually convinced myself that I had come over to do the 100km distance and
that anything else would be a lazy option and a DNF in my mind.  Plus nothing
was hurting and I could physically still complete the distance.  As I emerged
from the trail into the checkpoint I was greeted by Brian, who had predictably
stopped short.  He grabbed my little water bottle to refill, then urged me out
of the checkpoint with a few words of encouragement.  There was not time to
think about the shorter option so on I went. 

10km Finish Line

The hill
going out of the Okataina Lodge checkpoint was the only hill I really walked
all race.  Safe in the knowledge of where I was in the field I relaxed a little
and enjoyed this luxury.  Once at the top, the highest part of the course, the
terrain slowly dipped back down towards the road and finally the Lake Okareka
checkpoint and 100km finish.  It was a good feeling crossing the finish line for
the first time in 2013.  I finished in a time of 11:43, 2nd female, which
I was happy with given the training.  It didn’t matter how hard I tried today I
would never have been able to stick with new wonder kid on the block, Ruby
Muir.  Ruby’s run was a standout world class performance. 

In summary,
I really enjoyed the course.  I think I enjoyed it more than I would have if I’d
run the original course as this race had more elevation gain and loss on lots
more trail. 

This isn’t
my usual race report.  Instead it is a short reflection of the pre-race
activities leading up to the race which I believe deserves equal recognition. 

Nature walk.  Courtesy irunfar.com

The Tarawera
Ultra Trail Marathon has in my eyes raised the bar in regards to
professionalism in trail running, especially in Australia/New Zealand.  The Race
Director, Paul Charteris, should be recognised and complemented for what he has
pulled off at this year’s recent event.  I’m not sure exactly how he managed to
pull it off, but he successfully attracted some seriously talented trail
runners, both locally and from around the world, then capitalised on their
attendance with a host of media personnel (backcountryrunner.co.nz, irunfar.com
and ultra168.com).  In an ultra trail running event where competitors have
invested a lot of time training and finances leading up to and attending the
event it was good of the RD to help extend the atmosphere of the event (not
just the run) to make it an unforgettable experience. 

Just before
general entries for this event closed I threw my hat into the ring for the
100km event and was surprised by the social media comments from both the
general public and the RD.  Still months out from race day and already there was
banter and speculation galore about who had entered and who was about to enter
and amongst those names who would finish at the top.  As these online discussion
continued, more and more high profile names in the sport got added to the start
list, and before I think anybody could believe it Paul could rightly compile a
pretty impressive list of Elite Athletes.  It must have done Paul’s head in
trying not to miss any dark horses amongst the 400 odd entrants. 

Group shot following welcome onto Marae.  Courtesy ultra168.com

Paul could
have stopped with the Elite’s list, but instead he took it to another level by
organising some pre-race activities for the elites and general entry
competitors alike.  I felt honoured when an invite went out to include me in the
closed invite activates which entailed; a BBQ dinner at Pauls house in Rotorua,
a welcome onto a Marae in the traditional fashion by the people of Ngati Whare,
a guided nature walk in the Whirinaki Forest, and formal media conference at Te
Puia cultural centre.  This was a great opportunity to showcase the regions cultural
side while capitalising on the fact that such talent has assembled for this
particular event. 

An open
invite went out for the 7-8km trail run/walk in the Whakarearewa Red Woods
where people were able to rub shoulders with runners of all levels.  This run
was awesome and got to show off the race start area, which would be shrouded in
darkness come race morning. 

Red Woods Run

The above
activities were followed by a hugely successful Q & A session with some of
the Elites chaired by Grant Guise and Marcus Warner on Friday afternoon for all
to attend.  This fantastic initiative proved to be a casual but hugely entertaining
session by a group of grounded trail runners who reflect the general good
nature of those in the sport of ultra trail running. 

Q & A Session

It would be
great to see more high profile trail running events take on a similar approach
to the one that Paul did.  He was successful in turning a race into an event for
entrants and associated parties alike.  The whole experience proved to be a
great opportunity to not only sell the race but to allow all entrants to get
more out of the event than just the bit between the start and finish lines.  All
race directors should take note. 

About Me

I really only started running after being involved with my husbands 2007 Sydney Trailwakler Team.  We had a pretty slow time and I knew I could do the distance a lot faster.  Since then I have focused on becoming a better runner.