Beyond the Black Stump

For various reasons I have missed this run the last two years and I was determined not to miss it this year. I was quite nervous as I hadn't run longer than 1:45 since August. However, I did feel recovered from Canberra and generally fairly fit so I knew I could make the distance, but in what shape I didn't know.

Inhisshadow kindly picked me up at 6am and we arrived to find stacks of people (later to be confirmed as 146 starters). After a few words from Kevin, we were off. The initial 30 mins saw Vurt and sfGnome tack off and my heart rate surprisingly high - I needed to pull back the pace a bit. Paul was happy to pull back the pace with me as he was only after a solid training run. The run down to the ferry was really nice undulating track with great views down to the water before it gets a little steeper and technical. We reached the water in 1:05 just as a ferry was on it's return journey and so didn't waste too much time. Horrie and Blue Bel just snuck onto the ferry before it left.

I was content to walk most of the hill up to the turn off chatting to Horrie (Horrie was pacing Blue Bel). We did run some of the flatter section's but the HR was high enough just walking. As we turned off onto the trail, I started to come good feeling quite comfortable running along the ridge and down the steeper technical section to the castle. It was good to see those in front as we crossed paths. We reached the Castle in 2:12 and I realised it was going to be a longer day than I was expecting.

The trail up out of the Castle is a bit of a slog, but we weren't pushing it. Again I enjoyed the flat section and was continuing to feel better at each stage. Jan had dropped some drinks at the end of the trail and I grabbed a cold powerade - nice! We cruised back down to the ferry in just over 5 min pace. As we came around the last corner, cars that had been on the ferry were coming back at us. We started to sprint the 500m or so to catch it. I looked at my Garmin and we were doing 3:40 pace! The ferry man waited a few seconds for us to arrive and we slumped into a seat for a bit of recovery. The time now was 3:09 and still 6-7k to go and some big hills.

The course takes us down by the water for about a km before taking a right hand turn up the steep incline. A slow trudge is all we could muster and I felt sorry for Paul as he was carry a heavy camelbak. You get some relief with a downhill before the track again goes steeply uphill. Again I was feeling surprisingly good and was enjoying the run. At the top of the hill there was another drinks drop before the undulating stretch back to the start. Paul and I ran most of this section. Paul really came good in the section and we came home at a strong pace in a time of 4:19.

It was good to catch up with the crew afterwards and have a knatter. Professor's Salt and Vinegar chips have never tasted so good! I was surprised to find out that sfGnome and Professor had run apx. 40mins faster than me. These guys are usually around my standard and 40 mins is a long time. They obviously had good runs and I have a lot of work to do before sixfoot.

A thoroughly enjoyable run and a great way to start the new year.

Stats were: 34k in 4:19 @7:19 (155)

Inhisshadow and Vurt

Inhisshadow with the hill we need to climb in background