My training for UTA100 has been going really well and I’m feeling fitter and stronger then I have in a long time. However, the memories of my first DNF at Blackall 100 in October last year are still fresh in my mind, so much so that I haven’t entered any races since then. DNFs affect different people in different ways, for me I was anxious that this was a slippery slope of things to come. For those following my blog you’ll know that my last year has been plagued by injuries, yet I always managed to somehow cross that line until B100. So, my way of dealing with it was to avoid finish lines lol
I volunteered at the Gold Coast rounds of the South East QLD Trail Running Series and Daisy Hill was the last round. I discussed it with my coach and we agreed this would be a good training run and nice way to start building back up my distance and race confidence, so I signed up for the long course, which was 20km. Loren from Elite Fit Food tweaked my race nutrition slightly in order to try some new things that will help me increase my carb intake in preparation for UTA100. My race nutrition consisted of Trail Brew, raisins, salted sweet potato and Shot Bloks, alternating them at regular intervals, and breakfast consisted of sweet potato and egg, with a banana & coconut water smoothie. My alarm went off at 2.20am, which even for me is ridiculous!! But one of my besties Cath and I wanted to go up and run a few laps with Tofe and Ant from the Wounded Pelicans, who were in their final hours of their epic 24hr challenge. If you haven’t heard about the Wounded Pelicans, you NEED to go check out their page and read about all their amazing challenges that they do, all for charity! After running a few laps around Runaway Bay Sports Centre’s outdoor track, it was time to head up to Daisy Hill, which is about an hour from home. Poor Cath was not happy about the uber early wake up, but consider it great practice for UTA love! Dave had given me instructions for today’s race – try to run continuously (aka not so many walk breaks!) and finish strong. Ultimately it was to be another training run though, it’s not like I’m in the league to try and aim for a podium finish. I was happy to see that I was in the last wave for the long course, which would take the pressure off a bit from the start. Since I hadn’t raced since October last year and wasn’t familiar with the course, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I set myself an unofficial goal of 2.5 hours, and to finally run across a finish line – something I hadn’t achieved since Up the Buff almost 12 months ago. My aim was to start out super easy and just pace myself until I got into a comfortable rhythm. Lately when I start running, for the first few kms my shins ache until they have warmed up. This morning they were particularly painful, to the point that around 3km I was wondering if there may have been an injury and whether I should continue running. I remember looking at my watch at that time and seeing that I had gone out way too hard, despite my best efforts to start super easy. Whoops! That would explain the extra shin aches! I backed it off a bit and waited until the aches disappeared which was around 5km. The actual track itself was very similar to the single trails and mountain bike tracks at Nerang, so I felt familiar with the terrain. As the aches eased off, I found myself enjoying the switchbacks and rolling ups and downs. I felt myself getting into that sort after rhythm and was getting into the zone. I caught up with a friend and chatted for a bit, until we got to the next hill, which I continued to run up while she took the opportunity for a breather. Around 12km was the first time I had to take a walk break, at the one and only gnarly hill. I made it half way up before my hamstrings cried out for a break. I power hiked the remainder of the hill and then started running as soon as it was flat again. About 500m down the track it proceeded to rise again, not a steep incline but a long one and I needed another hike break just to the top (sorry Dave). I looked at my watch around 14km and saw that I had been making great time and was well within my goal time of 2.5hrs. I did a quick mental calculation and worked out that if I kept this pace up then I could possibly make it under 2hrs 15 minutes. I had to remind myself that this was a training run and to not do anything stupid, but instead focused on maintaining even pace and good form. I have to admit that it was a confidence boost to continue passing runners on the home stretch. Within the last 2km there was some more pavement which always aggravates my shins and calves, but I just took it nice and easy through there and before I knew it, I was in the last kilometre. I continued my form, continuously running up the hills and rounded the last bend towards the finish line. I actually got a little teary realising that I had achieved all my goals including finally running across that damn finish line!!! My official finish time was 2:12:33 and 22nd female overall and I am so bloody proud!!! I stuck to my game plan (except for the quicker start), I had no gut bombs or needing to stop for the toilet on track (for those who know me, this is huge people!) and I finished strong after running (almost, 95%?) continuously. My result today has definitely helped to shift my mindset for the next few races including UTA100. I felt some aches in my legs but none of my old injuries, which is a relief. I’ve booked in to see Dave for some maintenance this week, being 9 weeks out from the big one I can’t afford to have something minor turn into something major. So happy days people, I feel like I’ve turned a massive corner in my journey and feeling excited for my next race in 2 weeks time, Up the Buff again!!!
1 Comment
Carre
13/3/2017 10:42:32 am
Great blog!!
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RhiannonMy Race Reports Archives
May 2017
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REAL GIRL RUNNER | Race Reports |