Monday, February 28, 2005
George's Gander - 6 Hour Metrogaine
27/2/05
Well, after my collapse 3 weeks ago, I decided to change my goals. This meant that all speed related goals were on the back burner, which meant that a sub 3:20 at Canberra was no longer a goal. As I was not going to be breaking my neck at Canberra, I started thinking about the possibility of doing the 6 Foot Track Marathon.
Yeah, I know a funny thing to be thinking about after you've collapsed running 10km. I must be mad!
I mentioned this to O Runner and asked him if he thought this was a possibility or whether I had completely flipped my lid. He gave me great hope and confidence by saying that I had developed a great base over the months prior and that I had the fitness to give it a go but that I needed to recover psychologically to have a remote chance of doing it. He later suggested this 6 Hour Metrogaine which involved running for 6 hours, picking up points along the way for each checkpoint you completed. He said that if I could run for 6 hours and possibly cover 50km that I could run 6 Foot Track. So a week later, I agreed to partner him in this 6 Hour Metrogaine, which was run today.
Bandanna was right. I did set out with a 3 litre Camelbak type backpack full of water with electrolyte in it. But so did O Runner. What are you supposed to do when you're running for 6 hours in a self supported race which is a bit like a Fat Ass Run? And that didn't last us for the whole run. We had to refill after 4 hours. We ended up drinking 4.5 litres. As for the whistle, it was O Runner's suggestion that we take them as they use them in rogaining to ensure the team does not get separated as Bandanna points out, it is against rogaining rules for the team not to run together. We never needed them at any stage as we ran together right throughout. Actually, I was usually a metre or two behind O Runner most of the way. The guy is a machine!
As for our performance in the event. We managed to finish 5th overall, covering just over 51km in the 6 hours. This included busting our guts in the last 25 minutes to pick up 2 extra checkpoints worth 70 points, only to be penalised 80 points for being back 7:45 late, according to the official watch. If we managed to do it 8 minutes quicker, we would have finished equal 3rd, so a very pleasing result.
I would like to thank O Runner for his confidence in me doing this event and for being an excellent partner on the day. The guy can read a map like palm readers can read palms - quite amazing! And an absolutely ferocious competitor who left nothing out on the course.
I can happily say that I passed my fitness test today and am going to enter my first 6 Foot Track Marathon this week before entries close.
Well, after my collapse 3 weeks ago, I decided to change my goals. This meant that all speed related goals were on the back burner, which meant that a sub 3:20 at Canberra was no longer a goal. As I was not going to be breaking my neck at Canberra, I started thinking about the possibility of doing the 6 Foot Track Marathon.
Yeah, I know a funny thing to be thinking about after you've collapsed running 10km. I must be mad!
I mentioned this to O Runner and asked him if he thought this was a possibility or whether I had completely flipped my lid. He gave me great hope and confidence by saying that I had developed a great base over the months prior and that I had the fitness to give it a go but that I needed to recover psychologically to have a remote chance of doing it. He later suggested this 6 Hour Metrogaine which involved running for 6 hours, picking up points along the way for each checkpoint you completed. He said that if I could run for 6 hours and possibly cover 50km that I could run 6 Foot Track. So a week later, I agreed to partner him in this 6 Hour Metrogaine, which was run today.
Bandanna was right. I did set out with a 3 litre Camelbak type backpack full of water with electrolyte in it. But so did O Runner. What are you supposed to do when you're running for 6 hours in a self supported race which is a bit like a Fat Ass Run? And that didn't last us for the whole run. We had to refill after 4 hours. We ended up drinking 4.5 litres. As for the whistle, it was O Runner's suggestion that we take them as they use them in rogaining to ensure the team does not get separated as Bandanna points out, it is against rogaining rules for the team not to run together. We never needed them at any stage as we ran together right throughout. Actually, I was usually a metre or two behind O Runner most of the way. The guy is a machine!
As for our performance in the event. We managed to finish 5th overall, covering just over 51km in the 6 hours. This included busting our guts in the last 25 minutes to pick up 2 extra checkpoints worth 70 points, only to be penalised 80 points for being back 7:45 late, according to the official watch. If we managed to do it 8 minutes quicker, we would have finished equal 3rd, so a very pleasing result.
I would like to thank O Runner for his confidence in me doing this event and for being an excellent partner on the day. The guy can read a map like palm readers can read palms - quite amazing! And an absolutely ferocious competitor who left nothing out on the course.
I can happily say that I passed my fitness test today and am going to enter my first 6 Foot Track Marathon this week before entries close.
Comments:
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Horrie good run today.
51ks in the bush is hard work.
As for 6ft, don't be pushed into it if you don't want to do it. I didn't think it was ever in your plans until next year. You can still run a good Canberra race, and you have not done much trail running as training. Just my thoughts mate. Wouldn't want you caught by the sweeper!
51ks in the bush is hard work.
As for 6ft, don't be pushed into it if you don't want to do it. I didn't think it was ever in your plans until next year. You can still run a good Canberra race, and you have not done much trail running as training. Just my thoughts mate. Wouldn't want you caught by the sweeper!
Well done at the Metrogaine Horrie,
you know what I'm gonna say and that is Do 6 Foot!
Even if you are not racing it, this IS the race of the year. Awesome experience first time.
Cheers!
you know what I'm gonna say and that is Do 6 Foot!
Even if you are not racing it, this IS the race of the year. Awesome experience first time.
Cheers!
Horrie, thanks for running with me, it was a blast!
I've pulled up ok. although the shoulders are a bit tight from the camelback. I hope you picked up some navigation ideas, I know at some sections you were scratching your head as to where we were and were headed. That way when Superflake stops being a mexican you can make sure he doesn't add in those extra km's!
Your choice on six foot, obviously, but I think you know my thoughts. I wouldn't worry about the sweeper like superflake does, if Frank Dearn can do it in 7:15 I think you'll not see the sweeper except at the start and finish.
I've pulled up ok. although the shoulders are a bit tight from the camelback. I hope you picked up some navigation ideas, I know at some sections you were scratching your head as to where we were and were headed. That way when Superflake stops being a mexican you can make sure he doesn't add in those extra km's!
Your choice on six foot, obviously, but I think you know my thoughts. I wouldn't worry about the sweeper like superflake does, if Frank Dearn can do it in 7:15 I think you'll not see the sweeper except at the start and finish.
I've bitten the bullet and entered 6 Foot. I'm really looking forward to it. I haven't seen the course but from what I've heard and the photos I've seen and the experience of running The Equaliser twice as well as Willy to Billy last year, I know what I'm letting myself in for. I'm not expecting a walk in the park but I plan to run with Plu and would like to think that I could help drag him through to a sub 6 hour finish. No need to worry about sweepers Superflake as I plan to be around an hour in front of him.
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