Monday, January 08, 2007
Coastal Classic 12 Hour Ultra
6-7/1/07
After having debuted at this event last year, I decided to give it another crack. I also reminded Belinda that after lap scoring and crewing for me last year, she told me she wanted to run it this year. So I entered both of us and put a post up on Cool Running to call for a lap scorer. We were fortunate that both Jen and Will responded and were both very keen to do it. As Eagle was also coming up for a look at the lure of a track Ultra, they both had jobs.
As I was in the best shape of my life pre Christmas, I was confident in beating my 102km from last year. I started to dream about the possibility of running 110km. As happens in running when you start to plan ahead, something then threatens to challenge your plans. This time it was rolling my left ankle a couple of days before Christmas on an innocuous 30 minute run that I do every Friday. This meant having to opt out of the Christmas Eve Quarry Rd run that I organised. I also rested on Christmas Day and curtailed the alcohol intake to help aid recovery. I then headed out on Boxing Day with Belinda for a DIY SWEAT training run due to Sean being away. I could now bear weight on the ankle but it wasn't really comfortable with the idea of running but progress was being made. I continued training with Belinda and after she had a great run at Quarry Rd, she was really looking forward to the Beyond the Black Stump Run on New Year's Day. We had to put the brakes on that day to ensure that Belinda pulled up well and could have a good training week to lead into this event and continue the buildup to 6 Foot Track in March. We then started the carbo load on Friday, which I didn't do last year. Belinda's preparation was first class and she is really teaching me how to prepare more thoroughly and not just hope to turn up on the day and have a good run. We then made a list of everything we needed to ensure that no stone was unturned and that we wouldn't be left short for anything needed on the night.
The race started and there was a bigger field than last year and my plan was to go out harder than last year, knowing that at some stage I was going to slow down. Whereas, Belinda's plan was to be conservative at the beginning and just build into the run and see what happens. She had no distance goals. Her only goal was that she would be out on the track for the full 12 hours and still be running at the end. My pace at the beginning was a bit quicker than I planned and there was plenty of runners to help accommodate this. Sportsman, Eagle, Thrax and others made sure that if you wanted a top 10 finish, you were going to have to earn it. The field was stronger this year and had a lot more depth than last year. I soon settled into 5:08/km pace and stayed consistently on this pace through the first hour. The half marathon came up in around 1:50 and I was feeling very comfortable. A few runners were checking with me that I hadn't gone out too hard but I was feeling strong and wanted to take advantage of this. The leader board was updated at the 2 hour mark and I found myself in equal 5th position so I had plenty of company. After 2 hours, I dropped the pace back a bit slightly but still pushed on relentlessly and I could see a few of the more fancied runners start to add walk breaks in so I made a pact to myself that I was not going to have any walk breaks until after I had completed the marathon distance. This came up somewhere between 3:45 and 3:50, which was a shock because I was planning on around 4 hours. When the leader board was updated at the 4 hour mark, I think I was in 4th position but I was starting to build a buffer between myself and the runners behind me so I kept pushing on and decided the walk break was going to have to wait. Relentlessly I pushed on and the 50km mark was reached in a bit over 4 and a half hours. Then at the 5 hour mark, I allowed myself the luxury of a singlet change and a walk lap when I consumed a packet of salt and vinegar chips and a cup of coke. This time of a 12 hour event is an interesting one because you can see what effect it is starting to have on everybody. For those that are tackling their first Ultra like Belinda, Becky O and Omni, the signs are very visible and they show signs of hurt. However, Belinda is starting to build into the run nicely as she has started conservatively and now knows what works for her in fuelling/hydration after a few stomach issues. She then proceeds to bring up the marathon in around 5:50 and I congratulate her at this point of now being an Ultra Marathoner. She feels proud of herself at this point but knows the job is only half done.
The leader board is again updated at the 6 Hour mark and I now find myself in equal 3rd position with Shaun Atchison, a fellow Strider who runs sub 3 marathons and has a sub 37 10km PB. But I tell myself at this point to just run consistently and control what I can. If he or other quicker runners than me start taking laps off me, just stay relaxed and focussed and make them earn it. I don't see him for quite a while, which is not unusual as runners can be running a similar pace to you and be on the same lap as you. I also don't see the first 2 runners for ages and am comfortable in the knowledge that my form is good and they are not taking laps off me. Then Shaun appears in a fresh running kit and takes a lap off me. He soon takes another walk break and I get the lap back. At this point I ask Louis Commins who has come up to spectate to keep me informed where he is as he is now behind me. He again runs past me and into the distance. I again go past him when he has a walk break. I love these track ultras as you get a good sense of how others are travelling. I go through the 50 mile mark in around 8 hours. I get news from Jen and Will that Belinda is approaching the 55km mark. I am so happy and proud of her and she is also relentlessly pushing on. The leader board is again updated at the 8 hour mark and I am blown away by the fact that I now have an 8 lap lead over Shaun and am in clear 3rd position. This is despite the fact that I had to stop for an urgent toilet break as my stomach is starting to take the strain of drinking every 15 minutes and eating solid food every 30 minutes and be running at such a strong pace. I work hard on staying relaxed and just to keep moving. I am aware that my pace has now dropped to over 6 minute kms but with a few runners now starting to take laps off me, I am safe in the knowledge that I have built quite a big buffer and they are going to have to run like the clappers if they are going to beat me. I now want that podium finish more than ever and I resist the urge to have more walk breaks. I finally relent and have another walk lap at the 9 hour mark where I again chow down some Salt and Vinegar chips and a cup of coke. It is not long after this that I realise Shaun is having some issues with dehydration as he is laid down by his crew with his legs in the air but he is a tough cookie and the next lap he is out there running again. I then hear his crew talking to him about revising his plans and now aim for 110km. As much as I feel for him, this is music to my ears because I am confident that I am going to reach 110km and this should see me ahead of him at the finish. Eagle, who has had a been on a roller coaster of energy levels throughout is now having another good patch as is Sportsman. As are a couple of others who I imagine are in the top 10 and they are starting to take laps off me. I know I have a good buffer but this makes me realise that the race is not over until the 12 hour mark. The leader board is updated at the 10 hour mark and it doesn't surprise me that Sportsman is now in 4th position and only 7 laps behind. He is in the zone and is running strongly. After having a walk break, Eagle decides to run with me and is comfortable in churning out 2:35 laps as he can now see sight of the 100km mark. He has decided to pull the pin once he reaches the 100km mark, saving himself for Canberra. I then go through the 100km in around 10:13, which is 17 minutes ahead of the plan. I again treat myself to a cup of water over the head, a gear change and another walk lap to again consume my beloved salt and vinegar chips and cup of coke. I again link up with Eagle and we get the bus rolling along again. I make a joke that the only person missing is Aunty K and we would have the K Bus together again. Then at one great moment, we pass by the lap scorers and Sportsman and Belinda have hopped on board for a short while. This night just kept getting better. Daylight had now broken and Belinda just brought up 70km. Eagle and I just keep rolling along and I find his company at this point so helpful as it ensures I keep the pace consistent and limits the number of laps Sportsman can take off me. As Sportsman laps me again, he mentions that he has his sights on the Male 50-59 Australian 12 hour track record. I quickly ask him what it is. He tells me it is 113.5km. I now realise he is on a mission and if I want to hang onto the podium finish, I am going to need to cover at least 114km. Eagle passes the 100km mark and after finishing the lap just to make sure he gets credited with the 100km result, he keeps his promise and exits the track. At the completion of the same lap, I have now covered 110km. As soon as I finish that lap, Will challenges me to reach 115km. I am grateful for this as I now have a focus that I will need now that I won't have the benefit of Eagle's company and pacing. A quick calculation tells me I have a bit over 36 minutes to cover the 12 laps required to reach 115km. 3 minutes a lap sounds easy but I know if I don't keep pushing myself to keep the laps consistent then it won't happen. I am comforted by the knowledge that I am still keeping them well under 3 minutes. Somewhere while I am in this zone, I get news from Will and Jen that Belinda is going to bring up the 50 mile mark. As fortune has it, just as Belinda happened to be at the point when I brought up the 100km mark, I was with her when she brought up that milestone. There was plenty of emotion but I still had a mission to complete so I quickly had to leave her and keep pressing on. As I was closing in on the 115km mark, I could hear Sportsman's crew counting the laps down to the Australian Record. He managed to bring it up one lap before I brought up the 115km. I now calculated that I must still be 3 laps ahead of him and he would have to pass me 3 times in the last 5 minutes to take 3rd place. It was at this point that I could finally relax in the knowledge that I had cemented the podium finish. I couldn't believe it as I never dreamed of being on a podium in running. I never thought I was that good. But that is the beauty of Ultra Marathons, you don't have to be fast, you just have to have the guts, drive and determination to keep soldiering on. I am very fortunate to be married to a great woman who also has those same qualities.
Finally, I would just like to thank Will and Jen for giving up their night and far exceeding what you need from a lap scorer/crew. I can honestly say that I would not have achieved what I did without their help and assistance. Thanks heaps guys.
After having debuted at this event last year, I decided to give it another crack. I also reminded Belinda that after lap scoring and crewing for me last year, she told me she wanted to run it this year. So I entered both of us and put a post up on Cool Running to call for a lap scorer. We were fortunate that both Jen and Will responded and were both very keen to do it. As Eagle was also coming up for a look at the lure of a track Ultra, they both had jobs.
As I was in the best shape of my life pre Christmas, I was confident in beating my 102km from last year. I started to dream about the possibility of running 110km. As happens in running when you start to plan ahead, something then threatens to challenge your plans. This time it was rolling my left ankle a couple of days before Christmas on an innocuous 30 minute run that I do every Friday. This meant having to opt out of the Christmas Eve Quarry Rd run that I organised. I also rested on Christmas Day and curtailed the alcohol intake to help aid recovery. I then headed out on Boxing Day with Belinda for a DIY SWEAT training run due to Sean being away. I could now bear weight on the ankle but it wasn't really comfortable with the idea of running but progress was being made. I continued training with Belinda and after she had a great run at Quarry Rd, she was really looking forward to the Beyond the Black Stump Run on New Year's Day. We had to put the brakes on that day to ensure that Belinda pulled up well and could have a good training week to lead into this event and continue the buildup to 6 Foot Track in March. We then started the carbo load on Friday, which I didn't do last year. Belinda's preparation was first class and she is really teaching me how to prepare more thoroughly and not just hope to turn up on the day and have a good run. We then made a list of everything we needed to ensure that no stone was unturned and that we wouldn't be left short for anything needed on the night.
The race started and there was a bigger field than last year and my plan was to go out harder than last year, knowing that at some stage I was going to slow down. Whereas, Belinda's plan was to be conservative at the beginning and just build into the run and see what happens. She had no distance goals. Her only goal was that she would be out on the track for the full 12 hours and still be running at the end. My pace at the beginning was a bit quicker than I planned and there was plenty of runners to help accommodate this. Sportsman, Eagle, Thrax and others made sure that if you wanted a top 10 finish, you were going to have to earn it. The field was stronger this year and had a lot more depth than last year. I soon settled into 5:08/km pace and stayed consistently on this pace through the first hour. The half marathon came up in around 1:50 and I was feeling very comfortable. A few runners were checking with me that I hadn't gone out too hard but I was feeling strong and wanted to take advantage of this. The leader board was updated at the 2 hour mark and I found myself in equal 5th position so I had plenty of company. After 2 hours, I dropped the pace back a bit slightly but still pushed on relentlessly and I could see a few of the more fancied runners start to add walk breaks in so I made a pact to myself that I was not going to have any walk breaks until after I had completed the marathon distance. This came up somewhere between 3:45 and 3:50, which was a shock because I was planning on around 4 hours. When the leader board was updated at the 4 hour mark, I think I was in 4th position but I was starting to build a buffer between myself and the runners behind me so I kept pushing on and decided the walk break was going to have to wait. Relentlessly I pushed on and the 50km mark was reached in a bit over 4 and a half hours. Then at the 5 hour mark, I allowed myself the luxury of a singlet change and a walk lap when I consumed a packet of salt and vinegar chips and a cup of coke. This time of a 12 hour event is an interesting one because you can see what effect it is starting to have on everybody. For those that are tackling their first Ultra like Belinda, Becky O and Omni, the signs are very visible and they show signs of hurt. However, Belinda is starting to build into the run nicely as she has started conservatively and now knows what works for her in fuelling/hydration after a few stomach issues. She then proceeds to bring up the marathon in around 5:50 and I congratulate her at this point of now being an Ultra Marathoner. She feels proud of herself at this point but knows the job is only half done.
The leader board is again updated at the 6 Hour mark and I now find myself in equal 3rd position with Shaun Atchison, a fellow Strider who runs sub 3 marathons and has a sub 37 10km PB. But I tell myself at this point to just run consistently and control what I can. If he or other quicker runners than me start taking laps off me, just stay relaxed and focussed and make them earn it. I don't see him for quite a while, which is not unusual as runners can be running a similar pace to you and be on the same lap as you. I also don't see the first 2 runners for ages and am comfortable in the knowledge that my form is good and they are not taking laps off me. Then Shaun appears in a fresh running kit and takes a lap off me. He soon takes another walk break and I get the lap back. At this point I ask Louis Commins who has come up to spectate to keep me informed where he is as he is now behind me. He again runs past me and into the distance. I again go past him when he has a walk break. I love these track ultras as you get a good sense of how others are travelling. I go through the 50 mile mark in around 8 hours. I get news from Jen and Will that Belinda is approaching the 55km mark. I am so happy and proud of her and she is also relentlessly pushing on. The leader board is again updated at the 8 hour mark and I am blown away by the fact that I now have an 8 lap lead over Shaun and am in clear 3rd position. This is despite the fact that I had to stop for an urgent toilet break as my stomach is starting to take the strain of drinking every 15 minutes and eating solid food every 30 minutes and be running at such a strong pace. I work hard on staying relaxed and just to keep moving. I am aware that my pace has now dropped to over 6 minute kms but with a few runners now starting to take laps off me, I am safe in the knowledge that I have built quite a big buffer and they are going to have to run like the clappers if they are going to beat me. I now want that podium finish more than ever and I resist the urge to have more walk breaks. I finally relent and have another walk lap at the 9 hour mark where I again chow down some Salt and Vinegar chips and a cup of coke. It is not long after this that I realise Shaun is having some issues with dehydration as he is laid down by his crew with his legs in the air but he is a tough cookie and the next lap he is out there running again. I then hear his crew talking to him about revising his plans and now aim for 110km. As much as I feel for him, this is music to my ears because I am confident that I am going to reach 110km and this should see me ahead of him at the finish. Eagle, who has had a been on a roller coaster of energy levels throughout is now having another good patch as is Sportsman. As are a couple of others who I imagine are in the top 10 and they are starting to take laps off me. I know I have a good buffer but this makes me realise that the race is not over until the 12 hour mark. The leader board is updated at the 10 hour mark and it doesn't surprise me that Sportsman is now in 4th position and only 7 laps behind. He is in the zone and is running strongly. After having a walk break, Eagle decides to run with me and is comfortable in churning out 2:35 laps as he can now see sight of the 100km mark. He has decided to pull the pin once he reaches the 100km mark, saving himself for Canberra. I then go through the 100km in around 10:13, which is 17 minutes ahead of the plan. I again treat myself to a cup of water over the head, a gear change and another walk lap to again consume my beloved salt and vinegar chips and cup of coke. I again link up with Eagle and we get the bus rolling along again. I make a joke that the only person missing is Aunty K and we would have the K Bus together again. Then at one great moment, we pass by the lap scorers and Sportsman and Belinda have hopped on board for a short while. This night just kept getting better. Daylight had now broken and Belinda just brought up 70km. Eagle and I just keep rolling along and I find his company at this point so helpful as it ensures I keep the pace consistent and limits the number of laps Sportsman can take off me. As Sportsman laps me again, he mentions that he has his sights on the Male 50-59 Australian 12 hour track record. I quickly ask him what it is. He tells me it is 113.5km. I now realise he is on a mission and if I want to hang onto the podium finish, I am going to need to cover at least 114km. Eagle passes the 100km mark and after finishing the lap just to make sure he gets credited with the 100km result, he keeps his promise and exits the track. At the completion of the same lap, I have now covered 110km. As soon as I finish that lap, Will challenges me to reach 115km. I am grateful for this as I now have a focus that I will need now that I won't have the benefit of Eagle's company and pacing. A quick calculation tells me I have a bit over 36 minutes to cover the 12 laps required to reach 115km. 3 minutes a lap sounds easy but I know if I don't keep pushing myself to keep the laps consistent then it won't happen. I am comforted by the knowledge that I am still keeping them well under 3 minutes. Somewhere while I am in this zone, I get news from Will and Jen that Belinda is going to bring up the 50 mile mark. As fortune has it, just as Belinda happened to be at the point when I brought up the 100km mark, I was with her when she brought up that milestone. There was plenty of emotion but I still had a mission to complete so I quickly had to leave her and keep pressing on. As I was closing in on the 115km mark, I could hear Sportsman's crew counting the laps down to the Australian Record. He managed to bring it up one lap before I brought up the 115km. I now calculated that I must still be 3 laps ahead of him and he would have to pass me 3 times in the last 5 minutes to take 3rd place. It was at this point that I could finally relax in the knowledge that I had cemented the podium finish. I couldn't believe it as I never dreamed of being on a podium in running. I never thought I was that good. But that is the beauty of Ultra Marathons, you don't have to be fast, you just have to have the guts, drive and determination to keep soldiering on. I am very fortunate to be married to a great woman who also has those same qualities.
Finally, I would just like to thank Will and Jen for giving up their night and far exceeding what you need from a lap scorer/crew. I can honestly say that I would not have achieved what I did without their help and assistance. Thanks heaps guys.
Comments:
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Congratulations Horrie and Belinda on your great achievements. Excellent result to get on the podium Horrie.
You are that good. BOTH of you. Well done and I hope you revel in your amazingness for some time to come.
Take it easy this week but be sure to blog your recoveries so us non-ultra runners can see what it is like afterwards to run that far.
You guys just blow me away.
Take it easy this week but be sure to blog your recoveries so us non-ultra runners can see what it is like afterwards to run that far.
You guys just blow me away.
Congratulations to you both, that is fantastic! Well done on your much deserved podium finish Horrie and for a brilliant debut ultra Belinda. Hope to see you both soon.
wow! once again can I just say you guys are so cool! crazy - but cool! congrats on the 3rd place and Belinda... what more can I say - amazing!
hope you both recover well - take a well earned break!
hope you both recover well - take a well earned break!
Great stuff guys. I can see that it would take huge mental toughness to break the back of that race. Well done.
What a privilege for you both to be able to share such an amazing experience and to come out of it, with fantastic results. I'm glad Will and Jen were able to share it with you. As you said a brilliant team effort.
TA
TA
Congratulations Horrie on a great podium finish. It was the first ultra I've watched and I couldnt believe how you could just keep going and going it was amazing. It was really great to experience it with Belinda also, she looked so strong the whole way.
Thanks also for all the words of encouragement along the way.
Thanks also for all the words of encouragement along the way.
Those are breakthrough runs for you both. Third place is fantastic Horrie and a huge improvement from last year. Good stuff.
I hope the recovery goes well. See you in March.
I hope the recovery goes well. See you in March.
Sensational! The Belinda and Horrie show has got off to an awesome start in '07! Well done to both of you. I'm very glad to see you both getting the results you deserve.
It was an absolute pleasure. Consider this a standing offer to lap score/crew for you both again - name the time & place & I'll be there.
J
J
Sensational report Horrie, to match the outstanding performance from yourself and Belinda.
Great work, once again showing that you get out of running what you put in!
Great work, once again showing that you get out of running what you put in!
Horrie and Belinda, what an awesome couple of runs.
Hope you are both enjoying your recovery, excellent read Horrie!
Hope you are both enjoying your recovery, excellent read Horrie!
Congrats again guys. Hope you are enjoying a very relaxing recovery.
PS Good to see the competitive Horrie come out!
PS Good to see the competitive Horrie come out!
Sensational runs and post to match.
I hear you when you say Ultras are a great levelers.Well you guys proved you are tougher than most without doubt!
Congratulations!
I hear you when you say Ultras are a great levelers.Well you guys proved you are tougher than most without doubt!
Congratulations!
huge effort mate.
u wouldnt believe how far my jaw dropped when i heard how far u went.
and third place to boot!
western states watch out.
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u wouldnt believe how far my jaw dropped when i heard how far u went.
and third place to boot!
western states watch out.
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