6 Foot 06
Well there had been a lot of trash talk leading up to this great race and so I felt I needed to have a good run and maybe if I was lucky a great run. I know that in his younger days Whippet had a 32-33?min 10km PB which told me that he was capable of beating me easy. RMC I was worried had gone into secret 6 Foot training and was going to have a blinder. Well in my dreams I would also beat Spud but was uncertain how that was going to happen so I did not think about that one too hard.
Got up there Friday afternoon and grabbed a tofu burger then got the keys and found our weekend home and then that evening went for some Indian food. Not long after the Indian I knew there was something wrong with my guts. I stated getting terrible pain. I put it down to indigestions and hoped a good night sleep would see it ok. Unfortunately the sleep did not go well and I was up half the night either in fetal position or in the bathroom.
Race day I put the stomach trouble out of my head and headed out. The ultra guys all seemed to hang together talking the usually stuff and Brendan kept us amused with his pack and head torch.
Soon it was start time and the first group was off. I was only 2 back in the second group but got hammered at the start with shoving and elbowing as we madly moved to the stairs. I really look forward to getting to the fire trail and trying to settle into a rhythm. Stomach not good but everything else felt good. Passed through the first water stop and decided to have a sip. Stomach pain! So I did not bother drinking again until after Cox. My legs and footing felt great on the roller coaster down to Cox. Although on the way down I saw RMC have a huge fall. He picked himself up and seemed ok but it looked nasty. There seemed to be a so many people on the ride to Cox and the single trail made passing difficult. Next year I think I will try to get there earlier.
Hit the Cox went for the River crossing thinking it would be a good photo but was all over the place on the rocks and I am sure the photo I imagined was not going to happen. I knew that I would not get to Pluvi without some food and water so I ate a piece of watermelon and had a drink. Ouch! Heading up Mini Mini I started to feel like I could bear the pain in my gut and so I really needed to keep forcing the watermelon and water in and I‘d survive. I made Pluvi in 3:01, I was hoping for 2:55 but still felt I had some run in my legs and started my plod to Deviation. If I could push it I may still make a sub 5. On the Black Range I passed Hermie who said he was spent and did not seem to have anything left in his tank. Then in the distance I could see a fellow brightly dressed in all the coolrunning gear taking photos and cheering everyone on, it was Plu. Plu ran with me for a minute and informed me that whippet was 10 minutes ahead, I slumped, but Spud was only 7 minutes away, I picked up. 7 minutes? Maybe I could catch him! So I picked up my pace but after about 100m I realized that was definitely kidding myself. Then Amjan passed me, looking way to cheerful and running way to well. Dam it this will be the second time she has beaten me here. Last time was only my a few seconds. There were moments of feeling crappy. Everyone was now in front of me, well except for RMC but he had fallen over. The in the distance was Graham Wye. I could now focus on him and catch him. Dam him for beating me in last years PMC by 5 minutes and making me come dead last!! I caught up and we talked about how we always finish every race within a few minutes of each other and then I pulled away. It is funny how you look for small challenges to keep your head busy and not thinking about how much everything hurts. Especially your stomach!
The hill to Caves Rd was ok and then I knew it was getting time for the big down hill to the finish. I ran well on the up and down to the last stretch and then I hammered the hill. Hit the cobblestones and just let go and then coming down the stairs and hearing all the cheers and my name on the PA was magic. Ok no sub 5 but a PB. Next year it will be sub 5 and a buckle!
That afternoon and night I was back in fetal position with a heat pack on my stomach but hey who cares I ran a PB.
This entry was posted
on Monday, March 13, 2006 at 10:09 AM.
