Early on I settled into a conservative pace, for once letting the shorter distance guys run on ahead. The course was four laps of a figure-eight loop, with the start/finish point in the middle. The trail was flat and soft in parts, but generally quite firm.
My pre-race goal was to run around 4 hours 40 minutes. Given the bonus kilometres, and the soft surface, this would be the equivalent to approximately 4 hours 20-odd minutes for a straight 50km. Decent enough especially as my previous 50km best was over five hours Up until this run, my fifth ultra, my races involved more crashes than a kid’s dodgem car race.
The first lap was comfortable going through in 1 hour 3 minutes. Well ahead of the plan, but I felt good and kept up the same pace. Past halfway in 2 hours 6 minutes and by now, I had a reasonably big lead in the 50km event. My crew/family were right on point with my drinks. Everything looked to be going a little too well as it turned out.
This is the time to point out my biggest mistake of the whole weekend though. As this was a beach themed event, I had (foolishly) decided to wear a rashie shirt. The problem with these bad boys is that they don’t breathe. It’s like wearing a wet towel after a couple of hours of running, and by the midway point of the third lap I was boiling like an egg. I began to experience dizziness during lap three, and had stopped sweating. A bad sign.
During the realisation that I was in some trouble, I managed to get through to the end of the third lap (approximately 39.5km). I still had a decent lead, but my pace had slowed and I went through in 3 hours 14 minutes. My wife took off my rashie and tried to cool me down. I guzzled about three litres of water in five minutes. It was time to assess whether it was a smart idea to run for another 13-plus clicks with heat exhaustion.
The temptation to push on despite all the physical warning signs and growing mental demons is both a blessing and a curse. After a DNF at the ADU in 2018 when I attempted the 100km, I have developed a sheer disdain at even the thought of pulling out in an ultra. Yet, in these moments of distress you start to bargain and compromise with yourself. It takes a stronger sense of purpose, belief and motivation to keep going when all the logical signs point to calling it a day.
Off I go on the final lap shirtless and with a fresh bottle of iced water. However, I got just a few hundred metres from the start/finish area when all the cold water and diluted electrolytes re-surfaced. After the fun of uncontrolled vomiting, I promptly drank the entire bottle I was carrying.
One of the Ultra Series WA regular runners/entertainers Frank Chauveau noticed my incapacitated state and stopped to help. As I walked for a bit with Frank while telling him about trials and tribulations, I started to feel a bit more human. Which was good as second placed at the time, Logan Vickers had caught up to me. I managed to stay with Logan for a few kilometres but he started to pull away and I dropped back. The company and words of wisdom from Logan about not quitting were extremely helpful. I had already decided to push on, although being sick all over the local flora I was as close to pulling the plug as you can get.
The rest of the final lap was incident-free, but my pace was slowing and when Rob Freitag passed me I suspected I might be pushed off the podium. With a last drive over the final few kilometres, I managed to hold off the next runner and finish third in 4 hours 37 minutes. Under my pre-race target and an unexpected top three, particularly given the very good competition.
As I reflect on the event, a few things stand out. The amazing comradery from all the runners out on the course, with mutual encouragement and appreciation, was a privilege to be a part of. This is a special group of people and it inspires me to be a more supportive runner. I am especially thankful to Frank, Logan and Rob for their help and words to me when I needed it most.
Another is my gratitude for the absolutely committed and incredibly effective crew which I am so blessed to have by my side. My wife and kids are a major part of why I do these crazy races, and to see (and hear) their encouragement and support makes it all worth it. Finally, the organisation, passion and commitment from Shaun, Chris and the vollies is always just incredible to witness and appreciated beyond words. I can’t thank these guys enough for taking the time and effort to stage these wonderful events.
Despite the issues, I am pretty chuffed at the final result and pushing myself through the physical issues. To not only finish but hold onto to a podium place and cross the line inside my goal time. It was a bonus to spend some recreation time with my fellow runners after the race and at the campsite on Saturday night. I just cannot wait for the rest of the 2019 Ultra Series WA calendar of events.
