Running Up That Hill (part 2)

A quick recap of part 1;

I've just ascended Arthurs Seat, I'm feeling like I've run 5k (not 3), I have 25k's to go, and there are sunglasses perched on top of my head!

Having got the worst of the climb behind, it was now time to concentrate on working my way into the race. At this point the track starts to slowly descend on the back of Arthurs Seat, and the pace goes from a shuffle, to a good fast jog. There are lots of runners in front and behind. Twisting through the forest we looked like a demented conga line, or a fast moving queue for the toilets at a Polynesian wedding!

A quick inventory of the body (legs fine, breathing measured and heart rate still in the ‘sensible’ zone), I started to move along and think about the rest of the race. I was also wondering where my teammates were, and how they were all going

Along the single track we were moving well, with no issues apart from the occasional runner trying to squeeze their way past. I was content to just run at the pace of the people in front, it felt somewhat slower than I would be usually running at this point in a race, but I was fine with that. At about the 5k mark we left the single track and turned onto a steeply declining gravel road. After nearly coming a cropper on the loose surface I decided (along with most other runners) to chance running on the side in the newly slashed grass (twisted ankle from grass clumps, or busted face from loose gravel; devils choice really!)

Periodically along the path were little signs placed by the organisers saying things like ‘enjoy the view’ as we passed sections where we could see down to Sorrento. At this point I suddenly realised that I still had sunglasses perched on the top of my head; no worries, it was cloudy!

At the 7k mark we emerged from the bush tracks to a section along the roads which most other runners around me seemed to bitch about. Didn’t worry me, been a road runner for years. I just put my head down and got into a nice zone, knowing that very soon we would be back in the bush. 5k later we did finally head back into the bush, but not before we encountered the first of the two aid stations on Browns Road, and an unscheduled stop to brush shoes down to prevent the spread of phytophthora. The aid stations are legendary on the Two Bays race. Staffed by very (and I mean VERY) enthusiastic volunteers, they clap and cheer everybody as they pass through the station and call out your name. It is very uplifting, and many of us made a point of acknowledging their support on the way through.

Volunteers at Browns Road, this years winners in the battle of the aid stations!

The unscheduled stop at the brush down point occurred because there were too many runners arriving at the one time for the single brush! The previously mentioned fast moving toilet queue suddenly stopped, and many bemused runners stood around in an orderly line waiting to go through. I was not too fussed, it was good to stop and have a drink before heading off again. (Next year, organisers have advised that there will be multiple wash down stations here as runners behind me had to wait up to 15 minutes to clear this obstruction!)

Jonathan leading the train towards Browns Road. The keen eyed will spy a pair of orange runners following close behind Jonathan. Cheryl, drafting closely (experienced runner!)

The 12k mark was a point at which I had decided that if I was feeling fine to try and push the pace a little bit. From here to the 16k mark the elevation profile dipped like a cereal bowl, 16k being the lip on the other side at the same height. From the 16k mark it was downhill (as a trend) until the finish! Up the front for Wonder Winnies David was powering on in an effort to beat last year’s time, Ed, Jonathan and Cheryl were close enough together to throw a blanket over them, Josie was also close to them, Brian was trailing somewhere behind me and Sam and Michelle were close together bringing up the rear. By all reports we were all having good races, despite the lack of preparation by most of the team.

Kilometres 12 to 16 passed without any incident and I stopped briefly at the 16k marker to have a carbohydrate gel. Upon rejoining the race I caught up with a group of about 7 runners (all male), and we grouped together in a line and ran for about 2k’s. One by one runners would peel of the front and let the rest of us through, until there were only 3, then for the last 2k’s it was just one guy in front of me. It was during this section heading down to the Boneo Road aid station that I had the first of 2 ‘squeaky bum’ incidents! This section had a number of boardwalks, but some were very old. At one point, sick of running down the steps in a dainty manner that I am not usually accustomed to, I decided to leap ala superman down to the board below. A loud crack came from the board, and I had a sudden image of my foot smashing through it, breaking ankle, or shin, or dislocating a hip! The runner in front must have nearly shit himself, but asked if I was alright. Heart rate went through the roof and I made a pact with myself not to be so reckless for the rest of the race.

Just approaching Boneo Road aid station.

Made it into Boneo Road aid station okay, but needed to refuel the body as I could feel some fatigue creeping in. Grabbed the first cup of liquid I saw, only to down it in one go and realise it was Coke Cola! So much for the non-added sugar diet! It did the trick; didn’t need any gels for the rest of the race. Boneo Road is at about the 22k mark; just on 6k’s left to run and most of it downhill. Another quick inventory of the body; breathing okay, legs fatigued but in good shape, and sunglasses still perched on top of my head! Feeling refreshed, I started running again as soon as I could. 3 runners passed me within the first kilometre of the aid station, but no more would for the rest of the race! Very soon I was being followed closely by another runner, and the second near miss happened. This time it was the other runner who stood on a tree root as we were pacing fairly quickly on a downhill section. To keep his balance and not fall over, he swung his arm out in a large loop that resulted in me feeling the air swish past as he did. If he’d collected the back of my neck, I reckon the two of us would have gone down in a screaming heap. He survived, and we continued on.

By now I was aware that I was picking up lots of runners and passing them. I wasn’t going any faster than earlier, in fact I had dropped my pace back by about 10 seconds a kilometre as my quads were now feeling a bit tender. The main reason seemed to be that a lot of people had gone out too hard, too early and were now paying the price. Whether it was the climb up Arthurs, or just too fast to the 12 or 16k marks, I don’t know. But it gave me even greater confidence that I was running well, and I used each successive runner as a means to drive myself harder for the finish line.

Before we got there though, there was one final injustice. A set of steps just after a gully crossing that was the final nail into the coffin of our shattered legs. I stopped and walked, but it was too much for the guy following me. He could barely lift his leg to walk each step. I got to the top and set off for the final 2k’s to the finish line.

The Team: Bushrangers Bay section and nearing the end.

By now I could hear the surf crashing on the rocks of the shoreline we were following, and I could hear the PA system at the finish line. Over a sandy section, down a small gravel road and we rounded a bend to climb (really?) a section of the Cape Schanck lighthouse car park to the finish line. I was exhausted, but really happy with my effort. I had finished in 2:47, under my projected time of 2:50, but missing the ultimate time of 2:43. I wasn’t the least bit worried, finishing this race in the manner I did, made up for the disappointment that I felt at the Melbourne Marathon last year.

I crossed the line, shook hands with the Race Director and scored a spot prize for having pimped my board shorts with team name, pithy sayings etc., then went in search of the teammates who had finished in front of me to swap race stories and get photos. And the sunglasses were still on top of my head! (Sun came out later that morning...)

Brian, Cheryl, David, Jonathan, Ed, Michelle, Sam and myself posing triumphantly in front of the Two Bays car.

Lachlan (non team member), Jonathan, David, Ed, Cheryl and Josie after finishing.

The general feeling was that we had all had great races, had worked out where to cut time for next year’s race, and were planning already for running Rollercoaster, a 21k race with an even more insane elevation profile!

We waited for all our team to arrive before heading back to the resort to shower, eat, drink, and swap war stories! 

One for each member of the team? A well earned haul...

Footnote: Passing the first aid tent I couldn't help but have a quick look inside. It resembled a scene from a war movie; bodies busted up in all manner of places. Suddenly realised how dangerous it would have been to trip and fall on the track.

For the record: All the finishing times for team Wonder Winnies.

Postscript: And in a photo finish, Team Wonder Winnies took out first place in the Mixed 28k teams event by the narrowest of margins. 49 seconds separated our best 4 runners from the team in second place (the first 4 must include at least one of either gender). This time included the time it took us to cross the line! Next year we are all wearing board shorts and Hawaiian shirts to get a preferred start position.