Driver 8

33rd Puffing Billy Great Train Race.

Promo shot of Puffing Billy (All photos courtesy of The Friends of Puffing Billy, except where noted)

Setting the Scene

Climbing up to near the 10k mark of the race and the legs are fatiguing, lungs and heart are working overtime, and I'm desperately searching for the forth and final rail crossing. Somewhere behind me the train whistle peeps, but I have no idea how far back it is as the sound echoes through the hills. The road continues to climb (will it ever flatten out) and most of us are really struggling to maintain the pace we had started the climb with. The train whistle blows again, closer and more urgent. Just as I was about to admit defeat that I was not going to beat the train to the crossing, I round a corner and spy the signs ahead, 250 metres away. Whistle blows again, closer this time. Give us a break!

By now officials and supporters are jogging up the road towards us screaming encouragement, imploring us to dig deep and beat the train. Whistle blows again and I summon one last reserve of energy for the sprint towards the crossing. I'm followed by several other runners, all of us intent on beating that bloody train to the finish!

Exciting stuff, hey! Let's just calm down a bit and go back to were it all started.

In the Beginning (Ticket to Ride)

Being a 9:30 race start (very civilised) it was a leisurely breakfast and pack up at the place I was staying in Ferntree Gully, before heading up to the Metro train station to catch the train to Belgrave. Thanks to the modern marvel that is Victorian Public transport train ticketing, there was no romantic farewell on the platform with my wife; she wasn't allowed on there! Thank you very much, Myki! ...pricks...

Train arrived loaded with runners, a bit of pre-race banter, then we arrived at Belgrave and the race start. The usual pre-race chaos was in place, not helped by the threat of inclement weather, and the crowded streets and surrounds.

It was cool, bordering on cold, and I left it till the very last moment to strip down to race gear and drop off my gear bag for delivery to the finish line. Bumped into a couple of other Dandenong Trail Runners (Narelle and Belle), had a quick chat and then headed down to the start line. As I was waiting around, I met up with another runner who had a red coloured race bib, and we were both worried that as 1st wave seeded runners we had bitten off more than we could chew. Needn't have worried! Also bumped into Ash from TXR runners; he was buzzing and hyper, very ready to run!

Race Start (Leaving the Station)

Race start: cue the madness as everyone pushes for a good position.

We finally were marshalled around the corner to the start line; promo shots, short speeches, introduction to the train driver (to a chorus of boos!), sing (mumble) the national anthem, then we were ready to go. In keeping with the general train theme, the start was heralded not by a siren or start gun, but by a whistle (Casey Jones, indeed...). This was the first time I have witnessed real confusion at the start of a race. Starters whistle blows, and 4 or 5 runners bolt immediately; the rest of us hesitate ever so slightly before someone behind me yells "Just Go!", and off we all went.

First rail crossing, beautiful trestle bridge on Belgrave-Gembrook Road

Cue some carnage. Camera crew had positioned themselves 50 metres beyond the start line, and INSIDE the line of the runners. So, sprinting at the start (I was 5th row back), runners to my left suddenly veered right without warning. A runner beside suddenly tripped and went down rapidly. All I could do was vault him and hope that I didn't clip his elbow with my feet, and that the runners behind me didn't trample him. Hope he was alright.

The first kilometre was madness. Runners surging past, some in front already slowing up, and lots of jostling for position. We passed under the trestle bridge, the first point where the rail meets the road, then continued along the Belgrave-Gembrook road. Overnight rain made the road wet and a bit slippery in places, then it started to spit rain as we hauled ourselves up the first of the climbs. I was breathing hard early and worried that I had gone out too hard, resisting the urge to look at my GPS watch and see pace and/or heart rate. By the 3k mark I was running alongside similarly paced runners and was able to settle into a rhythm. The road undulated, so you went from hard work on the hills, to recovery down the other side.

First crossing on Selby-Aura Road where runners can get caught. No too many people looking upset. I'd be climbing the walls!

The Major Climb (I Think I Can)

Just as things are going well we turned into the gravel section of Selby-Aura Road at the 5k mark and started a 2k climb that would really test our reserves of energy. It was along this road I spotted Matty Morris of TXR runners, only about 30 metres ahead and toyed with the idea of trying to slowly catch up. Running beside a friendly face is always good policy. But I couldn't catch him. Towards the top, a spectator yelled out encouragement, "Just 250 metres to the top guys. Well done!". Actually it was a soul destroying 400+! Oh well, nice sentiments. Finally breasted the hill and I grabbed my first drink at the the second drink station. Previous drink station was best avoided.
Back out onto the bitumen, and by now we have crossed 3 level crossings. Periodically during that time a whistle blast would be heard, signalling the train, but you never knew exactly where it was, just that the driver was playing mind games with us! The hardest of the climbs behind us, we rejoined the Belgrave-Gembrook road for the final climb to Emerald and the all-important 4th level crossing. Beat the train through here, and you have a great chance of beating it to the finish. Which leads me back to the start of this story....

The Real Race

With 75 metres to the crossing, train blowing his whistle behind me (and by now I can hear the steam coming from the pistons), I put my head down and charged forward. Several runners came with me and we crossed the railway line amidst a number of officials looking like they were about to close the barrier, and a large group of spectators yelling encouragement. Adrenalin and energy spent, I turned right into Emerald station trying hard to ignore the fact that I was cooked. Past another aid station, and some people stopped or walking, looking the worse for wear, and then back on to Heroes Road (how ironic!) for the final 'jelly legs' 3k downhill finish.

Just before the descent, a vision of purple appeared off my left shoulder; Narelle Lagergren, one tough runner, who was pushing to beat the train. Upon seeing me she commenced a rev-up/pep talk/motivational speech reminiscent of my old rugby coach! Although he had a gut, smoked roll-ups, and carried his greyhounds in the back of his ute, shadowing us for those insane 15k pre-season runs we used to do in Brisbane summer heat. And he never wore purple. Okay, not sure where that analogy was going....

Anyway, we started the descent. Narelle yelling behind her that if we were close at the finish, we should cross together. Sounded good in theory! I tucked in behind her and we let the decline do the work for us. By now I was no longer recovering on the downhills. I was working as hard as I had at any time during the race. The sound of the train was almost constant now as the driver gave it his all. We pushed on, all runners around us had no thought other than putting in to beat the sod. I was still behind Narelle, but struggling to stay close enough and thought I was going to lose her altogether.

The road levelled out and we steered right on to as gravel track for the last 2k's to the finish. Narelle suddenly stopped off the track to tie up a shoelace (double knots, mate) and I ploughed on knowing she would catch up. The path met back up with the railway and by now the train was right behind us. I didn't need to look, I just knew by the sound and the shouts of the passengers. Narelle caught and passed me, and I caught my first sight of the train for the whole race. I was absolutely spent, and many others runners were now streaming past in a last ditch effort to beat it.

Good to see workplace health and safety haven't cottoned on to this! Passengers would hang out of the side of the train yelling encouragement to the runners (At least I think that was what they were yelling!).

The Finish (Arrive at the Station)

I was close, but how close to the finish? I wouldn't look at my watch; I didn't want to know. But, people were telling us we only had several hundred metres to go (which could be anywhere between 200 and 500!), and I just needed to put in a maximal effort and hope that it was enough. The train had got in front of me, then the final nail in the coffin was where we hit the bottom end of Emerald Lake. In previous years the route turned left and there was a 200 metre uphill finish. Recent rain meant that track was washed out, so instead we headed to the right for another 400 metre section. And that is where I finally knew that I was beaten! Soooo close.

I pushed on, a good time was still in the offering, and climbed the final 100 metres to the finish line. The finish straight was lined with spectators, all cheering and clapping, it was a great way to finish. Stopped the watch and spotted Narelle. She came up and we high 10'ed (none of that 5 bullshit!) and hugged each other on a job well done. Neither of us had beaten the train, but we'd run significant personal bests in doing so.

Not close enough to finish with Narelle, but still managed to get in the selfie! (photo credit: Narelle Lagergren)

The finish was just as chaotic as the start. Runners everywhere, many needing medical attention (it was that sort of race), and being a crowded finish line it was impossible to see any of my friends. Nevertheless, still managed to bump into Josie (she'd threatened to run me down, but didn't quite) as we queued for Gatorade and drink bottles.

Race finish at Emerald Lake. Sun was out, finally.

The Wash-Up

Now started the process of finding my wife and son who had been up at Emerald Lake since before 9:30! After bumping in to a few other friends, I finally checked my watch to see the time; 1:01:38 on the watch (1:01:35 officially) for a km pace of 4:36. Very happy with that.
So, what do I take away from Sundays race?

• Despite not doing too much speed work over the last couple of months, I haven't lost too much at all. 
• The hill work that I have substituted has more than compensated for the lack of speed work. And that has probably been a good thing in that it has boosted my aerobic capacity, and not stressed the legs like flat hard runs can do. 
• My strength has increased also due to the hill work. Whilst I slowed down on the hills, I ran a consistent pace up them (particularly Selby-Aura, the 2k climb).
• My pacing was spot on (it helped knowing the elevation profile), and consistent throughout.
• Current training regime is working, no need to shake it up just yet.

A great day, and a great race. Definitely back to do it again next year, and this time I will book Nicky and Jordan on the train. Added incentive to beat it! 

Next week: Macedon 30 (aka The Dirty 30!).

Until next time...