Faded

Over every mountain there is a path, although it may not be seen from the valley.
Theodore Roethke

4 years in a row I've run here, 4 years of running the 30k and getting to know the intricate details of the trails. But this year as race ambassador and in my year of ultras, it felt like time to step it up and do the 50.

Heading out on the 2nd loop of 20k. Still rocking
and rolling here. (Photo credit: Tan Marie)

Lead Up

4 weeks prior, I'd run Margaret River Ultra, 80k. The idea was not to run too much between now and then, emphasis more on recovery as I had plenty of miles in the legs. As the event neared, I considered that I had recovered well enough. But racing is only the ever way to find out.

Once again I decided to stay overnight near Macedon so that I didn't have a long drive at stupid o'clock before a major race. Ate out at the Victoria Hotel in Woodend on Saturday night with Cameron and Megan Wood and Byron Lester. Nice chat, a good meal and a pint of beer to relax the nerves. I was feeling fine, recovered from recenmt racing and still in good shape. My only issue being a grumbling ankle that was a part increase in mileage and possibly not enough downtime on the feet. I also had severely injured it in 2014 and wondered if that was a potential reason. Stopped running a few days early in the last week, a parkrun gently jogged on the Saturday morning seemed to help it. But still, I was going to tape it up for race day.

Race Day

Race day dawned cold and foggy up top. I arrived around 6:30, parked the car and grabbed my gear to head to race registration. Standing around in the dark and the cold chatting with friends, not really making any move to get ready. Basically, I didn't want to get out of my warm clothes and into race kit! Brett Saxon came past to say hello and then launched into his race brief. No surprises for us. But when he finished, we had 10 minutes before race start, and I didn't have shoes on, hydration vest sorted, watch started etc. It was a small race against time, fighting a rising tide of panic as one by one everybody disappeared from the registration area.

Made it to the start line with a few minutes to spare, only just securing my vest as Brett counted down from 10. And then we were off.
As I said before, I've run this race 4 times before in 2014, 2015, 2016 and again last year. Without going into too much detail, this was how the first 30 unfolded for me.

• Kept it nice and easy for first 5 to Camels Hump. Dark under forest cover on a rough track that is chock full of rocks and tree roots.
• Camels hump in fog (see picture). Was great seeing everyone fly back down, shouting encouragement to us hiking up. We all did the same when we ran down.

  

  Pretty much the view from any vantage point for the first few hours of the race.
  Camels Hump lookout at 5k mark.

• Cross Mt. Macedon Road and climb the path towards Days Picnic Ground. run across here and then the lovely section around the Sanitorium Lake and down to the first major aid station. Choccy and fruitcake here.
• The slippery road down to the bottom of our crazy climb was not as muddy as in previous years. Still, I got so out of control I had to run straight into the bush on the side of the road, much like a car on a safety ramp on a mountain pass!
• Crazy climb up, met Tilly Peppers, a quick stop for a selfie, then clamber up the beast.

Tilly and I at the start of the crazy climb up the muddiest section, 11k mark.

• 12k aid station, more choccy, and fruitcake. plus a few potato crisps, then head off into the Pines. Much better through here than last year!
• Back out onto Baringo Road and return back to the same aid station. Another gel, more snacks and then head off to run down a fab piece of single track that leads back to Hells Hole Track. 15.4k in, 1:50 on the watch. Feeling good, certainly better than last year.
• Hells Hole Track is actually a gravel road, probably closed during the wettest of winter months. Straightforward along here, just run the downs and flats, hike the one hill.
• After 2 hours and just over 17k's we come out to the start of the climb over Mt. Towrong. In previous years I've either belted through here at a rate of knots or ambled. This year it was a little bit in between, move with intent whilst holding it back.

The fog was just lifting from Macedon Ranges as we summit Mt. Towrong.

• Mt Towrong is always tough. The track just beyond the summit towards Anzac Road is rocky, the trail hard to follow and difficult to run on without tripping, rolling ankles etc. Last year pulling out my camera for a photo I dropped it, face down onto a rock. Thinking lightening doesn't strike twice, took it out again and trusted to fate!
• Anzac Road represents the lowest point on the 30k section. From here it is basically uphill to the start/finish area. A few runners are still around me, Tilly still just behind as we hit the reservoir on our way to Zig Zag. 
• Zig Zag has tall forests and ferns, very wet through here. It is a hard graft up here, but the scenery makes it easier to deal with. Tilly finally gets past me 1/2 a k before the 22k aid station.
• I get to there in 2:49, very much within my expected time. Stop for a bit of choccy and some potato crisps. Continually snacking, but not overdoing it like I did with the choc brownies at Tarawera.
• Jason Williams catches up with me here and we share the road heading up towards Sanitorium Picnic ground. The 21 and 30k runners are heading the other way. Many hi 5's and call outs, great seeing so many people out supporting this race.
• Around the lake, still more runners streaming past, all keeping left for the 50k runners. We all shout encouragement to each other as we pass. 
• The single trail beyond Days Picnic ground also has a fair few day walkers. It is very busy but thankfully no incidents (that I'm aware of).
• Lost Jason at Days, unscheduled toilet stop! 
• Cross Mt. Macedon Road and head back towards Camels Hump. The 10k runners are coming out of the main path and heading for the lookout that we were at 3 hours, 15 before. 26k+ and the climb uphill to start/finish area continues.
• Belinda Nicholson flies past me along here, on her way to 2nd place in the 10k, setting a cracking pace on the trail.
• Catch Jason again and we run/walk pretty much the whole way into the 30k mark. After 3 hours and 50 minutes, I arrive back at the start line. Interestingly, this was only 1 minute slower than when I ran it last year as a 30k race. And I was completely stuffed then. This year, yeah a bit fatigued but otherwise feeling in good shape.

Beyond The Infinite

Never having run the back 20 at Macedon, I strode off from the aid station at a measured pace. Crossed the road to the carpark and nearly ran down the wrong path. Jason was just behind me and we both had a chuckle. Headed back the way we came to get back on the Macedon Range Walking Trail. A few of us retracing our steps towards Memorial Cross, then we headed down the steep muddy, rocky section on the shady side of Mt. Macedon. Made a mental note down here re the trail, we would return in a few hours time, probably much worse for wear.

Hoods Track, 33k mark.
Worth the entry price alone.

Jason caught up with me again down here, and we caught a few runners on their way down, one girl in road shoes shitting herself she was going to stack on the way down! Peeled of MRWT and onto Hoods Track. And what a lovely surprise this was. Nearing midday and the sun is shining in dappled shafts through the wet foliage. The track has a carpet of leaves in places and along with the sunlight, reflecting off the leaves, it presents a magical view up ahead.

Most of Hoods Track is gently up, run bits, walk bits. As we are walking a runner comes up behind us and we give him encouragement for running past. He says, "Don't worry boys, probably get round the corner and puke my guts up!" We continue along here until we hit the softwood plantation and descend towards Clyde Road. Jason and I are still together, discussing all things UTA (Jason and his running group had just taken a few runners up there 2 weeks ago).

Hit the aid station at 36k in 4:42 and I decided to run through, first one of the day that I did. Energy levels were still good, but I was wavering into that dangerous area where I don't feel like eating or drinking anymore. Cross Cameron Road, and then the start of a long downhill section. The first part was pretty cruisy, but then the descent angle increased, the trail became rocky and it was hard to find a good rhythm down here. Hard left onto Chute Track and then the fun really begins. The track (or road as it is wide enough for a truck) is badly rutted and rocky. And every now and then, a sharp steep descent that smashes the thighs appears, leading up to a just as steep ascent. Legs are definitely feeling it now and not just fatigued, but a little bit sore.

Jason has slowly moved ahead, alongside the potential puker from Hoods Track. Back on my own again after nearly 2 hours, but I was okay. Mentally still in good shape knowing I still had a good couple of hours to go. 2nd placegetter in the 42k event came past along here, looking strong on the flats. I try and keep him in sight for as long as I can, but eventually I have to concede he is way too fast. 37/38k's in and the tough course is taking its toll. I'm travelling along more on mental strength than physical strength and wondering how long I can do this.

First tunnel approach, more aqueduct than a tunnel.

The 40k aid station was a welcome sight. I'd caught up to another runner and we ran in together. Good to see a friend, Mark here. Having ultra runners at aid stations, they know what you need and how to read your face when the going is getting tough. I ate some chocolate and got my soft flask filled up with electrolyte. It had been warmer running down here than during the first 30k and I contemplated taking off the thermal top I was still wearing. But 5 minutes after leaving here I was feeling cool again.

Don't be fooled by the light in the picture, it was quite dark
in here. And negotiating those steps was fun!

This is the section that leads to the tunnels under the railway line that runs past the boundary of the park. Mostly road, mostly downhill but it seems like the biggest slog ever. Another runner comes up behind me just as I'm catching a runner in front of me. We are about 50 metres apart as we come upon another small aid station at the 44k mark. I stop, grab some water and just reset, physically and mentally. I acknowledge to myself that I am physically spent, and mentally only just hanging in. Margaret River Ultra was 4 weeks before, but I wasn't giving in to the thought that I had not recovered. This was just a tough as course, and even though I'd paced well early, now I was running on very little. just get it finished, in any way possible.

My 'Pennywise The Clown' moment.
Don't look into the deadlights....

My friend Sabrina was there, having already completed the tunnels loop and was heading back towards Bawden Road. She looks in good spirits, always does!

The trip through the tunnels was a bit of relief. We only run through these sections if the ground is dry enough. There is water in parts of the second tunnel, a nod towards its purpose of funneling water into the top end of Kitty English Reservoir from the other side of the train tracks.

The first tunnel has steps that go up in our direction. It is very dark and I use my phone torch initially to scan the path. Then turn it off for a bit of atmosphere, and pick my way carefully towards the exit. Halfway through this tunnel, a VLine train rushes past and the vibrations in there are quite telling.

There is a small section of trail, about 400 metres, then we approach the 2nd tunnel. Later on, a friend told me they have exceptional acoustics. Sing away in there and you are a Pavarotti, or anyone famous with a half decent voice! Exit the 2nd tunnel and then climb a short section of road back to the aid station set up on the side of the road.

2nd tunnel to cross back under the railway line.

The run back to Bawden Road on the course profile is predominately down, before a final climb to the aid station. But my memory is of some running, but just as much walking uphill. Maybe I'm not remembering the good parts... I just remember it taking a bloody long time to get back to a familiar trail. The same runner I'd caught before the 44k mark, I've caught again, and we hike up the last k's, chatting away about the run, our legs, but most importantly how we'd managed to keep going.

Back to Mark's aid station, now officially the 48, 49 or 50k* aid station. A quick stop and then we both head over the road, climb the stairs and start on the solid 2k climb back to Memorial Cross. It is up here that the real struggle begins. And not just me, most people I spoke to afterward had real issues grinding their way up here. Apart from a few small sections of trail that were relatively flat, it was all up, and up, and up, and up.

Usually, a course profile exaggerates an incline. Not here, I think...

All I could do was walk up here. even then there were a few sections where I had to stop, stretch out the legs and take stock of everything. Families and groups were hiking down from the top (sensible), and probably wondering what the hell these people were doing. After a long 36 minutes of climbing, I arrived at the path that leads to Memorial Cross, and the scene of the start some 7 hours before**. I still had to negotiate the trail around the back of the tearooms, up past the comms towers and down to the finish line. Another 1.4k's. I ran as much as I could.

And after 7 hours, 21 minutes, and 24 seconds I finally crossed the line. I'd estimated before the race that anything between 7 and 7:30 hours would be a pass mark, and I was happy to have achieved that. But geez it was a tough gig to get there. I was given my medal, photo taken and said hello to a few friends who were still there. I went in search of my dry gear to get some warm clothing on. Mid-afternoon and it's already getting quite cold around the start area.

I waited around for a few friends to finish, and was mildly surprised at the number of runners that came in behind me. I could have sworn that I was a long way back, but no, close to mid-field. A large hot coffee later I was dressed, warm and on my way back down the Calder Freeway to Melbourne.

On the way home, dealing with cramps whilst driving, stopping for food as I was finally hungry, I wondered if I'd do it again. Of course I would, who am I kidding.

The Rest of the Year

Training

A few 50k+ runs in training, 1 on hills, the other reasonably flat. Surf Coast Century is not particularly hilly, so I'm expecting a fair amount of running. Training plan for SCC starts June 18th and hoping to average around 70k a week. At least 3 runs a week specifically targetted for quality, the others to help build strength and resilience in the legs.

Races

• Trails Series Westerfolds long course (possibly)
• Trails Series Silvan Dam long course (possibly)
• Wonderland 36k, and
• SCC100 on September 15th.

Until next time...

* The run is officially 50k, this aid station 2k roughly from the finish. But depending on the course (whether we do the tunnels or not), the course can be 51 or 52k's!)
** Usually in the last 2k's of a race, particularly an ultra, the pace you have run over the preceding k's doesn't change much. Not at Macedon 50. At the bottom of the climb, I was averaging 7:54 min/k. 2 and bit k's later and it's blown out to 8:19 min/k. And I'm probably not alone in that.