The Lead Up
'That was one of the hardest races I've ever done!". So said my friend Nigel, minutes after crossing the line having completed the Trails+ Macedon 30. Although conditions were much better than 2015, the course was still wet, muddy, and slippery after rain in the mid-week. And the terrain never changes; some sections of tough rocky, slightly technical tracks, some serious vertical challenges (up AND down!), and the long, slow, grind back up to the finish line. |
| Adding another to the collection. |
Originally this wasn't on my race radar. A litany of injuries over the last 5 to 6 months meant I was on yet another comeback (something I do extremely well at), and intent on nailing the rehab and return to running without breaking down, my original plan was to start back with the one of the trail running series that offered shorter distances (with little to no vertical extremes). Cue an approach from Jon Lim, and before I know it, I've signed up for #3.... Considering the feedback re conditions and the course from last year, I was definitely taking a high risk approach.
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| Pre-race selfies with friends: Tony, Cheryl, and Rhianna. |
Race Day
As usual, a small group of DTR (Dandenongs Trail Runners), convened in a hastily organised house (thanks Chez) overlooking Hanging Rock. Cheryl (Chez), Chris, Peter, and myself spent an evening relaxing with a roaring fire in the background, it was a tad cold....
Next morning was cloudy, cold, but thankfully dry. The drive up to the top of the range was quick, and very soon we were parked, rugged up, and heading off to race registration. Race Director, Brett Saxon, came over to say hello, and comment that I was fast becoming a regular at this event. In its 6th year, not too many have done more than 3. This being my 3rd (in a row), I was in exalted company indeed. After finally getting my kit sorted, getting dressed, watch ready etc. It was time to head to the start line. Or so I thought. Cheryl had other ideas, needing me to help her set up the route navigation on her watch. A self-confessed technical klutz (her words, not mine), we spent several minutes getting it all set to go. This is crucial for Chez, her bush navigation skills often found lacking when 'in the zone', the hope being that this would prevent her from wandering off course.
Camels Hump is the first and only chance we really get to look at the race leaders. And they were flying! Saw lots of friends, placing high up and running well, hi fives with a number on my descent from the hump. I'm still keeping the pace low, and more importantly my heart rate (145/150 bpm tops) through here. Climb up briefly to cross the Mt. Macedon Road, then some sections of single track, road, single track again as we cross the top towards Days Picnic Area and The Old Sanatorium.
Arrived at the aid station at the top of Zig Zag to stop for a couple of nibbles of food (2 pieces of chocolate, and a square of fruit cake). The poor vollies here were tasked with recording the race number of all of us who passed through. Scribbling furiously on a damp piece of paper, as we shouted out our race numbers and took off into the softwood plantation. Slightly thankless task for the girls here, but 2 hours later they greeted me with unbridled enthusiasm when I breasted Zig Zag. Can't thank them enough.
Having entered the softwood plantation, and the overgrown 4WD track/fire trail, I knew what was coming up next. Baringo Track (aka, that crazy descent, followed by the crazy #$&^$ climb!). Chatted with a fellow competitor along the flatter(?) sections here about the upcoming sections. He runs regularly around the Mt. Macedon area and was trying the mess with my brain re the climb. No problems, brain already messed up....
Before I knew it, down we went; muddy, very wet and slippery, skid marks evident (always make me picture a Looney Tunes cartoon), and pace slowed to avoid catastrophe. A few runners came past me, either technically superior on the downhills, or totally out of control. Then we hit bottom, turned right, and straight back up again. It seems cruel, almost criminal to plan courses like this. Who knows what goes through the mind of a race director, then again best not ask. 12th kilometre has taken me 11 minutes, and I have gained the princely sum of 30 metres! Really? Get to the top of Baringo and the 12k aid station in time to see some of the faster runners complete the MTB loop section before heading past here at what is for them, the 14.5k mark. More choccy, more fruit cake, and I walked out of the aid station area, preparing for the next section, several loops through the pine plantation. It is the trail condition, and the elevation here that makes this tougher than the course profile and description indicates.
Briefly met Oliver and Sharee from DTR as they hit the aid station the same time as me. Quick photo of the 3 of us, a few words of encouragement for all of us, and then we parted ways.
Met up with a runner from Lilydale area, (Jeff or Geoff, or if you have hipster parents, Xgeth...), and we ran and chatted as we plodded around on Baringo Road, and back to the aid station again. Beyond here we descend through a great section of single track. get a bit of speed down here. 2 years ago I hugged a tree down here, not out of any environmental awareness, just a method to arrest a potentially out of control descent that was looking like a train crash in progress. Jeff (or Geoff, or Xgeth) caught up with me again, and we stayed together along Hells Hole Track. What a lovely reassuring name this is, mid way through a trail race.
By now we have descended to the 2nd lowest point on the 30k course. We climb again as we turn on to the Mt Towrong Walking Track, and a small section of single track loveliness that exits on to some outstanding views of Macedon township, the surrounding flat countryside, and if you peer very closely, the Memorial Cross where started (and will finish) way way across the hill on the other side. It is much higher than where we are presently, and we still have to descend to Anzac Road.
Descent here is tricky. Very rocky and slippery in my luggy Salomons, and the legs are starting to get fatigued. Hit Anzac, then I push on past the aid station on my way to Zig Zag, and the way back to the finish.
Next morning was cloudy, cold, but thankfully dry. The drive up to the top of the range was quick, and very soon we were parked, rugged up, and heading off to race registration. Race Director, Brett Saxon, came over to say hello, and comment that I was fast becoming a regular at this event. In its 6th year, not too many have done more than 3. This being my 3rd (in a row), I was in exalted company indeed. After finally getting my kit sorted, getting dressed, watch ready etc. It was time to head to the start line. Or so I thought. Cheryl had other ideas, needing me to help her set up the route navigation on her watch. A self-confessed technical klutz (her words, not mine), we spent several minutes getting it all set to go. This is crucial for Chez, her bush navigation skills often found lacking when 'in the zone', the hope being that this would prevent her from wandering off course.
First 10k, fast starts, and vollie chaos
Everybody starts too fast at Macedon. Downhill, slightly narrow technical track where you don't want to get caught behind other runners, and adrenaline coursing through the body make for some slick first couple of k's! Knowing what is coming up, and that my fitness was a little bit behind where I wanted it to be, I held back. First 4k's averaging 6min/k, even thought the trail was downhill. Lots of chat with other runners, kept bumping into people I know, always a very social occasion. |
| 30k course in painful colours! (Image courtesy of www.veloviewer.com) |
Arrived at the aid station at the top of Zig Zag to stop for a couple of nibbles of food (2 pieces of chocolate, and a square of fruit cake). The poor vollies here were tasked with recording the race number of all of us who passed through. Scribbling furiously on a damp piece of paper, as we shouted out our race numbers and took off into the softwood plantation. Slightly thankless task for the girls here, but 2 hours later they greeted me with unbridled enthusiasm when I breasted Zig Zag. Can't thank them enough.
Middle 10k, descents, climbs, mud, and a runfie!
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| Sharee, showing the angle of ascent on Baringo Track (Photo credit: Oliver Mestdagh) |
Before I knew it, down we went; muddy, very wet and slippery, skid marks evident (always make me picture a Looney Tunes cartoon), and pace slowed to avoid catastrophe. A few runners came past me, either technically superior on the downhills, or totally out of control. Then we hit bottom, turned right, and straight back up again. It seems cruel, almost criminal to plan courses like this. Who knows what goes through the mind of a race director, then again best not ask. 12th kilometre has taken me 11 minutes, and I have gained the princely sum of 30 metres! Really? Get to the top of Baringo and the 12k aid station in time to see some of the faster runners complete the MTB loop section before heading past here at what is for them, the 14.5k mark. More choccy, more fruit cake, and I walked out of the aid station area, preparing for the next section, several loops through the pine plantation. It is the trail condition, and the elevation here that makes this tougher than the course profile and description indicates.
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| Oliver, and Sharee with me at the 12k aid station, 14.5 for me (Photo credit: Oliver Mestdagh) |
Met up with a runner from Lilydale area, (Jeff or Geoff, or if you have hipster parents, Xgeth...), and we ran and chatted as we plodded around on Baringo Road, and back to the aid station again. Beyond here we descend through a great section of single track. get a bit of speed down here. 2 years ago I hugged a tree down here, not out of any environmental awareness, just a method to arrest a potentially out of control descent that was looking like a train crash in progress. Jeff (or Geoff, or Xgeth) caught up with me again, and we stayed together along Hells Hole Track. What a lovely reassuring name this is, mid way through a trail race.
By now we have descended to the 2nd lowest point on the 30k course. We climb again as we turn on to the Mt Towrong Walking Track, and a small section of single track loveliness that exits on to some outstanding views of Macedon township, the surrounding flat countryside, and if you peer very closely, the Memorial Cross where started (and will finish) way way across the hill on the other side. It is much higher than where we are presently, and we still have to descend to Anzac Road.
Descent here is tricky. Very rocky and slippery in my luggy Salomons, and the legs are starting to get fatigued. Hit Anzac, then I push on past the aid station on my way to Zig Zag, and the way back to the finish.
Last 10k, The grind back to the finish line.
As stated before, this is the 3rd year here. Last 2 years the section up Zig Zag has broken me. to the point were I would walk sections that normally I would happily run. Chatting pre-race with Cheryl, I declared that I was going to get to the start of Anzac with enough in the legs to run the length of Zig Zag. She also was intent on running the full length. Alas, my legs were not co-operating as hoped, and the climb up Anzac was slow and relentless. But, as I neared the reservoir here, I spied 2 people alternately walking and running. I made a pact to at least catch them. Found out it was 2 friends, Danny and Gabor. Quick walk to have a brief chat with them, then off I went.
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| View looking over Macedon township. We are heading back to the top of that mountain, just off the photo right. |
Approached the bottom of Zig Zag with another runner, took in a deep breath, gritted my teeth, then found an appropriate pace to tackle the climb. Other runner was running sections, walking others. At one point we stayed close together. Then eventually I got in front of her and kept on going. Passed several other runners as I ground on out a slow pace, but I kept on going. Pigheadedness: one of the items I list on my CV under 'Good'! After what seemed like an interminable time, I made it to the top, and the aid station at the 23k mark. Same aid station that was chaos 1:40 before. Very quiet here now, more nibbles, then I mentally prepared for the return to the finish line.
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| Daniele Foto, descending from Mt. Towrong, 19k mark. |
In previous years, the last 7 to 8k's here has taken me nearly an hour. The way I was feeling, it was going to be 'programming as usual' today! Finally got going again, the legs carrying a weary body back to the top. For most part along here I ran by myself, having left some runners behind, but not seeing any in front of me. At the 25k mark, good friend Nigel Handscamp came up beside me. We ran together for a few k's, both planning on finishing with one another, but as we got to about 2k's to go, I couldn't keep up the pace up and fell back. passed another friend along here, didn't recognise him, as I was internalising the pain here. My lack of long hard runs over the last 4 months was finally taking toll. Christian came back and passed me after I 'woke him up'. His words, not mine!
At 3:36:33, I finally crossed the finish line. Spent, incredibly so, but happy to have survived the run intact. Hug from Race Director, Brett Saxon, as he gave me my finishers medal, another hug from friend Narelle (she competed in the 10k), then stagger off in search of other friends, warmth, dry clothes and caffeine. (and found the lot...)
At 3:36:33, I finally crossed the finish line. Spent, incredibly so, but happy to have survived the run intact. Hug from Race Director, Brett Saxon, as he gave me my finishers medal, another hug from friend Narelle (she competed in the 10k), then stagger off in search of other friends, warmth, dry clothes and caffeine. (and found the lot...)
Post Race
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| Bling! Per k, probably the hardest earned medal I have ever received. |
Thanks To Chris Langmead, I was back in Melbourne by 2:30, and on a train home within 10 minutes. Exhausted, yet happy, I managed to sleep for most of the journey.
Pretty content with how I raced, setting a pace early that enabled me to get the distance done, and most importantly, no injuries. This was the first test at the start of my programme to get me to Surf Coast Century in September. Safe to say, all systems go.
Postscript: Got a few PR's on Strava segments after I uploaded the plot. Seemed I was racing in parts on the day.
Next up, Race 1, Hoka One Trail series (formerly Salomon series) at Studley Park on June 5th. Yep, only a week after Macedon, easy week of training, hit the race in good form.
Until next time...
