WTF 100 Miler
I won’t sugar coat it, this will be a long read. If you are not into long reports, keep on scrolling!
I need to start at the beginning, and not 6am 26/9/15, the real beginning. In April 2014 I ran my first Ultra, was 50k road race in Bunbury. I had a great time, placed 8th and really enjoyed a fantastic weekend away. Many parkrunner’s travelled for the race, many supported Team Mito, the vibe was surreal and as some sort of unofficial team captain I really got swept up in it. Afterwards I came down hard, nearly drowning in my own depression that I could not explain. Chris, a mate and fellow parkrunner suggest this crazy 50 mile trail race was coming up. I looked it up and found it also had a 100 mile event. My mind spun and I was keen to try. The depression lifted with a few keystrokes and I was signed up for my first 82km race. A twisted part of me wanted the 100, but I did not qualify yet, I needed to prove to the Race Director I was up to the task and completed a 100km race within cut off. That was the beginning, and all the training and the crazy races have been a journey to get me to 6am Saturday 26th September, standing on the driveway to a camp ground in a little country town called Dwellingup.
The 100 starters, the 50 event starts at the other end, they do a point to point, the 100′s do an out and back on the same course.
The sun was up, and the weather looked to be perfect, if slightly on the warm side for running. After a last second (may have even gone over the last second) pee, we were away and the nerves melted away with every footstep as we zig zagged our way through the maze of trails heading out of the park.
The pack smoothed out and I found myself running with Crystal and we passed the km’s away while chatting. A look back and I saw Richard not far behind, who soon joined us. We were running pretty consistent low 6 minute km’s for the first 12km’s before we were broken up by toilet stops and a hike break. I then found myself alone in the front, a new feeling for me as this is rarely the case, normally if I’m in the front there is something wrong! I just kept to my plan of 6-7 minute splits, making sure I didn’t raise my heart rate too much, and ran to feel. Drink often, and eat every half hour.
The wonderful trails whiled away as I came to the sharp left turn onto a gravel road that takes us on and out and back section to the first aid station called Oakley Dam, rapidly becoming known as Treasure Island (16.6km at 1:41). I highly recommend visiting. A quick pitstop in the last toilet for 40 something km’s and I hit the road with a banana in my hand keen to gauge the gap of other runners, but the first runners I see are not Crystal and Richard, they must have missed the 3km out and back leg to the aid station. They were now ahead and at risk of a DQ. I did however see the rest of the field, all looking great and smiling, most running with someone else.
The next leg to the Squashrunning Works aid station (race sponser, and also has helped me out with kit) at the Del Park Rd crossing had some great downhill sections and fantastic single track, I had to keep myself in check to not overheat my feet descending too fast so early, I had to look after them for later. I spent much of the leg considering Richard and Crystal, if I would catch them, see them turning back or if they would drop after being disqualified so early in a long race. I really wanted them to still race, both were considered favourites in the unofficial tipping comps. Eventually I thought (not that it was up to me anyway!) that they could do that section twice on the way back to even it up and we would still be racing, it would all come out in the wash later in the race. Before I knew it I was yipping and yahooing down a little technical descent to pop out at Del Park Rd, greeted by Chris, Clare and a couple of other people at the aid station (27.5km at 3:00). A short stop for gels and my first refill with Tailwind and I was on my way again, about 20 or so minutes behind Richard and Crystal. I was feeling good but I also knew I was in for a long 27km leg including an out and back over the races ‘bad boy’ hill called Goldmine, just as it was getting warm.
I was passing about 35km when I saw the first two runners of the 50 mile event coming through, both were steaming along with a great pace, was good to see other humans! It was about 9 or so minutes before I saw 3rd, then after that it was a steady spacing of runners, many were friendly races I have shared runs with before.
As I passed through the Whittakers Mill area I completed the first of four consecutive marathons in about 4:34 and caught Crystal. She was hiking a hill then stopped to stretch when I approached. We ran together onto the Scarp Rd junction. It was suddenly quite busy with humans everywhere! There were runners, spectators, and small aid station. My water was running low given the warmer than expected day, but I chose to stop on my return after Goldmine Hill rather than before to reduce the weight I had to carry back up the 3.9km gravel road climb.
It was on the short uphill section here I crossed paths with good friend and local parkrun legend Scott, hitting out at his longest race yet and holding his own in the 50 mile event. I was so pleased I got to see him for a fleeting moment, I couldn’t help but get my aeroplane wings out! I was surprised he got a pic of it!
We laughed and spurred each other on. I then made my way over the summit and prepared to descend, when I came across Richard who was just finishing the climb. He apologised about missing Treasure Island. I said to run it twice later, don’t stress and keep racing. I didn’t want to see him DQ’ed, and I didn’t want it to affect his race, but the sound in his voice concerned me. (On the way back I calculated he had about 6km lead and 25 minutes gap) Time to descend, once again cautious of the soles of my feet and trying to conserve my quads as long as possible, I still ran my fastest splits going down, but I think it was wise to save some for later, I was going to need it. I made the turn at the bitumen and started the climb using a run walk strategy. Crystal was not far behind. I chose to use the power poles as guides and would run one gap, hike the next and alternated my way up, trying to drink often. It was a long climb, other than Crystal, the only other 100′s I saw were Alexis and Glen, both running well and in good spirits. (EDIT: I completely forgot I saw Ron too, spurring him towards the turn point with the lure of beach babes waiting there!) After the summit I got back to the little aid station, where the RD’s wife Belle was doing a stellar job. There were plenty of 50 milers in the area, I had a quick chat with Dave, and congratulated Jaqui on her football team making the grand final and drank a little too much water myself before hitting the trail again (almost in the wrong direction too, thanks Belle!), then off for what I consider the best sections of trail in the entire race. Heading towards the high spirits of the parkrun manned station. North Dandalup Aid Station, where also Alicia would be waiting, first time I had seen my wife since Friday morning.
I love this section of trail, has some climbs and descents, sweeping bermed bends and just sweet single tracks. It’s hard to not open the pace up when you feel good. I did feel good, I was on a bit of a high from seeing all the 50 field, my stomach was working on the water I just had and I knew my supplies were on point to the next stop. I just had to keep my eyes out for any brown sticks that moved.....it was warm now, and we had a few warm days before hand and getting tagged by an unseen snake was my biggest concern, snake bandage or not!
The last section of trail towards Dandy is a long fast downhill, followed by 1km of flat bitumen across the dam wall to the aid station (54.6km in 5:53). I knew it would be a great reception, and I was not let down seeing familiar faces, smiling away eager to lend a hand and boot me out back on track. They also informed me that Richard was still about 30 minutes ahead. We were certainly still racing, and if it stays like this it was going to get interesting later tonight. Resupplied on the heavy side I was back out for the second bitumen km over the second half of the dam wall, shelling a fresh boiled egg with one hand and clutching a banana in the other. Both went down well. Not expecting any more 50 runners coming, I thought I would crank up some tunes and work my way through the most technical leg of the race. This section had some gravel road sections, but also some short and sharp descents quickly followed by similar inclines. the sort of stuff I love on short training runs, but after the heat and distance, I was not enjoying seeing average splits well before the turn around. I passed the generous box of mandarins left out by a farmer and continued to grind my way towards Kingsbury Rd Aid station. A few emotional low points after the technical section had me employing advice from champion runner Bernadette Benson “Sing out loud, the positive will drown out the negative” One of the two hottest tips I have ever been given from another runner (the other being Tony Smith’s “smile on the outside no matter how you feel”, but you have seen the pictures, and know I already employ that one). Feels weird, and a little embarrassing when you cross paths with a mountain biker who surely heard me coming from a mile away belting out the worst ever cover of Paul Kelly’s ‘To her door” but I tell you what, it lifts the spirits and keeps those legs moving, no doubt about it. Even laughing about being sprung picked me up. At least I will never see that guy again! (until he turns around we we crossed paths again a couple of hours later!)
Onwards I claw, balancing my fluid intake to the heat of the day and making sure it lasts until the next stop, I wrap my way around the pine plantation to run along smoother trails and I feel better about my progress. in between songs that I didn’t know the lyrics to I recalled last years 50 mile race and what was happening at this point a year ago. Before I knew it, I saw another human standing on the road, a sight for sore eyes, I sure hope they have some cold coke!
Kep Ultra RD and AURA social media ambassador Rob greeted me and snapped this pic on my way into Kingsbury Rd (72km in 7:57).
Other than Rob, I didn’t recognise any of the helpers or crew, but they were all champions to me, a complete stranger. Rob mentioned I was only 20 minutes behind Richard, it was confirmed he was still in the race and allowed to do the Dam section twice later that night. I was surprised to have made up 10 minutes on him through the technical parts. As we were wrestling with my vest and drop bags a lady asked a few questions about time and distance and seemed a bit in awe “thats crazy” seems to have been mentioned more than once. To me this is almost normal, long races have become part of my and my families life. Suddenly I was on my way out with coke zero in my stomach, another banana in my vest for later and a the thought of just how crazy this was, a little over a year ago I had not run one marathon, let alone almost four end to end, then my banana fell from my vest, splitting when it hit the ground. It pulled me from my reverie as I stopped to pick it up, I was not looking forward to it just yet, but now I had to eat it before it got dusty......I was already over banana’s and was glad this one stayed down.
The next section once again had some great trail sections, dappled shade and run-able surfaces. I found myself thinking of the last 5km into Jarrahdale, I have run it in both directions, and it’s a tough section. I estimate about 4 of those 5 km’s are up. The average pace was about to take a beating.
I dropped down the long gravel descent to the bridge belting out ‘Teenage dirt bag’ in preparation for the hard work ahead, I was still maintaining my 30 minute feeds, alternating each between gel and real food, supplemented with Tailwind (only 2 scoops per 2l)
The climbs started and I broke it up into short runs and short walks, mostly dictated by shade. Power hike the shade, run the sunny bits. I worked this plan and passed over my second marathon at 9:31 (5:04 for the second one) while doing the maths on Richard and trying not to notice the average pace slipping closer and closer to my A goal, it was too soon to lose sight of that. Just when I figured I should see Richard coming back out from the turn around I spot his white shirt ahead, right on time. There was something wrong though, he was moving in the same direction, not coming towards me. Holy crap, I had caught him! I could not just run up to him, I was still working the climbs, but he was clearly moving slower, he had tipped out the last of a hand held earlier which I saw on the trail. I nearly missed a turn while in thought about it. As we came alongside we hike for a while together, then shared a run, was good to have a chat after not seeing anyone since Kingsbury. We were both thankful for the cooler afternoon.
We separated on another climb where I worked a bit harder to build a short lead into the turn around point, a piece of me wanted it recorded that I got there first, I closed the gap on the race favourite. I came into the aid station calling out “Ka Kaaw.....Ka Kaaw” like in the kids movie Robots. I was in high spirits again and about to gain the advantage of my pacer Grant.
I arrive at Jarrahdale (85km in 9:42) [which if I take into consideration the slight difference in course is about the same time I did the 50 race in last year and could not walk when I finished!] Alicia and two of my three pacers Rich and Grant are there to greet me. I tuck into the esky, Alicia covers me with a wet towel and I sort my vest as Richard arrives and leaves in a quick turn around. I sense something is not quite right with my crew though and there is a last minute change of plans. Grant is just getting over being sick, so the boys swapped legs and I was going to have Rich’s company for the next 30km’s instead. Was fine with me, with a mouthful of coffee beans we were back on the trail, only about 81km’s to go.
Rich was keen to run, I felt bad getting 100m up the trail and having to hike, he was so eager to chase down Richard who got some time on me at the stop. I knew we would see him again soon, no rush to break myself now. He was running the downs hard though and it took me another 5km and a big hill before I caught him again. Sadly, he didn’t look any happier than last time, we didn’t linger to talk, Rich and I broke the long climb up into runs and walks and built a solid buffer. I was now in the lead no matter which way it was looked at, either on the road, in calculations or on paper. It felt pretty awesome.
I was now getting tired though, noticing the highs and lows of the feeds, a few times I put Rich through a few tunes....poor guy. Not only did he get handed an extra 10km to run, he had to put up with my singing! Relentless forward progress, I ran what I could and hiked what I had to, but now the hikes were more frequent and I had to be more conscious of my footing. My left ankle was getting quite sore, and the under side of my left foot was feeling a bit beat up if I stood on a nut, rock or tree root so I had to pick clean lines and take care on sections of trail I would normally not give a second thought to. Rich was great company as we worked our way back to Kingsbury Rd.
At some point I asked Rich what his watch said distance wise so I would not have to calculate it myself, his response shocked me so much I had to laugh “yeah about that mate.....I kind of forgot to start it back in Jarrahdale” For 10km or so he had just been looking at the time! A couple of hundred from Kingsbury Aid we spot Grant’s red shirt ahead and we know we are close to another resupply. We hit the aid station (100km in11:36) greeted by crisps, water, some ginger beer and news that the last 100 mile runner still had not come through. I politely declined another banana, took some jerky and hit the road with Rich. I couldn’t eat the jerky so I left it for the ants. looking after my stomach as it got more fussy was high on my priorities, they are not joking when they say an army runs on it’s stomach, so do ultra runners!
Back to the technical section, armed with our head lamps we pick our way through the ups and downs in the failing light. Too light for the lamps to work properly yet too dark to see without it. Was a stunning sunset though, very bromantic for two stinky men talking about free mandarines!
Finally, we got through that section, and were now talking about the next mini goal of the road crossing less than 2km from the Dandy aid station (118km in 14:15). Rich would get to knock off and I would have a new back to stare at. This is where I thought my mind was starting to play tricks on me. I had heard of it happening to others and now it was happening to me. There was a human sized dragon standing in the middle of the road.
It takes a little longer than it should to register that it is Cassie, dressed in a Spiro the dragon onesie, complete with tail jumping and cheering. It was pretty exciting. As we jogged the last 200m into the aid station I asked her to calculate what pace I needed to go under 20 hours. Last years winner Hunter’s time had been my A goal, with an average pace of 7:11 per km, that slipped away not long after Kingsbury Rd, so my new goal I had secretly aiming for was under 20. Cassie the dragon is pretty happy to see a runner, even more happy it’s one she knows and she calculates I need an average pace of 7:20 to finished under 20 hours. I look at my watch at my current average is 7:20, with my left ankle feeling the way it does I won’t be holding this pace to the finish, even though the last part is easier to run than the section I just completed. I feel like I am sinking in a sea of smiles. I felt my voice quiver as I was surrounded by friends eager to help. Alicia later said she was worried about me at that point, but I had just been given what I thought to be bad news and we tend to be sensitive to that stuff after running for over 14 hours. At the same time I was told Richard had dropped at 100k which would probably make most people happy to know the heat was off, but I wanted him to hit his goals too, and the pressure of a race always gets the best from me.
I left Dandy with Grant and the advice “You have an hour on Alexis, don’t break yourself getting it done” As we left I thought about that, and found myself agreeing. The pace from there certainly slowed, there was no pressure and my foot was now letting me know in no uncertain terms it was not happy with my new found distance PB, or anything that I stood on. On we forged for the 20km leg to Del Park Rd, at what must have been an agonising 10:00 average pace for Grant. We passed the Goldmine out and back, thankful we didn’t have to do it. Grant was happy to be getting a look at the 6 Inch Marathon course. His first look, at least he had plenty of time to look around along the way. We had an hours lead, and I doubed that Alexis is feeling much better at this point too. As we passed though some more great trails I found myself asking about distance to go more often, I didn’t put Grant through any singing but I was not exactly chipper either. My 3rd marathon of the day slipped past unnoticed at 15:44, taking 6:13 to complete. At least the night was cool. I was still drinking well and now toilet stops were becoming incredibly frequent to the point of being ludacris. I had to keep drinking to get the Tailwind and rinse the dust from mouth so I had to just balance the stops as best as possible.
About 8km from Del Park Rd my second “are things right in my head” moment occurred, right in front of me was a ball of spikes. Grant had ran right past it, so was it real? I stopped and touched it, it certainly was real. A real echidna on the track and I just pat it, Grant came back and got his phone out and got a picture of me patting it. This echidna was real and now there is a photo of it! How awesome!
We pressed on a little longer as my lamp batteries faded and then were greeted by the RD Dave, out for a late night leg stretch. 6.4km to go to the next aid station. I normally knock that out in less than half hour during training....not tonight, was going to take over an hour. Nothing like having a national runner join you for a few 10 minutes km’s......not embarrassing at all hahaha I was thankful for the extra light and conversation though, and liked it more when Grant and Dave talked between themselves and I could just tune in without thinking too much, it drowned out the song of my ankle which I was trying to ignore. I ran what I could, but there were a lot of hikes coming into Del Park. Finally, we hit the small zig zag section coming into the station, high on my list of wants, new lamp batteries and some crisps.
I fumble into Del Park Road (138km in 17:41) where I am greeted by Alicia, Rich and the last pacer Dan, who was almost uncontrollably shivering while waiting for me to have my stop. This was the longest stop of the entire race. The guys said they were short on info about Alexis, but last they heard, I was in front by about an hour, which to me confirmed he was probably just as sore and tired as I was and was running similar splits. I thank Grant for pacing me the last 20km and bid him farewell as Dan and I started climbing the short technical hill I had whooped and hollered my way down earlier that morning......was certainly more fun coming down on fresh legs than going up on tired ones. We thought the pressure was off, so the pace was easy and I just tried to look after my foot. Dan was great company, we joked and laughed with every beep of my watch...”A new distance PB!”
After crossing North Spur road we began the long 2km climb to the phone tower which is the highest point of the race, with 21 km to go Dan got his phone out and snapped a picture. As we joked about knocking out a sub 90 half to finish off we came to a fork in the track that made us doubt if we took the correct one, and we spend a minute or so backtracking to confirm we were on the right path before setting off once again. Not long after there were lights behind us. It took a moment for us to realise they were not car head lights (they were very bright) driving up the track, but they were runners, and they were making ground very fast! It could only be Alexis and his pacer Ben!
There was no discussion, there was no contemplation, everything that hurt suddenly shut up and I was running as fast as my legs would carry me up that hill. The boys are adamant they didn’t run much of the hill, but from what I could see they were close for a very long time. As I ran along with this wild sense of urgency, my mind is racing between what just happened and how long I could keep this pace up. Turns out that most of that hour melted away when I was taking it easy with Grant and patting echidna’s. They were only 25 minutes behind us at Del Park, the lads had kept a good pace all along and chipped away at my lead and almost passing before Treasure Island, the final aid station. I charged the downs, and worked the up’s as best I could. I was thrilled and energised. I can only describe it as if I was running from the police. I was excited and panicking all at the same time. The same thing happened at the exact same place last year where I was caught by another friend Barb during the 50 race. I was determined to not get passed before the aid station. We made a buffer on the last hill before the climb in and Dan moved ahead to let Alicia know I just wanted a water bottle. This was going to be one very fast stop. (136km in 19:32) As I arrived Rich tell’s me to calm down, “Alexis is 25 minutes behind you dude” “no he’s not, he’s right there!” pointing to Ben, his pacer that was standing behind Rich and looking pretty happy about it! I pocketed my bottle and was out of there for the last 17km leg to the finish line.
At the time I had no idea what happened with Alexis. I was not sure if he got to Del Park and was told I was not far away and then charged hard, I was not sure if he pushed to pass and could not hold it or if he was simply having an amazing race, but any way you skin it he was within reach of taking the lead from me, one I had worked on for so long. I ran walk the hill out of Treasure Island using the guide posts as markers. I tried to eat a slice of balled up cold pizza but my stomach didn’t like that, I tried to have a ‘no doze’ as a form of boost for the last section home, but I could not swallow it either so I stayed on warm Tailwind and fresh water in my handheld bottle. I chugged up the last hill back onto the Munda Biddi trail like a little choo choo train before we could open the pace up again.
Unfortunately, the increased pace didn’t help the all too regular toilet stops and I fell back into a pattern of run, walk run, pee, run, walk while Dan set the pace and kept an eye out over our shoulders. We still had a way to go so I had to eat something. It took a bit of hiking to slowly eat a Gu before I could run again. It all stayed down but I felt like I was on the edge now and if I pushed hard now, I would have nothing left to defend later so we backed the pace off a little and kept an eye out for the ever bright glow which may or may not be coming from behind.
At about 162km we passed into a camp ground, and I could see someone moving about their site with a head lamp. The campground is about 250m long, as we got to the other side Dan notices a glow behind us and I am confident it’s not the boys attacking again, but the camper I just saw, until Dan says “no mate, there are two very bright lights” and all over again I felt charged. I have no idea how, but the pain and swelling was put aside and I just tucked in behind my pacer and ran for what felt like my life. I have never won a race before, not in school, never even came home first in a parkrun so being in the lead now, after 100 miles of running was an awesome feeling. Something inside me did a silly little deal that if he going to pass me I was at least going to make him work for it.
Dan and I charged like thieves in the night (well one thief was tired so it was not super fast but it felt it!) My body ran as fast as I could sustain without cramping or vomiting. I was drinking what I had left to lighten the load. It was on, an incredibly close finish. If I tripped, fell vomited or peed I would lose my position in the dying moments of the race.
We ducked and weaved our way through some great single track, along familiar features. Dan and I both remembered the dam, with the shed and dogs 3km from the finish. Dan comments between heaving breaths “the dogs will bark, and we will know how far back they are” to which I replied “double edged sword....but they will bark for us too giving our lead away” The dogs did bark for us, and the boys said they heard them too. As we turned a sharp bend that wraps around the farmers dam we could see back along the trail, and no lights. We were a little confused, they were not far back, where have they gone? What are they playing at? Have they turned off they big lights and running on small ones or black out to catch us unaware? How could they just be gone? So we kept the same pace, and ran as best as I could with all my internal alarm bells ringing, screaming to stop, lay down and rest. It was almost too much excitement for a boring person like myself to be awake at 3:30 in the morning...how far have we got to go? Then Dan heard the dogs barking again, we had a gap again, but not time to slack off, about 2km to go.
Dan navigated the winding single track, spurring me on. I was doing my best not to trip or fall, amazed at how I was moving like this after being through so much. My watch ticks past 163km and I am confident we have less than 1km to go. Most activities I had seen in the past said between 163km and 164km, and we could not see the glow behind us, we must have made some space. Our efforts change from looking for light behind us to looking for lights in front. The town and campground lights should be visible through the trees very soon.
Ahead we see a light, and I stress that I hope it’s not Rich come to run the last km in with us as the pacers are welcome to do. I don’t think I can run another km, I had my mind locked into this distance and one more may very well break me. The light was a street light and before I know it Dan and I both see lights in the campgrounds, we make the last left turn towards the back of Chalet 1 and a small group of hard core helpers whom stayed up all night to welcome in the finishers. I would have thought I would of cried, it was a pretty big deal finishing let alone winning but I guess I was in shock. I could not thank Dan enough for his help, I sat on a log and waited 8 minutes for Alexis and Ben to finish. It turns out they did not see our lights ahead the second time, so they kept the same pace after we pressed on and built a buffer, running like mad men!
At the finish after 163.6km with two of the three pacers. Rich on the left, Dan on my right at about 3:45 in the morning after leaving 21 hours, 45 minutes and 22 seconds ago and holding the lead (if only just) all day.
They say if you train for a marathon it changes you and after being through this, and seeing the efforts runners in both events put in, I would have to agree even more so for an ultra, we are a special kind of crazy!
Left to right, myself, Alexis 2nd and Glen 3rd. Three of the five sub 24 buckles achieved this year.
As for Crystal, she went on to complete both her trips to Oakley dam, and won the ladies race but didn’t finish in time for a buckle. As with all finishers, a very gutsy run.
I can’t thank the people that helped this day enough. 100 Miles in one day.....complete!
Final random stats:
Out time: 9:47 - Return time: 11:58 Total: 21:45
1st mara; 4:33 2nd; 5:04, 3rd; 6:13 4th (5.2km short) 6:00 hours
Calories: 13,735
Start weight, 66.8kg, finish weight 64.1kg
Consumed: ~14.5l of water and ~2kg of fuel. Approximate weight change of 19kg.