My first ever trail run in Australia, and also my longest run ever. Cousin's fiance - Phil, told me about this run and said it was a good run to get into trail running. I do not know why I continue to believe him despite him telling me that The Coast Track was an easy walk which didn't turn out easy. And hence, the night before the trail run, I was panicking. Who in the right mind would partake in a trail run, let it be not having ran 25km on normal road before? I was already dying towards the end of my half marathon in May, would I even survive 25km on normal road? At least on normal road, I can just run off route and pull out of the race whenever I want to. It won't be possible to do the same if you are running right in the middle of the blue mountains. On top of that, I have been sick for the past week and hence haven't been training for my marathon. Fitness level is not even close to top form. I remembered my first and ever trail run was the Kauri Run back in November 2008. That was only 13km and I was dying. How how how? All I can do was to hope Phil's words this time is true.
Left home at 7.30am. Took slightly over an hour to get to Glenbrook. We then have to catch a train to Woodford to get to the starting line. Got to the starting line and it was 5 degrees. Not pleasant at all. Race was scheduled to start at 10am but one of the mountain bikers (they start at 9.30) crashed their bike and the ambulance had to go in and get the biker. We did not start till 10.20. So that was 20 minutes of freezing and not doing anything.
Was running well for the first 3km. Simply because that was on road. Haha! 4-5 km in and I could feel a slight burn in the middle arches of my feet. I strapped up my left ankle to prevent it from another sprain but I could feel the tape rubbing against my foot. The right foot didn't feel too good either. I then realized... I was wearing thin socks! Why in the world did I do that? I only wear thin socks if I go for a short training run... I never ever wore thin socks for any races. And this is trail running... not only should one wear proper trail running shoes, they should wear thicker socks because of the uneven rocky surface that will cause you blisters with that ongoing pounding of your feet against these rocks. Silly me. I had to just suck it up and complete another 20km.
First 11km of the race had a good mixture of uphills and downhills. Some were quite steep and I walked most of the uphills. Ran up the tiny ones but when I saw those larger slopes where you can't even see the end of the top, I just walked. A lot of people in front of me walked too. That was how I justify myself. After the 11km mark, it was all flat or downhill. Wasn't tired in the legs or cardio wise... but the pain in both feet was just excruciating. The faster I ran, the more painful it was. Stopped a few times to contemplate whether I should open my shoes and have a look at the blisters but decided against it because once I open it, I probably will not want to run because I can feel that the blisters are massive. I kept telling myself it's mind over matter. Had temptations to stop and pull out and get the ambulance to bring me back but I reminded myself, this is a good race to train my mental strength. Don't give in.
I tried to take my mind off the pain by enjoying the surroundings. Yes, it was just trees, trees and more trees. Nothing much really but somehow I found it more interesting than road running. I think it's because you actually have to pay attention to the uneven surfaces with regards to your foot placement so you do not trip or fall so you get distracted with how long more you have to go. And because it's so quiet in the trail, you can actually hear the breath of the person running behind you and you can also hear if they slipped and fall. There were quite a number of runners who slipped, fell and skidded.... and still continued running. I am glad I am not one of them.
Last 100m was downhill all the way and I had so much fun running to the finishing line. It was down a grassy slope so if you fall, you won't graze yourself. And so for that last 100m, I sprinted and felt like speedy gonzales for that last tiny bit. Did not hold back at all. In the end, I finished at 2 hours 23 min 45 sec. 6 minutes ahead of my target time. Pretty stoked about it. Took of my shoes and the blisters were indeed massive! I am so glad I completed the race myself and only had the voice in my head to push me. Mental strength : +1 definitely!!
Running down to the finish line... so fun!!!
The next three days post race was a torture. Shoes and stairs were my worst enemy because of the blisters and also of the sore thighs. Wished I could just lie in bed and go for massage instead of walking around rushing to see my patients. Work productivity dropped significantly. Torture I tell you. But after my recovery run on Wednesday morning, I actually felt so much better.
Will I ever do this again? Hell yeah! Hooked on trail running after this run. But it's too early to say actually as it's my first. But anyway, I already bought myself of trail runners!! Can't wait to use it!!!!
