TrailWalker 100km

I ran the Oxfam TrailWalker Melbourne 100km race last friday (1st April). Surprisingly, I can actually walk today. With high expectations after running 16h 59m 46secs last year and placing 7th overall, I was hoping for better things this year. With a new team (that I found on the PartnerSearch website) and less than adequate training, it was wishful thinking. As there were forecast 32oC temperatures, the weather played the most important factor in my race. The first 35km (to CheckPoint CP3)went well, and we were on target for our overall time, but I was struggling with the heat and had troubles drinking and eating once we hit the hills. I called ahead to Sophie to buy cold gatorade and some ice, and hoped it would revive me in the checkpoint. Out of CP3, I crawled up the 1000 steps, and slumped to the ground at the top of the steep climb. I was wobbly, and in trouble. I stumbled on, but slowed considerably into CP5 (57km), and then the troubles really began; I couldn't eat, couldn't drink, couldn't run, couldn't pee. From then onwards it was 43km of trying not to puke. I felt I was running in a tunnel without light, sound or humour. God it was aweful. We finished in 20h13mins, which was in 38th place (24th place really, given 14 teams ahead had team members pulled out).

There were a few memorable quotes and SMSs I received: "Speed is sex, distance is love" and "The Western States Trail is the most beautiful trail I have ever vomited on" both from Sean Greenhill. My fave was "I wish I could wobble in a straight line" as I tried to run along the Warburton trail at night in my wobbly state.

Next year, hopefully the old team will be back and I will train a lot harder. I was probably underdone, as well as dehydrated. But still a worthwhile experience overall.