Glasshouse 100 Mile (GH100) Race Report 12 September 2015

The weeks leading into this 100mile race were full of ups and downs from feeling totally ready and excited to nervous, stressed and anxious. My Coach Brendan Davies had to set me back on the right track many times and it was only a week before the race that all of a sudden I felt totally at ease and the nerves disappeared. I had my gear and nutrition sorted and I was ready to hit the trails knowing it was going to be a very long day and night out in the bush. I was lucky to have such an amazing crew with Nathan, Nicole, Mick and Matt I was confident that they would get me through this epic race.

Nathan, Nicole and I drove down early Friday morning, a 7 hours drive to the Glasshouse Mountains gave us just enough time to check in at "Crookneck Retreat" and got some last minute groceries before registration. We all went to bed at around 8pm and to my surprise I fell asleep and did not wake up until 4am when the alarm went off. Even then I felt good about the run, not nervous, just excited to get out and start this adventure.

It was a 6am start with 38 starters and only 4 females. As usual I started at the back and I was happy staying there. I was positive that I was going to finish this run no matter how long it would take me, I would run my own race, at my pace. Walk the hills and run the downs and flats for as much as I could. Everyone was buzzing and chatting about anything and everything, already discussing what race we would run after this one, so that first loop went by with in no time.

The second section started with a nice climb up Mt Beerburrum. It's only a couple of k's but has an average of over 25% incline. After that we disappeared back onto the trail on our way to the next checkpoint. 

At that time I was running about 32nd overall and 3rd female, feeling pretty relaxed and happy. A couple more checkpoints went by and we covered some easy roads but also some technical trails including the Goat Track which is pretty tricky. Nathan and Nicole made sure that every time I left the checkpoints I was all topped with fluids, gels and something to snack on.

We had been very lucky with the weather as it was overcast most of the morning, and coming from a hot and humid Rockhampton this temperature was perfect. In the afternoon the sun started to come out and it warmed up especially in some sections where there wasn't a lot of shade. I was going through a lot of water and electrolytes in the afternoon and sometimes I had just enough to get me to the next checkpoint.

At around 60km I was ready for the 2 Bracalba loops, a nice easy downhill run for a few kilometers until you hit the bottom. After this the first loop just keeps going up and down very short steep hills which made even running down them difficult. After the big climb back out of the first loop I was in about 25th position and 2nd female. A quick re-fill and back down all the way to the bottom with a left turn this time. This loop was much easier and had some nice single trail which  I really enjoyed. When I arrived for the 3rd time at this checkpoint Matt had joined the crew. There were a lot of runners at this checkpoint who had either pulled out or had a long break. We had covered about 80km by this stage.

My plan always was to not spend too much time at the checkpoints, so again my crew checked all my gear and handed me my night light as I would most likely not be able to get to the next checkpoint before dark. I had a great run in this section and got to the checkpoint before dark. I was running on schedule. When I got to the next checkpoint Matt was waiting for me and Nathan and Nicole decided to take a break as they would do the early morning shift. I headed back out and just around the corner this guy jumps up.... It's Mick... awesome great surprise! It was amazing how much renewed energy you get every time you meet up with your crew.

It was getting pretty dark by now and I knew that if I just kept going every step would get me closer to that finish line. Another couple of checkpoints went by with some easy running and some tricky trail including the "Powerline" track. At Checkpoint 8 we heard that the next 5km was going to be super tough "The Dungeons", Oh yes they were right!!! Sliding down the steep hills, it was a very technical section which took a lot longer than expected but I got through. I was first female at checkpoint 9 and about 15th overall. It was still dark going through the loop at Swains Lookout and back through "The Dungeons", I will never forget this section!!! My crew were onto me as I wasn't drinking or eating and they were worried that I started dehydrating. Although I was hungry I struggled to eat.

Not far to go now, we had covered about 150km and the sun was coming up. Only 15km to the finish and one more checkpoint. I was amazed at how good I was feeling although my feet were very sore and I was tired I could still run some short distances. I checked my watch and noticed that if I could keep it together I would make it in just under 26 hours. I put my mind to it and blocked out the pain and ran for the finish.... Yes we did it!!! 1st Female and 12th overall. I'm super happy :-)




 

YES THE FINISH LINE!!!!!

25 hours 58 minutes and 5 seconds

1st Female / 12th Overall 

165 km

3,642 Elevation

 

Matt, Mick, Me, Nathan & Nicole

Presentation

I could not have done this without my amazing crew! Thank you so much for taking the time to help me get through this epic event. This was an adventure I will never forget!! I can't thank my crew enough and hopefully one day I can return the favour!

Thanks again Brendan for all your guidance, time and patience. I know I was not the easiest athlete to look after heading into this race. The training week in the Blue Mountains was very valuable and I can't wait to start planning for the next adventure!!

Also thanks everyone who sent messages before and during the race. I really appreciated your words of encouragement, the crew gave me updates during the race and they gave me a lot of motivation :-)

 

Strava Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/392408965

Funny Facts

Calories burnt: 13,072

Step Count: 192,782

 

http://www.upcoaching.com.au/

Glasshouse100 (GH100) Race Report 13&14 September 2014

Last year I ran my very first Ultra here at the Glasshouse Mountains in September and I decided this year to sign up for the 100km. The trail is mixed from forestry road, slippery rocks, natural vegetation and badly eroded trail used by trail bike and 4wd activity. I spend many weeks planning my run with excel spreadsheets cut-off times and nutrition intake for each section of the trail. My goal was to complete the 100km within 15 hours. Nathan (My husband) who has crewed for me many times had it all worked out with gels, perpetuem, SIS tables and was prepared for a long day out in the bush.

It is 5.30am and the 100milers and 100km start together from the Beerburrum School. The first section is quite easy but I have learned from previous races that I always start to fast. I had my running buddy Mick Freeman from Kingaroy with me and together we cruised at the back of the pack while warming up for Mt Beerburrum coming up after the next checkpoint. Mick and I met up with Sammy Brown, he was running the 100 miler and made everyone smile with his happy flower bucket hat and we run together for a while.

Mt Beerburrum is about 1.5km up with a 16% incline. As this was very early in the race I decided to take it super easy and not to use too much energy, still a long way to go!! The view from the top of Mt Beerburrum was absolute stunning. I had to take it steady on my way down from Mt Beerburrum as 16% down is pretty hard on your legs. After about 20km Mick decided that it was time for him to “take off” as he set himself a much shorter finishing time for the race.

I know that I am not the strongest on the up so it was important for me to take my time on the ups and cruise down staying light and easy on my feet. The medical team was fantastic and you do have to get your weight checked at various points along the way. Apparently I put weight on and was fine to continue after checkpoint 5. Nathan told me I was well on track for my goal. After about the 30km mark I faced some more technical trail with steep downhill sections on this track which was badly eroded due to trail bike and 4wd activity. I was worried about the next section coming up from checkpoint 6 to 8. It was in the hot part of the day and underneath the power lines, no shade and some of the road was that badly eroded, I was running in ruts that were about 2 meters deep. I was told that if anything happens in this section it would be hard to get you out. I was lucky enough that it was started to get a little overcast and again took my time and paced myself through this rough section. 

Once I hit checkpoint 8 I had another medical and weight check. Checkpoint 8 was one of those where you could stay for a while, the volunteers were fantastic and couldn’t give you enough of their freshly made goodies. Gavin Bendall also from Rockhampton was crewing for his wife Raelene, who was running the 100 miler and gave me some tips to get through the next loop which would bring me back to checkpoint 8. From here I started the feel stronger and stronger, not spending to much time at the checkpoints slowly working my way further forward in the field. A hungry looking goanna made sure I kept my pace up. I needed to get back through checkpoint 6 & 5 before dark as some of the trail is pretty technical. On my way back to checkpoint 5 I was stopped by a massive snake in the middle of the road, lucky there were some friendly campers around who helped me get past the snake and I kept going. From here on it was pretty much downhill back to Beerburrum School. 
 

Nathan gave me my last gel and filled up my bottle for the last 11k. Headlight on ready to go for the home run. I was well on track to make it back within 15 hours and I just cruised home. I met up with a young fellow who started cramping at around 40k when he was still in the lead, I admired his drive to keep going and finish the 100km run. He could no longer run and we had a little chat before I set off to hit the finish line. I felt strong in on the last section and came home in 13 hours and 22 min, total elevation 2022m, finishing 6^th female and 30^th overall I was extremely happy with my result. 

 

Strava:  http://www.strava.com/activities/194058119

Congratulations to all runners especially Raelene finishing 2nd female in the 100 miler, Mick completing his first 100km Ultra and Sammy finishing the 100 miler and made everyone smile. Kathryn Austin finishing 4th in the 50km and Stuart Wright making it through to 104k in the 100 miler both from Rockhampton.

Special thanks to all volunteers who made our day awesome!!!!

Also a very special thanks to my coach Brendan Davies who helped me prepare for this challenging run. It has been amazing to have Brendan as my coach!!! Bring on 100km Tarawera Ultra Marathon (TUM) in New Zealand next year!!!

 

http://www.upcoaching.com.au/