From the archives - 2010 Six-Foot Track Race Report

Greyhound’s 6FT race report

The biggest hurdle…

Luckily I was able to talk a close ally into entering me at 5am on 1^st December (in the very unlikely case there was a ‘mad’ rush of entries). This proved an excellent decision as in 2010 just getting to the 6FT start line appeared to be the biggest challenge in race history!

Preparation in ‘the Alice’…

Initially I had planned to repeat last years ‘build-up’ to 6FT, with plenty of ‘Fatass’ runs which I felt was ideal preparation – Horrie’s Christmas Bash, BTBS, Australia Day Fatathon, Megalong Mega. I was worried that my training plan would be hampered, when I agreed to spend 6 weeks in Alice Springs in January/February 2010 – but what a training destination it proved to be! Alice Springs provided challenging training conditions (31 degrees at 5am, 41 degrees at 5pm), but endless ‘red dirt’ trails enabling injury-free consistent running. And one hill – Anzac hill…

Nellies’ Glen…

Once the gun went off, I figured that if I could get down Nellie’s Glen in one piece (trying to avoid the ‘verbal abuse’ being thrown at me – that I accept is in order as I am without doubt the slowest runner to negotiate the descent – not helped by size 13 feet), I had a chance of a win. I settled into about 20^th place, feeling pretty happy with my progress when I had the full extent of my limitations confirmed when I saw ‘the world’s best downhill runner’ Damian Smith jump over me and put 75 metres on me in 10 seconds. Well, I did make it down without a fall and couldn’t have been more content with my effort – now my race could start!

To Cox’s…

I felt that although I was probably at least 5 minutes behind the leaders, as I was unscathed by Nellies’ I would see how many I could catch by Megalong – I think I counted 10 runners. I was certainly given a ‘kick up the bum’ by Marc Person who commented ‘aren’t you supposed to win’ ! I then tried the same to the Cox’s River, I think I passed 3, helped by Tim Cochrane setting a cracking pace from Megalong to Cox’s. Unfortunately, I dismissed the fact that the rope was in Cox’s for a reason and attempted to cross unaided (and hit a rock and totally submerged myself – watched directly by Tim who I think laughed at me – well I deserved it!)

Mini-mini…

Now came the test of whether 6 weeks of entirely flat running in ‘the Alice’ would help in negotiating the inclines – well luckily they did – I felt strong running past Tim Ashby, Sam Walker, then Brendan Davies and the mountain goat (‘Fats’). I had great assistance from one of the ‘7am early starters’ indicating that there were 4 runners ahead (all within view just around the corner) – this gave me a huge boost – when I saw ‘Tucks’, then Campbell Maffett a few moments later and was able to slip past into 3rd – I knew my pacing had been to perfection – forget all the ‘push & shove and tongue-in-cheek calls down Nellies’ ­­­– I felt every rise was my chance to gain a little bit.

Pluvio and the Black Range…

I met Andrew Lee at the bottom of Pluvio (an sneakily ran past at the drink station) – unsure if he was feeling great and taking a planned hydration/nutrition stop before a huge effort up Pluvio – he is always smiling and looking fresh – and able to talk in sentences – he said just one ahead, its ‘Uncle Dave’!

I joined ‘Uncle Dave’ and ran side-by-side up Pluviometer (minimal talk – one word sentences at the most!). Then a ‘yeeaaah’ from Dave as we reached the top – followed by asking me how the time at the top of ‘Pluvio’ compared to last year – I then looked at my watch for the first time in 26km and realized that my watch had stopped – this was a little alarming but enabled me to run on feel rather than to the watch for the rest of the way – I think it’s the best way!

Then I remembered John Stevens­ – ‘self proclaimed-greatest 6FT runner of all time’ telling me last year (the race doesn’t begin until the top of ‘Pluvio’) – he is definitely right about that – you can’t be spent at 26km and if you have petrol in the tank – you can make a foot-race of it! For the next 6km Dave put in many surges (very sneaky) which luckily I was able to cope with (Dave obviously likes to sap the energy out of every sinew of muscle) – it hurts when you have only just reached the top of ‘Pluvio’. When we reached the whiteboard, with way too much writing for tired runners to even attempt to read: 30.1km from start, 12.9km from finish – sorry! I then struggled to do the maths to see if it would add up to 45km – and at the same time I found myself with a break on Dave (he too must have struggled with the maths – taking his mind off the race!).

Caves Road Xing…

Seeing ‘Sleep Train’ at the road – giving great support to all competitors – cheering me on gave me another boost – for the final segment. As my watched had stopped – I looked carefully to see if he had a worried look in his eye – was I in reach of his ‘record’ – he had his ‘poker’ face on – so I took it as a sign that I was going OK! I guessed that I had about 1 minute lead on ‘Uncle Dave’, so I set about trying to maintain this without falling off the side of the cliff on the descent down to Caves’ house (which happened last year – and Andrew Lee slipped past without a word!).

Well when I heard the ‘cowbell’ there was nothing to worry about – I was by myself – no need to race the stairs to the finish!

Fantastic day overall – will be back next year!

What I have learnt…

Start eating before getting hungry, start drinking before getting thirsty, BUT don’t start racing before the bottom of Nellies Glen!

Eat dinner at ‘The Niagara’ at Katoomba. I don’t know if it was by coincidence, but both the male and female overall race winners (Collen Middleton & I) ate there on Friday night at the same time – they certainly provide the right food for marathoners!