Down Under 135

10/4 – Yo! So, I know I missed a week’s blog, but I was taking part in an epic road trip so I hope y’all can forgive me! I’m back, ready to rock and this one could be an epic! As most of you know, I have been training, mentally preparing and building for Down Under 135 the weekend just gone. I won’t go into the details of how hard the time has been since last years race as I believe I have already covered that here but basically, this year was redemption time. I had trained freaking hard, was fitter than I have ever been for a race and I was ready. There were no excuses. The only way I wasn't finishing is if there was bone sticking out or I got pulled off the course….funny that….. Dad, Kevi and I decided to road trip down in the van and let me just say, it was an awesome, relaxing and fun journey!   We camped on the side of the road, stayed in a beautiful caravan park, surprise visited my Nan and eventually landed in Ballen at the race organisers house to stay. We chilled out for a day, ate good food and relaxed before heading to race check-in the night before the big dance. I got super emotional on the way there and couldn't stop crying for some reason. I think the full circle of the event and all the water that has passed under the bridge got to me! In any event, we got checked in, chatted with all the crew, met new friends and were ready to go. At 8am on Friday, after some pleasantries, meeting the rest of my beautiful crew, Brad and Kate and saying gday to Spudman who came to hang out for a bit, it was time to get going! 28 of us started the adventure but how many would survive! The first day went pretty darn well. The inital 50k of the course has 3000m of climbing and is no joke! It is reasonably slow going but I got through it unscathed. I linked up with a crew of guys who eventually petered out to myself and Guy, a fella from Brisbane. We worked together well and ticked the k’s off well. Before I knew it, it was dark and I met up with Kevi at the Obriens aid station where he would pace me for a bit. We moved nicely, enjoyed some chats and kept moving forward. Before long (a stack and some off trail big ass climbs later) we met the crew at Nolans where Brad took over pacing for a few k’s. I hadn’t met Brad or Kate in person before so it was a unique and lovely way to get to know these guys. I was starting to feel a little tired by the time I reached the halfway point (which was actually long at 114km instead of 109km) and decided to try and get 20min sleep. I didn't really sleep much and before I knew it, was back up, eating and off again. Dad joined me from this point and was to be with me till the end of the race. Champion. We again were moving well and made it back to Nolans easily. My feet were starting to get reasonably sore and my quads a little jacked up but nothing too concerning. From Nolans, we had some decent climbs before hitting Blackwood aid station. By this stage I was starting to struggle a bit and both the feet and quads slowing me down substantially. I was doing my best the whole day to stay present and in the moment but I also had in the back of my mind the overall cut off of 54hours and how many k’s per hour we had to cover to get there in time. The back end of the course is BRUTAL and it was going to take time. Would I have enough of it though…. I did my best to run a smart race the whole time. During this point of struggle, I kept moving forward well but also tried to not smash myself, as I knew I would need my legs later. Dad and I eventually got to O’Brians aid station where I decided to have another 20min sleep. It was nearly dark so not bad timing. Brad also gave me an adjustment (he’s a chiro) and quad massage. This really helped through the next section. I ate up and off we went again. This section was again pretty hard going but we trudged on. We were to next meet our crew at an un-manned water drop at a place called Square Bottle. In the half hour coming up to it I was SUPER tired and staggering on the trail like a drunkard! I was so tired. Dad decided I should have 10-15min sleep and another massage at the un-manned station before smashing out the rest of the course. Upon arriving, the first aid man was there and advised us that we had exactly four hours through some of the hardest section of the course to get to Loes Lane aid station to beat the cut off! I, ignorantly, didn't even realise there was a cut off there so this was a MASSIVE shock. He said the leaders were taking over four hours to get there and I knew I wasn't moving well. I needed sleep but didn't have time! I didn't want to quit but knew I wasn't moving quickly enough….I would rather die trying though. Dad and I picked up our stuff, frustrated but head off on this next section to try and get in in time to continue. This section is ROUGH! There were times we were doing 27min kilometres and literally on hands and feet crawling up massive hills and scree. Mentally I wasn't in a great place, realising we weren’t going to make the cut off but still needed to work through this hectic section of trail. I was again falling asleep hiking and at times nearly fell over into the bush I was so tired. It took a massive kangaroo charging us and hopping between dad and I yelling to wake me up! We trudged on, got to Mt Blackwood (just before Loes Lane checkpoint) and realised we were well off the cut off. We still summited the climb, signed the check in book and went down to the aid station and met the organisers and volunteers to be told we had missed the cut off by about 45min. It was an emotional moment and a tough one to take but I was pretty toast. I was happy to have been pulled from the course instead of quit…..I felt extremely disappointed but ok with things at that point…I guess. I shared some tears with Dale (one of the organisers) and chatted to some of the other competitors that were also timed out there before heading back to where we were staying for a shower, some rest and food. After just under 43hours, 190km and 9300m of climbing, my attempt at the 2018 Down Under 135 was over. On the drive home and after a couple of days reflection I am disappointed, proud, upset, happy, playing over the ‘what if’s and generally going through the event blow by blow. In hindsight, I wouldn't have laid down when I did but waited till I was DOG tired so I could actually sleep. I might have pushed a little harder from Nolans but to be honest, my run speed was only marginally faster than my hard hike so I’m not sure that would have made much difference. I didn't spend too long in aid stations and in general, couldn't have saved much time elsewhere. I trained hard and I believe the course about 30% harder than than the animal last year so there are those elements also… The event is a brute and once again, it just chewed me up and spat me out. There were five finishers in the end and I am in awe of every single one of them! Amazing! Gentlemen, you are studs and weapons in your own right! WOW! Thank you to everyone who helped me, at the event, offered words of encouragement, crewed, volunteered, organised, sent cards, love and just have been amazing. The event has a special place in my heart and I will get it done one day, mark my words. For now though, Ill continue to digest things this week before getting back to some gentle movement and proper training at the end of the month to crew my good friend Carmen at Ultraman and then my next race, a 100miler in June. The journey continues, the risks will continue and the adventures will never cease! Thank you to everyone once again, I love you all and can’t wait to share what’s ahead. Big love. Sandy.