Redemption Run...
19/6 – Brisbane Valley Rail Trail 100miler. June 16th, 2018. 19hrs 5min and THIRD PLACE! The race was 5k long but I still beat my best every 100mile time by about 50min. This was my redemption run! Most people know me as a runner. That is a wonderful thing but when injury strikes, races don't go the way you planned and you personally feel like you haven’t done anything of any significance in running for some time, one begins to lose confidence, hope and even the ability to dream of any sort of race success. Even lose identity. It has been over 18months since I feel I have proved my worth as an athlete, so this weekend was one of relief, emotion, excitement and even disbelief! Not that I didn't work hard for the result, but things just went right….all day right…..one of those perfect days. Let me explain a little. My mate Ando and I turned up at Ipswich Friday night for the briefing and some dinner and it was COLD! We slept in the van and it got down to zero degrees, needless to say I didn't sleep much (and Ando refused to snuggle with me!). Saturday morning we woke up, got ready and before long were on our way from Ipswich to Yarraman on the old Valley Rail Trail. Kevi was to join Ando at the first aid station and I was stoked to have the two boys on board as crew. The course was pretty flat compared to what I usually race on so there would be a lot of running! The first 50 odd ks clicked by a little too quickly! Under 5hrs! I felt comfortable though and was happy with where I was. I had a bit of a rough patch for a few hours but in hindsight, still moved well and tried to stay positive. Once I got out of this funk, I ran well through a couple of sections/aid stations and got my groove and game face on. Kevi and Ando met me just after 100k where Kevi jumped in to pace me. We worked well, moving solidly and picking up other runners feeling the pinch. We then got to a section that was douch grade but no kidding, about 15-16k slightly uphill. That uphill that is almost too steep to run but too easy to hike. I pushed as hard as I could through here and Kevi felt the pinch. At the next aid station, after about 35k, he through the towel in. Pacer dropped! Big love Kevi, thanks for the company. From here to the finish, it was GAME ON! I had been in race mode from about 90-100k but it was time to get RECKLESS! I was ready to lay down the hammer and leave all I had on the course! It's a hard concept to grasp as you know you still have a long way to go (at that point about 25k) and you don't want to burn yourself pushing too hard but you also want to rip in and race as hard as you can. I dug deep and went as hard as I could and my legs felt great (well as great as they could after running that far already!) reeling in other runners and with only about 15k to go, passing the super star Deb Nicol, moving into 3rdposition overall. I continued to push myself (even dropping some sub 6min k’s and hiking HARD) and finished in sheer joy! Job well and truly done! I still can’t believe it! This race will go down in my running resume as one of redemption. Where I put my demons to rest and returned to the form I knew I had in me. That's not to say there wont be hard times in the future but this was a significant turning point. I focused and got the job DONE surprising a few people along the way I reckon! I am honoured to have had the chance to run this race and want to thank Ando and Kevi for crewing me, Alun and team for putting the event on, The Trail Co. for your support with gear in the lead up and anyone and everyone who offered words of support and encouragement along the way (and believed in me over the last few years) thank you! From the bottom of my heart thank you! We should never let a ‘thing’ or sport validate us but I feel ‘normal’ and like a runner once again. I am a runner and I love that! Redemption through 100miles! Peace!