Plans change...
This past Sunday was meant to be the first race of the year, Hares and Hounds 50k. I was very much looking forward to the event as Tegan and the girls were going to be coming and it has been a while since my last event. I felt fit, excited and ready to throwdown. Then…..Brisbane lockdown and all events cancelled/postponed. Ugh. Good ol’ Covid strikes again. So, to come up with another plan.
I thought of the idea of travelling somewhere nearby doing a 50k here, a 100k or something else? But then, I thought more of the idea I have been pondering for some time….a circumnavigation of Bundaberg. I drew inspiration from this idea, it was something I have wanted to do for some time and was excited at the thought of doing it with some mates. I made up some arbitrary boundaries (Elliot Heads, the three ‘Welcome to Bundy’ signs at Goodwood Road, Childers Road and Gin Gin Road, the Port, Burnett Heads and home). I decided to start on Sunday at 12:01am and the adventure was locked in.
So, on the first minute of Sunday, Tim, Dad and I set out on foot and Ricky was on the bike to begin with. I awoke that morning feeling off. My stomach didn't feel right and I was a little concerned. Nevertheless, we had a task to achieve, people relying on me and kilometres to cover. Unfortunately, this didn't really help. I nearly turned around in the first couple of k’s and the first three hours were ROUGH! Everything I ate went straight through me and a few times I was nearly doubled over with stomach cramps. Not fun. I haven’t been that sick whilst running for a very long time.
Meanwhile, the other guys were doing just fine. Running, chatting and enjoying the early morning. I was quiet, in my own head, and just trusting that my stomach would come right. Well, it took reaching that three-hour mark and a number of stops in the bush before I felt even remotely ok. Still not great, but satisfactory. I managed to keep a little food in but by that stage it was a bit late. Not enough fluids, electrolytes of food and that was nearly that. By this stage, dad wasn't feeling the best either, complaining of some mystery back pain, Tim was starting to feel the pinch and Ricky just wanted to get a run in. What a bunch of sooks we were! Ha!
We basically decided together that it wasn't to be the day for the big route (which would have probably been 80-90km). Tim decided to stick to the 50k he had planned to race that day and battled through some pain to get his first ultramarathon done. Ricky shot off home to get his shoes on and came and met us at a Caltex servo….along with a friendly, in a bad way drunk I tried to help with his phone! Dad, Ricky and I decided to just head to Bargara and what distance we got we would be happy with. Tim peeled off soon after this and the remaining three battled on.
I started to run strong at this point, but it was too late. Dad was cramping so Ricky and I did a few detours to get a few more k’s in and let dad stay nearby. Getting toward Bargara my stomach started playing up again and my Achilles was a little worrisome so the right decision was made to pull it up shorter than planned. We made it to the shop, had a quick brew and ran home…..mission aborted.
Whilst it was marginally annoying not to get the full distance done, it was still a fun way to spend about seven hours with some mates. I ended up covering 63k so certainly not a failure. Given how terrible I felt, I was pretty happy all things considered. It sucked not getting the full thing done but still a solid day at the office.
A massive congrats to Tim and Greg (who ran with another mate staying in Bargara) finishing their first ultras. Top effort boys! We will get to run the real thing on the 14th of February, but until then, enjoy your efforts. It is always a blessing to get to do stuff like this with my dad. He has slowed marginally given he is now 66 and a half but I tell you what, I look forward to every adventure we get to have together. Lastly, Ricky, your final jaunt before hitting the road in your van again. Love you brother and I will really miss our runs, chats and your dashing good looks. Your alright.
So, disappointing….a little. A valuable experience….absolutely. Running hands you different things on a daily basis and I was just unlucky to get a 24hr stomach bug the day we planned our outing. It is what it is and it added to the story. The route will be there to conquer another time. Until then, run on, train strong until race day and take what you’re given on a daily basis. We can learn from each experience in its own special way. Peace friends.