Bogong to Hotham 2011

January 2011

Bogong to Hotham, Victoria, Australia, 60km, 3500m vertical, maximum altitude – 2000m; participants: 150

8:48h, 12^th overall

***

After 2 goes at this race which bring back mixed memories, I was determined to do well on my third attempt. I got to Mt Beauty on Saturday afternoon and shared a room with Ian Wright who provided a wealth of information about this race, pacing, hydration, water quality in the creeks and running in general. He’s done this race 10(?) times and has 8:30h on his record, so I was lucky to have his company.

We got to Mountain Creek on Sunday for the “early start” (Ian was going to do the “traditional” start). I was feeling pretty good and ran the first 2km, and was the first to hit the single track up Mt Bogong. That was a bit surprising as there were surely good runners in the early start… Backed off the pace and started the long walk up Mt Bogong. Dave Byrens flew by running the hill looking very strong. Then I was caught up by Mark and Cameroon and we got together to the top in 1:45 – exactly the time from my 2 previous runs. I was hoping to do a bit better, but wasn’t too concerned – in my opinion, the hills are not the place where you make time in this race, it’s the flats, whether you can run them and with what pace, which makes the difference. However, my legs felt a bit heavy going up the hill. I was tripping over small rocks and tree roots. Maybe that was because of the lack of training in the last 2 weeks (going away on my own with the kids meant no running). I was hoping once I start running, the legs will come good.

Set a good pace from the top and ran all the way to Madison’s hut site. For me, that’s one of the best sections of the course both for running and the scenery (together with the single track before Langford Gap). Filled up from the creek and took the steep downhill to Big River very steadily and carefully. I remember my first year here where I flew down this hill which trashed my legs and then I couldn’t run the flats later. Not this time… I was at the river in about 3h – the same as my previous 2 years. Here Mark and Cam caught up with me again (Dave was behind) and after refiling from the river, we set up for the climb of Duane spur. I felt very good here and walked/jogged strongly and what seemed effortlessly all the way to Roper’s hut. I managed to cut down almost 10 min on my previous time and what’s more important, felt great. Just before Roper’s I got passed by Stu doing the “traditional” late start who, I believe, ran all the big hills and was looking very strong. He passed me like I was standing still – it’s unbelievable how fit and strong some “people” can be!

From Roper’s hut, I ran with a good pace all the way to Langford gap and got there just under 5:10h. There were lots of people cheering there, probably thinking I was second overall and not knowing that I started early – that was a bit embracing, but I didn’t have the heart and the time to explain… Quick refill of my bottle and I was away in less than a minute. There were lots of runners training between Langford and Omeo Rd, I even recognized some faces – Mat Robbie (few times second at 6FT), Craig Mottram, the Australian 5000m Olympian, and some others who I’ve seen, but don’t know the names. Damon Goerke passed me here and again, the difference in our paces was just scary. Spent about 3-4 mins at Omeo Rd (my drop bag was there), refilling my camel bag, resupplying with food and dropping off my hat (never used it on the day) and torch (used it in the first 2 kms). Here I was passed by the third runner, who just got a drink and took off. And until the end I didn’t see any other competitors.

I was still feeling great and ran all the way to the last steep downhill down to Dubbin hut. I took it extra carefully there as there were some trees and rocks on the track and I didn’t want to trip and/or cramp. In fact, this downhill was probably the hardest section of the race for me, but fortunately went well. Once down at the hut site, it was easy up the hill, walking the steep bits and jogging the flatter parts. Felt very strong on the last section from Derek hut to Mt Hotham and jogged/ran most of the distance.

I was very pleased with my time, and the way I felt the whole run. Didn’t have a single low moment, all went well. A 1:13h PB – I’ll take that. I think the key was that this was my first ultra where I got my nutrition right – it makes a huge difference.

Getting down from Mt Hotham to Mt Beauty as a passenger in a car was by far the hardest thing on the weekend for me as I got incredibly car sick. Thanks to Dave from Harrietville for the lift and to Stu and Damon (who I shared the lift with) for their patience. Every year I swear I’ll never do this race again unless I have a car to drive myself from Mt Hotham, but keep forgetting how hard it is… Next year I’ll get this right.

Thanks to Andy and Bret for all the great work they did, Mike for marking the course, the water drops and the tips he gave me about the course and water quality in the creeks (getting from him, Andy and Ian that water is fine for drinking was enough for me and saved me a lot of time and ensured tasty untreated water). Thanks to all the volunteers for giving up their weekend to make sure this race happens. And to Parks Victoria for clearing the tracks (that saved heaps of time and energy), putting the chain at Big River and the excellent course marking (these white arrows were great – I don’t think they were there 2 years ago).