From Derby to Gone Nuts 50k

Monday, 25^th February, 2019:

We hadn’t been home for too long before it was time for Monday Mates. We arrived early so I went for a short warm up and felt surprisingly good following Saturday’s half marathon at Derby. Even though I started reasonably slowly it wasn’t long before I was running strongly without any forced effort. In fact, I finished the first split in 5:33 and then ran with Debbie Riley for the rest of the run, finishing off with a 5:15 final split. I was amazed at how freely I could run and maintain that pace for 40 minutes. But I had better not do any more runs like that until after Gone Nuts, which is just over 4 days away now.

Wednesday, 27^th February, 2019:

It was RunClub tonight and I knew it had to be an easy run in preparation for Saturday. I started off near the back of the pack and slowly passed a number of others until I drew alongside Debbie Warren and we ran together for the whole way—at least until the last couple of hundred metres when I stopped to walk with Val and Darlene. I have another easy run tomorrow and then a walk on Friday. As long as I am sensible for these next two days and then take it out easily at the start for the 5 kms along the roads before entering Rocky Cape NP and then ascending the steep hills I should be all right.

Thursday, 28^th February, 2019:

I’ve just been looking at last year’s results and I ran the 25k in 3:50:40. I do believe, however, that I am in a bit better condition than this time last year and so I have set myself the goal of running the 50k in a time of 8 hours. I want to start at the very end of the field and take off slowly, reeling people in where it is possible. If I don’t achieve this aim then it will not overly concern me. I want to run it; enjoy it; and finish it well. Time will tell. I did the 51k along the Turquoise Walk in WA in 6:24:08—though, admittedly, it was much flatter than Gone Nuts. My problem with the Turquoise Walk run was I ran too hard at the beginning and gave myself a marathon PB—and I definitely won’t be considering anything like that on Saturday. So I will run my own race, which, hopefully, will mean catching other runners, staying with them for a while to encourage them and then push on a bit harder. Will it work out like that? I don’t know, but I will give it my best shot and see if I have anything left after I cross the line to run back and bring friends home.

Saturday, 2^nd March, 2019:

Last night was not a good sleeping night. I tossed and turned and just couldn’t get comfortable with the pain in my right side from what I suspect is a cracked rib. At least the pain has subsided from what it was originally, so it shouldn’t cause me any concern during today’s run.

The alarm went off at 4.00 am so I could have a hearty breakfast and the mandatory mugs of tea to get me going. In hindsight, I think I had too much Nutri-Grain as it left me feeling heavy on the stomach. After breakfast it was time to get dressed and get my Salomon vest packed with the compulsory gear that I needed to carry. At least, with the hot conditions expected today, the organisers told us at the briefing last night that we don’t need thermals, a weather proof jacket, etc.

We milled around at the start for a pre-race briefing and, as the timing person was delayed, I was able to avail myself of the toilet. When everything was ready we moved to the start line, having been warned of the possibility of a milk tanker on the road at that time of morning. True to my pre-race intention I stayed at the very back of the field when we set off, though I slowly began to reel people in even though I was running at just under 7:00/k. That would keep me on target. I couldn’t see any of our people—admittedly it was dark though I didn’t use my headlamp as there was enough light from those around me and dawn was drawing near. After about 3k I drew up alongside Zayne and Danika Braid, on an incline that was steeper than I imagined it would be on the road, and then slowly moved in front of them, thinking that that was the last I would see them until the conclusion of the race. It wasn’t long before this old man and his bladder knew that a stop was necessary, so, making sure there were no females in sight, I was able to stop at the side of the road. It was lovely to be able to draw beside a few people on the road and briefly spend some time chatting with them. At the end of the road section of our run there was my wonderful Val waiting for me. I was able to hand over my headlamp and a very sticky gel wrapper before taking on the Inland Track that skirted around Cathedral Hill, crossed over Postman’s Pass and skirted Saddleback Hill. This afforded us magnificent views in all directions, but to appreciate the views one had to stop because the track became more difficult. In places, rocks had been laid on the track to stop the erosion from countless feet tramping along it. In other places it was still sandy and beginning to form ruts. And still we went up! I would have missed the sun rising over the water if others had not stopped for photos as I had my head down carefully watching where I put my feet. One of the big disadvantages of multifocal lenses is that I can either look down or look up—but not both at the same time. When I ran Dove Lake last year I twice hit my head on low hanging branches while I was looking down at the track and where to put my feet. At least there were no overhanging branches to worry about here—at least in this stage. Because I had deliberately started so slowly it was amazing watching ant-like people on the track way ahead of me as they ground their way up the 278 metre steep incline, the highest point on our run and only 8 kms into it. At one spot the gradient was around 30%. All around us it was spiky grasses and low scrub. I was amazed to see Zayne and Danika walking/jogging up the track to overtake me. What an incredible effort they were putting in. I was able to follow behind them for a few kilometres as the track began to meander through large bushes. Danika offered to let me pass but I was content to stay behind them and have some company for a while. In hindsight, which would be such a wonderful thing to have, I should have taken up her offer. When I had completed 10 km and it was time for another gel I slowed down to get it out, open it and begin to consume it. This meant that they had disappeared from sight when the totally unexpected happened. Up to this point I had been relatively secure with my footing and even on those occasions when I had a bit of a trip on a rock or root I was able to steady myself. I have always prided myself on being steady on my feet and how I can so easily rock-hop. How the mighty have fallen!!!! Yes, you guessed it. I was running on the narrow, deeply rutted section of track that meant my left foot continually caught on the side of the track or on the little bushes beside it. Well, this time there was no steadying myself. With the gel in one hand and a plastic bag for the wrapper in the other I tripped on something with my left foot. I stumbled for a few paces trying to right myself—but it was downhill and I gained momentum (not the ideal place to do so) until I could no longer maintain my balance and over I went. I sort of rolled as I went, landing heavily on my left shoulder in prickly bushes. Half to myself but half aloud I said, “Where are you, girls?” I knew that Darlene and Lisa weren’t too far behind me while Zayne and Danika were out of sight off in the distance. I slowly rolled myself onto my right side and got myself up. Scratches on my left knee and some soreness behind the left shoulder blade were immediately obvious so I tried to keep going. But it was slow and painful. I tried to move my shoulder to relieve the soreness only to find that it was worse in my rib cage so I wondered whether I had cracked/broken a rib. Every step sent a stabbing pain through my chest. My left hip was sore. My left knee didn’t like landing. There was nothing for it but to press on. It wasn’t long before Darlene and Lisa caught me and they knew something was wrong. They became my guardian angels, continually checking on me; offering to slow down and get me home. What wonderful friends they are. We soon began to run on a wider track, the Anniversary Bay Circuit, when the unthinkable happened. It was Groundhog Day for sure as I again stumbled and fell in exactly the same way as I did 3-4 kilometres earlier. But this time I couldn’t get myself up. I tried to roll onto my left side but the pain in my chest prevented me. I was, however, slowly able to roll onto my right side and onto my knees. But I couldn’t get up any further. Lisa needed to take my hand and get me up. I was able to keep going even though it wasn’t so easy. Still I thought I was in pretty good shape. How wonderful it was to reach Sisters Beach where Val was waiting for me to get what I needed and to take copious photos. She is such an important part of my life and so supportive, even to the point of yelling out encouraging words like, “Go, Old Man!” When I told Val about my falls she questioned me about pulling out, but I told her I was okay to continue. Darlene and Lisa took longer to restock than I did so, knowing that I was slower than they were, I told them that I would push on so I didn’t stiffen up. It wouldn’t be long, I knew, before they caught me. They certainly did catch me after a short time along the Irby Boulevarde, at the end of which we crossed a wooden footbridge over Sisters Creek, where they just had to pose for a photo shoot opportunity. We paused briefly at the aid station for a drink, a bag of lollies and half a jam sandwich before continuing our journey together along the flatish East Boulevarde where Ray Yaxley caught us and we spent a short time running with him before he moved on ahead at a faster rate. But it didn’t remain flat for long as we began another steep incline up Postman’s Track. I simply can’t remember a great deal about this section. I know that it was hard. I know the girls kept checking on me. I know I kept dropping behind them, but somehow managed to catch up with them on the less steep sections. How good they were to me, those angels of mercy. When it came to steps I was reduced to having to lead with my right foot as my left wouldn’t bear my weight in trying to get up them. So it was slow. It wasn’t long before the half way mark had been reached, but we still weren’t into Boat Harbor. There was a very steep descent down a track that was easy to slip on. But we managed it. Another steep incline faced us as we were forced to take the high tide route up and over and down a ridge instead of clambering over rocks. What a relief to reach Boat Harbor. Val told me, having spoken with Ben and Kristin, that it was her call on whether I should continue or not. As that wasn’t in my plans I must have sounded convincing enough for her to not put her foot down. I took a long break, filling one of my Hydroflasks with cold Coke, to which I’m rapidly becoming addicted in long runs.

Again I set off before the girls as I slowly made my way along the beach and then over the rocks. When I decided to take my first sips of Coke I did so before releasing the build up of fizz and it almost blew my false teeth out of my mouth, such was the pressure. By the time I reached the beginning of the next hill ascent the two girls had caught me. We were now traversing private farm land and how thankful we are to the landowners for allowing us to use their properties for this event. But as I climbed the pathway up, up, up it was a slow, hands on hips walk, dragging the chain, getting behind the girls. The heat seemed to be getting to Darlene whereas Lisa seemed as fresh as a daisy. We continued to traverse paddocks; running around dams and outbuildings—even through farmhouse backyards thanks to the owners’ generosity. At the unmanned water station I drank a whole bottle of Gatorade; took a couple of bite-sized Snickers; and soaked my cap in the icy water. I sat in a chair to have this and then struggled to get out of it and get going again. It was sad to see a number of drink bottles discarded by earlier runners. Admittedly a couple were placed beside track markers but at least one was just carelessly tossed aside. We pushed on until we arrived at Tollymore Road where Val was waiting for me and Greg was there for Darlene and Lisa. Val told me Greg had something for me, and she produced some Panadol that I was to take. I left the girls again so I could have a bit of a head start before they caught up again, but … it didn’t eventuate. From that moment on it was as if I was flying. I could now run, albeit slowly, up the hills. The pain in my chest hadn’t gone away but something had happened. I delighted in telling people that the Panadol was actually Speed that now made me run faster and freer. I hope that I didn’t offend anyone by that, but Greg’s kindness made a big difference to my being able to finish the race the way I did. The first of the team 101ers raced past me shortly after I had crossed Tollymore Road, hotly pursued by Bryan Tuit. Bryan caught me as I was clambering over a low fence using the ladders placed there for our convenience. I didn’t realise it was Bryan as I suggested to him that he could easily hurdle the fence. The tide had changed—not the physical tide but my whole approach to the remainder of the run. I kept looking back for the girls but I had lost them. Even though I was slowly beginning to feel like a bit of a heel for dropping them I decided to push on with the thought of maybe, if I was up to it, going back to meet them after I had finished. Now my goal was to run down as many of those in front of me as possible. Slowly I caught up with some of the walkers in the 25k event, and then there were some of the 50k runners. Mostly I slowed down to walk/run beside them for a distance, trying to encourage them in what they were doing. Before I knew what had happened I was at the Table Cape Lighthouse where I had another long break for refuelling. While I was there the first female 101 team runner (third overall at that stage) ran through. WOW! A couple of jam sandwiches; some lollies and some Coke and I was ready to set off again. But that comfortable chair was a dangerous option as I struggled to get out of it. It was difficult to start running again, but I could almost smell the finish line—it was that close! By the time I had run the Table Cape Walking Tack to the Table Cape Lookout I had caught Zayne and Danika. What a marvellous effort they had made—especially Zayne who, I believe, had never run more than 10k before. I take my hat off to him! What an encouragement it must have been for Danika to have her husband run the whole way with her. After a short distance along Table Cape Road it was into another property. In one of the ensuing properties between here and the finish line the grass had been mown for our convenience but it was clumpy and so I had to carefully watch were I placed my feet—especially on the downhill sections. Once or twice I had to stop at a marker to try and find the next one. But I didn’t go wrong and take a wrong turn … fortunately. I was enjoying it more and more. Even though Greg’s tablets hadn’t taken the pain in my chest away I was still able to continue. It hurt going down the declines and I grimaced as I landed or breathed deeply. I next saw Val at the beginning of the Inglis River Walkway. Greg was there too and he handed me an ice-cold Coke, which I quickly drank. But a desire had been forming in my mind. I was no longer content to try and catch those in front of me in either the 25k or 50k events. I now wanted to try and get to the finish before anyone else in the 101 teams caught me. I even imagined myself in a desperate sprint to the finish line with one of them—what the mind can do, or should that be what a vain mind can imagine the body of an aging 70-year-old can accomplish? Apart from slowing to walk with those I caught up to for a quick chat I ran on and on. As I neared the end of the course Debbie Riley and Terri Webb were there with the specific goal of running me home. That was so unexpected. It was so thoughtful of them to encourage me in that way. I just couldn’t understand why anyone would want to do that for me. Even now, a day later, just thinking of what they did brings tears to my eyes. Even though I was grimacing in pain with each step I was able to bring it home at around 5:45/k pace for that final sprint. I was amazed at the amount of applause I received as I ran down that final crooked straight and over the line. Here we are at an event, each trying to do our best against fellow competitors and yet people look out for each other and cheer each other on. There’s no trying to crush the opposition or grind them into the ground. After a few hugs and congratulations from that wonderful group who stayed behind to wait for me I knew I had to turn around for my girls. They had supported me throughout the difficult stages of the run. They lovingly cared for me. They slowed themselves down for me when I struggled. And I just wanted to help them achieve their goal. So I jogged back along the course, responding to comments like “You’re going the wrong way” or “Haven’t you had enough?” How wonderful it was to see Darlene and Lisa, still about 2.3 kilometres from home. We stayed together until the final run down the path as Debbie and her son Lachie came out to meet them and I found that I had nothing left in me to keep up with them.

It was suggested that I go to the Medical Tent for a check. Jacinta, the doctor on duty checked me out and told me that I should go the Burnie Hospital for an X-ray. Poor Val. She was already so exhausted and hadn’t eaten or drunk enough and now she had to drive me from Wynyard to Burnie. I presented Jacinta’s letter to the receptionist who told me that she had run two years earlier. Mel, the attending doctor, told me that she would have run today if she wasn’t on duty. So there were some understanding and sympathetic people taking care of me. When the X-rays were examined they didn’t show a break (apparently this type of break doesn’t always show up) even though both Jacinta and now Mel both said that I had all the classic symptoms of a broken rib. The X-ray, however, did affirm that there was no lung damage, which could cause complications with pneumonia and lung collapse. We dropped back into the Medical Tent to let Jacinta know the situation and thank her again. We stayed at the finish talking to a few people and waiting for a friend to come—but he was too far away so we thought we had better head back to Rocky Cape. After my good result following the X-rays I was back to driving, tired as I was, to help Val who was exhausted. We did, however, stop along the highway at Inglis River as runners were coming over the footbridge. One of them just happened to be our friend, who was delighted that someone had been waiting for him.

Back at the van I had an Endone tablet that not only put me to sleep but gave me the best sleep I had had in days.

I could not have done what I did today without the wonderful love and support of Val; without my two guardian angels who cared for me during the difficult stages after my fall; and for all those other runners and supporters who gave me encouragement. Even though I vowed that I would never again tackle Gone Nuts 50k I’m already finding that I want to give it another go. And while the 101k has an appeal to it I doubt that I would ever be able to run that at my age.

When I pulled in to Rocky Cape Roadhouse for diesel and a coffee I mentioned that we had camped at the tavern for a couple of nights so I could do the 50k run. As soon as I mentioned, in response to a question, how I had fallen and broken a rib the fellow behind the other counter knew all about me and that my wife had taken the photos. He had run the 50k as well. Small world or concerned wife?