On yet another beautiful Sunday morning we set off as a
family for the 2012 Marysville Running Festival to compete in the 10km race.
It was an interesting set up, at the Marysville football
oval with the finish line kind of in the middle after a half lap. We were there
early to collect our bibs and it gave us the chance to watch some of the 21km
runners come through on their second lap of the course. We were very pleased to
see my wife’s sister come through as the leading female runner, in a very
impressive sub 40 time.
We cheered her
on as she continued on for the last 10km and we began to mill around at the
starting line.
The starting line was the ovals edge, and we had to take
care not to stop any of the 21, 30 and 50km runners who were coming through…
238 runners toed the line...
238 runners toed the line...
The starting instructions were issued and the countdown
begun, we were still saying goodbye to the kids and the horn went off! See ya
later kids, dads gotta run! I took off with the leading pack and let the
runners run while I found my comfort zone for the hardest part of the run.
As this was a trail run I had studied the course and worked
out my race plan. Would I stick to it?
The first 4.5km was up a 5% incline on the road to Stephenson’s
Falls. My target was to pace at 5 minute ks and hit the first downhill at the
20 minute mark. Having found some of the hardest local hills in the area my
wife and I were pleasantly surprised at how well we managed this first section.
I was running well, breathing hard but with a little smile as I watched the
other runners drop off along the way or really huffing and puffing their way to
the top. I was even able to encourage
and keep another runner kicking along beside me – we had the same sub 45 minute
finishing goal.
I reached the falls in 20ish minutes, this section perfectly
timed. The first trail section beckoned and I watched as he took off. I eased
into a rhythm, picking up speed and picking off other runners over the next
2.5kms. From this point no one passed me, ultimately a great feeling! I think I looked pretty at this point...
Thanks to Wildplans [Tegyn A]'s photostream for allowing runners access to the above image (from the days collection of course) - great shots of the day!
At the end of this section I had caught him and we had a
chuckle at his effort and then settled into the next 1.5 on the gravel road. At
this point I had planned to push the speed and I eased into a really nice
stride and managed to leave him behind and weave past another dozen or so
runners. How many had I passed, who knows as we were now well mixed with the
half and 30km runners.
I made the turn at the 8km point and knowing this was where I
would make up clock time. From here to 9.5 it was a fast section on the
walking/hiking track that was essentially downhill with a few brief but sharp
rises. I picked up the pace and threw caution to the wind as I almost sprinted
this section to the finish. It was fast and furious and the best fun that I’ve
ever had running. There were a few little twists and turns on the path but as
it was man-made gravel I felt pretty secure with my feet. The Trailroc 235s
also did exactly what they were made for – gave me traction where I landed and
let me feel the track.
As I drew closer to the oval and the finish the track
flattened out and I was starting to search for the finish, I’d almost run my
race. At the final turn back onto the oval I was spent but gave one last kick
to do the last 200m half lap to finish under my goal time – 44:31 - 5th Overall! Official results page if you don't believe me
So, yes, I stuck to the initial race plan. It was the best
run I’ve had and I’m now looking forward to the Victorian Trail and Cross
Country Championships next year.
My amazing sister-in-law won the females 21km and my
incredible wife beat her goal time of sub 55 with a very respectable and I’m
proud of her time of 52:30 to come in 7th of the females.
