Another 100k Road Race finishing line crossed. Gold Coast 100 Supermarathon 2016. Once again as usual many things learned and experienced from another successful run. It is always an amazing feeling to finally get to the pre race briefing reuniting with many runners from around the country after weeks or months of training. As the start line gets closer so do some doubts and feelings about your preparations leading into the event. You have a plan and always like to think that is the one that is going to work for you but on the day this my not happen and the backup options have to come into action to get you across that finishing line. I had been excited about this event for many months. Running along the beach side on an expected flat course, I had a visualization of how I would have liked the race to pan out. I had heard this race was a tough one, thinking this because it was on the road, which can be tough on the body after several hours. With this course this was not the case. This race was tough because it had a couple of hills, traffic and shared footpaths involved, along with the mental factor of doing the 25km loop 4 times. Each time became tougher as the day become warmer and the Saturday traffic both on the road and footpath became busier. I had seriously underestimated and respected the course. Yes I had read the course but I believe the word FLAT I had completely taken in the wrong perspective in my race plan.

So at the start line I stand ready. Running off as the sun was rising I must say was a great start of a race when given such perfect weather conditions on the day. I was lucky enough to have three support crew giving me an advantage of not having to think about digging into drop bags for nutrition or refilling bottles.

The course was a 25km out and back loop from Rudd Park at Burleigh Heads to North Kirra  4 times. I was anticipating the course to be mostly on paths following the beach for majority of the course. Not expecting to be running along side a busy road crossing over a major roads without road marshaling and running amongst the Saturday morning surfers and families out on their weekend outings. Though I must say other than a few dog walker concerns the majority of people watched and were very supportive and kept you on your toes, along with their encouragement. It was great to hear encouraging comments coming from completes strangers. The day was beautiful, once reaching the beachfront on the first lap it was hard not to soak up the feeling and hearing the ocean waves rolling onto the beach. It was without doubt an event that did not lack activity and amusement throughout the entire day. From Park run runners support to festive entertainment.

The return back to the start/finishing turnaround was a bit more challenging, as the downhills quickly become uphill. I had underestimated the Currumbin hill and the incline returning back to Burleigh Heads Park. Returning on each lap these guys had seem to have grown each time feeling tougher on the body. Though keeping to my plan I stayed on track, planning a negative spit on each lap, knowing the toughest was going to be the 2 laps in the warmth of the day. But the negative split plan just was a bit more of a negative than first planned. I must say running through a wedding ceremony in the park was one of my highlights along with being offered a drink on the next lap after the ceremony was over. Maybe the beer would have gone down well at that point as I had pulled up with a cramp in the calve and a sudden realization that my race plan was about to change into a survival plan it did make me smile as they cheered me on my way. What amazed me most on the day was the ongoing support from all the other runners and the ongoing smiles throughout day even as each lap become tougher. The Ultra Running Community are truly amazing people.

So my race plan changed, but it did not change that finishing line feeling. As I approached the home run and the heart raced I could only smile knowing I was about to successfully cross another 100km finishing line. Regardless of where you place in the field crossing that line is a winning feeling. Knowing you gave it all you had on the day and enjoyed every moment.

I sincerely thank my dietitian Taryn Richardson (Dietitian Approved) who committed herself through out the entire day to ensure I received the correct nutrition. Her commitment throughout the day was amazing. Katherine Stark who once again was at the turn around point kicking me up the rear and getting me back out to face the next lap with a smile. And finally the surprised support of my husband, Phil Austin who drove the entire way after a weeks work and sat at the 10k water station being on the side of a busy major highway all day handing me refills under Taryn’s instructions. I could not have been blessed with a better team to help me throughout the day.

Race Director Ian Cornelius and Shelly Ostrouhoff once again put on a professional National titles event that was appreciated by all who crossed the line and involved throughout the day. Being the final time this course is going to be ran, many Ultra runners old and new will be looking forward to the new course at Runaway Bay in 2017.

What I learned;

• Never underestimate a course description, take in all possibilities
• Surfers have right of way (they have lack of vision when carrying those big suckers)
• Mars Bars may be a great carb loading in an event but not for this belly (note to self and Katherine Stark).
• You do not need to be on the podium to be a winner with a smile.

 

Love My Running :-).