ME V KUITPO 24KM TRAIL- RUN

This was going to be my longest run in one sitting with my previous furthest being the 14km Sydney City to Surf in August 2015, so needless to say I was a little bit nervous.

Not being great with directions the first hurdle to get past was to get to the start line on time. To be extra prepared I slept in the gear I was going to run in, made sure the car was full with petrol, had warm gear, trail shoes, bag packed with water bottles and a scroggin mix (nuts, sultanas and dark chocolate – thanks year 8 outdoor education class) next to the bed. I’m not great with having a big meal before a run or session, however being 24km’s I figured I would need something in the stomach to get through.

2 alarms were set for 5.30am, and the google map details (as provided by Trail Running SA) were typed into the overnight charging smart phone suggestion a 52 minute drive to get to the destination.

I had a few unwarranted wake ups during the night including a couple of times where it took what felt like eternity to get back to sleep. The last time I looked at my watch it was 4.26am, and then the next thing Alarm 1 went off, then Alarm 2 and then a nudge and a push from my wife saying ‘your alarms are going off!’, was all I needed to wake from being 150% asleep.

As I slowly got out of bed I did a few last minute checks that I had everything, I had a very small snack, cleaned the teeth and the…. well…..I think most runners can guess what the next 5-10 minutes was about.

Now I was all ready to go, I put on my warm clothes and headed outside, it was quite nippy and dark to say the least, (but at least no rain), I set my google maps, started the car - the car started, woohoo!!, put the heater on, cranked up some music, and I was on my way.

There were a few nervous moments on the drive when I could see no cars around, but it was early so I stuck so my guns and trusted google maps. Getting closer to the destination I saw some cars, all good, then google maps told me to turn, however the other cars kept going straight, I went with google and turned, so a few more nervous moments. Relief came along when I saw a few signs saying “Kuipto Forrest” and I saw more cars. Google maps told me to turn, and the other cars turned as well :) Then I saw the Trail Running SA flags turned onto a dirt track and further along, the Start / Finish line. I had made it! stage 1 complete.

I parked my car and got out, it was still fresh, but now it was light. I bumped into a few people I knew have a chat, however I had to cut it short as it was about 25 minutes before the 7.30am start time and I needed to get my bib number, but first l needed to secure a port-a-loo.

To the start line. I saw a few other people I knew at the starting line, had a chat and took a photo and also snuck myself in the background of some photos being taken of other people. Wasn’t long now. I was still a little nervous, but ready to get off and running. 5-4-3-2-1 we were off, there was no turning back now.

About 300 meters into the run, I hear someone say “Burky!”, and it’s another person I knew, so we have a short “hey, how are you” a few back and forths, but then it was back to business. I heard my watch beep and thought I had lost my GPS connection, but then I looked at it, and the first km was done in 4 minutes 17.5 seconds, “that didn’t seem too long at all, this might not be that bad” I thought to myself.

Run (in) Forrest Run

By now I was in a rhythm, runners were in front of me. Some were way off in the distance already. No way was I going to keep up with them. There were also runners behind me.

From what I can remember the next 8.5km was pretty standard, some uphills, some downhills, I let the legs go down hills and pushed up the hills and used the flat parts to get my breath and rhythm back. I passed people on the downhills and uphills, but they got me back on the flats. I wasn’t feeling too bad, but my strategy may not last the 24km’s and I seem to be the only one with this strategy.

Just over 9km’s in I think ”Just keeping pushing to 12 km, half way, if I am under an hour, I could break 2 hours”, then I turned the corner……….. and there it was …….

the first big hill, which I am going to call “the first of many heartbreak hills”. I ran into the hill thinking “just get to the top”, then about half way up, the legs said no, the head said no, and I was into my first walk of the course.

At the top of the hill there was a bit of a flat patch, but still some up and down hills (a few bigger downhills, so that was nice) I got myself back into a rhythm and got myself back on track and started to feel good again to get to the half way mark of the track in 55 minutes 50.9 seconds – under 2 hours was on the cards, but I had to keep this pace up.

Km 1 = 4 minutes 17.5 seconds

Km 2 = 4 minutes 17.6 seconds (pretty spot on to 1st km) = 8 minutes 35.1 seconds

Km 3 = 4 minutes 51.6 = 13 minute 26.7 seconds

Km 4 = 4 minutes 45.1 = 18 minutes 11.8 seconds

Km 5 = 4 minutes 55.5 = 23 minutes 7.3 seconds

Km 6 = 4 minutes 26.4 = 27 minutes 33.7 seconds

Km 7 = 4 minutes 11.7 = 31 minutes 45.4 seconds

Km 8 = 4 minutes 28.5 = 36 minutes 13.9 seconds

Km 9 = 4 minutes 44.6 = 40 minutes 58.5 seconds

Km 10 = 5 minutes 39.4 = 46 minutes 37.9 seconds

Km 11 = 4 minutes 19 = 50 minutes 56.9 seconds

KM 12 = 4 minutes 54 = 55 minutes 50.9 seconds

At this stage surprisingly, I did not feeling terrible and I started eyeing a finish of the course in under 2 hours. Right on cue, there it was, heartbreak hill number 2. Once again, I tried the same tact, work hard up the hill to get to the top and then recover at the top. But low and behold, the same result: half way up, the legs stopped running and I was reduced to another walk.

After getting to the top of the hill I started to run again, and I came to an area where we needed to rinse our shoes before heading into a one lane trail run, which incorporated some ducking and weaving under trees. This was actually quite a relaxing part of the run, it was quiet, there was no wind and I couldn’t see anyone in front of me, or anyone behind and it helped me get a bit of a rhythm up.

Thumbs up, i'm still moving!!!

Then there was the thought – “am I still going the right way?” There was nowhere I could have turned off on the path, so surely not, but still, where did everyone go? Maybe I should have brought my phone with me… I decided to just keep running as long as the path would let me. Then I came to the end and saw a familiar arrow and then a couple of other runners up the path. No wrong turn taken thankfully, and at least it took the mind away from some of the pain of the running.

Then sure enough, another big hill and the pain was back, and once again there was some more walking.

I pushed as long as I could and added some walking in as well until I got to another area where it was the single path run and thought “I enjoyed that bit before, this will be good coming into the last 5 km’s” but it was nowhere near as relaxing this time.

However at this point I heard someone coming up behind me and yell out, “Keep it going Burky!!” so I dug in and to get through this area. I tried to have a sneak peak of who it was, but had to keep concentrating so I didn’t fall over.

From the small look I had and from the voice I couldn’t pick who it was, but he was very encouraging. He also said, “Keep it going, I don’t want to have to pass you, it’s only 5km to go, we are going to smash it in under 2 hours”. I dug deep and kept running, I saw my watch with about 5km to go and needed 6 minute km’s to break 2 hours – I could do that.

It was also around this time that it dawned on me – I had my name (Burky C) written on the back of my top. Of course!! He didn’t know me, he could just read…

Now the legs were like jelly here and the glutes were screaming STOP, STOP NOW!!! Then about 400 meters later I felt blisters coming through, and of course it was time for more (you guessed it) – Hills!!! Now they weren’t super steep, but they were gradual and I just couldn’t keep the legs moving and once again I was back to a walk. So that’s how it was now, jog a bit, walk a bit, jog a bit, walk a bit.

I kept this up for about 2km’s, but then there was a sign!! A sign saying 2km’s to go. This was the last stretch. Completing the course under 2 hours was going to be tough, and I now needed to run 5.30 km’s to get there. Normally this would be OK, but the legs, body and mind weren’t playing nice.

I had to dig in and push myself for a finish… I ran for about 20 meters and then… walk. Now the next km felt like eternity, and it was!! – 9 minutes 10 seconds for the km. I knew it was almost over, I was almost there, but I just couldn’t manage anything but a walk, or a very short jog. The ‘under 2 hour’ dream was over, but I still needed to get to the finish line.

I finally got to the top of the one track trail and last gradual hill - Kudos to those 15 or so people who passed me in the last few kilometers as they had more guts and determination that I did and kept running until the end.

Wiggle Wiggle, Feeling it a fair bit here.

There was now only about 500 meters to go and there was a flat wide surface again and I could now see the finish line – “OK, I just have to run until the end, no more walking”. A runner caught up to me at this point, so my competitive spirit kicked in and it was now a sprint to the finish line. I think to myself “I’ve got this, GO!!!”.

Soooo about 5 meters into the sprint finish, the glutes, mind and body said, “Absolutely no way!!!!” and I was back to a jog. I didn’t go back to a walk, but it was a very slow jog to the end to finish in 2 hours 3 minutes and 56 seconds.

Km 13 = 5 minutes 19.1 = 1 hour 1 minute 10 seconds

Km 14 = 4 minutes 54.0 = 1 hour 6 minutes 4 seconds

Km 15 = 6 minutes 35.9 = 1hour 12 minutes 39.9 seconds

Km 16 = 5 minutes 51.0 = 1 hour 18 minutes 30.9 seconds

Km 17 = 6 minutes 07.6 = 1 hour 24 minutes 38.5 seconds

Km 18 = 5 minutes 20.2 = 1 hour 29 minutes 58.5 seconds

Km 19 = 5 minutes 19.1 = 1 hour 35 minutes 17.6 seconds

Km 20 = 5 minutes 46.0 = 1 hour 41 minutes 3.6 seconds

Km 21 = 5 minutes 58.6 = 1 hour 47 minutes 2.2 seconds

Km 22 = 9 minutes 10.0 = 1 hour 56 minutes 12.2 seconds

Km 23 = 7 minutes 44.6 = 2 hours 3 minutes 56.8 seconds

Wow! that was a tough run, but I got myself over the line but only barely, but I got there. Another 1-2 km’s and it could have been another story.

I saw someone else I knew over the line and had a catch up chat and talk about the run. After about 5 or so minutes I went to get some water and fruit (and maybe one of the amazing brownies) from the after run food station. Ouch!! Everything had started to stiffen up already, and it was a very slow limp to get some refreshments.

Score! They also had lollies!!!

The fruit, brownies and lollies were just what I needed. Now a slow wander to my car to get some warm clothes on as it was starting to get a bit cold and windy, and to get my travelers mug for an after race coffee.

Again I caught up with a few people for a chat about the race and life in general. To be honest I am not overly sure what about as at the time I was still fatigued and stiff and sore from the run, but am sure I was a delight.........

Here I would like to say massive thank you and well done to all at Trail Running SA who put on an excellent event. 3 different distance runs were on offer (10km, 16km & 24km’s) and over 1,000 people and a very early start for volunteers to make everything run smoothly is an amazingly awesome effort. I tried to organise a trip to the movies with my 2 children the other week and it was a disaster and did not go smoothly at all, so well done Trail Running SA, super hero stuff.

Ok, so 4 days after the event I am still a little sore, but I am not limping anymore and am back into exercising and the swing of everyday life – although sometimes getting up off a chair after sitting for 30-60 minutes is still a bit of a struggle until I get moving again.

Kuitpo 24km trail run has just one this one but I’ll be back to try and make it 1-1

Did I enjoy the Run?

Overall yes! It did hurt, especially the last 5km’s. However the sense achievement of getting it done, along with the people you meet at the event, the chats before and after, the scenic course and the free post-race refreshments combine to make it an excellent day. The soreness goes away, however knowing you gave it a go and did it, and can do it will always be with you.

Would you do it again?

Yes, Mt Crawford, here I come. Not sure if I would step up to the 35km run just yet, but would love a crack at the 23km run there. Having one less km to run will be a big help in getting me under 2 hours.

What would you do differently?

More hill training and some longer runs – a 45 minute to 1 hour trail run once a week, would make a big difference in knowing how to navigate the hills.

I would take a drinks backpack or belt on the run with me to get some fluids into the body throughout the run as suggested by a few of the more experienced trail runners.

Other than that, I think I would attack it the same, and hope the legs and body push me through the final km’s.

Advice to others?

Just sign up! It took me a long time to do a long trail run, there was always an excuse, the day doesn’t work, oops I missed cut off etc. Put your name down when you are feeling good, then once it’s done, rock up and run, walk or crawl your way through.

Start with a short distance, do it with friends, bring a picnic for afterwards, make a day of it. Give it a go at least once and see how you like it from there, you may even meet a new training buddy at the event as everyone is super friendly, so I guess to quote Nike, ‘Just do it’ !

After run photo!