| In 2008 the 60km Kepler Challenge gave me a hiding. I ran too hard too early, blew to pieces at Moturau Hut (44.6km), and suffered royally in the remaining 15.4km. I lost 13 places in the last section, and finished in 6:11. Today I set about putting those mistakes to rest. The pre race plan was to be very conservative on the climb to Luxmore Hut (13.8km) and beyond to Hanging Valley Shelter (23.6km), before setting about catching and passing as many of the runners in front of me on the steep descent to Iris Burn (28.4km) and through to the finish (60km). The ultimate goal was to run 4:59:59 in order to be in the hunt for the top few places. |  Photo courtesy of Back Country Runner |
Heading up the climb it took a lot will power to allow a procession of runners to cruise past me without becoming apprehensive that I was going too slowly. By Luxmore Hut I was well back in the field, feeling less than fresh, and attempting to remain optimistic about what was to come. Up to Hanging Valley I was starting to feel good. On the exposed (and cold) ridge-lines I was able to get an idea of how far ahead runners were.
From Hanging Valley, I upped the tempo and set about my work of picking off those in front. One of the runners suggested that he would see me later on when my quads were trashed. I suspect he isn't aware of how much work I do personally and with the athletes I coach on running efficiently down hill.
I reset my watch at Iris Burn, and at each of the subsequent aid stations in order to break the remaining 32km into psychologically manageable chunks, and focused on keeping my heart rate and cadence at efficient levels.
I managed to get myself up into 7th place, finishing in 5:21:24. A fifty minute improvement on my 2008 effort. I am very happy with my time, placing, and the execution of the plan. Of course, I didn't manage my ultimate goal, and that will remain for another day.
Here is how the plan rolled out:
13.8km Luxmore Hut - 18th
19.0km Forest Burn - 17th
23.6km Hanging Valley - 15th
28.4km Iris Burn - 11th
36.1km Rocky Point - 9th
44.6km Moturau Hut - 8th
50.6km Rainbow Reach - 8th
60.0km Finish - 7th.
Congratulations to the James Kuegler Coaching athletes for their superb results. Congratulations to Martin Dent and Ruby Muir on their third and fourth wins respectively.
Men's Results
1st Martin Dent 4:49:36
2nd David Byrne 5:01:47
3rd Sam McCutcheon 5:02:01
...
7th James Kuegler 5:21:24
Women's Results:
1st Ruby Muir 5:37:23
2nd Zelah Morrall 5:38:12
3rd Fiona Hayvice 6:12:11
From Hanging Valley, I upped the tempo and set about my work of picking off those in front. One of the runners suggested that he would see me later on when my quads were trashed. I suspect he isn't aware of how much work I do personally and with the athletes I coach on running efficiently down hill.
I reset my watch at Iris Burn, and at each of the subsequent aid stations in order to break the remaining 32km into psychologically manageable chunks, and focused on keeping my heart rate and cadence at efficient levels.
I managed to get myself up into 7th place, finishing in 5:21:24. A fifty minute improvement on my 2008 effort. I am very happy with my time, placing, and the execution of the plan. Of course, I didn't manage my ultimate goal, and that will remain for another day.
Here is how the plan rolled out:
13.8km Luxmore Hut - 18th
19.0km Forest Burn - 17th
23.6km Hanging Valley - 15th
28.4km Iris Burn - 11th
36.1km Rocky Point - 9th
44.6km Moturau Hut - 8th
50.6km Rainbow Reach - 8th
60.0km Finish - 7th.
Congratulations to the James Kuegler Coaching athletes for their superb results. Congratulations to Martin Dent and Ruby Muir on their third and fourth wins respectively.
Men's Results
1st Martin Dent 4:49:36
2nd David Byrne 5:01:47
3rd Sam McCutcheon 5:02:01
...
7th James Kuegler 5:21:24
Women's Results:
1st Ruby Muir 5:37:23
2nd Zelah Morrall 5:38:12
3rd Fiona Hayvice 6:12:11
