fun on the 6 Inch recon run one

Saturday 8th November AD;
Ran, walked for 3 hours 40min 56 secs. HR 121 at end.
Distance was about 23km for me, which included me walking (with a few short jogs) the last 6-7km on Scarp Rd. Pretty hilly and difficult terrain of course as it is our attempt to simulate 6 foot in WA. I w as taking a huge risk with my ankle which was fine for about 11-17k then I paid for it bigtime after that...

Photos thanks to Bernadette are HERE
Here is two of the best ones;





The usual rush to get ready, followed by the 80minutes drive (each way) to get there. Slight detour to find my way to North Spur RD direct from South West Hwy, but only a few minutes late. Set off running with Dave,Nathan,Craig,Bernadette,Rob D. and Roy.
Had a few good chats and felt fairly good early, no ankle issues. Was on the alert to avoid tripping on boulders etc and took it easy on the uphills and especially the long steep downhill which I walked all of as planned, so as to look after ankle. Kept strapping and bandage on to protect ankle. Enjoyed the beautiful scenery, the awesome feeling of running on trails in the bush, saw lots of kangaroos and an emu.

Running ok, although I could feel the loss of fitness in recent weeks every time we hit an uphill, just not much strength in the legs to draw on. To be expected. My initial plan had been to run 22km, as with my lack of long runs in the last 2 months I figured that would be a good starting point especially with the added difficulty of tough terrain and hills... However in the last few days the group decided they would do 30km, which in hindsight I maybe should have pulled out or turned back earlier. However I figured I would try and make it to Marrinup and then struggle back as best as I could. About 65minutes in running with Bernadette after the big hill, I felt a sharp pain in my ankle, as I encountered some uneven ground unexpectedly, guess I wasn't alert enough, too busy chatting. It wasn't too bad and I seemed to run it out. (deja vu Melbourne?) After that we started another long but fairly shallow climb. This took a lot out of me and while chatting with Craig, I realised my legs were running out of energy. Poor planning on my part (partly the rush at the beginning) mean't I had forgotten to bring my carboshotz, and only had one Gatorade, and no water in hydration pack (lighter to run with I figured)...DUH. Just when I needed a boost I had very little to draw on. Really struggled after that, and just couldnt find the strength in the legs as Rob and Roy went past...

My pace dropped right off as I went down the section near the powerlines, and was grateful for the group for waiting for me at Marrinup. Up until now the group had been really good at waiting for other runners, which I know wasn't much fun for Dave,Nathan and Craig especially, but its the right thing to do to keep the group together. Along the way we identified a few areas which need an arrow to reduce chance of navigation errors during the race. Was really enjoying being out there, so good to be running trails again. I got to Marrinup (14km according to Robs GPS, pretty similiar on Craigs) in about 95minutes including stops along the way for Rob and Roy and me and Bernadette to a lesser extent to catch up a few times.

On the way back I tried to keep Dave and Bernadette in sight, and managed to do so for a couple of km, before the legs just totally ran out of energy and I just couldn't get them to go. Rob and Roy got past me with my watch saying about 113minutes, and still a long way to go til that big hill at that stage. About the 2 hour mark I started walk/run mode a lot! with a lot of walking, and then trying to run again. Ankle started to ache a bit, not severe pain but it was making it hasrd to run when I could summon up the energy to try and jog. Took so long to get through this section and by the time I got to Scarp Rd my ankloe pain was persistent, running seemed very hard due to (a) no energy and (b) slight ankle pain. My watch said about 2 hrs 55minutes and I knew that it was going to be a long slog to get back to my car. Expected that by the time I got there the others would have gone home. Figured the best thing to do was short cut it on Scarp Rd all the way back and hope noone came out looking for me on the MundaBiddi. So off I set on Scarp Rd. mostly walking now but trying to put in some 1-5minute runs every now and then, which were getting harder and harder to do, mostly cos my ankle was getting sorer. Saw emu about this time, and heard a trailbike. After ages I passed a small pine plantation and then yay the Oakley Dam turnoff. Followed by conveyer belt, awesome sights and sounds! Imagine my surprise when I get in view of my car and see Craig and Bernadette there and two cars other than mine, and even stranger Daves car gone, plus no sign of Dave, Nathan Rob or Roy. I had expected to see everyone or noone at all...

At this stage I thought Dave must have gone out looking for me and/or Rob and Roy. For awhile as I chatted and Craig went off looking for Rob and Roy I thought that was what was happening then Craig comes back and I find out that AGAIN Dave and Nathan have shot through with what feels like to me LITTLE regard for the rest of us,
which Dave later apologized about as nathan had some gathering to get too.

So Craig,Bernadette(who is locked out of their car) and I are left to pick up the pieces, and organise the potential "search and rescue" of Rob and Roy. I have a school reunion to goto, which I end up being late for, but I know I ain't going anywhere until everyone is accounted for.

[I felt very emotional for the next few days, due to (a) my ankle, (b) the "situation" that threatened to develop, and (c) my feeling (rightly or wrongly,fair or unfair) that nathan and Dave dont take seriously enough the need to care for others on a group run, and they need to prepare better, minimise risks more especially with group runs. Maybe once again I have gone over the top emotionally but its frustrating when there are things that can be done, and should be done, to prepare for risks and they get ignored and laughed at because of peoples need to have a "gung ho" attitude, prove how tough they are or something.]

So we hope that they will find there way back via their GPS, and Craig and Bernedette head out to look for them again, while I stay with the cars. However we are blessed in that Rob and Roy turn up, after losing their way at the bottom of the big hill apparently. Thank God for that!

Anyway later tonight my ankle is very sore, and after that strugglefest of walking and ankle soreness, and the lack of emergency support in place, I have to reassess any plans of running 6 inch this year. Might have to reverse my plans of going on like Shane Crawford did at Hawthorn.
So am I running 6 inch in 2009? The answer is maybe? but more likely maybe NOT.
I need to get the ankle right AND do a stack of long runs in just 5-6 weeks. Its not too late yet but its a huge ask, one that I think may be beyond me this year, but won't rule it out just yet. I see no point in developing a recurring ankle injury by repeated running on difficult parts of the Munda Biddi. have to try and get it right, and the way the ankle is now I would not finish 45km on those trails...

So probably get a lot of leg strength out that run, I had a lot of fun enjoyed a lot of the day, and it was great to be there, apart from the debacle on the way back Where to from here. Not sure just have to take it day by day, week by week.

Thursday 6th November 2008 AD;
Ran a 1km time trial in 3min 58.38 on Perry Lakes Track HR 171.

Was working in the area so decided to duck over to the track after work and have a run on this track before they rip it up. A lot of past memories coming to mind. Strong southerly winds to work into on the fromt straight.
First 200m was 41secs, then 48,50,51,and 48 to finish.
Nice solid 1km, nothing incredible, but nice to dip under the 4minutes. Just testing out where I am at. Had a bit of ankle soreness at one point which probably slowed me up a bit, figured that it was minor.