A 23km DNF, but still special to be a part of it

Started strongly and was well positioned on Goldmine Hill, got to KOM/QOM summit in about 12min (I think maybe 54 seconds)... Had a good battle with a few people all the way into Whittakers, including D's wife which was a bit of a shock, as I did not expect her to be at that pace early on... 1minute no 1's toilet stop at Whittakers longdrop, was not too bad and was able to catch up with and resume battle with some of the same runners I had battled with before Whittakers.

 Left Whittakers just a few seconds over 34minutes which I think is my fastest ever (of 7 starts since 2005) split. Was hurting and trying to hold off the lactic acid, plus was trying to wait until 70minutes for my first drink, to try and ration my drinks a bit. Kept attacking all the way to Torrens Rd which I go to right on 70min. This was hard but, our group of 5 runners had stayed together for 35 minutes. As usual I was hammering past on the downhills, and struggling to stay in touch on the uphills.

After taking my first drink at 70minutes, I had trouble getting going again. Lost contact with the group I had been running with (one of them ended up running 5.01 for the race despite fading, so was on target for about a 4.50 or better at this stage which would have been a massive PB for me if sustained.), but instead got passed by several bunches of attacking runners, and struggled to get some rhythm and attack going again.
 

I think just after this is where too much slow running and hiking in training in recent times started to come back to haunt me a bit. Was making heavy weather of things but  felt much more relaxed and lactic acid levels were low. Was hoping to attack once I got past Del Park Rd and onto Scarp Rd again. Decided to go for some Chomps at 100minutes, to try and get things fired up, but I think I ate way too late at 8pm last night, and I could feel no 2's coming soon after. Tried to ignore this and keep at it, but I knew I was in trouble. Got to the 17km mark at Del Park Rd in 2.07, which is 10 minutes slower than last year, so a bit slow, but with a good second half could still try and mount an assault on the PB.

Then the no.2's hit with a vengeance and I was forced to take a 10minute toilet break, needed most of the toilet paper in my hydration pack. I cramped up a bit after that, and drank the last of my water.
Tried to restart, but was low on motivation and getting passed a lot. Was trying to jog, and trying to run but kept cramping and getting back into walk breaks. The next 3-4km to aid station 1 at the 23km mark took ages, I think about 35 minutes at least, and when I got to the next station in 3hrs 5minutes (one of the slowest 23km splits I have ever had in 7 attempts) I was pretty sure that rather than take on the mission of trying to get going again and struggling for a 7 hour finish, on cocacola and generic cheapo brand water (thats what was left at the aid station) and my gels/chomps etc, with a soreish knee, cramping, and very little prospect of a decent time, and having not slept for 25 hours at all since Friday, and the prospect of possibly more big toilet stops ahead, after about 10 minutes of weighing up the pros and cons, I reluctantly decided I would catch a lift back to the start. With about 180 starters and only about 5 of them still behind me, my prospects of a finish under the 7 hours 30 minutes cutoff were looking difficult, and my left knee and right quad were feeling like they could be a problem. Its a weak defeatist option, but I was just fed up with the entire disaster, and with the knowledge I had a tough solo drive home on 0% sleep to negotiate, and a family gathering to go to that night, I just couldn't see many good reasons to keep going. The 7th finish will have to wait for another year if I attempt it again. A disappointing race in the end, although I did enjoy the first 70min a lot, and it was awesome to be part of the 6 inch experience again, plus catch up with heaps of people there... :-(

Some assets I can take away from this race for the future, and it was extra special to be in the same race as 3 top class legends of running in Chris, Todd and Gerard. Eulalias win was oustanding, and Jodie got on the podium for the umpteenth time this year. Official top 3s also included James Roberts with a 3.32, Kevin Matthews with a massive PB also in 3.38, Brett Coombes likewise, and Jacqui Hickey the surprise 2nd place in the Womens. Unfortunately Chris, Todd and Gerard, despite running 95%+ of the course in under 3hrs 18min, took the wrong turn near the end, so are not the official winners of the race, which is a great pity, but sometimes the steven bradbury moments come, and well done to the 3 that took full advantage......Navigation is a big part of the race.