A PB at Six Foot Yeahhhhhh

Running in Wave 5 I was about 4th to the top of Nellies Glen steps with a dream start, but made sure I didn't work too hard, and let the nsw Institute of beer blokes lead the way.

Still fairly strong down Nellies, but not the cut sick type effort of last year. Once we hit the flat I put the foot down a bit and passed a lot of wave 4 runners (10min head start on us wave 5ers and wearing the green numbers while we had the grey numbers), even did a 1k split in 4.50, which is quick on trails. Worked hard, and went through 10km in 58min compared to 65min last year.
Got stuck in a big "conga-line" again about 13km into it, and eventually got past it, hitting the main river crossing in plenty of space (it was about waist deep this time, so a little bit lower than last year but higher than 2011).

Hit the mats on the other side of the river in about 1.37 (with an 8min buffer on last years 1.45), with a good start banked at 15.5km. Backed off a lot on Mini-mini and got passed by heaps of people. Ran some of the flatter bits, but mostly walked it. Saw one of the legends of the race in Bob Fickle near the top with his "this mountain run is not for wimps", shirt on. After the Mini Mini aid station I stopped for a few minutes to get the river rocks/fine pebbles out of my shoes...

Pluvi was hard, and was very good to get to the top of it, but was very shattered by then. Split was about 3.42 so still 6min ahead of last years 3.48, and PB attempt still alive. My unrealistic thoughts of a wave 4 qualifer were gone as I needed about 3.30's to be a chance of that, so clearly although my ascents training has helped (averaging about 800m of ascent per week in the last 3 months), I still need to do double the hills I did in training... Big struggle to get running again through the black range, and ran a bit with a lady I met at the shuttle buses, who knows a 6 incher.

Started to get going with some run/walk, and switched to the Garmin 310 I got from a friend from 26km onwards as the Garmin 10 surprisingly ran low on battery life after only 3hrs 42min (maybe it wasn't fully charged)... Probably drank a bit too much... Took 2L of water and 1.2L of sports drinks in my hydration pack and a lot of other stuff (unavoidable due to having no support person as usual, and not wanting to leave valuables at my motel after I had checked out (too short on money to stay more than one night)... Used $2 shoelaces I bought from Coles the night before to keep the Garmin 310 on my arm as it only has half a wrist band.

The Garmin 310 proved to be very handy as the 1k splits it were giving me (especially in the last 7km) helped me to stay on track in chasing the PB, at a time when 9min K's was proving to be a struggle, and 13min K's were the norm on the tough ascent and descent about 8km from the finish. In the last 7km I walked every little ascent there was (very small rises) and tried to shuffle/run the flats and descents. Was getting a bit dizzy on the ascents so decided to play it safe. Managed to find a 7min 34 K split and took a toilet stop, and passed a few people. With 4km to go I knew all I had to do was stay under 10min per K and the PB was there for the taking. Also knew that if I relaxed and walked too much I would be doing 11min-13min K's very easily, so went into attack mode as best as I could. On the steep 400m descent in the last 2km, I was still holding pace and passed about 6 people.

Celebrated big time with a few thumbs up and fist pumps etc etc as I took out the PB...

Yeahhhhhhh!!!!! 6hrs 47min and 2 seconds of pain and pleasure in the 30th Anniversary Six Foot 45km trails race... (about 1500m of ascent and even more descent)... 824th place, so at the back of the field again, but truly was 6hours 47min of pleasure and pain... My result and splits, placings etc are @; http://www.multisportaustralia.com.au/Home/IndividualResult?clientId=1&raceId=1012&eventId=1&athleteId=825408

Mission accomplished re 3rd finish and a PB!!!!!!