Winter Warm Up

I was nervous and excited for the Winter Warm Up, it has been my first race for a while, and my first race since moving to the South Island.  I have been doing quite a lot of running, but was still feeling anxious about my ability to perform on the day (I must clarify, that this was not my ability to do well, but indeed, my ability to run, as I often fear loosing my fitness and coordination if I have more than a day's break).  The night before the run, I did something that I should never do when feeling nervous, and that was check the finish times from previous years...needless to say, my pre-race nerves notched up a couple of extra gears.

The wind and rain that had battered the region the night before the race, had mostly subsided by the time I arrived at the race location.  The farm hosting the race boasted views of lovely green rolling hills, and surrounding mountains, the sun was shining and the greasy road to the start line had only stymied the progress of a few cars (parked forlornly at the end of churning, muddy tyre tracks).

Despite the sun, the wind was building, and as the runners of the 20km course jiggled impatiently at the start line, it felt bloody cold too.  Purple and goose-bumped runners dashed off down the slope, and we headed out on the first lap.  My down-hill running speed is always improving, and I enjoyed tearing away, and loved the brief moment of elation at being vaguely in touch with the lead pack.

Turning off the gravel road and into the first paddock, I was hit with the full force of the wind.  Some runners were gingerly picking their way around the mud-filled gate way, but I splashed and slithered on through - the muddier the merrier!  Trotting over the crest of the first incline, the wind met me with even more ferociousness.  My eyes were streaming, my nose running, and I was gasping like a fish, trying to suck in oxygen against the windy onslaught - I felt as though my head was shedding a permanent sprinkler of fluids, droplets of tears and snot whipped away in the wind - I hoped no one was running too close behind me.

Next the course crossed some turnip paddocks before winding around the side of a hill.  The turnip paddocks were great fun, and added a technical element to the footwork.  After circumnavigating the hill side via the sheep tracks, the steepest climb of the race presented itself. Towards the top the incline increased to the point where I could only manage a walk, and fortunately my uphill walking fitness had decided to come to the party, so I was able to reach the top reasonably comfortably.

More down hill running followed, and I was able to charge off again, it was such a thrill to pass quite a few others (and they weren't even walking!).  I suppose that some sort of small improvement on my behalf is testament to the advantage of practicing.  I can remember wondering how faster runners could power off down hill so confidently - weren't they afraid of falling and breaking something?  After a bit of practice and technique tweaking, I have so much more confidence to go fast heading down.  For me, I use my quads to stabilize my movement, and keep my center of gravity low - I also focus on keeping my elbows out wide from my body to assist with balance.  The overall effect of this approach probably looks like someone attempting the chicken dance and lunges all at once, but it works for me, and I have long since given up trying to retain any aesthetic dignity while I run.

After pelting through some more mud (is it wrong that sometimes I kick my heels up more than usual just to ensure a good coating over myself?), the course climbed gradually again, this time with the wind gusting at our backs - I think I was literally blown up the hill because I didn't feel as though I was having to put much effort in.  Then we rounded the last ridge-line (leaning precariously into the wind to stop ourselves being blown off the side) before another long descent back to the start area, and then off for a second loop.

The second loop, was if possible, even more blustery than the first, and was, as expected, in all other ways, quite similar to the first.  I did enjoy running past a mountain biker pedaling up one of the hill sections, and also putting in every last shred of effort to finish fast.  The thing that I really like about courses that follow multiple loops of the same trail, is that after the first lap, I know exactly what is coming, and how to pace myself.  If I am unfamiliar with the course, I think that I hold back a lot so that I don't wear myself out before the finish, but reach the end feeling that I didn't put in everything I had.  I wonder how more experienced runners pace themselves for best results?

The run was followed by a spectacular spit roast lunch, which was just the thing to round off a great morning of running, especially as the day was getting colder and colder.  I really enjoyed this run, it was great fun,  challenging and very rewarding.  I am looking forward to enjoying more spectacular South Island trail running fun.