Tarawera Ultramarathon 162.5 km - Race Report

Finish: 17:53:32 - Position 12th Male, 4th Age Category, 13th Overall.

Well it finally arrived and has now passed, the debut miler and I can't complain about the result at all.

Was a bloody tough day, but the day went mostly to plan as far as pacing and nutrition is concerned.

My plan was to start controlled and smooth with pacing, not wanting to use too much energy and build into the race, making sure I had a strong finish,

I feel that is my weapon, why not use it, my ability to hold a consistent pace throughout an event, so why not use it, especially being my first miler, with an element of unknown in this distance.

I proved that this plan and method worked on the day, as I had a 30 minute negative split for the second lap (104-163 km) Nutrition went pretty smooth also.

Having an aid station almost every 10k made it an easier fuelling strategy. Refilling a soft flask at every aid station for the first 50k - 2 x soft flask for the remainder of the race.

Tailwind was the main fuel I used, grabbing two bottles at the crewed checkpoints and a water + a few of the Pure electrolytes that was the on course fuel at the aid stations between.

The only other fuel was 1 x cliff bar and 3 packs of the margarita cliff blocks (extra sodium) + 300ml of Coke.

Nutrition Consumed = 14 x soft flasks (Tailwind) 11 x soft flasks (Water) 3 x soft flasks (Pure) Cliff Bar at 90km and the cliff blocks spaced out from 60k-163 km, Coke 150ml @ 104 km & 146km

Gear - Fusion SLi Shirt and Shorts + Socks, Salomon Pulsar Trail Pro, Suunto 9 Barro, Tailwind Buff, Salomon Poles, Petzl Swift Head torch, Salomon SLab Sense Pro 8 set Running Pack, DustyTrail Cap.

The race started at 4am, well a bus was late so a delay start for 4:20am :) Was a 1:30am wake up, Was a bit wired still and not quiet on NZ time either, fell asleep around 11:30 pm, not idea,

But what can you do? Changes to course and start location meant for adjustments to the plan but nothing you can do just adapt. That wasn’t a concern for me really. The looped course did not bother me.

We all have to do the same. We were lucky enough to have no issues getting to Rotorura. Minimal delay at airport and getting the hire car, but we arrived Thursday night 9pm before the Saturday morning race.

Straight to the pub for a feed and a beer with Nicole and Brett.

We slept in that morning, as we knew we wouldn't get much the next night (they say the sleep 2 nights before is the best anyway) Brett and I went for a 5k jog around town and then off to the briefing and athlete check in.

Was pretty organised and only needed 2 x drop bags, as Nicole was crewing the 2 checkpoints which we crossed x 5 throughout the race. 1 x Nutrition and extra Aid, 1 x Changes or clothes / gear if needed.

Went to the supermarket to get my usual lunch / dinner pre race / kept it simple as you can get it anywhere before a race, chicken, rice and salad, that was my lunch and dinner.

Plus a beer at the pub with the crew to help calm all our nerves and settle before the big dance. Once over for the adjusted plan, remember the new time goals and paces per checkpoints. Then a once over on the massage gun, a piece of chocolate and a cup of tea,

I was off to bed by 10pm.

Race morning, breakfast was quick oats and a coffee, a spray on the legs with Perskindol, and at 3am on the bus to the startline, company on the bus with the boys helped us all stay relaxed and feel ready for the big race we had all been waiting for.

The gun goes off and up the road tackling the hill - the first 5k of the course was uphill, 700m climbing to start the race. I took off in the front pack, well Zach Miller off way ahead.

But I tucked in for the first 1k up the hill and then it went into single track and the steady climb I soon found myself in the second pack cruising along, Saw Craig drift away with the other pack,

I held back, I was running around 5-5:15 min pace and I told myself to stay there and reserve my energy, Stay to plan. was at a nice pace and we worked with each other for the next 28k.

16k was the CP 1 which I grabbed a flask of water. 28k was the first crew point, refilled tailwind, and had to stop and give Nicole a kiss (had to be pulled back)

Found myself working by myself for the next section, there was about 4 or us around each other, I'm not one to talk much during a race, i like to stay in the zone, the odd comment

and a brief chat, a sarcastic comment :)

Energy was good, but most of the morning I could feel the tightness in my hamstrings, they were both pulling tight, not damaging but engaged and switched on,

I have had hamstring tightness before as they switch on and rarely relax. So I was a little concerned about how they would be later, for how they were now this early.

Hitting the 44k mark the second crew point, same F1 style transition in and out within a 1 minute, was arriving after a few runners and leaving well before them, this was a common tread for the race,

The whole day I was in and out of the aid stations within 1-2 minutes, and kept moving forward.

Plus having Nicole as my crew gives me an edge :) well organised, knows what I want and need, has anything I may need ready, been well trained and we go over the plans each race and discuss multiple different scenarios. It’s such a stressful job and our crews are so important. Thanks to her I can relax and just focus on running :)

Running again and back out seeing a few runners ahead on the out and back section I knew roughly where I was positioned. Seeing Craig not looking good I was a bit worried. Lifted by seeing Ben, Brett and Romiro all smiling and they looked awesome.

I thought I was catching Craig, but then I never saw him, felt a little worried and then got the update he was way back off pace, glad he was still going.

This stage at 50-86 km I was again running alone but the hamstrings were working and I had a few little cramps. They disappeared each time, my plan was to take a cliff block and or consume more tailwind if and when I felt a cramp come on, the cramping in the abductors were minimal. Glad that i was able to control the cramps, as i think that was the biggest worry for the race over that distance. I did take come crampfix with me and used one sachet the first time my abductor grabbed, but for the rest of the race, the Tailwind worked for getting in the extra sodium when needed.

So hitting the second Blue Lake crew point I grabbed my poles and gave Nicole a kiss :) and off again I went, but yes was half way. Was not thinking of the distance and I avoided thinking of the finish or too far into the race.

Kept staying present, my goal was the next aid station, then the next aid station, How can I fuel myself to the next aid station and manage my body to the next, that's all I had to focus on.

Had a good flow with the poles, only using them for the pinches on course. pulled them away for the final 6k rounding off the first lap hitting 100k. 63k to go.

44k - 104k - 6:20 mins on the clock. Quick update from the crew at Village Green, Brett was moving really well, Ben and Craig were working together. Pete and Matt weren't too far from each other in the 102k. Linda had smashed her 50k with a 5:02!!

Quick math while I was leaving, o and yes had to stop and give Nicole a kiss. Time check was 6:20 for that lap. I thought I would do the next lap a little slower if the fatigue kicked in, so my finish would be around 18:20-18:40. Not the worst result but was a little off what I had planned.

So running along again, yes by myself, there had been lots of traffic in the previous loop, passing lots of 50k runners, but now it was the 102 km runners, but wasn't an issue at all, lots of room to give way, a call, runner coming through, passing etc, but a few times had to wave from behind, as they had headphones in (still not a fan) but not totally bothered, laughed at a lady who was too busy singing and dancing along the trails and didn't hear me yelling behind her, trying not to scare her, but a hand in front of the face, but I did end up scaring her haha. Not sure what she was listening to but it must have been turned right up :)

Had a few other runners cheering and yelling out my name, thanks heaps guys that does help a lot in the depths of a race. Seeing Danielle smiling along the way, Mel and some other friends, sorry it's hard to remember all the names and faces while going pass, but I promise I did notice and appreciate it a lot.

Using the poles on the slight pinches and flowing nicely, I picked up a few runners leaving the next two aid stations. I was moving well and hadn't walked at all, Running the flats well at about 5-5:30 pace and using the poles to run up the hills.

Looking at my watch and trying to do quick math, not the easiest thing to do while fatigued haha, I soon realised that I had now moved way ahead of where I saw myself back at 104k. I had realised that a sub 18 hours was in sight. So that gave me the drive to now keep pushing and doing the same. Conscious of fuelling regularly and getting extra water in at the stations.

Powering on into the 120-137k section, You had the loop which I think was the most challenging part, more mentally as you had runners coming back up in the opposite direction, mentally challenging. But again just keep present and worked on what you can do now.

Approaching the final crew point at Blue Lake for the last time. 16k to go! Nicole, Linda, Anissa and again seeing more Newy people, Sydney friends cheering and supporting, the final lift for home, O I forgot to give Nicole a kiss this time, oops.

Stretching for home! It was in sight, heading into the forest enclosure, causing early darkness, thumbled for the petzl flicking on some light I had under 2 hours to reach a 17 hour finish.

Pushing alone again and just kept focused on moving as fast and efficiently with the poles. Used the poles for the slight inclines and ran the flats. Heading into Redwoods, that final climb out, you forget how long it feels on that second lap haha.

Hitting Redwoods Aid station, lights flashing, music pumping and the crowd cheering, I again packed the poles away, topped the bottles up and threw a cliff block in the mouth. I had 35 mins for 6k to hit sub 18 hours. Only 6k of pain left, I took off out of the aid station, pumping along, thinking yeah I am moving well, has to be 4:30 minute pace. Double take on the watch 5:15 min pace.. haha maybe not as fast as I thought, but I was steaming past a lot of people. It was hurting but again only will last a little bit longer and the pain will end!

Hit the grass section not looking at my watch anymore, just had to give what i could to the finish. So glad they changed the fiTarawera Ultramarathon 162 km - Race Report

Finish: 17:53:32 - Position 12th Male, 4th Age Category, 13th Overall.

Well it finally arrived and has now passed, the debut miler and I can't complain about the result at all.

Was a bloody tough day, but the day went mostly to plan as far as pacing and nutrition is concerned.

My plan was to start controlled and smooth with pacing, not wanting to use too much energy and build into the race, making sure I had a strong finish,

I feel that is my weapon, why not use it, my ability to hold a consistent pace throughout an event, so why not use it, especially being my first miler, with an element of unknown in this distance.

I proved that this plan and method worked on the day, as I had a 30 minute negative split for the second lap (104-163 km) Nutrition went pretty smooth also.

Having an aid station almost every 10k made it an easier fuelling strategy. Refilling a soft flask at every aid station for the first 50k - 2 x soft flask for the remainder of the race.

Tailwind was the main fuel I used, grabbing two bottles at the crewed checkpoints and a water + a few of the Pure electrolytes that was the on course fuel at the aid stations between.

The only other fuel was 1 x cliff bar and 3 packs of the margarita cliff blocks (extra sodium) + 300ml of Coke.

Nutrition Consumed = 14 x soft flasks (Tailwind) 11 x soft flasks (Water) 3 x soft flasks (Pure) Cliff Bar at 90km and the cliff blocks spaced out from 60k-163 km, Coke 150ml @ 104 km & 146km

Gear - Fusion SLi Shirt and Shorts + Socks, Salomon Pulsar Trail Pro, Suunto 9 Barro, Tailwind Buff, Salomon Poles, Petzl Swift Head torch, Salomon SLab Sense Pro 8 set Running Pack, DustyTrail Cap.

The race started at 4am, well a bus was late so a delay start for 4:20am :) Was a 1:30am wake up, Was a bit wired still and not quiet on NZ time either, fell asleep around 11:30 pm, not idea,

But what can you do? Changes to course and start location meant for adjustments to the plan but nothing you can do just adapt. That wasn’t a concern for me really. The looped course did not bother me.

We all have to do the same. We were lucky enough to have no issues getting to Rotorura. Minimal delay at airport and getting the hire car, but we arrived Thursday night 9pm before the Saturday morning race.

Straight to the pub for a feed and a beer with Nicole and Brett.

We slept in that morning, as we knew we wouldn't get much the next night (they say the sleep 2 nights before is the best anyway) Brett and I went for a 5k jog around town and then off to the briefing and athlete check in.

Was pretty organised and only needed 2 x drop bags, as Nicole was crewing the 2 checkpoints which we crossed x 5 throughout the race. 1 x Nutrition and extra Aid, 1 x Changes or clothes / gear if needed.

Went to the supermarket to get my usual lunch / dinner pre race / kept it simple as you can get it anywhere before a race, chicken, rice and salad, that was my lunch and dinner.

Plus a beer at the pub with the crew to help calm all our nerves and settle before the big dance. Once over for the adjusted plan, remember the new time goals and paces per checkpoints. Then a once over on the massage gun, a piece of chocolate and a cup of tea,

I was off to bed by 10pm.

Race morning, breakfast was quick oats and a coffee, a spray on the legs with Perskindol, and at 3am on the bus to the startline, company on the bus with the boys helped us all stay relaxed and feel ready for the big race we had all been waiting for.

The gun goes off and up the road tackling the hill - the first 5k of the course was uphill, 700m climbing to start the race. I took off in the front pack, well Zach Miller off way ahead.

But I tucked in for the first 1k up the hill and then it went into single track and the steady climb I soon found myself in the second pack cruising along, Saw Craig drift away with the other pack,

I held back, I was running around 5-5:15 min pace and I told myself to stay there and reserve my energy, Stay to plan. was at a nice pace and we worked with each other for the next 28k.

16k was the CP 1 which I grabbed a flask of water. 28k was the first crew point, refilled tailwind, and had to stop and give Nicole a kiss (had to be pulled back)

Found myself working by myself for the next section, there was about 4 or us around each other, I'm not one to talk much during a race, i like to stay in the zone, the odd comment

and a brief chat, a sarcastic comment :)

Energy was good, but most of the morning I could feel the tightness in my hamstrings, they were both pulling tight, not damaging but engaged and switched on,

I have had hamstring tightness before as they switch on and rarely relax. So I was a little concerned about how they would be later, for how they were now this early.

Hitting the 44k mark the second crew point, same F1 style transition in and out within a 1 minute, was arriving after a few runners and leaving well before them, this was a common tread for the race,

The whole day I was in and out of the aid stations within 1-2 minutes, and kept moving forward.

Plus having Nicole as my crew gives me an edge :) well organised, knows what I want and need, has anything I may need ready, been well trained and we go over the plans each race and discuss multiple different scenarios. It’s such a stressful job and our crews are so important. Thanks to her I can relax and just focus on running :)

Running again and back out seeing a few runners ahead on the out and back section I knew roughly where I was positioned. Seeing Craig not looking good I was a bit worried. Lifted by seeing Ben, Brett and Romiro all smiling and they looked awesome.

I thought I was catching Craig, but then I never saw him, felt a little worried and then got the update he was way back off pace, glad he was still going.

This stage at 50-86 km I was again running alone but the hamstrings were working and I had a few little cramps. They disappeared each time, my plan was to take a cliff block and or consume more tailwind if and when I felt a cramp come on, the cramping in the abductors were minimal. Glad that i was able to control the cramps, as i think that was the biggest worry for the race over that distance. I did take come crampfix with me and used one sachet the first time my abductor grabbed, but for the rest of the race, the Tailwind worked for getting in the extra sodium when needed.

So hitting the second Blue Lake crew point I grabbed my poles and gave Nicole a kiss :) and off again I went, but yes was half way. Was not thinking of the distance and I avoided thinking of the finish or too far into the race.

Kept staying present, my goal was the next aid station, then the next aid station, How can I fuel myself to the next aid station and manage my body to the next, that's all I had to focus on.

Had a good flow with the poles, only using them for the pinches on course. pulled them away for the final 6k rounding off the first lap hitting 100k. 63k to go.

44k - 104k - 6:20 mins on the clock. Quick update from the crew at Village Green, Brett was moving really well, Ben and Craig were working together. Pete and Matt weren't too far from each other in the 102k. Linda had smashed her 50k with a 5:02!!

Quick math while I was leaving, o and yes had to stop and give Nicole a kiss. Time check was 6:20 for that lap. I thought I would do the next lap a little slower if the fatigue kicked in, so my finish would be around 18:20-18:40. Not the worst result but was a little off what I had planned.

So running along again, yes by myself, there had been lots of traffic in the previous loop, passing lots of 50k runners, but now it was the 102 km runners, but wasn't an issue at all, lots of room to give way, a call, runner coming through, passing etc, but a few times had to wave from behind, as they had headphones in (still not a fan) but not totally bothered, laughed at a lady who was too busy singing and dancing along the trails and didn't hear me yelling behind her, trying not to scare her, but a hand in front of the face, but I did end up scaring her haha. Not sure what she was listening to but it must have been turned right up :)

Had a few other runners cheering and yelling out my name, thanks heaps guys that does help a lot in the depths of a race. Seeing Danielle smiling along the way, Mel and some other friends, sorry it's hard to remember all the names and faces while going pass, but I promise I did notice and appreciate it a lot.

Using the poles on the slight pinches and flowing nicely, I picked up a few runners leaving the next two aid stations. I was moving well and hadn't walked at all, Running the flats well at about 5-5:30 pace and using the poles to run up the hills.

Looking at my watch and trying to do quick math, not the easiest thing to do while fatigued haha, I soon realised that I had now moved way ahead of where I saw myself back at 104k. I had realised that a sub 18 hours was in sight. So that gave me the drive to now keep pushing and doing the same. Conscious of fuelling regularly and getting extra water in at the stations.

Powering on into the 120-137k section, You had the loop which I think was the most challenging part, more mentally as you had runners coming back up in the opposite direction, mentally challenging. But again just keep present and worked on what you can do now.

Approaching the final crew point at Blue Lake for the last time. 16k to go! Nicole, Linda, Anissa and again seeing more Newy people, Sydney friends cheering and supporting, the final lift for home, O I forgot to give Nicole a kiss this time, oops.

Stretching for home! It was in sight, heading into the forest enclosure, causing early darkness, thumbled for the petzl flicking on some light I had under 2 hours to reach a 17 hour finish.

Pushing alone again and just kept focused on moving as fast and efficiently with the poles. Used the poles for the slight inclines and ran the flats. Heading into Redwoods, that final climb out, you forget how long it feels on that second lap haha.

Hitting Redwoods Aid station, lights flashing, music pumping and the crowd cheering, I again packed the poles away, topped the bottles up and threw a cliff block in the mouth. I had 35 mins for 6k to hit sub 18 hours. Only 6k of pain left, I took off out of the aid station, pumping along, thinking yeah I am moving well, has to be 4:30 minute pace. Double take on the watch 5:15 min pace.. haha maybe not as fast as I thought, but I was steaming past a lot of people. It was hurting but again only will last a little bit longer and the pain will end!

Hit the grass section not looking at my watch anymore, just had to give what i could to the finish. So glad they changed the finish for the last lap as I wasn't looking forward to running over the rocks in the dark to the finish.

Watch buzzing off to indicate I was within 1k from the finish. I soon hit the merge in the fence - right to the finish... Down the finish shoot, high fives from the crowd and over the finish chute. The miler was complete, 17:53:32.

Hitting 17 hours on the debut achieving the goal time. Negative split the second lap 5:52, 28 mins faster. Not the position that I had hoped for, but there were so many great runners out there. Lucy had a great run to finish well ahead. Congratulations to all the runners, great racing and thanks for sharing the trails.

A big embrace at the finish from Nicole, Thanks so much for the help and the support, couldn't have done it without you :) Linda thanks for helping Nicole after your superb race result:)

Had to laugh, one of the people at Ironman turned to one of the announcers and said "Geez he doesn't even look like he has run a miler" some people don't, some people do I guess.

Off to the table to pick my individual gemstone - the Pounamu, and then the weight check, I only lost 1.8kg throughout the day. Tried to have a quick wash off and change into some recovery clothes, but trying to bend down and the cramps started, Running ultra’s are fun :)

On a high and was great to relax and chill out after the finish, the one thing you were using for motivation to finish the race for. Hanging in the finish area with my pre-ordered Pizza and a beer, again thanks Nicole for looking after me :)

Brett wasn't too far off finishing so great to see him finish and looking so good as well while sending update his wife Dianne.

We stayed around at the finish area until about 1:30am, trying to wait for the others, but we started to feel the cold and headed back to the hotel.

Thanks again to everyone that has helped me get to Tarawera and complete the race. it's now all in for UTMB !! Next up is Six Foot Track in 4 weeks, UTA 100 and UTMB. See you on the trails soon.

nish for the last lap as I wasn't looking forward to running over the rocks in the dark to the finish.

Watch buzzing off to indicate I was within 1k from the finish. I soon hit the merge in the fence - right to the finish... Down the finish shoot, high fives from the crowd and over the finish chute. The miler was complete, 17:53:32.

Hitting 17 hours on the debut achieving the goal time. Negative split the second lap 5:52, 28 mins faster. Not the position that I had hoped for, but there were so many great runners out there. Lucy had a great run to finish well ahead. Congratulations to all the runners, great racing and thanks for sharing the trails.

A big embrace at the finish from Nicole, Thanks so much for the help and the support, couldn't have done it without you :) Linda thanks for helping Nicole after your superb race result:)

Had to laugh, one of the people at Ironman turned to one of the announcers and said "Geez he doesn't even look like he has run a miler" some people don't, some people do I guess.

Off to the table to pick my individual gemstone - the Pounamu, and then the weight check, I only lost 1.8kg throughout the day. Tried to have a quick wash off and change into some recovery clothes, but trying to bend down and the cramps started, Running ultra’s are fun :)

On a high and was great to relax and chill out after the finish, the one thing you were using for motivation to finish the race for. Hanging in the finish area with my pre-ordered Pizza and a beer, again thanks Nicole for looking after me :)

Brett wasn't too far off finishing so great to see him finish and looking so good as well while sending update his wife Dianne.

We stayed around at the finish area until about 1:30am, trying to wait for the others, but we started to feel the cold and headed back to the hotel.

Thanks again to everyone that has helped me get to Tarawera and complete the race. it's now all in for UTMB !! Next up is Six Foot Track in 4 weeks, UTA 100 and UTMB. See you on the trails soon.