OK, let's get this out of the way right at the start: I didn't finish. In some ways,
it wasn't a surprise but it wasn't for any of the reasons that I had expected.
I first did
this event last year and the two races couldn't have been more different. Last year, it was dry and unseasonably hot at 24°C (75°F). The main dangers were dehydration and sunburn. This year it was much colder. 10°C (50°F) at the start and 3°C (37°F) in the driving rain for those hardy souls who finished around midnight.
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At the start. |
Actually, the temperature at the start was ideal. Too cold to be standing around for two hours waiting to set off, certainly, and I'm sure I made a note to myself to arrive later this time. Ah, well, maybe next year. Anyway, I spent the waiting time chatting with a few of the other competitors and generally huddling out of the wind.
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Running past the snow... |
Once we set off, I warmed up pretty quickly but deliberately kept my pace slow as I had concerns about my ability to go the distance. It was nice to be finally running past the snow rather than through it. My relief was short-lived, though, as it became evident that being at the back of the pack meant that 2000 other pairs of feet had churned up the trails into a slick and muddy mess. Some places were almost impassable whilst others became very difficult ascents or descents.
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In surprisingly good shape. |
In the end, that was what did for me. I was feeling pretty good at around 38k. Much better, in fact, than I had expected. And then on a very steep and muddy descent, I slipped and twisted my knee. I walked on for a another 4k or so but it became clear that it wasn't going to get any better.
I called the Race Director and told him that I was dropping out. One advantage of this race is that you aren't ever very far from civilisation so I was able to get a bus to the finish where I was collected my stuff, had a shower and headed off home.
I hope I'll be able to have another go at this next year as I was really rather enjoying it until the fall. The route is well marked and the whole affair is organised by people that are obviously passionate about putting on a good race.
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