The North Face 100

(photo downloaded from Brettsrun)

On Saturday I had the much anticipated pleasure of lining up at The North Face 100 with 333 other runners. This challenging course takes in some of the most beautiful trails and views within the Blue Mountains World Heritage Park and surrounds. As I was to find I think it also included every set of stairs in the area.

In the minutes before the event starting I caught up with a few friends and familiar faces that I have come to know over the last couple of years and I was looking forward to possibly running with one or two throughout the race.

Just after 7:00am at the conclusion of the race briefing we moved up to the start area and I found myself a few back from the front just behind Dean Karnazes. I thought that was pretty cool and I hoped that I may get a picture running with DK to share with the family.

The race started out at a solid pace at the front and I immediately felt flat and lethargic but I was hoping that would pass quickly. We were led around the golf course and I slotted in comfortably a few steps behind DK.

Following the group we hit the climb out of the Resort and I started to move a bit more freely but I couldn’t believe how weak my legs felt. Tackling the first of the steps I was beginning to entertain thoughts that this was indeed not going to be my day and I was going to have to prepare myself for a long day out. I did however notice that I was moving a lot quicker on the flats and descents on the way to CP1 than the other runners around me. I believed that was my saving grace and I started to push the pace a little harder through those sections. Losing a little time to walking the steep climbs was where I would allow myself to get a little recovery and prepare myself to pick it up at the next opportunity.

While I have never really imagined quitting during an event I did contemplate it and I started running through a list of plausible excuses that I had been subconsciously working on over the previous weeks during a couple of bouts of sickness one after the other and other personal events which disrupted my planned long runs and high volume weekends (maybe a blessing in hindsight). But of course letting myself down would not be as bad as how I would feel facing my wife and children knowing that I didn’t gut it out and make it through this challenge before me.

So much stuff happens inside your head during long events when much of your time is spent alone and this day was no exception. I started formulating plans and playing games to get me through to the end but the one thing that stuck with me was my need to keep up with my nutrition and hydration strategy which I formulated a few days prior based around what had worked for me at 12FT the previous year and the simple strategy Sleep Train employed in his stunning victory at Six Foot a few months earlier.

The climb up the Golden Stairs to CP1 was grueling and I was happy to put an end to it and get up there alive. I downed a few cups of sports drink, grabbed a handful of jelly lollies and headed off. I was surrounded by only a few runners and I thought it was likely that I was sitting in around 20^th position (the results later had me in 14^th). I climbed the first steep section while slowly eating the lollies hoping that the energy would somehow make it into my legs. It didn’t but I felt neither good or bad and I was happy to just keep slogging away while I could see that I was reeling in a couple of runners up ahead on the track.

I was happy to maintain the effort and I was starting to think that I might just get through to the end. Waiting for Jo Blake to get off the ladder at Tarros I started climbing down a little carelessly and my foot slipped on the rung sending my shin smashing into the steel. I almost screamed out with pain but strangely it felt good and the adrenaline was exactly what I needed to kick me into gear. Stepping off the ladder and calling “all clear” I took off and found myself in the zone running quickly along the singletrack. I moved past Jo shortly after and before CP2 I had caught and passed at least another five runners.

The trail down to Dunphys proved a little frightening as the Mizuno race flats that I picked up on Mother’s Day gave little traction on the steep descent. Note to self: I need to find a good light racing trail shoe with a mildly aggressive tread.

Enough can be said for having the support of people you know out on the course cheering you on and when I came into Dunphys to see Sleep Train and Scam Bullant (both members of the Blue Mts Marathon Clinic) I was stoked to hear that I was in tenth place and that the few runners just ahead were close and not looking as fresh as I was looking. A quick refill and couple of pieces of banana and I was off.

I chatted with Prince Donges heading out of CP2 on our way to Ironpot finding out that he was another local Blue Mountains runner before moving ahead at the start of the long steep climb up the ridge. At the top I caught up to another runner and I followed him through to the turn around. On the return I was able to pick it up and run quite quickly through this technical section and following my new race plan I fanged it on the way down to the creek. At the creek and for the remainder of the course through the private property I hit another low point but quickly emerged from that at the start of the long climb up the road. I walked nearly all of this section except for the areas where it flattened out a little on the curves and as I crested the hill my legs started feeling nice and springy and I was able to turn over my legs without what felt like any appreciable effort. I reined in another two runners heading down Megalong Road getting high fives from Long Arms and Sleep Train heading into CP3 at which stage ST told me I was in 5^th or 6^th position. I still couldn’t believe it.

A quick stop and a mandatory gear check and I was on my way. Running out of the checkpoint full of smiles, energy and on a high... that was until I rounded the corner and out of site where all of a sudden I hit an unexpected slump. I couldn’t believe it. I took in a big drink and started running and within a few minutes the feeling passed and I was happy to start running on familiar track (the Six Foot). After two successful attempts running the 12 Foot Track I was happy to find that my legs were good at this stage. That was until I jumped off the ladder crossing the fence to find that the instant my foot hit the ground my left quad seized into the worst cramp I have ever experienced. No warning beforehand either and I didn’t know what to do as my leg was locked and I wasn’t sure how to stretch it out. I started massaging it and I took two S-Caps in a hope that the cramp would pass and about five minutes later I was able to start walking again and then running.

By the time I hit the stairs both my quads were cramping up but I was able to use my arms on my quads to limit the strain and keep the cramps at bay. As always the climb up Nellies is tough and turning right on the track at the top I expected to be able to start running again with some relief that it was behind me but I was mistaken. Probably the least enjoyable section of the race for me and emerging onto the asphalt on the outskirts of Katoomba I have never been so happy.

I felt good again knowing that I was only moments away from CP4 and I would make first contact with my support crew Scurry. Running into the checkpoint to see Mister G and his partner Mel also lifted my spirits as they were obviously stoked on my performance. I was currently in fifth place and I was told there were a couple of runners not long ahead so with the help of Scurry and Mister G I ate some more banana and my bladder refilled, downed some coke and gatorade and the aid station volunteer handed me a couple of gels which I was relying on to get me through to the final checkpoint.

I sprung out of the checkpoint feeling absolutely magic – my legs felt springy and I felt like I was just starting out on what was promising to be a great run. I found myself picking it up even more when about a kilometre down the track I realised when I went to grab some scheduled fuel that I had left the gels on the table. Shit... no fuel except for the diluted 1.5 litres of sports drink and the few snakes I had in a plastic bag contained inside my pack. I did have two sports bars (mandatory gear) but I couldn’t bring myself to eat them. With 23 kilometres, at least 2 ½ hours and some significant climbing in front of me I was concerned how it would play out but I wasn’t about to back off while I was still feeling good.

I got down the giant stairs uneventfully and was excited to be running along sublime point as I couldn’t find this track during earlier course recon. I was powering along on the flats and downhill sections and I quickly caught and passed the fourth place runner. It started to toughen up through here as my energy levels starting falling and I started playing a game in my head trying to work out when the next marker would be. I kept hoping it would say 80km thinking that I had passed the 75km marker without noticing but when I came to the next marker to find that it read 75km I was shattered... but only for a brief moment. I shook the feeling aside and set myself the task of getting to Jamison Creek and the start of the climb up Kedumba which I was sadistically looking forward to all day. I slowly reeled in third place runner Clarke and after a brief chat I told him that I would try and start running where I could and said my goodbyes and good lucks. He hung with me nearly the whole climb up till I got to the park gate and I managed to put a bit more effort into it knowing that the hospital was only a few short kilometres away. Spurred on with dehydration and a need to get some fuel in I managed to put a couple of minutes on Clarke heading into the final checkpoint.

It was great to see Scurry there along with the Sleep and Scam (they must have logged some kilometres in the car out there on Saturday) and after a quick refuel (water bottles only) and some more banana I headed off for what I thought would be a relatively easy 11km to the finish. I had already called my wife heading up Kedumba to let her know that I was running well and would probably finish a little over an hour (OK I was a little wrong) and she was already excited as she had been watching the live results and saw that I was running in fifth place at the last checkpoint. She was even more excited when I told her that I had passed two runners over the last 10km to move into third.

I was feeling great heading up along Tableland Road and down Hordern onto the trails but with the fading light my pace slowed. I pulled out the headlamp I had borrowed from Mister G to find that the batteries which I thought were new weren’t and quickly either the light faded or my eyes blurred (I wasn’t sure at the time which). With a few minutes between myself and fourth place behind me I decided to take it as easy as possible while still moving as quickly as needed to avoid rolling my ankle or worse through this section.

The last five kilometres dragged on and when I finally came up out of Lillians Bridge and started circumnavigating the golf course I realised I was almost there. Or so it seemed. The trail around the golf course went on and on and finally when I got to the point when I felt like I was running away from the finish it finally turned and started heading uphill. Seeing the glowing sticks were indeed a relief and I was thankful that a volunteer pointed my in the right direction to the finish line.

Sharing the finish with my wife and kids there was one of the happiest moments of my life. It was also great to have a few friends which made the finish feel like it had been put on just for me. A cherished moment!

Watching the other runners come in shortly behind and sharing their race experience with as they got warm and enjoyed some drink and food also made the event more special than any other event I have participated in.

Congratulations to the phenomenal performances of the ever humble Andrew Lee and Tim Cochrane – you guys are legends. I also want to take my hat off to and give my congratulations to Clark McClymont and Doug Grubert two of the nicest people I have met during an event of this magnitude.

(photo downloaded from Brettsrun)

Congratulations to everyone who endured at The North Face 100. I hope to see you all next year!

Six Foot Track 2009

Here's the report....

After a slow start to begin training this time around I had a few good weeks logging over 160km with a few good runs with fellow lower Blue Mountains locals Sleep Train, Scurry and Mister G in the National Park and around the streets and hills of home. But in hindsight maybe a little too late as I missed out on some invaluable long runs.

While the training was starting to come together and my fitness was improving, life's obstacles got in the way three weeks out and training ground to a virtual halt. I even contemplated not running which reflected my emotional, physical and mental status. However, the ever positive and enthusiastic Sleep Train helped psyche me up and suggested that I should have a crack at a sub 4 hour finish and which I was quietly confident a month out that I had it in me. His suggestions of a diet fueled with watching DVDs of Gallipoli and 300 would help ignite my primal fires and I took his suggestion on board. But 6FT is hard to predict.

After a very sleepless night when my two year old decided that party time started at 1am the alarm sounded a few short hours later, rudely awakening me and it seemed I had only just closed my eyes. After getting up without waking anyone I made my way into the kitchen to consume my first coffee and a big bowl of oatmeal cooked in rice milk and a banana. Continuing to follow my previously successful pre-race routine an hour later I drank a 600mL gatorade and took two S-caps (still two hours to race start). Everything continued according to plan with the scheduled toilet deposit and mellow time with my wife before leaving to pick up Simon.

On all my runs over the last week I felt full of energy and had to hold back and not run beyond my fitness but not today. I felt flat, heavy and lethargic - not a good sign. And not what I was expecting. After a short warmup jog to loosen up and shake off the staleness I headed over to the start to see the Wave 1 runners head off (and also try and get into a good position at the start line myself as I knew it was going to be a chaotic race for a good position heading down the stairs.

Getting into position at the front the gun fired and I took off with the other runners but was surprised how quickly some of them went past on their way down. I was being a little cautious after slipping here at 12FT last year (painful memory). I got caught behind a couple of slow descenders but when the tracked made it possible they graciously moved over to allow me to pass. At the bottom of the stairs when the track opened up I decided to push the pace and see if I could make up some time on my way to the river. I was surprised when I quickly started catching and passing some of the wave 1 starters. I thought perhaps that I was going a little fast but I didn't feel like I was pushing beyond my limit.

I reached Megalong around 37:30 and at this stage I was a little concerned that my stomach was feeling very full. I took my first GU somewhere here with some water. I had a great run as always along the single track to the river which I reached in 1:12. About 1:30 into the run I grabbed a Hi-5 Gel and consumed it with 2 cups of water but immediately I regretted it when I almost gagged. The rest of the climb was with a sloshing stomach which didn't appear to be taking in liquids or nutrition. I tried eating some banana and watermelon at one of the aid stations which didn't go down well either. I was continuing to alternate between drinking sports drink and water from station to station but when my hands starting swelling I knew that I was getting into trouble. I reached Pluvi in around 2:26 (about 6 minutes behind plan) and didn't have much in me to pick it up along Black Range.

Upon reaching Deviation in around 3:15 from memory I noticed that I was starting to feeling good, my stomach had cleared and my energy levels had picked up. I had a great run through to the road running all but the steepest hill, hitting the road right on 3:30. Having run 12FT a couple of times I knew that I could easily run home in about 35 minutes and I was happy with the thought that I'll finish in around 4:05.

I'm always amazed at the clarity one has when sailing through the air. As careful as I was trying to be due largely to my tired state I didn't manage to lift me feet quite as high as needed. I clipped the top board on a flight of stairs and in slow motion flight reminiscent of the photographic sequences of a matrix fight scene I sailed through the air and rotated onto my side to take the impact of the fall squarely on my hip and shoulder. I lay on the ground stunned and winded but knew immediately that I had to get up and move before I stiffened up with post-run stiffness (rigor mortis). Argh! Within a few 100 metres I knew I was struggling. I could run but I had thrown my back out and the pain would build up to a point that I was forced to either walk or stretch out a little before I could run again. I had gone from feeling good to feeling very down about the race and found that I no longer cared about my finishing time as my goal of running in the 3:55-4:05 range had slipped away.

I continued on in this state of mind working through the pain and trying to run as much as I could as I just wanted to get it over and done with. Catching up with a Wave 1 starter he asked if we would make it under his goal time of 4:30 and I realised that if I picked it up now and ran to the finish that I could run under 4:20. That became my goal and as painful as it was over the final descent I made it and immediately I felt content. Finished in 4:19:36.

My contentment immediately changed to excitement and jubilation as I heard from Blue Dog that my sometime training partner had not only won the race but in the process set a new course record of 3:15. A time that could stand for many years. Unless Ben decides that he would like to raise the bar again.

On my way into Caves House I ran into Andrew Lee who I knew was a local as I had passed him on the streets around home and after introducing myself and asking how he had gone discovered that he had run in second place. Way to go Warrimoo!!!!!

Now I'm inspired to get myself back into peak shape. My wife would say it's about time that I start thinking like this again. She has to live with me.

12 foot track 2008

Race Report

The starters...

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I’ve been interested in the 12 Foot Track shortly after running my first marathon in 2004. When I started running in 2004 and was told about the online running community which I now know as “coolrunners” I was in awe of people that would run these crazy fatass events. The event that really stood out for me was the 12 Foot Track. The people that I would see on the finishers list year after year and get to know a little about in their race reports gave them in my eyes a certain legendary status.

This is a classic Blue Mountains run on the fatass calendar and has quickly become one of my favourites. The run is an out and back following the route of the famous Six Foot Track Marathon held in March each year. The run starts and ends at the Explorer’s Tree, just past Katoomba and follows the Six Foot Track to Jenolan Caves where you turn around and do it all over again – in reverse.

Who knew that two years ago when I responded to a message from well-known ultrarunner Sean Greenhill looking for someone to run with in the Glenbrook area around home it could lead to so much? I have to say Sean is the person I can blame for getting me into this (I think he hears that a lot). Thanks mate! During a somewhat innocent hill session at Kedumba in preparation for Sean’s Western States 2007 assault he mentioned that he was thinking about organising a “Rebel” 12 Foot for himself and the other WS participants who were all heading over. Even though I had never run longer than 45km at 6 Foot Track Marathon that year I thought that I would maybe give it a go. Well that was last year where I amazed myself and finished in 11:10. It also got me thinking that a sub 11 hour time was possible but when it came around to run the official 12 Foot Track in August I was injured and unable to run. I would have to wait another 12 months before I would get another chance.

This year 2008 has been a roller coaster of highs and lows. The year started with some health issues which resulted in me not being able to compete at 6FT Marathon this year as I had surgery scheduled eight days prior to the start. Thankfully the surgery went much better than expected and I was able to resume running a couple of weeks later. During this period I have to say a big thank you to my wonderful wife and friends who helped me though this stage of my life. Thanks Simon, Rod and Sean and to others who offered their thoughts and support. At this time it was again Sean who was talking me into something. This time it was the Wild Endurance 100km. It took a while for me to commit as I was having a bit of a mental bad patch but I said yes and joined a team. Couldn’t have enjoyed it more and have made a couple of new friendships out of it.

After WE100 though my running hit a bit of low point as I struggled with motivation to start getting back into it and picking up the volume. I was eagerly reading everything I could absorb about running and training but when it came time to lacing up the shoes and getting out there I was finding too many excuses to leave it for another day. But things started coming around and I found myself entered in Cities Marathon. I made up a rough schedule to follow with the thoughts of running my first sub 3 hour and while the training didn’t all work out as planned I found myself getting much quicker during my weekly sessions. I couldn’t get excited about getting in my long runs though. With only two long runs completed in the three weeks prior to Cities I managed to achieve the marathon goal. But my body paid a penalty.

The two weeks between the marathon and the 12 Foot Track was a lesson in terms of recovery and a return to running. It took nearly a week of rest before I could start running again and in the second week I found it mentally hard to run slower than the marathon pace I had recently set. I don’t think runs quicker than marathon pace for up to an hour were a good thing during a taper but I was finding myself quickly bored while running over the same routes that I regularly use in training. By the time Wednesday came I was worried that my legs would not recover enough to get me to the starting line. Thursday night I considered not running and I even told my wife that this was going to be my last ultra event for a long time. Friday night before the event I was ready to pull out but I had offered to drive Rod up and he was meeting me at my house in the morning. I was thinking damn I’ll have to run now!

Looking at the starters list as runners starting putting their names down I was thinking that it would be a very quick run this year. For me my main goal was to first make it to the finish and secondly I hoped to go under that magical mark of 11 hours set by previous runners.

After a short, sound sleep 4.00am came early but I was excited to be up and about making my final preparations and putting on the running clothes that I had placed out the previous night. I was planning on having something to eat and then try and catch a few more hours of sleep but I was enjoying the dark and calmness of the early morning inside the house – the kids were still asleep in bed. After the last few days of worrying about how I would feel today I was surprised how refreshed and relaxed I was feeling. I ate what has become my standard pre-race meal of oatmeal cooked with rice milk, berries, dates and honey, a large glass of apple juice, a banana and a cup of black coffee.

Rod arrived on time and we headed up to the start getting there nice and early which allowed us time to organise the last of our gear and catch up with the other runners. I was surprised after two days of rest how good I was feeling and it made me think that I would be able to run close to the goal I had sent in a message to Sean the night before.

After the obligatory starters photo in front of the Exporer’s Tree, the race started right on time and we were under way. I was feeling relaxed and settled in behind Tim thinking I would try and stick to him as long as I could (which I didn’t expect to be very long). The track was quite wet and 300m from the start my foot slipped out from under me and I came down hard on the rocks. The pain was intense and I was immediately thinking that was it - I’m heading back to the car. Tim who was off in front and the others offered to stop to make sure that I was alright but I didn’t want to ruin anyone’s run by having them wait for me. I was feeling crushed and a little emotional at how quickly my race had changed. I started running again and rejoined the train of runners just trying to take it easy down the stairs. Every step hurt and all my thoughts were of dropping out. I was thinking that I could at least get to the river and I will see how it goes from there. This thinking started getting me angry with myself and I found myself waiting on the line of people in front and decided at the next flatter, wider section that I would get in front of the group and pick up the pace and see if I could catch up to some of the runners who had gone off ahead. My main thoughts were that I might be able to catch up with Spud and ran some of the way with him.

While it hurt to run it felt great being out there again enjoying what looked to be the start of a beautiful (yet cold) winters day on trail with other runners all out there facing their own challenges. I proceeded to open up my stride a little and it felt like I was running with a limp but I was making fast progress and before the suspension bridge I had surprisingly caught up with Spud. The running between Megalong road and the river was sensational single track at its finest and I was moving fast.

Together Spud and I reached the Coxs River in 1:24 and we managed to rock hop our way across without getting our feet wet. I was a little concerned about how I would fare on the climb up to the Pluviometer as my hill training was limited to a single session during my marathon preparation and I had only been on the trails once since running WE in May. I was thinking that I would try and run with Spud as long as I could and when I went on ahead of him I fully expected that he would catch me on my next walk break. It didn’t turn out that way and as I had made an arrangement with myself that I would take two of my four nurofens at the top that is what drove me on.

I felt like I was struggling on the climb but I reached Pluviometer in 2:46 and luckily I felt no worse. I was running along Black Range with not a lot of speed but I was still running which was a good sign as you can make up a lot of time on this section of the course if you are able to run it. Moving along Black Range it was with some shock that I saw Tim moving up ahead and I could clearly see that he was shuffling along and not having a good day. For me it was good to have his company and we ran, shuffled and walked our way to the Cabins. The section from Black Range to the Cabins was a dark patch for me as I was struggling to keep running but I told myself that I would be able to have a good walk break and something to eat when I reached Jenolan. So with that thought I became more aggressive and started pushing the pace a little more and didn’t realise that Tim was no longer there. When I turned around I couldn’t see him and I while I thought of waiting I wanted to keep moving to closer towards the finish as I could get. I was also worried that if I stopped for even the shortest time I would immediately tighten up and that would signal the end of my ability to run.

As usual the run down to the Caves felt long and steep and I was trying as hard as I could to take it easy on the downhill to avoid killing my quads with the impact as I still had a long way to go. I reached the caves in 4:39 and was amused when I was running down the road towards the tap to fill up my camelbak to see someone taking pictures of me. I thought it was a tourist but it turned out to be Kevin Cassidy who had just made it out there to report for R4YL. After a brief discussion and a little difficulty turning the tap handle I filled the bladder up about three quarts and said my farewells to start the arduous climb back up.

I actually enjoy the climb from the caves as it allows me time to enjoy my surroundings and eat and drink a little more than usual. Also the pressure of running is removed for some time. I consumed a Powerbar, a packet of salt and vinegar chips and washed it all down with a good swig of water. While the climb out was long and uneventful I was feeling quite strong and it was great when people starting passing me on their way down to the caves. I first passed Tim while he was walking down and he was not looking good. About 15 minutes later Spud passed me and we exchanged encouraging words and shortly after the slow flow of runners began passing by in ones and twos. By this time I think I had nearly completed most of the hard climb and I was about ready to start running again. It’s always a fun game to play with oneself trying to guess who the next runner that comes into view will be and today was no different. I expected to see some runners further along than they were and there were some that looked like they were having good days and were further along than I expected. The encouragement from a passing runner is a much welcomed reprieve from the endless hours of time spent alone on the trails – today was no exception.

Running from the Cabins to the Deviation camp ground became a bit of a blur for me and I found that I fully entered the zone where just running along is about all that I notice. I passed a few more runners through this section but time, distance and my surroundings took a second seat to just moving along and before I knew where I was I was running down the Black Range. The sound of rain falling snapped me out of my trance but then I realised I wasn’t getting wet and upon closer inspection I could see tiny balls of ice bouncing off me. Wow it was sleeting. I was thinking that I hoped it would snow. The kids would love to hear about that. My four year old boy is already excited about getting big enough to go running with his Dad.

By the time I had reached Pluviometer again it was about 2pm (6:58) and I realised that I had forgotten to fill up my bladder at the water tank at Deviation. With the cold weather I wasn’t drinking enough and I knew I was in a state of dehydration. I also needed the fluid to be able to wash down my main source of calories – energy gels. I was worried being seven hours into the run that with no food or water the next hour running down to Coxs River would be a struggle but I ended up feeling the best I had all day.

Once I arrived at the Coxs River campground I made my way straight to the tank and filled my bladder and started taking in some food, another Powerbar. Everything from my waist down was tight and feeling like it was on the verge of cramping up so I decided to wade straight through the river and see if that would bring my legs back to life. The cold water was soothing and refreshed my weary legs.

It was now 8:06 into the run and with the coldness of the water, the food in my stomach and the drink picking me up I found a second (or third) wind and had a good run from the river along the single track to Megalong Road. I was even beginning to entertain my first thoughts of a low 10 hour finishing time. Well those thoughts were quickly diminished when my legs starting seizing up and I was finding it harder and harder to lift up my feet. Thankfully by the time I reached the stairs (in about 9:36?) I still had plenty of light as I wouldn’t have liked to have navigated my way up there in the state that I was falling into. I started the hard grind up the stairs signalling the last major obstacle that has to be overcome to complete the run. I was now forced to use my hands on my thighs to push myself up each step and I was quickly forgetting about finishing in 10 hours and more interested in reaching the top so that I didn’t have to take another step. I wanted it to be over and done with. By the time I had reached the car park it had taken me a full 46 minutes to get up Nellies and with Kevin and Brick egging me that I was within minutes of breaking the course record I found myself quickly running again to the finish and the tree. I hit the stopwatch, signalling the end and looked at the time. 10:23! – three minutes inside the previous best time.

It was very cold at the finish and as I was waiting for Rod to come in I had the great opportunity to catch up with others as they finished their runs. Awesome effort! If anyone is contemplating running a low-key self-supported ultra I highly recommend placing the 12 Foot Track on their calendar. Remember it’s run annually the day before the City to Surf in August.