A finish and on reflection I felt I was always in control of what needed to be done to finish. However there are times, particularly early on where the thought of another 24 hours of running does play havoc with your mind and it all seems to much and the thought of stopping does arise. However you let it pass and focus on the next step and then the next and the time and distance seem to pass in a kind of blurry.
Before you know it the shadows are growing longer, there is a coolness to the air and sunset is fast approaching. You then prepare for 12 or so hours where you world is no greater then the spread of your headlamp. An illuminated ball of light is your entire world unless you take the time to stop, turn off your lights and gaze at the star filled sky. Did that in a wonderful moment of reconnecting with the bigger world that was looking down on me during the night.
The moon was the smallest of crescent's that it did not add light to the night.
Equipment, the body, hydration and food all worked well with no issues. I ran with a 100 mile virgin who is strong and just moved relentlessly forward. We stayed together from start to finish and it was a pleasure to have company that helped the time go by.
The weather was warm during the day but nothing out of of the normal for GH this time of the year and manageable.
That is my 5th 100 mile finish at GH. A DNF in my first the 4 in a row, missing last year to keep the Sydney Marathon streak going. It is said it is an 'easy' 100 miler. There is NO easy 100 miler but if this one is approached the right way and then run wisely it can be done but expect a lot of pain both mentally and physically but it can be done.
I think 69 started and 24 DNF'd. So about 35% of the starters did not finish. The course and weather are not that tough. 6 finishers behind me and off course oldest starter and finisher by 3 years.
I am looking forward to a few days of complete rest before some very easy running in the lead up to the Sydney marathon.
2 comments:
Well done Ray. 28 hours of running is mind boggling to say the least. Hope you recover well so the run in Sydney is enjoyable.
I second the well done. I'm sure it's a good feeling to know that you're still mentally and physically tough enough to do something like this.
Post a Comment