Paul Petch

Port Hills Crater Rim 30KM trail run

Only a few more weeks now before I start to taper off for the Kepler & I’m really looking forward to it. Since last weekend I’ve clocked up about 75KM which, as you can imagine is a first for me!  The Mcleans 12hr mountain bike event last weekend found me racing flat out for 1.5hrs and after a quick stretch and foot wear swap- I headed off to run for 2.5hr forest run. I clocked up a 1.45 run on the sports playing field at work come mid week and then with a “fast” 45min run on Thursday- I was all set for a few days rest before I set out early yesterday morning to run the tracks at the Port Hills as part of the Crater Rim run. What’s cool about the Crater Rim run is that is have a similar amount of elevation and descent to the Kepler Challenge at 1230 m. What’s not so cool is the the technical nature of the tracks- as I’ve trained on stuff that has been specifically “un technical” to avoid injury. Oh well. To say that yesterday’s run was a “stab in the dark” was an under statement as I had no idea what the tracks would throw my way either.  I’ve also given up on the orthotics and they were “binned” early last week (which I’ll surly rant about in another post soon) so my “safety blanket” was also gone.

With a late sign up that required a 6am Sunday rise (ouch!) Amy & I were there ready to go…….well….as much as I could be having never run the tracks before. With some stretching and last second messing with a new pack (Saloman XA 20)- off I went……upward of course. I sat at the rear of the pack pretty much from the start, with the run being about time on my feet and getting used to a full pack as required for the Kelper rather than a “race”. As for nutrition, I’ve now got that pretty much sorted and Lepin and Ems Power Coookies are my fuel of choice. After running-power walking-running & repeat I was at the top of the Farm Track and feeling quite nice and warmed up. Amy & I had hired a small car for today’s adventure- which was a fab choice! Aside from getting there on time it meant that Amy was able to pretty much follow my run as at multiple points along teh way- Id be crossing parts of the Summet Road. I’m not even familiar with the trails names from this point, but is went downwards VERY steeply over wet slippy grass. How I (and my quads) hate descents- and this was just the start!

After navigating some seriously thin goat tracks that flanked the Rapaki Track, I soon met up with the track and it felt awesome to be able to just focus on cadence rather than where my feet were landing!  All of the “grass running” of late has seemingly given me calves of steel as I flew up the Rapaki- and had to slow down at points to keep my cadence close to the “magic 90″ steps / minute that works really well for me. Mount Vernon was also a treat because we know each other well and it was a heap of fun hopping and moving through the ankle twisting rocks. Then the track headed up once I met the road (with Amy’s support again……isn’t she great!) and from this point the remainder of the run was new to me :D

The majority of the running from this point was greasy, technical and employed every stabilizing muscle I had (or did not!) within my lower legs and ankles.  I quickly worked out (with the help of other runners playing chase on the ups and then passing on the downs) that I fly up stuff and slow right down on the descents. I just don’t have the experience, skills or confidence yet when things head downward. Aside from slowing and being a tad over cautious, I did manage ok though when it got tricky and the legs felt sweet as until the clear lack of support in my left foot started to ache. Becuase I had no idea where I was heading, all I could do was look at my Garmin to judge where I was at- and when I was going to turn about and head back the way I came. After shed loads of grassy, slippy, rocky and leg burning climbs/ descents I was then back on my way to where I had just came. Naivety and stupidity were once more my friend as I plodded back along the tracks :)

After 20KM & due to the technical nature/ steep ascents of the tracks- I just had to stop and tend to my left foot- as it was pretty beat up and the muscles either side of the foot along the ankles were struggling to keep things tracking. They were missing the “support” that they had become accustomd too and I was asking a bit to much of them to be fair. To be honest, I should have stopped earlier to tend to this niggle, but hoped that it would go away.  Thankfully, I was carrying some off the shelf arch supports that I picked up yesterday “just in case” from a sports shop in the city – within a few minutes I was on my way and things were back on track. Awesome! A $49 set of arch supports vs maybe $1000 that I’ve wasted at the Podistraists- and they work perfectly. I chuckled to myself as I headed off alomg the trails…..”Banks & Podiatrists- the best cons ever”.

The trail in reverse was now heading upwards a bit more- which was great for me as climbing is safer :D At this part of the run I found myself  plugging away along side another runner, Anna, who was clearly on the way to the Kepler (it’s funny as you can spot ultra runners.. carrying enough gear to cover a big distance with a look of control on their faces to not “over cook” things….lol) & we chatted about our training and the Kepler as we naviagted the rocky stuff. Familiarty then returned as Mount Vernon was upon us and soon we would be on the final descent. With a knee jarring return to the Rapaki Track we headed downward & hit the grassy and “half track” that headed towards the remaining “grunt” to the top of the Farm Track (wow what a nasty surprise that was!) and the long decent to the finish. Anna & I had chatted about technique when running downwards and I tried to apply it on the final scramble down the rutted and grassy Farm Track. I failed and after a few KM had to ease up to save what I had left in my legs and knees. Everyone I had passed on the climb once more flew past me on the down. What is this black magic I chuckled……

Once on the firmer and level stuff I sped up and threw caution to the wind as I ran the last KM or so. A huge FINISH banner signaled the end of the day in the hills, and Amy of course was waiting with food. Phew what a run! After some carbs, protein shake and the results/ prize giving we headed off home. Once home and smothered in antiflam- I retired to an ice bath followed by a hot soak and a nanna nap. Zzzzz. For tea we had take out- as I made a “deal” with my legs today that Thai was on the menu if I finished in one piece :)

I want to say thanks to my wonderful Wife for not only supporting me today – but for everything else I do as well- it’s true what they say- without the support of someone close……we would never get there.  As for my body, things feel “ok” considering that I’ve not ran anything as technical as this before. The left arch and ankle muscles feel a bit tender and will need some TLC this week- but I can stand on it and walk about so I’m hoping that it is no more than muscle ache. What is mind bending though is how good everything else feels without the orthotics that were formally known as “moon boot quad fuckers”. This week is an “easier week” so I’m looking forward to soem recovery runs to take me into a long weekend and lots of outdoor stuff. Please Mr. Sunshine…….help me out here :D

On that note- Anna- if you read this- please comment and leave your details (or email me at sayinghello@gmail.com) as I’d love to catchup on the day and maybe chat along the way again. Cheers!

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Related posts:

1. Trail running in the Port Hills – lessons learnt
2. Weekend run (week one) – Port Hills
3. Crater Rim ride at Port Hills
4. Showing some more visitors around the Port Hills
5. Port Hills into Taylors Mistake

This entry was posted on Sunday, October 18th, 2009 at 4:57 pm and is filed under Featured, Runs & Walks and tagged with crater rim run, garmin, kepler challenge, podiatrist, port, port hills, trail running, Training. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.