Paul Petch

Another weekend- another run!

Saturday’s “outing” was originally planned as a long bike ride- but I was feeling rather good in the legs (aside from the nagging hamstring!) so I “over packed” the Salomon and cycled to the Porthills for a long walk. I must admit that having some options as part of my training has really helped me mentally as I can run, tramp or cycle- or even a combination if it pleases me. The “master plan” during my training for my first Ultra is “time on my feet” and tramping with a heavy pack should never be underrated as part of this approach.

After warming up on the bike I arrived at the start of the Rapaki and as I started to walk up the first road section I just felt like running….so I did. Carrying a 8KG pack was instantly obvious as the legs tried to find a “sweet spot” and the magic cadence of 90 steps/ minute for the first climb up to Summet Road. Once up the top I headed left across the rocky track and then up to Castle Rock and to the start of the Greenwood track. Looking at my watch- I had knocked 20mins off my last attempt at this distance in just under a month! I was amazed. But I was now seriously BORED…..and wanted some technical tracks to run on rather than the grass verges. I’ve been sensible during my “introduction to running” as this type of terrain has helped me build up my base and distance while my body and injuries/ niggles have come good, but after last weeks Crater Rim run- It will never be the same. The fact is that I’m now ok to run on some more interesting and challenging trails- maybe not as full on as last weeks outing- but something to keep me interested and more importantly- MOTIVATED.

Heading back, the plan was to run to the Sign of the Kiwi and see how it goes. After about 1hr 30 though- both Vactus laterallis (outside quads) started to complain alot- with the stabbing pain that stops you in your tracks. I’ve felt this before and had some flash backs to my original issues of ITB Syndrome et.al. so I had to stop. I found a great spot to have a stretch and while I was there I gave the the right hamstring some TLC- both top and bottom. At this point- the negative thoughts started to creep in……and while on my back stretching in the sunshine I decided that if these pains were still there once I get back on my feet- that I would be sensible and tramp the remaining distance back home. Time on feet…time on feet!

After just a few minutes, I was back on my feet and I started off with a 500m walk and then broke back into a run. The main contributor to my original Vactus laterallis pain was my technique- in that I was squatting slightly while running. With this in mind I consciously stood “taller” and before I knew it, I was tapping out the KM’s again…..and this time FREE of the lower outside quad pain. Amazing. Maybe the extra pack weight had caused the issues? Maybe I was just not “in the zone”- who knows….the important thing is that the transformation in my legs and mind was explosive and pain free! With a grassy and steep detour that took me up a climb and descent that required all of my strength (and helped to stretch out the calves) I was back at the top of the Rapaki Track before I knew it.

Running up the Mount Vernon Track has now become a bit of a favorite of mine now and has just enough climb- undulation- and rockiness to really get the heart and head racing. Today I opted for the Traverse Track and it did not disappoint & by now I was really starting to feel the buzz with the warm sunshine fueling me as I ran along the single track. Recently I’ve started to experiment with running without the iPod too for stretches of my runs- it kind of chills me out a bit and I can hear my own feet and breathing. Infact, I love to run with music- but I’m now also starting to also appreciate the sounds and feelings of just me and the track…….and “tapping” along the Traverse with the sound of my own feet really helped me focus on what I was trying to achieve…..

Anyway, once I was at Vic Park I had another quick stretch, feed and photographed my new socks (hehe) before heading towards the Kiwi along the narrow(ish) and soft leafy tracks. These tracks were amazing to run on actually, and gave me some great fast little descents to have “a play” with my downhill running technique. It was not until this section of track that I really started to feel my downhill running “coming together” and after mucking about all day- it felt bloody great! With a fast downward section I had my arms lifted and a slight forward lean and then whoosh! I was on the way back up again with a different cadence and body language- with my arms tucked in and powering straight forward and back. I was also starting to trust and relax my legs, upper body and feet too….and what the different foot strikes that running downwards brings. It was bloody awesome! Once at the Sign of the Kiwi I filled my water bottle and grabbed a coke before heading back to the Rapaki Track. Not wanting to push my luck I decided on returning the way that I had come…..rather than being over confident and ignoring the alternate & rocky tracks…..

I’m not sure what it is about Coke- but boy oh boy it gives me a lift! On the return leg I had to actually slow down as my cadence was all over the place :D Once again the shaded tracks to Vic Park had me grinning from ear to ear and my forward movement felt bloody awesome. I was really feeling connected to the trail….and it was an amazing feeling. Being able to let things go on the downs just made the whole run “flow” and I now had some choice tunes pumping out that just gave me goose bumps. Across the Traverse I went with more vigor than I had when I had first came this way just a while ago- and I was loving it. I’m not sure what it is, but once I start the “final” section of a run it is like I have new legs! I absolutely love the last 10KM or so of a run as I can just empty my tank….and let shit go. Hitting Mount Vernon in reverse is pretty much like being on the mountain bike- it is super FAST! And by the end of the track and the start of the Rapaki- my poor ankles and arches were feeling the difference between running up lots on hard pack and running down on hardpack. With a quad stretch at the gate I was then ready for the longest descent  of the day and it was all on hard pack….all 8+KM of it.

I’m not sure what happened as I hobbled over the cattle grid at the top of the Rapaki Track – but before I knew it- I was absolutely HAMMERING it down this track! I just could not believe how fast I was going and for the first time I could feel my Glutes firing on every downward foot step as my feet landed perfectly- it was totally magic! People talk of “runners high” and I’ve had some awesome highs out there- but this one was off the hook! I must have looked like I was on cloud nine too….as passers by smiled with that “this guy is fucking insane- bless him” kind of look :D More importantly my quads and arches/ feet felt fantastic!…at last…I had run downwards without breaking with my quads and landing “heavy” on my feet! Hooo- fucking- rah!

All up I was on my feet moving forward for more than 4hrs & ran about 36KM (my Garmin ran out of memory!), walked maybe a KM or two, and rode 15KM. I’m getting there…..

Wow. What a run. What a day. What a fantastic pair of socks :D

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Related posts:

1. Weekend run (week one) – Port Hills
2. Nearly 50% of my target distance DONE
3. Trail running in the Port Hills – lessons learnt
4. Port Hills Crater Rim 30KM trail run
5. Over cooking it & some well deserved respite

This entry was posted on Sunday, October 25th, 2009 at 9:13 am and is filed under Runs & Walks and tagged with downhill running, port hills, runner high, stretching, technique, trail running, Training. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.