Notes
I didn't achieve what I set out to achieve-but all is well.
I've been battling a bad cold for a few weeks now and last weekend struggled to run 8km. I spend every morning trying to hack up a lung. I considered not running but decided to have a crack.
I started we'll-probably too fast as usual but I felt surprisingly good so went with it. I loved the muddy trails and was seldom alone so had some good conversations. I got to Blanket Bay in about 2:45 and was thrilled with this. I felt fantastic.
The next section it got hard. I was cold and couldn't warm up, every time I tried to run I went into coughing spasms and I was slowing down. I told myself I was in a position to walk outthe event and beat the cut offs so set about changing my plans. I was in very ordinary shape by Aire River where Mrs Wombat was helping out. Apparently I was pretty pale and I felt awful. I was not yet ready to call it a day, my plan had been 6 hours to Aire and I was only 9 minutes off that. I pressed on, deciding I'd re-evaluate at Johanna.
The next 13km were the hardest I've ever run. U could not go past a seat without a rest, I was having coughing fits regularly and was fast running out of strength. I was no longer enjoying myself and was in survival mode. It took me nearly 3 hours for that 13km. I sat down at Johanna with a cup of tea hoping for a miracle recovery but, even though I was still ahead of the cut offs, I decided to pull the pin. Mrs Wombat was there having finished at Aire River and she gave me a long chat to make sure I was fine with my decision, before taking me onto our motel room, where we found ourselves upgraded to a spa room. Score!
After a bath, a bit if a rest and pizza and coffee I was feeling better and we went back to the finish so Mrs Wombat could help out. I enjoyed cheering people in to the finish and the war stories after. Seeing other people's triumphs made me feel much happier.
This is a fantastic event. The time and effort Whippet and crew put into it is phenomenal and it shows on race day. I cannot thank Whippet, Brett and others like them enough for giving us events like this.
I have to admit I was disappointed, but I wasn't enjoying it. I was slowing right down and had no energy reserves. I know it was the right choice and am ok with it. I think it will be a while before I try something like this again. Good thing GOW is 12 months away!