GOR : The Wash Up

Morning Run Distance: Sat 44:70
Afternoon Run Distance:
Average Pace: 5:04
Other: Nil
Weekly Total: 44:70
Monthly Total: 235:56
Yearly Total: 2055:16
Running Calendar: Bush Capital 60 - Jul, Walhalla Woundup - Sept, Fitzroy Falls - Oct

A new run that promised to be an adventure. A 4AM start on Saturday for the drive to Apollo Bay. Arrived at Lorne at about noon. A quick stop the stretch the legs and have a bite to eat. Then drive the course from Lorne to Apollo Bay. Yep, great views of the sea and the coastline. Yep, lots of loooong hills. It takes almost an hour to drive the distance.

I picked up my timing chip and then ran into Elle, Kelley and Mick. A quick chat and then back to the car to have a rest. I was quite tired. I got a call from Elle a bit later and went to visit her and James where they were staying.

I couldn't get any accommodation as it was all booked out for the Saturday night so I parked the car near where I was going to catch the bus to Lorne in the morning. Lights out and a night spent sleeping in the car. It wasn't too bad but a little hard on the back.

An early start as the bus left at 6AM. I caught up with the others at Lorne. My race plan going into the run was to enjoy the scenery and run around 4 to 4:15 but after a very good start I found that I was well ahead of schedule and running well within my capabilities. I had gone passed Elle early in the run but now I saw Kelley up ahead. I used her as motivation and caught her at about the 12km mark. We spent most of the run until about the 35km mark trading places.

My legs were well and truly smashed so I took a very short break to shake them out and that's were Kelley pulled away. The mats for the marathon timing came into sight and I pushed the pace - 3h 29m - yep a sub 3:30 PB and on this very hilly course. I pushed on in a fair degree of discomfort to finish the 45kms in 3:47.

I finished 113 out of 584 runners on a course that really did deliver. Great scenery (I did sneak a look every now and then) and a real challenge. It really was worth the long drive.

I decided against driving straight home and booked accommodation for the night. Spent the rest of the day watching other runners come in and having a quiet drink with Elle, James, Kelley and Mick.

A really enjoyable weekend. Really happy with my sub 3:30 PB. I probably couldn't have done it without training hills with Two Fruits.