Damn my quads are going to be sore tomorrow
DOMS for days, but feeling the competitive drive again
This past weekend was Motatapu. An epic one-day off-road event that explores the amazing trails between Wanaka and Arrowtown. It’s a grassroots event but has a bigger feel about it. Made up of different event options including trail running with distances from 15km up to 50km and two mountain bike options. The event brings competitors together from all over the country and overseas, creating an amazing atmosphere. It is these types of events that grow endurance sports and especially the sport of trail running.
For us, Michelle (my fiance for new readers) had been targeting the Motatapu 52km as her first Ultra of the year. I thought the 15km UDC Finance Miners Trail would be a nice option for me and a good way to support the event and test the legs post Tarawera Ultramarathon. Ideally, that would look like a 90% to 95% effort. A nice way to kickstart my next build, the lead-up to Canyons 50km in the States. My coach Robbie let me know that I would likely be pushed by a mate of his over from Europe on holiday. That was okay I had a loose plan and thought I would stick to it.
And then the gun goes off…
and my plan goes out the window as I quickly discover who Ross was as he took off. On the first hill I doggedly tried to hold on and even tried to push a bit at one stage. 90% effort was looking like 99% effort and my legs were telling me about it. I was getting in one of those race-effort workouts.
My thoughts were: Hang on as long as possible. See what happens. Keep Ross in sight. Let’s work the downs. Damn my quads are going to be sore tomorrow. Then, kick it home to the finish.
Fair to say this was a slightly different thought process to Tarawera!
In the end, Ross was too sharp for me, and I’m not going to lie, I’m too competitive to have not been a bit disappointed to have not won the thing.
But I was very happy about how the body responded to racing after Tarawera. I’ve got a good indication of what I can work on in the lead-up to Canyons 50km and then Western States. So, I tick the race off as a success. My legs were completely ruined with DOMS for days after the event. It shows that specific training is essential when you target events like these. Also, I did push harder than my game plan. In this case, I think it will be okay, but it highlights an importance of going into a race with an intention. Straying too far from that intent can hurt. Hopefully in this instance just in the short-term and I can tee it up as a learning experience.
A highlight of the weekend was seeing Michelle going into her ultra with a positive mindset. Even though the technical course didn’t play completely to her strengths it was so nice to see her come away from the race happy. She pushed outside her comfort zone and came away with a 3rd place finish. More than the result itself I think the way she maintained a solid effort throughout her longest time on feet to date, was a big success. We celebrated accordingly with our good friends Cam and Laura. Highly recommend the Gin Garden in Arthurs Point as a beautiful spot with a nice outdoor setting.
I’ve talked about it before, and I’ll talk about it again. Trail running is a community. There are not too many sports in the world where the top competitors are lining up next to those who have the goal of completing the race. Then the finish line photos usually show a similar thing. The joy of getting to the finish line and the sense of achievement for knocking off or pursuing our goals. I have the privilege of coaching athletes at these events. Sometimes it creates a bit of stress following the app. But it’s so cool to see athletes take on their challenges and work through them. Being in the race atmosphere is a great way to get the best out of yourself.
After the buzz of the weekend, we’re now back in Wellington and motivation is high.
It’s time to get stuck into some solid training in the lead-up to States.
