Getting the bounce back by using a race

Race Tekapo debrief

As many of you know, returning to a training regime after a major goal can feel daunting. It’s uncommon for the body to feel great straight out of the gate. The legs can feel a bit clunky. A little unco. And sometimes it just feels tough getting out there. To help kick start the motivation and blow out the cobwebs, I quite like to add a build- up race into my schedule. Race Tekapo was the trail race of choice post-CCC and Infinite Trails. It fit the schedule well. Looked like a fantastic race. And, we had a great crew that were keen to head down and compete.  

It hasn’t been long since CCC - a race that I have to respect, did take it out of me. So when I went to my coach Robbie Britton with the proposal to race Tekapo 50km, I was well aware that he may shut me down. Which, and I acknowledge was the right decision, he rightly did so. I knew that a 50km wasn’t the sensible option, but I had gotten a bit of ribbing from my friends who were competing in the 50km and I was keen to line up too.  

However, with some common sense talked into me I settled on the 32km option and I am more than happy with that decision. Nestled in the breath-taking landscapes of Lake Tekapo, the race promised stunning views. Getting down there and feeling the vibe of the community along with a crisp wind, it was clear why the race has been growing in popularity, doubling in numbers since its inaugural event in 2022.
Our small crew from Wellington were stoked to be there.

The Build-Up to Tekapo

This will be a short paragraph just like build. I was able to get into my weekly training routine back in New Zealand, but Tekapo would act as my first real workout. There hadn’t been a lot of miles on the clock since arriving home. But, I knew what I was in for and my body still held a bit of fitness from Europe.

The Day of the Race

Race day arrived with the typical early start. The 50km runners in our AirBnB rose at 3:40am for their 6am start. Michelle was very considerate, trying to be very quiet so I could sleep a little bit longer. But I was excited for it so got up and prepared for my 7am start. The atmosphere was electric as we walked down to the start line. Fellow runners buzzing with energy. It was great to fuel my adrenaline with the start of the 50km before completing my warmup and cracking into the 32km race. The hour between race starts passed quickly, then before we knew it our race was underway.

As we set off, I focused on controlling my effort. Something I kept reminding myself was that this race was part of my journey rather than just a standalone event. The trails were very runnable so I settled into a steady pace. It was clear that James Millar and Harry Wager (ended up 2nd and 3rd respectively) were there to race. We passed the Church of the Good Shepherd and ate up the waterfront km’s together. I decided to push hard up Mt John (the biggest hill on course), to open up a bit of a lead. This actually led into a nice strategy of getting in a hard effort and then settling into a steady rhythm for the remainder of the race.  However, I couldn’t relax, as the fellas were running very well, pushing each other for an epic battle for 2nd and 3rd. Still though, I managed to enjoy it. The course was breathtaking, the views especially but as well as some punchy climbs and fast-rolling sections. Coming back into Tekapo town, the community cheered us home and it was nice to be able to return that support to the athletes from the different races as they crossed the finish line. It brought a lot of joy to see Michelle home, along with my friends/coaching clients who all pushed their limits and competed really well, accomplishing their own goals.

All in all it was a fantastic event, very well run, and a great chance to reconnect in person with the NZ trail community. Thanks so much to the Race Tekapo team for putting on such a well organised and supported event.

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Looking Ahead

Completing the Tekapo 32 km trail race has not only been a good rust buster but it also kick-started my training. On the back of the race I felt good and got back into training that next day. I’m still on a journey back to fitness, but at this stage of the season I’m not rushing things and getting in a very manageable training load. The focus is on my speed with some threshold and power/explosive type training. This will all be used looking towards the big picture of next year, but with some more amazing opportunities to test myself in the final stages of this year. 

Bring on the next events and I encourage all of you to find your own challenges and embrace the lessons they bring. Whether you’re racing, training, or just enjoying a leisurely run, remember that each experience is an opportunity to add to yours. 

Happy running, everyone!