National Marathon Champs 2013

24/4/13

2 weeks prior to this year’s Marathon Champs I had actually decided against competing.  Mentally I needed a break from the stresses of racing and my body had been showing signs of physical exhaustion. I had, however already booked flights and accommodation and to cancel these would have cost me.  So Ed and I decided to make the trip up to Cairns and use it as more of a holiday.  After all, what better excuse to soak in some sun while the Melbourne weather turns nasty! So, not wanting to take the race too seriously, my training for this year’s champs was less than ideal: with only 1 ride of 4hrs and any other rides around the 2hr mark.

The Champs were held in the picturesque Atherton Tablelands around 1hr inland from Cairns. Driving up into the mountains from Cairns, we passed through a number of small towns known for their gourmet local produce. I noted a few turn-offs headed into the thick World Heritage rain forest.   Following the race, Ed and I had planned to take in the sights a little more but on the day prior to racing it was best to keep the legs fresh!

The road into Atherton MTB park; Conditions were perfect for the start of the race

After hearing the comments going around about this year’s Marathon Course I was more than a little apprehensive.  My number 1 goal was to firstly get to the finish line!  We were to cover 3 laps of a 33km course and with 1100m ascending per lap, this was going to be a race of attrition.  The climbing along with the heat and humidity would surely result in a high percentage of non-finishers and I was determined not to fall victim.  I made sure to hydrate with a mixture of electrolytes and plain water in the 24hrs prior and also erred on side of caution leaving maximum numbers of bottles out on course.

As I had no real expectations for this race, my usual pre-race nerves were not present on the start line.  This meant for a bit of a sluggish start, but I figured with a predicted race time of 6-7hrs the start wasn’t too crucial.  2012 National Marathon Champ, Peta Mullens, got into the single track first followed by another pre-race favourite Jenny Fay and then me.  Understandably, given the day ahead, Peta set a controlled pace early on as we zig-zagged our way up the first 10km of single-track and down the other side.  Jenny Fay lost the wheel of Peta down the longer descent. At first I was a little concerned and tried in vain to make a few passes, but then I reminded myself of the big day ahead and decided on using the descent as a little rest time.  Following this awesome network of single-trail it was then onto the main climb.  Needless to say it was brutal!  The fire-trail just seemed to climb forever. At this point, Peta had a good 300m on Jenny Fay, myself and Jody Willett and then there was a bigger gap back to Sarah Riley and Terri Rhodes.  As the trail pointed skyward, Jenny shifted up a gear and closed the gap on Peta, seemingly in no time.  Jody and I settled into our own rhythm around 500m behind.  I hit a bit of a low point as we started on a section of rough fire-trail involving many ups that were well and truly long enough to hurt the legs!  I was also more than a little worried about some unwanted twinges in the hammies. Cramping this early on was not good. I slowed my pace a touch and downed some fluids along with a Torq gel in hope of some increased energy.

The river crossings were quite refreshing 

The fast fire-road descent included a few treacherous rutted out sections.  Keeping the hands ready on the brakes was a must!  This downhill would have been loads of fun had it not been for the several nasty climbs breaking it up.  I guess it wasn’t meant to be easy!  Even the last 7km of predominantly downhill single track was fatiguing on the body with many bumps along the way. I started to wish I was on a duallie. On this final descent I passed Jody who had suffered a puncture but looked to have a handle on fixing it.

Surprisingly, by the end of lap one I was only 4min down on the leading duo of Peta and Jenny.  I made time to stop and fill the pockets with nutrition and take on some more fluids and then it was out onto lap 2. My energy levels were quite good at this stage and I was able to make up some time on the first 10km single track section. I popped out at the bottom of the main climb and had Peta and Jenny in sight.  Once again, Jenny shifted up a gear and forged ahead however Peta looked to be suffering and I was able to make the pass around halfway up the climb.  Later I found out that Peta had pulled the pin not too long after this. She was certainly not the first or last causality of the day!

Jenny Fay rode strong all day to take the race win; Terri Rhodes was smart to get those fluids in early!

Those earlier twinges in the hammies had now seemingly spread to the quads, hands and even abdominals and I was starting to get real concerns about finishing!  I made sure to stop at each water point and down as much fluids as possible. I also kept the cadence high in an easier gear, in order to lessen the load on the muscles.  There was 1 creek crossing where I had to dismount and walk up the other side only to have my left leg totally lock up and I literally had to massage it a little to get going again.  At this point my only real thoughts were to get through lap 2 and then call it a day.

Some of the thoughts that enter your mind when half delirious with fatigue and dehydration are quite strange really.  I’m actually quite amazed I got down the descent in 1 piece. Coming into transition I had mixed emotions. Should I keep pushing the body to its limits and dare to enter lap 3?  I quite often talk about the power of the mind, to all of those I coach and I truly believe that the body is capable of a lot more than we often think it is.  I also knew in the back of my mind that the National Champs jersey was there for the taking and so the decision was made and it was onto the 3^rd and final lap.

Well to be honest I have blurred memories of this lap as I was seeing double vision for a vast proportion.  I tried to break the course down into sections and just concentrate on one portion at a time.  The steep pinches on the top part of the course were agonising, however I knew to dismount would be a disaster due to the cramping. At this stage I was starting to get shivery, another sure sign of dehydration.  So it was easiest gear for me and just one pedal stroke at a time along with drinking every drop of fluid that I had.  Strangely, during the last 15km the body seemed to come good and I was even able to get out of the saddle a few times and punch out some power. The finish line didn’t come soon enough however as that last 7km of single track gave the body one last pounding!

Jenny Fay had convincingly taken the win however, being Irish, was ineligible for the National Champs status and so I had won the jersey.  Young Terri Rhodes rode a smart well-paced race and took the silver medal, while despite a few mechanicals Sarah Riley claimed 3^rd. It was awesome to share the podium with some of the nicest girls in mtbiking! It feels a little strange to win this National Title, after just 2 weeks ago looking to cancel the trip entirely.  I guess it proves the power of the mind though. Your body is certainly capable of a lot more than you often think!

Jenny Fay rode strong all day and won the race. Being Irish she was ineligible for National Champ Status

The Aussie Podium. Great to wear the Green and Gold once again!

Thanks so much to the invaluable support from my sponsors Target Trek MTB Team, Momentum Energy, Torq Australia, Lifecare, 4Shaw and Adidas.  It is great to know that  you guys are behind me every pedal stroke!