2 out of 3 goals are a pleasing result.
After a couple days of rain coming into this year’s event, our team was not too sure how the track would hold up. We all thought previous to the rain that the record was under threat from one of the teams.
The start was over and done with and all teams were into it right away.
'No roads' were showing early form and hit the front right away. We decided to stay at our own pace and conserve early.
Coming into checkpoint 1 at Mt Nimmel Lodge 1:06min (3 min up on last year’s time)
'No roads' had a 1 min lead.
We hit this check point well; 60 sec stop and kept moving. Climbing up and down the new section was a solid hit out- especially when there was a reminder at the top of the new climb that this was a serious stress to the body. At this stage we held our pace and kept focused. The track was alot better than we thought up to this point.
Hitting Pollys - 3:15:00 min
We came in with no problems or mishaps, the track was hard and fast as the tree canopy was keeping out the rain, the temp was perfect for us here. At one stage I looked at our pace, we were sitting on 5 min per Km
A solid checkpoint change of 90 sec and only down by 4 min. No one was showing any weaknesses so we kept pushing along with a steady pace- not to silly! There was still time to pull them in.
Up and down Polly’s in a record time for us and into the Environmental Centre. I had a couple of cramps (inside thigh) and had a small stretch to ease the pain, no fuels on board at the Centre as the checkpoint was not set up yet.
Off into the Creek crossings and we hit them hard, straight through every one - cold but refreshing on the burning feet, I had planned to change shoes at half way to keep feet in working order later in the event.
I suffered a bit through this section as Nic and Hally were cranking, I hung on and just sucked up the pain of being a bit carb low and a foot that felt like Burning Hell!!!
Cramping some more, Donny had thumbs of steel and I'm sure he pushed them right through my quads in this section. Into the endurolytes like lollies, they eased and I was off again, catching the others and ripping into some time lost.
Numinbah Hall- Just over Half way- 5:15:30sec
Into the Half way point down by 6 min on 'No roads' don't panic was the cry from Donny, we were still in the chase.
A small miss calculation for shoes- there were none there!
A quick fix by the Hammer Crew.... racing to the car to get a fresh set. This stop is something I will never forget - Doug held up all the school teams and we were treated to an amazing reception, must have been over 1000 people screaming and going nuts.
A digger even gave me a chair - Cheers mate for that.
This stop was around 3:30 sec and into the bush in front of 600 screaming school teams.
Then the teams were off behind us, we were hit by a school team of African athletes- flying pass, those boys were giving it to the track.!!
Off to the next check point- The fire brigade and Sid Duncan Pk-
Time got away from us a bit here as I struggled with my demons and Hally went Carb low. Yet we hung in there and Donny pulled on the Tow rope to march us up to the Fire station.
Nic wanted to chase but we did not have it here!!
Hitting the top of Sid Duncan Pk only 16 min behind, with just over 30 km to go, time was getting away to chase ‘No Roads’
I necked a Coke and hit the sangas and my first anti inflams here.
Felt 1000%.
Down hell fire pass with No guts No Glory attitude, we all picked it up again.
At this stage we reassessed, our new goal- rip up the record from 2010.
Coming into the final checkpoint, we were still on track for 10:55-11:05 pace
Into the Forrest and still light! We were all in good spirits and worked with each other. Hally and Donny strong as Ox’s, Nic was starting to show some small signs of knee issues but nothing too serious.
Hitting the last Hills in Nerang, we all got together and had a chat about our day and the Nike Hammer spirit! "Never give up"!
I’m sure we all wanted to pull the pin at some stage, but out team showed guts and pulled together at every low point to help each other through.
A special thank you to Chris Adams and Dennis Fitsgerald for supporting like true champions.
Mel and my 2 beautiful Kids for making push when I had nothing! You made me shed a tear out in the forest.
The Sponsor Nike, Hammer and Striderm - for all the gear and support.
Overall we were stoked to finish with our record, we ran as hard as we ever have and I'm sure sent them home realising, this is one of the hardest trail races in Australia.
Well done ‘No roads’ you boys are amongst the strongest I have ever encounted. It was that last 30km that smashed us up.
As for next year- the jury is out, we are trying to get our heads around 10:19!! What do we do differently, how do we challenge this world class time?
Get back to you on this one!!
Cheers for all the support on the way round guys, hope you enjoyed your challenge as much as Nike Hammer did!
