So life got REALLY busy post-Shotover meaning that it has taken me two weeks to get to this training update and race report. As a very brief summary, the race is awesome and everyone should add it to their bucket list. If you want the slightly longer version, read on.
WEEK 11 OF 12
MON 9 FEB
REST DAY
TUE 10 FEB
AM | 1hr13min / 255m VG / 10.0km / group trail run
Altra Lone Peak 1.5 (Black - Apr 14). GCTR group run at Nerang. Pretty cruisy spin on mostly singletrack. Did an extra 2km or so at the end.
WED 11 FEB
AM | 1hr36min/ 460m VG / 14.5km / midweek long trail run
Altra Superior 1.5 (Black/Red - April 14). Taper mid-week long run. Opted for a local scamper, and did some hiking up transition into running repeats. There will be plenty of it in NZ. Felt good.
THU 12 FEB
REST DAY
FRI 13 FEB
AM | 48min / 150m VG / 8.7km / group road run
Altra One2 (Nov 14 - Blue). Chisel Runners group run - no extras this morning as I'm in taper town. It was a good run this morning with probably fewer breaks and more sustained running.
SAT 14 FEB
AM | 1hr31min / 610m VG / 16.8km / long trail run
AM | 1hr5min / 125m VG / 6.1km / beginner’s group trail run
Altra Superior 2.0 (Feb 15 - Blue). Final (taper) long run before Shotover in a week. Felt really, really strong and good generally. I've got a bit of an upset stomach which is making me feel super heavy in the gut, but it didn't hinder my running at all. Hopefully it clears up in the next day or so. Otherwisepromising signs.
Followed up my long run with a beginner’s group run for the GCTR. Kept it flat and easy - good to have plenty of people out!
SUN 15 FEB
REST DAY
TOTAL TIME | 6hr13min
Running
6hr13min / 1610m VG / 56.1km
Cross Training
Strength | NIL
Mountain Biking | NIL
WEEK 12 OF 12
MON 16 FEB
AM | 30min / NIL VG / 6.8km / easy road run
Altra The One (Mar 14). Easy-ish road run just getting the legs spinning in the countdown to Shotover. Built up to around MAF threshold by the end - felt good.
TUE 17 FEB
AM | 1hr3min / 200m VG / 7.4km / group trail run
Altra Superior 1.5 (Black - Apr 14). GCTR @ Currumbin. Cruisy trot around the border trail in preparation for Shotover.
WED 18 FEB
REST DAY
Flying out to NZ!
THU 19 FEB
AM | 56min / 30m VG / 9.3km / easy group road run
Easy lakeside cruise with the Shotover group around Lake Wakitipu. Flushing out the plane ride and getting the legs moving before Saturday!
FRI 20 FEB
REST DAY
SAT 21 FEB
AM | 5hr40min / 2330m VG / 42.3km / Race
SHOTOVER MOONLIGHT MOUNTAIN MARATHON
Shotover Moonlight Mountain Marathon...a beautifully brutal race! Just an epic course in a spectacular location.
I felt pretty good throughout. My quads got crampy in a couple of spots late on after being thrashed on the technical descents...they generally wanted to cramp on the flat after running downhill. The technical terrain also had me going slower on the flats/downs than I had anticipated, but I hiked strongly on the ups all day. I was still moving pretty well at the end.
I again stuck with Tailwind only, as well as some water from the creeks (although I snuck a pack of sports beans at the final aid station!).
I'd probably sacrifice my feet a little next time around and go for more of a racing flat shoe, only in the hope of dealing with the narrow animal tracks a little easier.
I'll be back to tackle this one again!
SUN 22 FEB
REST DAY
TOTAL TIME | 8hr9min
Running
8hr9min / 2565m VG / 65.7km
Cross Training
Strength | NIL
Mountain Biking | NIL
See you out there – Juddy