NZ Mountain Running Champs 2019
13 April 2019
Wainuiamata, Wellington, NZ
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/3550403324
http://www.athletics.org.nz/Portals/24/Files/Events/2019%20Events/Wellington%20Mountain%20Run%20Course%20Map%202019.pdf
http://www.athletics.org.nz/Events/new-zealand-mountain-running-championships
https://www.sporty.co.nz/wainuiomataaahc/NZ-and-Wainuiomata-Classic-Mountain-Run/2019-NZ-and-Wellington-Champs
http://rowanglive2.blogspot.com/2019/04/2019-nz-mountain-running-champs-and.html?m=1
Brett, Neville and I traveled down to Wellington for these national champs. We weren't really sure what to expect...
Conditions
The day was a bit rainy early on, but largely dried out before our races at 1pm started. There had been a fair bit of rain during the preceding week, and the course consisted of mostly hard packed clay base and rocky underneath. Quite a few people took tumbles or slides (eg Nev!).
Neville (by virtue of youth) started off in Race 1 at 1pm on the 11.5km course. Brett and I started at 1:10 on the 8.5km course. (50+ Champs)
I ran hard and strong early. I saw 4 strong looking runners ahead of me, right from the start, and that is (in the end) how it stayed. The first 80m climb (in 600m) was over in a flash, and we circled around the water tower and the course flattened off. I was feeling ok, but I had underestimated the hills yet to come. The Ups (mostly) and Downs (sometimes) leading up to the drinks station location were pretty brutal, and I pushed hard to maintain the same level of speed. I overtook 4th placer (Michael Wray), and that spurred me on to stay on the red ragged edge.
The down/up section to a small turn around was fast and slippery (down), and slow and slippery (up). MW overtook me back during this uphill.
Then we hit the meanest part of the hills, including a few bits where I dropped to a walk (stumble?) due to the steepness. I was watching my altitude on my watch (knowing the top was about 360m above sea level), but I was still fooled by two false summits. Eventually reached the top, with awesome views out towards Wellington.
Started on the downhill, including overtaking MW again. However this was shortlived, as he got back in front (and stayed there) on the last 3km downhill section. DAMN!
I ended up in 5th in the 50+ championship, and 4th (by 8 seconds!) in the 50..54 Age Group. So close to a medal!!
Brett had a strong race and came in for 2nd in the 60+ category!
Neville was in the open field, and ran a fair bit in his own company. He managed to take a big tumble. !
Nev came through with a great 5th place in 45..49 age group!
How to run faster next time.
My Saloman Speedcross shoes were excellent, but not completely immune to slipping. I never quite fell over. (at least a couple of speedsters ran with sprigs, which seemed to help them)
In retrospect, I ran too hard too early. I was trying to keep up with others, but I ran to nearly a standstill on some later hills, and overall my time would have been better if I had paced myself a bit slower.
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