Xterra Waitawa 2019
10th June 2019https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/3728781070
https://www.strava.com/activities/2434615399
http://totalsport.racetiming.co.nz/competitions/1654
The Video
https://www.relive.cc/view/2434615399
The Day
After a week of intermittent rain, the morning turned out fantastic! Blue skies, warm and dry.
(Quite a change from the mudbath at Waitawa last year).
I drove Will, Nev and Brett out - left home at 7:05, which was about right. We obtained a car pooling parking pass, which helped us position close to the event base.
We met Neil and Michal out there - and Nev's family, and Will's family also there.
The Run
The run starts with a short downhill road section, which heads off onto a gravel path for about 1.5km? We raced along this pretty quick (3:52 first km!) to make sure we weren't later held up on the single track bits. Michal was ahead initially, with me, Will and Nev in a tight bunch.
We moved ahead of Michal after a few kilometers (he was admittedly recovering from the ChCh marathon!) and climbed the hills and smashed down the descents. Will and I slowly gained time on Nev, and by the end of the first lap, could only sight him occasionally quite far behind us.
I was hanging onto Will - he would slow on the hills, while I decided to 'run like crazy' them - often catching up to him uphill. Of course, this just gave him energy to sprint off ahead of me subsequently :(
The views from the high points, and on the beach were lovely.
The second lap was a repeat of the first, except that we started to overtake the mid distance runners (and walkers). (Not helped by the fact that our race had started 10 minutes late). This became a game of shouting 'runner on the right' while crashing past people in the hope that the track was wide enough for us both (which it often wasn't). This added to the adrenaline factor, and although it slowed us down, it was the same for all close competitors.
I was running ok - a bit on the edge of reason, but holding it together ok. I overtook Will at one of the drink stations (by not stopping), but that only spurred him on I think :)
I really hit the wall with about 1km to go - barely able to keep running - but stumbled slowly onwards. The finish is after a predominantly uphill section, which is tough! No way I was catching Will up there 😛😛😛
After the finish, we waited and waited for Nev... beginning to think that he must be injured. He finished finally - having forgotten his ventolin!
Will. 2:04:59. Sixth in 40+
Me. 2:06:11. First in 50+
Michal. 2:09:17
Brett. 2:16:34. Second in 60+. Just 27 seconds behind the first placer (and including a wee stop on the first lap). Next time, Brett!
Nev. 2:18:27.
Neil. 2:37:34.
Prue Barker. 43:44. First on 60+ Short Course
James Barker. 43:44.
Russell Coleman. 1:10:01. First on 60+. Mid Course
Jack 35:12
Grace 42:37
Caitlyn and Rachel. 1:02:48
All great results for 'Run Like Crazy' team😀
Post-Run Analysis
I had a good run. 4 minutes slower than last year (and in better conditions), but this time last year I was in great shape. I had 1+2 gels like normal, but only 1 cup of water. Perhaps another gel, or more drink might have kept me going stronger near the end? My legs and ankles etc were 100% today. I have been taking the training easy for a few weeks.
I couldn't have gone any quicker today, and was totally shagged by the end!
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