Crater Rim Ultra 2019
13 October 2019
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/4150607056
https://www.strava.com/activities/2784117091
https://www.craterrimtrailrun.com/results.html
https://www.strava.com/activities/2784117091
https://www.craterrimtrailrun.com/results.html
53.5km, 2500m vert.
The Video
https://www.relive.cc/view/vNOPnrro92q
The Buildup
I had a great buildup to this race. I mentally targeted it 3 months out, and worked fairly hard to get some long runs under my belt in training. The highlights were a long run with Nev around Mt Te Aroha, and four 30km trail runs around Goldies and Te Henga. By the end of this, I was actually very tired, and I made the right decision to stop training hard a full 3 weeks out from the event. Any less time to recover would have been too little for sure. (I still trained, just not to exhaustion).
My weight got down to about 71kg (before the last few days of carbo-loading put on a bit), which wasn't too bad.
I flew down to Christchurch on the saturday, and stayed at a fab B&B right on Hansen park. (Just me this year, not with the famdam). Flew back to ak after the race :)
The Race
I was up at 4:30am, and after a couple of bits of toast and half a banana, wandered down to catch the bus to Littleton and then the ferry to Diamond Head for the race start at 7:15am. I met Mike H, and his friend Tom.
The race day weather was overcast and drizzling a bit. This continued for most of the morning, without ever drenching us. Actually quite comfortable conditions for running.
We headed up the daunting Mt Herbert. This was damp, but not freezing cold like last year. Some running on this section, but mostly walking on the steeper bits.
I topped 919m Mt Herbert in 1:11, which was 6 minutes faster than last year, which was confidence boosting.
Coming around the back of Mt Herbert it was very muddy - and the mud persisted for much of the run. (really only the last 7km were road-shoe-suitable). Much more slippery than last year and much more water on the ground. But that suited me just fine - I like the technical stuff best :)
I had met another 50+ guy, Jim Jones, who was a fast road runner, but I overtook him through this section as he floundered somewhat in the mud.
There is lots of nice downhill gentle running throughout this section, including the section down through the pine trees which is pretty.
I hit the 20km bag drop station and still feeling pretty good. I used the toilet at the 22km mark.
After this, the trail heads very steeply uphill for ages (500m up), along the fenceline and farms.
I ate steadily all day - having roughly 1 muesli bar or gel every 40 mins. I also chose to have coke at the drink stations, which I think helped me.
I was using my old camelbak, with limited storage, so (after compulsory equipment), I only had about 750ml of fluid. This lasted me until the 30km aid station, where I refilled with water, except that it turned out to be Tailwind drink! No problem I guess - it might even have helped overall. Since the day wasn't hot, I never felt dehydrated.
The course was slightly different from last year (a bit longer), and we no longer did the gravel descent/ascent from hell - but the replacements were nearly as bad! The long loop around by the flying fox was fairly endless, but I was still moving well, and with no aches or pains.
There are some pretty sections on this 'crater rim walkway' trail - old, gnarly trees and interesting rocks.
At the 40km? mark we finally started getting glimpses of Christchurch through the gloom, but at no stage was it very clear and fine.
At the 43km point we start the big descent. This was were I started really struggling last year. This time I was much better and could run the flat/downhill bits at a steady plod. (Most of the uphills throughout the race were all power-walked)
With only 8km to go there is the second new loop (4km) around the side of the hill, which was mentally a struggle. Just let us run down to the finish, damn it!
After this loop, it was 4km down steeply to the end. Serious pounding on the legs, and it was an effort of will to keep running. With 2km to go, I noticed an ultra runner approaching from behind. I worked hard to stay ahead of him - scared that he might be a 50+ age grouper. He slowly caught up, but I sprinted the last kilometer to stay ahead just! (well, sprint means about 5min/km speed...)
I finished in 6:43:53, just slightly faster than last year, and was the third 50+ man home.😀
I was second in the 2019 NZ Trail Running Championship for 50+ - same as last year. I smashed the winner from last year by 17 minutes.... I was really hoping that I might have been first...but no... some other dude beat me by 18 mins :(
Wrapup
I had come second in the NZ Trail Running Champs in this event last year, and I was secretly hopeful of going one better this year, so I was pretty focused on speed. I ran light, ate lots, carried no camera, etc. I felt much better in the last part of the race - I never bonked like last year.
My quads (mostly) shattered afterwards, but no injuries and even my toes/feet no problems.
Awesome fun.
I was really energy drained for 3+ weeks after this event. (I need a rest sometime!)
The Buildup
I had a great buildup to this race. I mentally targeted it 3 months out, and worked fairly hard to get some long runs under my belt in training. The highlights were a long run with Nev around Mt Te Aroha, and four 30km trail runs around Goldies and Te Henga. By the end of this, I was actually very tired, and I made the right decision to stop training hard a full 3 weeks out from the event. Any less time to recover would have been too little for sure. (I still trained, just not to exhaustion).
My weight got down to about 71kg (before the last few days of carbo-loading put on a bit), which wasn't too bad.
I flew down to Christchurch on the saturday, and stayed at a fab B&B right on Hansen park. (Just me this year, not with the famdam). Flew back to ak after the race :)
The Race
I was up at 4:30am, and after a couple of bits of toast and half a banana, wandered down to catch the bus to Littleton and then the ferry to Diamond Head for the race start at 7:15am. I met Mike H, and his friend Tom.
The race day weather was overcast and drizzling a bit. This continued for most of the morning, without ever drenching us. Actually quite comfortable conditions for running.
We headed up the daunting Mt Herbert. This was damp, but not freezing cold like last year. Some running on this section, but mostly walking on the steeper bits.
I topped 919m Mt Herbert in 1:11, which was 6 minutes faster than last year, which was confidence boosting.
Coming around the back of Mt Herbert it was very muddy - and the mud persisted for much of the run. (really only the last 7km were road-shoe-suitable). Much more slippery than last year and much more water on the ground. But that suited me just fine - I like the technical stuff best :)
I had met another 50+ guy, Jim Jones, who was a fast road runner, but I overtook him through this section as he floundered somewhat in the mud.
There is lots of nice downhill gentle running throughout this section, including the section down through the pine trees which is pretty.
I hit the 20km bag drop station and still feeling pretty good. I used the toilet at the 22km mark.
After this, the trail heads very steeply uphill for ages (500m up), along the fenceline and farms.
I ate steadily all day - having roughly 1 muesli bar or gel every 40 mins. I also chose to have coke at the drink stations, which I think helped me.
I was using my old camelbak, with limited storage, so (after compulsory equipment), I only had about 750ml of fluid. This lasted me until the 30km aid station, where I refilled with water, except that it turned out to be Tailwind drink! No problem I guess - it might even have helped overall. Since the day wasn't hot, I never felt dehydrated.
The course was slightly different from last year (a bit longer), and we no longer did the gravel descent/ascent from hell - but the replacements were nearly as bad! The long loop around by the flying fox was fairly endless, but I was still moving well, and with no aches or pains.
There are some pretty sections on this 'crater rim walkway' trail - old, gnarly trees and interesting rocks.
At the 40km? mark we finally started getting glimpses of Christchurch through the gloom, but at no stage was it very clear and fine.
At the 43km point we start the big descent. This was were I started really struggling last year. This time I was much better and could run the flat/downhill bits at a steady plod. (Most of the uphills throughout the race were all power-walked)
With only 8km to go there is the second new loop (4km) around the side of the hill, which was mentally a struggle. Just let us run down to the finish, damn it!
After this loop, it was 4km down steeply to the end. Serious pounding on the legs, and it was an effort of will to keep running. With 2km to go, I noticed an ultra runner approaching from behind. I worked hard to stay ahead of him - scared that he might be a 50+ age grouper. He slowly caught up, but I sprinted the last kilometer to stay ahead just! (well, sprint means about 5min/km speed...)
I finished in 6:43:53, just slightly faster than last year, and was the third 50+ man home.😀
I was second in the 2019 NZ Trail Running Championship for 50+ - same as last year. I smashed the winner from last year by 17 minutes.... I was really hoping that I might have been first...but no... some other dude beat me by 18 mins :(
Wrapup
I had come second in the NZ Trail Running Champs in this event last year, and I was secretly hopeful of going one better this year, so I was pretty focused on speed. I ran light, ate lots, carried no camera, etc. I felt much better in the last part of the race - I never bonked like last year.
My quads (mostly) shattered afterwards, but no injuries and even my toes/feet no problems.
Awesome fun.
I was really energy drained for 3+ weeks after this event. (I need a rest sometime!)
Fantastic run David, 3rd in age group and second in NZ Trail Champs...pretty impressive stuff off the back of a great winter Xterra series. Congrats...I may be tempted after your race report!
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