Shotover Ultra in Feb 2024 was supposed to be my build-up to the Northburn 100km late March. It had the opposite affect though as it kind of freaked me out instead. Thinking that both races were mountainous, at similar elevation and in the same part of NZ (Queenstown/Cromwell) I figured NB would be just as bad as Shotover, but a bit longer and this time it was 5500m of vertical climbing rather than Shotover's 3500m.
I was seriously considering pulling out or reducing my race distance, however, the encouragement from my coach Anna made me think perhaps I could do it, or at least give it a good crack.
After a few ailments on the lead up to NB and a bucketload of hill training that pushed me to my limits, I had a longer than planned taper and made it down to Cromwell for the race.
We got to the race briefing and Terry the race director explained about the race and how hard it is. He says it in such a jovial way but it makes me nervous because I know he is not kidding! I get into one of those weird anxious moods over dinner and struggle with proper conversation in the lead up to the race, so my poor partner has to deal with it again!
Race Day! In the dark at 6am, all the runners, 42km, 50km, 100km and 100miles head off at the same time! We do a 5km loop to warm us up before the big climb. It's a neat way to see my partner again as I won't get to see him again until the 50km mark.
The first climb is solid up a 4WD track, then we start going off track up a steep section. On some parts there is a minor goat track. We get to a really beautiful section with a creek and the ground is spongy. It feels like it absorbs all your energy and although is soft, it's very difficult to run on. We continue up this section until we get onto what feels like a moon landing. So sparse and nothing like I had ever seen before! No track as we traverse across this odd and energy absorbing terrain. We make it to the first major aid station at 25km and elevation of about 1700m.
Quarter of the way feels good! The beautiful highlands continue with some steep downhills that I notice others are choosing to take it easy. I follow suit knowing I will need my quads strong later. I end up running with the same people which is cool and we have some good banter which passes the time nicely. The temperature is heating up and I am feeling it. It wasn't too long until I was back down at the tent having done the 50-odd km to complete the first half. So stoked to see my partner who has my change of clothes and goodies ready for me. Terry tells us that it's not a bad idea to give it 30mins in the tent to let the heat drop as a few people were vomiting on the way up to the next big climb of loop 2. I have a ginger beer, coke, zucchini soup, spray deodorant, bottle swaps, quick cuddle then I'm back on my way.
I have paired up with a running buddy who is roughly aligned to my pace. He's a young fella who is great company. We start up the hill with our poles and immediately both feel pretty chocka agreeing that we probably both ate a bit much at the aid station.
We eventually get over it and continue on with the climb. We are heading for leaning rock aid station which is just under 1700m of elevation. Out of nowhere a lovely blonde lady comes running down the mountain and to my surprise, it's my coach Anna! She tracked me down via GPS. Such a great morale boost having here there and we catch up for about half hour before she needs to get off the mountain before it gets dark.
The climb continues, we catch a snap of sunset and it's officially into the night. We start talking about music and as the fatigue sets in we must be plucking at straws to keep the morale up. This climb does not stop. For some reason we start singing Bob Marley buffalo solider and have the energy for the Yah Yah Yah, Yah Yah Yah Yah.....
After delaying turning our head torches on and following the super bright moon, we make it to Leaning Rock, the highest elevation for the second loop. So stoked to make this aid station, we fill up our bottles, have a couple of chips and head toward TW aid station. It is completely dark and the night run is in full swing.
We make it to TW the 68km mark and my feet are beginning to hurt. I am quite enjoying the cooler temperatures on the run though. The moment we stop I get cold although the soup warms me up. I down a couple of salted potatoes which taste good. I pick up my warmer gear from my drop bag at TW, spare batteries for my mate and supplies. I can't have been thinking straight, as I put on all my warm clothes and wet weather gear yet, failed to leave anything behind so for the last 30km I was carrying double gear!
We leave TW heading up hill off track. We then have a screaming down hill that hurts heaps. I know there is no other way to get down but I just really wished it would end. We both knew that the downhill is required to get right to the very bottom of the hills as we still had the full climb of Mt Horn to do. Mount Horn was the one that Terry told us had lots of false peaks. He was not wrong. After a continuation of getting our hopes up in the dark, we eventually make it to the top of Mt Horn about 1100m elevation. Down we go and no, not in a lovely rolling hill decline, in a NB steep as steep downhill that jams your toes at the end of your shoes. I know my blisters are bulbous but I am not sure if they will pop or not. No other option but to suck it up and remember that you actually paid for this.
We make it to the bottom and the teasing undulations begin from about 90km (could have been sooner but can't recall). There are so many sweeping corners that all look the same in the dark. My mate is really struggling as his quads have blown out so we keep chatting and moving slowly down the hills then power hike up. We keep snacking on lollies, gels and potatoes. I am feeling not too bad but my mate just wants to keep it slow. So at 97km, he tells me to run ahead and I shuffle my way to the finish line.
So stoked to see the finish sign and my partner meets me to run the final 50m. Terry the race director is there welcoming finishers and it feels good to have made it to the end.
I feel a little weird like I still have gas in the tank so I am not sure if I didn't go hard enough, or if it's some euphoric feeling of relief. Either way, I am super stoked to have completed NB 100km and now I have the bloodlust to do the 100miler one day.
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