Roller Coaster Run 2015 race report

"Nick, you're aware this is a race, right? Do you want me to go up there and bring you back a pastry or something?"

"Yeah, that would be lovely... Oh alright Rohan, I guess I should get moving."

And so I set off on my second loop of the course, feeling good but not really knowing what was going to be in store for me.

Wait, let me back up a little bit.

The Roller Coaster Run is the brainchild of Michael Clarke and Rohan Day, the same organisers of one of Australia's biggest (by number of competitors) trail runs - the Two Bays Trail Run. Held in the Dandenong Ranges to the east of Melbourne, it comprises a 22km loop which can either be traversed once or twice, with the second loop in reverse for the first time this year.

Oh, and there's about 1,000m of elevation gain per loop.

All quiet at the start/finish area before dawn

(Photo credit: Erwin Jansen, dandyrunner.com)

I signed up for the two loop 'ultra', figuring it would be a good lead up race three weeks out from the 75km Buffalo Stampede Ultra SkyMarathon. This was not only due to the suitable course, but the also the brilliant atmosphere that makes Rohan Day's events so special. I had run the one loop and two loop races before and volunteered last year, so this was the fourth consecutive year I was fronting up to Mt. Dandenong.

Of course, being a member of the Dandenongs Trail Runners, I had also run these trails on countless occasions, so I knew exactly what I was in for. Hills, and lots of 'em.

After catching up with my fellow DTRs before the race, and kind of interrupting the pre-race briefing to take a group photo (sorry Clarkey, it wasn't my decision!), I'd set off at an easy pace, with a goal of a 3hr first loop and a negative split.

DTR on home turf

(Photo credit: Cameron Baillie)

'Easy' in this context meant walking any of the serious hills and cruising the flats and downhills. I was joined by DTR member Peter Southton, who was hoping to complete the first loop in around 2:45-3:00 and then do whatever it took to get to the line.

 Peter and I on the first loop, on Kyeema Track (top, around 2km) and Bradley Track (bottom, around 8km)

(Photo credits: Erwin Jansen, dandyrunner.com)

I really enjoyed having Peter as company and we both had some good banter with other runners, several of whom were commenting on my use of running/hiking sticks on the steeper climbs and descents. I've been using them for a couple of months now, practising for Buffalo where I hope they will really come in handy.

Practising with the sticks up Dodds Track (6km)

(Photo credit: Cameron Baillie)

I had some time checks written down, but it soon became apparent that despite taking it easy, we were going to get to the half way point much faster than three hours. A five minute advantage at the bottom of the punishing Dodds Track climb (5.3km) became a 10 minute advantage at the bottom of the steep Ridge Track (11km) descent, which became a 15 minute advantage at the base of Link Track (17km), which marks the start of the last 5km uphill grind to the line. But there was no apparent reason to slow down, so we kept the same pace until we'd reached the half way point in 2:41. 

It was after having my second cup of Coke and just generally taking it easy, that Rohan reminded me that I wasn't out there for a Saturday stroll. So, Peter and I got going again.

Right from the start of the second loop, I knew I was having a good day. I flew down the steep descent at the start of the loop, enjoying my new-found confidence on the downhills. There was one very slippery descent on Trig Track to go until we got to the Kalorama aid station and the sticks were definitely my friend there, helping to stabilise me as I scythed my way through the poor souls dragging themselves up it, two steps forward, slipping half a step back. I hung back a bit at the bottom and waited for Peter and we both started passing people on the way down the mountain.

Approaching Kalorama aid station (24km) on the second loop

(Photo credit: Cameron Baillie)

[I'd just like to pause here and thank DTR member Cameron Baillie, for giving up his Saturday morning to come out and give us his support and take many great photos, some of which I've posted here.] 

At the base of Link Track (~27km), Peter told me to push on if I wanted to. I thanked him for his company and said I was feeling good so would forge on and see him at the finish line. There began two hours of trail running which I will never forget. 

My strategy to go out easy was starting to pay dividends. As each kilometre went by, I seemed to pass a couple of people who were beginning to find the going pretty tough. I was managing sub- 5min/km on the flatter parts of the course (yes, there are some!) and even when I was walking up the harder hills, I was doing it much quicker than the other people out on course. I get an enormous psychological benefit if I'm the one doing the passing, rather than being passed, in the second half of an ultra, so I was really pleased with how I was going.  

As I hit the southern most part of the course and approached the climb up Ridge Track, a volunteer told me I was looking fresh. This was close to four hours after I started and hearing that made me feel even better. I passed another person going up the steep pinch up Ridge Track, three more on the undulating Banksia, two more on the short Bradley uphill, five more up the School Track grind. As I was descending Range Rd, trail running good-guy Jon Lim (volunteering on the day) said to me "You look like you just started running!"

I have never felt that good so far into a run. Me and my sticks garnered some more comments on the technical descent on Dodds Track, but this time, they were asking me to hand them over! From the base of Dodds Track, the next 3km is a climb up Channel 10 and Zig Zag tracks. It was on Channel 10 that I caught DTR-founder and running legend Peter Mitchell. Peter had dried blood and dirt caked onto his leg from a nasty fall at the 7km mark and after he shared a few encouraging words with me (as always), I decided that the lure of a negative split was too much, so I pressed on towards Zig Zag.

Life's good just before hitting Channel 10 Track (39km)

(Photo credit: Erwin Jansen, dandyrunner.com)

I wasn't looking forward to Zig Zag (860m at 17% average gradient), but it was much easier than I thought it would be, passing another 5 people and getting the (by now) common "you make it look easy with those sticks" comment. At the bottom of the final pinch to Sky High I found Rohan, Clarkey and Tony Langelaan (a better runner than I'll ever be, who always volunteers at this event). I turned the corner and started running up the hill and got a "He's still running!" from Rohan. When I shouted out that a negative split was on, I got a cheer, followed by a quick "That means you didn't work hard enough on the first loop!" from Mr. Race Director.

On my way up, I passed the last of the one loop runners, who I recognised from earlier in the race on Edgar track. I gave her a quick word of encouragement and pushed on towards the line, crossing in 5:06, for a 15 minute negative split. I'd passed 46 people on the second lap without being passed once, which after my disastrous pacing effort at Two Bays was just what I needed before Buffalo. The next hour or so was spent catching up with family and friends, and seeing my first lap running partner Peter cross the line in sub- 6 hours - this from a man who told me he just wanted to beat the 7 hour cut-off. DTR members had again covered themselves in glory, with victories, podiums, PBs and other assorted triumphs.

 The finish line in all its glory

(Photo credit: Erwin Jansen, dandyrunner.com)

And so it was over for another year. This event has really grown on me and the addition of the reversed second loop has just added to its appeal. Of course, when you've got organisers like Rohan Day, Michael Clarke and Kate Ablett, backed up by the best volunteers in the business (and they were sensational, as ever), it's always going to be a special day. On a running front, I've done everything I can to get me prepared for the Buffalo Stampede. Let's hope it's enough.

Suunto Movescount file: http://www.movescount.com/moves/move56565424

Post script: having re-read my piece, I've realised I could be accused of giving myself a smug pat on the back. In response, I would say: (1) this is one of the few races that went even better than I'd planned, so yeah, I'm pretty happy, (2) there were still 38 people who finished faster than me, so I have no delusions about my ability and (3) it's more than likely that Buffalo will knock me down a peg or two!