Puffing Billy's Great Train Race 2016

Thirteen-point-five kilometres.

Two hundred and fifty metres of elevation gain.

These are not words that usually strike fear in the heart of ultra runners. I've been on "recovery" runs longer than 13.5K, with twice the amount of elevation. So why did I have pre-race jitters in my legs and stomach?

Because, thirteen-point-five kilometres with two hundred and fifty meters of elevation gain is a bastard of a distance when you're racing it, that's why. And I was about to re-discover this all over again, having not fronted up to Puffing Billy's Great Train Race since squaring the ledger at 1-1 with the train back in 2012.

In beating the train in 2012, I managed 56 minutes dead, back when the course was 13km. It had since been extended by around 500m, apparently for safety purposes (although the particular part of the course they have cut out seems fine to me). Given there was an extra 0.5km, I was hoping to finish around the same time, i.e. 56 minutes. For that to happen, I'd need to run just under 4:10/km on average, although with the nature of the course, there would have to be a few sub-4 minute kms thrown in there on the downhills.

A good contingent of Dandenongs Trail Runners had made their way to the start line in Belgrave. In the four person 'DTR Rockets' team I was a part of, we had Jonathan Coles, Davern White and Lauren Starr (Coles White Starr - sounds like some private label supermarket brand). Jonathan was with me in the first seeded group, with Davern and Lauren joining the other DTRs in the second group.*

The DTR crew

(L-R: Cassandra, Christian, Cameron, Jonathan, me, Lauren)  

As Jonathan and I lined up nervously near the start line, we observed that the train driver seemed to have his game face on. And he was disconcertingly young - not an old jovial fellow with a big belly and bigger beard (so in other words, he wasn't Santa Claus). If push came to shove, we thought, this driver would have no hesitation doing both. We'd find out just how prophetic that observation would be in a little more than 56 minutes' time.

After the customary rendition of Advance Australia Fair by Mike Brady (no, not that one), we were off, with the first 1.2km a downhill dash to the foot of the first hill. This first climb goes for about 1.7km at 4% and I felt pretty good, averaging 4:10/km on the climb and getting through the first rail crossing ahead of the train. About a kilometre into the following descent, I passed 4km in 15:30 - 35 seconds ahead of my planned split. Hmmm, had I gone out too hard?

There's more descending between the 4km and 5km marker, before the biggest hill on the course, which starts soon after 5km. The hill, the second part of Selby-Aura Road and Menzies Road, is 2.25km at 5% average gradient, but there are sections that are probably 10% or more. I was pushing pretty hard on this hill and passed a number of people, but I was about 5 seconds per kilometre slower than I'd planned, so I was hoping this wasn't the beginning of the end. Just before the Menzies Road section, I went through the second rail crossing and asked a volunteer if we were still ahead of the train. Yes, by about three minutes, came the reply.

The climb dispensed with, there was then a sharp descent (400m @ 12%) to the third rail crossing. Through that, and then a small rise and descent, bringing you to the start of the final climb (it feels weird calling these 'climbs' after what we tackle on the trails, but bear with me, here). Somewhere in that section, I passed my 8km split about 45 seconds ahead of plan. But I was starting to pay for it with my legs feeling heavier and heavier.

The last climb is the most gentle - 1.7km at 3%, but again, there are some steeper sections in it. Near the end of it, at 10km, is the final rail crossing. About 300m before the crossing, a sound entered my consciousness and it took me a while to realise it was a steam engine. That didn't sound like three minutes any more! I focused on the crossing and looked for signs that the volunteers were going to stop the runners. They weren't.... yet. My pace, which had been a steady 4:30/km on this climb, shot up to 3:55/km and I got through the crossing and soon after that, the end of the climb.

That little 300m interval before the crossing felt like it maxed out my legs. As I started the 3km descent to the finish line, there were people passing me and I couldn't respond. I wasn't even looking at my watch any more - splits be damned - I was just focused on running as fast as I could to beat that infernal machine into Emerald Lakeside Park. I could hear its whistle and its engine and you could sense the mild panic starting to spread amongst the runners nearby. I got some sort of rhythm back, though, and as I passed the 12km marker, all I was thinking was "1500m to go - you can do this!".

You enter Lakeside Park at 12.5km with a steep descent. I flew past a few people on the downhill (thankyou, trail running) and cursed the extra distance added to the race. Pushing very hard, it wasn't until I had about 500m to go that I allowed myself to admit that I'd be beating the train. There's a final, very short, sharp rise to the finish line and I passed at least three people struggling up it, but by that stage, I don't think individual places were important - we only cared about beating one specific competitor.

I crossed the line in 55:04, in 142nd place (of 2,742 runners). A PB by one minute, on a course that measured 540m longer than the last time I raced it. To put it in perspective, I later used my GPS data to estimate that I would have run approximately 53:10 on the old course. I always thought a 53:xx time was beyond me. Today, I got lucky, with some good conditions and an injury and illness-free preparation.

About a minute later, I saw the train driver run past the finish line and then I noticed Jonathan, who was out of breath. He explained that the driver pipped him by about 20 metres, after unleashing a devastating sprint on fresh legs in the closing stages. It was still a two minute PB for Jonathan, but his disappointment was palpable after coming so close.** We then saw Davern come in and all three of us were ushered away from the finish area which was getting pretty congested. It started to rain and we headed off to find our bags and warm clothing. A few minutes later, Lauren completed the DTR Rockets' race and we later found out we finished in the top 10 teams (10th of 49). What a performance!

I had entertained the notion of running back to Belgrave after the race, but even before the rain got heavier and the temperature dropped a few degrees, I decided there was no way I was in shape to do that. I had nothing left to give and was just looking forward to putting my feet up and getting a coffee (or three) into me. Lauren and I joined fellow DTR Cassandra and a friend of hers on the first train back, as the inclement weather set in. To say I'd made the right call not to run back is a massive understatement.

So, after the 2016 edition of the Great Train Race, the score reads: Cimdins 2 - 1 Puffing Billy. One part of me would like to retire in front and this year's result gives me a chance to do that. On the other hand, I've got many years of running ahead of me and pulling the pin in my 30s seems a little silly, all for the sake of preserving a lead over a train that could beat me hands down if the driver really wanted to.

The other thing that can't be underestimated when it comes to this event is its point of difference with almost all other races. I will never win a race, unless the field is incredibly thin. In the Great Train Race, however, I'm not really racing the other runners - I'm racing the train. And that's a contest I can win, given the right circumstances. It's hard to explain, but that makes a big difference to me. I feel something that I don't feel when I'm just racing against other runners. And on the two occasions I've crossed the line before the train driver, the sense of satisfaction is enormous. In fact, I'd go so far as to say my 2016 Great Train Race is the high water mark of my short running career.

Wouldn't I want to feel that buzz again? Let's see what the future brings.

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Postscript: it is now a bit more than a week  since I took on the train and this race has left me battered and bruised like no other race of its distance. I have pulled up better from 50km ultras. I arguably pulled up better from the 100km Surf Coast Century. Being in a close race with the train is relentless - when you get to the top of the hills, you just run harder down them to extend your lead or to make up lost time. I guess that's why it's so damned satisfying.

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* Davern did well just to make the start line. A tree across the Metro train tracks just outside Ringwood had Davern and many other runners scrambling for taxis early on Sunday morning. 

** According to the official times of each runner, Jonathan finished with a faster time than the train driver. Maybe he was delirious when he approached the finish line... 

Movescount file: http://www.movescount.com/moves/move103436620

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! 

The Quadruple Bypass

“Watching a coast as it slips by the ship is like thinking about an enigma. There it is before you, smiling, frowning, inviting, grand, mean, insipid, or savage, and always mute with an air of whispering, "Come and find out".”
― Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness


Conrad was a seafarer, but if he was born in a different era, he may have written those words about the trails that beckon runners like me to see what we can find. 

Me, and I don't know how many others arrive at the Basin Theatre to run the Quadruple Bypass, a 26km route encompassing four ascents of Mount Dandenong. For argument's sake, let's say there's 20 of us. That's 20 people who apparently ignored the fact that this is a course that Peter Mitchell has not wanted to attempt since he last ran it 15 years ago. I get extra "crazy" points, because I'm doing it on a morning when my kids are at my parents and I have elected to go running instead of sleep in.

I arrive a few minutes before we're due to depart and learn that we'll be splitting into two groups - one led by Peter and one by miler-in-training Vanessa. I'm in Peter's group, which includes, among others:*

• Peter. Australian marathon representative, winner Gold Coast marathon, 2x winner Bogong to Hotham (B2H), winner Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne
• Kevin. Winner Maroondah Dam 50, multiple podiums including Maroondah Dam, B2H
• Ray. Multiple podiums including Maroondah Dam 50, B2H
• Rohan. Course record holder Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne
• Kirra. Winner You Yangs 50, winner Lake Manchester 22km trail
• Cheryl. Winner Salomon Plenty Gorge long course.

In other words, I'm looking around, thinking to myself "I hope these guys can keep up."

[* These achievements are based on trail running chats and a very quick Google search. It would not surprise me in the least if I have dramatically understated the wins and podiums of these men and women. In fact, I'm sure I have.]

Ascent 1. Dodds Track and Caterpillar Track (3.02km, 370m elevation gain, 12.3% average gradient)

If you've ever run the Roller Coaster course, you'll know Dodds Track - it's the nastiest climb on the course. On today's course, Dodds is a warm up, the early ground work of a sick joke whose punchline won't come for another three hours. After cresting Dodds, we continue on to a climb I've never been up before - Caterpillar Track, a little gem of a hill (420m @ 22%). I think I remember smiling as I went up that one. Oh, the hilarity.

Ascent 2. Ridge Track and Range Road (2.84km, 360m elevation gain, 12.7% average gradient) 

After heading down School and Banksia Tracks, we begin the next ascent to the top of Range Road. After run-walking up Ridge Track, you know what sounded like a good idea? Running side-by-side with Ray all the way to the top of Range Road. I haven't since asked the guys behind me if they could see the vapour of fuel tickets being burned, but I wouldn't be surprised if they did. Now that I think of it, I also didn't check to see if Ray was wearing a t-shirt with an "I'm with Stupid" arrow pointed at me.

Well, I got to the top of Range Road without stopping to walk and felt secure in the knowledge that I'd at least have a bloody good time for the Strava segment that someone, I was sure, had already created. Imagine my disappointment when I later discovered that the segment, for some inexplicable reason, ends about 100m AFTER the summit, which I reach after about five minutes of rest. If it's not on Strava.....

Ascent 3. Birthday Hill (1.39km, 372m elevation gain, 26.8% average gradient) 

You know when you're running with Peter and it's meant to be "all downhill from here"? Of course, the descent to the start of Birthday Hill included a couple of bonus inclines on Dandenong Creek Track. But those "hills" are forgotten as soon as we start the toughest test so far - Birthday Hill. Three single track segments linking Edgar Track to the top of Zig Zag Track. Ray runs off on us all, followed by Kevin and Rohan. I remember running up this first segment once. Ba hahahahahaha. 

And what's this? We get to the end of the first segment and those guys at the front aren't stopping. We ALWAYS stop here. Do I keep going? Do I wait for everyone else? Oh, ok, I guess I'll keep going. Somehow I manage to get to the top only 40 seconds slower than I had the previous week, when I had 'only' gone up Glasgow Track once before tackling Birthday Hill. In hindsight, I wish I had left just a bit more in the tank, because we had just a little 'pinch' to tackle before we could call it a day: Glasgow Track.

Birthday Hill

(Photo credit: Luke Johnston)

Ascent 4. Glasgow Track (1.33km, 389m elevation gain, 29.2% average gradient) 

Trust Peter to leave Glasgow to last. Known variously as "The Scar", "The Firebreak", "The Overcrowded Hiking Tour Group Mecca", it's a rutted, rocky track that goes straight up the west face of Mount Dandenong and has a kick like a mule, even before the point where it reaches 50% gradient. We meet up with Peter's wife Jenny at the foot of the climb, who has brought fresh, cold water, and a positive attitude. I vaguely recall having one of these, once. But not now.

The climb starts and I'm reduced to a walk before I even get off the bitumen lead-up to the main track. This is not going to be pleasant. I know what's coming, having gone up it (fresh) the week before, in 20:38. I know I have at least 25 minutes, maybe 30, before I get to the top of this bastard. Ray, Kevin and Rohan disappear like phantoms, with Cheryl in hot pursuit. Jenny, having probably decided that grunted, single word responses didn't exactly constitute great conversation, powers ahead too.

One. Foot. In. Front. Of. The. Other.

Stupid. Range. Road. Schoolboy. Error.

Stupid. Peter. Mitchell.

Wait a minute... I'm almost there. I'm almost there! I reach the top after nearly 26 minutes and it's not Stupid Peter Mitchell any more. He's the Peter Mitchell who, over the course of countless trail runs, has helped prepared me for runs like this. Peter Mitchell, who shares his time, knowledge of the trails, and words of wisdom with hacks like me who could never even dream of achieving what he has in this running caper. The Peter Mitchell I'm glad to call my friend.

At the top of Glasgow Track

(Photo credit: Cheryl Martin)

Once we're all at the top, we remember that we're not actually at the top. There's just one little climb to go - there always is. 

Extra Credit: Summit of Mount Dandenong

We partake in a wobbly-legged shuffle along Kyeema Track and just after the lookout, there it is - the track that leads to the highest point on Mount Dandenong (at least I think it is). We clamber up it and, like little kids, stand on a mound of gravel to make sure we're as high as possible. That's when Kevin reminds us that we're standing on the wrong mound, the official one is over there. And, again like kids, we run over and stand on that mound. 

Standing on the (wrong) summit

(Photo credit: Cheryl Martin)

For once, it is all downhill from here. We arrive back at the Basin Theatre car park and my watch tells me we've covered 26.3km and climbed 1,728m in 4 hours and 5 minutes. The pain is forgotten, the ... No, actually, the pain is still there. Big style. But it's worth it. Or at least it will be. When I can think of something other than the pain. 

Quadruple Bypass Profile

***

So, will it take me 15 years to run this course again? Well, after signing up for the 75km Buffalo Stampede next April, I dare say that it won't even be another 15 weeks before I give it another try. If you've read this far and you're thinking you might want to join me, all I can say is, "Come and find out".