My Worst Run Ever - 13/03/2023
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Testing out my AI pastel skills this week
It all started with a mildly depressed post on WILDTHINGS during my covid isolation week as I sought to do something more with my life, I wanted to do something big that could bring me back to the pre-parent me, before life as a mother (of a child with disabilities) had slowly seemed to shut out so many people and places that previously had given me so much joy.
The overwhelming response was Southern Lakes Ultra, so before I knew it I was entered and February arrived and there I was – well out of my depth, both socially and physically – but things got easier as the week went on – and then stage 5 happened….
On the bus up to the start line– the last biggie 48kms, I naively declared in response to a query: “I’m feeling great! Strong and keen to hold my 2nd place now that I’ve snuck in there!!”
… what was it pride comes before? Oh yes, a fall – and fall I did on that stage, by quite a few hours!
The bus dropped us up the top of Skippers Road on Coronet Peak Road and off we set on an epic downhill … what’s not to love, the scenery was simply stunning! Off to a great start, I happily passed by the first aid station manned by the more hilarious of the crew members dressed as a pair of running shoes. This was the point of no return. We had been told clearly by race director Kerryn that this was the best place to stop if we weren’t able to carry on – however that was the last thing on my mind - the quads were screaming but I was happy, this being my longest stint of running to date, a little bit of pain was to be expected.
Soldier on to the end of the second descent and I realised that this might be a little bit more serious than just fatigue pain in the legs – my right leg was killing me! I stopped to take some Panadol and carry on. Very soon I was reduced to a walk, each step felt more painful than the last – downhills were a shuffle. People were passing by me in hoards – there were so many fantastic downhills and people were flying down them happily. I asked one person how far to the next check point, the response was not good – at least 18km
I cried a lot on that 18km, mostly from the sharp stabs of pain, but if I’m honest with myself – some of the tears must have been in disappointment and of course from fatigue – it had been a huge week.
Eventually I hobbled into check point 2 where the fabulous crew members gave me a much needed hug, supportive words and sat me down so that I could try and pull things together as they refilled my water. In the state I was in, these two kind women made the world of difference and this was the turning point where my worst run, moved toward if not quite my best run, then at very least, a much more meaningful and memorable run.
As people came through the check point the support came on in waves. One amazing unsupported female runner declared she would join me and get to the next check point, despite the fact that this would impact her own run and she would not be convinced otherwise. It was in these moments that I begun to understand the strong sense of community that forms on the trails in these long, multi day events. They helped me laugh and distract me from the ongoing pain in my leg as we slowly progressed up and across the mountain.
Soon we were met by two crew members that had come to help walk me out. I gratefully waved and cheered my helpers on and settled into a slow and painful walk out with the crew. They said that I could finish up at the next aid station which I was eager to do so that I did not risk any longer term damage to my leg. Before we knew it we were there – thanks to great chat along the way. I was sat down, re-strapped, a safe dose of Panadol and tried to accept that this would be a big fat DNF for the SLU.
Now this was what I love in retrospect – suddenly my driver / crew member disappeared, I was told that I could carry on – and so I smiled, nodded and got up and out of there. And from all this connection and support I somehow (miraculously) managed to run again… and so for the last 6km I ran strong again and found my smile!
The last steep downhill would have been pretty hilarious to watch but I made it down and could not have been more relieved to have crossed a finish line in all my life (except for maybe the previous ‘long’ stage 3 which had torrential rain and a LOT of mountains).
I had slipped to 3rd place – but managed to gain it back in the final stage the following day – thanks to it being a mostly steep uphill course.
If you are thinking of doing a multi-day ultra, or like me - looking for something in your life where you will meet the most amazing friends and form true connections with others then look no further than Southern Lakes Ultra.
There are lots of mountains to climb in life (as well as in this ultra) and the only way up and through is by the connections formed with the people that journey alongside us. 1st , 2nd , 23rd , 99th , last…. Who cares really - The best result is in the people.
Jo Ryder