Firstly a huge thank you to Terry Davis, Ed
Stevens and all their team for putting together this amazing event. They had so many different runs taking place
at the same time giving plenty of options for everyone. Everyone I know is always asking for great
local events that are affordable to attend, have a good social aspect and great
scenery. The Wild Earth Ascent and
Rustic Run answered this. I really hope
to see this event supported by a lot more local people next year. I know it sure beats heading out for a lonely
long run.
A big goal of mine this year is to work on
my running for my Ironman racing. Hence
running 42k+ each weekend for the past few weeks. When I heard about this race I wanted to be
on that start line. While it may seem
crazy to go out and run this distance every weekend (although im guessing not
to the people that took part in one of these events) having finally beaten my
injury ive had for over 12months I couldn’t think of anything better.
On to the race… Packing up the car and heading to central for
the weekend is always a great change. The weather in Dunedin had been so cold and
damp and I couldn’t wait to get out of there!
Well I forgot that I mostly head to central in the summer and it was
actually pretty freezing up there but was so still, with not a breath of
wind. Race morning came like any other
and I was excited about the fact I was only running a marathon and didn’t have
a whole ironman nor the 3.30am wake up call.
Out to the location at the Gold Miners
Trails in the pitch black with the head torch on and it was time to go. I was suddenly thinking what have I got
myself in to? As I am far from a mountain goat with my running ability and was
sure I was going to fall over a million times.
Luckily I had only signed up for the Rustic Run and not the Wild Earth
Ascent J (maybe next year). My
marathon race consisted of 8x 5 and a bit km loops. They were a great change from the roads I am
use to. Made up of wider trails, rocky
parts, single tracks, grass and some good wee hills up and down, all making the
time go by. There was also the option of
a half marathon around the loops or straight up the mountain!
As I got around each lap the hills got
bigger and the legs were turning to jelly but there was always a group of
friendly spectators to send you on your next lap and Glen there to hand me my
goodies. The great thing about this
event is you can set up your own aid station and drink and eat what you like J Proud to say I didn’t fall over once, only a few close calls and
actually really enjoyed all those laps, coming away with the win. Definitely a must do race to put on your
calendar for next June. Hope to see you
all there. Big ups to my sponsors
Kinetic Health, Shoe Clinic Dunedin, Nathan Performance Gear, Aloe Up and Cycle
World Dunedin who all keep me in this sport.
Happy running
Tams
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