"I want to let known my gratitude and respect for the Dharug and Gundungurra people as the traditional custodians of the land in which was our play ground."
As has been the case on a number of occasions in the past twelve months injury hampered my lead up into this years Ultra Trail Australia. I was determined to get things right, or as right as they could possibly be and stand on the start line to give myself the best possible chance to achieve the goals I had set.
This was my second visit to the Blue Mountains for this event so I was confident that course knowledge would aid me this time around. Staring from start group one I was focused on getting myself in a good position early to avoid the congestion build up that is known to happen through Landslide and at a later stage 'Tarro Ladders'. It was obvious early that thermoregulation was going to need to be monitored as icy winds contributed to a below zero wind chill factor for a good part of the day, so I had no intention of spending much time in the checkpoints. The first 44km in some way feels like a bit of a blur, as I made my way into Checkpoint 3 situated on private land aside the Six Foot Track. My crew was there waiting with a refill of nutrition for the next leg of the race, I was well ahead of my planned time..... maybe to ahead as I completed the first 50km of the course 15mins faster then my best 50 km time, the legs felt great, nutrition was going to plan and the niggles were at bay for now so I just focused on going with what felt right.
Then main crux of the course lay ahead and for me this is where the UTA100 really begins. On route to Check point 4 situated at the Katoomba Aquatic Center, I pushed along The Six Foot Track keeping my pace in check mindful of the climbing that was to come, continually trying to deviate my focus from the towering cliffs where I was to eventually end on top of. The climbing began as I ascended up the stairs of The Six Foot Track approx 380m vertical gain in the space of about 3km, brutal after a solid effort already in the legs, I had already decided to hike this section and use it as an opportunity to take in some good nutrition and get the mind in check for the remainder of the race. Reaching the top it was an easy trott through some more single track before the consistent feeling of bitumen leading into the Check point. My crew was a welcome sight and as before it was a quick refill of the staples and a quick run down of how things were playing out within the race, to this point I was tracking well still out in front of my goal time and the body was behaving, with body temperature in mind I quickly send my good byes and made the push to the final major Checkpoint.
I'd have to say the next section of the course leading into Queen Victoria Hospital is always a stand out for me and by far the most brutal of the course. The track from Katooma towards Wentworth Falls gifts each runner with amazing views of the surrounding landscape as they traverse across the cliffs edge, giving it its reputation as a popular walking track in the Blue Mountains from Katoomba towards the Three Sisters.
I had not really taken to much notice of the wind up until this point but it certainly had a kick during this section as I pulled down my sleeves to give some protection from the chill, it was reasonably quick going down the giant staircase as I used my gloves to allow me to slide using the hand rails minimizing the impact on my knees reaching the bottom the never ending theme of UTA continued.... What goes down must come back up… After descending into a valley it was a seeming endless and unrelenting climb back up the stairs and onto the flats leading in to Checkpoint 5, but I had done this before and knew the end was insight. I made my way into Queen Victoria Hospital, by this point things were starting to feel tough, I was still on track to hit my goal however it was going to take some work, the legs were tiring and feeling the effects of the harder push in the first half of the race.
I began the final push towards the finish and the cheering supports that awaited the finishers at Scenic World. "Its now just a training run" I told myself as I made my way out of the checkpoint. I had complained to my crew of niggles that were beginning to surface and just hoped things would hold together for the final section of the race. "make sure you save some legs for Kadumba" is a common piece of advice thrown around the traps when running UTA, and with good reason.... 8 km's of continuous declining fire trail that descends 650m causing the most seasoned of quads to scream in these later stages of the race. On reaching the bottom its then all up hill, I passed through the emergency aid station set up with just over 8km to go paying know attention the warming glow of the fire they had set up..... "I know cruel right".
I had began a mix of hiking and a steady jog as I made my way up the steep ascent towards the cliff lines of the Three Sisters, by this time the light had faded, so the torches were out and the views were now faint outlines. With 5km to go I made my way through Leura Forest along Federal Pass, by now the day had taken its toll and my calf had reached its point, running had now become painful and I had accepted that the last 5km was going to cost me my sub 12 hour goal... I used the time to reflect on the day that was, thankful of being able to do what I am doing in the surrounds I was blessed with, voicing my congratulations to each runner along those final few kilometres for the task we as individuals were on the verge of accomplishing.
The final push, I gritted my teeth and put all I had into the final climb up the 951 stairs of Fuber steps, my calf begging me to have mercy. As the top drew ever so closer the sounds of cow bells and cheers grew stronger, making my way along the boardwalk and into the finishers shoot, although different this year running down that finishers shoot at Ultra Trail Australia is a feeling that will never get old. My race was done. Although not all the goals I set out to achieve were accomplished on this occasion I walked away with a 50km PB of more then 15mins, a 100km PB of more then 1 hr 30mins and the much sort after silver buckle. All in all a good day at the office.
Thank you to my Family/Crew, my coach Ben Duffus, my Physio Mat Britton and my BTR family (with special mention to Ben Bergan and Noelis Rheault) , my family at MAW Brothers, TrailBrew Nutrition, Chris Adams and the team from Injinji Performance Products. The support from all of you makes this journey so much easier and fun along the way.
Anthony Gordon
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