"I want to let known my gratitude and respect for the Kabi Kabi people as the traditional custodians of the land in which was our play ground, throughout the beautiful Noosa Hinterland."
It was a quick start out of the blocks as the front runners quickly opened a gap from the rest of the pack each of us finding our time at the front at some point during the first 6 kilometres. The limited elevation lead to the course being extremely runnable with just over 800 vertical metres over the 50 kilometres and highly suited to road runners and triathletes alike. A mix of road, single trail and open fire trail made slightly more technical due to recent flooding, there was a bit in it for everyone.
We headed out of Tewantin and through a relatively open trail cutting through Harry Springs Conservation Park, easy running underfoot with with a few muddy sections due to the recent rains. It wasn't long before we hit some single track and a nice little pinch climb as we entered Tewantin National Park. By this stage the front four had pulled out of sight and I found myself in my own little world, I was currently in 5th with a bit of breathing room and knowing those up front had not totally gotten away, Confirmed when I headed out through the rolling hills of the out and back section and halfway point of the course, some encouraging words swapped with the leader as we crossed paths, a matter of minutes between myself and the front four. It was Game On!
Well that was the intention.......
About 35 kilometres my race began to waiver as the heat began to rise and the intensity of the first half started to catch up on me, ahead I caught a glimpse of a runner and used this as motivation to keep the legs ticking over however pace was not easy to build. The last 10km would prove to be a battle of the mind, for each place I managed to pull back two places was lost, it was hard to not focus on what I had felt had slipped away, the feeling of a niggling glute strain which I had been pushing out of my thoughts started to creep to the forefront, my minds way of creating an excuse... I needed a distraction.
By this time the 25km event runners were starting to cross my path giving me that much needed distraction I was hoping for, they were no longer 25km event runners in my mind they became 50km runners I had to pass. Nevertheless it proved to be a much slower back half of the race.
I'd have to say the highlight of the day would of been coming across my dad 500m out from the finish line, on the cusp of finishing his first solo trail event, brought to a standstill by cramp yet there was no way he was not getting it done. I stopped for a short second checking in and offering some words of encouragement, every part of me just wanted to put my race on pause and cross that line with him. Dad would have none of that though, "Keep going, I'll see you at the finish".
Running offers me so much joy and has given me some of the most amazing experiences. I love to race, I love to train, even when I hate training I love it... However I can quite honestly say above all the highs running has given me none of it compares to seeing those you love achieve their goals they have set out to achieve. Today I got to see my dad achieve his goal and as a bonus pick up an age group 3rd place.
Today regardless of my own result, my own race, my own struggles throughout... Today was a gift.
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Thank you to my Family/Crew, My coach Ben Duffus, Thrive Health Co. and my BTR family, 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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