Day 7 Dec 4th Kepler
It dawned clear and hot, just like the previous six in the unseasonal heat wave that characterised (and almost killed) this year’s 7in7. As I’m not someone who deals well with heat (see Day 2 report for further evidence!) this had me a little worried. The alarm had gone off at an ungodly 4.15am (so much for getting more sleep this year – hah!) and I stuffed my tired body into running clothes for one last time. Preparations by this stage of the week were slick and routine – I could (and just about did) do them with my eyes closed. Porridge with All Good bananas, slap on the chafing cream and sun block, select food for the day and we were off to the start line.
Altogether, 28 runners at this year’s Kepler Challenge were running as part of ‘Team 7in7′, distinguishable by their white All Good running caps that had been thoughtfully provided by our sponsor and that had given me so much valuable protection from the burning sun all week long. In our group that started at the back of the pack of 400 runners there were a dozen of us who had all decided to run together, taking our time rather than racing. Curiously enough, after 60+ hrs and 310 kms of running over the previous six days, I wasn’t really in the mood for racing!
The gun went at 6am sharp and we set off in high spirits along the gently undulating track towards Brod Bay, the first checkpoint. From here the legendary 1,300m ascent to the tops begins. I was feeling strong as we power-walked our way towards the bushline, occasionally even breaking into a jog if the gradient permitted. After an hour or so of steady climbing we hit the open ridge and the vistas that make this the iconic race that it is opened up, blowing the minds of those in our party who hadn’t seen them before. What a place it is to be running – any tiredness or pain seems to evaporate and is replaced with an almost surreal sense of wellbeing.
We reached Luxmore Hut in just over two hours, went through gear check and continued climbing higher on the ridge. The spirits of our group continued to soar with the altitude and we were trucking along at a nice steady pace, snapping a few photos and enjoying one another’s company as well as the surroundings. For the third time in a week a few snowballs were flying as we traversed a small patch of snow on the track. By now we had passed a few of the slower runners in the field too.
After a couple of hours of the most stunning ridge-line running it was time for the knee-jerking descent to Iris Burn. Previous experience (and mistakes) have taught me to take it easy on this section, so were cautious in our approach. Iris Burn hut was reached after an hour of non-stop downhill running and as usual the volunteers there were dressed for Xmas, with Rudolf and friends handy out much-needed sustenance to tired runners who were realising that after almost 5 hours effort they were still not quite half way through.
I knew the next section would be a test of body and mind. This is when I’d find out just how much the last 6 days had taken from me and how well I had managed to recover from the rigours of back -country running in searing heat. My feet had started to ache but fortunately my legs, although rather stiff and heavy, still felt as though they had something to give. From Iris Burn to the finish is mostly gently undulating track on beautiful single track through beech forest – the ultimate trail-running surface. And apart from a few small sections where the track breaks clear of the trees there was much needed shade most of the way. So all was good as the 7in7 pack made steady progress towards its ultimate goal.
We passed the 40 km mark still rolling along well, but shortly afterwards I had my first (and as it turned out, only) slump of the day. I had been expecting this to happen at around this point as was prepared with a teaspoon of concrete to harden myself up with! Actually, I just made sure I kept piling in the fuel and worked on keeping my thoughts positive. It’s in times like these that memories of my brother Alan really provide motivation to keep going. I remember when he was fighting leukaemia he often had severe leg pains. I was feeling something similar but knew my pain would pass, I just had to tough it out.
And sure enough things came right after about half an hour and now I was being driven on by the support of the friends around me and the thought of my son Beinn waiting at Rainbow Reach to join me for the final 10 kms. This is the final checkpoint on the run and we got there in just over 8 hrs – almost an hour quicker than last year. We clearly had a good chance of breaking 10 hours and so we didn’t muck about. Putting Beinn’s 13-year old fresh legs out in front to set the pace we continued or steady pace towards the finish and the welcoming crowd of supporters that we knew were waiting. Perhaps I was giving this too much thought, or perhaps I was more tired than I realised, but twice in the space of 5 minutes, almost within smelling distance of the end, I tripped and fell. The second time gave me a heavy bruise on the hip (now a lovely deep shade of purple and getting bigger by the day) and sliced the top of my index finger open – nothing like a bit of blood to paint a heroic picture!
Then we could hear music and Noel the MC announcing runners as they crossed the line…. the 2 kms to go mark… the 1 km to go mark… around the final bend and onto the control gates dam… there was Sally waiting with arms open wide to welcome me and a huge crowd of well-wishers cheering. We crossed the line in just under 9½ hours (almost 40 mins quicker than last year), exhausted but elated.
Another epic week of running for a cause dear to my heart was over. Now for the celebrations…. they weren’t as raucous as hinted at in the previous blog but it was a very happy gathering of a wonderful group of people – people with a passion for life, with caring hearts and a generous spirit – the kind of people that make life special and restore our oft-challenged belief in the goodness of the human race.
To all those hundreds of people who ran, supported and cheered me on – you are far too many to name in person – a billion thanks.
At the time of writing we are just a few thousand dollars short of bringing the 7in7 Challenge fundraising total over the past two years to $250,000. Thanks to the thousands who have donated. And yes, the fundraising site is still open – please just click here if you’d like to help us crack the quarter million.
More reflections and more photos to follow, but my brain is feeling scrambled and we need to hit the road – it’s a long drive back to Auckland from the deep south! THANKS again for all your support.
Mal
