Or... Bloody Long Run 32.5km
Sunday 9th November 2014
http://www.bloodylongwalk.com.au/melbourne/
A challenge to cure Mito
Mitochondrial disease (mito) is a debilitating genetic disorder that robs the body’s cells of energy, causing multiple organ dysfunction or failure and potentially death. Mito can affect both children and adults; due to its genetic basis, the disease often affects multiple family members. The prognosis for children diagnosed with Mito is often dire with severe lifestyle impediments and significantly reduced life expectancy. Initially thought to be a rare disease (affecting less than 1 in 20,000 people), with advances in genetic medicine it is now recognised as affecting 1 in 200 people (over 100,000 Australians), with 1 in 5,000 suffering a severe or life-threatening form of the disease. Those with mild or no symptoms are unknowingly at risk of passing the disease on to their children. Mitochondrial medicine is a newly established and rapidly evolving field thanks to major advances in our understanding of genetics. It was not until 1988 when mutations in mitochondrial DNA were discovered to cause disease, and not until 1995 when nuclear gene mutations were also found to cause Mito. Since then, more than 100 clinical syndromes and disorders have been recognised as coming under the category of Mito. Despite the newfound prevalence of Mito, research into effective treatments and a cure for Mito remains significantly under-funded.
Four weeks ago I ran the Melbourne Marathon (and I ran hard) so when my running buddy Serena asked me if I wanted to run the Bloody Long Walk 35km, I said... No way! And then in typical FOMO form, I changed my mind and decided 35km sounded like a great distance... not as far as a marathon but far enough to keep my fitness level up. By the way, FOMO is an affliction many distance runners suffer from and stands for Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO).
Before I agreed to run, I checked out the website and read about Mitochondrial disease. Running is my way of contributing to society. Running allows me the opportunity to raise awareness and money for various causes, usually rare illnesses. I ran Canberra Marathon for Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria and I ran Melbourne Marathon for Very Special Kids (specifically for Isa, Sandhoff disease and VSK). My very first fun run was Very Special Kids (I was a volunteer at the VSK house). I ran for Vision Australia (I was a volunteer for a short time). I ran for the Satellite Foundation, who care for children with a parent who has a mental illness. I ran for the Australian Spinal Research Foundation. And of course, numerous runs for Cancer because we all know at least one person who has/had cancer. (And I'm sure there's many more). Anyway, I'm totally side-tracked again...
About two weeks before the event, I read about Mitochondrial disease and decided to enter the Bloody Long Walk (as a runner). The event is a fundraiser, it is not a race. And this was the first time in Melbourne. However, Sydney and Brisbane have a mixture of runners/walkers. The organisers encourage runners. I would much rather run than walk, and I still set my own personal goal to sustain 4:40min/km pace. About a week before the event I revisited the website and was hit with the realisation that it was a navigational challenge! Crap! How did I miss that? I'm the worst navigator I know... I even managed to run past the finish line at the Big Forest Run. I looked at the maps and came to the conclusion that I needed help... Enter... Brad aka. my hubby, aka. my chiropractor, aka. my lifesaver! Brad kindly agreed to cycle and navigate the first 10k with us, and meet up again on the home stretch. Phew!
The course description went something like this:
Commencing at the heritage listed Victoria Park, Abbotsford the route shortly joins the Main Yarra Trail, taking a loop through the stunning Yarra Bends parklands. Enjoy the serenity of the Main Yarra Trail hugging the banks of the river towards the city. Take in the culture of the city’s Southbank precinct before passing down a quite stretch to the shores of Port Philip. Follow the salt air and enjoy the views before reaching North Road Reserve, Brighton with its spectacular outlook.
So, my lead up for the BLW was relatively good, I obviously ran 42km a month out and completed some 20-25km training runs. I started running a few hills because I have hilly races scheduled for early next year, and that stirred my already troublesome plantar fascia and calves. I decided to run with a heel lift and use Rocktape (www.rocktape.com.au). Taper week didn't quite go according to plan. Another friend asked if I wanted to run the Two bays trail and because of my FOMO affliction I said... Hell yeah! I knew I should have stopped about 10km but the day was perfect. The weather was warm and sunny, just the way I like it (just the way the snakes like it too!) and it was serene and peaceful. I love quiet. So my taper week was Monday 10k (including hill repeats) and Tuesday 20k Two bays trail. I ran an easy 7k on Thursday and race/event day on Sunday.
The night before the big day I packed my gels, Runners Kitchen amazeballs, 2 Nuun bottles and 2 water bottles. And my iPod and Garmin. I ran in my new shoes, Nike Pegasus 31 (I'm impressed so far; neutral shoe, wide toe area, 8.6 ounces and 10mm heel... and then I had to add a heel lift! Sidetracked again... talk shoes another time). I also packed Body Glide (www.bodyglide.com.au) after some chaffing at Melbourne Marathon.
Event day -
I set the alarm for 5:20am and we were on the road before 6am. We had to drive to the finish line and meet Serena and continue to the start. There were about 600 participants and each wave started every 10 minutes. There were no road closures so it was important to avoid congestion, although majority of the run was via trails. Our wave was the smallest with Serena, myself and another runner Matt (who I had met through a facebook running group).
We began with 4:40 pace although it was difficult to maintain with the corners and not really knowing where we were going. After the first kilometre, Brad decided to lead on his bike and clear the way for us to follow. It worked perfectly. The first 9km were hilly. I never look at maps and elevations so I was not expecting it. Mentally I was fine, I enjoyed the challenge and variety of hills, but physically my calves/PF were getting tighter. My shoulder also started giving me grief because my scalenes worked double time whilst I huffed and puffed up the hills. Statistics are difficult to follow because our speed was so inconsistent due to overtaking, hills, corners and navigating. Although I know we went from 4:40 pace at 6km to 5:50 pace at 7km (67m elevation/38m elevation gain). Part of that consisted of walking a few steps, taking a slight wrong turn and Serena nearly getting hit by a car! I can see other hills on the map but I haven't paid attention to elevation/elevation gain previously (I think I need to though). The ones in the BLW were short and sharp.
Once we hit the Yarra trail it was flat and easy. My left plantar fascia was cactus and my right calf felt like it was going to burst open with a volcanic eruption of blood and soft tissue! Okay, slightly melodramatic but it felt really bad! By 15km I was concerned my right calf muscle was significantly damaged and I began planning some PRP (platelet rich plasma) injections for my plantar fascia. I dropped my pace substantially and revised my goal to sub 5min pace (it was more like a 5:15 pace). Poor Serena continued looking back to ensure I was still there. Serena had found her groove but was still unsure about where to go, and combined with my sudden drop in pace, she was forced to slow down. I continued plodding along the Yarra Trail and tried to convince myself to stay in the moment and enjoy the scenery. It was beautiful weather and the trail was great. Part of me, really enjoyed the run but by 20km I considered pulling the pin. I have never dropped out of a race and I have only walked a few times (for a bit here and there). But my left PF was so tight that I could no longer roll through a step, I was basically going from heel to heel. My two thoughts were; when I see Brad I'm going to ask him to get the car or when I see Brad I'm going to ride his bike and he can run!
Serena and I continued within sight of each other until we reached Beach Rd and finally Serena could pick up the pace because it was a straight run home. When I finally did see Brad at the 25km mark, I asked him to adjust my feet. And yes, I'm very lucky to be married to a Chiropractor who supports my running to the point where he rides along the trail next to me! I love you Braddon!
After my adjustment I restarted my Garmin (I automatically paused it when I stopped to get my feet adjusted. Doh!) and began running again. My pace went from 5:28 to 5:08 and my ankle began to move better. Beach Rd came with a strong head wind but like the hills, it didn't bother me. Wind normally bothers me, but I was too busy trying to get through the last few kilometres and pace didn't matter anymore. For some reason 29km and 30km were 5:50 pace, maybe it was the wind or perhaps I was daydreaming. I chatted to Brad as he rode alongside me. Systemically I was fine, I was just sore from the calves down. Brad pointed out the finish line and I picked up the pace as best I could and finished the last few kilometres in sub 5:10 pace.
I finished the 32.5km in 2:51 (5:15 pace) and came second, 6 minutes behind Serena who came first. Not that it was a race ;-)
Post event -
Not one of my better runs but I'm not too disappointed because I couldn't see it as a race. It ended up being a training run. I pushed myself through lower leg pain and managed to complete the distance. The course was interesting although the short, sharp hills and corners weren't congruent with the remainder of the course. The Yarra trail and Beach Rd was lovely. The wind was... well... windy! You can't control the weather (and certainly not in Melbourne). Systemically I was fit and strong enough to run the distance; I had 2 gels and majority of my fluids, and no nutritional issues. Nothing bothered me except my legs. That night I wore compressions to bed and the following day. I went for a slow 7km recovery run and my plantar fascia loosened up. My right calf muscle pulled up okay.
Lessons -
1. Get your bloody calves and plantar fascia fixed woman!
2. See lesson no.1.
Event feedback and will there be a next time -
As mentioned, the course was interesting with a variety of hills and pretty trails, finishing off with Beach Rd, which I always like. The volunteers were super friendly and encouraging. It was well-organised and professional. It was run with integrity and sincerity. The course was well marked for a navigational challenge. A couple of times we took a wrong turn but I take full responsibility for that. The course was short, only 32.5km, which certainly didn't bother me on the day. However, if the event becomes bigger and more people compete, my thoughts are, map the course correctly. I can see it become bigger and more well-known. Overall I rank this run 8.5/10.
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