You Yangs 30km
Sunday 19th July 2015
Recap -
Here we go again! I ran this event last year but I'd had a cold the week prior, and I was still taking painkillers and anti-histamines on race day! I took it easy and finished in just over 3 hours which was significantly slower than I wanted, but I loved the peace and serenity. I vowed to redeem myself in 2015 with a sub 3 hour run.
Believe it or not, I hardly ever get sick... (I have ongoing challenges... MTHFR, thyroid etc. but I don't get colds or viruses) However, this year I was hit with the dreaded flu about two weeks before You Yangs! I'd had my wisdom teeth out about a month earlier and struggled to run consistently for weeks. My longest run had been 20km. So I decided not to enter. Or did I?
About a week before the race, I was relaxing at home and experienced a moment of clarity. Forget the time, forget the race... I loved You Yangs for the peace and quiet, serenity and beauty... I was going to enter You Yangs 30km with no expectations. I was going to enjoy running in a beautiful environment with some amazing people.
Pre-race - Here we go again! I ran this event last year but I'd had a cold the week prior, and I was still taking painkillers and anti-histamines on race day! I took it easy and finished in just over 3 hours which was significantly slower than I wanted, but I loved the peace and serenity. I vowed to redeem myself in 2015 with a sub 3 hour run.
Believe it or not, I hardly ever get sick... (I have ongoing challenges... MTHFR, thyroid etc. but I don't get colds or viruses) However, this year I was hit with the dreaded flu about two weeks before You Yangs! I'd had my wisdom teeth out about a month earlier and struggled to run consistently for weeks. My longest run had been 20km. So I decided not to enter. Or did I?
About a week before the race, I was relaxing at home and experienced a moment of clarity. Forget the time, forget the race... I loved You Yangs for the peace and quiet, serenity and beauty... I was going to enter You Yangs 30km with no expectations. I was going to enjoy running in a beautiful environment with some amazing people.
http://www.trailsplus.com.au/you-yangs/
"The You Yangs Regional park is located about 55km south-west of Melbourne, just west of the township of Little River. The distinctive granite peaks of the You Yangs rise from the flat volcanic plains between Melbourne and Geelong. The park is popular for its magnificent views, birdlife and for bushwalks and picnics. This race is held in the middle of winter when the park is at its visual best with lush greenery and local birdlife on display. It can be a very different story in the middle of summer when dust and wind can turn the park into a less pleasant and much more harsh environment." http://www.trailsplus.com.au/you-yangs/
I touched on my pre-race story above...
I decided to enter the 30km event without expectations. I was relaxed and comfortable knowing I would probably run slower than last year. My lovely husband agreed to drive me there early Sunday morning. I told him I would stop at the top of Flinders Peak and take some photos. As race day drew closer, I began stressing about my hip. It had given me grief at Great Ocean Road and I was feeling vulnerable. You Yangs has decent elevation and I was worried my hip might not last the distance (even running slowly).
I made an appointment with my hip surgeon after Great Ocean Road, thinking I would book to have the labral tear fixed. But after allowing the dust to settle, my hip settled too. I had avoided surgery for nearly three years... could I avoid it for a little longer? I was confused. When you run with pain (and limited range of movement), you adapt. I had adapted a little too well, to the point where my hip was manageable (most of the time). My body found a way around the problem... literally. I learnt to function with my hip externally rotated to avoid impingement. I began striking on the outside of my foot which resulted in PF, flexor hallucis longus and achilles issues. Logically I knew my hip was causing other problems but I managed it by stretching, rolling, massage etc. I find it difficult to know where to draw the line...
You Yangs was a test. If my hip was ok, then I would probably delay surgery again. If it was as painful as Great Ocean Road, then I had to book in. I was really nervous about the outcome.
The night before race day, I slept in my compressions (as usual). I organised my new hydration pack with Tailwind (first time trying it... yeah yeah I know... nothing new on race day!) I packed my 4-bottle Nathan belt (with Tailwind) as backup. I had my Keep Sweatin jacket (as a proud Keep Sweatin ambassador), beanies, gloves, Injinji socks and whatever else I could find to keep me warm. I also had 2 gels (V-fuel) and my Garmin (No iPod on trails). The only trail shoes I had were Vivobarefoot Trail Freaks but considering my hip and foot issues, I needed more cushioning so I stuck with my New Balance 890s (road shoes).
Race day -
Brad and I left about 6am and drove a couple of hours to You Yangs. I was familiar with the course and surroundings so I wasn't worried about arriving early. However, we arrived in time to see some of the 100 milers cross the finish line (Including Richard Does. It was amazing to see him cross the line after following updates on Facebook. Richard is a fellow MPAC runner and RD for Devilbend).
There were 372 entries across all distances at You Yangs in 2015. There were 98 people in the 30km event. It wasn't too busy or congested (which I love). This year I knew other participants like RIOT crew - Les Corson and Brett James, RMA member - Erin Black and Brewsters - Joanna Maidment. It was good to see friendly faces.
When we got onto the single track section, I had people on my heels. I called out and pulled off to the side, and nearly ended up in a collision. Luckily nobody was hurt and we continued on the decent. I wanted to protect my hips going downhill as well as uphill.
I remembered from last time, the climbing started at the 11-12km mark. According to Garmin statistics; 10km - 21 metres, 11km - 48 metres, 12km - 60 metres and 13km - 54 metres elevation gain. I deliberately walked sections and averaged 6:30-7min/km pace. I had some fluids and a gel because I hadn't consumed enough Tailwind. I don't drink much in cold weather. I forced myself to sip on the Tailwind, but it didn't come naturally to me. It was about this stage when I ditched my new hydration vest (beginning to chafe) and looked for my 4-bottle Nathan belt. Brad said he'd leave it at the bottom of Flinders Peak. I wasted about 4 minutes looking for it but I couldn't find it! I began the climb to the top of Flinders Peak feeling frustrated and concerned because I knew I had no water or gels.
The race started and I held back for the first two kilometres, well aware of the challenging hills up ahead. My first two kilometres were 5-5:30min per km pace. My next three kilometres were approximately 6min/km pace (with about 40 metres elevation). You Yangs is not technical and has wide trails, but the hills start early. Pacing is important! I picked up speed slightly on the downhill and felt comfortable. You can see from my early pictures that I wasn't working hard enough because I was still dressed in my winter woollies (the guy behind me was working harder than me, and more prepared for the camera man!) Even though the forecast was bleak, it ended up being a beautiful, sunny day! God was shining on us!
When we got onto the single track section, I had people on my heels. I called out and pulled off to the side, and nearly ended up in a collision. Luckily nobody was hurt and we continued on the decent. I wanted to protect my hips going downhill as well as uphill.
I remembered from last time, the climbing started at the 11-12km mark. According to Garmin statistics; 10km - 21 metres, 11km - 48 metres, 12km - 60 metres and 13km - 54 metres elevation gain. I deliberately walked sections and averaged 6:30-7min/km pace. I had some fluids and a gel because I hadn't consumed enough Tailwind. I don't drink much in cold weather. I forced myself to sip on the Tailwind, but it didn't come naturally to me. It was about this stage when I ditched my new hydration vest (beginning to chafe) and looked for my 4-bottle Nathan belt. Brad said he'd leave it at the bottom of Flinders Peak. I wasted about 4 minutes looking for it but I couldn't find it! I began the climb to the top of Flinders Peak feeling frustrated and concerned because I knew I had no water or gels.
Just over half way I hit the steps leading up to Flinders Peak... oh so many steps! Endless steps! Did I mention there were steps?! (90 metres elevation). The runners coming down offered words of support as my paced decreased to 9-10min/km! I saw Les Corson on his decent and encouraged him to run hard. I finally made it to the top and Brad was there with my 4-bottle Nathan belt! I stopped for some photos and had a quick chat. I looked at my Garmin and estimated I would finish in just over 3 hours (similar to last year). Brad asked how my hips were. I felt good; I had some pain in my hip flexors but proportionate to the inclines. I was thoroughly enjoying the run and took a moment to appreciate the 180 degree views from the top (as well as the peace and quiet). You Yangs was good therapy for me!
I headed down the endless staircase to the second part of the race. The next 15-kilometre loop was completely different. It was man-made mountain bike tracks that were easier elevation, but snaked back and forth across the hill. I found this section tough last year and dropped my pace significantly. This year I slowed down (probably 6min/km pace) but I wasn't bothered. My longest run leading into this event was 20km, therefore I had to accept I was going to fatigue. The other worry was my lack of navigational skills. I saw a runner ahead (who had overtaken me whilst chatting to Brad on the top of Flinders Peak) and decided to speed up a little and have her as my guide (cheeky I know). At this stage of the race, there are runners in other events running in the opposite direction (which can be off-putting). There are also mountain bikers on the path, who have right of way. It is important to concentrate.
From 25-28 kilometres there were a few more hills back on the wide trails and I walked when necessary. I knew I was on the home stretch...
I crossed the finish line 3:03:28 (23 seconds slower than last year!) I was really happy considering I expected to run slower than last year.
I headed down the endless staircase to the second part of the race. The next 15-kilometre loop was completely different. It was man-made mountain bike tracks that were easier elevation, but snaked back and forth across the hill. I found this section tough last year and dropped my pace significantly. This year I slowed down (probably 6min/km pace) but I wasn't bothered. My longest run leading into this event was 20km, therefore I had to accept I was going to fatigue. The other worry was my lack of navigational skills. I saw a runner ahead (who had overtaken me whilst chatting to Brad on the top of Flinders Peak) and decided to speed up a little and have her as my guide (cheeky I know). At this stage of the race, there are runners in other events running in the opposite direction (which can be off-putting). There are also mountain bikers on the path, who have right of way. It is important to concentrate.
From 25-28 kilometres there were a few more hills back on the wide trails and I walked when necessary. I knew I was on the home stretch...
I crossed the finish line 3:03:28 (23 seconds slower than last year!) I was really happy considering I expected to run slower than last year.
Post race -
I crossed the line and found Brad straight away. I was so happy and grateful for the run, sunshine, my running mojo and my runner's high (which lasted for days!)
Ever since Great Ocean Road, I had struggled with running both physically and emotionally. And I was really nervous (about my hips) leading into You Yangs. My hips had hurt but I believed it was proportionate to the hills and distance. My runner's high helped me to stay positive and hopeful that I could delay surgery yet again.
I was happy! I had found my running mojo!
Results: I placed 8th female and 32nd overall.
The next day, my hip flexors were tight and I was fatigued but generally I was fine.
Lessons -
1. Don't miss an event because of expectations. Expectations/goals can always be modified.
2. Enjoy it! Sometimes with Facebook and Strava, we become caught up in the competition and expectations of other people. I run because I enjoy it! Not because I can run a certain pace or beat someone else. I run for ME!
3. Runner's high is awesome but it can't fix my hips! I need to get my hips fixed :(
Race feedback and will there be a next time -
You Yangs is my favourite trail event! I loved it! And I'll be back next year. It is not technical, there is a combination of wide trails and single track, the 15-kilometre loops are very different from each other (which I like), the view from the top is amazing, the peace and quiet is therapy (for me), the people are friendly, RD is organised and responsible, volunteers are appreciated and the medals are pretty!
Overall I rank this run 9.5/10.
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