Rollercoaster 43km 2019

Rollercoaster 43km – Feb 2019

43k Course

The Roller Coaster 43km course provides runners with a great challenge on a hilly but stunning course in Melbourne’s best-kept secret – the Dandenong Ranges! Starting at SkyHigh on top of Mount Dandenong and with commanding views across Melbourne, runners begin by leaving Skyhigh and making their way to Kyeema track where they turn left and follow the trail across the hill catching a great view as they go. Runners descend what is known as “the zig zags” which drops through tall Mountain Ash forests and Rainforest Ferns before emerging at Doongalla Picnic Area, home of Checkpoint 1. Runners proceed out of the access road of Doongalla and take a hard left onto Dodds Track where the challenge really begins. Dodds Track has a short and sharp climb, then cross the Basin-Olinda Road and continue up Range Road before curving around, running a bit of a Roller Coaster and making their way back to Doongalla for some refreshments. Leaving Doongalla for the second time, runners head north, making their way along Camelia Track and Singleton Terrace to the back of the village of Kalorama. From Kalorama, the last climb is sharp and leads runners to the top of the course and SkyHigh. From here runners are marshalled onto the reverse loop course and do it all again – in reverse! This course is true to its name – The RollerCoaster Run!

Pre-race- 

I hate to sound like a broken record but there wasn’t much preparation for this crazy hilly trail run in the Dandenongs… actually I used to live at the bottom of the Dandies but I never ran there because my asthma always flared. We moved from Ferntree Gully to the Mornington Peninsula five years ago because my asthma and hayfever was so bad. But I figured if I drugged up, it should be OK to run there for one day! In saying that, I had prepared to some degree… I ran Hobart marathon in January and I’d run two 30km+ runs over the last month. I had my reasons for staying away from hills… my hips dislike hills. However, with Comrades (UP course) in June, I had to prove to myself that I could withstand (physically and mentally) some considerable elevation. I was very tentative going into Rollercoaster but happy to go slow and even DNF if my hips started hurting. The week before the event was very busy and I had no time to prepare or stress (negatives and positives negated each other). My hubby was away so I had two kids to organise, as well as working crazy hours. I went into race day with zero expectations. 

Race day-

I woke at 5am and snuck out of the house just before 5:30am. The drive was just over an hour to Sky High at the peak of the Dandenong Ranges. It was still dark but the temperature was mild and I knew when the sun rose, it would be perfect running weather. I walked to the race hub, collected my bib and went back to my car. I had twenty minutes of downtime… time to collect my thoughts, organise my pack and breathe. I attached my bib to my Two Bays singlet, put gels in my Flipbelt and At One bars in my hydration pack (also carried a bladder with electrolytes). I put my iPod with my latest audiobook “Can’t Hurt Me” David Goggins in my shorts! I wore my token RMA buff, sunnies and Garmin. And my Hoka Speedgoats! Lastly I packed a Ventolin, just in case. I was ready. I walked 700m to the start line with ten minutes to spare. The hub was buzzing with anticipation and I hid off to the side. I hadn’t run a trail event in a long time and I felt like a bit of a fraud. My default was head down and focus on getting the job done.

During the briefing I spotted some friendly faces and said hello and within minutes we’d officially begun Rollercoaster 43km, 2019. I took off slowly, quite happy for others to lead and little idea of what to expect! Most runners I know talk about Dodds and other places in the Dandenongs but it was completely foreign to me. I’ll be honest, there’s no point trying to describe running tracks to me (or me trying to describe it here)… I have no sense of direction! Therefore my race report is… Up, Down, Up, Down, Up, Down repeat about twenty times? The end! OK… I’ll try better than that…

Starting at Sky High at the top of Mount Dandenong, the course follows Kyeema track and proceeds down Zig-Zag track. By “down” I mean DOWN. According to Garmin Connect, there is an elevation loss of 102m, 94m and 110m respectively over 3km, 4km and 5km splits. I took it as easy as possible, trying to conserve my legs for the next 40-odd kilometres. By 5km, and a significant amount of decline (and quad action) I knew I was going to feel it the next day. I “tried” taking it easy but with very little flat ground, it was virtually impossible. Right from the start, my calves engaged going up and my quads kicked-in going down. There was no chance I was getting out of this unscathed. After surviving the first significant decline, we reached Dodds Track with a sharp incline (116m and 101m gain over 6km and 7km). After 45 minutes into the run I seriously considered pulling-the-pin at the halfway mark. What was I doing here anyway? I hadn’t run a trail event since… I don’t even know when! Don’t get me wrong, my mindset was actually pretty good. I was enjoying a challenge, change of scenery and the idea of running long. But I was out of my depth. 

On the map, it says something about Banksia track and School track? Doesn’t mean much to me, but thought I’d include here for effect. We ran more steep downhill sections until about 10-11km. The whole way, my legs and brain were working hard to stay upright and maintain a degree of pace. The tracks weren’t technical but mainly open fire trails, which I love running on. I tried to gauge how long it would take to run the first loop. I estimated about 2hrs 45min. I knew the cut-off for the first loop was 3hrs 40min, so that was my main concern. I had nothing to prove to anyone except myself. This was a training run for Comrades. I just needed reassurance that my body could handle hills. 

During the first loop, I didn’t stop to take photos (even though I wanted to), I didn’t stop at aid stations (also wanted to) and I didn’t use my iPod. Instead I focused on the track in front of me. The scenery was pretty with lush green ferns, lofty old trees and spectacular views as far as the eye can see. I reminded myself that I chose to do this (actually I paid to do this) and it was a luxury not a punishment. I remembered my WHY… Comrades. It didn’t have to be fast or furious, but it had to be done! I’d made a commitment to myself to run this sensibly and slowly until I crossed that finish line. 

I drank regularly from my pack and had my first gel after an hour. I was so focused on one foot in front of the other, that I don’t think I even noticed the main aid station at Doongalla.

Aid Station 1:
Location: Doongalla Picnic Grounds
Distance: 5.5km
Stocked with: Fresh cut fruit, Lollies, potato chips, Coke, Electrolyte Drink, Water.

Aid Station 2:
Location: Doongalla Picnic Grounds
Distance: 12.5km
Stocked with: Fresh cut fruit, Lollies, potato chips, Coke, Electrolyte Drink, Water.

At about 15km, I hiked up a seemingly endless hill that took over 10min and on the other side I began to feel a twinge in my right ITB. From previous blog posts, I’ve shared my disappointment in missing out on Comrades 2018 because my hard-headed dog knocked me over. I proceeded to suffer from ITB issues (amongst other things) and never managed to secure a qualifying time. Therefore I had to sell my entry and watch friends experience my ultimate dream from the other side of the world. I’d made a deal with my husband that if I felt “injury-pain” (during Rollercoaster) I would DNF. But the pain disappeared and all that was left was muscle fatigue.

Around 18km, we began hiking AGAIN and just before reaching the event hub we were faced with an epic climb! I had 3km in a row that were slower than 10min per split. I didn’t look up, but instead I concentrated on my feet and steadily moving (no matter how slow)… As David Goggins says, “Nobody is coming to save you!”

Reaching the halfway mark was like a little taste of heaven… I saw friendly, familiar faces, heard words of encouragement and tasted sweet watermelon. I took a minute to recoup and slowly made my way back out, ready to conquer the second lap! My headspace was great, positive, determined and accepting of whatever was next. 

Aid Station 3:
Location: SkyHigh
Distance: 21.5km
Stocked with: Fresh cut fruit, Lollies, potato chips, Coke, Electrolyte Drink, Water.

 

The second loop started off well with downhill that hurt my quads but gave my heart and lungs (and calves) some respite. At 30km, I reached Doongalla aid station, and indulged in two cups of Coke, a cup of electrolytes, watermelon and a few salted chips. Not long after, I stopped to help a fellow competitor who appeared to be suffering from ITB pain. I really felt for her… when that pain kicks in, it really stings. Once help arrived, I continued trekking forwards and upwards. 

Aid Station 4:
Doongalla Picnic Grounds
Distance: 30.5km
Stocked with: Fresh cut fruit, Lollies, potato chips, Coke, Electrolyte Drink, Water.

Aid Station 5:
Location: Doongalla Picnic Grounds
Distance: 37.5km
Stocked with: Fresh cut fruit, Lollies, potato chips, Coke, Electrolyte Drink, Water.

From roughly 33 – 37km it was uphill… I believe the course travelled UP Dodds and like the name suggests, rolled over the top of the mountain and fell 131m, 94m DOWN down… By this stage, I doubted my quads so I veered across the hill. It reminded me of downhill skiing! I could hear myself teaching my boys to ski across the mountain then turn and go across again! 

Somewhere along the way, I began chatting to a fellow runner, Miles (what an epic name for a runner) but the poor guy had recently moved over from Perth and decided to run his first marathon (without understanding the terrain). Every so often, I could see him crouched over to give his quads a rest. My way of resting was to turn and face the opposite direction. Going UP, I’d turn around and take a few steps backwards, to rest my calves. When your muscles are on fire, you’ll try anything! 

Exactly like the first loop, I reached an epic climb! I was slow… 14min for 1km. I saw some friends who supported me as I hiked UP. It was so great to see them! I knew I was almost home… keep going, keep going! As I came around the corner and onto the road, I started running again and crossed the finish line in 6hrs 35min! My average pace was 8:58min per km. In other words, there was a lot of hiking! 

Post race-

After I finished, I drank lots of water and electrolytes. The temperature had gradually increased and it was warm. I gave a few friends a sweaty hug and took a moment to appreciate my Rollercoaster experience. Surprisingly, I had fun! It was different to what I usually do. And I like growth. The only way we grow is by being outside our comfort zone. I waited for Miles to cross the line and gave him a high five. I reassured him that not all marathons are that hilly! I was happy I ran it and grateful for the event, weather, friends and community spirit! The days following the race, I was SORE! My quads and calves were painful. A week later and my quads are still feeling it. I need to start squatting again! 

Race feedback and will there be a next time-

I loved the event, vibe, friendly volunteers and everything else. Aid stations were well-stocked and the course was well-marked. I’d highly recommend it to someone else but I hope I never run that again!