Six Inch 2010

Woke at 2:30am ready and raring to go. I must admit to not being totally focused on the race this year, with lots of work stuff on. I was over the training and talking and just wanted get out and start running. The massive increase in numbers this year meant that I had a few others who were looking at sub-4, namely Big Kev and Brett.

Heading up Goldmine hill I was feeling great. As usual I was passed by quite a few in the first few hundred meters of the climb, but I pulled them all back not long after as I worked into it. Summitted in just under 10 minutes and only about 15mtrs behind Kev and Brett so jumped on the 'sub 4 Bus' without too many issues. We ran together until whitakers where we were joined by Nathan Doig and Ray Lampard who almost got lost and decided to stick with us for a while.

The group set a cracking pace, going through 10.5k in 50:02 and not really slowing much. I was feeling good but had the sense that we were going a little too hard too early. Crossing Del Park I decided to easy off a little and Brett and Kev got a 15-20mtr lead on me. Running into Aid #1 I had a well thoughtout plan ditch my hand-held bottle and pick up a fresh one. This all took about 1 second and I managed to pass Kev and Brett and get about 100-200mtrs on them. I wasn't too fused as I knew they would catch me as I was really starting to pay the price for the early pace.

I decided to take it easy and try to recover. I started to have some stomach problems and was forced into the bush just before the conveyor belt for a toilet stop. I lost almost 3 minutes here but immediately felt better. I was 30 seconds down on last years time at the conveyor belt (2:17.30) and I started to get concerned that my sub 4 chances were gone. I decided that I would take it easy through Oakley Dam (a tough part of the course), focusing on running strong and not spending too much energy. I continued to run strong, ignoring my pace and found myself at Aid #2 in the same time as last year 2:58.30 but in much better shape. This is where the race begins.

The equation was simple run the last 11k in less than 1:01.30 and I'd go sub 4. I was nervous, knowing what happened last year, but i kept telling myself that I had saved myself for this section. Interestingly enough the gradual downhills were the toughest as I couldn't generate too much pace on them due to my legs being sore. I was climbing well and running the flats ok. I knew that if I just kept running, I'd be able to go very close to 4hrs but it was always going to be tight.

Arrived at Marrinup in 3:33 and I knew there was about 4.5ks to go and I had 27 minutes to do it. The mantra 'just keep running' was echoing through my head constantly as I thought about my push to the finish. I knew I had a kick but was very wary of going too soon and blowing up. Should I go 2k? 1.5k? No, I was confident in my pace and decided to save my kick for the last 1k. My left foot had been threatening to cramp for a few k's and I was a little concerned that if I went too early it would cramp and ruin my race.

I had been deliberately ignoring my watch for most of the last 11k and had a quick glance with 1k to go, this was the moment of truth. 3:54.40ish - I had 5:20 to make it under 4hrs. Great, I was confident as I picked up the pace for final stretch. As usual the last k goes on forever and the foot spasm became more and more frequent. The cramps would last only about a second or too but enough to keep me concerned. I was glad to emerge from the trail and started to sprint, not leaving anything to chance. Appoaching Del Park road the marshalls told me to stop for a car, like hell I was stopping!!!I motioned to the car to keep going as I sprinted up the road and around the back of him. That cost me at least a few seconds and made me really angry. 'If that damn car cost me a sub 4hr finish I won't be happy.' Put the foot down for the last 100mts and crossed the line in 3:59.33 to run 7th, running the last Km in about 4:50. I was spent, and knelt down by a BBQ to catch my breathe and you guessed it my foot cramped up Big time, but that was ok now - had finished.

Hard to express the relief of finally going sub 4 at Six Inch. I ran 4:00.34 in 2008 and was on target last year before really struggling and this year I finally managed to hold on despite spending too much in the first 23k. Incidently Kev and Brett went on to run 3:51 and 3:52 respectively.

My race was not perfect and I know I can go faster. The key for me is working on my 5/10k speed so that I can match it with the sub 3hr marathon crew. The race was a huge success with 80+ finishers and course records falling all over the place. I'll definitely be back next year, hoping to lower my time and maybe even dip under 3:50. Until then it's recovery time!!!