Starting to get excited!!!

Another solid week with 118k done. Normal hour runs during the week with the first few being tougher than usual due to 9.5hrs in the stirlings. Planned on a 70k from Jarradale to North Dandalup return on Sat with Rob joining me for the first 18k. The pace for the first 18 was very comfortable and I was greatful for the company - Thanks Rob!

When Rob turned around we had done 18k in 2:10 and I thought that it was now time to get into a good stride and make up some time. I had wanted to break 8hrs for the run and after the first 18k I was in danger of falling off the pace. Ran really well to ND Dam with intermittant showers keeping the temp cool. Running over the dam wall I experienced something I never have before and hope never will again - It started to hail!!!! I was running across the dam wall so there was no cover for at least 600mtrs so all I could do was tilt my hat and lean to the side to try and avoid getting hit in the face. It was rather painful and I was glad it only lasted for about 90 seconds.

Eventually reached the ND campsite in 3:42 (35k) so had made up some time over the last 17k. Had a good ITB stretch and was off again at 3:48. Plan was to fill up my bottle at the Public toilets at the dam so as to preserve the campsite water. After a quick toilet stop and a bottle refill I was off again to try and get home in a reasonable time. I felt good and with the ipod cranking I was in heaven.

At 5hrs I got a call from Dave and at that time I was on track for a 7hrs 20min finish time which was way better than I was hoping for but I was travelling really well. By 5 1/2 hrs I was starting to feel like I needed more calories. I had brought the same amount as when I did the waterous loop with Rob (8:15) but it was becoming clear that the increased pace was forcing me to burn more calories and I was going to be short. Had a walk and a sandwhich to try to get the energy levels up but I had gone into the red zone and it was gonna take a lot to get me out.

15K to go and the time was 6:08 so I'd lost a lot in the last 45min and I was entering survival mode. 7:20 was gone, 7:30 would be tough so I set my sights on 7:35. The last 15k wasn't pretty but I survived to get home in 7:34.48 (7:35).

Really happy with the time considering the slow start, hilly course and huge blow-up at the end - even happier with the fact that I didn't feel any muscular soreness at all during or after the run. The effort in the stirlings has made a huge difference to my strength and I felt I could have easily run on after a good feed.

Feeling confident about the 100 miler now. My plan will be to run a point to point strategy rather than stopping every hour. I will have minimal stops for the first 80k with the aim of finishing the first lap in under 9hrs. Another goal is to get past the Kingsbury Rd section on the 2nd lap (115kish) before it gets dark as this is not well marked and very overgrown. My calculation say that should give me about 13.5hrs to do 115k. Not fussed about the finish time - just happy to finish my first trail 100 miler sub 24hr remains the goal with sub 20 a possibility and sub 18 a dream - just see what happens on the day.

40k this saturday signifies the beginning of the 'taper'