How far is the run? I heard this a few times in the lead up.
TNF 50 had been my main focus race this year and I was pretty excited (and nervous) to be stepping up to undertake my first ultra distance running race.
The planning for the race started after running my 2nd marathon, the Melbourne Marathon in October last year. I was looking for a new challenge.
I chose this race, as I always like to choose new and different places to race and having never been to the Blue Mountains before, I thought this would be great time to start, what a better way to see the Blue Mountains than a 50 km traverse around on the trails!
I arrived at the start line having a solid preparation for the race until about 9-10 weeks out from the race when I started to encounter some issues with my hip. This really restricted my final preparations to hiking and short runs in the lead up, so I had no idea what to expect on race day, this race was going to be the great unknown.
We were welcomed to an amazing race morning with beautiful mild conditions, then we were off and racing with an out and back road section back past the start line in the first 5km. At this early stage I was feeling good but noticed my backpack started to rub on my back, but did not let this dampen my mood. The next section of the course was at a steady pace due to being quite congested with runners on the course with narrow and steep sections towards Echo Point and the Three Sisters, then down the Giant Stairway.
I arrived at the first drinks checkpoint (at 13.5km) feeling good, stopped and topped up bladder of water, then continued on the past Fairmount Resort and towards Wentworth Falls. This section was undulating, I undertook this section quite conservatively knowing there was a long way to go yet, so I walked some short sections in this part of the course then back to running on the bitumen road for the 2km out towards Checkpoint 501 (Queen Victoria Hospital) at the 28km mark.
Smiling for the camera out on course
This main checkpoint was a hive of activity with many support teams there for the 100km runners also here. I stopped at this checkpoint for a few minutes to top up my water again and grab some more gels out of my backpack then I was off again.
I was expecting to feel flat or negative at some points during the day, but this did not eventuate, as I focused on keep pushing forward and chatted to other competitors around me during the race. I loved the camaraderie amongst trail runners out on the course always willing to help others or simply have a chat.
This next stage (approx 6km) was probably the most isolated section of the course which was on a major dirt road with a long downhill section to approximately the 36km mark, then the uphill starts! The majority of the last 14km was uphill with a few short downhill sections to break up the pounding on your quads, calves and hamstrings - you name it!
I did not stop at the 41km checkpoint, based on my water consumption to this point; I expected to have enough water to get me to the finish line.
Once the dirt road flattened out it became more picturesque as you dipped gradually go to an open grassed area and following a grass path to eventually enter the bush towards Leura Forest, along this section you enjoyed views of Mt Solitary and The Three Sisters. I kept a steady pace going through Leura Forest, even seeing and cheering on some of the 100 km runners, heading the other way for the later stages of their course.
Then the infamous Furber Steps to finish, this climb was 933 stairs and about 200m of elevation gain in about 1km. What a great way to finish the 50km!
I kept a steady pace walking up the stairs and taking in a few quick glimpses of the spectacular views of the cliffs. I eventually ran out of water with under 1km to go. So that was perfectly timed!
It was an amazing experience for me and a great place to end it at Scenic World with the sound of the crowd and the great finish chute.
I learnt a valuable lesson with the limited long runs in the lead up it is always good to test out your equipment prior to the race with the aftermath of the irritation from my backpack causing a painful blister/rash during the race.
Blister caused by my backpack during The North Face 50km
I loved this race, it was very well organised and would recommend it to anyone looking to challenge themselves to an ultra running event. Huge thanks to my support crew. Now onto planning the next race, but I will enjoy some downtime over the next couple of weeks.
Nutrition
8 x Energy Gels
3.5 litres of water
The Finish Line - I made it!