{"id":2642,"date":"2017-05-22T13:34:28","date_gmt":"2017-05-22T02:34:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/run.dj\/?p=2642"},"modified":"2017-05-25T13:53:07","modified_gmt":"2017-05-25T02:53:07","slug":"uta100-2017-guest-report-sarah-connor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/run.dj\/?p=2642","title":{"rendered":"UTA100 2017 Guest Report- Sarah Connor"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>#UTA2017 Race Report.<\/p>\n<p>(Disclaimer &#8211; I have still only had 3 hours sleep so pardon the swearing).<\/p>\n<p>It was very fucking hard. The end..<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2643\" src=\"http:\/\/run.dj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/IMG_9880-e1495420432976.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/run.dj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/IMG_9880-e1495420432976.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/run.dj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/IMG_9880-e1495420432976-225x300.jpeg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Yeah right &#8211; thought you would get away with a short report! Ha! Never.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The race had course changes due to the weather this year. I was very Zen about it (very un-like me) as you cant control the weather or decisions that the RD\u2019s and the authorities need to make to keep people safe.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>It was cold and wet when we started, but eventually it became beautiful and sunny and clear. The night was perfect running weather.<\/p>\n<p>I stuck to my race plan that Andy had sent me \u2013 slow in the first half and concentrate on passing others in the second half.<\/p>\n<p>Start to CP 1 \u2013 just went with the flow \u2013<\/p>\n<p>The landslide had a conga line, but it was a chance to eat and rest.<\/p>\n<p>CP1 \u2013 CP2<\/p>\n<p>Tarros Ladders \u2013 there was a 10-15 minute wait just to get down to the ladders. I get vertigo, so opted to go around on the diversion track, which turned out to be the same time. Plus I had warmed up again.<\/p>\n<p>The 50k men\u2019s pointy end of the race tore past us just after Tarros ladders. Holy shit they can move.<\/p>\n<p>The didgeridoo players were just before CP 2 \u2013 this was one of the only reasons I wanted to do this race, to hear them play in the race. Chills down my spine hearing them. So cool! Had a headache that was getting worse, but could not get any pain relief until CP 3 so had to suck it up.<\/p>\n<p>CP2 &#8211; CP3<\/p>\n<p>Had a really low spot because of said headache, running along Megalong Valley Road. Was hanging for the CP for panadol and my running poles.<\/p>\n<p>CP 3 was a good quick transition.<\/p>\n<p>CP3 \u2013 CP4<\/p>\n<p>Left the checkpoint with Jen and Ingrid, which was lovely. (No cows in the field this time). Ingrid and I hiked up to Nellies Glen together. It was hard work, but everyone else was suffering too! Heard some interesting burps\u2026. So decided to rate them \u2013 as you do when you need to keep occupied. Some random lady in a blue onesie was handing out choc chip cookies just before CP 4 \u2013 oh they were awesome. Going to have those again in a race!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>CP4 \u2013 CP5<\/p>\n<p>Ingrid\u2019s support crew of Bek, Janis and Sharon helping me out with massages and checking that I had what I needed made transition easier. Thank you ladies!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Now this is when I knew it would be tough. The course changes affected from CP4 \u2013 finish. I was heading towards the longest distance I had ever run, and was not sure how my body would cope. Left the CP very positive and moving in the right direction. Sunset was happening just as I came around Echo Point, so the views were spectacular.<\/p>\n<p>Came into Gordon Falls Reserve and got the best group hug ever from Bek, Janis and Sharon- seriously that was awesome!<\/p>\n<p>Hailey and Roger, said that they would meet me on course \u2013 and there they were at Gordon Falls Reserve with liquid black gold \u2013 a can of coke. My ITB was beginning to act up, Roger gave me some tips on how to deal with it and off I went into the darkness.<\/p>\n<p>Ran into Tim somewhere out the back of the golf course and he walked up with me back to his car and we had a great chat.<\/p>\n<p>There were runners coming from both directions and I felt obliged to let the faster ones who were returning from the out and back loop, go past first. I think this slowed me up quite a bit having to always get off the track.<\/p>\n<p>Coming out of Wentworth Falls, I had been looking out for Adam (actually looking for his trail gaiters as I was looking at the ground most of the time) and I found him! It was lovely to see him and get a hug.<\/p>\n<p>Then it was the slog down the road to CP5.\u00a0 It was at this point (apx 72-73k), that I knew I would be reduced to walking the rest of the way, due to my left ITB, so I made sure I was really power hiking and not just walking.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>I could hear the CP before I got to it and was really looking forward to sitting down! Except when I got there, there was a 3k out and back before you could enter the CP. There were many swear words at this point. That was mentally tough. So I sucked it up and got it done.<\/p>\n<p>The Summit Sister cheer squad were there and it was lovely to hear them! Saw a snake crossing the road. Yes a snake, it was 8C.<\/p>\n<p>Sally met me at the CP and looked after me very well and made sure I was compos mentis. I was very surprised to find that I was 2 hours ahead of schedule. Threw on my warm clothes, my toes were aching, but there was nothing I could do, so gave them a quick massage and walked off into the night.<\/p>\n<p>I spent most of this leg by myself, which suited me just fine.<\/p>\n<p>Then my headlight died with about 8k to go.\u00a0 I had forgotten to check my back up light batteries, but it was working so I dropped it to low lumens to conserve the batteries and kept moving. I had forgotten to pack spare batteries into my pack at CP 5. I turned my phone to flight mode, to conserve its battery so that I could use the torch I my phone if needed.<\/p>\n<p>The stairs were horrid. I could only go down diagonally with the right foot first and am now sporting a large blister on my left foot.<\/p>\n<p>I have never been so glad to see Leura Forest. It was then 4.8k of just slogging it out. Furber stairs were hard. There were a few tears shed here.<\/p>\n<p>You can hear the finish line before you can see it. It\u2019s torture. Roger was working the microphone at this point, and when my name was announced, he started up a cheer, which I could hear but legs just would not work. Eventually after the last 5 stairs, my brain engaged that it was the finish and people were waiting for me, so I started a jog and eventually crossed the line in 21hours and 6 mins.\u00a0 It was just after 4am (I had no idea of real time as my watch died at 76k) and I was not looking at my phone. It was so lovely to have people I knew around me.<\/p>\n<p>More tears were shed, Roger has video that is not repeatable here, which basically said I\u2019m never doing it again. Nothing could top that experience.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Ultra Trail Australia UTA100 2017 Epic Finish\" width=\"584\" height=\"329\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8jHqjratkAo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>I felt in the early stages of the race that I could go under 20 hours. Apparently I was on track for that most of the day, but was de-railed once the legs died. I think with a longer training base, it would have been achievable for me, even with the extra stairs.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Now for the bit that is most important. I would like to thank (and in no particular order) the people below for helping me to achieve my goal.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Andy DuBois of Mile 27 \u2013 10 weeks ago, after Tarawera Ultra, I contacted Andy for coaching and he got me to this race. I can\u2019t thank you enough. The training you set me, made a hell of difference.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/mile27.com.au\">Mile27<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Garry Luke of Muscle Therapy Australia \u2013 best masseuse ever!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.muscletherapyaustralia.com.au\">Muscle Therapy Australia<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Kathy Widjaja of Aequilibrium \u2013 all those body movement classes \u2013 my glutes thank you!<\/p>\n<p>Dr Adrienne Leahy of Spine and Health Crows Nest &#8211; my spine thanks you!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.spineandhealth.com.au\">Spine and Health Crows Nest<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Paula Shingler of Running Right \u2013 last minute physio and scones and jam and cream really helped.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Julie \u2013 my running partner and therapist.<\/p>\n<p>Cass \u2013 Friday mornings have improved out of sight thanks to world peace and coffee.<\/p>\n<p>Summit Sisters community \u2013 you all rock!<\/p>\n<p>Bek, Janis, Sharon and Sally \u2013 you are the best support crewers ever.<\/p>\n<p>Hailey \u2013 for the texts and the liquid black gold AKA Coke.<\/p>\n<p>Roger \u2013 the shiatsu massage really unlocked my back \u2013 it was the best. Can I have another one please?<\/p>\n<p>AROC Sport \u2013 without you guys, this legendary race would never exist. Thanks for the superb organisation, in what would have been one of the hardest situations to work in this year. Your volunteers and staff are the best.<\/p>\n<p>My friends and family who all support from near and far via Facebook .<\/p>\n<p>And finally, my husband Adam and son, Alex. Thanks for putting up with me, early mornings, early nights and a sometimes tired and crabby wife and mother.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>What I wore<\/p>\n<p>Summit Sisters t-shirt<\/p>\n<p>Moving comfort bra<\/p>\n<p>Fabletics \u00be pants with handy pockets down the sides of the legs.<\/p>\n<p>Zensah calf guards<\/p>\n<p>Feetures socks<\/p>\n<p>Hoka Stinson 3 ATR\u2019s<\/p>\n<p>Patagonia cap<\/p>\n<p>Buff\u2019s of varying different styles<\/p>\n<p>Patagonia R1 fleece jacket<\/p>\n<p>Salmon Bonatti waterproof jacket<\/p>\n<p>Nathan Vapour wrap pack<\/p>\n<p>(Sheesh I\u2019m not very loyal to one brand am I?)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>What I ate from my pack<\/p>\n<p>Carmen\u2019s muesli bars \u2013 mostly the more nutty ones<\/p>\n<p>Chicken in a biscuit<\/p>\n<p>BBQ shapes<\/p>\n<p>Clif bar<\/p>\n<p>Chips<\/p>\n<p>Farex pre-made baby food<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>From CP 2 I had Nuun or Hydralyte in my water.<\/p>\n<p>Panadol osteo at CP3 and after CP 5 \u2013 said headache was gone with about 13k to go \u2026<\/p>\n<p>From the checkpoints &#8211; Banana, watermelon, soup, bread, cheese and ham scrolls, a lolly, a chocolate chip biscuit, a bit of brownie, pot noodles, a chocolate bar from a random runner at a CP, coke, black coffee with 1 at the Fairmont , chips.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Recovery (so far its 24 hours in)<\/p>\n<p>2 magnesium tablets before the race<\/p>\n<p>Soup and chocolate milk at the finish<\/p>\n<p>Blister popped at First Aid so I did not have to deal with it<\/p>\n<p>Shower as soon as possible<\/p>\n<p>Sleep for an hour \u2013 gentle rolling with the stick<\/p>\n<p>Trying to move normally rather than the ultra lurch<\/p>\n<p>Car drive home \u2013 stayed awake and kept my legs in different positions<\/p>\n<p>Warm Epsom salt bath and then icing the knee<\/p>\n<p>More good food and some chocolate<\/p>\n<p>9 hours sleep \u2013 means I\u2019m awake at 3am but hey that\u2019s when all the best race reports are written.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>#UTA2017 Race Report. (Disclaimer &#8211; I have still only had 3 hours sleep so pardon the swearing). It was very fucking hard. The end.. Yeah right &#8211; thought you would get away with a short report! Ha! Never. &nbsp; The &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/run.dj\/?p=2642\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[26,25],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2642","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-guest-post","category-race-reports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/run.dj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2642","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/run.dj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/run.dj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/run.dj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/run.dj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2642"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/run.dj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2642\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2668,"href":"https:\/\/run.dj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2642\/revisions\/2668"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/run.dj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2642"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/run.dj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2642"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/run.dj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2642"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}