Once again I have enjoyed another well run, successful Painathlon. Slowly people are beginning to realise what a fantastic event this is and competitors are coming back each year. Personally, I would say this is one of the best events I have ever done in my life. Although the half is proving to be more popular, once again I find myself lining up to do the full along side 22 other competitors and 5 teams. This year we do not have the timing system from last year, which is a shame.

At 7am we are off with a 9-10 hour day ahead of us, I don't even work that long. The sand is fairly hard packed and running on it is a lot easier than previous years. The field is stretch out very quickly as some people seem to float on the sand as I sink into it up to my knees.

The first few challenges were going nice and steady and I seem to be moving up the field. On the way to the bridges I was passed by team Nova Scotia so I jumped on the back for a tow. As we were going over the bridge someone coming the other way overtook a pedestrian walking. The result was a cyclist in front hitting the brakes to avoid him but team Scotia ran into him and me into them. I'm sure this would have looked funny if I had not been involved.

The bike seemed to be O.K. and I set off on my run. Near the end I got caught by team Woop Woop and Leah with her 41 minute run. She was very pleased judging by her reaction!

I set of for the truth slowly knowing team Woop Woop would catch me. When they did I tried to help at the front but the pace they were setting I knew I would not last very long, thankfully they allowed me to get a tow up to Brigadoon. On this challenge I walk the uphill's and run the flat and downhill's.  I watch Brett fly up the hill and Josh Whitehead run the whole way, wishing I could do either. At the end Josh was not too far in front so my method worked fine for me.

As Jake (Woop Woop) was still running I set of after Josh on the bike. On reflection I should have waited for team Woop Woop and got a tow. My legs began to cramp as I caught Josh, as he pointed out that the guy in front (Brett) was in 3rd place and he was keen beat him. We passed Brett, who was feeling the effects of his massive effort going up the Truth, then team Woop Woop caught us. The pace on the bike raised as Josh and I hung on the back. Going up a hill my chain came off resulting in an increase of leg cadence and my calf locking up with cramp. This mishap was the result of the bump I had going over the bridge which damaged my front mech and would plague me for the rest of the day with the chain jumping from large to small chain ring every so often. I managed to catch up again as they all got caught at the stop sign crossing The Great Eastern Highway. The hill to the Zigzags was tough. As I got of the bike to put my running shoes on I got the biggest cramp, and most painful, I have every had in my life. I was squealing like a pig and the female volunteer seemed very concerned because she did not realise what was going on. Christo reassured her that it was only a cramp. Christo, if it was your calf, then it was only cramp. This felt like childbirth. Once it released I began my run up the Zigzags once again questioning my sanity for being here. On the descent the route was not marked well and in my confused state, Brett found me running back up the hill towards him. Once corrected I found some sort of short cut through the shrubs and went for it worried I was going to get bit by some dangerous Australian snake, as Brett stuck to the road.

Back on the bike I get caught at the lights by Brett and team Nova Scotia.  I hang on the back as the fresher legs of the team power ahead. I offer to show them another route which I think is quicker, but they decline. I wonder if I am better to stay with them sitting on the back, but I decide to use my route. Although I am now going slower on the bike, I reach Quadcruncher first and feel quite pleased with myself by beating them, but am passed by the fresher legs of there runner on the return section of Quadcruncher.

I set of for Painultimate alone and feel the tail wind is not as strong as previous years. Plugging away on the pedals I get caught by team Nova Scotia. Suddenly they now seemed interested to find out if I had any more short cuts as they had been trying to catch me for awhile, even though they set off first from Quadcruncher.  I told them they just took the scenic route. I was happy for their error as I now had another tow to the next challenge. At Painultimate I again struggle around but felt confident I was going to hold to my 4th place.

As I am leaving the transition I get a shock when I see Dave Kennedy just finishing his run also. I cycle hard up to Jacobs Ladder but can only walk up Mount Street. I'll never manage to cycle up that hill at this stage of the race. By running down Jacobs Ladder two steps at a time and a slow walk up I find Dave is not making any headway on me. Everyone is hurting, with Michael Carroll running on empty and looking it, Josh Whitehead was pointing out that he could still catch him if he was not careful. I don't think Michael cared so long as it was all over. With two more laps to go I see Dave making his move to catch me. I naturally try to raise my pace only to find I was flat out. The inevitable happened with less than 1 1/2 laps to go, Dave passed me. I graciously shook his hand but really wanted to knobble him so I could hold my 4th position. Afterwards I find out this guy ran the Kep ultra 100km marathon in 10hrs 22min, I now take it as a huge compliment to be on Jacobs at the same time as this man. As I stamp my card for the final time , I run to the finish chute and with a look at the clock I realised I have done my best time ever.