My Day Of Pain

Brilliant event, completed it, never again it nearly killed me, is what I told my wife after finishing Painathlon 2007. With this in mind, how did I find myself at the start of Painathlon 2008.

It all began when I met Jono and Kinga at the Point Walter triathlon. Jono informed me that it was definitely on again and was I interested. Well the body had recovered and the memories were of the good time I had at 2007, it seemed so easy to say yes count me in.

With plenty of time to train and build my endurance, I never did. Race day was getting closer, I tried to get in a few long runs then crashed my bike injuring my leg stopping me running. With 3 weeks to heal before the event, I was unsure if I should do it. I decided to give it a go because I had raised some
sponsorship money.

Race day arrives and I'm awake at 4.30am feeling rather nervous. I eat my breakfast, make sure I have everything, then off to City Beach to register.  Before long we are all lined up, and on our way. I found running in the sand very hard and with my heart rate soaring, am amazed at all the people in front of me flying along pulling away from me. The brain begins to register how hard this event is and what I've let myself in for. 3 laps could not come quick enough. 1 down, 9 to go.

On my bike, over to Reabold Hill now with a Zipp 404 "demo wheel" on the front. Zipp say the slower you cycle, the more time the Zipp will save you. I was counting on it.

I tried to keep my running at a comfortable pace but on the third lap of Mount Pain my calf cramped, I was reduced to walking already. The ride to the bridges helped but as soon as I ran it locked up again. Piotr caught me and we ran together for a while. Noticing he had a HRM on, I asked what it was. 150 beats he declared, which was fine for him but I knew mine was a lot higher. I bid him farewell and slowed down. I struggled around and was glad to get back on the bike.

The ride to The Truth was not nice with both calf's cramping. I tried pedalling fast, slow and pushing down with my heel just to keep the bike moving and the muscle from cramping. This Zipp wheel must be saving me a heap of time because I was going nowhere fast. I met Brad at the lights at Toodjay Road and found he was suffering with cramps too. We completed The Truth together, walking the uphills and running the flats and downhills.  Exchanging water bottles and quick bite to eat,(I think the food stop is a
lovely touch to put in the event) we set off to Quadcruncher. Taking it in turns to cramp as we go, we catch up to Dan and work well as a 3 up until the Tonkin Highway turn off, where Dan kept going to "Welshpool Road"??? Confused Brad and I turn down The Tonkin.

Using the same tactics as the Truth we walked the uphills at Quadcruncher. Met Dan, starting the Valley Run as we were finishing it, he seemed a little annoyed realising his mistake. Running down Quadcruncher I slipped and fell on the rocks cutting my hip and arm. Leg seemed to still work so we kept going, a little more carefully.

On our way to Painultimate I ate my powerbar which seemed to give me new found strength to cycle. Brad sat on the back and enjoyed the tow. The run was hard with Brad feeling it more. My pace was slightly faster and I crawled ahead. I was planning on waiting for Brad at transition if he was closer, (honest mate) but set off for Jacobs Ladder alone.

The ride to Jacobs Ladder was a good feeling as I was now confident of finishing and in the time limit. Last year I hit Mount Street with everything I had left and got 1/4 of the way up. This year I kept my running
shoes on and bailed, pushing the bike to the top. With 10 laps of Jacobs ladder to go, I find I can fly down the stairs but only walk up. With the people at the top cheering every lap, I feel I should be running up with effort but the walking was me flat out. I see Jenni starting her laps and realise that she has smashed her record. Well done Jenni. The run/wobble to the finish line is one of relief and great satisfaction on completing this fantastic event.

Thanks to the volunteers, especially the girls (should know your names, sorry) at the top of Jacobs Ladder, it would not be the same without you, good luck to Kinga, hope all goes/went well, very good excuse for not doing it this year.

Marek