Boston Marathon by Maya Borthwick

Boston marathon race report

by Maya Borthwick

5.40 am - I wake up before my alarm goes off, excited, race day is finally here. I jump out of bed and look out the window. The weather and what it’s going to do on race day has been a hot topic, with predictions for rain, thunderstorms and wind. It’s raining outside and windy but no thunderstorms yet, phew!

Andrew and I jog slowly over the bridge to the Boston Common where the buses collect runners to take them out to the start line. We’re almost there when the rain starts, then the thunder. The rain is torrential and I’m grateful for the rain poncho that I bought from 7/11. It’s not fancy but it’s keeping me dry. I meet Juny and her friend and say goodbye to Andrew. We stand in the line for the bus and we’re on in a matter of minutes.

45 mins later we arrive at the athletes village in Hopkinton. The rain has stopped. We file into the village. The rain has turned the ground into a bog and there’s no choice but to walk through the mud. In parts I can barely lift my feet up due to the suction from the squelchy mud underneath, thankfully I’ve brought a change of shoes with me and they’re dry. A quick pit stop and then we line up for the corrals, the time here goes more quickly than I expected.

I line up two rows from the front. I figure this is far enough back to stop me getting carried away with the enthusiastic runners at the start. We wait at the start line for around 20 minutes and then the count down begins. 3,2,1 and we’re off. The first km is a steep downhill, I feel like I’m holding back but as I hit the 1 km mark I look at my watch, 3.52 whoops! I slow a bit to what feels to me like around 4.15 pace but every time I look at my watch it says I’m doing low 4min kms. I go through 5km in 20.25. Uh oh! I hope that the fast start won’t come back to bite me later on.

Even though it seems like we’re in the country, people line the streets the whole way. There are blokes drinking beers and cheering us and kids are everywhere, putting their hands out for high fives. I try to high five a few but it’s hard to do this and to keep momentum. I hit 10 kms in 41 mins- still too fast but I’m feeling good.

The next 10 kms goes quickly although it flattens out a bit here. I take this as a good sign as in previous marathons even the first half has seemed long. I go through half way in 1.28.30, still well on target for a sub 3 hour race. Just before we reach the half way mark we hit the Wellesley college scream tunnel. It’s fantastic, it seems like every girl in the college has turned up to cheer us on. They’re waving placards, asking for kisses...hopefully they get a few.

At 27 kms we hit the Newton hills, 4 hills in succession, covering 7kms. I realise now that I’ve gone out too hard. The hills seem like they go forever and the downhill seems brief. The last hill, Heartbreak Hill, is between 33 and 34 km and by now I’m cooked, my legs are shattered and it’s also starting to get hot on course, there’s no shade to speak of. I crest the hill and look at my watch, uh oh, 5.19 pace, I need to make up time now. I lean down the hill and cover the next km in 4.16 but I can’t keep it up. I’m still on track for a PB though.

The next 6kms are so hard, it’s still not flat, a bit of downhill is followed by more uphill. I try to pick up my legs and go faster, I’m thinking about the race pace tempos I did in the park after 20kms but my legs won’t cooperate. I think about everyone tracking me at home and how they’d be seeing me slow, I manage a few faster kms. We’re right into Boston now and the crowds are huge. People are cheering and calling out my name, stay strong Maya, looking good. Except I know that I’m not. I set myself a goal of keeping under 5 min kms. In the last 2kms my quads start cramping and I walk a bit. Finally I come into Boylston Street and I can see the finish line. I try and pick it up again for the finish, I can still get a PB. I cross the line and stop my watch. 3.08.16.

The Boston marathon was a truly amazing race, great atmosphere, huge buzz and the most challenging course I've run to date. I’m now looking forward to ticking off the other world marathon majors.

Maya on her way to a PB 3.08.16 in her first Marathon Major

Rejoovers & Hurt squad mates at celebratory drinks post marathon

Alpine Ascent by Susan McCallum

Looking for a trail challenge after Coastal Classic I was taken by Fran’s description of ‘awesome’ for Alpine Ascent. Who could refuse a run up Kosciuszko? Cathy Rowney was quickly on board and even my husband who hates racing reluctantly agreed. After all, it was ‘only 25k’ and cutoff times were generous. Characteristically fearless, Nadine Aronheim went straight for 50. Greta did her best with the training plans and many weeks of hills in the steamy summer heat followed , up and down city streets, Manly Dam trails and the Blue Mountains , with backpacks bursting with mandatory gear ( waterproof pants, anyone?) .

Finally we made the trip down, surprised at the delicious mountain chill . Jindabyne was buzzing with runners looking for vegan treats, bandaids and beer.

The start was at Charlottes Pass with the ski lifts strangely empty on a beautiful sunny morning As we trotted off up the hill I could feel the effects of 1800 m altitude -sloow . Might need to revise that ambitious 3:30 goal....A short descent to the first of a few creeks sorted out the runners - orderly queue for the stepping stones( them) or run straight through the water ( us) . Then followed a long and winding trail with occasional stairs passing through fantastic mountain scenery ever upwards above the Blue Lake and Lake Albina with a few patches of single trail to keep us on our toes. Plenty of walk - run allowed for inspiring chat with fellow runners: ‘ great view ’ gasp- ‘yeah! ‘ We were high on life! Or low on oxygen! Just when I thought we could climb no more we linked up with the main trail to ascend Kosci. Cold wind gusts reminded me that we were at the top of Australia , as did the tourists wrapped up in puffer jackets and beanies- Why was I in my shorts and singlet again ? No time for questions, onwards and upwards to the cairn at the top and a quick selfie in the howling gale. ‘Get down before the rain comes’ was the general advice from experienced vollies and we began a glorious run down the gravel trail to the Snowy River and on to Rawson’s pass. The single aid station had just a bottle of water and a few red frogs by the time I shuffled past . As I came to the top of the hill to begin the final descent there was a roar from the Valley- Stephanie Auston had just won the 50k outright! I staggered home in 3:29 meeting Fran who had come in earlier, rapt to get a pb . Shortly after, the first male winner for the 50 arrived across the line , still smiling . Cathy and I caught up with Aiofe and a few beers while we sat around to wait for the 50 k runners . Through the afternoon as the rain came down and the wind picked up we had opportunity to wear all our mandatory gear . We cheered Nadine across the finish in the dark - absolute hero . Everyone slept very well that night! Bonus was my husband discovering he’d won his AG in the 12k and attending the medal presentation next day with the incredible Steph Auston .

I’ll definitely be back next year , waterproof pants and all !

All smiles ladies!!

Rock stars!!

Northburn NZ 100 MILES by Lisa Mintz

Northburn 100 mile race done. Got my buckle within the 48 hours required. If I’m crazy enough to enter I now have a Hard Rock qualifier. Only one race in Oz and one in NZ are qualifiers. 
Thank you Greta and Chris for the awesome training and just as importantly each and ever member for your camaraderie, encouragement and friendships along the way. 
A very tough race in extreme weather ranging from
searing heat to gale like wind storms over a 47 hour period. I’m in a total daze at present. I can’t quite comprehend it. 
I was very lucky to have two amazing pacers. One did the second 50 km with me and one did the last 60. To be totally honest, I would not have this belt buckle without their help. They deserve a piece of it. 
The first pacer was great at reminding me to fuel often and put on more clothes at night, she knows the mountain well and was good at spotting markers at night. This helped keep me strong, healthy and safe. 
The second was my friend Alia who came with from Sydney. She kept me at pace and moving forward in the last 10 kms when I said to her. What are we here for? I don’t care about the buckle anymore. I want to go to sleep. 
This has been a dream of mine. 
Four, 100 Miler’s started. Second one completed. But first one completed within offical cut off. I’m elated, tired and happy. Goal achieved. 
Blessed to have the health, and family and friendships supporting me to do this. I never take that for granted. Thank you all xx

Lisa Mintz with her belt buckle scoring her 100 miles - biggest congratulations Lisa!!