21st June 2020
We all know 2020 has not been a great year… However, despite the fires which raged through Australia earlier in the year and the introduction of COVID the Kowen Winter Trails was able to go ahead.
Let me be real for a moment. Coming off a big year of races in 2019 I had burnt the candle at both ends and ended up exhausted, stack this with the lack of races in the first half of 2020 my mentality took a hit. I found it difficult to focus on other aspects of my life other than training and from my break in December to January I became very critical on my efforts.
Thus, coming back into my first race since GSER, November 2019, I was sceptical of my abilities. Nevertheless, I gathered my courage and took to the start line in front of the Wamboin Fire Brigade.
Kowen Trail Run owner, Pam Muston, had outdone herself with this race. We abided by COVID restrictions with staggered starting waves where each runner self-seeds (self-seeding: where an individual assesses their own abilities and places themselves in an appropriate starting wave) from the slowest runners in the first wave and the fastest runners last wave, this allowed the race to finish in a shorter time frame than if it was normal.
There was a cold chill in the air and the energy was high as I lined up at the start line with my competitors. A smile spread across my face as I felt the race energy and thought of the challenge ahead of us all today. The countdown ticked over and we were off, Michael Daly setting a fast pace to start the marathon. Following the road for 1km we turn onto fire trail with a small incline and shortly after enter into a section of single track.
There were several river crossings in this race today, one in particular was within the first 7km and the water was half way up my shins. With water logged shoes I continued to push a sub 4:30 pace and suffered for it later.
When I reached the ‘roller coaster’ around 30km I was spent and had to dig deep because I knew the Ammungala Hill was on its way. William Barlow had come out in the middle of the course to cheer myself and others on, I saw him at the perfect time and was imbued with new energy. I pulled back on my pace to focus on my breathing and before I knew it, I was looking up the sheer cliff of the Ammungala Hill. Thankfully this hill is no mountain as it peaks in less than a kilometre.
I was tanked after this hill but there was around 5km to go, so I look for more energy deep into the emotions of mind. I am now on the same fire trail which took me out, now heading to the finish. Along the way I notice John Harding, a local legend in the trail running scene, out taking photos of the runners. We exchange a brief hello and wave, seeing John refuelled my energy a little and I continued to push. I eventually reach the initial single section and start to pick up my pace again thinking of the finish line feels. I brake out of the single track and switch on the after burners coming down the last section of fire trail. I take a left and am back onto the road leading to the Wamboin Fire Brigade, the finish line. I push hard holding around a 4:30 pace and finish strong in 3:51:10.
I spent my time at the finish line eating a veggie burger, congratulating other finishers and cheering on the runners coming in after me.
The Kowen Trail runs are simply wonderful. In my runs they have always been organised, runner focused and bring a local vibe to the day. It brings out many volunteers who chose not to run but participate in other means and parts of the race entries go towards the Wamboin Fire Brigade. In summary this race is a must do if you are a Canberra or New South Wales local, if your interstate then come along anyway and enjoy.
A big shout out to race owners Pam and Jenny, and to all volunteers.
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