Paceline People

                                                                                      June 2011

Running, Places & People - 6ft Foot Track
By David Brown

The Six Foot Track -  45 km - Ultra Marathon was the toughest event I have ever attempted and delighted to say I conquered.
 
Like most things, "signing on" was the biggest step, yet once that step was taken things started to fall into place and the mind and body, started to make it happen.
 
Training levels and distances started to increase, I became pretty familiar with the Awaba Hill, I realised that Artarmon has a lot of hills and plenty of nice homes and that Grape Endura Gel can 
almost taste like a treat. 
 
Talking to Adam Connor, who I have come to know well through Paceline, he mentioned the Six Foot Track and the fact that any distance over Marathon distance, is considered an Ultra Marathon. 
 
I though this all sounded pretty good, did not ask too many more questions and then got ready to enter.  Sometimes it’s best not to know the details.
 
If you thought running a marathon is tough, getting into the Six Foot Track is even tougher.
 
Entries opened at 9.00 am and by about 9.02 am it seemed that entries had closed.  Being first on the wait list, ensuring that I had a valid and recent Marathon Qualifying time, of under 4 hrs 20 minutes, made the process all the more challenging.
 
Yet when the start gun went, I was there, nervous as hell, to achieve the longest and toughest event, I had thus far ever attempted.
 
This is not a short race, this is not a flat race, this is not a road race, this is not a quick run with a few friends followed by a coffee, this race is tough and as such this race is brilliant. 
 
Mind you, some runners have done this event, many times over and keep coming back. These girls and guys certainly knew what was in store. 
 
Their key advice was to keep a bit of petrol in the tank. For me, it would have been so easy to overdo it early and not make it
 
During the race, I didn't see the great scenery, I didn't talk a lot to fellow runners, I didn't enjoy the hills, yet I loved the race and the fact that at the 40 km mark I felt great, I had taken on plenty of energy and fluid along the way and I knew I would finish well.  
 
It was from this point on that I really enjoyed the race, the cooling effect of the rain, the finish at Caves House, the Medal, the massage, the catching up with some truly great runners, enjoying a few beers, a great meal with new friends and Jenolan Caves.
 
The most enjoyable event, I have ever competed in.
 
For me, the Six Foot Track, epitomises, the very reason that I run, "I love running, the places I go and the people that I meet"
 
Will I be there next year .... absolutely.
 
Would I recommend the event ....... you bet.
 
See you all at training.