My first race of the year and I was sure to make the most of it!

I had earmarked the Run Warrandyte 15km event as a must do at the end of 2022. A friend had ran it previously in 2019 and was keen to do it again. So, I thought I’d join too!

We arrived early at the registration area, picked up the race bib and dropped off the bag in the Footy Clubrooms. After a light warm up, we returned to the race start area and found our space, eagerly anticipating the starting gun. 

We were off!

I raced off toward the front and quickly moved into the top 5 or so runners. I had looked at previous year’s results to try and determine where what kind of time would be achievable. I was targeting a sub 65 minute run for the event, which would hopefully land me on the podium. I had also been warned that it was a very hilly course so take it easy in the early stages! Against this advice, I pushed hard from the start.

The course was a 5 km loop we were to complete 3 times (for the 15km event). We ran alongside the Yarra River and up over some quite undulating terrain, on and off road. The course was around 50% road, 50% off road.

I had decided to use my fast road shoes for the event, a pair of the Nike Vaporfly Next % 2’s which were perfect. At the tail end of Summer, the course was quite dry so the terrain was firmly packed. If it had been wet, I would have gone with my regular trainers, the Nike Pegasus or even a trail shoe like the Hoka Speedgoats or similar. 

I was moving well and managed the first loop in 19:25 minutes (3:53 min/km or 6:15 min/mi). I was in second place. There were a couple of half marathoners that had raced off at the start and only one other in front of me completing the 15 km event. It was on!

At the 7 km mark after heading back up over the top of the first big hill, I started to get some stomach cramps. I was filming the run on my GoPro and had elected to carry it in a Naked Running Band. After taking the GoPro out of the band, the cramping began to cease. Ah well, I’d be running with the camera in my hand for the rest of the way. A small price to pay!

There were some other events that had started prior to me completing 5km and I was starting to catch up with the slower runners. I had to call out to several that were blocking the track that I was looking to pass. Fortunately, this was always met with a “no worries” or “yes” as they moved aside. There were some narrow tracks which made passing tricky but not a huge deal. Just keep moving forward.

I finished the second loop and started on the third and final one. I was getting tired. I hadn’t tapered for this event as I was midway through my Ultra-Trail Australia training block. The hills were getting harder to climb. I managed my way up the final one and let myself go down the last road stretch, a long 1.5km descent with a final turn into the finish. I couldn’t see anyone catching me. Surely I had 2nd place sewn up!?

I turned into the finish in a time of 1:02:36 (4:05 min/km or 6:34 min/mi). This was better than I had initially anticipated. 

I helped myself to a second breakfast of a bacon and egg roll before heading to Now and Not Yet for a 3rd breakfast. Well deserved, don’t you think?

Race Specific Tips

• If dry conditions, you should be able to use road shoes (I used Nike Vaporflys);
• If wet conditions, use a trail shoe OR road shoes with sufficient tread;
• Yell out “Passing on the right” when you’re looking to pass a slower runner – the trails are narrow;
• Book in breakfast for afterward – “Now and Not Yet” is a good cafe to check out!
• Be prepared for the hills – Total Elevation Gain of 110m for EACH 5km loop

Elapsed Time:     1:02:36      Pace:      4:05 min/km OR 6:34 min/mi

Overall 2nd Place of 33 Competitors

Strava – Check it out HERE