What a ride Delirious WEST 200 miler was in 2022! One that I honestly don't think you can fully understand unless you were there. One that I dont think I can fully understand, and I was there!
It was never going to be easy. But there were more curve balls thrown than there potentially should have been. But thats just all part of it really. I have to say I enjoyed this one more than 2020. Probably because I managed to get through this one injury free. That has to help right?
That was the aim. To finish, under cut off, injury free. Job done.
The first few legs where daily chill. I was feeling good. The body and mind were in a good space. I knew that it would be mid afternoon before I would see Candy (my amazing crew chief) again so I just settled in and found my groove. I played a game of leap from with Mick and Ashley for alot of the legs. Got scared shitless when a big branch crashed to the ground about 10m from me. Remembered why I hated sand. Tried to distract myself from thinking I would have to come back through this section in several days. I took photos and even some videos. I promised myself I would take more this time. That lasted for the first 2-3 legs and then I forgot. Or was tired. Or had poles in my hands so I couldn't hold my phone. Or a combination of all of these things. I remember not taking in enough fluids in the early stages last time, so was determined to make sure I almost emptied my pack each leg. Hydration in the heat was key. AndI am glad to say that I managed to stay really well hydrated without too much prodding from my crew and pacers the whole event. Food intake….well thats a slightly different story!
It was lovely to see Candy at Chesapeak Rd. We got in and out or the aid, got some food in, new socks and was ready to go on to one of my favourite sections. Through to Dog Rd. Clearly I love it as I don't remember all the trees and branches in the way that on the way back were terrible! I didnt see a single human from the start of this leg to the end. I came into Dog Rd being so excited to see humans! Candy had our aid stations down pat by now. And we got me in and out and refreshed. It would be the middle of the night before I would see her again and I was ready to get the first night started. My aim was to get to Pingerup Rd before dark. Tim and I just made it! We linked up a few KM’s into the leg and were mixing up hiking and running the downs. Good chats along the way and we pushed the last 2km to see Heath and Simone right as the sun was setting. They are amazing and have a way of just making you smile and feel a little less crazy for doing what we were doing. The hashbrowns and snickers bars with a cold gingerbeer really hit the spot. Hugs all around and it was off into the night.
Tim and I headed off into the darkness. We were moving well, he would often move ahead of me, and I would see his light turn around to make sure I was still coming. This leg I always find hard. Its the first night, body is fighting sleep, and you know there is still a long way to go until I could sleep. I was feeling positive though, and moving ahead of my schedule, but slow. A few KM from the end I encourgaed Tim to keep moving and stop waiting for me. I pumped the tunes, found a groove and in the end caught up to Tim again about 1km from the end. The aid station at Broke inlet Rd is always a sight for sore eyes! My aim was to get in and out as fast as possible and keep moving. Some caffeine and amazing risotto, Candy tending to my every need and I was off.
This is the leg that was not so much fun. I headed out knowing Tim wasn't far behind me. He caught up fast, and we chatted along with me in the lead. My head torch stopped and we swapped it out for my backup, and Tim took the lead. It was at this point I noticed that he was leaning heavily to the left. He said it wasn't normal for him, but could feel it happening and couldn't stop it. I just watched from behind, and he was definitely hitting the bushes on the left and he would occasionally fall into the bushes. He was still moving at a decent pace so I wasn't too concerned. It continues like this for most of the leg. At one point he was a bit ahead of me as I stopped for a toilet break and I heard him yell out as he landed in the bushes again and couldn't get up. From this point on I knew I had to stay close to him, but again he was moving well, just leaning to the left. Somewhere now, the sun started to come up. Bianca and Sue went past us. I didn't say much about Tim, as according to the map we were only about 500m out of the aid, and he was still moving ok, albeit he liked the bushes! This is when it went down hill. The last few KM’s his fatigue kicked in more. So many fall into bushes. Then there was the steps up to the aid, and down to the aid. Going up them I resorted to throwing my poles up the steps so I had both hands free to catch and support him up each step as he fell backwards. I remember thinking that if I lost my footing we were both screwed. At the top we then had to make it down. He went down the left side of the steps, and I walked on his right arms linked, pulling him as much as I could to the right so he wouldn't fall into the bushes. I knew it was likely just fatigue, but I couldn't stop thinking “what if it isn't fatigue, what if it is something else” . I was shattered and cursed Shaun for the extra KM’s but knew we were almost there. I got him to his crew and then it wasn't pretty. The tears. The mess. The “I don't want to do this anymore”. Poor Candy. I don't think she knew what to do. So many hugs. Some food. And encouraging words and I headed back out with Bianca, Sue and Mick. To the dreaded mandalay leg!
Hot and unrelenting sand. With a suspension bridge which is hell for someone who doesn't like heights at all, and then a mountain at the end. A literal mountain. That you feel like if you take one wrong step you will fall backwards and that wont be positive in any way. What a leg. It was long and hot. But I wouldn't have made it through in the time I did if I wasn't focused on keeping up with Bianca and Sue. So thank you ladies for the chats, the distractions and the moments to admire the views. You ladies are complete legends and I am so glad I got to share a leg of this amazing adventure with you both!
The aid was amazing. That Reuben sandwich was the best. Chats with Simon. Candy took care of everything I possibly needed. Apparently she had a massive speech ready for me here to get me to Walpole if I came in not wanting to go on anymore after the state i was in at Mandalay. But I was in good spirits and didn't need it! So off I went, driven by the thought of sleep at Walpole and seeing the rest of my crew. I was also nervous heading into this leg. It was this leg in which I hurt myself last time. I was determined to make it to Walpole uninjured. Which I did! I also ran into Sergio on this leg. He was looking amazing and stopped for a quick chat. He was convinced that he was only going to be in the lead for a short time, but he went on to win. Amazing!
Walpole sleep station. Food. Sleep. A message from my little man telling me how proud he is and that I am strong and to keep going. Blisters tended to. Zooper Doopers eaten. Life was good again. Little did I know the next two legs would not go to plan!
I headed out with Andrew for the stroll to the Giant Tingle Tree. We were clearly too engrossed in conversation as we went about 3km off course when we missed a turn. There were a few choice words that came out of my mouth. Not at Andrew, but at the situation. We had done 3 km down hill so now had 3km back uphill. It also meant we wouldn't make it into the next aid before dark. I wont lie. It was rough. But we made it. And I ate. And we headed back out. This time with Eve.
This was another shocker. At one point I was moving 1.5km/hour apparently. I was exhausted. In my head this leg was also fairly flat. It definitely was not flat. I could barely make my feet go up the hills. I wanted to go faster, but I just had nothing to give. It was so hard. I remember at multiple points thinking that this was it, race would be done if I couldn't go faster. I didn't realize at the time how much having my period was also impacting me. I was 24 hours in to my period, which is typically when I am flat and achy and exhausted. So having that hit me, as well as being night two into the event, it wasn't a great combination. I convinced Eve I needed a dirt nap. I pleaded for 5 minutes as I was hallucinating and my eyes were closing as I was walking. 5 minutes. I slept and dreamt. And woke up a new person. I could walk fast, I could talk. I couldn't stop and chat to the runners we came across as they headed back in. I was a new person. Suddenly I knew I could make it. Seeing that aid station at Tree Top walk was the best! Half way!!
A quick turn around, and this is where the race really did turn around for me. Shaz arrived as a pacer, and had her stash of caffeine tablets. Boy are they amazing! Those, along with 5 minute dirt naps, definitely got me across the line. I couldn't have done it without them!This leg I knew the pace I had to keep up, and I did. Cruising the downs, and going slow up with hills. I was feeling good again. My team had told me that I would have extra time due to helping Tim, but I didn't want to use it, I wanted to make the next Walpole cut off without it. There was a quick nap planned at giant tingle but I just wanted to get in and out and off to Walpole.
Giant Tingle to Walple was a lot of runable down with Neets. We stopped for photos and had a great chat admiring the views and the trees. Until the last few KM’s that went forever. And ever. I may have had a meltdown or two along this section knowing how fine I was cutting it. I made it in, with time for potatoes (which I normally hate!) and a zooper dooper. Then it was back out with 2 minutes to spare for a 30 minute nap on the grass with Eve before we headed out to Mt Clare. This leg was short. But hot. But fun with Eve. We had chats with a few people along the way, and made it into Mt Clare where I could have a decent nap. A whole 90 minutes. It was absolute bliss!
As my feet were tended to by Andrew and Candy, I sipped on amazing coffee from the team at the aid. And had some crackers. I was mentally trying to prep for this leg. I was dreading it. Sand. Dunes. Unrelenting. Although this time it would be dark as we were heading off at 630pm so the heat wouldn't be so much of an issue. Andrew and I set off. We realised half way down Mt Clare that we hadn't restocked toilet paper or tissues. We were just hoping my bowels would hold on until Mandalay (which they did!) as the back up of using a sling wasn't ideal! The dunes were unrelenting but easier in the cool of the night and I found myself going well. Bribing myself with coke at the top of the hills. The sugar was a win. I did need a dirt nap, and Andrew was so generous in giving me 6 minutes. I didn't last thought as I was uncomfortable. Panadol and the rest seemed to get me good though as I was up and going again, well ahead of schedule. They also stopped the hallucinations of easter eggs and angry men with serious mustaches and eyebrows. We hit the proper sand dunes. They seemed to go forever, as did the footprints on the sand. But we made it to Mandalay with time to spare. I don't think Andrew had ever been so happy and relieved to get me through what was going to be a hard leg, ahead of schedule and in good spirits.
I planned a nap in the chair, whilst Scott tended to my feet. It was absolute bliss. And apparently they were the best looking feet so far. Win! As much as I had blisters, they weren't overly bothering me when walking so it was all ok. Panadol was keeping the pain from the ones on my bottom of my feet at bay. Sitting for a nap, I was trying to drift off and I had headlights from a car shine in my eyes. I didn't appreciate it. I also didn't appreciate them not being turned off. I moved into the car to get some sleep as I needed 10 minutes, and as I drifted off, I was awoken by the same car, this time the car alarm going off. I was pretty unimpressed, so I decided to get up and go as sleep isn't happening. Caffeine tablets and redbull and coffee were my friends!
I was about to head out and the first of the 100 mile runner came into the aid. They looked so fresh and I felt like absolute rubbish, so exhausted.. But their cheery attitude definitely helped as I headed out into the night with Eve. It would be my last leg with her and I really wanted to have a good fun leg, with lots of laughs. It provided this! A few 100 milers went past, and then we kept expecting more to come past. And they didn't come. For hours. Until I decided I needed a toilet break and Jess turned the corner and caught me in my knickers. If we needed a laugh and a pick me up we got it! It was great to see her looking strong, a quick chat and off she went! The quick 5 minute nap in the huts or dirt were also still doing wonders. I had timed this one so I napped for 5 , and then the sun came up so we could take off the high vis and head lamps. Bliss! This leg was fun. I was feeling great. Running some sections. Making up time. Laughing and enjoying it. Another toilet break, and another 100 miler caught up. Clearly I just needed to pee more and they would catch up! I was feeling good. Moving well. No pain. This was amazing. We could see the rain coming, so pushed to get in before it rained. We just made it! Into the care for a sleep and the rain started. Bliss!!
I also need to mention that it was during this leg (or maybe it was the leg to Mt Clare - I don't know!!) that our team name came about. Team Double Butter Single Filling. Eve offered me some vegemite sandwich. She proudly said it has double butter. I had no idea what she meant. She apparently only butters one piece of bread when making a sandwich. Unlike normal people who butter both pieces of bread, and have one side with the filling such as vegemite. She was convinced I was the crazy abnormal one. We have since tested the theory out and most people have double butter as the standard. Hence #teamdoublebuttersinglefilling was born!
A lay down at Broke Inlet Rd, had a rest and woke just as the rain stopped. I was tended too as I ate and drank. My crew were honestly so amazing. Nothing was too much for them. They gently got food into me, or drinks with high calories to keep me going. Fluid intake hadn't been an issue the whole time but solid food as definitely not easy to get into me. I headed off with Shaz and her caffeine stash once again. We planned 12 hours until we met the crew again, as Pingerup was a no crew aid. We ended up doing it in about 9 hours. It was during this leg when I was moving well, pain free, and dared to dream of making it in under 100 hours. Oh how so much had changed, from being worried I wouldn't make the cut off, to dreaming of under 100. The rollercoaster of a 200 miler never disappoints. What does disappoint is when you think you are at the aid, and then there is an extra 1km. Thanks Shaun, again. This aid I ate so well and hydrated, thanks Emma and team! A few of the 100 milers also caught up here and it was so lovely to see some of them! We headed out, caffeinated up again, and powered through this leg. The weather gods were certainly on my side, as the day was cloudy and overcast. This leg was 18km on gravel or sandy road. It was easy walking, and easy downhills that were runable. The hut was perfectly timed for a 7 minute lay down (so generous!) and as I woke the 100milers were there. I was refreshed and ready to get into Dog Rd and out for the last night on the trails. It also realized now that I had seen the whole course in daylight. There were previously whole sections that I had only done in the dark so it was lovely to see it during the day!
I powered into Dog Rd, sent Shaz ahead with my requests, and seeing the team waiting for me when I got there was amazing. We had made up time, and if I kept going like this, then under 100 hours was on the cards! A clothing change, food, a sausage, and fluids, my feet taken care of and I was good to go. Neets and I headed out, feeling good! Until we hit all the branches. I honestly thought that all the branches across the track were in the next leg. Nope, they were in this one. Not fun on tired legs and in the dark. I was in good spirits, until the leg was a good km longer than expected. I hit a wall. I was pissed off. I wanted a nap. I felt horrible, the team was ready to have a double butter single filling joke, and I was so angry just saying I need bed now. Sorry team!
A quick lay down. Force fed me. Changed shoes to some a size bigger. And I was off. My last leg with Andrew. We met up with some of the 100 milers, just as my caffeine tablet kicked in. Oh my, I am sure they were wondering who this crazy chatty lady was. I didn't shut up. And I am sure I wasn't making much sense. Whoops! I honestly don't remember all that much about this leg. Other than that. Oh and the hut nap. I felt terrible that someone was sleeping in it, then found out it was a man I had run into earlier when I was with Bianca and Sue. At first I thought it was a little creepy that he remembered me, and it was pitch dark. As a female I always have my guard up a little. I later found out he was the completely opposite of creepy and actually an angel for another runner. A lesson to never judge, but be alert!
Coming over the bridge into the last aid. Ahead of schedule. Freezing cold. I had a 10 minute nap. I shoved some food in. I was exhausted. Shattered. But ready to go with Neets for the final leg.. I was so freezing. It was about 3 am I think. And so damn cold. It took ages and ages to warm up. The first point was for Neets to get me to the hut 8 km in. I was going to be allowed a 8 minute nap for 8 km. So generous Neets, thank you! It was a struggle. So cold. So tired. I barely made it.
Out of the hut, I had my last caffeine tablet. I actually couldn't swallow it, and it came back up. Neets picked it up off the ground, dusted it off, broke it in half and made me swallow it. That's teamwork right there. I definitely wouldn't have made the time I did without that tablet. The rest of the leg was a struggle. Some good bits with the caffeine kicked in. Then it crashed. I was running on absolute empty. I was emotionally shattered. I was physically shattered. Several times I stopped and sobbed against my poles. Neets was absolutely amazing in getting me going each time. Even if she did take the most unflattering photo of my butt in the air as I attempted a final dirt nap.I knew the section would be terrible. And it was. Brian came running towards us at one point, saying I looked great. I knew I didn't. I couldn’t hide how I was feeling. It was hot. I was ready for it to be done. We came across the emu export. Another goal ticked off. I wanted to be in a good enough state to have a drink. In 2020 I couldn't, as I was terrified I wouldn't finish. In 2022 I opened it, had a drink and it almost came back up. But we took a moment, Neets had a drink, I had a few more mouthfuls and we were off for the last few KM’s.
I remember talking about the rollercoaster. And wondering if the front runners have as much of a roller coaster as us back of the packers. Do they get all the feels, and as many highs and lows as I had, compressed into less time? Or do they have less as they are out there for less time so have less sleep deprivation etc? The thoughts of a sleep deprived ultra runner. We hit the railway line. I knew we were close. I saw Glen coming towards me. He is seriously the most amazing coach. Im lucky to have him on my side. Others thought I was crazy to even attempt one 200 miler, let alone now do the 3 this year. He may think I'm crazy, but never said not to attempt it! Further down I saw the rest of my crew. Andrew, Shaz, Candy and then Eve via video call. Honestly the best crew I could have asked for #teamdoublebuttersinglefilling.
I stopped for a call to my amazing husband and kids. I wanted to show them the finish line and that I had made it. It was so good just to see their faces. Then it was the walk to the finish. A couple of hundred meters to go. And I made it in under 100 hours. What a ride.
99.5 hours. 98.25 adjusted time.
5 hours sleep
7 hours 10 minutes of rest time (including the 5 hours sleep)
Lots of blisters but less than last time
So many laughs
So many stories and chats that are just for the trail
The most amazing team who had my back the whole way.
Discovered the joy of a dirt nap.
But most importantly - I have gained confidence that I can actually do this 200 mile stuff and that 2020 wasn't a fluke. I know I thought it was at times. And I know other people thought it and doubted me as well. Maybe, just maybe, this wife, this mum of three, this chiropractor, this average joe who didn't own trail shoes or a hydration vest or anything else on the mandatory gear list, until about 6 months prior to running a 200 miler in 2020 might just pull off this triple crown in 2022.
When someone asks me why I do this, my answer is still the same. Why not? Why wouldn't you give it a go. Push the limits. Dare to dream. Do scary things. Because they often turn out to be the best adventures. With the most amazing people.
And more importantly - I am proud of myself. I did some scary and hard things out there. And they turned out to be pretty damn amazing. So worth it. Even if I still can't feel my toes a week later.
