Scott Knabel is on a mission: to change his life. Through trail running.
Judged as morbidly obese by doctors, he has tried and failed to change his lifestyle in the past. But this is different. This time he’s playing dirty.
Specifically, he’s taking on the Salomon Trail Run Series in Melbourne, Australia, as the stepping stone to losing weight, picking up energy, getting healthier, kicking any leanings toward depression, and, eventually, he wants to conquer a 100km ultra, with the Two Bays, Maroondah Dam Trail Run, Surf Coast Century and The North Face 100 all lined up in his ambitious sights. That’s what we call inspiration.
This is the second video (below) in the series following Scott’s Quest as he shows what is possible. If you haven’t met Scott, learn about his backstory in the Episode 01video here.
SCOTT’S QUEST EPISODE 2
The video above captures Scott’s first ever trail race – 10km around the trails of Melbourne’s Yarra Bend.
Stay tuned for his next effort at Race #2, Lower Plenty Gorge.
A video jaunt of the first fifty kays of the Surf Coast Century – a new 100km trail ultra on Victoria’s Surf Coast – through the eyes of top end ultra runners Matt Coops, Julian Spence and Chris Wight.
Stay tuned for Ep02 with Coops plying the back end of the course for the first full recce by potential pointy enders come 22 September…
Goody, goody, gum, gum. Yep, it’s the Goodies tune stuck in my head as I whip around the unexpected trail goodness to be found in Yellow Gum Park, on the north east fringe of Melbourne’s suburbia. But I could be in the wilderness, really, as I drop down (twice) into Lower Plenty Gorge, dip over two creeks and generally have a blast on mostly singletrack, with the odd glimpse of a Melbourne skyline reminding me that, while I can see it, I’m a world away from the concrete canyons, and enjoying a run through some dirty (albeit mini) ones.
This guide is great for those looking to enter the Salomon Trail Run Series, the route roughly the same as the course for Race #2 happening on 29 July.
Check out a course preview video below.
NAME OF TRAIL RUN: Yellow Belly Blast / Race 2 of the Salomon Trail Run Series NEARBY SUBURB: Plenty (3.5km); Diamond Creek (8km) DISTANCE FROM CBD: 30km in kilometres EXACT LOCATION: Yellow Gum Park, Goldsworthy Lane, Plenty TOTAL ROUTE DISTANCE: 11.5km TYPE OF TRAIL RUN: Loop run DIFFICULTY: easy to moderate DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS: sweeping single track, creek crossings, gun stands, gorge lookouts ONLINE REFERENCE:www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/plenty-gorge-parklands BEST MAP/S: Parks Victoria. Note that many trails are not on available maps. This one’s a bit of an adventure run, but very hard to get lost. RUN IT:
Set off into the bushland following a wide double track that drops to the left of the toilet block. Keep holding to the left trail and you’ll drop into a small gully. That incline directly ahead? Yes, run up it following the fence line and admire the views at the grassland apex. Reaching the end of the fence, hook left, following a weaving trail though a stand of gums. You’ll come back to the fence line and the trail peters a little just as you hit a valley. Keep going, dropping down the gully and back up the other side where the trail becomes better padded, and on up to a wooded ridge.
Hook right onto the main trail. Pick up the pace as you weave and hop over log and stone obstacles until on your right you see, through the trees, a track darting up a vertiginous hill. That’s you. Drop down and then up it, pumping until you hit a trail at the top. Turn left on a double track until it hits what looks like a dead end. Time for fun. Scoot down the trail to your left, duck the branch, and hold on as you plummet down into the first of two creek crossings.
There are no signs on this course at all, so you will have to use your sense a little when it comes to which track to choose. Although, you’re bounded on every side by unseen suburb, so you can’t get lost. Use the course of the gorge to orientate yourself.
After the first water crossing, head left along the riverbank – the trail will eventually take you uphill. Follow it but keep heading left at each juncture, staying on main trails.
The path will weave to the right and through a tight stand of tee-trees. Follow the trail until you closer again to the riverbank and a big old yellow bridge. Here you’ll come out on a wide ‘runway’ – a cleared road that tests your legs uphill. Once you hit the corner of the new housing estate, turn right back into the park proper on a double track road. Stay on it veering left, down a gully, back up. At a T-intersection, take a right and very quickly look to your left – you’ll find a small trail following the contour of gorge arm. It’s a sweet trail that takes you on a ‘U’ back over the other side, and along, where you will hit a main trail again. There is another similar loop of straight ahead, or you can turn left for a big rock descent into the second creek crossing.
Up the other side, you have a climb before following singletrack along the highline of the gorge – great views all along here, until eventually you come out at a small quarry dam. You can veer steeply uphill back to the carpark, or loop the lake and climb up the opposite side of the hill that hosts the toilets, picnic area and your car.
POST RUN GOODNESS: Nearby Diamond Creek is the closest town for any kind of post run nosh or caffeine hit. The Vine Cafe gets a decent wrap, Piccalo Meccanico gets the nod for good coffee (most of the time, assuming the A-team Barista is on) and Degani’s Bakery always a safe and satisfying option. All are located on Chute St/Main Street, Diamond Creek.
Organised by members of Wagga Wagga Road Runners and headed by Event Director Peter Fitzpatrick, an accomplished distance runner , the inaugural Hume and Hovell ultra trail event has opened for business, and set to take it’s initial outing Saturday 20th October.Trail Run Maggot got the low down on what’s in store from the RD…
Peter as the RD for the inaugural Hume and Hovell, tell me what was the spark for creating this race – over what bottle of red was it conceived and what was the thinking that convinced you it’d make a top ultra?
In November 2011 we heard a group of runners from Sydney area, Darrel Robbins, Andrew Vize and Terry Coleman were running the entire length of the Hume and Hovell Walking Track. Warwick Hull and myself joined them on a section of the track for a day. After about 5km in I said, “Boy, this would make an excellent ultra, 50/100 and 100 mile run!”
Two weeks later I went to see Warwick at his office. I then decided to find someone from AURA (Australian Ultra Running Association) who could advise me with the insurance side of things. Bernadette at AURA was so helpful and so easy to talk to. So with the help of Bernadette, Val (my wife), Darrel Robbins, Warwick Hull and Phil Roy, we are up and running.
The Hume & Hovell will have a strong historical connection – talk me through that…
In 1824 Hume and Hovell were sent out at their own expense by Governor Sir Thomas Brisbane further inland to explore where the western rivers run, what lay between the furthest settlement and Bass Strait. A group of convict servants were provided to assist the explorers and several of the points along the track were named after the convicts. After 11 weeks of exploration they returned disappointed they had not reached their nominated destination. The actual Hume and Hovell Walking Track is 450km long and was a bicentennial project in 1988 .
Talk me through the physical course – what kind of run will it be in general, what unique terrains and environments are we talking and what defines the race?
The track consists of a lot of single track and fire trails and the first half is very challenging. The first 7km is through the old goldmine areas with several points of interest marked. The next few kilometres you will see where the miners have cut through granite rock to get water for the mines. Then you will run along about 11kms of an unused water race, which supplied water to the township of Tumbarmba.
Another section runs through huge trees, which stand tall – some were used for milling purposes in years gone by. There is a section where brumbies roam freely, wombat holes, fantastic bird life and a shelter used by the pioneers. At about the 40km mark you have climbed to around 1250 metres, then, it drops down to 450m where the 50km event joins in and at the finish you are down to 320m. The 50km run starts on the Jounama Dam wall joining the 100 km runners on the track near Ben Smith’s camp site. We all then run along the full length of Blowering dam on the edge of thousands of acres of pine forests, finishing over an 800 metre downhill section to the park/picnic area below the wall.
There’s a special section of the run that in the inaugural year won’t be included – what is the story there?
The section being detoured was damaged beyond repair for the time being due to the massive flash flooding and wash away earlier in the year. Huge landslides in the area of Buddong Falls and limited time to repair it has forced us to make the detour. This is disappointing to miss seeing the beautiful Buddong Falls. We hope it will be repaired for next year.
What kind of support are you offering runners in the first year – checkpoints, aid stations, food etc?
Support to the runners will be in the form of number checks to ensure everyone is safe; checkpoints to include food, drinks and a First Aid person, radio contact to the finish line and compulsory safety bag check before going into the night section. There will be a doctor and paramedic on the course. Support crew access is at 32.8km and at 80.5kms.
October timing – what the weather will be like is anyone’s guess, but in general what does the timing mean for conditions in that region?
From 1965 to 2007 average temperature was 19.2 max to min 5.2 degrees Celcius. Entrants need to be aware that the weather in the mountains can change within a matter of an hour. And runners need to be prepared.
Are there any restrictions on numbers or…
Yes. We have a cut off of 100 entrants in both events so we can manage them on the remote course. Entries are open! www.humehovellultra.com/
There’s a bit of logistics in travel for this ultra being a point to point – talk me through them…
The 50km run will be provided bus transport only to the start on the Jounama Wall. Bus pick up will be at the Blowering Power Station picnic area, 15 km from Tumut.
The 100 km run is starting at Henry Angel Trackhead, 9km from Tumbrumba on the Tooma Road. Arrangements can be made for those entering without support crews regarding vehicle collection.
In some ways, the ‘culture’ of an ultra event is as important as the distance and the terrain… what kind of vibe do you want to build around this event? Is it aimed at elites? Teams? First timers?
Being a runner for over 30 years, with a passion, I would love other runners to enjoy the beautiful area and remoteness of an untouched running track. We have made a generous cut off time to allow first timers as well as the elite to experience the emotional side of running.
Speaking of which – is this the kind of event a first timer should contemplate – why or why not?
I think it is an ideal run for first timers: all the tough bits are out of the way in the first half and the rest is scenic and reasonably comfortable running.
Gear – heavy on requirements or…?
We have made up a list of the safety equipment needed similar to other 100 k events. Check the website.
Post race goodness – what winery/pub/gastro delights should be visited for post race celebrations?
There are 3 hotels, clubs in a reasonably small timber country town. We are having presentations and breakfast at the finish / picnic area at 9am Sunday morning.
The winter trail ultra lull doesn’t last long before the now supercharged trail running season gets fully into swing, both in Australia and New Zealand.
We’ll post a wrap of what you could and should be slotting into your diaries soon, but with ‘Coops’ having taken a sneak peek of the all new Surf Coast Century, and a preview of the Hume & Hovell coming soon, we thought it prudent to also hail another more established trail ultra coming at you in October, the GOW100. Take heed, too, as it’s open for entries this coming 13th/14th/15th July (and in the context of the hot cake sell out that transpired with the Keplera few days ago, it’s worth getting online on time for the GOW100).
GOW100 race date has been confirmed as Saturday 13th October, and it’s one event that really is a must do on any respectableultra trail checklist, especially given its iconic routing on a world famous coastal trail that, if you put in a decent time, has you running with views of the Twelve Apostles at sunset in what is a trail experience of a lifetime.
Make sure you ‘Like’ the GOW100 Facebook events page for conversations around the race and keep an eye out for a retrospective piece on the race on Trail Run Mag web and/or zinein the near future.
In the meantime, Race Director Andy Hewat has sent a missive outlining the process of entries over 3 days coming up:
Day 1: Friday 13th July 6am will be for the guaranteed entries set aside for last years volunteers. “Bear in mind this race cannot occur without the valuable contribution of the volunteers so it is fitting that they are rewarded with an entry spot. I will also offer a place to the 8 runners who have run all 3 of the previous GOWs. This is early in the life of a race to offer a loyalty plan for ‘veterans’ but it is also early in the life of a race to sell out so quickly. Without their support the race would not have taken off. Obviously not all of these (vols and veterans) will take up their offered spot. I will email these people separately to offer them a spot. If you miss out on entry and can still make it down the coast, consider volunteering to help out and secure a spot for 2013.”
Day 2: Saturday 14th July 6am will be for general entries. “Unfortunately not everyone who wants an entry will get in. I applied for greater numbers but once again was only granted the same number as last years, 60 solo (plus 10 Teams). As per the guidelines on the website, I will operate a waitlist. But I will open 10 extra entries initially to allow for withdrawals before activating the waitlist. If you miss an entry you will automatically receive a waitlist offer. You will be asked to email me to go onto the waitlist. As soon as someone cancels their entry the next person on the waitlist will be offered an entry by sms and email. If you do not respond within 48hrs the offer passes to the next on the list.”
Day 3: Sunday 15th July 6am will be just for the 50/50 Teams entries. “There will be 10 spots reserved for teams. Any of those places unfilled will be held for the Teams waitlist and if not filled by September 7 will be rolled over into solo entries and offered to solo waitlist entrants”.
During registration you will have an option to book:
• Sunday morning breakfast at PC Hostel before the Presentation for $13
• Saturday night shuttle from finish into Port Campbell: no bus this year, we will rely on ride sharing
• Sunday bus after the Presentation back to Apollo Bay $35
(unlike previous years, if you want the Friday night Apollo Bay Hostel accommodation in shared bunk rooms for $26 you can book directly with the Hostel yourself)
There is a limit of 4 places available for each runner at the Sunday breakfast and presentation. Seating is limited to about 100 so if you have a big family/crew you might need to have breakfast at one of the other café/restaurants in Port Campbell and return for the Presentation. The breakfast presentation was a huge success last year with runners getting to swap war stories and catch up in a relaxed atmosphere.
Injinji Australia has come on board again for the GOW100s. “As a long time ambassador for Injinji I’m excited to have them involved again,” says Andy.
Every entrant will receive a free pair of Performance Mini Toesocks. To help speed up your registration you can go to the Injinji online store to check your sizing in advance: Injinji Online Store
The team at Injinji is providing a pair of Altra Lone Peak ‘Zero-Drop’ trail shoes for the male and female winners plus a pair to be drawn as a random spot prize (Altra). These are great trail runners offering serious protection and grip while having a zero drop from heel-to-toe. They have been reviewed in the latest edition #5 of Trail Run Mag.
SUMMARY
Day 1: Friday 13th July – Notified 2011 volunteers and 3 time starters only
Day 2: Saturday 14th July – General Entries Open
Day 3: Sunday 15th July – 50/50 Teams Entries. Only one team member needs to register the team but will need their partners details: Name, Phone, Age, email, sock & Tshirt size, AURA member or not, previous trail race experience.
Things you need to consider before registering:
– Waiver, mandatory gear and refund policy.
– Make sure you are comfortable with all of these before entering.
Team Salomon ultra trail runner, winner of the Alpine Challenge and dedicated piccolo expert, Matt Cooper, takes a trip to Victoria’s Surf Coast to see how a coastal course compares to his usual mountain running terrain in a two-day preview of the 100km Surf Coast Century.
Coops running the hill overlooking Addis Beach – competitors will run down this towards the coast.
DISCLOSURE: Matt Cooper was hosted by event managers Rapid Ascent and is a team Salomon Runner, a company which is one of the secondary sponsors of the SCC. TRM’s editor also carries out media duties for Rapid Ascent. Having got that off our chests, a hill’s a hill and Coops will call it as such – we believe no bias was entertained in Coops’ writing of his preview and like to think as much as it promotes the event, it also serves to give those considering entering a better idea as to the course conditions. Keep an eye out on Trail Run Mag for more course previews, including that of another new ultra, the Hume & Hovell, happening in October.
When you get to board a plane to hit the trail for a day (or two)… you know you’re in for an adventure. Arriving at Avalon airport, about a forty minute drive from trail touchdown, it was off the plane, into the car and straight to the Surf Coast.
Entering the small seaside township of Anglesea, which hosts the start and finish of the Surf Coast Century (SCC), I immediately felt a sense of homeliness. It’s a cozy little town with a few gourmet shops (including an amazing coffee spot: hello Red Till, just opposite the race start area), set on a small escarpment overlooking some of the most pristine coastline you can imagine.
After a quick ‘Piccolo’ at Red Till, where I met local running gun Julian Spence and fellow Victorian trail legend Chris Wight, it was off to run the first half of the course.
Within meters of trotting off you hit the beach…Bam! There it is… a whole 18km of sand running alongside and underneath some of the biggest cliff lines I’d seen.
The first 50km takes runners north east along the coast from Anglesea to Torquay and back. [Ed’s note: the recce missed the first 4km of the official course, a quick out and back loop south-west.]
The beach run made for a great platform to move along the coastline, squeezing us between the incoming tide (supposedly low) and sheer cliff lines that hold above them many of the single tracks we would run later on. Rock hopping along some sections and a touch of deeper-water navigating made for a nice break up of this early section. But the stretch went quickly with mostly firm sand (assisted by rain in the days prior) and it didn’t take long until we were hitting the final stretches to CP One at Point Danger, Torquay. Special mention goes to my first experience of iconic surf spot Bells Beach, which competitors run along.
A few notes on taking heed of the race name. Surf equals sand and you will get it in your shoes. And yes, you will be in the surf albeit briefly as you pass just before Jan Juc’s Bird Rock – but hey, it’s a unique way to start a 100km trail race. I can’t forecast the condition of the sand in September, but this 18km of beach running was actually quite pleasant and made for quick moving with firm and fairly level sand underfoot. That may change according to conditions in the lead up and where you are in the pack, however – pointy enders get firm sand early on.
At Torquay, we double backed for the return journey on trails weaving their way towards Anglesea. Here, it’s all sweet, sweet singletrack! A fast, fun and flowing leg makes up the majority of this stretch. Well-groomed single track meanders and climbs its way along the clifftops of this classic bit of coastline – nice to feel underfoot after burning up the beach.
Any ascents/descents along this leg are generally smooth undulations with no steep pinches. Once off graded trail you hit rougher but well-defined trail in a forest section. This takes you up to the top of a short steep fun descent over Addis Beach.
Chris Wight on the same stretch overlooking Addis. After about 30km, I only made them run up and down about five times to get the shot…
It’s then back inland using slices of fire trail to link up single track sweeping you from deep tussock grass and native bushland back to the coastline yet again. This part of the course was again smooth and swift making for some great in-the-groove running.
Hitting a high point, the track opens up to a panoramic of Anglesea and the bushland and hills that make up the second half of the course. The final blast of the first fifty leads downhill past Anglesea’s sporting ovals, through more single track until you cross a short inlet to the halfway checkpoint (start/finish area).
The following day was a slightly more abridged preview of the back half of the course that stretches out from Anglesea to Moggs Creek and back. This was my favorite section with a heap more bushy single track, fire trail, small waterfalls, lookouts and the majority of climbing on the course.
From the Anglesea Inlet, it’s not long before you take a steady climb up a local mountain bike trail that rises gently upwards before hitting a short, sharp ascent onto a ridge giving expensive views back over Anglesea and the coastline traversed on the first half. Undulating fire trail (okay one sharp pinch) on orange dirty/clay makes for a nice chance to get your rhythm going on a straightforward section between Anglesea and the back of Aireys Inlet. Then you hit the fun stuff: a beautiful loop trail amongst the iron bark park lands that dives into bushland hiding Currawong Falls.
Running through this section the terrain changes constantly ranging from smooth natural trails to rocky sections with a few small creek crossings. A ‘switchback’ climb to the top of the range brings you past a trig point and out to a small lookout where you can see the next 18km of the course, including the lighthouse at Aireys Inlet, which you run past later on.
A sweet bit of downhill dancing has you weaving down to join a short section of fire road leading to the most south western section of the course, which includes the short and sharp climb. Never far away on this course, it’s still only minutes until you reach single track again which climbs slightly to yet another coastal lookout from where you can sense the anticipation of making your way back to Anglesea.
From CP3 at Moggs Creek, a short section takes you through the streets of Moggs Creek before climbing over a range and drop back into the river inlet that Aireys is named for. Following the river it’s a small climb up past the lighthouse and some magical views of rugged coast line. More smooth groomed single track leads you along the clifftop until a short section takes you through private property to a quick fling down one of the only sections of paved road (very short). [Ed’s note: this section may still be taken off course and/or will be all coastal trail in 2013].
From here it’s a drop down to meet a long awaited rendezvous with another beach: Urquhart’s. It is kind of nice to hit the sand again now, although I should mention that the boys from Rapid Ascent had Urquhart quite hard packed for me and warn that for the top end runners passing through early, this beach section according to tide is likely to be on the soft side, all 3km of it. The back end of the field may have better conditions.
The nice part about this beach section is that as soon as your on it you can see the end of it: the backside of Point Roadknight. At the end of the beach you are put up a short set of stairs and onto the final sections of groomed trail leading back to completing the inaugural Surf Coast Century ultra.
Overall feel of the course is flowy, fun and fast. There are some great sections to really find your rhythm and put on the pace, with a few undulating climbs and some leg burning beach running.
With checkpoints spaced at roughly 25k intervals (with a couple of water stops in between) there won’t be any need for a heavy pack or much liquid.
Highlights for me were definitely underpinning the cliff lines whilst running along the beach at start; coming down Billy Goat Bluff (locals’colloquial name!) with the views south over Point Addis; the single track loop of Currawong Falls and, of course given my predilections, hitting the Red Till cafe for a piccolo at the finish line.
I think a great aspect of this event is the flexibility to enter as a team of either 2 or 4, giving shorter-distance runners, or those looking to just get a taste of the ultra trail scene, a great experience.
Wildlife on course encountered included kangaroo and wallaby, birdlife including cockatoo, parrots and two sea hawks along first leg. Apparently Julian encountered a sea lion in a small cove on one of his training runs on course.
Special thanks to Chris Ord who made the trip an adventure and homely experience (cooked up a wicked pasta dish too… Note to self: book in at his for Friday night pre-race carb load and accom); and to local star runners Julian Spence and Chris Wight for being local trail guides on the first recce day. We even found some off-course trails, which was a bonus (the Eumerella mountain bike trail sections on the second Torquay to Anglesea leg will need to be very well marked!); and to Rapid Ascent for hosting me to a full preview of the anticipated Surf Coast Century Ultra run.
I’m already looking forward to September’s Surf Coast session.
Training for the Surf Coast Century?Or any other ultra for that matter? Check out Matt Cooper’s ‘Ultra Made’ ultra trail running camp. The camp will be held from Friday 31st August – Sunday 2nd September at Fitzroy Falls, Southern Highlands, NSW. The location, with fully self contained cottage accommodation (including fireplace!) is set on 50 acres in the surrounding Moreton National park right alongside Twin Falls and the famous Fitzroy Falls marathon trail. http://mattcooper.com.au/ultra-made-training-camps/
For more information the Surf Coast Century,including course maps, images, training tips and advice, seewww.surfcoastcentury.com.au.
Get your hands on the latest dirt on trail running with over 100 pages of gritty goodness! Edition 5 is now available to download HERE. (remember to save to desktop before opening in Reader or Preview – NOT in your browser!).
HEART OF A HERO AU Editorial (slightly changed compared to in zine, with respects to the tragedy that has befallen Kilian Jornet’s mission).
Kilian. Jurek. Roes. Jones. Bragg. They’re all good. Great, even. And inspirations to many.
Not me.
Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate their talent. These guys – the cream of world competitive ultra trail are machines.
But they’re not my trail heroes.
Mine is a trail runner by the name of Scott Knabel. Never heard of him?
True, he wasn’t mixing it with the lead pack at The North Face 100. And no, he’s never gone toe-to-toe with The Spaniard, or Sandes, let alone with any of the local grade legends like Donges, Davies, Coops, Tuckey, Guise, or Armstrong.
But if there’s one man I’ve met who truly inspires me even more than that lot, it’s Scott.
135kg Scott. His mates and family know him as the Big Fella. The one that has battled gambling, binge drinking, depression and, on a longer term basis, obesity.
I’ve only just met Scott. So to me he’s not the Big Fella, he’s just another friendly trail runner. But one that strikes a cutting figure along the singletrack, not for his speed, or dare I say grace, but for his heart which I reckon is bigger than his girth will ever be.
While the world’s best are starting to garner the attention of film makers and magazines with wins and rivalries and latest mega-missions, Scott’s writing me emails, “because you’re the only runner I know”, telling how his step-up achievement recently was his first ever run where he actually ran every step: “No more running/walking as in the past!” he writes.
In my estimation, and I know in Scott’s world, that’s a bigger achievement than any global trail extravaganza, even if his is the conquering of only 3km compared to the elites’ hundreds. Pain and barrier bashing is very much relative to one’s inner life.
Scott has latched on to the upcoming Salomon Trail Run Series as a way to get his bum off the couch and onto the trail where he hopes to rid himself of years of depression, anxiety, self doubt, and even self-hatred.
“Why not, nothing to lose except the result of 43 years of poor lifestyle choices, about 40kg in body fat, along with an unhealthy dose of a lack of self respect and belief.
“That and a bit of high blood pressure, an overdose of slothfulness and the old woulda, coulda, shoulda but was too fat and lazy to do it-itis. Not much to loose (yeah right) but plenty to gain. Lets do it!” he writes to me after I ask if he’d be willing for me to film his journey.
So while the likes of Jornet and Ryan Sandes are to be admired for their pure grace and physical aptitude for trail running through wild environments at phenomenal speeds, it’s to be remembered that they are, at least in part, assisted by gifts of genes, environment, upbringing, luck. All have played a part in the most heralded trail athletes’ lives and successes. Hard work, too, of course and I take nothing away from that. But people like Scott, I believe, face much bigger walls than just the one found at 32km.
I’m just saying that if Scott takes on the North Face 100 – as is one of his aims in the next 12 months – it’d be like Ryan Sandes (circa 65kg) cloning and piggy backing himself around the course. Sub-ten hours goneski. In fact, I’d peg Scott to win that little duel.
Beyond the Salomon Trail Run Series, Scott has aims much grander than his belt-size: Two Bays, the Surf Coast 100…just the gumption to aim that high and far deserves respect, as does Scott’s sign off on his last email:
“Changing my life, changing the world, one step at a time, moving forward, never looking back.”
Boom! Hear that? That’s the sound of trail running. It has a lovely echo through the forest, the reverberation of our beloved sport exploding, don’t you think?
What’s got me super excited, however, is what that growth means – not just for Trail Run Mag, or for products and brands and all that palava (technical term for ‘guff’), but for experience.
Along with more people lacing up a luggier shoe to take on trail, comes the opening up of possibility. Specifically the flowering of trail running experiences to be had, bought, sold, traded…from trail tours (a la those offered by our intrepid New Zealand Editor, Mal Law through Running Wild / Total Sport) to pseudo competitive trail adventures the likes of my current wish list experience, the Manaslu Trail Race (www.manaslutrailrace.org).
At the upper end of such offerings are new products springing up around ultra and elite off-road running. I’m thinking of things like altitude training facilities springing up like mountain mushrooms – did you know you can get high while running on the Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne…?(www.bodyologypps.com.au, www.altitudetrainingcentre.com.au, www.sydneyaltitudetraining.com). And if you don’t like to fake it, there’s also specific altitude programs being offered at Falls Creek (www.natc.com.au).
Further to that, more and more trail pros are offering to lend their knowledge, expertise and insight (all the same thing really!) to punters like you and me. And if you’re going to learn, you may as well learn from those winning races.
Someone like Matt ‘Coops’ Cooper (www.mattcooper.com.au), winner of the Alpine Challenge, top ender at pretty much any race he enters and potentially the friendliest runner on trail – the man is a walking smile of positivity.
While he offers specialist physical and mental training and trail coaching for individuals through his company Present Energy (www.present-energy.com), Coops has also recently established a new, ‘Ultra made Training Camp’, a multiday intensive group experience that will give those looking to improve all aspects of their ultra running the inside line.
The first one is slated for the first weekend of Spring – Friday 31st August to Sunday 2nd September (with an optional ultra/long run) on the Monday morning.
Coops has chosen his local hunting fground to host the camp, with sessions taking place at Fitzroy Falls, in NSW.
Here’s what I like about these styles of experiences: it’s all about the running but the peripheries aren’t bad either. The setting is stunning with accommodation fully self contained cottages (including fireplace!) set on 50 acres in the surrounding Moreton National park right alongside Twin Falls and the famous Fitzroy Falls marathon trail (www.fitzroyfallsmarathon.com/).
“With the Australian Ultra running calendar ramping up, including Glasshouse 100, Surf Coast Century, GOW100, GNW100′s and Coast2Kosci, I figured there would be runners wanting to fine tune their Ultra training program,” says Coops.
“You don’t have to be a top-ender, either,” he assures. “Whether a seasoned ultra runner looking to crack a PB or a marathoner looking for the next step into Ultra trail, this camp is for you. I’ve developed a completely customised program tailored to meet the running mileage of both marathon and ultra distance runners.”
Coops’ ‘Ultra Made’ itinerary focuses on creating an ideal individual training program including specific seminars on eating for optimum results and training to race at your peak.
Matt will also open the doors to the lesser known secrets on race plan, ultra distance psychology and minimalist mindset that have put him at the pointy end of the field.
As a bonus to runners attending this first NSW Ultra Made camp, Matt will be introducing runners to ‘performing with Present Energy’… for ultra runners; the practices that Matt believes to be his most important training tools in his own race program.
Group presentations will be combined with 3 ‘on the trail’ running sessions (6-18km trail runs) among the single track and fire trail found on the Twin falls escarpment.
And to finish off a weekend of trail indulgence, Matt’s offering anyone able to stick around, a 30km or 50km long run on the Monday morning, down the Cannonball run into Kangaroo Valley, passing Twin falls and climbing the inspiring yet challenging Meryla pass.
In between training sessions there will be time for mountain biking, recovery baths (in a naturally cold pool), relaxing in the National park or viewing one of Ultra running’s original races – Western States 100.
Sounds like our kind of ultra trail experience. May there be more of it.
DETAILS
Camp pricing is $150 + accommodation which includes all trail sessions, 3 x group training/presentations by Matt Cooper, Friday night dinner (an ultra runners secret recipe which you can have), Monday long run and exclusive trial of Hammer nutrition and Salomon gear.
Breakfast, lunch and snacks must be self catered (each cottage has full kitchen, fridge, freezer) and Saturday night we will book dinner at local restaurant for all interested. Accommodation price for the camp will vary between $35-$85 p/person p/night depending on your preference of cottage and number of runners. Check out www.fitzroyfalls.com for cottage configurations and contact Matt for availability.
Watch it and get excited… this despatch from Salomon / The Africa Attachment featured Kiwi trail Queen Anna Frost, but also this little vignette manages to capture something of the essence of trailrunning.
It features the elites, sure, but hell, it feels like you’re watching people just like you and me. And really you are..they’re just that little but faster than you. But they have the same kind of dirty soul (a good one) as you and me… and they still get that the running is more about connection – connectiong with the mountains, the view, wilderness, and other trail runners who breath in the same appreciation for being out there, where we love life the most.
They’re tapping it out in the mountains for the same reasons as you and me.
And they get drunk and dance like loons just like you and me, too.
Trail Run Mag catches up with South African and Salomon super trail star, Ryan Sandes, to get a vibe on how it feels to be the favourite in this weekend’s The North Face 100, a race with a fair few thoroughbreds on track, and the changing face of trail running as it booms across the world (hello Transvulcania…). INTERVIEW: Chris Ord IMAGES: courtesy RyanSandes.com.
1. Straight in to it – you’re roundly touted as the most likely winner this year, how does that pressure play on your mind leading into next weekend?
I think there are a number of competitors that can win the race so I am not focusing on the results too much. My main focus is to have a strong run and the rest will come. 100km is a long way, so anything can happen.
2. Some pundits reckon you’re tuned enough to break the race record (which has been broken every year the event has taken place). Thoughts? Is that something you have in your head when you’re running well at the halfway mark or…?
I would imagine the winning time will be under 9 hours 30 mins ,so I am sure the winner will get close to the coarse record. No, I am personally not too focused on the record but I will have the record time stored in the back of my head somewhere ;-). [9hrs 19min 06 seconds]
3. You have been quoted as saying last year’s run didn’t go as smoothly for you as you would have liked yet you still managed third with a sub ten hour time – what was the Achilles last year and what’s changed about your form/approach this year?
Last year was my first mountain 100km race, so I was not sure what to expect. I made a few mistakes like not drinking enough during the first 30km, which hurt me during the middle section of the race. I am a more experienced runner this year and hoping for a more consistent performance during the race.
4. You tend to arrive early and really get to grips with the trail your’re about to run on – how much of the TNF course have you rerun in the last week and where do you think your crux will come (and why)?
The one thing I love about trail running is that I get to travel the world and explore new places. I always try get out to my races early to experience the local culture and environment as well as running parts of the race route. I have run about 60% of the route… I think the race will come down to being strong in the final 30km.
5. Many may have expected you to be running at the Transvulcania – why did you choose to race here instead of there?
I entered the TNF100 Australia before the Sky Running Ultra series was announced but that said, I really enjoy Australia and wanted to come back for the race again.
6. How does the Blue Mountains course suit you in particular – strengths and weaknesses on it?
I would like to think I am quite an all round runner so the course should suit me … I’m not giving much away here :-).
7. You had 30 mins plus over fourth placed (Goerke) and other locals (Donges, Davies, etc al) last year, but they are being touted as serious threats with a much deeper field this year than last – how do you think the competition has changed over the past year?
Yes, it’s really exciting to see how trail running is growing around the world. I think everyone is improving and it is going to be a very exciting race. I think there will be a lot more people under sub-10 hours this year.
8. Everyone’s talking about how the sport of ultra and trail running in general is changing rapidly, with ‘celebrity’ runners the likes of yourself and Jornet in ascendancy – talk to me about how you as a person and as a runner have changed over the past few years of racing?
I am still the same person as a few years back… the main difference is I drink less tequila now J . More Red Bull and Vodka.. haha! I started running relatively late and competed in my first ultra in 2008 – the whole experience has been life changing. It’s exciting to see the sport becoming more professional and creating so many opportunities for trail runners. I have been lucky enough to run on all 7 continents and explore the world through trail running.
9. You remain based in South Africa – is there any pressure to be based in Europe or the States these days, given the competition, or is ultra trail a truly global sport, doesn’t matter where you’re based?
I spend quite a lot of time abroad but still keep Cape Town my base. We have great running there…just no altitude. I think when I run UTMB I would need to spend a lot more time in Europe getting used to the Euro trails. Their climbs are massive and the running can be very technical. At the end of the day trail running is a global sport and it’s really easy to jump on a plane and fly to a race in the US etc.
10. You seem to be a runner that escapes major injury time – what’s your approach to physical preservation?
I try do a bit of cross training like mountain biking etc. I do a lot of core work and spend a lot of time keeping my ‘wheel alignment straight’ i.e. I see a Physio, Chiro, Lynotherapist, Massage and Biokinetisist regularly.
11. How many ultras do you think, in peak form, your body could handle in a year?
3-4 a year .. maybe 5 at a push.
12. Beyond winning the TNF100, what are you targets in the next year or so?
I am running Western Sates 100 in June and would love to line up at UTMB soon.
13. You’re sixty kays in, the hurt is there…where is the Sandes’ mind at – take me through some honest moments of where you’re at mentally, what demons come to you in particular while out there on trail and what you lean on for inspiration to get you through?
Running in an individualist sport but I feel I am running for more than just me…I focus on the surroundings and try and keep my mental attitude as positive as possible. Luckily I am normally running in the most beautiful parts of the world so the hurt is not too bad.
Thanks Ryan, good luck on the weekend at The North Face 100. Remember: 9 hours 19 mins and 05 seconds is your mark…
Trail Run Mag will be on course reporting and updating live via TRM’s Facebook. ‘Like’ us and stay tuned.
