2017 - Birthday Run. Palm Beach - La Perouse
Inspired by the Comrades and to keep things interesting, in 2017 we introduced a “south-bound” and “north-bound” direction for my all nighter birthday run.
On alternate years, we will run north to south and south to north, keeping up the tradition of extending the length of the run each year. Let's see how far we can go!
For 2017, after three years running north, we are going SOUTH! Start in Palm Beach and finish in La Perouse!
And given the Kamay Park run is there… it seemed appropriate to add that too! : )
The run is locked in for FRIDAY October 6th 2017 and below the breakdown of the “stages”
On alternate years, we will run north to south and south to north, keeping up the tradition of extending the length of the run each year. Let's see how far we can go!
For 2017, after three years running north, we are going SOUTH! Start in Palm Beach and finish in La Perouse!
And given the Kamay Park run is there… it seemed appropriate to add that too! : )
The run is locked in for FRIDAY October 6th 2017 and below the breakdown of the “stages”
- PALM BEACH: 0km – 7pm
- MANLY BEACH: 30km – 10:20pm
- SPIT: 41km – 11:30pm
- CREMORNE POINT: 55km – 1:15am
- HARBOUR BRIDGE: 60km – 1:55am
- WATSONS BAY: 76km – 3:55am
- BONDI BEACH: 84km – 4:45am
- MAROUBRA: 94km – 6am
- LITTLE BAY: 102km – 6:50am
- LA PEROUSE: 103km – 6:55am
- KAMAY PARK RUN START: 104km – 7am
- KAMAY PARK RUN END: 109km – 7:30am
The team at Palm Beach - ready to roll!
HOW THE RUN WENT
This was the most memorable birthday run to date by a long shot.
The longest (about 110 km) and the easiest at the same time. The nice weather, stunning route and fitness level have nothing to do with it, it was the people who joined that made it so special.
A special thanks to all those who ran, organised checkpoints and supported. You guys rock!
And before I go any further, a special mention goes to Nick’s running club. Nick and Simon heard of the birthday run and organised for a tag-team to stay with me for the whole run while a vehicle full of goodies to set up checkpoints throughout the course.
Another big thank you go to the team of my local park run at Kamay for their warm welcome.
It was clear from the start that this was going to be an epic night: Jacob, Ollie, Rocco, Nicola, Chantelle, Jamie, Martin, Colin turned up in Palm Beach excited as much as I was to get a long night run in. We left Palm Beach at 7pm sharp and went through the busy initial road section swiftly chatting away with a nice breeze on our back
While Jacob, Olly, Rocco and Chantelle can run an ultra without blinking, Jamie and Martin committed to push outside their comfort zone to get to Manly (32km). Nicola (with a slight hangover) ran the first 20km with us while Colin, did an impromptu 12km. Along the way, Brian, another Irish joined the team.
This was the most memorable birthday run to date by a long shot.
The longest (about 110 km) and the easiest at the same time. The nice weather, stunning route and fitness level have nothing to do with it, it was the people who joined that made it so special.
A special thanks to all those who ran, organised checkpoints and supported. You guys rock!
And before I go any further, a special mention goes to Nick’s running club. Nick and Simon heard of the birthday run and organised for a tag-team to stay with me for the whole run while a vehicle full of goodies to set up checkpoints throughout the course.
Another big thank you go to the team of my local park run at Kamay for their warm welcome.
It was clear from the start that this was going to be an epic night: Jacob, Ollie, Rocco, Nicola, Chantelle, Jamie, Martin, Colin turned up in Palm Beach excited as much as I was to get a long night run in. We left Palm Beach at 7pm sharp and went through the busy initial road section swiftly chatting away with a nice breeze on our back
While Jacob, Olly, Rocco and Chantelle can run an ultra without blinking, Jamie and Martin committed to push outside their comfort zone to get to Manly (32km). Nicola (with a slight hangover) ran the first 20km with us while Colin, did an impromptu 12km. Along the way, Brian, another Irish joined the team.
The team in Manly beach
The initial 30km went quickly. Olly’s navigational choices got us almost swimming - his motto is “What’s the worst that could possibly happen”! - and Jacob’s wife Natalie surprised us with a coffee at Freshwater - I went for a two round of espressos.. as you do. Unfortunately, Jacob had to leave us in Freshwater as he got called for work - one day we will manage to do a long run together!
We got to our official checkpoint in Manly manned by superstars Kath and Nick just slightly behind schedule at 10:25pm. We said goodbye to Martin and Jamie who passed the baton to Colin, who was fresh from the Berlin marathon. : )
Manly to Neutral Bay is the part of the run I was mostly looking forward to. It is 80% trail and it used to be my training grounds when I lived on the north shore. Last year I did this section on my own and I really suffered, so I was also looking forward to a much more enjoyable experience this time.
And it was sensational. We ran in pack, “attacking” the hills and the stairs, no second thoughts. I had a good chat with Rocco and Chantelle about their recent UTMB performance.. what a race.. another one for the bucket list! At the Spit Bridge, Nick had setup a quick checkpoint and Jeroen joined in. We were 10 minutes behind schedule but everyone was feeling strong so the next section we were going to make some time for sure despite the few hills around Balmoral beach.
Rocco and Olly sang for most of the stretch along Taronga - I’m sure the wildlife appreciated. Olly left us at Mosman with a good 56km in the tank.
We got to Neutral Bay right on time to be welcomed by Leigh who had prepared quite a feast! Fruit, bars, water, gatorade even a cake!
And my special jet fuel, Lidia’s cauliflower pasta. I don’t know what is so special about it, but it really makes a huge difference for me. Forget gels or powders - give me cauliflower pasta any day.. maybe I should come up with cauliflower pasta gel.. who’s in?
Colin left us in Neutral Bay - well done for keeping up after Berlin! - taking turns with Simon, Deidre and An.
We got to our official checkpoint in Manly manned by superstars Kath and Nick just slightly behind schedule at 10:25pm. We said goodbye to Martin and Jamie who passed the baton to Colin, who was fresh from the Berlin marathon. : )
Manly to Neutral Bay is the part of the run I was mostly looking forward to. It is 80% trail and it used to be my training grounds when I lived on the north shore. Last year I did this section on my own and I really suffered, so I was also looking forward to a much more enjoyable experience this time.
And it was sensational. We ran in pack, “attacking” the hills and the stairs, no second thoughts. I had a good chat with Rocco and Chantelle about their recent UTMB performance.. what a race.. another one for the bucket list! At the Spit Bridge, Nick had setup a quick checkpoint and Jeroen joined in. We were 10 minutes behind schedule but everyone was feeling strong so the next section we were going to make some time for sure despite the few hills around Balmoral beach.
Rocco and Olly sang for most of the stretch along Taronga - I’m sure the wildlife appreciated. Olly left us at Mosman with a good 56km in the tank.
We got to Neutral Bay right on time to be welcomed by Leigh who had prepared quite a feast! Fruit, bars, water, gatorade even a cake!
And my special jet fuel, Lidia’s cauliflower pasta. I don’t know what is so special about it, but it really makes a huge difference for me. Forget gels or powders - give me cauliflower pasta any day.. maybe I should come up with cauliflower pasta gel.. who’s in?
Colin left us in Neutral Bay - well done for keeping up after Berlin! - taking turns with Simon, Deidre and An.
The team in Rose Bay - still smiling!
We continued on to the Bridge where Rocco and Chantelle finished their stint (they were both running again few hours later) at 60km.. then run another 5km home.
Despite stopping for a few minutes in Neutral Bay, we got to the bridge slightly ahead of time and there was no sign of Tim, Joel, Brad, Gavin and Peter. We pushed on and the first 4 caught up just before the Botanical Gardens.
From there, navigation was not that smooth and we stopped a few times and took wrong turns - certainly a section I need to test more. Despite that, thanks to Gav, we followed the planned route and got to the wonderful little trail from Rose Bay to Nielsen park where Peter finally caught up with us. He had been chasing up since the bridge! Nothing better than some speed work to warm up before an ultra!
We were running well and few minutes ahead of time and the next stop in Watson’s Bay (76km) Robyn took over from Tim & Joel. Robyn is a top 10 female finisher at UTMB so we tied a few heavy rocks around her waist to make sure she slowed down for us!
Amazingly, I was feeling reasonably fresh. The company and light conversations made the time and the kms pass quickly.
At the next stop in Bondi beach, few more people joined in - Brad who did take a detour, Chammy, Rohin, Neil, Genevieve, Kathryn. From there, with the sun slowly coming up, it was only 20km to the park run so my spirit was up.
Despite stopping for a few minutes in Neutral Bay, we got to the bridge slightly ahead of time and there was no sign of Tim, Joel, Brad, Gavin and Peter. We pushed on and the first 4 caught up just before the Botanical Gardens.
From there, navigation was not that smooth and we stopped a few times and took wrong turns - certainly a section I need to test more. Despite that, thanks to Gav, we followed the planned route and got to the wonderful little trail from Rose Bay to Nielsen park where Peter finally caught up with us. He had been chasing up since the bridge! Nothing better than some speed work to warm up before an ultra!
We were running well and few minutes ahead of time and the next stop in Watson’s Bay (76km) Robyn took over from Tim & Joel. Robyn is a top 10 female finisher at UTMB so we tied a few heavy rocks around her waist to make sure she slowed down for us!
Amazingly, I was feeling reasonably fresh. The company and light conversations made the time and the kms pass quickly.
At the next stop in Bondi beach, few more people joined in - Brad who did take a detour, Chammy, Rohin, Neil, Genevieve, Kathryn. From there, with the sun slowly coming up, it was only 20km to the park run so my spirit was up.
In Maroubra beach, 9km from the park run, Mark (he drove in from Bulli just for the run, what a star!) and few others joined in to form a 18 people strong team!
Lidia was meant to meet us in Malabar but a last minute babysitter cancellation meant she couldn’t join and instead would meet us at the park run.
We had an hour to get to Kamay via Malabar and the golf course but we made it in 45 minutes. That shows how keen everyone was!
We arrived in mass at the Kamay park run, welcomed by Nick and the park run organisers. We all dropped our backpacks to start the final 5km stretch.
I ran with Lidia and Lorenzo and for once, there was no aspiration to push the pace! We got lapped by Chris who set the course PB and that was quite alright!
Breakfast followed and as promised, it was bottom-less coffee for everyone!
Thank you to everyone who made this birthday run so special - it was truly a pleasure to run with all of you and I hope you will all join me next year and - who knows - get an ultra in too!
Lidia was meant to meet us in Malabar but a last minute babysitter cancellation meant she couldn’t join and instead would meet us at the park run.
We had an hour to get to Kamay via Malabar and the golf course but we made it in 45 minutes. That shows how keen everyone was!
We arrived in mass at the Kamay park run, welcomed by Nick and the park run organisers. We all dropped our backpacks to start the final 5km stretch.
I ran with Lidia and Lorenzo and for once, there was no aspiration to push the pace! We got lapped by Chris who set the course PB and that was quite alright!
Breakfast followed and as promised, it was bottom-less coffee for everyone!
Thank you to everyone who made this birthday run so special - it was truly a pleasure to run with all of you and I hope you will all join me next year and - who knows - get an ultra in too!
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