The Tarawera 100km Ultra

Done and done. 12:32. I pretty much stuck to my plan of taking it easy for the first 60kms with some walking at the start. My choice of using the minimus running shoes was a good one, but my tiredness in the last 40 kms didn't allow me to be as light footed as the shoe require, especially over the hard packed gravel roads in the last 40kms. This caused me to have to change to the shoes provided by Smiths, which were total road shoes with no milage on them. Hence the blister (first one ever) and imminent loss of a toenail. I drank plenty of fluid and replace along the course but got mixed up with my gels and missed 3 or 4 out (doh!). My pacers Mark and Rohan were great with Mark becoming more of a life support machine in the last 30kms. It was all I could do to run a few kms then walk then run etc... My quads are not to bad but ankles are swollen and there are general aches and pains but I'm otherewise pretty good. Although I did not have the envisaged energy to race the last 10kms I am still very pleased at my stamina in my first attempt at a 100km run. I have learned a lot and plan to return to Tarawera next year and attempt a sub 12 hour time. Longer training and more time in my minimalist shoes will hopefully help me achieve this.

Minimus

Ok so NB provided me with a pair of the new NB/Vibram 'less is more' trail shoes -Minimus. These guys are as light as a feather. There is no separate insole and I suppose should be used without socks to get that 'Barefoot' connection. On first fitting (my size 9.5) they felt a bit tight. I am used to this having quite wide feet and shoes usually give a little as they are broken in. Apart from the 'new shoe' tightness they felt good. I started using minimalistic shoes (Inov-8 x-Talons) last year and weaned myself onto them slowly, having run in cushioned shoes all the time I have been running. The Minimus comes with a caution tag that lets runners know that this shoe should be introduced to your running routine gradually as it will put strain on the foot, calf and Achilles tendon; sound advice for those who have predominantly used cushioned shoes. I took these shoes for a 5k trail run so I'm only reporting on the initial feel. I got no pains or aches and in fact the shoe felt as though it were healing the damage of a 21k road run I'd done recently. The grip was good on angled dusty trail and the sole thin enough to get a good feel of the running surface. Being a relatively new runner (3years) I didn't have a lifetime of bad habits to break in order to run with minimalistic shoes and have read a lot about barefoots v's cushioned running lately. This shoe has been designed to give a natural (neutral) running experience from its upward toe curve to the low drop from heel to toe (4mm) and it certainly delivers this. I felt very lightfooted and the running motion felt quiet and effortless, the shoe reinforcing the pratice of fluid running. I'll be using these shoes to taper for, and run, the Tarawera Ultramarathon after which I'll be able to give a fuller account of their performance. But my first impressions are that New Balance and Vibram have come up with a winning formula.

Taper time

Ok so been out for some long runs over the last 2 months. Built up to 6 hours of mountain running, constant ascent and descent. Even spent 2hrs running road, never again if I can help it. After using minimal running shoes for over a year don't think I can run in anything else now. Cushioned, supported and raised heel shoes cause me pain and feel uncomfortable and heavy. Tarawera 100k is 3 weeks away so it's time to taper. New Balance are supplying me with their new Minimus trail shoe, a shoe developed with Vibram addressing the need to get back to near as barefoot running.

Totally Tropical

First 30km race for me yesterday. It was so hot and almost 100% humidity. Started off at a good pace and settled into what I thought would be a good pace for the majority of the race. Ran with Simon and Graham for a while but Watty shot off and Simon gradually pulled away. With 10 k's to go I started to pick up my pace and caught a few people. Had one runner chasing me for what seemed forever and ended up catching two other runners on the last hills. This meant that I had to engage my hill sprinting technique. It was hard work but paid off and I came in 16th in 3:01. Must get new inov8's....NB's great for slow runs but not for racing or getting wet.

3hrs and building

Up to 3hrs on mountain running. Will build to 6 then taper for the 100k. Have been running in my xtalons but they are getting a bit thin now, maybe time to go back to the NBs for this race.

Whatipu run

Hot day for running. I stuck to my method from last year. I ran the first hill then walked about 5mins of the second and ran the rest. Came in 3 mins faster than last year which might not seem much but with minimal training means I'm fitter than I've ever been. I came in at 2:30. 1st in age group, 7th overall.

Training in the sun

Whatipu 21k in two weeks. Long runs for ultra up to 3hrs so far.