10 replies to this topic

[mmasics]

Hi CR People,
Long time reader, first time question poster !!
Just ran the R4K(r4k time 63 mins 46 seconds. 10k split 42 mins 09 secs) and I'm getting ready for my first GTR.
I've managed to get some great intel already on this site about the race, and as I'm so excited about May 2, I've logged on to get some more help.
Q1. Seems you need to beat the first train through a couple of crossings to stand a chance - can anyone specifically elaborate ?, what about the other crossings aswell ?
Q2. Seems to be 3 decent hills - about how long ?
Q3. Seems the train time varies - any thoughts here ?
Q4. How could I arrange to send some cargo freight from Belgrave to Emerald Lake to slow the train down ?
MMASICS

[wombatoutofhell]

Hi mmasics-welcome to CR

Q1 I haven't beaten the train as yet after 3 races.  I don't think I've been within 10 minutes of it apart from last year when it was the slowest it's ever been.  My fastest R4TK was about 67 minutes and my fastest 10km was the same year at 44:16.  I think the train is normally about 55 minutes-sometimes quicker.  So I'd say you need to find a little more speed.

Q2 I posted the elevation graph off my Garmin from last years run here

Q3  From what I understand you really need to beat it to all 4 crossings.  It can be done if you miss one but it's hard.  I have no experience though so someone may correct me

Q4  The driver leaves from the same start line as we do and has to run to the train.  Trip him.  Failing that try a dead cow across the tracks.

[Tiger Boy]

Also make sure you have a lot of friends 150kg+ and get them to buy tickets for that morning.
We don't want all those skinny people hogging train seats.  

Seriously though, a 63min R4K won't get you in before the train. Realistically you need to run 53 -56mins most years at GTR, although with a few weeks left of training, and on a good day for you and a bad day for the train, you might just get there. But you can't afford to get caught at any crossings (there are 4), and you'll need everything to go your way.
Best of luck.

[bigcarl]

should have run it last year you would have smashed it. ive got the feeling that it will have it's revenge this year with a 52 minute time card lol! best of luck though. i think from what ive read on here that you need to be able to run 4min kms all the way. a good friend of mine ran the puffing billy in 64 mins  same as his run for kids time. the first 10km in the puffing billy race took us both exactly 6 to seven minutes slower than our best 10km times that we completed at the sandown classic. just a bit of food for thought though, you guys are all alot fitter and faster than i. all the best of luck to you. great run, got to be my favourite this one.

[mmasics]

wombatoutofhell, on Mar 21 2010, 09:53 PM, said:

Hi mmasics-welcome to CR

Q1 I haven't beaten the train as yet after 3 races.  I don't think I've been within 10 minutes of it apart from last year when it was the slowest it's ever been.  My fastest R4TK was about 67 minutes and my fastest 10km was the same year at 44:16.  I think the train is normally about 55 minutes-sometimes quicker.  So I'd say you need to find a little more speed.

Q2 I posted the elevation graph off my Garmin from last years run here

Q3  From what I understand you really need to beat it to all 4 crossings.  It can be done if you miss one but it's hard.  I have no experience though so someone may correct me

Q4  The driver leaves from the same start line as we do and has to run to the train.  Trip him.  Failing that try a dead cow across the tracks.

Thanks for the replies, gonna give it my damdest.
Got 3 things working for me -
1. 5 weeks remaining to train.
2. Lot more trees around than R4K providing more oxygen.
3. The probability of rain on the tracks.

Tiger Boy, on Mar 21 2010, 11:32 PM, said:

Also make sure you have a lot of friends 150kg+ and get them to buy tickets for that morning.
We don't want all those skinny people hogging train seats.  

Seriously though, a 63min R4K won't get you in before the train. Realistically you need to run 53 -56mins most years at GTR, although with a few weeks left of training, and on a good day for you and a bad day for the train, you might just get there. But you can't afford to get caught at any crossings (there are 4), and you'll need everything to go your way.
Best of luck.

Thanks for the replies, gonna give it my damdest.
Got 3 things working for me -
1. 5 weeks remaining to train.
2. Lot more trees around than R4K providing more oxygen.
3. The probability of rain on the tracks.

bigcarl, on Mar 22 2010, 12:41 AM, said:

should have run it last year you would have smashed it. ive got the feeling that it will have it's revenge this year with a 52 minute time card lol! best of luck though. i think from what ive read on here that you need to be able to run 4min kms all the way. a good friend of mine ran the puffing billy in 64 mins  same as his run for kids time. the first 10km in the puffing billy race took us both exactly 6 to seven minutes slower than our best 10km times that we completed at the sandown classic. just a bit of food for thought though, you guys are all alot fitter and faster than i. all the best of luck to you. great run, got to be my favourite this one.

Thanks for the replies, gonna give it my damdest.
Got 3 things working for me -
1. 5 weeks remaining to train.
2. Lot more trees around than R4K providing more oxygen.
3. The probability of rain on the tracks.

[chilliman]

I clearly remember the first year I beat the train I ran 56 something on my second attempt. The train caught me just past the Clematis hotel and beat me to the Emerald crossing, but I was still able to beat it to the finish line by about a minute.
The next time I beat it I ran 58 and didn't see the train at all as it ran an unusually slow 62.

As TB said if you want to guarantee that you will beat it you need to be able to run sub 53, otherwise it will just be a matter of luck on the day which is part of the appeal of the Great Train Race. Good luck, just enjoy your first, the hills, and the experience.

BTW, the train can easily run sub 50 with all the 150kg+  people on it you could find, if it wanted to.

[mmasics]

chilliman, on Mar 22 2010, 04:19 PM, said:

I clearly remember the first year I beat the train I ran 56 something on my second attempt. The train caught me just past the Clematis hotel and beat me to the Emerald crossing, but I was still able to beat it to the finish line by about a minute.
The next time I beat it I ran 58 and didn't see the train at all as it ran an unusually slow 62.

As TB said if you want to guarantee that you will beat it you need to be able to run sub 53, otherwise it will just be a matter of luck on the day which is part of the appeal of the Great Train Race. Good luck, just enjoy your first, the hills, and the experience.

BTW, the train can easily run sub 50 with all the 150kg+  people on it you could find, if it wanted to.

Good advice, I shall take on board.
I want to train for a target, instead of beating the train , I'll aim for a sub hour time.
Matt.

[RMC]

mmasics, on Mar 21 2010, 07:43 PM, said:

Just ran the R4K(r4k time 63 mins 46 seconds. 10k split 42 mins 09 secs) and I'm getting ready for my first GTR.
I've managed to get some great intel already on this site about the race, and as I'm so excited about May 2, I've logged on to get some more help.
Q1. Seems you need to beat the first train through a couple of crossings to stand a chance - can anyone specifically elaborate ?, what about the other crossings aswell ?

To beat the train you really need to beat it to the 7k (top of hill) crossing. I've run it 8 times and beat the train 3 times many years ago. In 1996 I had to wait at the 7k crossing and just beat it by 8 secs at the finish. My 5k split was under 21min and 7k under 30min. Biggest uphill is around 6-7k. Here's my stats ..

year - train time - my time - starters - no.beat train
1996- 57.08- 57.00- 1420- 341
1999- 57.18- 56.08- 1676- 411
2000- 62.44- 59.44- 1462- 589
2002- 56.44- 62.40- 2112- 301
2003- 53.02- 59.20- 2202- 160
2004- 56.14- 59.30- 2375- 354
2005- 56.54- 57.28- 2264- 355
2006- 54.58- 58.10- 2372- 238

[chilliman]

RMC, on Mar 23 2010, 04:24 PM, said:

year - train time - my time - starters - no.beat train
1996- 57.08- 57.00- 1420- 341
1999- 57.18- 56.08- 1676- 411
2000- 62.44- 59.44- 1462- 589
2002- 56.44- 62.40- 2112- 301
2003- 53.02- 59.20- 2202- 160
2004- 56.14- 59.30- 2375- 354
2005- 56.54- 57.28- 2264- 355
2006- 54.58- 58.10- 2372- 238

In 1998 the train ran 52:42 the first year I raced it, and in 2001 58:14.

[mmasics]

RMC, on Mar 23 2010, 04:24 PM, said:

To beat the train you really need to beat it to the 7k (top of hill) crossing. I've run it 8 times and beat the train 3 times many years ago. In 1996 I had to wait at the 7k crossing and just beat it by 8 secs at the finish. My 5k split was under 21min and 7k under 30min. Biggest uphill is around 6-7k. Here's my stats ..

year - train time - my time - starters - no.beat train
1996- 57.08- 57.00- 1420- 341
1999- 57.18- 56.08- 1676- 411
2000- 62.44- 59.44- 1462- 589
2002- 56.44- 62.40- 2112- 301
2003- 53.02- 59.20- 2202- 160
2004- 56.14- 59.30- 2375- 354
2005- 56.54- 57.28- 2264- 355
2006- 54.58- 58.10- 2372- 238

thanks, useful info and stats !!!
Matt

[mmasics]

chilliman, on Mar 23 2010, 04:47 PM, said:

In 1998 the train ran 52:42 the first year I raced it, and in 2001 58:14.

Good Info Everybody and Thanks !!!
Never been this fit before and have just started experimenting with tempo and interval so may find some improvement from R4K. Not kidding myself, looks a tougher run, my goal is to get near 60 mins
Matt