Kelvin Marshall's 2006 Mt Buller Report
From AURA
Back to Mansfield to Mt Buller
Certainly went into this run with no expectations (furthest i'd run in one hit since Bogong to Hotham was about 3 K's), as frankly had no idea of how the leg would hold up. Settled early into 5th place, with the leaders in the distance, Steve from Ballarat caught up with me and we chatted for a while which was a good thing (took my mind off pain), at that point was very warm (by my car was 29 at Mansfield when we started :) ). By 20 odd K's he was going just a little fast so let him go, and pushed along reasonably happily. All things considered was happy to get through the first 30 K's and then did alot of walking, by which time i was back to favouring my right leg :angry: . Was very happy to see the drink stations every time although was only 24 degrees when I got to Mount Buller Village (11:40 AM), had a wind against us going to the top (and was having problems as shoulder was cramping), raised bit of a run on the way back to finish in 5:18 (my 13th fastest time there, ie second slowest).
Was actually quite happy with my performance all things considered , but will find out soon (off to physio now), just what the damage is. Will admit i've never felt as bad at the end of this as i did yesterday, body just didn't want to do anything, and lemon squash (in a pub not like me !) and hot chips was about all i could stomach was simply wiped out.
Huge performance by everyone just to start yesterday especially with the forecast, and just as big a performance by our mobile drink stations (Dot, Sandra, Peter, Geoff, Colin, Kevin & Ross).
As usual a great, no fuss low key run, certainly one to recommend (well maybe not the weather), lots of familiar faces as well as being well supported by groups of Ballarat & Shepparton runners.
Only confident of Tim's hat trick winning time of 4:27, so will wait for full results.
Did wonder just how i'd make it home as was dropping off to sleep on the lift back to Mansfield, but car airconditioning was the answer, although a somewhat longer drive back as the Melba was blocked at Yea with fires, so was detoured through Whittlesea and Kinglake.
