11.3km | Race | 56:56 PB Week 11 of 13 Nail Can Hill is a tough race because of the steep incline that tears at your quads and glutes in the first few kms, the undulating terrain at the top of the course and the downhill running that tests the nerves at the end. Yesterday Nail Can Hill presented a tougher challenge with cold windy conditions of about 7 degrees and driving rain. Pre-race the runners huddled under marquees, under eaves or stayed in their cars until just before race time. Numbers appeared to be down from last year with many of the social walkers no doubt stayed at home in their warm beds. I was staying at nearby Jindera with my mate of 30 years CR Ripley and we arrived 30 minutes before the race and spent much of that time hiding from the wind in the grandstand of the AFL oval. We made our move to the start line with only a few minutes to spare where I met CR Awiseman. Awiseman is from just over the Victoria border and he was shooting for an "age buster" time and was hoping for sub 58. Apparently he achieved that - so very well done mate ! At the gun the course takes you for about 1.5km of flat road from the Lavington Sports Ground out to the foot of Nail Can Hill. By the time we reached the start of the fire trail the 1,000 strong crowd had thinned which made the going a little easier to negotiate. Soon the first steep climb was upon us and the trail had turned into a series of small creeks. So not only was the ascent straight up but you had to weave from left to right to avoid sploshing ankle deep on water. Halfway up and at the steepest part I was reduced to running little fairy steps and digging the toes into the mud hoping that my foothold would not give way. I reached the top of the major climb in about 23:30 and knew that I had to recover quickly so that I could race the middle section hard. This section would be the difference between a solid race and a PB. I ran really hard for the next 4 or 5 kms and although it was very slippery I had full confidence in my Brooks Cascadias who's chunky trail soles had me in 4WD mode all the way. That confidence was severely tested when I reached the downhill section. Running downhill on a trail is hard in fine weather. Trying to lean into the hill whilst watching for loose gravel is heart in the mouth stuff. Add a few inches of mud to the surface and a creek in the middle and its the equivalent of runners kamikaze ! One runner ahead of me lost his footing and slid a good 15 meters on his arse. I decided that the only way down at any real pace was on the edge of the trail in the leaf litter so I could get some sort of decent traction. So with arms waving about I launched myself down the embankment hoping that I didnt end up the same way. Soon I was at the base of the hill and in one piece. After a few turns of the road the mighty Murray River was in my sights below at the bottom of the valley. One last dig deep got me home into the finishing shute in 56:56 which was a 8 min PB. So I'm very happy with that under the circumstances. I then stood by the side of the shute and watched Cool Blogger Wombatface come in after a few minutes after Ripley a few minutes after that. It was a great day even under those trying conditions in a really well organized race. I must also say that for the $12 entry (which includes a t-shirt), it is not only the hardest race pound for pound that I have ever done but also the friendliest and the best value. I will be back next year for sure. A few pics that I took on the run will be posted tonight. Mood: --->

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