Running Wild Race 2- Wentworth Falls

Wow. Just amazing views in this race. Starting from a park in Wentworth Falls at 7am there were over 200 starters for this one and they started the race in two waves. Dan, Stoney and myself deciding on the second wave as we were again running socially rather than competitively.


After watching the first wave do their 150m loop around the park and onto the track it became apparent that there would be a bit of a traffic jam as the path narrowed. We moved off fairly briskly but still spent the first one or two kilometres behind a long line of runners. When the track angled upwards and widened allowing for overtaking the three of took advantage and moved through the field.

About 4km in, after stretching our legs a bit over some gentler terrain, nature called for me and I ran ahead and found a secluded spot. The track angled downhill from here and though rocky we cruised along at good speed. At some point after this we rounded a corner to what can only be descrbed as breath taking views. The Jamison Valley spread out below us as we scaled very steep stairs down the escarpment. The steepness meant running would have been reckless and the field bunched a little in this section once more.


From here on in the track became fairly technical. Steep climbs... up and down. Stepping stones across creeks and waterfalls, low hanging rocks and moss. We stopped for a photo and as some runners passed us we heard that a guy had actually hit his head on one of those low hanging rocks. he followed through soon after and aside from a bit of a gash on his head seemed OK.





The track continued along the escarpment until the inevitable rise out of the valley arrived. The steps were narrow and slippery with a runners banking up again. This was not a problem as it would have been stupid to attempt to run up the stairs. The stairs began to widen and allowed for passing as we rose out of the valley and once completing the climb we paused to regather as a group.

With only a few kilometres to the Conservation Hut and the aid station our group picked up the pace slightly before stopping off for a quick cordial and some fruit. Buoyed by the encouragement of race organisers and assured that the hardest was behind us we ran down the hill with reckless abandon. Passing a few and pulling away from anyone who was nearby. The final kilometres had some really muddy sections meaning the shoes once again needed a good wash at the end.

By the final kilometre we tried to keep the pace failry high but the legs were heavy and after 2hrs of running what seemed like a good pace was probably not so fast. After finishing I smashed down two egg and bacon rolls and a wild berry slushie. Final time was 2hrs 4mins with an average speed of about 8km/h. Despite this slow pace I averaged about 163bpm which is about 85% of max heart rate for the whole run.


Once again I am amazed at just how different trail running is to road running. The variation in stride keeps the legs fresh. It also keeps the pace down but the  heart rate up. I commented to the boys on one of the decents that tearing down a hill where you are literally jumping off large steps and switching across the trail for the best route makes you feel like a little kid. The need to keep your eyes down on the trail keeps you constantly in the moment too. So much so that the race starts, then it finishes and 2hrs feels like a few seconds.

Overall an amazing race, outstanding scenery, well organised by the folks at Running Wild and good company. Next up trail 1/2 marathon.

10 Things I Learnt About Tonga

The following is a short overview of my stay in Tonga where I refereed the Tongan National Rugby League Grand Final.... actually I refereed both the Tongan NRL Final and the Tongan Reserve Grade Final back to back on the same day. In any case I learnt some things about the culture, the people and about travelling in general which are listed below.

View across from my hotel in Nuku'alofa

1. Being early finally payed off. I always find myself arriving places early. I leave with plenty of time. I am rarely "fashionably late" and as result I often spend time waiting for others to arrive. This time, knowing my flight was at 9:40am I wanted to be at the airport with at least the full 2 hours beforehand to check-in. From my home to the airport is 45min drive with a clear run. The math says I should have left home at just before 7am. Knowing Sydney peak hour on the airport route can get nasty I left home at 5:30am. The M5 threw up its worst morning peak hour and it took me the full 2hrs 10mins to get to the airport. This meant a long queue at check-in. Add to this a 3 hr delay in Auckland  and I didn't arrive in Tonga until 11pm, crashing to my hotel bed at midnight after leaving home at 5:30am.

Sports Hall where rules clinicwas held.

2. Tonga is 2hrs ahead of Sydney time but that is not what is meant by 'Tonga Time.' 'Tonga Time' means that while I was due to be picked up at 10:30am on my first day to do a rules clinic with the Tongan Referees at 11:00am, the clinic doesn't actually start until 11:45am. This is a concept I was familiar with after visiting Fiji in 2009 where they run on 'Fiji Time' and after years of coaching young Polynesian boys who are never too concerned what time the game is due to kick off. As a result of 'Tonga Time' the 3:00pm final kicked off at 3:45pm and nobody seemed to care too much. I think everyone should add a little 'Tonga Time' into their lives.

3. Drink bottled water. Not that I got sick or had any bad experiences but if you look carefully all of the locals drink bottled water. The guys who looked after me always stopped off for water first each day and my thinking is if the locals are doing it then I should be too. I got through plenty of it as well. The weather was basically 27-28C each day and humidity was high as well.

The friendly bar tender.

4. Tonga really is the friendly island. There were several examples of this during my stay. One night in a bar near my hotel I met another Aussie guy who was in Tonga doing aerial survey. He asked the bartender where in town he could get a massage. The bartender casually stepped out from behind the bar and proceeded to give him a 20min back rub and refused to take any payment. I was taken out after the Grand Final and could not have payed for a drink if I tried, they bought me lunch every day and bought all my water.  Despite the fact that many of the people do not have a lot in the way of material possessions they would give you the shirt off their back. One of there referees had a wife who was on my flight back to Australia. He asked me to keep an eye on her getting through immigration and customs on arriving into Australia. They gave me some hand woven bags and shell jewellry for my wife. I was given then best cuts of the suckling pig and given the only two lobsters at the table. Amazing people.

Tongan Sports Minister

Myself and my touch judges...photo taken by the Sports Minister.

5. You shouldn't ask the Minister for Sport to take a photo of you. This pretty much speaks for itself. I unwittingly asked him to take the photo below and didn't realise my mistake until they boys joked about it at the feast the next day. To his credit the minister was neither shocked, surprised or annoyed. He just smiled and took the pic.

The losing team

The winners 38-34. If the game had been 5mins longer they would have lost. They lead 16-0 at half time and only just hung on.

6. There is plenty Rugby League talent in Tonga. Both the Reseve Grade and Top Grade Grand Finals were a showcase of very tough and skillful Rugby League. What they lack in structure and endurance they make up for in flare and physicality. While obviously not NRL standard I could easily see these teams competing in Bundaberg Cup with a few individuals definitely worth a contract at an Australian club.

Mormon Temple

7. Religion is very important in Tonga. Grand Finals were played on Saturday because everything is shut on Sunday. The bar closed at 12am sharp and one of my fellow referees, a mormon, sipped lemonades while the others drank. The homes and buildings in Tonga a very basic. Even my hotel had seen better days but the churches are immaculate. It is illegal to be shirtless in the township and there were prayers before and after the games.

8. The village is still important. The teams I refereed were village-based. I was taken through some of the referees villages and as far as I can tell they are often grouped based on religion and family links. One of the former referees there was a chief and he was greeted by all who entered the bar and afforded  respect by everyone. In fact I was introduced to one woman whom I later found out was the prince's daughter. I was told I was lucky because royalty don't usually address the locals but she did briefly chat with the chief and say hello to me.

9. It is a tropical island in every sense of the word. Covered in banana and coconut trees, surrounded by reef. Apparently some white sand beaches on the western side ( which I didn't see) and the blowholes on the south (which I did see).

10. Nothing beats being home. No doubt I had some great times but man it is tough travelling alone. Getting off a plane in a strange country and waiting for someone you have never seen or spoken with to pick you out of the crowd is a little stressful. Being away from my gorgeous wife and daughter for 6 days meant my sleep was not as deep as usual and seeing other little families around made it even harder. I felt priviledged to have been given the opportunity to go and even more so to return to my life here in Australia with a new appreciation for what I have. A full life, a loving family, a great job and no troubles worth mentioning.