The Big O 2012...or should that be The Big Lollipop!

I have run in and enjoyed immensely the Big O - well the little O in my case. I ran it in 2009 and finshed 2nd in my age group out of 9 runners and 37th overall out of 127.

In 2010 I improved my time from 2:15 to 2:06... but still finished 2nd in class - out of 4 this time. I finished 5th that year... although only out of 63 finishers. I think the event clashed as entries were way down.

I was upset to miss 2011 as I was entered in the full winter Xterra Series in Auckland and didn't want to miss any.... so I was quick to get my entry in for this year to see where I had come in my running speed and fitness.

Steve Neary

(photo by Shaun Collins)

I was totally gutted then to learn a couple of weeks before the event that the course had undergone an enforced change. A local landowner had dug his toes in and refused access to the farm the race runs through at the Okareka end. Shaun from Lactic Turkey worked his butt off to try to change his mind, but no go.

So the new race map was released... the Big O became a Big X with several out and back components for the 35km runners. The Little O became the Big Lollipop... a loop with a big out and back in the middle.


Out and backs meant runners going both ways on at times very narrow trails - this didn't bring me on at all and I seriosly contemplated pulling out. But my mates Keith Crook and Steve Neary (left) were coming to stay to run the event and it would have been rude not to run as well!

Raceday dawned nice and cool, not the outright freezing we had earlier in the week... just a pleasant 'running cool'.

Chris Morrissey on his way to winning the 35km event

(photo by Shaun Collins)

I caught up with a few faces at the start, Johanna Ottosson, local Osteopath and winner of the Rotorua Marathon in 2011 was there for a rare start on trails. Chris Morrissey was there to blitz the trails again and I caught up with the lovely Lesley Wilson from the Hawkes Bay who was there to start her preparation for next years Tarawera Ultra... pays to start early!

The 35km runners headed off to climb to the trig... trigs tend to be rather high and this one certainly is...  about a 10km out and back, the first runners were going through as we received our race briefing less than an hour later.

We got off with a quick loop of the Education Centre grounds and then onto the course proper. Absolutely stunning trails greeted us. After about 400m we headed onto the Tarawhai Track which looped us around through mainly level and fast flowing trails and emerged about 200m up the side road to the Education Centre. A quick scamper down that road, over Okataina Rd and onto Ngahopua Track which again was great running.

We passed 2 crater lakes Rotongata and Rotoatua, which evidently were formed about 3,500 years ago. I didn't stop to look (the photos I cheated on at a different time).... we had a steady climb through the early part of this trail and consequently a steady downhill on the second part. I ran most of this loop on my own, having lost those behind me on the uphill and those in front at the same time.

After plenty of winding through the bush and a couple of glades we burst out onto Okataina Rd again and over the road to another wide open fast trail... about 500m down this trail we veered left into some more familiar trail to me. This section was part of the Tarawera Ultra and I knew it pretty well having run a few practice runs in the past. I also knew it lead to the big downhill with multiple switchbacks.

I couldn't see anyone in front, but could hear them at this stage and - as I tend to - I flew down the hill making 200-300 metres up on the guys in front to catch and pass a couple of them as we reached Okataina Road for the 3rd time.

(photo by Shaun Collins)

Onto the Eastern Okataina Trail... a piece of trail I have run about 10 times now and love it. Tough little uphills, tight narrow bits, tree roots and rocks all add up to some lovely technical trail... taken to another level by the 2 way traffic. I guess I was lucky that I was having a good run as I only started to hit multiple returning runners in the last 700-800m before the turnaround. Unfortunately in this section my tender archilles gave up on me. I could still run ok, but no 'up on toes' for the uphills that has been gaining me a lot of time.

The only race incident I had was caused by me.. I went to move left to let a fast moving lead runner past, my left hip hit a tree root on the bank and propelled me back right again... bumping into the speeding runner.... I turned to see him frantically trying to keep his balance and speed on the edge of the trail... which fortunately he did.

On the way back the very thing that Shaun had foreseen actually happened... it got quite social... while some runners kept their heads down, didn't give way and ignored any hellos. Most of them moved left to give you room, said hello and even gave encouragement... something I tried to do as much as possible to them as well.

I had an interesting battle with a lovely young lady in pink who bounded by me before the turnaround, I passed her on one of the uphills coming back. She cruised by me on one of the last long downhills on the Eastern O Trail and started to get away from me.

After leaving the E O T we had to head back up the switchback climb. The first year I ran this event I cramped up quite badly climbing this. The second year I didn't, but had to walk the whole way. This year I ran nearly a half of it ... so I must be doing something right.

On a couple of the longer straight trails above the switchback I could see, about 300m ahead, the 'lady in pink' passing two male runners... I noted that one of them had a lot of grey hair and thought "he's probably a super-vet like me". So I dug deep and started to reel them in. I pass the first just before the left turn to head back to the Education Centre and the second just before the start of the clearing pictured at right. I had a tempo going now and just kept pushing and made the final pass of the lady in pink on this same stretch... turned out they were both Super-Vets and I had improved from 5th to 3rd.

My motivation for the last km was not to let her pass me again... so I gave it everything... I had also hoped to break 2 hours, but alas that wasn't to be.

In the end I finished 3rd in the Super-Vets with 2 hours and 1 minute (out of 18), one place down from my first 2 efforts although there were quite a few extra S-V's this year and I finished 17th out of 158 starters. Probably more importantly it 'felt' like a really good run. I had something left for a final push and nothing left at the line... just how it should be!
The Mens 35km event was mastered by Chris Morrissey and Johanna Ottosson had a comfortable win in the Ladies 35km.

Keith Crook imbibing!

(photo by Shaun Collins)

My mates Steve and Keith both enjoyed the course. Both are returning from injury and after a bit of a break the both struggled to keep their normal pace and conserved their energy for future events.

Great family atmosphere as always at the end of the Big O, barbeque with Jason & Peta cooking sausages. Excellent coffee from the cart and a peanut slab to boot. Prizegiving was fun with each straggler who crossed the line during the ceremony cheered and clapped (and they nearly all won spot prizes - funny that).

So, after I have finished, how do I feel about the course?

I am glad the problem is Shaun's not mine. The new course is fantastic... if Shaun ran an event over that course next year called the Big X.. I would enter in an instant.

Should it replace the old course? No... not in my opinion, the original Big O course is unique (as is the Little O). The deer farm trails are great to run, the bush bash is awesome and the trails from there are great. So I guess for the meantime it will be wait and see... but overall a fantastic day and a great event!

Tarawera Ultra Marathon

Right from last year sometime my mates have been talking about running an Ultra Marathon... 60, 85 or even 100km... a few of them decided to do the one in my neck of the woods - the Tarawera Ultra Marathon (hereafter referred to as TUM).

Photo: Paul Charteris

Personally I thought they were nuts... the 2 marathons I have done, while being personally fulfilling, have both nearly killed me! So when it was suggested that "you should run the 60km Mike".... I laughed and said "You'd have to pay me!".

From that comment, later the same evening an idea hatched itself in my head... what if people did pay me to run? No, not as a professional, but as a fundraiser. Hospice are the Charity that BNI - who I contract to - support and having experienced their fantastic services when my Mother passed 17 months ago
I decided that the first question I asked was going to decide whether it happened or not... that question was to Sue Rednap at BNI Support in Auckland asking if they would sponsor my entry to TUM (as it wasn't in my 'running' budget). Sue said yes and I was committed - my partner and daughter thought I should have been committed!

I then spoke to my various businesses that make up BNI around the area I look after and after having set a target of $3000, I eventually finished with just over $5000 in pledges.... BNI's motto is "Giver's Gain" which they practice as well as preach, so now I had to run!

To be fair, I didn't do a lot different to my normal training except to learn to run slower. I knew that half-marathon pace was not going to do it.

Photo: Paul Charteris

I also immersed myself to some extent in the event. I offered my services to Paul Charteris, the Race Director and he happily took me up on that offer. First off we cleared a new section of trail between Blue Lake (Tikitapu) and Okareka Township (left).

Then on Race Week we 'did the shopping' together. We cleaned Pak'n'Save out of Jelly Beans (right), bought more sweets that would be needed for a birthday party for a hundred 5 year olds. 240 or so bottles of coke and so much more.

Then we had a trip to Kawerau to drop Aid Station stuff off and I spent a couple of half days stuffing racepaks and generally just helping where I could.

Steve Neary, Keith Crook & MT Photo: Christine Crook

But finally raceday came up, I actually slept well - until the alarm woke me at 4.30am. Scoffed down some breakfast and had some quiet time on facebook until we headed down to the event at just before 6. We were one of the first there, so we got a great park!

Met up with my mate Keith Crook and his pacer Steve Neary and soaked up the atmosphere... and even at this stage there was plenty.


I had my handheld $5 torch, but was soon able to put it away as with all the headlamps around me there was plenty of light on things.


I started very cautiously and took it very easy on the accent to the top of Tokorangi Pa Road (in the Rotorua Redwoods). In fact I took it pretty easy pretty much the whole run to my first stop... at Lake Okareka.

Photo: Paul Charteris

It would have been even cruisier had not the Lakes in the Rotorua region all be very high... the Blue Lake especially, leading to about an 80 metre wade at one point (right) and about another 6 immersions before we left the Blue Lake trail. Wet feet would not normally bother me, but a whole pile of sand and rubbish found their way into my shoes as well, so it was a good job my team had a change ready at Okareka.

 Another disadvantage of a much earlier race start than I have had before was that the body was not prepared fully and despite getting up early for brekky, it was not until Okareka that the body decided it was time... me and everone else... hence the pic (left) of me racing Keith Crook to the Loo!


I made it to Okareka in 2 hours 29 minutes, which was pretty much what I had planned. The pitstop and the change of shoes and socks cost me quite a few minutes, but both were worth the time. With hindsight I probably could have run a bit faster over this section, but at that stage I had absolutely no idea.


So we plodded up Millar Road from the Boyes Beach (Okareka) Aid Station and onto Western Okataina Walkway... which I love. Again I was running very much within myself, taking it very easy on the ups and cruising the downs. I was very much expecting to start hurting a lot on this section, but maybe because I was prepared, or maybe because I had taken the first sections so easily, I just felt great. In fact I was chatting away to a fellow runner when we passed a lady walking the other way who told us "only 5 minutes to the to the top" which caught me on the hop as the trail had slid past.


I really let loose on the big downhill at the end of this stage as that is what I do best and I figured I could make up some time now for when my legs would be too tired later.

Okataina Aid Station

At Okataina Aid Station (right) I pigged out on watermelon and a few jelly beans, but pretty much left everything else alone. Right from the start I had been on a planned diet of a Leppin gel every 45 minutes and I kept this up until near the end, which took away most of the need to take on any other food. Watermelon was great though, so refreshing, food and a drink in one mouthful.I had been told "don't try anything new on raceday" and this seemed like a good strategy.




At this point I will mention my other strategy for this run. In my mind I had split the run into 3 sections. Firstly to Okareka, secondly to Okataina and finally to the Finish at Tarawera Falls. Like 3 half-marathons... and I do them all the time!

Even though the first section took two and a half hours it seemed to happen sneaky quick... especially with all the chatting to fellow runners and meeting people I had spoken to on facebook.

The second section was a piece of trail I knew reasonably well and as previously stated, I really love it. So it seemed to go quickly as well and it didn't feel like nearly 5 hours when I reached Okataina.

But the final section had to hurt, I have run the Eastern Okataina Walkway from the lodge to Humphries Bay, so I knew what to expect - tough ups and downs and plenty of them!

Humphries Bay

What was new was the 2 patches of water where there used to be beach sections leading to wet feet again... but this close to the finish I was not worried. I still felt great.. although getting a bit tired and sore.



When I reached Humphries Bay and was greated by the fantastic crew there in their Hawaian outfits,(left) I made what was really the only major mistake I made on the day. As I was getting sore, I had decided to rub some of the cooling gel into my muscles at that stop and also onto my sore back.


I did this no problem and chatted to one of the aid station team while doing it, about the sting I got on my shoulder about 5 minutes prior (my only 'injury' of the day). Then I attacked the watermelon again and headed off up the hill - forgetting to fill my drink up!!!

Finished!!! Photo: Christine Crook

About 1km into this section I ran out of fluids, which at the time didn't seem insurmountable, but no doubt had a lot to do with the cramping that hampered me in the last 10km. About 4km from Humphries Bay I reached the spot I had run to 10 days earlier from the other end and knew there was 8km to go. There was still some life in the legs and I started to push the flats and the downhills and go for the best time I could. 


At the Outlet I quickly downed several cokes and some electrolyte drink, but the previous 10km with no drinks had done their bit and even though I still kept pushing, the cramps were starting to set in. 


I crossed in 8 hours and 9 minutes... and discovered that the thing that hits you at the end of an Ultra is not - as you would think - elation, but rather emotion. It was all I could do to hold back ther tears as I savoured the fact that I had done it! 

Right from the start of this journey, I have told all of those who would listen that this was a 'one-off', that I was not an Ultra runner and had no intention of being one.


I managed to coerce my BNI business associates, some fellow runners and one or two others to sponsor me... I even had a couple of race shirts donated (left) by All Sew in Cambridge.


The results show I finished 19th overall out of 94 starters in my event, but in the end, the day won over everything... I had a great race - for me - my family were there, my friends were running all around me. I felt the pain for those who's day didn't go so well and the elation of other finishers I cheered over the line. The people on the course and in the Aid Stations were wonderful and uplifting.

Next day was prizegiving at Abracadabra in Rotorua. Lots of stories that will grow in the telling for years to come... some of them even true. Everyone joined in the spirit of having been there for a magical day for an amazing event that superceded most everyone's expectations. Although in it's 4th year, the consensus was that TUM has 'come of age' as NZ's premier Ultra Distance race... well done Paul!




Now I am torn... part of me feels like this was great, but I could do better. The other part says "you had a near perfect day, now walk away" I guess only time will tell which way I go... in the meantime, I'm off to the Dual this weekend for a 'wind-down run".


Finally and most importantly, a massive thanks to my support crew... my partner Lorraine, my daughter Kate (who both still think I'm nuts) as well as Steve Neary and Christine Crook who were oficially Keith's support team but seemed to be supporting everyone! Your presence on the day made it all work. Your smiling faces and encouragement at my key stops lifted me for the next section. Knowing you were there waiting at the finish spurred me on... thank-you thank-you thank-you

Here is the official video...

My Garmin report...


The Race Map...