Richard Ussher's Challenge Roth race report - The Run

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Tuesday, 27 July 2010 08:15

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For the first 4 km I ran stride for stride with Chris at a good pace and the legs seemed to be responding OK so when he suddenly slowed I decided to lay it on the line and see how the body would respond. I was still holding a good pace and could see runners getting closer in the distance. Up ahead in the men’s race Sebastian Kienle had decimated the front of the field on the bike with a new record bike leg and was flying through the first 15km of the run with Rasmus Henning lurking 5 minutes behind.

My only struggle was a desperate need for the toilet but it was like I was under the scrutiny of a drug tester and could not for the life of me get started, even when I stopped at a toilet and it was a minute before I was on my way again. The relief was immense though and I was back up to speed quickly but my average had taken a knock by almost 8 seconds per km.

The support on the course is as amazing on the run as it is on the bike and it is a great motivator especially when you’re having a bit of a down time. Through halfway and I was getting incredibly sore which was a bit of a surprise so early in the run. It was very similar to my first IM race in Taupo and I hadn’t experienced that sort of pain since but it was well and truly setting in now and the only cure was to get to the finish as quick as possible.

When the front of the race passed me as they headed back into town Rasmus had taken over at the front of the field with Sebastian in second and Eneko Ilanos still hanging tough for third. Rasmus ended up running a very swift 2:39 for the marathon for a 7:52 overall time and the win. Luckily for me the other guys just in front were obviously also feeling it and I was able to keep moving through the field, al be it not as fast as Rasmus!

I was also still chasing Chrissie who just refused to slow down and was racing through the men’s field and was well inside the top ten with 10km to run.
The run course was changed this year so we ran through the centre of Roth and in the process past the turn off for the finish which was rather cruel but it was also a great addition to the course and was one of the most vocal sections of supporter anywhere on the course.

Into the finish and it was somewhat of a bitter sweet moment. The relief of being able to stop, the disappointment of not performing to my expectations but still satisfaction at not throwing the towel in and racing to the finish. Chrissie had smashed the world record with 8:19 and ‘Chicked’ all but 6 of the men’s field. My 8:24 was pretty disappointing given what I know I am capable of but definitely not a complete disaster. I’m now looking forward to heading for some off road racing with Xterra in Germany and then the Wulong Outdoor Quest in China on the way home with team Thule.