The other thing I would recommend not doing differently on race day compared with training would be fuel: something I was only just talking to a fellow trail runner about on Friday night (and nearly caused an accident by twisting around in my excitement to talk about all things running fuel related - yep, another bit of sound advice - thanks Chris! - would be: don't try to run and turn around and talk simultaneously!). When I was 4 laps in (with only 1 left to go) I cracked open the fuel I'd hastily packed early that morning - a BANANA flavoured fuel that I bought a while ago with the intention of trialling one day. Here's a tip: don't pick a race day to try BANANA flavoured fuel, unless you're sure you're going to be a fan. I was not a fan. It was kind of like gone off, warm, stale banana bread. Oh well - it stayed down (just!), and maybe did the trick I guess, as amazingly enough, despite being in burning, blinding pain for a good portion of the race and feeling the challenge, I did it in 1:32 and came SECOND female overall!! Woohoo!!
I was SO happy to get second place! At one point, very early on in the race, I was even FIRST female, haha, for all of about 5 seconds before the champion took me over again. I am pretty happy with my result considering it was a pretty tough gig! Each lap was a 3km loop, where the first 1.5km is out through soft, uneven sand, and the returning 1.5km is on the hard sand as close as you dare to the incoming waves. This return section got progressively harder too due to the tide coming in, so the beach (and 'hard' sand) got less and less throughout the morning - another reason to keep the pace up and get it done!
It was a really well organised, local event, put on by H-Events, and included a 6km and 3km option too. Some amazing individuals finished the 15km race and then went on for MORE and took part in the 6km and then 3km too! I obviously need to up my game... Groovy surf-inspired trophies too. Here's the start of the race, my crossing the finish line, and me with my prized 2nd place trophy, woot-woot!
Have a GREAT week everyone!