Dave Byrne – Buffalo Stampede Part 2
So, here’s a brief recap. I went to The Buffalo Stampede to run the Grand Slam (All three races across three days) and after winning the 32km on day one I was rooted and decided to not run the 75km on day two. I still thought I might be able to jog the 42km on the Sunday for some training and to enjoy the run up Mt Buffalo, which is spectacular. So we had a light celebration on the Friday night after the 32 as both my fiancée and I had won and my father and brother got through their first trail runs. The Saturday was spent out on the course, madly following the 75km race and cheering for everyone. Once again, we indulged in a couple of beverages and pizzas of an evening before heading to bed early ahead of a 7am race start for the 42km.
A 6am rise and as always I was a bit late in getting to the start line. I have a tendency to stuff around with my gear and choosing a suitable outfit to race in can involve a few wardrobe changes. It’s one of my weird habits on race day and something I don’t think will ever change. Thankfully, unlike the Friday a couple days prior, the weather was cool. Much better for running in. I stood at the start and looked around at all the top athletes around me. To the left was Olympic Marathoner Marty Dent and Michel Lanne from France. On the right stood Samir Tamang of Nepal and Blake Hose, a super talent who knows how to throw down. Also on the line were Scott Hawker, Stevie Kremer, Jono O’Loughlin, Hanny Alston, Chris Truscott, James Stewart, Luke Preston and a whole host of guys and girls that weren’t there to stuff around. It was arguably the toughest field of the weekend so I figured the best I could hope for was a fun few hours of running and the occasional photo opportunity. Well, was I to be made to look like a dick!
The start was fast and furious….relatively speaking. Quickly the favourites were at the front tapping out a good pace while I sat back about in about 8th. The early kilometre is flat so it’s suited to my strengths and I cruised along not far from the pointy end and with long time friend Chris Truscott nearby. It was clear the pace was on and the race for the win was going to be a real battle. Each of the top guys in the filed has their own strengths and the first 15km was always going to be a back and forth affair.
My plan was to set sail at a comfortable pace and take the day as it came. I didn’t want to push too hard and figured I would treat it like a training run and not dip into the red zone too often. This saw me sitting back in around tenth place as we clambered up the first climb. It was a combination of power hiking and jogging through the twists and turns of the downhill mountain bike course that leads to the summit known as Mystic. As we clambered up I was in good enough stead to chat to those around me and offer some encouragement to Jono and Chris as they went passed. Both of them were already seeming a little negative despite it being early days.
From here the course takes a rapid descent and at one point there’s a quick left turn that leads you down the steepest part. Ahead of me I could see CT, Jono and one other had passed the arrow. I stopped and yelled at the top of my lungs to call them back. It took a few hollers before they responded and turned around. Stuff like that can be a little unsettling so as they caught me on the rocky trail to Baker’s Gully I reminded them that you never know what’s going to happen as the day unfolds and to stay positive.
Next came the climb up the steep slope to Clearspot, which gains something like 700m in vert in 2km of grinding running. Sticking to my plan I was super-relaxed, happy to give away time to others and chat to those nearby. It was only about two-thirds of the way up the first of the women’s filed, Stevie Kremer, came bouncing alongside me. She’s an incredible climber and I couldn’t help but compliment her on how well she was moving. A look back down the hill and I could see Hanny Alston in pursuit around 60secs behind. Stevie commented on how awesome Hanny was, particularly on the flat and descents. I quickly reminded her that she too is pretty bloody handy herself!
Reaching the top I bombed down the opposite side, passing a few of those that had overtaken me on the climb. It’s a long descent to Buckland which marks the 15.5km point and the first place to see your support crew. I arrived in great spirits to see my fiancée Emma cheering for me with my replacement soft flasks. Quickly I grabbed them before jogging away in pursuit of a figure just up the road. From here the course gradually climbs up and over Keating Ridge. It’s a fairly tame section and compared to last year I was moving well. Passing Andrius Ramonas I offered some words of encouragement before catching site of Luke Preston just before the summit. I rallied on the descent to pass him and started to get on a roll. Feeling great I emerged onto the stretch of road before the Eurobin Picnic Area checkpoint and could see the figure of Samir Tamang ahead. Suddenly I felt amazing and realised I was now in 5th place. Holy shit! This wasn’t meant to happen.
Hitting the checkpoint I was met with a cheer and the smile of Emma as I madly grabbed what she had in her hands…This is where I learnt planning is paramount! Because at the start of the day I told her I was taking it easy and probably would walk through checkpoints and fill my flasks etc, she didn’t think I would need much at the aid station. But because I was going so well I didn’t want to stuff around. The problem was, Emma only had one small flask of electrolyte formula for me and no water. Being in a hurry I said not to worry and that I would make do…big mistake…well, not so big I guess.
The climb up Mt Buffalo started well as I quickly caught up with a fading Scott Hawker. He’d raced a couple of really tough events in the last few months, plus recently moved home, and the fatigue had caught up with him. Now I was in fourth! Continuing up the mountain the day was warming and I got through my fluid rapidly, with half the climb remaining. The thought of having no water and being thirsty was a tad unsettling and reaching Mackeys Lookout I let out a flurry of swearwords at my parents who were spectating. But some calming words from Mick Donges (Who incidentally was taking a photo of a goat and tagging if as Blake Hose) and I settled down and kept toiling away.
Nearing the top I passed Marty Dent and moved into third. He fired me up by saying French athlete Michel was not far ahead and apparently not looking so special. But I too was starting to feel the pinch and instead of getting over excited I decided to chill for the last 2.5km to the top where I would be able to get some water and chase after the Frenchman. Reaching the summit of Buffalo I was met with loads of cheers. Quickly I grabbed a flask of water and took off. It was a bit of a blur as I madly got after Michel.
Not long into the final out and back loop I caught Michel and passed him with purose to avoid having to battle it out for a kilometre or so to get some ground. I wasn’t feeling as good as I apparently looked and instead of piling on the hurt and skipping away I took it easy and figured I would rather hold on to a small margin and consolidate the second place, than try and get a big gap and possibly cramp up. So the final 5km was steady as she goes, high fiving and cheering for the passing runners as I ground my way to the line. Reaching the finish was a combination of relief and excitement. I’d managed to place 2nd, achieving something I definitely didn’t think was possible and was over the moon to hear that Blake Hose had won in an incredibly fast time. In all the weekend was awesome. The atmosphere and competition was great, the courses ridiculously hard and the coffee at Bright Velo delicious! Next year I’ll likely do the ultra. I’m always keen to try new things and the idea of 75km of suffering in the Vic High Country excites me!