The Coastal Challenge (www.coastalchallenge.co.nz) is an annual running event held on Auckland’s North Shore. The course follows the coast line from Arkles Bay in Whangaparoa all the way south to Devonport. The course includes some wading and swimming across esturies, wide open beach sections and some tricky rocky headlands. I really enjoy the variety of the race, the course flies by every race day. In order to be well prepared for the February 25 race day I pre-ran the course this morning with some friends.
A 6.30am meeting in Devonport was decided. We wanted to try and keep the tide high for the run to recreate race conditions. Gene, Jourdan, James, Nick and I all kept to time and were streaking up the Northern Motorway right on time. Arkles Bay was flat as a pancake when we arrived. No waves and a good dose of growing morning light seemed like perfect conditions for the run. (A massive thank you to Geoff, Nick’s Dad, for the ride to the start. Saved a huge amount of car juggling).
We set off with an extra member as a friendly dog refused to return home despite our best efforts. While dodging our canine companion James was the first to fall. Not 3 minutes in and he was spreadeagled horizontal on the rocks. This set the scene for the first third of the run.
Course note #1 – It’s slippery on and off until Long Bay. Even in dry conditions.
A few more slips and slides and we reached the swim section. We trialed a few options here. Some difficult decisions for race day regarding swimming lines. The route for weaker swimmers is clear, it is for strong swimmers that things get risky. Google Earth can be very deceiving with distances.
The pace quickened once we were across Weiti Bay. The increased pace caused a few more slips. Gene and Nick bailed in close succession. Jourdan too fell, his fall wasn’t witnessed by any of us. Afterwards he couldn’t be sure if he had blacked out, a comment mirrored by his very pale and grey complexion. He lasted a couple more k before calling it a day and heading out. A good call given his condition.
Course note #2 – don’t go training on this course alone. At least 3 to be safe.
And then there were 4. Past Long Bay there is a significant section of rocky coast. Some place high are better, others the low road is much better. We checked some lines and tried to reinforce the routes in our minds for race day. I am hoping that my memory will be jogged as I am running, because for now all I can remember is “go high by the rope swing”.
Course note #3 – go high by the rope swing.
Racing the Coastal Challenge 2011
Castor Bay is a big psychological point for me. It comes just before the final swim (across the beautiful Wairau Creek). It is also where I had kayaking for PE class in my final year at Westlake Boys, so it feels rather familiar. It also heralds arguably the fastest section of the course: Milford beach to the the end of Takapuna beach. Gene and James wound up the pace through here, dropping the km rate much lower than on the northern beaches.
Course note #4 – save a little for Takapuna onwards.
From Takapuna it is a surprisingly long way. Narrow Neck and Cheltenham sap the legs before the final road bash into Devonport. It always feels strange to emerge onto the waterfront in Torpedo Bay – such a rough course finishing right in the center of the city. I enjoyed the final k in the sunshine. The conditions today were great, significantly better than the wind and rain of 2011. So much better that today’s run time was only 30 seconds slower than my race time in 2011. Lets all hope for some fine weather come February 25.
In terms of race kit I have a couple of recommendations. Firstly do run in tights. I will use my 2XU short compression tights ( http://www.2xu.com/product/242/Compression-Short/267/270 ). They fit well, don’t chafe and look sharp. For the guys race commando with a bit of help from Mr Vaseline. If you can get some shoes with a low heel. Racing flats, like Asics DS racers, or even better, Inov-8′s of any description. The course is a nightmare for ankles and the closer your heel is to the ground the better. I also recommend compression socks. I really rate 2XU compression (they even come in non dirt showing black!). They give a little protection for your shins, and they help support the muscles on what is a long, rough run. Also chuck some Vitasport in that Camelbak.
If you haven’t entered yet, do it right now! Totalsport know how to run an event, and the Coastal Challenge is one of their best races. Multiple distances are available, check out www.totalsport.co.nz
