Ready for adventure, I woke up at 4am on that Saturday morning and began the 2 hour drive across the island, over winding mounting roads, to the city of Hienghene was the race was scheduled. I made the drive with no issues with just a few brief pit stops to admire the raising sun.
Upon arrival, I quickly found parking and made my way over to the registration area to retrieve my number... this happened seamlessly which gave me an extra 2 hours to warm up and survey the area before the 8AM starting time. The race took place at a local tribal community (Tribu de Werap) and there was a big congregation area in the middle of the village with a pavilion. Many of the racers had camped out the night before and the locals were already preparing the food for a post race feast (grilled fish and meats and local delicacies wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in the ground over coals). The land scape was beautiful with streams, mountains, and forests in all directions.
There were two race distance options a 7.5 km "mini raid" and a 17.8 km "grand raid". I was very tempted to sign up for the grand raid but ultimately decided it would be better overall to run the shorter distance so that I'd reserve so energy to spend the rest of the day doing other activities. The "grand raid" started at 7:30 so I was able to observe the start. I then spend the last 30 minutes warming up.
10 minutes before the race was scheduled to begin I made my way to the starting line, but when trying to enter the corral I was stopped by one of the race attendants. He was speaking in French so I could not understand what the issue was... luckily someone nearby spoke enough English to translate and explained that I could not participate in the race unless I was carrying water. I looked around and realized that every other participant had a camel pack on... I tried to argue that it was only 7.5 km (I figured even at 8 min/mile pace it would take less than 40 minutes) but they weren't having it so I quickly went to my car and retrieved a 1.5 L bottle of water. After a shrug from the official it was determine that this was sufficient to let me enter into the corral. There were 236 total participants and I decided to line up in the middle not knowing what to expect... then an announcer commanded the start and we were off.
Most people were jogging slow and I started passing everyone. About 600 meter in I got fed up with carrying my water bottle and tossed it to the side... haha, jokes on them 😏😏😏!!! The race took a quick right and we started down the trail... another 200 m down the trail we encountered the first signs of incline. People really started slowing down now with some walking. I thought to myself "what is this shit, walking in a race?!?" and I started passing even more people. This went on for a quick bit and then suddenly we were running straight up a mountain. At this point everyone in front of me was walking and guess what... I was walking too! I just latched on to the guy in front of me and tried to keep pace with him as we hiked up the mountain as fast as possible... by the 2km I was feeling it and was wondering how much climbing was left... turned out to be another 1 km and the path got steeper and steeper.
As we finally crested the mountain the sun was beating down, the temperature was 90F, and I was seriously regretting my decision to ditch my water... haha jokes on me 😖😖😖!!! Luckily there was a checkpoint at the very peak of the hill (422 meters of climbing). They had a big jug of questionable looking water and some reusable questionable looking cups on a table, along with some orange slices. Well, I didn't question the water long and quickly dumped the water down my throat. I set the cup down on the table to be refilled for the next victim and then grabbed a couple orange slices before taking off down the trail.
At the top of the mountain, things flattened out a bit (relatively speaking) and the course continued along single track rolling terrain along the ridge of the mountain for the next 1 km. Being unaccustomed to trail running, I found myself missing the trail and stumbling a few times and really had to focus to keep my feet landing on the trail to prevent a tumble down the side of the mountain. Near the end of the ridge, the trail entered a wooded area and I got a dose of much needed shade accompanied by some much unneeded additional climbing... as we completed the final ascent, the trail broke out of the woods and I could see the steep descent before me.
The next 1km was all downhill... 400+ meters over 1000 meters turns out to be quite steep!!! At first the downhill was welcome after all that climbing but my elation didn't last for long as I skipped, hopped, stumbled, and slid down the steep, loose, and narrow trail. Each step was pure concentration as I tried to a) not lose my step on the loose dirt and break my body, b) not blow out my knee as I fought to maintain balance and c) avoid breaking my ankle on the numerous roots and rocks. Being less adapt at downhill running than some of the other more experienced trail runners I started to get passed by people. Halfway down I attempted to step to the side to let someone pass and found that my quads were so fatigued I couldn't stand in one place without wobbling. I steadied myself on a tree and then continued onward.
Farther down the descent the trail entered the woods again and there were two race attendants waiting there with a stretcher... these are the moments when you really start questioning your own mortality. Also, questioning "what the hell did I get myself into?!?" Further yet, the trail got even steeper and I began to wonder if I was actually going to be able to make it all the way down before my legs completely gave out. A couple more people passed me and they were sliding down some of the steeper sections on their butts... EUREKA!!! I followed suit and was able to complete the final few steep areas. Finally I was all the way down the mountain and the trail opened up to a road crossing with a race attendant pointing the way. I was so fucking happy! I gave him the biggest shit eating grin... crossed the road and hit a 5 foot decline into the woods again and that grin dropped right off my face. I somehow made it down that last drop and onto the trail and it was flat going for the last 2 km.
The trail wound through lush treescapes. Now on flat ground my legs started loosening up and I started picking up speed. I passed a few people who had passed me on the downhill. We ran through a creek and I didn't even try to avoid the water... just reached down and splashed it on myself in an attempt to cool off. The race continued past the parking lot where my car was parked. I ran to my car and quickly chugged a bunch of water... also grabbed my phone so I could take some photos at the finish. Probably cost me 20-30 seconds but it was worth it... after the brief respite I continued on through one more creek and then onto the final road to the finish line.
I wasn't entirely aware of the course details but knew I had to be getting close. Maybe 1 more kilometer? The final section was on pavement and I felt in my element again. I surged forward passing several more runners. I caught up to one last runner and heard music and people up ahead. We turned the corner and I could see the finish line about 100 meters ahead. The guy I had caught tried to make a move but I turned on the kick and blasted past him... it was fun and nice to know I still had some speed left in my legs after all the punishment I had subjected them to.
As I ran through the chute they took my number and handed me a big hand-weaved reed basket of fresh island fruits and raw sugar cane. I greedily sucked down a post race soda and stuffed my face with fresh fruit. Then walked to my car to change out of my wet shoes and to retrieve my ill-advised cast-off bottle of water.
Eventually they began posting the results... I was 19th out of 236 people... Not bad for my first trail race especially since my normal training routes are surround my corn fields not mountains!!!
After most of the people had finished, the post race feast began. I stacked my plate high with meat, rice, vegis, and fish... and quickly ate it all. It was amazing and tasted better since I felt I earned it... Belly full and legs wasted I made my way back to the car and began my journey back to the hotel. At this point I was rethinking my asperations for the rest of the day... my desire for kayaking on the bay seemed ridiculous and was replaced for desire for laying around... I did stop at a couple beaches to check out the ocean wildlife and swam in a cool mountain stream as I made my way back so the rest of the day wasn't a total waste.
My legs on the other hand were a total waste. My quads were completely destroyed. I woke up Sunday morning super sore and by Monday I could barely walk. I hobbled around for most of the work week and was finally able to get out for a recovery run of 3.6 miles on Friday (6 days later).
Oh well, it was a well needed break even if it was forced and I had a blast. Hope I get the chance to do it again some day! Trail races are suddenly on my radar.
Race elevation profile below:
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