The 2012 Mukamuka Munter

It's been 25 years since my last running race. It was a flat half marathon on a perfectly still Wellington morning and I was eighteen. So I was a little nervous signing up to run 30 kilometres across rough terrain, over mountain passes and through pleasantly cool rivers. However the intervening years were not all fast cars, fast women and late nights. I'd tramped and biked through the area plenty of times and I knew what to expect from the terrain. The biggest unknown was how my body would cope with that much leg bashing for so long.

Some stats:

Note the parabola-like ascent up to Mt Matthews saddle

So close to Wellington's cafe strip, but so far...

Distance: 29.5 km
Max altitude: 689 m
Total climbing: 980 m

My preparation was ok. Some months earlier I'd had a failed build up for a full marathon that all ended abruptly with a damaged tendon in my ankle due to over-training, too much too soon. In retrospect this probably gave me a useful base to build on for the Muka. And with some enthusiasm-restoring mountain biking and gentle trail running, I was able to run and have it feel good rather than awful. An intermediate personal goal ticked off. More local trail running, a "warrant of fitness" run/tramp up to the top of Mt Matthews and back, and some strategic resting was the best I could fit into my family schedule. During one training run, a loop of Polhil I met some mountain bikers, the first of which shouted back to the rest of his group "runner ahead". I'd never been called a runner before and such flattery almost scored him a coveted Bushlove mid-trail reach-around. Anyway I fondly remember it as proof I was actually running.

So to race day, and the weather came up perfect after worrying us all week with potential misery. We assembled just across the Orongorongo river with the Bushlove troops at the back of the 90 odd entrants we began the usual smack talk and general sand-bagging. Soon we were off though with a lovely tail wind that taunted us to go faster.

The first 12 km along the rocky coastal track starts off in a southerly direction but after a few km it turns to the north and although there's some shelter from the towering hills beside us we were warned to expect some solid headwinds and horizontal sand. I tried my best to cruise the coastal section. After a while I could see I was in about 25th place, already way up on where I thought I would be and feeling comfortable. Of our original group of sand-baggers I was ahead of Sam "Rammer" Dungey and Al "North Shore" Crossling. Dave "Sharpie" Sharpe was just ahead of me, and I assumed Tim "T-Rex" Wilding was somewhere up near the front. This section of coast is beautiful and clean due mostly to its relative remoteness and intimidating signage from the landowners. The smell of the sea and kelp was refreshing and I'm sure I heard yarping seals at one point.

The next section was my favourite, the climb up to Mt Matthews saddle. As you turn in from the coast there isn't really a track so you pretty much follow the Mukamuka stream heading due north towards a v on the ridge up high in the distance. It starts out wide and shingly and you pass through layers of cow shit, then sheep, then finally near the top it's all goat droppings. The valley gets narrower and the rock-hopping begins. Then after the only serious navigational gotcha where the main valley seems to veer left you continue north through a slot in the bush, it gets steeper again and the real scrambling starts. Leaving the coast I could see a large bunch ahead of me and as it got steeper I started to reel them in. I was keeping count and passed 15 on the way up. I caught and passed Sharpie and T-Rex towards the top they shouted "show us how it's done Waggers" as I slithered Gollum-style up the stream.

Due to my lack of photo-taking action I include this 2008 picture from the Mt Matthews saddle of a lost Englishman, aka Davo Bushlove

From the saddle on a nice day you can see Wellington city but today the wind made any peering nearly impossible. I scampered the 100 or so metres of ridge to get out of the wind quick as I could. Then the fun began. The descent from the saddle is very steep with lots of roots to help lower yourself and trees to grab for emergency braking. I went pretty carefully down here as a few cramps were threatening. I scoffed all my food and drink and that seemed to do the trick. Only one person passed me down here so that was ok.

Now back in the river we begin the slog section. I paused in the Orongorongo river to enjoy the cool of the water, then bounded off up the Big Bend track. There's quite a bit of up and down along this section but I was still going ok. Passed by one more here.

At the start of the 5 Mile track T-Rex caught me. I tried to stay with him up the initial climb but my body was starting to revolt. My running at this point was best described as speed shuffling. I was hurting. This is where my lack of running history was starting to show. A little further on I hooked my foot on something and with a tweaky cramp fell flat on my face. Getting tired. It was now grit teeth and hang on for the final 6 km of mostly flat wide trail. I tried walking but that hurt more so the only thing to do was get it over with. Two more came past me on the 5 Mile.

The final 2 km along the Catchpool access road was absolute hell. To make things worse a couple more passed me, I had nothing left and could only watch them disappear. I couldn't see anyone behind me for the final half kilometre so at least I could relax and really enjoy my hurt.

Done.

It was a relief to finish and I hobbled down the wheelchair ramp to collapse on the lawn with the other finishers and supporters. I was thrilled to finish in 14 place overall. At the top of the saddle I would have been in 7th. I was 2nd veteran by just 2 minutes, gah so close! Although the nice thing about this course is that everyone does the same distance regardless of category so the pain and stories can be shared and compared equally by all. A really well organised event and the weather was perfect. It's a seriously tough day out though and not for everyone, but if you can run for a couple of hours or speed-tramp then I highly recommend it as a fantastic adventure through some wonderful country.

It seemed like everyone enjoyed it and the merry gang of Bushlovers past, present, and "day-pass holders" did awesomely, all finishing in under 4 hours. Top job.

Chris "I just finished a 100km run" Burr - 2 hours 58 minutes (freakin amazing and good enough for 3rd!)
Tim - 3:15
Waggers (little ole me) - 3:21
Dave - 3:24
Sam - 3:47
Al - 3:51