SHORT COURSE CHAMP FRASER RECAPS TWO BAYS

Contributed by Natasha Fraser, Winner, AURA National Short Course Champion at Two Bays Trail Run

The build-up and excitement on the lead up to the Two Bays Trail Run (January 14) has a life of its own, and this year it certainly didn’t disappoint (so much so that I had my first little holiday from social media).

I haven’t had the pleasure of running in the same event as Lucy Bartholomew for many years now, and I was blown away as well as very excited at the start line to see what a fit woman she has grown to be.

After a quick hug and hello we were off, after about 6kms of watching her in action on the trail I decided to switch my focus back to my own run as there was no doubt in my mind she would be smashing out a new course record.

My self defence mechanism when pushing hard is that I tend to really zone in and don’t always notice and take in everything that’s happening around me, but a few moments did certainly stand out.

I was delighted to see that the deviation was not a massive sinkhole of soft sand this year, the rain had done a terrific job of making this section a lot easier on the way out to Dromana and the pump up of passing the 28k Runners as they shouted out encouragement on the way down Hyslops Road did a fantastic job of easing the sting of the Arthur’s Seat ascent to come.

Ringing the bell at Dromana is something so unique and iconic to this event, the resulting happy buzz nearly makes up for the fact you then have to climb Arthur’s Seat again on your way back to Cape Shank.

I remember feeling quite good until my bladder had run dry, and I was very eager to grab a couple of drink bottles from my friend who had come to crew for me. I slightly underestimated my hydration needs on the way back to the finish, and unfortunately didn’t see my drink bottles until Boneo Road (lesson learned – don’t be lazy, refill your bladder, Tash!).

By the time I finally emerged from there, I felt like I’d been hanging out on the surface of the sun and 6-something-kms seemed like an impossible eternity (there may have been some very emotional moments on the steps of spontaneous poetry).

Crossing the finish line is always a massive high, and I was very happy to come away with second place overall, and first in the AURA Short Course Trail Championships on the day.

It was fantastic to see Amelia Griffith round out the podium with an overall third and second in the AURA Championships as her consistency in training has been beyond impressive!.

There was only one low point of the day though.

Missing the presentations was a first for me, and was caused by an intense coffee craving (bloody coffee van!) which resulted in a hobble to the car to find some moola, a fantastic chat that unfortunately went too long, and I came back to find out I had missed the presentations and the van.

As always the Two Bays Trail Run has the most amazing party atmosphere to it, and the support from spectators and friends along the way certainly carried me home. Thanks to race director Rohan Day and his amazing team of volunteers for continuing to put on an event that is the highlight of any runner’s calendar.

If you haven’t run this event yet, I highly recommend it.

Pictured: Natasha Fraser running at the Two Bays Trail Run earlier this year. Photograph – Supplied. 

AURA member and Ultramag contributor Natasha Fraser started running ultra marathons in 2011 after running 28kms at the first official Two Bays Trail Run. She was inspired by all the 56kms runners and ever since, has completed in numerous ultra events with distances ranging from 50-100kms. Her next big focus is to improve her 100kms road race time.