7in7 Challenge Day Two: Young- Wilkin Circuit

Day two at the Young – Wilkin Circuit was a tough one for Mal who was suffering from serious dehydration after yesterdays 42.2KM run at the Twin Lakes Marathon. Early on Mal struggled with the miserable 6am start to battle with negative thoughts for half of the the 11:45 and 55km run. Currently Mal is at the doctors being treated with a drip for dehydration.

 

Mal’s thoughts of the day.

Today was hard. After a record temperature of 32+ degs in Wanaka yesterday it took more out of me than i expected. I’m not great with the heat and even with regular fluid intake it got the better of me. I started out beaten up and the first 6 hours were a mental and physical struggle. Infact, it was utterly miserable.

Once at the highest point (approx 1700m) at Gillespie Pass things started to thankfully improve for me and the highlight of the day presented itself as a large snow field for us to all play! Sliding down it like children laughing and “wooping” was a fantastic way to turn things around. The runners spirits helped me to this point and then onwards to the finish. Richard Usher was a total legend today and carried my pack for a large percentage of the run…along with his own!

We were out there for 11.45 hours and covered 55km and picked up once arriving at the river by a jet boat. What a fantastic experience that was, which we will all cherish and never forget. All long runs should end with a jet boat finish!

A huge thank you to Alan and Patsie at Wilkin River Jets, and the runners who spirits got me through the day. I’m now feeling much better after treatment and pumped for tomorrow’s huge day at the Motatapu Gold. This one will be a long day!