So the Routeburn Classic is this weekend and this is the part when I would normally say “take the following with a grain of salt, try not to get hurt feeling if your name is not listed here and try not to fold under the pressure if it is”, but it seems despite this warning of what would normally follow there are some people out there that still get there feels hurt. After the TuM prediction post I wrote I was more or less accused of being a sexist, this was after stating that I didn’t know enough about the womans field to make an fair call on that race. I think the person had me confused with a full time professional writer/reported, rather than some one that has a personal blog, with zero obligations attached to it. I remember reading once on a climbing forum about what was the most common climbing related injury. I don’t think it was #1, but “Hurt Feelings” as a result of internet forums/blogs was one of the most common injury’s in climbing. I think they same is likely true in running and most other sports/life in general. I say this not only as a result of my silly little blog but also from a reaction I seen to a story written by a major PR company. I will not go into details (don’t want to hurt anyones feels), but the reaction was so stupid! Anyway, this person is fragile and the last I want them doing is crying into their key board because of some thing that I wrote, or worse yet, didn’t write……
Its like spider mans uncle said- “with great power comes great responsibly” so I should really respect this crazy blogging power. Or?! at least let these people know how to access this amazing power- its http://www.wordpress.com or blogger.com if you prefer- get after it you crazy kids!
At least no I know that the 14,000 odd visits this blog has had are not all from my mum and MattB.
As I am not gonna do any predictions, I will open the floor on that subject for all…….
I will comment on my own pre race prediction- I am tired and slow. 9.5hrs with 4500m vert over the easter bunnies birthday weekend makes me a little tired, mind you I did “clean” Camp Saddle yesterday from the BR side, something I haven’t done all summer. This would have help add to my tiredness, but shows I am still reasonably strong on the hills, despite little real hill work over the summer. I have done about 3 speed sessions since November, so no ones should have to worry to much about being out kicked by me in those final flat kms on Saturday. Add in the fat ankle and things aren’t looks that flash for the repeat win at the Routeburn, but I am super happy with TNF100 prep that is 2 weeks after(more on this later).
I am pretty sure this will be the 10th Routeburn Race (it was the Routeburn Rage at first). In that time I think only 7 people have done sub 3hrs and only 3 sub 2hr55, with no one going sub 2hr50. Hard to say how those figures will be looking after Saturday. I think there are 2-6 folks that might be able to go under 3hrs, but I don’t think Usshers record will be in threat, time will tell.
Ski Runner NZ 
Yeah, I saw the wee storm that ensued last time and I really couldn’t work it out given the disclaimers you clearly made. Odd I thought. But it can’t be any worse than the time I pissed someone off on my blog, then had that person phone me up threatening to dob me into the Police because of something I’d said. If I see that person in the flesh again, I may just punch them. 😀
I hope writing what you did feels cathartic anyway (I know my post phone call response to my nemesis via my blog felt bloody great!).
All the best for the weekend – to you AND of course to Jane. If you have a less than optimum race, then hey, that’s life. But if it’s a stunner, then lap it up!
Go well!
thanks Rachel! Well done on that post I’d say. A little part (like about 2/3) of me really enjoys pissing people off. I wouldn’t say I go out to do that, but it can be a very amusing byproduct at times. I hope I haven’t got my phone number plastered in the interweb…..
I am sure I will not have the same kind of race as last year, every thing feel into place so well, but less than optimum I am still backing my self at this point. Thats gonna hurt…….
Mememe, look look everyone, I got a mention 😀 and I’m not even racing and I suck.
Race Predicitions – Put together a decent field and then it makes for some good fun picking results. Have no depth and no really good runners then it’s a bit of a yawn and that includes talking about friends. Male or Female.
Looking back at TuM, even Amy was surprised she won (38th Woman at the Kepler). I’m pleased for her though as she gets out and supports a lot of races. Boys was a stacked race though.
Routeburn
Boys – Good Field
Guise, Kuegler, Stevens, Hirschfeld, 4-Names
Bevan Stevens easily the fastest in the field.
Girls – Good Field
Harper, Fairmaid, Hirschfeld,Cournane,Dagg
have googled none of this so could be completely off the mark. It may not even be the same Bevan Stevens as the fast one. 10 slots left, who’s got a spare $200 for me so I can go an play too.
hold on to your bike tights there Matt, your mentioned in the same line as my mum, and at least she has raced the Routeburn.
Can of worms with the “easily the fastest in the field” statement. What are we talking here- 100m dash, 10km on the track, a rd marathon?? All of which we both know is almost totally irrelevant as this is a trail mountain race, which I think is pretty unique in its course make up ( I haven’t done another race like it, not that that is saying all that much). I (think I) know what your saying about Bevan, it is just like you said pre Kepler that a fast 1/2 don’t count for shit, oh wait, thats right your were total wrong with that and Vajin total kicked ass after running some good 1/2’s. Sorry, were was I, yeah, I don’t know if running a fast 5 or 10 on the track, or even XC means your gonna be fast for 32 in the mountains. It certainly is gonna help! But only if the other skills are up to the task I think. We seen this with Vajin- solid 1/2+ 200k/w = 5hr Kepler and hopefully Bevan (the fast one!) is gonna turn up and really show us what can be done on this course, because I don’t think that has been done yet, not like it has on the Kepler anyway.
As always thinks for playing along Matt and don’t your own blog, it would make mine boring.
hahaha, yeah hmmm, fastest at what??????
I’ll go with “Standard type of distance that the real world understands. eg 10k, you know the kind of race that Athletes try to go to the Olympics for” 🙂
I think he might be OK on the hills and rough ground as well, has represented NZ at World Mountain running Championships, think it was as a junior. Either way, he’s the fast.
yeah the kid can and fore sure he will be OK on hills/rough stuff. Can’t wait to see what he (and a host of others) can do on course
By the way, imagine how much dribble there’d be if I had my own blog, hmmm now there’s a bad idea.
/me subscribes
Lovin the smack talk, and the BS that gets thrown round on here (by all you fullas!) , Its great!
Its cool for a nobody like me to see how friendly, helpful and ‘normal’ that you are (even if you can run ridiculously fast/far). Ill be heading over for the TNF100, might see you at the start line (for about 10 seconds).
Good luck in the Routeburn mate (and the TNF).
thanks for stopping by Glen and for the comment!
Yeah maybe a little to much smack and BS at times, but it is all in good fun! Glad you enjoy.
Say hi at TNF100- I’ll be the awkward/nervous looking fat guy in white lycra……….
Tired? You just love being the underdog.
Rip it up mate. 🙂
thank god someone out there has the balls to call it as they see it. even if they get it wrong (and you rarely do), props for not mincing around on the internet not saying anything for fear of hurting someone’s ego. so in that vein:
Good Bevan to murder everyone. period.
Otherwise,
JK to go out WAY WAY too fast and lead to about half way up the 1st good uphill. 10 bucks says silly footwear.
Hirschfeld solid ascender and plenty of fitness in the tank from Nat Mtn Running champs. Too slow on the flats to make it a race win or impressive time though.
The peoples champion, GTG, for the win. (you generally run best when you least expect it, keep talking yourself down and prepare yourself for a surprise).
Agree Usshers time should fall the 1st time a proper runner shows up. Entries still avail you say? (joke)
oh, hah, RBC was LAST weekend… so ^these predictions are all a few days too late. Not miles off though.
GTG 3rd? sharpen up.
=D
Wake up Donkey