MEET THE ‘ORIGINALS’
A small group of people have achieved the amazing feat of competing every year since the event inception in 2016. We refer to this group as the 'Originals' and given their experience and knowledge of the event is unparalleled, we wanted to share some of their wisdom based on some questions we put to them.
-
Q: What in your view are the key success factors for surviving and/or thriving in the Old Ghost Ultra?
A: It's a cliche, but that old saying: "If you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right." Truth is, keep putting one foot in front of the other and eventually, you'll end up in Lyell (the finish line). That goes for any race, but the Old Ghost is extra special. Remind yourself how much blood, sweat and tears have been put into creating the course, and how many hundreds of people have traversed the path that you're on and you'll be inspired to finish. On a practical level, good pacing and good nutrition are key. Just remember, the first 20 and the last 20 are actually pretty easy and fun if you feel good. The middle 40 is just about getting through - embrace the journey!
Q: What thing is most likely to be underestimated by competitors on the day?A: How hard it is to run the last 20kms if you've nailed yourself in the preceding 65. It's a beautiful, soft and almost entirely downhill track, which doesn't help if cramps have you reduced to a shuffle. So keep something up your sleeve so you can finish well.
Q: What footwear do you use and why?A: I've worn road shoes every year for the OGU. There is limited mud, the track is pretty hard underfoot and the extra cushioning and support of road shoes come in really handy. But everyone is different and please don't change your approach just because of what I (or anyone else!) says.
Q: What is your on-course approach to nutrition and hydration?A: The theory is eat often and eat early. To date, I've been abysmal at that and tend to eat very little and rely on liquids (Tailwind and Coke in the back half). Whatever you do, avoid the temptation to spend too long at aid stations - they're for resupplying your stock - they're not for a sit-down buffet. Again, do what feels right to you but the reality is that spending 15 minutes at the aid station doesn't miraculously make the pain go away, and watch out, the beer at Lyell might be gone if you dilly dally too long!
Q: What has been your event highlight to date?A: The Old Ghost Ultra is a family. Every single person I've ever spoken to about the event has overwhelmingly expressed that sentiment. What's not to love about meeting up with your extended family once a year and sharing in a very special journey? Personally, having my son compete in and complete the race three times, and finishing arm-in-arm with him in the top 20 twice is a pretty hard thing to not get emotional about.
Q: What has been your event lowlight to date?A: Obviously, it's hard when you feel bad: physically or mentally. But in my experience that happens in every ultra so just wait a few minutes and it'll be OK again. I've resigned myself to getting slower each year, and am just hanging out till I'm in the masters category. Oh and I'm never going to beat Bernard (Robinson) so I just have to come to terms with that.
Q: Other key tips or insights?Give Phil a hug, he's a very attractive man.
Don't be lulled into the belief that Jim, the skinny professional-looking guy at the start is actually going to do the race in cut off jeans. It's all a ploy.
When you see an Adonis-like figure at the race briefing or the start, you're not hallucinating. Bernard really is the modern embodiment of a Greek God.
Just enjoy it - it is an incredible race in an incredible place. We're all fortunate to be there.
-
Q: What in your view are the key success factors for surviving and/or thriving in the Old Ghost Ultra?
A: If you run like the Night King and the army of the dead are chasing you then everything will be fine.
Q: What thing is most likely to be underestimated by competitors on the day?A: It is always really really humid along the Mokihinui Gorge and the South Branch. Drink plenty.
Q: What footwear do you use and why?A: I have a real issue with shoes….mainly in that I own lots of them and every year I can’t really decide what the hell to wear. Here is what I have used so far…
2016: Salomon Slab XT to Stern then changed Salomon Slab Sonic;
2017: Salomon Slab Sonic;
2018: Salomon Slab Ultra;
2019: Salomon Slab Ultra to Stern then Adidas Adizero Boston;
2020: Swapped shoes with my good mate Nathan on the start line (he wasn’t running but there to do the live media coverage) from Salomon Sonics to an old blown-out pair of Slab XT’s I had given to him 2 or 3 years prior because I hated them at the time…….(it was as wet as a shag that morning and I all of a sudden wanted some more purchase on the greasy Moki Gorge)….this turned out to be a miserable mistake;
2021: I wore a pair of Salomon Ultra 3’s.
Q: What is your on-course approach to nutrition and hydration?A: Cheerios wrapped in buttered white bread with tomato sauce, salt n vinegar chips, raspberry fizzy drink, lollies (preferably in a $2.00 mixture paper bag) and a couple of slices of fairy bread.
Q: What has been your event highlight to date?A: Finishing my first Old Ghost. I love everything about this race and love running it every year. This race brings something special each and every year but nothing matches the first time you complete it.
Q: What has been your event lowlight to date?A: Ben Kepes passing me on Bald Hill (about the 65km mark) in 2016….. I have never caught back up to him since……
Q: Other key tips or insights?A: Ferris Bueller once famously said “Only the meek get pinched. The bold survive!”…….. I agree.
-
Q: What in your view are the key success factors for surviving and/or thriving in the Old Ghost Ultra?
A: Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable – In particular the last 20-odd kms where it’s both mentally and physically tiring. Other than that it’s a piece of cake as there are so many distracting influences (such as the ever-changing scenery) to encourage you onwards.
Q: What thing is most likely to be underestimated by competitors on the day?A: Every year I’ve run out of water in the section between Stern and Ghost Lake Huts. I take more than I would normally carry, but it’s never enough. You’d think I’d learn after one time, let alone six. And that’s not counting the training runs through there when I still run out of water.
Q: What footwear do you use and why?A: Hoka Speedgoats. Not being lithe, or the lightest on my feet, they give good cushioning over the hard and rocky sections of the trail.
Q: What is your on-course approach to nutrition and hydration?A: Gels and sour lollies. Simple carbs that are easy to digest. I don’t like solid food if I’m running. The whitebait sammies are tempting, but it’s the simple carbs that get me to the end - particularly over the last 2 hours when it can be hard to keep eating regularly.
Q: What has been your event highlight to date?A: I guess it would be the very first time I got to run along the tops section of the trail, and you get those magnificent views in all directions. Photos don’t do it justice so I don’t even bother getting the camera out. To experience it is incomparable.
Q: What has been your event lowlight to date?A: Getting heat stroke one year. It’s nasty. Cleans out your system quite thoroughly though. Was glad I hadn’t been eating solid food that day…
Q: Other key tips or insights?A: I did my insight of the race in poetic form few years ago (see 'An Ultra Life' below).
For those who haven’t done it before, there are myriad reasons why we keep coming back. It’s not just the trail itself but the camaraderie and atmosphere surrounding the event - which is reflected in the many runners back for their fifth or sixth time too.
An Ultra Life
by Paulette BirchfieldThe sport of ultra-running is not for everyone
It takes a special kind of breed, who’d really want to run
So far you pack a swag of food; and may see the sun
Both rise and set along the way, before your race is done
So far that friends and family, shake their heads and say ‘you’re mad’
And if your work involves no stairs, of that you will be glad
Your colleagues wonder why a masochistic sport you’d choose
And partners question why you have to have so many shoes?
Yet our lives are not pedestrian; that is guaranteed
not a beige or boring life, ‘cause it’s an ultra-life we lead
It is no life of comfort, and no life of ease
What it is, is aches and pains, that no drug can appease
It’s chafing in those places that the sun has never seen
And movements of a different kind (if you know what I mean...)
We’re all part of this clan, who run long on the trails
And people without their full set of toenails
Which brings me to the Old Ghost Ultra, a race that we hold dear
With start and finish far apart, but contours rather near
The landscape is spectacular, a wild West Coast domain,
That acts just like some Panadol to help to ease your pain,
But if despite the scenery, you’re faltering my friend,
Remember that it’s how we earn that hug from Phil at the end.
-
Q: What in your view are the key success factors for surviving and/or thriving in the Old Ghost Ultra?
A: When deciding what Ultra races you are going to enter, it's always good for there to be some underlying reasons or values why you want to do that race. This is what is going to get you over the line as you will fully immerse yourself in the lead-up. Yes, some consistent training is required along the way, but it's these values that will carry you across the line.
Q: What thing is most likely to be underestimated by competitors on the day?A: The last 25km is downhill so how hard can that be!!..........well it's the downhill that can give those legs the final pounding especially when they are tired. Get a few runs in with some longish downhills in so it's less of a surprise on the day.
Q: What footwear do you use and why?A: This is by far my favourite Ultra in NZ, stunning scenery, immense workmanship and devotion have gone into making this an outstanding trail that will last the test of time. The trail is predominantly crushed rock so from my point of view being a slightly heavier runner, I have opted for maximal cushioning. For me, the Altra Olympus 4 gives me that comfort and the wider toe box gives room for the digits to move around.
Q: What is your on-course approach to nutrition and hydration?A: Everyone will have their own likes and dislikes, it is all trial and error. In my case, I am happy to have ended up with Tailwind which I have been using for the last 5 years. That along with GU chocolate gels seem to be the ticket. The key is to drip feed the motor; don't slam it all at once. You are aiming for a consistent fueling approach.
Q: What has been your event highlight to date?A: Where do I start!! Arriving in Westport, seeing the OGU family every year, hugs all round, the briefing..........oh yea, the briefing........not one to be missed. Then there is the race, comradery, scenery, friendly smiles and hug at the finish. Elation of other runners crossing over the finish line...........I could go on. Love this race and the people in it and behind it.
Q: What has been your event lowlight to date?A: Yes, I have had a few nutrition issues out there in earlier years, stomach rejection of food is never pleasant.
Q: Other key tips or insightsA: Embrace the whole weekend of events, competitors and support crew. Keep a relaxed pace yourself in the first 21km, keep the food and fluids going in consistently to try and keep a smooth energy level. Have a good headlight for the start, and lift those feet, there are a few small rocks around that can trip you up in the dark. I went over the bars in 2021 going down the first hill. Luckily Martin Gaff stopped to check on my sorry arse!
-
Q: What in your view are the key success factors for surviving and/or thriving in the Old Ghost Ultra?
A: Set realistic goals for the race. It’s a long distance and there’s a bloody great hill in the way. The first 30K is easy running and you’ll likely be running alongside others for much of it. It’s a great start to the race and easy to get carried along with the occasion and the camaraderie. Try to stick to your own plan. The first hill starts at about 30K and you want to be fairly fresh because it starts getting serious from there. When it gets tough, just have a look around. It’s an awesome part of the world to be running through and just appreciating that I’m there and racing gives me an extra kick.
Q: What thing is most likely to be underestimated by competitors on the day?A: It’s easy to underestimate the final downhill but at 25K, that’s a fairly long training run’s worth, with 60K already in the legs. Try to keep the nutrition going in: you still need the energy. It will seem endless, just keep ticking off those km markers. There’s lots of smiley people waiting.......with beer.
Q: What footwear do you use and why?A: The track is really good so road or trail shoes are fine. I have gone with trail shoes as I think it helps me on the downhill leg as my ailing legs might slip a bit on the bush track but the trail is good and not a mudfest like other races I’ve done. I know others use road shoes and are fine.
Q: What is your on-course approach to nutrition and hydration?A: As one of the larger competitors I make sure I’ve got plenty of fluid when I leave the aid stations, particularly Specimen Hut, before the 25K leg and the climb up to through the Hanging Judge, and Stern Valley, before the big climb. Whatever you’ve heard about the West Coast, that climb gets really hot.
Q: What has been your event highlight to date?A: The top of the Skyline Steps. There are so many highlights as anyone who has run this race will tell you, from the shared experience with other runners to the amazing aid station volunteers to the elation of that final bridge crossing. But if I were to pick just one it would undoubtedly be the feeling at the summit of those steps. Not just the relief that the steps are behind me but popping out above the treeline to be greeted by the most wonderful scenery. Despite the effort and fatigue, I defy anyone not to have a smile on their face. Just as breathtaking the sixth time as it was the first.
Q: What has been your event lowlight to date?A: The top of the Skyline Steps. Ultrarunning is full of highs and lows, and this one comes fast. Turning around from the glorious view you can see Ghost Lake Hut, the next aid station, and you can see what is between you and it. In multiple breathless exchanges with fellow runners over the next few kilometres to the hut, the most common word I hear is “brutal”. That aid station can’t come soon enough.
Q: Other key tips or insights?A: Get to the bus on time. When they say the last bus leaves at a certain time, they mean it. Phil and his team have a long day ahead of them. Make it a stress-free start. For them and you. Take care in the first hour or so. It’s dark and you’ll probably be running in a train. Keep an eye on the rocky surface. It’s best not to have bloodied knees by the first aid station. While the speedy folk at the front will be happily relaxing at Lyell in the afternoon sunshine, those of us employing a more measured pace may finish with the sun dipping below the surrounding hills. It gets chilly as the evening progresses, particularly for those of us who have left all our energy somewhere on the Lyell Range. Make sure you have enough clothes waiting at the end to keep you warm. Have fun. And you will. There’s a reason we all keep coming back.
