Monday, 26 May 2014
New blog
Hay everyone! Hope this reaches you all well! Just wanted to let you know I have posted a new blog over at my website www.thetattoorunner.com please go over and have a look, subscribe and get amongst it. Have a rad day!
Wednesday, 7 May 2014
WEBSITE LAUNCH!!!
To say that I am excited about this moment is a sever understatement!!!! I am SO SO pumped and proud to announce that the long awaited website is now up and ready to roll! I would LOVE it if you had the time to head over, check it out and subscribe to the site!
A few points to note....now that the site is up and running, I will be blogging through it and no longer through this site. I will post a few reminders before stopping on here all together but if you could subscribe to my site and keep an eye on it, thats where all the action will be taking place. There will naturally be a few issues to iron out and upgrades/changes made over time but the basics are there.
I want to thank you all for your audience, encouragement, support and love through this process. Things are really moving along nicely and there are so many exciting things going on.
You might notice a coaching link on the site. If any of you would like to be coached, or know someone who would like to be, please contact me direct. I have also included my sponsors and distribution affiliates.
Appart from that, training has been going well for the last two and a half weeks since returning after injury. So far so good. I am getting some awesome elevation in here and loving that we now live in some hills! Stay tuned for more. Cooks Tour 30k return in a week and a half.
Well thats it! I can't believe it has finally happened! Thanks again to everyone and a special thanks to Coach Jeff for his help in building the site and the regular encouragement he gives me to chase my dream! Go check it out friends, please offer any feedback you have, positive and constructive criticism! I wont get better if I don't know what to improve!
Love you all, run free and go visit www.thetattoorunner.com NOW! Good times!
A few points to note....now that the site is up and running, I will be blogging through it and no longer through this site. I will post a few reminders before stopping on here all together but if you could subscribe to my site and keep an eye on it, thats where all the action will be taking place. There will naturally be a few issues to iron out and upgrades/changes made over time but the basics are there.
I want to thank you all for your audience, encouragement, support and love through this process. Things are really moving along nicely and there are so many exciting things going on.
You might notice a coaching link on the site. If any of you would like to be coached, or know someone who would like to be, please contact me direct. I have also included my sponsors and distribution affiliates.
Appart from that, training has been going well for the last two and a half weeks since returning after injury. So far so good. I am getting some awesome elevation in here and loving that we now live in some hills! Stay tuned for more. Cooks Tour 30k return in a week and a half.
Well thats it! I can't believe it has finally happened! Thanks again to everyone and a special thanks to Coach Jeff for his help in building the site and the regular encouragement he gives me to chase my dream! Go check it out friends, please offer any feedback you have, positive and constructive criticism! I wont get better if I don't know what to improve!
Love you all, run free and go visit www.thetattoorunner.com NOW! Good times!
Sunday, 20 April 2014
Today....
Well, I planned on posting a blog last week but things were hectic (whats new!?) so here we are! There is SO much going on and SO many exciting things happening at the moment it is nearly blowing my head up! So, where to start....
First of all - today I started back running! After eight weeks away from my indulgence with a stress fracture, I am finally back! I only ran 2k but it was lung burning joy! Where we live now at the coast is COMPLETELY different to Bundy and I got nearly 100m elevation in 2k! OH I AM EXCITED! I have massive plans for my running going forward and plan on being competitive, training hard and smart and being a lean, fast mountain goat! Bring on the upness!
I have also been around the same weight for the last year or so. I have knowledge that my weight is not ideal for competitive running and for sometime now I have wanted to drop my weight by a further substantial amount. I know I have hinted at this in the past but I really want to get to where I should be as a ultra runner, completing the foundation of building my running career from here on in. Fun journey ahead. Along side gaining ideal racing weight, long term health and wellness is something I am aiming for every day. I have strong conviction about the 'best' way to eat for longevity and this is the gold standard I am aiming for going forward.
For those who don't know, I am now working full time at Kunara Organic Market Place http://www.kunara.com.au . I am SUPER excited as they have just started a magazine (also can be seen on the website or obtained in hard copy from the shop). After some conversation with the marketing department, I am going to be writing a whole page every issue. This will generally include an interview with a local personality, regular customers or whoever (this issue will be with local triathlete Scottie Farrell who some of you know, so wait for that!), some training tips, maybe a recipe or whatever I like. It is a great opportunity and one I can also use to promote my TattooRunner adventures, which brings me to my next point....TattooRunner!
Kunara have offered me as a runner a sponsorship! It is a great opportunity and I am super excited to be involved with them as an athlete as well as an employee.
Hopefully this week, I am also going to be launching my website. There will be more details about this forthcoming, but it will hopefully be a one-stop-shop for all things TattooRunner - blog, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube etc. Very VERY keen to get this up and running.
Lastly (I think), I can now officially announce I am coaching! My good mate Andy Dower has given me a good push to get this going, and I am going to be helping him in his journey to the Glasshouse 100miler in September. I am available to coach anyone (generally online) from new or established ultra runners, trail runners, runners in general and also those who haven't run a step! I would love to help people lose weight, set a goal and achieve it (no matter how small!), and generally make your life better! Please pass the word around, but these details will be on my website, pending the release. If ANY of you are interested in getting coached by me, or know someone who might be interested in getting coached, please email me direct at grills_1@hotmail.com for costing etc...
So, I think that is it for the moment?! There is SO much going on and I have so many goals, dreams and visions of what I want to achieve in the near and distance future. I have really grown a deep seeded entrepreneurial spirit and I have no desire for the ordinary. I am chasing the dream, living life, celebrating existence and learning from mistakes. God is good, life is blessed and meant to be a wild adventure. I am honoured that you would want to share this journey with me and hope you are taking your own off beaten, un-explored single track to find your own special, individual calling. I love you all friends, have an amazing, super exciting, beautiful week. Run on, plant strong....
First of all - today I started back running! After eight weeks away from my indulgence with a stress fracture, I am finally back! I only ran 2k but it was lung burning joy! Where we live now at the coast is COMPLETELY different to Bundy and I got nearly 100m elevation in 2k! OH I AM EXCITED! I have massive plans for my running going forward and plan on being competitive, training hard and smart and being a lean, fast mountain goat! Bring on the upness!
I have also been around the same weight for the last year or so. I have knowledge that my weight is not ideal for competitive running and for sometime now I have wanted to drop my weight by a further substantial amount. I know I have hinted at this in the past but I really want to get to where I should be as a ultra runner, completing the foundation of building my running career from here on in. Fun journey ahead. Along side gaining ideal racing weight, long term health and wellness is something I am aiming for every day. I have strong conviction about the 'best' way to eat for longevity and this is the gold standard I am aiming for going forward.
For those who don't know, I am now working full time at Kunara Organic Market Place http://www.kunara.com.au . I am SUPER excited as they have just started a magazine (also can be seen on the website or obtained in hard copy from the shop). After some conversation with the marketing department, I am going to be writing a whole page every issue. This will generally include an interview with a local personality, regular customers or whoever (this issue will be with local triathlete Scottie Farrell who some of you know, so wait for that!), some training tips, maybe a recipe or whatever I like. It is a great opportunity and one I can also use to promote my TattooRunner adventures, which brings me to my next point....TattooRunner!
Kunara have offered me as a runner a sponsorship! It is a great opportunity and I am super excited to be involved with them as an athlete as well as an employee.
Hopefully this week, I am also going to be launching my website. There will be more details about this forthcoming, but it will hopefully be a one-stop-shop for all things TattooRunner - blog, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube etc. Very VERY keen to get this up and running.
Lastly (I think), I can now officially announce I am coaching! My good mate Andy Dower has given me a good push to get this going, and I am going to be helping him in his journey to the Glasshouse 100miler in September. I am available to coach anyone (generally online) from new or established ultra runners, trail runners, runners in general and also those who haven't run a step! I would love to help people lose weight, set a goal and achieve it (no matter how small!), and generally make your life better! Please pass the word around, but these details will be on my website, pending the release. If ANY of you are interested in getting coached by me, or know someone who might be interested in getting coached, please email me direct at grills_1@hotmail.com for costing etc...
So, I think that is it for the moment?! There is SO much going on and I have so many goals, dreams and visions of what I want to achieve in the near and distance future. I have really grown a deep seeded entrepreneurial spirit and I have no desire for the ordinary. I am chasing the dream, living life, celebrating existence and learning from mistakes. God is good, life is blessed and meant to be a wild adventure. I am honoured that you would want to share this journey with me and hope you are taking your own off beaten, un-explored single track to find your own special, individual calling. I love you all friends, have an amazing, super exciting, beautiful week. Run on, plant strong....
Saturday, 5 April 2014
Booties got back....almost!
MY PEOPLE! Well, I haven't really felt like a runner as of late let me tell you! Whist I am back training (elliptical and spin bike at the gym...ugh!) there has still been no running due to the stress fracture in my foot. My physio has said that I am aloud to start running tomorrow, however I am giving it an extra two weeks (shock and awe!!!!) to make sure it is healed and ready to go for the rest of the year.
It has been tough! I have REALLY missed my daily routine of getting out the door early, starting the day beautifully. My daily meditation practice of running has been sorely missed, however it will be back soon! I really think though that this has re-lit the fire in the belly for when I am back clicking off the miles.
So, in saying this, I thought I would take this opportunity to let y'all know my plans for the rest of the year. I have just done up my calendar and diary and I can't wait to get started tomorrow. I am SUPER keen to start running here at the Sunshine Coast. I think I was a decent trail mountain runner whilst living in Bundy (with no trails or mountains!), however now I am living where there is some serious hills and trails, I am super excited to see what I am capable of. Bring it on mountain goat! So here it is!
- Two more weeks at the gym, then four weeks running for my comeback race, Cooks Tour 30k. I am going to use this time to drop some serious weight, get my mind right and in some decent shape for the second half of the year.
- Flinders Tour 50k. This is a 'A' Goal this year. I am aiming for a finish time under 4hrs 30min.
- Maybe River Run 100k. This is three weeks before Glasshouse 100miler so Ill see where Im at when the time is closer.
- Glasshouse 100miler. Another 'A' Goal race. I am setting myself a massive goal and aiming to finish in under 20hrs this year. Ohhhhh the enormity of this excites me!
- Blackall 100. This is a new event being put on by Run Queensland http://www.runqueensland.com/index.html Whilst I have no idea how fast I will run here, the course is going to be AMAZING (now in my backyard, the Sunshine Coast Great Walk (think Maleny, Montville, waterfalls etc etc)! This is probably the race that I am most looking forward to this year, purely on a new, beauty side of things. Alun and the crew at Run Queensland are sure to do an amazing job as usual and I think this is going to become a premier event in Australia.
- Maybe Coast 2 Kosi. Whilst I had an incredible time at this event last year, it is essentially a road race, expensive to do and a LONG way. I am much more suited to trail events (the tougher the better) and 100k or 100mile events, but well see. It is hard to ignore the specialness of this event. Truly epic!
- Any other smaller or super fun events that may come along.
As a side point, I am also going to be checkpoint chief at the halfway point at Wildhorse Criterium Easter Weekend. This is gonna be super fun to help out in a way I have always wanted to but never had the chance to due to running. I will be there with new friend Meagan and Coach Jeff so it will be a hoot! Get ready for some vegan goodies!
So....there you have it friends. I am going to be training seriously focused and doing bulk k's on some gnarly hills and trails so I think the possibilities for this year and my running going forward are endless. Thanks for your support during my down time and I can't wait to see you all out running soon! Smile, love all and run free friends! YES!
P.S - Dont forget I am still blogging for Nanas Pantry in Bundaberg - https://nanaspantry.com.au/blog I am also in the process of hopefully getting involved and maybe writing for my new workplaces magazine, who's first issue only got released last week. Check it out if you get a chance. It is a very professional publication with some really great information/articles. I am not entirely sure exactly how I will be involved yet but I am super excited and keen! Check out http://www.kunara.com.au/kunara-newsletter-oct.html
Lastly - I just want to thank http://www.injinjiperformanceproducts.com.au for their ongoing support. They have been looking after me with shoes and gear and I can't wait to keep this relationship going in the coming times. I am also in talks with Pocket Fuel USA about their products so who knows what exciting things may come of that! Stay tuned!
It has been tough! I have REALLY missed my daily routine of getting out the door early, starting the day beautifully. My daily meditation practice of running has been sorely missed, however it will be back soon! I really think though that this has re-lit the fire in the belly for when I am back clicking off the miles.
So, in saying this, I thought I would take this opportunity to let y'all know my plans for the rest of the year. I have just done up my calendar and diary and I can't wait to get started tomorrow. I am SUPER keen to start running here at the Sunshine Coast. I think I was a decent trail mountain runner whilst living in Bundy (with no trails or mountains!), however now I am living where there is some serious hills and trails, I am super excited to see what I am capable of. Bring it on mountain goat! So here it is!
- Two more weeks at the gym, then four weeks running for my comeback race, Cooks Tour 30k. I am going to use this time to drop some serious weight, get my mind right and in some decent shape for the second half of the year.
- Flinders Tour 50k. This is a 'A' Goal this year. I am aiming for a finish time under 4hrs 30min.
- Maybe River Run 100k. This is three weeks before Glasshouse 100miler so Ill see where Im at when the time is closer.
- Glasshouse 100miler. Another 'A' Goal race. I am setting myself a massive goal and aiming to finish in under 20hrs this year. Ohhhhh the enormity of this excites me!
- Blackall 100. This is a new event being put on by Run Queensland http://www.runqueensland.com/index.html Whilst I have no idea how fast I will run here, the course is going to be AMAZING (now in my backyard, the Sunshine Coast Great Walk (think Maleny, Montville, waterfalls etc etc)! This is probably the race that I am most looking forward to this year, purely on a new, beauty side of things. Alun and the crew at Run Queensland are sure to do an amazing job as usual and I think this is going to become a premier event in Australia.
- Maybe Coast 2 Kosi. Whilst I had an incredible time at this event last year, it is essentially a road race, expensive to do and a LONG way. I am much more suited to trail events (the tougher the better) and 100k or 100mile events, but well see. It is hard to ignore the specialness of this event. Truly epic!
- Any other smaller or super fun events that may come along.
As a side point, I am also going to be checkpoint chief at the halfway point at Wildhorse Criterium Easter Weekend. This is gonna be super fun to help out in a way I have always wanted to but never had the chance to due to running. I will be there with new friend Meagan and Coach Jeff so it will be a hoot! Get ready for some vegan goodies!
So....there you have it friends. I am going to be training seriously focused and doing bulk k's on some gnarly hills and trails so I think the possibilities for this year and my running going forward are endless. Thanks for your support during my down time and I can't wait to see you all out running soon! Smile, love all and run free friends! YES!
P.S - Dont forget I am still blogging for Nanas Pantry in Bundaberg - https://nanaspantry.com.au/blog I am also in the process of hopefully getting involved and maybe writing for my new workplaces magazine, who's first issue only got released last week. Check it out if you get a chance. It is a very professional publication with some really great information/articles. I am not entirely sure exactly how I will be involved yet but I am super excited and keen! Check out http://www.kunara.com.au/kunara-newsletter-oct.html
Lastly - I just want to thank http://www.injinjiperformanceproducts.com.au for their ongoing support. They have been looking after me with shoes and gear and I can't wait to keep this relationship going in the coming times. I am also in talks with Pocket Fuel USA about their products so who knows what exciting things may come of that! Stay tuned!
Tuesday, 25 March 2014
New digs and what not!
Hay ya peeps! I hope this post finds you all lovin life, being kind to one and other and chasing your own adventures! I just wanted to do a catch up blog to let you all know what is going on with us, what we have been doing and how life is doing!
So, on Saturday just gone, we officially moved into the house were staying at on the Sunshine Coast! It has been a hectic journey for us for just over a month now with Tegan working and staying at a friends house (thanks so very much Tim and Lisa) Sunday to Tuesday. I also started my new job the Monday before we moved down and also stayed with Tim and Lisa before moving officially on the weekend! So....to say the last little while has been hectic isn't far from the truth! It is so so nice to all be here now together to start our new adventures. Thus far, our jobs are great, the house is beautiful and we have already started looking for somewhere to buy as we are only in this place for three months. Were really praying that will all work out as well as the initial move here has.
On the training front I thought I was going to start riding last week, however on the Monday I went out on my new single speed, which I LOVE, and due to the hills and lots of standing up peddling it put too much weight through my foot and aggravated it.....no more riding for the moment. So, Monday just gone I have done the ridiculous and joined a gym for a month! The plan hatched from a Podcast where a girl said she was injured and did a heap of her training on an elliptical machine(non impact) to build/maintain her fitness before starting running again. So, my plan is this.....build up time based training on the elliptical and this cool stair climber machine for four weeks (two weeks longer than physio said I have to be off it...I want to make sure my foot is 100% right) then four weeks actual running before Cooks Tour 50k. I hope and pray this will work out and that the gym will get me in some decent shape before getting back into running.
Tegs said yesterday that she just loves getting out for a morning run, that it clears her head and sets her in a better place for the day ahead. I completely agree with this and being here now in the hills it is killing me not being able to enjoy them. I am really missing my daily routine of getting up early and heading out on a run. Life however at times throws us curveballs and we just have to roll with the punches. I have been really trying to remain positive through this journey however it has not always been easy. As the moments pass though, I do not want to live for the future but in the present and enjoy each day and opportunity I am blessed with. And I truly am blessed.
So my friends that is a quick catch up on where we are and what is doing. All else is super, the kids are great and setting in fine. We are going to surly miss a number of our friends from Bundy and hope we can stay in touch and see each other regularly. Thanks for reading everyone, be free, live life, love always and see ya next time. peace
So, on Saturday just gone, we officially moved into the house were staying at on the Sunshine Coast! It has been a hectic journey for us for just over a month now with Tegan working and staying at a friends house (thanks so very much Tim and Lisa) Sunday to Tuesday. I also started my new job the Monday before we moved down and also stayed with Tim and Lisa before moving officially on the weekend! So....to say the last little while has been hectic isn't far from the truth! It is so so nice to all be here now together to start our new adventures. Thus far, our jobs are great, the house is beautiful and we have already started looking for somewhere to buy as we are only in this place for three months. Were really praying that will all work out as well as the initial move here has.
On the training front I thought I was going to start riding last week, however on the Monday I went out on my new single speed, which I LOVE, and due to the hills and lots of standing up peddling it put too much weight through my foot and aggravated it.....no more riding for the moment. So, Monday just gone I have done the ridiculous and joined a gym for a month! The plan hatched from a Podcast where a girl said she was injured and did a heap of her training on an elliptical machine(non impact) to build/maintain her fitness before starting running again. So, my plan is this.....build up time based training on the elliptical and this cool stair climber machine for four weeks (two weeks longer than physio said I have to be off it...I want to make sure my foot is 100% right) then four weeks actual running before Cooks Tour 50k. I hope and pray this will work out and that the gym will get me in some decent shape before getting back into running.
Tegs said yesterday that she just loves getting out for a morning run, that it clears her head and sets her in a better place for the day ahead. I completely agree with this and being here now in the hills it is killing me not being able to enjoy them. I am really missing my daily routine of getting up early and heading out on a run. Life however at times throws us curveballs and we just have to roll with the punches. I have been really trying to remain positive through this journey however it has not always been easy. As the moments pass though, I do not want to live for the future but in the present and enjoy each day and opportunity I am blessed with. And I truly am blessed.
So my friends that is a quick catch up on where we are and what is doing. All else is super, the kids are great and setting in fine. We are going to surly miss a number of our friends from Bundy and hope we can stay in touch and see each other regularly. Thanks for reading everyone, be free, live life, love always and see ya next time. peace
Friday, 7 March 2014
Happy...
 |
| BOOT ON! |
I'm happy because...I only have the first stages of a stress fracture and not a full blown break
I'm happy because...I only have to wear this thing for the next couple of weeks
I'm happy because...I get to ride a bike and experience new things until it heals
I'm happy because...I have a beautiful family with new exciting adventures on the horizon
I'm happy because...I start my new job in a week
I'm happy because...in two weeks we are moving to the SUNNY COAST!!!
I'm happy because...I will get to run soon...and with a vengeance
I'm happy because...God has blessed me so very much in every possible way!
I'm happy because...although running is my everything, in the big scheme of things it is just running
I'm happy because...injuries make me realise just how special time outside, running the trails is to me
I'm happy because...I have clothes to wear, food to eat and clean water to drink
I'm happy because...I surround myself with positive, inspiring, beautiful people
I'm happy because...I have made amazing friends through running and simple things like Instagram
I'm happy because...life is too short not to be
I'm happy because...I have taken risks, broken from the mould and the future is mine to decide
I'm happy because...I am not tied to a career
I'm happy because...the sun is shining
I'm happy because...hatin will get me nowhere fast
I'm happy because...I know you have amazing potential, waiting to break free
I'm happy because...of the time I have spent in Bundaberg
I'm happy because...I get to share this with you
I'm happy because...each day I am trying to be better than yesterday
I'm happy because...I'm happy!!!!!
I'm happy because...there is so much negativity in this world, it is nice to have your heart smile! If you haven't seen the below, watch it, smile, feel good and be happy! Heck, I got a boot and I'm happy! Ha! Love y'all and blog ya soon. Run on!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM
Monday, 24 February 2014
Fit - Check, Race - Check, Injured - Check....
Well, Sunday just gone was my first race for the year, Beerway at Daybreak. I was really looking forward to it and had been training really well in the lead up. I had been having some niggles in my left foot for about a month prior (stemming from Coast 2 Kosci) and about a week to 10days before race day, it was really giving me grief even when not running. Like all good ultra runners, I ignored it and got on with my race plans.
We had a busy day the day before, checking things out and preparing for our pending move to the Sunny Coast. Super exciting. I then got to bed at a reasonable hour after deciding the girls wouldn't come down to Beerwah from Noosa, where we were staying, for this one due to me having to leave at 2:15am! I have a goal this year of doing under 4hr 30min at a 50k event and was gonna shoot for it at Beerwah...that was until the weather arrived and I saw that the winner of the event in November (same course but at night) did just over 5hrs.....might not crack the goal in this event!
So, Saturday morning, I got up, got sorted and down to the start line. It had been raining pretty decently since early evening the night before and there were still good solid downpours on the way to the race start...it was gonna be sloppy! Upon arrival, I met up with mum and dad and everything went as usual before the start at 4am.
The start of the race went by pretty smoothly, apart from the fact that it was muddy, wet and pretty technical. The first 6.5k was pretty challenging and made more so by the use of headlamps. I made my way through this un-scaved to the first checkpoint and saw the beautiful Ann. She is a gem! After this there was some good running and all was clicking off well. At about 5:10am I turned off my headlamp and continued on my way. I could feel my foot was sore but kept on movin.
The race operated by doing the 20k loop back to base, then the 30k loop back to base and finish. The rest of the first loop went by pretty much to plan and I arrived back to base in good spirits. I had been checking out footprints in the mud and guessed I must have been in about 5th position. When I got back to base, I headed off again and now had the fun of catching a some of the 30k runners who had started not long after my arrival at base after my first loop. This kept things interesting but my foot started to hurt. I ignored it and ran that first technical 6.5k pretty darn hard. I was bombing the hills and hiking with purpose...loved it!
At about the 30k (about 3hrs) mark, I passed the guy in 4th position and kept moving well although by this stage my foot was bad. I got to the 33k checkpoint and was unsure if I was going to keep on going. There was a nurse there (one of the fairies) who iced my foot, strapped it and gave me some panadol. I decided to keep on going, although by this stage the pain was almost unbearable, making me grunt every few steps and affecting my gait. This was bad as then I started to get some pretty substantial pain in the back of my knee and calf because of the over compensating. I was very steady and obviously got passed by a number of runners in the 30 and 50k events. I continued to move forward as best I could, unsure what the rest of the race was going to give me, and even wether I was going to finish. I ran into Alun, the race director who was out on the course and had a chat to him. He was supportive as always and offered some words of encouragement.
I got to a checkpoint at about 40k and a ultra running hero who I know (in my eyes anyway...heck she has done Badwater!) Susanna was there. She could obviously see I was in a bad way and she contacted Alun to come and pick me up in his vehicle. I sat down for a second and heard that it was about a 4.5k loop out and back to their checkpoint. After having one of Susanna's home made vegan balls (OMGosh....INCREDIBLE!) I decided to do the loop and see how I went. No real change. Amazingly painful, grunting, hobbling and generally in a bad way. Surprisingly, I passed a few people from here on in. I tried to stay positive and enjoy the moment and this was punctuated by seeing two wild horses. Beautiful. I kept on thinking of Tim Olsen going into beast mode and him grunting when he means business. Well I meant business, the business of finishing this race, one way or another.
I got back to Susanna's checkpoint, was grumpy (I HATE being grumpy on the trails cause this is where my peace is, but my foot was so bad it was affecting all parts of me). I grabbed another one of those amazing balls and kept going as best I could. The last 6-7km went by about the same....really painful, hobbling when I could, getting to the finish line the quickest way I could.
I arrived in a finish time of 5hr 48min and in 9th position. I was done. Physically, I didn't even feel tired or that I had done much, but my left leg, particularly my foot was destroyed. Very disappointing. My biggest regret of the day however is not acknowledging the people cheering for me at the finish. I am really sorry to you all that I didn't look up, smile and hoot and holla like I usually do. The injury had got the better of me and I just didn't have it in me. I am sorry for not having the attitude I usually do and I hope you can understand.
Post race equated to ice, ibuprofen, numerous messages to my good friend and physio Nix and rest. A couple of days post race, I have had an X-ray and it has come back clear. I am due to have a MRI also as it is believed I may have a stress fracture in the fifth metatarsal of my left foot. Time will tell. This week however I am resting, hoping my foot comes good quick smart to start training for Wild Horse at Easter time.
I want to thank everyone for their support in this race. The checkpoint volunteers were amazing and so so important in getting me through. Alun, you put on a top event and I know everyone enjoyed it, keep up the super work!! A big thanks to my sponsor too at http://injinjiper.cart.net.au for looking after me.
Although the race did not go as planned, I am proud that I worked my way through it. Medically I probably should have stopped, but I think the DNF would have hurt more than the pain in my foot during the race. I continue to fall in love with ultra trail running, the good, the bad and the beautiful. It is an amazing sport and I can not wait for the next event to roll around! Run free, plant strong!
We had a busy day the day before, checking things out and preparing for our pending move to the Sunny Coast. Super exciting. I then got to bed at a reasonable hour after deciding the girls wouldn't come down to Beerwah from Noosa, where we were staying, for this one due to me having to leave at 2:15am! I have a goal this year of doing under 4hr 30min at a 50k event and was gonna shoot for it at Beerwah...that was until the weather arrived and I saw that the winner of the event in November (same course but at night) did just over 5hrs.....might not crack the goal in this event!
So, Saturday morning, I got up, got sorted and down to the start line. It had been raining pretty decently since early evening the night before and there were still good solid downpours on the way to the race start...it was gonna be sloppy! Upon arrival, I met up with mum and dad and everything went as usual before the start at 4am.
The start of the race went by pretty smoothly, apart from the fact that it was muddy, wet and pretty technical. The first 6.5k was pretty challenging and made more so by the use of headlamps. I made my way through this un-scaved to the first checkpoint and saw the beautiful Ann. She is a gem! After this there was some good running and all was clicking off well. At about 5:10am I turned off my headlamp and continued on my way. I could feel my foot was sore but kept on movin.
The race operated by doing the 20k loop back to base, then the 30k loop back to base and finish. The rest of the first loop went by pretty much to plan and I arrived back to base in good spirits. I had been checking out footprints in the mud and guessed I must have been in about 5th position. When I got back to base, I headed off again and now had the fun of catching a some of the 30k runners who had started not long after my arrival at base after my first loop. This kept things interesting but my foot started to hurt. I ignored it and ran that first technical 6.5k pretty darn hard. I was bombing the hills and hiking with purpose...loved it!
At about the 30k (about 3hrs) mark, I passed the guy in 4th position and kept moving well although by this stage my foot was bad. I got to the 33k checkpoint and was unsure if I was going to keep on going. There was a nurse there (one of the fairies) who iced my foot, strapped it and gave me some panadol. I decided to keep on going, although by this stage the pain was almost unbearable, making me grunt every few steps and affecting my gait. This was bad as then I started to get some pretty substantial pain in the back of my knee and calf because of the over compensating. I was very steady and obviously got passed by a number of runners in the 30 and 50k events. I continued to move forward as best I could, unsure what the rest of the race was going to give me, and even wether I was going to finish. I ran into Alun, the race director who was out on the course and had a chat to him. He was supportive as always and offered some words of encouragement.
I got to a checkpoint at about 40k and a ultra running hero who I know (in my eyes anyway...heck she has done Badwater!) Susanna was there. She could obviously see I was in a bad way and she contacted Alun to come and pick me up in his vehicle. I sat down for a second and heard that it was about a 4.5k loop out and back to their checkpoint. After having one of Susanna's home made vegan balls (OMGosh....INCREDIBLE!) I decided to do the loop and see how I went. No real change. Amazingly painful, grunting, hobbling and generally in a bad way. Surprisingly, I passed a few people from here on in. I tried to stay positive and enjoy the moment and this was punctuated by seeing two wild horses. Beautiful. I kept on thinking of Tim Olsen going into beast mode and him grunting when he means business. Well I meant business, the business of finishing this race, one way or another.
I got back to Susanna's checkpoint, was grumpy (I HATE being grumpy on the trails cause this is where my peace is, but my foot was so bad it was affecting all parts of me). I grabbed another one of those amazing balls and kept going as best I could. The last 6-7km went by about the same....really painful, hobbling when I could, getting to the finish line the quickest way I could.
I arrived in a finish time of 5hr 48min and in 9th position. I was done. Physically, I didn't even feel tired or that I had done much, but my left leg, particularly my foot was destroyed. Very disappointing. My biggest regret of the day however is not acknowledging the people cheering for me at the finish. I am really sorry to you all that I didn't look up, smile and hoot and holla like I usually do. The injury had got the better of me and I just didn't have it in me. I am sorry for not having the attitude I usually do and I hope you can understand.
Post race equated to ice, ibuprofen, numerous messages to my good friend and physio Nix and rest. A couple of days post race, I have had an X-ray and it has come back clear. I am due to have a MRI also as it is believed I may have a stress fracture in the fifth metatarsal of my left foot. Time will tell. This week however I am resting, hoping my foot comes good quick smart to start training for Wild Horse at Easter time.
I want to thank everyone for their support in this race. The checkpoint volunteers were amazing and so so important in getting me through. Alun, you put on a top event and I know everyone enjoyed it, keep up the super work!! A big thanks to my sponsor too at http://injinjiper.cart.net.au for looking after me.
Although the race did not go as planned, I am proud that I worked my way through it. Medically I probably should have stopped, but I think the DNF would have hurt more than the pain in my foot during the race. I continue to fall in love with ultra trail running, the good, the bad and the beautiful. It is an amazing sport and I can not wait for the next event to roll around! Run free, plant strong!
 |
| Always time for a smile after a few k's on the trail! |
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)