Well, flippen, heckin, ripper times, bloody excited man!  Only four more sleeps till my next event, Glasshouse 100miles (160km for those of you struggling with the conversion).  It has been an exciting journey, with a few speed bumps along the way, as there always is. 

 

I have been focusing on this event solely for the last 13weeks and all was going tops.  As mentioned in my last blog, since Flinders Tour things have been a bit up and down, however I have noticed something significant happen.  Even though I haven’t been able to log the k’s I would have liked, the little bit of rest (pft!) has freshened me up!  My training runs have been quick and I really don’t feel like I am putting out any significant effort.  One particular run with my mate Sabo the other day we knocked out 10k at 5.04min k’s and it actually felt like I was going slow!  Good times!

 

So, overall, I feel ready.  I was a little worried when things weren’t going how I wanted them to, but over the last two weeks, the excitement has been steadily growing and now I am keen as mustard!!!

 

My goal for this race, as it has been since finishing my first ‘miler’ last year, is to go under 24hours.  I have worked hard this year, dropped weight, feel way fitter and completely transformed my running style over the course of the year!  I think it is fitting (excuse the pun) that this year I will be doing the miler in my huarache sandals. 

 

OOOWWW!!!

After finishing last years race (wearing conventional running shoes) my feet were an absolute mess…see lovely picture and insert disgusted sounds here!  HA!  I said after that event that things had to change and I was no longer going to be wearing ‘normal, conventional running shoes’.  Since then, I have transformed (kinda like Optimus Prime but skinnier and just as colourful) my running style.  I have, since then completed three 10km races, 50km Hares and Hounds and a run to Childers (50+ k’s) in my home made sandals.  I have also done a 50miler (again, 80km for those who have now gone to get their calculators) a 50km race and A LOT of k’s in my Leadville Luna Sandals.  I have also done a full marathon completely barefoot, YES!

 

Since my transformation things have been beautiful!  For the first time since starting running I actually have all my toenails!  I hardly EVER get blisters now and have only battled a few run in’s with rubbing between my toes.  My k’s have looked like this in the last year…

How your foot SHOULD be landing!  The right way to run!

 

Home made huaraches – 1141km

Leadville luna huaraches – 2183km (yeah that’s right, ONE PAIR!  Forks to the 800-1000km running shoe companies recommend you replace your fancy cushioned clompers!)

Complete barefoot running – 1141km    

 

WHAT A YEAR!!!

 

So, there it is.  It has been an incredible journey and I am SO very excited to round it out with the 100miler, in complete style!  YES!  After this event, there may be some changes in the TattooRunners ‘footware’ and the journey of self discovery will continue.  Stay tuned for a blog….maybe next week about this!

 

Yeah baby!

To finish this blog up, a little on the 100miler event.  For most people, this kind of distance, especially on the trail, is incomprehensible.  I don’t say this to make it seem like something amazing, maybe just something a little left of centre.  The miler is a magical distance and for most ultra runners, the ultra distance.    I have heard the event described in a number of ways…even like child birth!  You go through so many different emotions and feelings.  I look at it as an amazing, beautiful, soul searching, meditative, blissful, free journey!  Whilst there is a lot going on in my life at the moment, and some things seem so blurry, running in general but especially for 24hours, is the ultimate freedom, council and steadfast thing I have.  I can lose myself in the day and yet be fully in the moment of travelling through the beautiful Glasshouse Mountains on my own two feet.  I can not wait to emerge myself in the day, the ups and downs, the laughs, pain, freedom and simplicity of pure movement, stripped back and raw.  All this with my beautiful family, Tegan, Pria, Mum, Dad and Ma as my support crew plus all my wacky ultra friends getting amongst it!!  PURE GOLD!

My mums handy work for this weekend!  GOLD!

 

I look forward to sharing my experience after the event with you all!  Thanks for the support you have all been and I hope to do you all, but most of all myself proud! 

 

Tell someone you love them today, give them a hug and cherish life, every moment of this beautiful thing we have been blessed with.  Keep smiling friends and run on…TattooRunner