After running my first ultra in 2019 I always knew that I wanted to run another one.
Life hasn’t been the same since COVID with events getting canceled or pushed back.
This is one of the reasons why I decided on my own event to celebrate my ten-year running anniversary with Run to Paradise.
Earlier this year, I updated my Run Bucket List.
Alas, I won’t be participating in the Melbourne Marathon festival, as the rescheduled date falls on the same weekend as another event I want to do, Wild Mount Beerimpo.
When Tour de Trails announced entries for Wild Mount Beerimpo, I kissed goodbye to Melbourne Marathon. Beerimpo is closer to home, and regardless of what is going on with the house build, I will do this trail event with or without my support person (Tom).
I’m no stranger to Tour de Trail events. My very first trail event was the half marathon at Surf Coast Trail Marathon back in 2014. I had everything going against me for that run. Getting tonsilitis weeks prior put a hamper on training, and I was woefully underprepared for my first trail event.
Oh and let’s not forgetting massive faux pax, of forgetting my running shoes. Yeah, that’s a was a fail.
You would think that after a shocker introduction to trails I would never do another one. Yet somehow I became addicted to the trails.
It would be another 3 years in 2017 before I had the race I wanted with the Surf Coast Trail Marathon.
Twenty seventeen, as a good year of trail running. It was Beerimpo’s sister event Gold Rush that one of my all-time favourite photos was captured.
Needless to say, I’m a fan of Tour de Trail events. Which is how I knew that their other event Warburton Trail Festival, which is held over the Labour day weekend, was an event that I wanted to do.
With the building permit finally getting approved we will be moving out to Halls Gap in the coming weeks. I will have Gariwerd (Grampians) on my doorstep. There is no excuse not to do it.
I’m going into WTF with a different mindset to my first ultra.
- I’m older
- There will be more elevation
- Training will be over summer (I do expect a slower time)
- I will be kind to myself
- I’m going to love it
- It will be a learning experience.
With five months to go, I will be reading, and I’m going to enjoy this process.
Running has taught me so much, of what I’m capable of, in mind, body & spirit.