And just like that, another month is done and dusted! March has been a whirlwind of vertical meters, retail rushes, and a surprisingly high volume of musical theatre. If there is a “method to the madness,” I’m definitely still finding it, but the journey is where the fun is.
On the Trails: The Rosea Slog
Training for Five Peaks is officially in full swing. While it’s tempting to stick to the familiar tracks, there is something so rewarding about venturing into the unknown. Recently, my training took me to the Mount Rosea loop.
Starting at the Rosea carpark, I tackled Burma track and headed up toward the summit. The views? Absolutely breathtaking. My fitness level? Let’s just say Mt Rosea had some opinions on that. It was a genuine slog, but I’ve learned that trail running isn’t just about the pace, it’s about:
- Time on feet: Taking it slow when the incline gets rude. “Hello poles!”
- The Reward: Soaking in those 360° summit views.
- The Fuel: Confirming that Arnott’s Crimpy Chicken Shapes are, in fact, an elite trail snack.
There is one more long trail run on the calender before I hit the taper, and I’m feeling ready to embrace the tired legs.
In the Gym: Adapting and Overcoming
My current plan is a 3-day split: Long Run (Mondays), Easy Run (Thursdays), and Hard Run (Sundays). Throwing a speed session the day before a long run isn’t exactly ideal, but it’s great for building mental grit.
In the gym, the focus has shifted entirely to technique. My sumo squats are feeling stronger, and while the long-term goal is a heavy conventional deadlift, I’m prioritising staying functional for race day.
The T-Rex Modification
Because of a stubborn wrist (a lovely gift from work and a habit of sleeping like a T-Rex), I’ve had to swap my front squat grip to the cross-arm style. It’s not my favorite, but it keeps me moving without the pain.
The Retail Reality: Easter in Ararat
Easter is looming, which usually means “Supermarket Insanity.” While I’m not in the thick of the Stawell Gift chaos this year, working in Ararat still keeps me on my toes. I might not “celebrate” in the traditional sense, but I will absolutely be participating in the hot cross bun and chocolate categories.
The March Media Wrap-Up
My “Reminders App” strategy for tracking media has been a total game-changer. Here is how the bookshelf looked this month:
- Bad Blood by Bella Jacobs: Pure fluff. Every now and then, you need a “palette cleanser” book that doesn’t ask too much of you.
- Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid: A solid 3-star read. There is absolutely nothing wrong with “fine”; it’s those books that keep the momentum going!
- The Family Experiment by John Marrs (Audio): This was a wild ride. The full cast of narrators was a bit jarring at first, but the “dark future” world-building was incredible. I finished it with a very loud, “What did I just read?”
Currently Reading: This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel.
The Musical Marathon
I’ve been working through a list of musicals to keep my ears entertained, covering six in March:
- Jesus Christ Superstar
- Big Fish
- Bright Star
- Suffs
- Back to the Future (A massive surprise, I’d see this live in a heartbeat!)
- Oklahoma
The only downside? My “Discovery” algorithm is now thoroughly confused. It’s a small price to pay for a Broadway-themed soundtrack to my life.
Looking Ahead: April Goals
April is all about getting to that Five Peaks start line in South Australia. I’m looking forward to the mini-break and the chance to finally put all this training to the test.
I’m also heading to see Heathers (The Musical) soon. I’m going in completely blind—no soundtrack previews, no movie re-watches. Sometimes the best way to experience a story is to let it surprise you.