Like running an ultra without moving – A story about a brain tumour

Wednesday 25 May 17:06 - I was finishing work at home, looking forward to the marinated pork Chikako had made for dinner, when I felt a little lightheaded. I let Chikako know that I just needed to lie down for a moment. Some time later I awoke to find Chikako, our neighbour Aaron and two …

UTA100 2021 – the non-runner edition

(I’m finally writing a few post-mortem blog posts about my UTA100 race in May 2021. This edition is for non-runners and those uninterested in pace, equipment, strange food or offended by frequent course descriptions and full-frontal bodily functions.) The steep bits only look vertical because they are Why 100km? What is the appeal of running …

UTA100 – Goals and Predictions

It’s really hard to say. It is difficult to assess my current state against a longer distance and time and a course half of which I have not seen and the other half or which I will be reliving but in darkness. Pros and cons By focusing on strength and mobility I am much better …

Random thought – dying (a few days) too soon

Dying after a birthday seems better to me than dying just before. I wonder too much about this.

What is my “why”?

A few months ago I purchased an entry from a colleague and after the transfer process I am now officially entered in the 2021 UTA100. The training plan kicked into gear [slowly]. Runs became longer and faster, recovery was less fraught; the strength training is paying off. Injuries are spoiling the fun a little, but …

Kowen Moonlighter September 2019

A 12-hour race held overnight on a 7.5km lap course... what could go wrong?

UTA50 2019 – more images

Before the race, after Dad's passingThat's my name (and the names of about 2000 other runners)Before: taking some time to take it in. It is important to take at least a little time to appreciate it during the race too.Before: What a beautiful placeThe rock where I retired in 2018. It was good to acknowledge …

UTA50 – Part 5 – #DoItForDad

The UTA50 is quite possibly the most difficult thing I have ever done, made more so by my father's passing just a few days before.

UTA50 – Part 4 – But first…

Really not prepared for this Dear old dad The day before I took leave my dad had a fall at his home. We visited him in hospital in Newcastle on the Saturday - an 860 km, 9 hour round trip - and had a long conversation. On Sunday his numbers worsened so he was moved …

UTA 50 – Part 3 – Gearing up!

(To paraphrase Eddy Merckx, "Don't buy upgrades; run up grades." I followed that advice... to some extent.) Sponsorship offers welcome (but highly unlikely) Gear change There was nothing wrong with my gear in 2018. Everything fitted in the 12 litre Kathmandu vest pack, everything worked. But over time and through experience and stuff wearing out …