From Ultra Trails to Ultra Mediocre: Reflecting on a Year of Running, Friendship, and Podcasting
Don't set a limit, you never know where you'll go
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Hitting Snooze for a Week and a Bit
Over the weekend a year has now passed by since I completed Ultra Trail Kosciuszko. I didnβt go back this year for various reasons, some financial, some moral, but more or less injury and other goals were already playing out well before Iβd even thought about putting myself on the start line.
Last week my friend told our friendship group he was exhausted, it took me by surprise, because on the outside looking in, it looked like heβd had an amazing year, with multiple weeks of holidays, and other opportunities to expand through work and the like.
But, this is the danger of social media in the modern age, the βgrass is greenerβ effect, where we are constantly posting a highlight reel, and very rarely do we share our struggles or misfortunes until it becomes a bit too much.
I often reflect on things at the end of the day, following my friendβs admission, I also made the same confession to my beautiful fiancΓ© Cassandra. This year has been a big one for various reasons, new experiences in being able to go overseas, launching a podcast, getting engaged, a promotion, and turning 30.
While my running has slipped backwards in terms of what I wanted to achieve, everything else has been full steam ahead, and it was only until recently I realised Iβd taken one day off since the middle of May.
Iβm not a morning person, but Iβve shifted my life to make things work, because I have a job that I love. For those who donβt know, or this is your introduction to me, Iβm a news director, and I love the thrill of coming to work each day and not knowing what is going to be happening.
But, unlike other jobs you donβt really get that opportunity to be βoffβ or βhave a quiet oneβ your voice is your most important tool, and it needs to be on every single time youβre on air.
Combine that with a year where there has been very little to cheer for people - cost of living crisis and wars across the world. Not having my outlet for running for a number of months made things tough.
That said Iβve still done some incredible things - The Archie 50km in February, the 12-hour track event in Canberra, DNF Gumbaby and beating my Stromlo 50km PB by close to an hour. Iβve still also managed to run more than 2,000km for the fourth year in a row.
I think after being βonβ for seven months and the 4am alarms, theyβve finally caught up to me, Iβm not physically tired, just mentally. So Iβll hit snooze for the fortnight, and be ready to go in no time.
Why I Do It
Earlier this month Coast to Kosci was run and won again, but the stories that come out of the race are the reason it is my favourite event to follow each year. The deeper I get in this sport, the more I find that Iβm surrounded by incredible individuals, people that have and will go on to achieve things that at the moment I can only dream about doing.
Itβs clear there are people in my life that will never understand what Iβm doing in terms of running long distances, and finding that need to push myself physically, and thatβs perfectly okay, if we all had the same goals and aspirations the world would be incredibly boring. Variety, and the way it fills our life makes it exciting.
I sometimes wonder if the comments I get about my ultra running and pushing myself are related to my weight. Iβm an outlier, the heaviest person to ever complete a miler was 131kg, I completed Kosci 100 kilometres last year with a finishing weight at 118kg.
People will tell you that weight isnβt a performance measure, but the reality is, itβs a lot easier to run ultra marathons if you donβt weigh what I do, thatβs the cold hard truth, itβs reality and not some sugar coated belief.
In the same vein, I donβt anticipate Kipchoge to be beating down the door as the worldβs strongest person.
But weight doesnβt stop you from doing it, itβs just one part of a very complex puzzle. I will note the amount of force etc. that goes through my legs compared to someone who might weigh half what I do and also heel strike can be so different, itβs estimated that three to four times your weight can go through your legs, it means Iβve got to be strong, over tens of thousands of steps thatβs going to add up.
I also want people to believe in themselves, set a goal and go out and achieve it despite all the naysayers. I recently got a message from someone who completed this yearβs 100 kilometre race at Kosci, and said I was their inspiration. I broke down reading the message, not because I was sad, but because Iβd had some level of impact on this personβs life that they felt it fitting to reach out and tell me that.
Itβs not what I expected, I donβt think I expected anything when I started this or the podcast, but itβs that old saying you just never know who is watching.
An Angel out There
A podcast is a labor of love, and I love talking about Ultra Running and Trail Running.
But, my podcast provider hiked its prices this year, and I was so grateful to have Benny A and Alfred sponsor the cost of hosting the podcast through to the end of this year.
The reality is though, that with everyone being impacted by the cost of living, I was very close to making the decision to shutting down the podcast, or at least discontinuing it, because I couldnβt justify the cost, despite how much I loved it.
However, I recently got a phone call from an angel out there, who asked me what the running costs were for the podcast and then supplied me the funding.
It made me emotional to think that people have that level in faith in this current economic environment, that they would do that no questions asked, it was a wonderful early Christmas present, and Iβm so excited as to what the podcast will be in 2024.
Without a doubt this yearβs highlight chatting with Camille Herron before she broke the 48-Hour record here in Canberra.
Thank you as well to my friends that are supporting the podcast via the Patreon as well.
Finding my Place
After interviewing them recently, I joined a group called βUltra Mediocreβ who are anything but. I was hesitant at first because I love Elevate, and I wasnβt sure whether I was cheating on my first love in this sport, but the more I realise and after talking to some people, running is a sport where you can have multiple lovers (clubs) that you are a part of.
I think part of this is where I want to take my running and being surrounded by individuals who have completed Coast to Kosci, Grampians Miler and just competed in the World 24-Hour Championships is good company.
Iβm not saying I want to get to that level, but having my own aspirations in the Backyard Ultra world, this seems like a great club to have in my corner, and I canβt wait to see what 2024 brings for my running journey.
So thank you for being part of the rollercoaster and taking in the thoughts of an ultra mediocre 30-something from Canberra, who started this all off the back of a dream of completing a 100 kilometre journey, which through fate has turned into something so much more.
Stay safe, and I hope to see you on the trails in 2024.
Itβs been such a rollercoaster of a year, but so many great achievements for you. Not all of them tangible achievements either. Rest and recharge, and I look forward to more adventures for you (and some with you ππ»ββοΈ) next year! πͺπΌπͺπΌπͺπΌ
Nice Brent Bro.. You are always an inspiration to many and to me. The dedication you show if you are committed is the best thing. Wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New year.