The two and half years have been filled with work, relocating, or let me rather say uprooting my family and a constant struggle to get our family life back to some form of normalcy.
If you asked me at the tail end of 2023 what is your plans for 2024 I would have just responded to complete my book, a task that I have been carrying with me for over 4 years, and keep my head above water at work.
Since arriving in Western Australia we have been fortunate enough to meet great likeminded runners which became great friends and in return also became our support network as we are carving out our new life in WA. We were fortunate enough to be invited and be part of an absolute amazing running group called BRG. The group would invite us along during their midweek and weekend runs exposing us to the beautiful sites in and around Perth always to be rewarded with a great coffee and amazing conversations afterwards.
The last time I have completed an Ultra was way back in 2022 prior our arrival in WA. Well as I mentioned earlier, life has been busy and relocating and settling in a new place is not always the easiest task out there. You can actually say its like running an Ultra, constantly doing mental checks, and ensuring yourself you got this, placing one foot in front of another, hammering away getting you to the end.
So how did I fall back into Ultra running in 2024? Well BRG invited us along for their yearly pilgrimage to Margaret River Ultra where they had numerous teams entered and I decided to enter the Trail Marathon that was planned for the Sunday. During the Saturday we supported the team from numerous check points and I started to develop some serious running FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) while cheering the team members on. I was itching to get out on the trail myself and soak up the beautiful coastal trail views that WA provide.
The following morning the team dropped me off at the start line located at the beautiful Yallingup beach where I made my way into the MRU trail marathon. To be honest I was a bit under prepared or under cooked, but I am familiar with digging deep when needed. As I passed through the water points the team was out in full force cheering me on. I arrived back at Howard park with a half decent time of 4:58 no land speed record at all, but the fire was burning again and I wanted more this.
Well deserved cold beer at the end of MRU Trail Marathon
A couple of weeks later I caught wind of the Perth Ultra and signed up and went out along the Swan river and wrapped up my Perth Ultra in a time of 4:24, again not very fast but that feeling you only get through real endurance was buzzing within and I was now back on cloud 9. It felt like all the stress and baggage one tend to collect during weeks of work just peeled away and I felt rejuvenated and ready to take on any challenge. So much that I started to prepare for a fundraiser challenge in aid of the Dog Refuge home (Shenton Park) in September.
Magical Perth Ultra along the Swan river
The challenge would be playing out in Perry Lakes where I would be running countless laps within the inner loop of this beautiful park. Initial aim was to run 120km’s but all went well on the day and I managed to finish with 148km’s. I provided myself plenty of rest in between and soldiered on for 24 hours with plenty of snacking, even a quick cat nap at midnight while the BRG team was supporting me around Perry Lakes during each lap.
The importance of surrounding one with likeminded positive running souls were yet again highlighted as I was feeding of their energy. They kept my mind away from the countless laps while we engaged in some light and deep conversations. Yet again no land speed record or distance records were broken as the run was still under a 100 mile mark but the aim was to raise awareness for the Dog Refuge home and raising much needed funds for them which was a huge success in the end. Looking back now, I should have pushed harder and at least rounded the number at 150km or even 160km’s.
Fighting the sand in Yanchep
Once my 24 hour run was done my focus started to shift towards a 53km trail (Coastal Plain Trail) located within the Yanchep National park. I have been aiming to complete this trail for ages. I managed to complete my run that started off on beautiful singletrack and ended up on thick soft sandy jeep track. A run I would only recommend being attempted in the Winter and when weather is cooler.
As we nearing the festive season I have wound up my mileage post my most recent Marathon in Singapore to rest, recover and spend time with the family before I would resume my Ultra running goals I have set for 2025.
Last big run for the year
The privilege to be able to run and be healthy and achieve once fitness goals are easily forgotten as we are so busy in our day to day lives. As it is a privilege and blessing to be out there running I am wishing everyone a wonderful festive season and hoping to share countless injury free km’s with all in 2025!
Remember this is the time of the year where you can reset the clock, set those running goals, and launch yourself into a new year with new energy.
See you all out there! #GetOutThere
“If you enjoyed my little blurp you can read more about other running challenges captured in “Running For Those Who Have No Voice” – W. Richards