Cheesie veggie

The winter sun shone down on my 20k today, it was pretty perfect, bright yet cool. But I didn't feel particularly great for the majority, I ran an easy pace consistently & there were moments of 'the zone' but I felt a bit creaky! & when I got home I needed a nap!! I needed to take action - 1) oil my joints & 2) relax my limbs & 3) boost my recovery & 4) feed my soul. So I have had...

1) had rose hip oil for my joint recovery in my chia seed smoothie
2) went for a Thai relaxation massage for my tired legs which worked wonders
3) I took an Epsom salts bath too to draw out the toxins & give my muscles magnesium 
4) I made vegan cheesy veg bake...

I know vegan cheese is processed which I try to avoid, but this was just what I needed today!!

Sweet potato
White potato
Zucchini 
Carrot
Leek
'Cheezily' dairy free cheese
1/2 cup Almond milk
Sea salt & pepper

Slice each of the veggies & the 'cheezily' & layer into a deep oven dish. (I mix it up & make patterns) Pour on milk & season as you go & finish with a cheese layer on top. Bake for an hour or until soft throughout. Beautiful cheesiness veggieness. 

Diet, gym, coyo, abs & me

30% gym
70% kitchen
Abs are made in the kitchen NOT the gym.

& I have found this statement to be annoyingly true! Even after all the miles I run, the chaturangas & downward dogs, the strength training circuits, push ups & pull ups & planks, if I want to lose weight I've got to eat less. & I eat pretty well but to be completely lean I've got to leave out the treats. OR run a 100k every day!!! So I guess it's diet. 

But how can I skip this new sweetness awesomeness I discovered - the dessert vegan dreams are made of - check out 'coyo' yogurt made from coconut milk, with wild berries. Wildly wonderful! Or mango. Tropical magical! Or passion fruit. Seductive sexiness!
& a healthier option too, dairy free & fruit sweetened & coconutty. So yum I just can't say no to another smooth spoonful. Sorry abs, you might have to just stay hidden for a wee while longer!!!

go faster!

Just ran my fastest k today & have smashed my previous...

1st attempt k time = 4min38secs
2nd attempt k time = 4min20secs

whoot whoot!!!

&&& I also ran the fastest I have ever ran! I did 5 mins of intervals on the treadmill... Starting at 30 seconds of slow pace (9k per hour speed) & then hitting 30 seconds of fast pace for x5. My fast pace intervals were 16k per hour then I built up to super speedy 18k's per hour. & I felt super good!! 

5mins interval :
30secs - 9k per hour speed
30secs - 16k per hour 
30secs - 9k per hour
30secs - 16.5k per hour
30secs - 9k per hour
30secs - 17k per hour
30secs - 9k per hour
30secs - 17.5k per hour
30secs - 9k per hour
30secs - 18k per hour

Whoot whoot!!!

Pretty pleased with myself, thanks to the juice revolution & to training & to the universe for giving me the strength, power & ability. Infinite appreciation & dedication... 

chill chill

When it's chilly outside I just wanna chill inside. It's so hard to get up & get out of bed when I'm cosy with electric blanket & duvet & memory foam softness & warmth. & when my alarm goes off at 6.36am I snooze and snooze & hit the snooze again! So when I finally get up I'm late already! 
I run to work everyday so have to put on my runners whatever the weather. I'm pretty lucky in Melbourne where the temps only get down to about 3 degrees at night for 3 weeks! But still I just wanted a winter warble to get it out there that not everyday I want to go out running & to say it's hard to drag myself away from my bed to hit the cold street. 
But I do. & I do feel pretty good when I warm up (in a few mins of running) & the winter sun is bright. & I breathe the fresh cool air into my lungs, I run along the river & it twinkles, & I feel brighter & wake up & I'm alive. Pink Floyd plays 'shine on you crazy diamond' in my ears, I really can't think of a better way to start the day! 
After a chilly start the sky clears along with my mind. I think this post is a bit like my morning - a grumpy start & then fabulousness!! & running is the fabulous part. Have a wonderful day....

Sunday sunshine

Just been for my Sunday morning shizzle ;) decided to run a half marathon to see how fast I could do it comfortably... 1hr52mins of feeling fabulous running in the winter sun. 
I started the day with a hot water & lemon so my liver was feeling fresh! Then I had a glass of water with vital greens so my body was pleased with the nutrient hit (I just didn't have time to wake up & have breakfast before as I'm going out today so the vital greens were a banana & oats substitute) 
I took a GU gel after I had been running for 40 mins too & kept drinking water. I must say I really did feel good, had a moment with a guy in an orange top (swoon) & pretty much ran 5.20 min k's all the way...
Recovering with some stretching, a hot shower, planet organic detox tea & some almonds, cashews & cranberries! & made this quinoa last night & it tastes super luvly today too mmmmmm.

Roast veggie quinoa

2 packs cherry tomatoes
2 peppers (1 red, 1 green)
1 red onion
1 zucchini 
Smoked paprika
Chilli flakes
200g peas 
1 cup red quinoa

Roast the tomatoes with sea salt & olive oil. Blend to make a sauce.
Roast the other veggies with sea salt & olive oil. To mix in.
Boil the quinoa in 21/2 cups water. Add the peas after 10mins & bring to boil again mixing in smoked paprika & chilli flakes. Add the tomato sauce & roast veggies. Let simmer until desired consistency. Tasty & healthy. 

Now I'm going for a pint !!!

Run it.

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is a beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realise it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is life, fight for it.

Mother Teresa.

If Mother Teresa (God rest her soul) had been a runner maybe she would have said...

Life is a run, smash it!

Tfi Friday !!!

No race begins at the start line - Haile Gabrselassie

So happy to have a weekend off work! & looking forward to my long run of the weekend. I entered the tan ultra 50k this week, so will have to put in a few hard yards over the next 8 weeks. I want to get to super fitness to power me in under 5 hours yeah! I have been doing my speed running & clocked a kilometre on the treadmill in 4mins15secs =) & on Sunday I'm just going to run however far I fancy! I'm hoping for a good couple of hours, maybe even 30k. Here's my Friday recipe for a sprint finish..

Roasted pepper & tomato soup with a kick 

2 Green & red peppers
30 cherry tomatoes
Chilli olive oil
Sea salt & black pepper
Tsp chilli flakes
Tsp cumin

Roast the veggies & add the hot stuff & blend them all for spicy fresh soup deliciousness... 

I'm excited to be training for an ultra again & with time goals too. With my plant based diet giving me good energy, I've been having my juices every morning, vital greens & chia seeds, treating myself to bliss balls & feeling vibrant & ready to run. Peace & luv to all runners, cheers to feeling the good vibes out there on the road, trail wherever you may prevail xox 

World record pace!

I just finished training tonight, energised after a 2 day juice cleanse. Feeling fit & full of bounce. I glided 5k to the gym & we started my interval training with my PT. I did my strength exercises & then jumped on the treadmill for 1 minute runs - 30 seconds at 12k per hour pace + 30 seconds at 16k per hour pace. So that last 30 seconds is pretty much a sprint! Pleased as punch with myself at finishing what felt like was pushing limits. The combination of sprints & weights giving me an exhausted buzz. Then I got to thinking whilst on my way home munching a ball of walnut & date & cardoman & coconut, 
**that super fast pace I just ran for 30 second intervals, that pace (16k's an hour) is still slower than the women's world record marathon pace, that pace that I can only run for 30 seconds at a time!** 
So I have just googled women's world record marathon pace per kilometre is... 3.12 min k's on average(as set by my running muse Paula Radcliffe) that means running at 19k's per hour on the treadmill. Holy shit! Put me in my rightful running place at the back of the pack with the fancy dress scooby doo! But hey I'm gonna try & do 30 secs at world record marathon running pace just to see. Bet them elite athletes are quaking in their asics!

& my miles of the week ...

monday    : 40mins x-train + 20mins swim
tuesday   : 5k run + interval training*
wednesday : 2x 5k runs
thursday  : 2x 5k runs
friday    : rest
saturday  : interval training + 75mins ashtanga yoga
sunday    : 20k easy running 

total distance - around 50k

*interval training strength exercises with kettlebells & sprints on the treadmill madness!!

&&& my lap time for a lap of the tan today ... 19mins28secs.
- must be improved!!

Juiciness test

Today I started a juice cleanse. Inspired by my bestie back home in London, we're doing a global detox together. Both of us having experience in the juice fasting process & both excited & scared of the emotional & physical rollercoaster we have just boarded. But we know there's enlightenment at the end of the tunnel. Not sure how long we're gonna be riding the healthy train but I believe that it's an amazing way to remind yourself how good it feels to feed your body nutrient rich foods & how your body & mind responds. However it's a rocky journey & there may be a little rain before it shines!!! 
I went to an amazing retreat in Mullumbimby NSW to do a 7 day fast in the past, with the tranquil surroundings & support of the clinic I still went through some serious side effects, massive mood swings & night terrors! Yeh can't wait for this again! & with a crazy busy work week we will see!
Anyways I started the day with a  hot water & lemon then a lush juicy juice of ...
2 pink lady apples
1 lime peeled
1" ginger
2 carrots
3 sticks celery
Then I went for a rad run of 18k. I enjoyed the sun & felt good =) I even clocked a fast(ish) 4k lap in 19mins28secs & soaked up some essential vitamin D as I was out there for a couple of hours. & when I got back I had my sweeeet smoothie of ...
1 banana
Cup frozen blueberries
Cup almond milk
Dessert spoon chia seeds
Tsp vital greens
So I have been listening to sonar radio daydreaming of the amazing days I had there in Barcelona, dancing all night to electro, sipping booze in the sunshine at sonar by day, sultry summers in an amazing city of cool, nights of fun with friends & crystal naughtiness. However today I have been sketching for work, not quite the hedonism of a few years back on this Sunday! & then I made green souper soup ... 
Head of broccoli
1 courgette
1 leek
1 white onion
8 asparagus spears
3 sticks celery
2 cloves garlic
200g green beans
200g peas 
Bunch fresh basil
Sea salt & black pepper
Soooo yum & I think I may feel better tomorrow morning than I did waking up on a beach the day after the party!!! The misty memories of the walks up las ramblas, still buzzing from the techno as the sun rose every day will always bring a smile to my face. Hippos with horns haha!! I'm luving my kitchen rave I'm having with Paul Kalkbrenner on sonar radio right now anyhow. & all good natural energy to bounce with from all the superfood fresh fruit & veggies. Day 1 went ok, yay to the yay ^.~ 

looking good luvly!

I think it is so important to dress well. Style means a lot to me. I have worked in fashion my whole life & it's an industry where image is everything. But how the hell do you look good when running???
Stella McCartney is the answer. I adore her sports range for adidas combining her uber cool design signature look with climacool performance fabrics. Check out my new magnificent metallic running outfit - f*#k yeh! 

Super excited to go for a long run at the weekend in this spectacular shine fest! & I hope that it gives me some extra speed in my legs for my tan track challenge...

The tan track is a 3.87k track around the Botanical gardens in Melbourne city. The track is kinda tannish in colour so I'm assuming that's where it gets its name from. Anyhoo many Melbs natives hang, run, walk around the tan.

Now I've ran around it 18 times (that's 70k's) in 1 go but I've never timed myself running 1 lap around the tan. This weekend coming I will see just how fast I can go... I feel the need for speed!!!

Celery recovery

So I guess I'm back in the swing of things, I made some positive paces this week. But hey my legs have taken a bashing in the Blue mountains 100k. I ran 20k today which makes 60k total this week but my hammys are tight as. Much more massage, stretching & yoga prescribed by Dr. Pink. & some yum celery recipes that I just made for me tea...

Creamy celery soup 

8 sticks celery
4 small potatoes
1 onion
Sea salt & pepper
Splashings of almond milk

Fry the onions in a wee bit of olive oil then add pots & celery & water to boil & blend. At the end add the milk.

Celery zinger juice

2 'pink lady' apples
3 sticks celery
2 cm ginger
1 lime (peeled)

Must wash down with lots of water to rehydrate & recover...

photographic memories

magical moments... 
me running in a 50k ultra marathon. 
stunning scenery & sunshine. 
my inspiration photo =)

super speed training sampling

My 1st speed training session = super hard! but WOW what a rush.

I ran 1k on the treadmill to set my pace = 4min38secs

Next I did some strength work with interval sprints on the treadmill... beware this hurts.

12 squats & shoulder lifts with 15kg kettlebells
*30 secs 10.5k pace + 30 secs 15.5k pace*
12 push ups on the kettlebells
*30 secs 10.5k pace + 30 secs 15.5k pace*
12 lunges on each side with kettlebells on shoulders
*30 secs 10.5k pace + 30 secs 15.5k pace*
12 plank pull ups with kettlebells
*30 secs 11k pace + 30 secs 16k pace*
12 side lunges with kettlebell weights
*30 secs 11k pace + 30 secs 16k pace*

'HARDER BETTER FASTER STRONGER' is my new mantra!!

been away & my 100k

So I got a little lost/disillusioned along the training for 100k way. Doing a demanding full time job & feeling tired, lethargic muscles & generally anxious about the event I stopped writing my blog. Bah. Well I'm back. 100k to my name. & ready to play again.

Read all about my 100k race below & decide whether this next statement is insane...
I'm going to run in the tan ultra 100k in August! & so the training begins...

NORTHFACE 100 – PINKY’S STORY

My account of my blue mountains challenge; the trials & tribulations, what it took to be completely broken, to get through the extreme toughness & to finally cross the finish line after 22 hours of pretty much hell! How do I feel after all this? Relieved, achieved, shocked to the core & very VERY sore...

I entered into the 100k ultra back in November when I was on a high from a 50k trail run when I had smashed it, I heard of the northface100 & it seemed like the natural progression. Running for me is my therapy, my meditation & a little for achievement setting & goal getting & I set about training on my own cracking little adventure. It could be fun!

& So my next challenge came to be. 18th May 2013. I arrived in a chilled Leura in the National park of mega mountains on the Friday night, I registered & got my race number, 534, we made a toasty fire, big bowls of yummy pasta & prepared my gear for my early 5am start. Then we tried to relax, we watched a Ryan Gosling film to take my mind off the next day & my impending sense of fear looming.

I packed & unpacked my backpack & packed it again and checked it again! Filled with food (bliss balls), energy gels, thermals, a map & compass (I don't even know how to use a compass!!) first aid, torches (to be a near disaster later) fire lighters & matches (in case I get lost in the bush - scary) I laid out my layers of fleece & climacool & compression items, my blister prevention & my chaffing protection! Never had I carried such practical performance products usually one with a handbag full of shiny pink shit!

The nights sleep brought a few tremors, a dream of being lost on a mountain & a 3am wake up with nervous energy keeping my eyes wide open from then, eating peanut butter & jam sarnies & power bars in the semi darkness started the surrealism. Alarms started buzzing & beeping & even Maisie the dog still wanted to be sleeping but I jumped out of bed & pulled on all my gear with the pre race excitement radiating I was ready to go.

Donna the darling drove me in the dark to the resort where I would start (& finally finish) & with trepidation I joined the throng of runners heading towards our fate. A hazy orange sun was just starting to rise silhouetting the autumnal trees with the vastness of the mountains lurking beyond.

Our race briefing commenced in the hotel hall & was peppered with humour which put us all at ease, then the race director reminded us that a quarter of us wouldn't finish & I vowed that it wouldn't be me. I made a pact with myself to push on up & over. First timer novice naive positivity would soon be pounded out of me in less than an hour!

The start line was ice cool as I watched my breath smoke in the air. It was groups 1,2,3 & then 4 my start at 7.03am. The elite athletes were outta sight in seconds & my stomach was turning as fast as their leg strides. & Then I was off too. I was greeted by my first incline, which I happily jogged up keeping the pace. But then I got a stitch! In the first k! I never get the pesky pains, I ran through it, but that was just the beginning of the torturous turmoil as I was about to discover....

We ran up & down some serious steep sloped streets of Leura to the edge of the national park, bodies buoyant & spirits soaring as the adrenaline pumped us all through the first k’s to 3k. We slowed as the path narrowed to single track & we all fell into a rhythmic groove dancing over the rocky trail with early morning agility. Focused on the feet in front following in safe steps on the uneven terrain. I couldn't even stop for a second to absorb the astounding scenery surrounding me for fear of falling.

The steps became steeper, the rocks rockier, nerves niggled, ankles twisted & my breathing was heavier as I tried to keep the pace as we descended deeper & deeper. My legs were already feeling fatigued from the downhill stairs smashing my quads & starting to affect my ambitions. The first doubts entered my mind "if I was feeling the strain before I had even ran 10k, how was I going to do 100!"

So I had made it to the bottom of the valley but that meant getting right back up to the top of the other side! Over boulders we scrambled & hoisting our bodies through crevices we slowly burned our legs upwards. My feet started to cramp & I started to worry. If my feet were cramping now with only 10k & just over an hour into this crazy challenge, would I even make it to half way on the day? Hmmm I just wasn’t sure if my 20 minutes on the stepper at the gym was the proper preparation! All my miles seemed insignificant all of a sudden.

Crunch. Then my ankle started to click! & Pains shot through my right foot as I missed my foot placement and awkwardly landed again & again it was as if it had weakened & I wobbled. Surely it would be a miracle if I survived this without my limbs being lamed in some way. I looked up as we reached the top & saw the stunning landscape, feeling on top of the world as the path ran along horizontally for 5 minutes but I was looking at the majestic views not the stones underfoot that my sneakers smacked & sent me flying flat on my face.

With a grazed knee & wounded pride, picked up by all of the men around me (some hotties) I regrouped & refocused & made it my mantra to 'keep going, keep looking where I was going!' & then I made it to checkpoint 1 at 17k's. In 3.5 hours! & I would usually run that in 2 hours. I was beginning to think my estimated times were a wee bit ambitious. I was already sweaty but cold & my body already ached & my confidence was questionable.

I set off for more of the same, scrambling & stepping. Listening to conversations about how this was only the beginning, that it would get worse. How could it get worse, I already wanted to die! Then I realised that I was following pink ribbons, aaah, this race was made for me, I would romantically run along as my favourite colour guided my through, they were a sign that this run was meant to be. The universe wanted me to be here & now. So I settled into my stepping & started to zone out until...

Just before 30k we reached a cliff edge. With my legs starting to cramp I concealed my concerns but opted for the 'easier' route down the cliff. Taros ladders. I stood at the precipice of the 50ft drop & skulked down on iron rungs with no safety & my heart pumping fear in my ears. My breath showed how petrified each placement of my cold hands & uncoordinated feet were as I fumbled in fright for five minutes to alight at the bottom brain battered but alive.

Then we just had to go up again! & Again...

We were serenaded by the didgeridoo as we jumped over the crags. & I chatted to a girl about life & love. & A lady recognised me from last years' 64k run in Cairns! It’s such a small world. Such incidents sent a signal to my brain that this was a great experience & the sun shone & I ran/crawled/scrambled/climbed on. To 38k & checkpoint 2. Now 6 hours into the day. & Now my ankle was the least of my worries as I tried to loosen my tightening thighs.

I quenched my thirst & quelled any thoughts of not making it halfway as I set off, only another 16k until I saw the smiley faces of my support crew. As more hills made my relentless forward progress seem to last an eternity & my legs cramped all the way up from my knees, oh & around this point my left knee joint creaked & cartilage crunched with pain taken to powerful new levels.

My epiphany came as the course flattened for the first (and only time) I jogged. I felt like I had turned a corner & that I could conquer this. I ran past the 50k marker on a tree, a sight for my sore eyes (I mean thighs). & I ran the next 4k, leaving other runners in my dust, my emotions elevating me over one last ascent & descent to checkpoint 3 where Careen & Donna waited with pink hats & concerned smiles & much needed supplies.

I excused my lateness with expletives, "this course is f**kin f**ked" and explained the terrifying terrain, my struggle with the stairs but the fact that I had just been able to run the last flat bit had given me hope. The girls encouraged that 'some guy' had said the next leg was much of the same (said some guy lied) & I was emboldened that I could get to the next checkpoint in super quick time - 11k's in 3 hours!! With renewed confidence & vegan cookie energy I set off along the grassy path feeling like I could maybe, just maybe finish by midnight.

Jogging felt just wonderful & skipping across a stream & ruminating the rocks I meditated my mantra of 'grace, strength & pink power' rhythmically running as the sun slipped out of the sky & the day darkened around me. I was freaked out by the spooky surroundings in the dim light. Starting to scare I lit up the dusky path with my head light & adjusted to this new obstacle, the darkness & the lonely road was still just as long even though I couldn't see it.

Then the road steepened & stairs heightened as morale dipped. With runners nightlights illuminating the path at points ahead of me all metres above my head, which meant more hill ahead filling me with dread. The pink ribbons turned glow in the dark guiding me through the new night. & The steps above were going to take all my fight.

I was looking at the light one foot in front of me & I found each step intensified the height & hurt. With others' moans & groans punctuating the air I let out a whimper or two as the winding slope still stacked up on top of my dwindling strength. I stopped for an energy boosting bliss ball but my stomach clenched & closed its doors. I was suffering & visualised finishing the run right then. How happy I would be to stop. How could I carry on for another 6 hours? How could I possibly complete this crusade? I passed others in similar state of distress sat on the edge of defeat.

I slowly made it to the top with a group of four of us sharing the strain & the relief as we summited. One guy had finished last year & said from this point he had enjoyed it & that we had been through the worst (blatant lie) I was so happy I broke into a jog as we reached the edge of Katoomba town, it felt like the dawn of civilisation. & I was solaced to reach the sports hall as the cold had started to seep into my bones & the buzzing warmth & bright lights comforted my bruised outlook.

My support crew cared for my nutritional needs but my tummy was traumatised & tightened. Then the girls ensured I was pepped & prepped for the next (& the toughest) trek. A lengthy 24k's would take me well into the night. I pleaded with Donna, "Please don't make me go out there again." She thought I was kidding (I wasn’t) but all joking aside, I had made it this far quitting now just didn't seem an option & I resolutely resumed my mission leaving the security of the sports hall & setting off into the night for my most testing challenge yet.

My legs tired beyond. With searing pains I stretched out my strides. I reached the top of the steel steps, using the rails as crutches to take the pressure off my pins. But then the under footing morphed into uneven rocks again & I unsteadily treaded. So upon reaching the asphalt I rejoiced in the roads! & Downhill road too, the dream! If only my legs had not been shattered and every step down sent new miseries through my body & blowing my mind.

Sometimes human kindness saves lives & Cliff was my saviour. He checked I was ok as I begrudgingly trudged & I honestly wasn't ok. My legs were on the verge of collapse. He offered me one of his walking poles, which I gratefully accepted. Diverting the pressure & distracting me with the days’ details, the usual questions were a welcome respite.

Have you done this race before? What made you do it? Would you do it again? NO! How many ultras/marathons have you done? Where in the UK are you from? Where do you live now? Any good runs in Melbourne? Hey what about all those steps! & Then we were going down for 10k so we also had to go up for 10k. When we got to 80k that's when we went uphill. Can't wait! I actually wanted the uphill, as the downhill was deconstructing my bones & being.

Cliff picked up his pace, proclaiming his desire to make it in under 20 hours he disappeared ahead in the darkness. (I checked his time in the results, 19hrs 56mins, so happy for him) Shouting over his shoulder to keep the stick, I could give it back at the top of the hill. That was 10k away. 10k of 45-degree constant gradient. 10k of turning corners with the demoralising road disappearing in the blackness. My glutes yelping & my mind was wandering, my thoughts were confusing but mostly of quitting. How will I tell people I didn't make it, what about all the donations, people are counting on me to do this, but 89k is a good enough effort, after all I've been through, it's for the best, I could plead insanity.

One poor guy, wrapped in his space blanket with tear streaked cheeks lay roadside as I asked him if he was ok, he replied he was ‘just having a rest’ & I was jealous! Jealous that he was horizontal, he had made his bed & was laying in it! He had resigned to his withdrawal, decision made to decline the rest of the test.

I could see others breaking, limping & crying as I myself dribbling & delirious took an hour to go from 85k to 89k. Unable to move any faster I wanted to catch up with Cliff but like in a dream my legs were laden with lead & my heart was heavy. Finally I saw the lights of checkpoint 5, the penultimate point at 89k. I crawled stiffly to the seat next to the fire where my super support girls were wearily smiling & being silly. I sat down & I asked permission to cry. & The tears came. Beaten & broken I broke it to them, "I can't do it, it's too hard. I'm done." my legs were seized up & my spirit was crushed as I sat next to the fire.

I started to warm up & with a tea in my hand, my mood lightened by banter, Careen's motivational speech was delivered. About how I had come this far, I could do it, it's only another 3 hours (it's 1am now) & that I am amazing. I started to believe & psyche myself, stretching & mentally limbering up for the last push. A helpful volunteer told me it's an easier technical part of the course, he also told me I might kill him at the end, could I cope with another surprise mountain!?!

I started my final trek & had pushed through the psychological barrier of doom so although my legs were powerless to perform I walked with purpose & felt brighter than before. However my head torch is not feeling so bright with the battery dying dimming light. I called Donna to see if there's a battery, they're nearly home & would be 20 minutes, I thought if I had to sit at the side of the road for that long my energy will wane along with my focus & I'll get in the car & I'll go home to bed!

But a group of 3 runners approached with batteries & torches & prospects. One of them attached his torch to my high viz zip with the proposal of company for the last 9k. I jumped at the chance (as if I could jump!) & we walked into the bush, Conrad & I. Chatting about our day, our dreams of the Promised Land - the finish line & shared our hallucinations & happiness at the sense of achievement & the fact that we would never, never ever do this again.

I found the last leg less demanding on my last legs & I texted my support crew, "I'm 3k away yay," when suddenly the floor fell away, the stony steps steepened & our nightmares resonated. Each stride extracting a sigh we struggled on together in silence in our own inner world of hell. It took us forever to get down the gully & the psychological plunge down to the bottom. We had to face the facts that we got to go up. Again. One more time.

The adrenaline got us up, we knew it was the conclusion to the terrifying tale, we could see the light at the end of the very long, dark, freezing, hilly, rocky, steep & torturous tunnel. & We saw the lights of the resort we began to chat again, we had made it to the end. Another 100 metres of a grassy field felt like heaven. We saw the finish line lit up like magic & I saw my friends’ faces in the bright lights & I felt fabulously fatigued. Exhausted yet ecstatic. Diminished but I had finished.

Wow. I can't process the truly traumatic experience but I survived to say I'd like to do another 100k one day far away, on a flat course. It was 22 hours, nearly a whole day of tenacity & endurance. I have learned a lot about my pain & brain threshold. I believe life is about pushing one step further, I did that many many many times when others would not. I didn't withdraw, I can feel pride in my awesome achievement & it gives me confidence I can take into my everyday. The human mind, body & spirit is amazing & I am proud to possess the strength to get me through the north face 100k.

Big shout out to Donna & Careen, Cliff & Conrad for without you it wouldn't have been possible for me to finish! Peace, luvs & masseeve respect to all the runners. xoxo

               Me! And I’m running! Happy moment in the melodrama of the Northface100 =)

I do hope you enjoyed my journey! & next I will try to run a (flattish) course 100k in under 12 hours. Speed training will be my friend, I'll let you know how we're getting along! xox