The course was absolutely magnificent with its gentle rolling hills and epic downhill runs. No spiders so even better. A heap of encouragement from other runners coming and going and the support from the folk at the start/finish line was brilliant. There were two large parties of people camped out behind their cottages which was right by the track leading into and out of the start/finish line and their encouragement (and amazement) was great. I never got sick of hearing ‘There’s an axe in your head!’ and ‘How many laps to go – keep going!’
Running with Kylie was fantastic – shooting the breeze, singing along to our respective songs and generally having a blast!
After lap two, Kylie decided to do one more lap to keep me company (thank you so much) plus a little extra so that she clocked a marathon. Once we finished lap three, there was no stopping and I knew wasn’t going home without my ultra done and dusted.
I was tired, my right knee was grumpy and it was starting to cool down, but I had a little chat to myself, reminded myself of some of the mantras I used, and put the run into perspective, grabbed some lollies and headed out for lap four.
What made this last lap wonderful was having ultra runner Harmony Waite and her gorgeous nine-year-old daughter Juliette for company as they were sweeping.
Lap four was tough, and it was freezing (note to self: take gloves next time). I walked most of the way, and I had moments of deciding that I was never doing this again. I questioned for the umpteenth time why the heck I did this.
I felt like crying, but after allowing myself to have a minute’s pity party, I stopped my internal whinging, and did a bit of mindfulness – I observed how different everything looked at night and how bright the toadstools were compared with the daytime.
And I was still moving.
Slowing but moving, nonetheless. I needed to hold onto Harmony a couple of times, but used the opportunity to pick her brains about Delirious WEST which she had run earlier this year, and the time flew by. Walking past the crowd of people still partying by the track and hearing one say “She’s still out there – keep going!” was lovely. Seeing the arch in the distance however, I started to run.
Seeing my tribe lined up and cheering me home was such a special moment and one that I will never forget. I’m slow – I call myself a Gigantor Tortoise Runner (like the Galapagos tortoises) but I don’t give up and I get there in the end.
Am so appreciative for the opportunity to do this run; very grateful for everyone’s patience and really chuffed for finishing and cracking a 54km ultra in my 60s!
Pictured: Julia Mackay at the Forest Series WA Woodchoppers Ultra, in costume. Photographs – Supplied.
