SLAM TIME!

SLAM TIME!!!9/4 - Today I woke with mixed emotions.  I left Bundy to start my trek down south for The Buffalo Stampede.  I was super excited to be leaving but at the same time really nervous, a little anxious and not looking forward to being away from the girls for so long!  I am so blessed to have them in my life and them being so supportive of all that I do!  Me and my crazy adventures!My travel went well.  I got up early and drove to Brizzy listening to a heap of Podcasts which was great.  I then got myself to the airport and met up with all the crew heading to Buffalo and also Luke (who I am doing the Movember project with).  It was cool to see him in his transit and get chatting to all the gang about the races ahead.We had a great flight and a yummy lunch at a cool cafe after Meagan and I picked up our hire car.  We then head to Meagans brothers house and just kicked back, relaxing, laughing and eating good food.  I had a cold nights sleep but a super smooth, enjoyable day!10/4 - Sky26'er (turned 32.5k'er!)We woke early to drive out to Bright, about a 3.5 - 4hr drive from Melbourne.  It was a beautiful trip and I was constantly amazed by the prettiness of the area.  Amazing!  We arrived in Bright a bit after 9 and I checked in for the Slam.  Good times!  We then had a little wander round town before heading to the start line a little before 11am.Before long we were off.  We had a bout 700m running then UP!  And down...then UP!  Oh man!  There was a 4k down hill section in the course but apart from that, pretty much ALL of it was straight up or straight down!  I thought this was going to be a nice little warm up with not too much leg taxing but WRONG!  It beat me up pretty good!  Crazy town!Once finishing the race I got into the mountain run off stream and it was FREEZING!  Good for the recovery though!  It was then time to check into our accommodation, eat, cook some dinner, relax and get ready for race day Saturday!  Day 1 - DONE!Result - 32.5km.  4hr 4min 50sec.  1900m gain.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------11/4 - Ultrasky MarathonAfter a pretty decent sleep last night, it was up early with Meagan and Chris to get ready for the 75k race.  After the stories they had told me, I was getting nervous, but quietly in the back of my head I was thinking, 'It can't be as bad as yesterday!'.My legs felt a little tired but I was keen to get into it!  At 7am, with some decent nerves, we got going.  There was a bit of running at the start and then the climbing begun.  We went up a mountain bike trail for ages then plummeted down a SUPER steep, scree slope before hitting the first aid station.We then started another long steep climb before another super steep downhill.  We then had some surprisingly nice grade down hill where I could stretch my legs out.  Nice.  I hit the second aid station and continued on, running before another gradual, longish climb.  Another downhill and it was to the base of Mt Buffalo and the main aid station.  I quickly refuelled before starting the 10k march up Mt Buffalo!  Parts of it were pretty darn steep but most of it just good solid hiking grade.  I put my head down and got the job done.  Once reaching the top just shy of two hours, it was a 7k loop with some cool rock scrambling before we started out journey back.At about the 45k mark, I met up with a guy named James.  He was super nice and we ended up finishing the race together.  Awesome company to find.  We fell in a good rhythm, returning the way we came and meeting another young guy, Matt at about the 60k mark.  The three of us stuck together and worked as a team.  It was great to have their company.A few of the climbs on the way back were just ridiculous!  A lot of the time I was on hands and feet, crawling a bit then having to stop and breathe!  We slogged on as quickly as we could, running when we were able and enjoyed the time together.  We kept plugging and before long, crossed the finish line together in a fairly decent time!  I was also told I finished second in this race in the Slam so that was awesome!  I was super pumped to have this bad boy done and whilst my legs were a little tired (a little!) it was time to eat, shower, relax and sleep, oh, and get ready to run AGAIN tomorrow!!  I ripped into some good food and before long was in bed, trying to sleep.... DAY 2 DONE!Result - 75.5km.  12hr 15min 22sec.  4545m gain.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12/4 - SkymarathonLAST DAY OF THE SLAM!  I woke up after a terrible nights sleep feeling pretty ordinary but not horrible!  What a prognosis!  Best I could ask for I guess!  After eating, hobbling and trying to get the legs moving, I got myself ready and down to the start line for the last race in the Slam.We kicked off at 7am again and the course was to cover the same track as yesterday, including the loop at the top of Buffalo, just not the return trip (thank goodness!!!)  Once we got going, I actually felt not too bad.  I was tired, but my legs felt ok!  I was hiking similar to yesterday and actually running down hill faster!  The descents weren't as bad as I remembered the day before which was also awesome!I enjoyed chatting to people in the first half, getting some good running in when the course allowed it and generally enjoying the last day of this epic journey.I got to the base of Buffalo and really felt like I had my game face on, running with real purpose.  Meagan was crewing for me and she seemed impressed with how I was going!  I was looking forward to getting into Buffalo for the last time and climbed it in only a slightly longer time than yesterday!  I had the death march cranking!  GOLD!  I arrived at the top of Buffalo to a rousing reception!  I felt like a rockstar!  Crazy!  The commentator also said that I was the clear leader in the overall Slam results!  I couldn't believe it!After a quick fuel up, it was off for the final 7k loop where I met up with some other guys and shared the final journey together.  I really lapped it up and felt great, still running as strong, or stronger than yesterday!  I crossed the line, the first ever and overall winner of The Buffalo Slam.  I am STILL in disbelief!  I did some interviews, shook a lot of disbelieving hands and met some of the professional runners!  I hope they didn't see the stars in my eyes!  I had a quick clean up, got changed and then even got a trophy and some sweet swag as a prize!  Incredible!  We hung around for a short time before having to take off and get Meagan off to the airport to head home.  I tried to sleep but no dice!  My body was still ticking from adrenaline and the last three days antics!After dropping Meagan off, I went to my sisters, had some yummy dinner and hit the hay.Results - 42km.  6hr 46min 22sec.  2934m gain.OVERALL GRAND SLAM RESULTS - 150km, 23hr 6min 34sec, 9379m gainAfter the race, I hung out in Melbourne with my sister and her husband for a while.  I got tattooed (good one Grills!), tried to sleep (not very successful), tried to eat (still feel nauseous three days later) and relaxed before heading home on Tuesday.THE WASHUP...I am still in absolute disbelief that the weekend just happened and that I won the Slam.  To give you a little perspective, the race had more climbing than if you went from sea level to the top of Mt Everest (obviously not the altitude though).  There were 14-15starters and all but TWO of us pulled out due to the difficulty!  Many many props to Marina who I believe was the only other person to finish!  GOLD!  And....I loved every minute of it!!  I have been getting personal messages from professional runners who I look up to and am going to be on the news tomorrow I believe.  I'm not saying any of this to boast, I just CAN NOT BELIEVE it!  I truly am HUMBLED beyond belief!A lot of people have asked how I did it, especially coming from one of the flattest towns in Australia.  Here are a few of my reflections.  No matter what, be dedicated to your training!  Improvise (go up and down, round and round one hill a million times if you have to....like me!), do what you have to to simulate what you are going to be doing.  Compensate in other ways - I focused on high milage.  Be committed, determined and never ever doubt you are going to finish!  A fair chunk of Grills Grit goes a long way too!A major factor to my success I believe is my diet.  A plant based, vegan diet allows the body to recover quicker in training (and in this case racing), helps you feel lighter and enables your body to burn clean fuel.  I have absolutely no doubt that eating this way has been a MAJOR factor to my success over the last couple of years.  If you want to know anything about transitioning or going plant based, let me know and Ill give you a hand!LAstly, believe in yourself!  NEVER let anyone tell you you can't do ANYTHING!  If you want something, you go get it and don't let anyone stand in your way!  I feel privileged and honoured to have taken this journey and heck, am blessed I can even run to the corner cause some can't or won't!  You are amazing, you can achieve your dreams and its only YOU who is stopping you!  Be encouraged, contact me if you need any help or motivation at all but don't get to the end of today and wish you would have started your dream!  Go get it!Last thought...As a result of this adventure, I have been offered a sponsored spot in The Anzac race on the Gold Coast Hinterland in July.  I am super pumped to be part of the the Wild Earth Team (they are also the events sponsors).  I will be part of a four man team, working together to get the job done, 96k with nearly 5k of elevation I believe!  Bring it!Much love y'all!  Thanks for reading, have a rad day, contact me about anything if you need to and have a ripper day!  Slam ON!