ULTRAMAN BABY!

2/7 – Holy smokes!  I am scared out of my mind and so very excited all at the same time!  I GOT ACCEPTED INTO ULTRAMAN 2019!  Just wow!  So, a little back ground on this madness…… Some years ago when I found out about this event (may well have been through Rich Roll) and that it was coming to Australia, I was keen to apply! I checked it out, gave it much thought, but for whatever reason, didn't go through with it and just kept running. For those not in the know, it is a three day, ultra endurance triathlon.  Day 1 – 10k ocean swim and 145k bike.  Day 2 – 280k bike.  Day 3 – Double marathon (84.4k).  Just plain epic! So, fast forward a couple of years and many running kilometres later, I have been pondering a new challenge….but what?!  Ultraman has always been in the back of my mind as Rich remains one of my life’s examples, but I think things were accelerated when I met my friend Carmen at Hares and Hounds this year.  She was training for this years event and I got the privilege of following her crazy training and eventually crewing and pacing for her at the race in May.  Throughout the process of these events, I began emailing the organisers, pleading my case with the intent to apply.  As you can imagine, an event of this magnitude has a pretty strict application process and required pedigree of race results.  In pretty much every case (that I know of anyway) a history of Ironman triathlons is the norm and here’s me, applying, having not done a tri in 20years! I laid out my ultra running history (and the fact that I have done running events longer than all three days of Ultramans cut offs combined!) and on Saturday, I got word that I have been accepted into next years race!  I still can’t believe it! I cannot wait for this new challenge and the training that lies ahead! I have just over 10months, 314days and I will be making the most of every one!  I still have some ultra races to take care of (Flinder 50k, Glasshouse 100miler and Blackall 100k) but will be including swim and bike training, gradually increasing days and volume over the coming months.  Thank you so so very much to Ultraman Australia for believing in me and the support I have already received from so many family and friends. I am blown away!  I think there is something beautiful in putting ourselves out there, chasing dreams that challenge us, scare us and excite us to the core.  This certainly fills all that criteria.  If anyone wants to follow my training and journey, Instagram (Adventures and Activism) and Strava (same handle or Mat Grills) are the best places.  Thanks for the love friends, have a rad week and get training!