Edging closer

Wo man! The last couple weeks have been wild man! In good and challenging ways! For some time, we were building up to last week. A proper test week with big k’s, crew, nutrition and running to actual places. It was something I was looking forward to but also a little nervous about. It was set to be the biggest training week I have ever done and was shaping up to be epic!

My mate Aidan came up from Byron, dad took a few days off and we loaded the van with all we would need to be on the road for each day, including our crew bike from MC Cycles. We were all set. Additionally, my mate Will who is also running across the country would join us for parts (of some) of the days and test himself also. It was pegged to be a cracking week.

Day One was mapped out to be a loop I created and tried about a year and a half ago but failed at. The Bundy Boarders loop. This goes along the water front to Elliot Heads (river mouth), touches the three ‘Welcome to Bundy’ signs at Thabeban, The Airport and North Bundy and then onto The Port and Burnett Heads river mouth before heading back along the front home. The day went magically. I literally did not bonk once, food was good, vibe was high and we were finding our way magically. Will completed four hours with us and then I charged on. I was stoked to get the loop done in just under nine hours and just ran down the street and back to complete the days time goal. What a rad way to kick the week off! 87.6k day one.

Day Two was a jaunt out to Childers via Goodwood Road, Foleys road and the back way to the little historic town. We then continued onto Apple Tree Creek until the eight hours was reached for the day. Will left me at five hours this day and I then began to struggle a bit. I put my head down and got to work. After about an hour to 90min of battles, I came good and marched onward. Another day of success, about 75.4k covered and day two in the bag.

Day Three started at Skin n Bones, our blokes running crew. We shared some k’s, had a quick brew and then head out of town. This day we went through the CBD and straight out the main highway into Bundy, it wasn’t ideal. For some reason I always get an aggressive, angry feeling on this road. Like people want to kill you! The tension was high and all were on alert as we made our way out of town. I again had a little bit of a low patch around the airport but all in all the day was another success. Will joined for the entirety this day and whilst he battled some demons in the back end, he won the day and showed some real heart. Courageous. 66k done.

Thursday was the last day of the true testing. We were scheduled to run to Gin Gin but as we got to the Agnes turnoff, we decided to flip a coin and see which way we should go. It was decided we would go out toward Agnes and turn off at Bucca Road and run it. It was a VERY good decision. That road is beautiful and we found an amazing loop out there past the rowing club and Bucca Pub. I was strong all day this day and with Wills permission (he completed the day again), I decided to have a dig the last k. I managed to knock off a 3:57min km after 280 odd ks of running in the last four days. Pretty darn happy with that! 55k done.

Friday was a cruised day and then on the weekend I completed a strong five hours Saturday and then four hours Sunday. This totalled 377km for the week and all considered, project wise, very successful.

There were only a couple of minor hiccups. One was some skin irritation. I need to sort this out as I ended up with significant heat rash and it was quite uncomfortable and itchy. Secondly, I started to get a sore tooth on Day One! It progressively got worst before becoming unbearable on the weekend. At times I couldn’t even function because of the pain. I made an emergency appointment at the Dentist on Monday and after some deliberation, decided to get it pulled. All went well until I ran (probably still under mild sedation) Tuesday morning and absolutely axed myself on a wooden bollard, crushing and cutting my knees and going ass over. I am ok, and was able to run today but a word or warning, that stuff lingers so maybe listen to the medical professionals. They prob knew what they were talking about.

So, overall everything went swimmingly. The crew were amazing, the bike excellent and the body performed well. I made a life long friend in Will and we shard many stories, ideals, laughs and suffering together the Monday to Thursday. He is starting his journey in Margaret River at the start of September and running 55-60k a day, heading to Byron also. We will cross paths and share some love and k’s together around Port Augusta and I can not wait for that day! What a stella human! Very blessed to have met him.

So, now the roll on into D-Day. Training volume is still significant yet not now madness. I am excited to get the final stages of organisation sorted and everything locked in. It kind of feels like a weird place of limbo currently with not being quite close enough that we are GOING but close enough that I need to get all the final stuff sorted. Super cool though.

I trust this blog finds you all well! Sending love, blessing and good times for this weekend ahead. I look forward to updating you all again soon. Much love. Consistency + Commitment