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How to sum up the UTA50?

19 months in the making.

On, off, back on, back off. An absolute rollercoaster of a journey. We became very resilient during the 19months. Continuing to train, changing goals, adjusting milestones – always moving forward.

The 2021 date was finally confirmed and once again we set out with renewed focus and drive. Fifteen weeks of dedicated training, discovering new trails, bonding with our team and stumbling across many playgrounds!

  • Alexander Street was a curse… but in the end it turned out to be our saviour.
  • The thousands of stairs that we endured during our training in the Blue Mountains was a godsend.
  • The on-course training with Coach Andy Smith (North Shore Running & Fitness) and Blue Mountain Fitness was a game-changer. Knowing exactly what we were in for – and when – was not only humbling… but the necessary evil.
  • The nutrition advice from Tamara Madden was invaluable. Again, highlighting the fact that if you get this wrong – all your training goes down the proverbial (Fuber) stairs.

The weekend finally arrived – as did the cold-front! Race check-in was flawless. Early dinner in the ballroom at The Carrington Hotel (very civilised!) – and then off to bed.

Race morning was freezing cold! Early breakfast, short coach ride to the start – no waiting around – and then we were off. The logistics worked like clockwork. The nervous excitement and atmosphere was electric. It felt so good to be part of an event again. Being surround by like-minded crazy people, in a stunning part of Australia. Very special!

The event was split into 4 key checkpoints – we focused on each one at a time. Fairmont Hotel (17.2km), Queen Vic Hospital (28.4km), Emergency Aid Station (41.2km) and then the finish at Scenic World (50km). The checkpoints were a highlight – the food, the volunteers, the support. Refuelling, adding more layers, adjusting backpacks, fixing bladders, toilet stops, etc.

Banter on the course with other runners is always entertaining. It is so much fun meeting new people and talking about random things. The support and encouragement out on the course is invaluable. A few BEXI runners took a tumble, but they were scooped up and helped back on the trails again.

There were ups and downs – literally and figuratively. Mentally, it was a case of finding our rhythm; fuelling, hydrating, using mindset tools, taking caffeine, digging deep, and soaking up the energy around us to pull us through to the end.

Chasing a dream is a never-ending negotiation. You have to keep navigating, pivoting, adapting and persisting. It’s never in a straight line.

The final kilometre approached! We all knew what was coming – around 1,000 steps to the finish. This required pure mental strength – our physical strength was completely depleted. Mind engaged… and we start counting. One to one hundred. And again! And again!

The end was in sight. The cheering and cowbells from the spectators was sensational! We’re almost there! Keep counting! Keep focused! Keep climbing! Quads screaming, knees hurting… but the cowbells got louder and louder.

Finally, the steps ended and we had a short run on the ramp up to Scenic World. The crowds were going crazy! A burst of energy kicked in and we were being carried away to the finish line!

YES… we can do it! YES… we have got this! YES… WE HAVE DONE IT!!

 

“Successful people don’t just ride out the Dip. They don’t just buckle down and survive it. No, they lean into the Dip. They push harder, changing the rules as they go. Just because you know you’re in the Dip doesn’t mean you have to live happily with it. Dips don’t last quite as long when you whittle at them.”  Seth Godin (The Dip)

Thank you Ultra-Trail Australia and Blue Mountains National Park for hosting an absolutely phenomenal event. We will be back! 

Blackmores Sydney Running Festival 2019

We’d love you to join us for our most popular training event on the race calendar!  The Blackmores Sydney Running Festival on 15 September 2019. An absolute bucket list event, taking you across Sydney Harbour Bridge and finishing on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. 

Regularly voted as one of the most scenic running events in the world, we have the absolute pleasure of calling this our ‘home’ run.  This year we are thrilled to be offering face-to-face training programs across all distances – Marathon, Half-Marathon and Bridge Run 10km.

About our Programs

Our programs are always built on the foundation of having FUN!

Each program starts with building a solid foundation, we then incorporate strength, speed and endurance into the mix. Our goal is to ensure you progress gradually and consistently, building strength and fitness, so that you achieve your race goal in peak physical and mental form.

We train together as a team, as this offers encouragement, motivation, accountability for showing up and a great sense of camaraderie between fellow running buddies.  Training programs are prepared in periodised blocks and provided via Training Peaks. This allows us to structure individual plans that best suits your needs and goals, as well as giving us the feedback and analysis tools we need.

Run training consists of 3 x weekly group training sessions, which take place at Collaroy/Northern Beaches. We mix up our long runs to keep things fresh and fun! There is an additional strength & conditioning session which we recommend to build muscle strength, power and endurance.

Race Distance
Program
Training Starts
Marathon 42.2km 16 weeks 20 May 2019
Half-Marathon 21.1km 12 weeks 17 June 2019
Bridge Run 10km 8-weeks 15 July 2019
Recommended Weekly Training Schedule
  • Mon: Strength Training* – to build muscle strength and to protect your joints from injury (*part of Gold Membership package)
  • Tue: Run Intervals – to develop aerobic capacity, speed, strength & stamina on the run
  • Thu: Run Intervals/Tempo – to develop aerobic capacity, speed, strength & stamina on the run
  • Sat: Long Run – to build running endurance, strength & stamina
What is included?
  • Online periodised training program based on your race distance (8-16 weeks)
  • Wide range of face-to-face coached sessions – running, strength, group classes, etc.
  • Mental skills and strategies
  • Race nutrition and recovery
  • Race tactics and guidance
  • Monthly face-to-face program review meetings
  • Analysis and feedback on training data
  • Race weekend logistics
  • Motivational support
  • Access to private online forum
  • Membership of a supportive, like-minded Community
  • Glass of bubbles at the finish!
What is excluded?
Program Prerequisites

We are committed to supporting and encouraging all to participate in our programs, whilst keeping the health and safety of its members a priority.  Please view our program prerequisites to determine which program is right for you.

About our Coaches

Our qualified coaches bring a vast level of experience in the sport of endurance running and strength & conditioning. Between them, they have completed ultra-marathons, marathons, half-marathons, trail marathons and much more.

Your Investment Options
  • GOLD Membership – Unlimited weekly group training sessions (incl. strength, yoga, group classes, +) – $50 p/wk
  • Marathon – 3-weekly group run sessions, online training program – $42 p/wk (16-weeks)
  • Half-Marathon – 3-weekly group run sessions, online training program – $42 p/wk (12-weeks)
  • Bridge Run 10km – 3-weekly group run sessions, online training program – $42 p/wk (8-weeks)
BONUS! Sign up to the marathon or half-marathon program and we will ‘gift’ your partner our 10km online program.

My top 5’s of becoming 50

I came across a video clip earlier this week which got me thinking about age.  I’m close to 50 – which is a pretty big deal. Or is it?!  For me, it’s just another year wiser. Of course there are many things to celebrate by reaching a half-century – but there are also many more things to look forward to in the second half of our lives. I felt inspired to share with you my positives and not-so-positives of approaching 50:

Top-5-positives
  • I feel more confident about life in general
  • I have learnt many value lessons in life (let’s say, there’s been many storms endured)
  • I am a better athlete than when I was in my 30’s – my mind is much stronger
  • I am able to reinvent myself by learning new things – there’s so much to learn in life
  • I am inspired and motivated to chase new dreams (#ComradesMarathon – it’s out there now!)
Top-5-not-so-positives
  • Sleeping late is a thing of the past  – try as I may!
  • 2 glasses of wine is my limit – that, or I suffer the worse hangover the next day
  • I have to work out doubly-hard to maintain the results that didn’t seem so hard to obtain in my 30s
  • Hot flushes, once reserved for secret crushes, are now a frequent occurrence – clearly I now have many secret crushes
  • Week night socials are limited to 9pm – or there’s a high risk of turning into a pumpkin!

On the whole, the positives definitely outweigh the not-so-positives.  So why am I sharing this with you? Well… I want you to know that getting older doesn’t mean that we need to slow down; it doesn’t mean that we must stop dreaming; and it certainly doesn’t mean that we should stop setting new goals.

It DOES mean that we should look forward to the second half of our lives – embrace every new opportunity. 

As soon as we feel too old to do a thing – we must do it! 

 

Good life