“Darlin’, don’t quit your daydream
. It’s your life that you’re making. 
It ain’t big enough if it doesn’t scare the hell out of you. 
If it makes you nervous, it’s probably worth it
. Why save it for sleep when you could be living your daydream?”
-Daydream by Lily Meola

The backstory:
Back in early 2021, a good friend of mine, lovingly known as Lawless, floated the idea of the Tarawera Ultramarathon Miler (TUM). Being easily led astray in the context of running events, I said “I will, if you do?” and that was it, we signed our lives away, making the most of early bird entries and RMA discounts. We both couldn’t believe we had done it!

Over the 2020/2021 Summer I smashed out too many ultras in a short block (who knew you could run too many ultras?), dropped my strength training because I thought it wasn’t really necessary (silly decision), and ended up in a world of pain and very, very miserable with a hip stress fracture, hip tear and a lots of swelling.

Six months of rehab was on the cards, starting with a max of 3000 steps in total a day (nearly impossible with small children and a full-time job), I stayed the course of strength work, osteo, massage and slowly, painfully slowly, built back up to running longer distances. It was a really dark time for me and I really struggled mentally without my running freedom and social connections.

As it turned out, although I had deferred my 2022 entry due to the injury, it was cancelled anyway with NZ closing boarders due to the ‘spicey cough’. The silver lining: Lawless and I would still be lining up together.

The team:
I was then on a mission. So clear headed with my goal. 2023 was going to be my year!
I enlisted the two women that I knew could have the biggest impact on my running: Sim and Bec.

Personal trainer and strength coach Simone (Miss Intensity), I saw for 45 mins three times a week. She took on-board all the research around rehabbing my specific injury and listened – as in, really, really listened to me and what I knew my body needed, in order to manage 100 miles of trails, with a full mandatory kit. She tailored my training to the particulars of trails and my need to manage running off-balance, because that’s trail running for you! Sim and I gave the weights silly names, chatted, laughed and sometimes I cried my way through the ups and downs of training and life. The sessions have been so empowering, I have signed up for the rest of the year!

The second powerhouse by my side was a run coach who truly understood my need to balance running for mental health, with two small kids, and full time work. Bec Rosel of Lilydale Running Company is the one I went to when I was in tears, desperate to try and find my MOJO. She shares my love of running for joy. She is an incredible runner in her own right, but as a coach, gee whiz. You couldn’t ask for a more caring, genuine or knowledgeable coach. I felt her with me on the run on many occasions. Bec, Steve and their dog Burleigh were always there to ensure I had the perfect shoes, poles, pack and more importantly, the confidence to use them. Bec’s clear plans, regular check ins, and flexibility when I needed to swap sessions around was just the recipe I needed. “Trust the program” she said. And I did – I trusted the program because I trusted Bec.

Two bright, shining lights in my life, these two women. I couldn’t be more grateful.

The team was rounded out by absolutely incredible running friends. Those I ran with each week included The FriYay Trackers (the most delightful crew of legends); my Long Slow Sunday babes (Liz, Sarah, Tucks and Lawless), those who were up for a night run and those who I met along the journey. Special mention to the RMAs and VURs, who make running really far feel much more like a party, than a slog. I absolutely couldn’t have done it without these friends.

One running friend in particular, Chantelle, was so generous she flew her family over to NZ to crew and pace me! Oh Chantelle – I can’t wait for the opportunity to return the favour. You’re a true gem and I appreciate you so much. What can you even say that sums up such a selfless act? Thank you x

Last and most importantly, my biggest support; the world’s bestest husband (who knows he married a ‘unique’ one and loves me nonetheless). He was with me every step of the way. Making my morning coffee, working his life around long runs, being there when my race anxiety kicked in and helping me bring the whole fambam over to NZ for the event. I am the luckiest gal to have you by my side and I love you more.

So with this team behind me, I started on my new routine, built my weekly milage and started to knuckle down.

Bec and I set some goal events along the way, including a much-postponed New York Marathon, the beautiful Surf Coast Marathon, Surf Coast Century 100, and one of my favourite ever runs, the iconic 56km Two Bays trail run. Throw in the mix 100 odd kms of pacing duties for a friend Isobel Ross doing Coast to Kosciusko, and we had a great mix of training runs to keep the motivation up and the kms ticking away.

A week out from the TUM, my nerves were all over the shop, trying to tie up work commitments and plan the family to be overseas was all a bit much, but after a few chats with my tribe, I was back with my feet on the ground.

The Main Event; TUM

The weeks leading up to the TUM, NZ was smashed by a cyclone, resulting in huge amounts of rain and wind. Devastating for many locals indeed. The trails too took a bashing and a number of landsides meant a last minute course change and kudos goes to the organisers who had the tough ask of finding a safe, realistic, yet satisfying course for the longer course runners.

The decision was that the Milers would start at Lake Okataina and run to the finish line, then run a 60km-odd loop twice from there. The mental game in this new course was that we had to come into the finish line early on in the run, then again at 103 kms, before we finally come in for good at about 163kms. A much trickier mental component. However, there are always silver linings and a huge one for me was that it increased the number of places that crew/family/friends can see you out on the course.

I set myself 4 main goals.
#1 Have fun. Remember your “why”. Find the joy in the challenge.
#2 Finish before cut-off in 36 hours.
#3 To see if a sub 30 hour miler was possible for me.
#4 Be able to run again – ie don’t really stuff your body up.

My alarm went off at 1:50am, Saturday morning. We were at the bus by 2:30am and travelled to the start line. After a short delay, and opportunities for a photo with other VURs and one of my running heroes Lucy Bartholomew, we were treated to a traditional welcome and before setting off with our headtorches on.

At 4:20am, we were setting off up a winding hill for kms, was a quick way to warm up! We started on road, yet soon were on a single trail, following a snake of headlights through bushland. A magical sight to see. The nerves had waned after a few kms and the joyfulness of running on new trails had taken hold. Such joy. After a few kms, I managed to find a section of trail where I was alone; just me, the night energy and the bushland. It was everything I could have asked for in that glorious, calm moment.

At 16.5 kms in we reached our first check point. A quick refill of water and a banana, and off I set again. Another 12kms, and a root trip resulting in a twisted ankle and a bruised ego, I reached the epic energy of the Blue Lake Check point – which we would cross twice more. The vollies on this course were next level! As you arrived, they were actively asking to help you – offering food, refills, anything you could need, they were trying really hard to provide. It was wonderful!

Coming through the massive Redwoods was impressive and humbling, (one tree had been dated 4BC!) and then downhill to the Village Green (also the finish line). Running across the sulphur flats literally took my breath away, but made for lots of fun jokes. After a quick ‘Hi’ to the fam and friends at the 45km mark a little under 6 hours, I turned around and headed back out to the first of the full loops. The first section was always going to be slow with the majority of the uphill section in this chunk, so it was great to have it done.

The first loop was magic! Being daytime, we had sunshine and light breezes and it was a wonderful opportunity to really look around to see what the landscape had to offer. The legs still felt fresh, the ankle had come good again and I felt like I was just ticking along well. Coming into the end of loop one, back at Village Green, it was so great to see the fambam. I had made a new trail friend in Jenny, and the two of us had encouraged each other along for the past 50 kms.

By 103kms, 14 hours in at 6:30pm, I knew the next lap was going to be the toughest. Chantelle my pacer, was now allowed to start a bit earlier due to the course change, so she kitted up and off we went into the night. By 120kms we had turned our headtorches back on, and Chantelle and I turned on the most important trail running accessory; floral fairy lights woven onto our packs. Into the night went two flower power gals and one Jenny! At one stage we had to stop in the forest to switch head torch batteries. In the complete darkness, the whole trail around us lit up with hundreds of tiny glowworms! It was magical and perfect and dreamy. What a privilege to see.

The second lap was definitely tougher. Jenny and I took turns with queasy tummies and I found chewing on ginger to be most helpful. I had to hike a lot more in the second loop, which was annoying, but I knew I just had to stick with my mantra “Run when you can, walk when you need to.” It did me well. Chantelle kept up with a strategy that works for me. Run for 20 counts, walk for 5. Repeat. Over and over again. Sometimes I could stretch it to 30 or 40 counts. Sometimes 20 counts were almost impossible. My body was just tired. The two nights in a row of no sleep was catching up, not to mention the 130 odd kms in the tank. But we just kept plugging away, chatting or just sharing the space and the vibe, one step after the other.

With 10kms to go, my new buddy Jenny had pepped right up and headed off with a second wind. Chantelle and I kept up, checking in with those we passed who looked a bit broken and yet still cheerful.

Coming through the Redwoods the last time, the night party vibe was absolutely so amazing, we barely stopped. Lots of people commented on our fairy light packs as we passed through. We kept toddling along, marking time, counting down, chunking the run into smaller parts. About one km from the end, I mentioned to Chantelle that my brain was telling me how inviting that little shrub over there was, amongst the stinky geezers (yes, I know they are really geysers) and to have a little nap right there. It was hilarious! I mean, I was literally nearly done!

My hubby had woken the kids and some amazing family from NZ all welcomed us as we approached the finish line. The boys ran the final 200 meters with me, cheering and so excited, my mind was so full of thoughts – relief, elation, exhaustion, gratitude, shock that I had actually done it and pride. I had finished my first miler. Not only that, but I finished in 24 hours, 25 mins, in one piece, uninjured. I had smashed all of my goals and come in 14th female.

The summary:
I don’t take for granted the effort it took to get to the start line. It was a team effort. I am thankful every day for that team. Anyone who doesn’t know trail ultra-running and believes it to be a lonely or singular sport, hasn’t taken part in this incredible community. Because no-one is finishing an ultra like this all alone.

The volunteers at this event were EPIC. Absolutely delightful, kind, fun, and caring people. They made the event in so many ways. The event team were incredible. It was very well-marked, well organized, and clearly considered by trail runners themselves. Big shout out to you all.
The lands we traveled, safely and respectfully, were more than beautiful. The sights so incredible you could spend all day just stopping to take it in and take photos; the ‘feel’ of the lands were just as powerful.
Would I do another miler? Well, when I chatted to Chantelle at 130kms I am pretty sure I said “no chance”. But would I? In hindsight? Abso-blooming-lootly.

But first rest and recovery time, and to slow life a little, just a little.

So anyone sitting on the fence for TUM. Do it. Sign up. Give it a crack. Find your team, your passion and your why.

It’s been beyond amazing.

Em x

 

Emma Rose Maber is an RMA Community Ambassador and lives in Victoria, Australia. To learn more about Tarawera Ultramarathon click here. We will be heading over with a great RMA team next year so we hope to see you on the start line!