“We are not going to let them take our sport away, we are going to run a marathon” Why I wanted to become a Melbourne Marathon Spartan. At a 40th birthday party, in January 2013, I ran into my school friend Sally. Half marathons were an increasing feature of both our lives, so of course … Read more
“A goal should scare you a little and excite you a lot.”– Joe Vitale I did it… I ran a bloody marathon!!!!From the very beginning I always said I would never run a marathon… I also use tosay I’d never run a half marathon. I have run 10 half marathons since October2023. Our running coach … Read more
“Things might not go as planned – Always try to focus on the good”– Unknown SYD 2025 Where to start…. This was my “event” of the year! I did my first marathon at GC last year followed by Sydney! After this I thought I was done with marathons and I entered a half Ironman! (As … Read more
“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, … Read more
This is a story about gratitude. In hindsight, I should not have booked my first ultramarathon for the November following my first marathon in April 2021. I figured it would be easier to “maintain fitness” than “start over”, but severely misjudged the rest and recovery both my body and mind would need after such a … Read more
Around 10 years ago, single and childless, I idly professed my intent to run a half marathon “one day”… then life got in the way and that day never happened. Fast forward to October 2020 and I took up running once more and gave myself a 12 month goal to run that ever elusive half … Read more
The crisp cold air heralded the return to the 2021 Ultra Trail Australian landscape as runners from near and far gathered nervously on the start line. No longer a race to the start as is sometimes the case, many needed to plan a little ‘extra time’ for the mandatory COVID-19 check in’s and parking, and … Read more
I started training for the Canberra Marathon in December 2020 – logging 683.95km and almost 83 hours of training before the big day. I ran through torrential rain, through heartbreak when my best friend died 3 weeks out, logged many KMs alone in the dark and many grateful KMs with wonderful friends. I had a … Read more
Back in July 2020, in the midst of COVID unpredictability and with zero goals on the horizon, I decided I needed to pick something to work towards. While I’ve always been a runner on and off since I was 11yrs old, I’d recently gotten back into running consistently after a few years in the gym … Read more
My name is Michelle Hooper, I am a mother of two vibrant little girls (3 & 5) and reside in Perth. I feel I represent the everyday mum who juggles between work, kids, training & life. I am no elite, far from it (kinda like it that way). My running journey started after having my … Read more
As I sit here reflecting on the year that has been it is hard to not have an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Yes, 2020 was a difficult year, and its’ affect and its’ uncertainty still remains with us, however it was a year that brought much clarity and reflection to what I do here at … Read more
Thanks to our unwelcome virus friend, COVID-19, 2020 has been like Old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard for running event options. This year has taught me to run for nature, adventure, friendship and peace rather than big finish lines, PBs and medals; but when Summit Shoalhaven entries opened, I registered immediately. The chance to run in an actual, REAL … Read more
Where to even begin? The conscious decision about doing 100 miles at Feral Pig here in WA wasn’t even really made this year to be honest… I’d signed up to do the miler last year but with the extreme heat and fire danger resulting in the cancelation of the 2019 event we were given the … Read more