The highlight reels are just the beginning of the story. Amy OHalloran has been an RMA affiliated coach for many years now, and this year in Melbourne she had a run that reminded her what it really is all about. We sometimes forget that social media can be the place (we) people put their running … Read more
Is it ever just chatting? Or is it always planting seeds? In 2016 after completing my first half in Sydney I watched a fellow RMA & friend Emma, complete her 2nd Marathon for the year, we got chatting afterwards and she planted that seed that I too, one day, could do a Marathon. It took me … Read more
“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 motivation 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