State: QLD
Sport: Trail Running
Sporting Accomplishment: I’ve come from a triathlon background & in 2013 competed for Australia at the World Champs in London. Pretty funny really seeing as I’m English, felt like a bit of a traitor! Feeling more Aussie I again competed for Australia in 2015 in the World Champs Duathlon in Adelaide finishing 5th female. In 2016 I took up trail running & finished 3rd female in my first race Up the Buff 25km. Since then I’ve won Red Rock to Coffs Harbour 45km in 2016 & 2017. I ran my first 50km in 2016 & finished 2nd female in Coastal High 50 & 7 weeks later won Blackall50. 2017 saw me compete in UTA100 where I won my age group by 1:40. This was then followed by Kokoda where my team placed 2nd & then to finish off the season Blackall100 finishing 1st in my age group by 1:20. There’s been numerous 20km & 25km races in between all with podium finishes. In 6 months I’ve run 3 x 100km races! Quite like this trail running.
How did you get into your sport: Every 2 years I set myself big goals & deciding to run ultras was easy. I was turning 50 in 2016 so thought it appropriate to run 50km & it’s gone on from there!
Hardest thing about your sport: Fitting in training, children & work is always a challenge. It means a lot of early starts before dropping my daughter to school on my way to work. Only another year & she’ll be driving to uni like her brother.
What does your regular training week consist of: Training for an ultra includes a combination of strength work, hills & stairs, speed, long distance, cycling & rest.
How do you keep motivated: Keeping motivated is easy…I love exercising. I’m lucky that I have very easy children that are used to me doing crazy stuff, also a very supportive partner & great friends to train with which makes it much more fun. To me it’s important that I surround myself with equally motivated people.
Goals (Future Plans and Career expectations): In 2018 I’m going for the hat trick of 3 wins in a row for Red Rock to Coffs which hasn’t been done before. I’m also looking at defending my age group title at UTA. Also keen to extend my road cycling & have a go at some racing. I find the combination of running & cycling works well for me.
Best piece of advice you have been given: When you’re tired, rest as this is such an important component in your training. Also eat a lot & I mean a lot! I’m quite small & can eat as much as my 19yr old son. Luckily we all love good quality healthy food.
