Sporting Accomplishment: Achievements include: Australian Open Records for 12hr (133.535km), 24hr (238.261km), 100mile (15:24:44) and 200km (19:58:31), as well as several age-group records. Previous AUS representative at World 24 Hour Championships. UTMB 2015 7th place; Matterhorn Ultraks 2018 Age group 1st place; Sierre-Zinal 2019 Age group 1st place; Yukon Arctic Ultra 2016 300 miles 1st place; Australia Day Ultra 2015 & 2018 100km 1st place; Coast to Kosci 2012 1st place
How did you get into your sport: In 2006 I met some trail runners in western Canada, fell in love with the sport and people, and worked very hard just to try to stay with the group for 15km on the trail!
Hardest thing about your sport: Ensuring enough time is allocated to proper recovery, which for me includes massage, chiropractic care, yoga, sleep, and exceptional quality nutrition.
What does your regular training week consist of: Depends on the season/timing, but often there’s a midweek 1.5hr hilly trail run and a 3-5hr long weekend trail run. In total the mileage for the week might be between 85-150km plus elevation. Massage and sports chiro often weekly, plus strength training at least once a week. Yoga when I can fit it in and meditation.
How do you keep motivated: I love running deeply now and the mental and physical health benefits I get from it, so it’s very easy for me to keep a base. When the volume/load challenges are high, and perhaps compounded by weather challenges, then it’s my good running mates and crazy adventures that help inspire the efforts. And I remember to look back and see the gains I’ve made.
Goals – where to from here; I’m always looking for a new challenge. The 6 day races were really the first popularised “pedestrian” events, going back to the late 1800s. This feels far out of my comfort zone and has a lot of unknowns for me, so that’s very appealing! Shorter mountainous races appeal, too, as I know I am challenged by my less flexible, less agile ageing body. Turning 50 in 2019, I have a new age group to challenge myself with in “flat and fast” national records, too!
Best piece of advice you have been given: Listen to everyone, follow no one (Dean Karnazes)
Why do you use Hammer Nutrition Although the adage is “Don’t try anything new on race day,” I trialed Hammer Perpetuem for my first 24 hr race in June 2010. I had carefully read the science behind it and it made much more sense to me than fuels high in fat and/or simple sugars for such a long event. I won that event and broke a Canadian age group record. It’s been all Hammer Nutrition ever since! I have never been sick in an ultra. I’m gluten-free and I’ve transitioned to being vegan over the past few years and am fully supported with a range of products. The Endurance News magazine has great articles that help me understand and better maximize my use of the products and give me tips on day to day nutrition and self-care. The authenticity of the company has shone through over a decade of my involvement, too.
