I had some pretty lofty goals for 2024.

Im a well established dreamer and goal setter and 99% of the time I occupy the seat of the perpetually disappointed, making it easy to fall into the routine of “why bother”. After all, My Spotify wrapped was described as mallgoth, emo with a significant sprinkling of a certain Tortured Poet.

But since Surf Coast Century last year I’ve had a bit of a renaissance and 2024 suddenly became the year of trying.

February

I ended my 2023 End of year post with a matter of fact remark about running under 24 hours at Tarawera 100 miler.

This white whale of a race that I’ve never been able to master that has occupied my daily dreaming for years.

I had no business proclaiming this goal, this time, I’d never made it to the finish line before.

Well as is everything in ultra running, it didn’t exactly go to plan. I struggled all day and all night and finished in 33:31, but I finished.

I’m proud that I finished the thing. Even when it didn’t go to plan, even when I really wasn’t enjoying it, even when I found myself lying flat on my back, gazing up at the sky contemplating my life choices (it may be the alternative to the sit on a rock and cry pity party) or stuck in a chair, staring for an inappropriate amount of time at my feet, I still finished.

I learnt so many lessons so hopefully I can improve in 2025.

I was so focused on Tarawera that I hadn’t looked or planned anything after it. So I laid out some races with the goal of securing my ticket in the Western States lottery at Taupo Ultramarathon in October.

March

In March I was surprised I was so keen to come back and race.

I headed to Warby Trail fest in a modified course year due to extreme heat (other race directors take note, you can do it safety, email Chris!)

It was hot and it was fun, but it wasn’t as fun as running with all my buddies the year before.

April

I wanted to try some new races this year. I like to race as training, doing long efforts on your own is hard and most of the time I’m just having fun, I’m very rarely “racing” or trying to go as fast as I can.

I headed to Run Tarra Bulga in Traralgon. I didn’t love it to be honest but it was nice to discover a new place.

I also decided at the last minute to enter the inaugural Ballarat Marathon. I went out and bought super shoes and entered a few days before the race. I didn’t even taper and ran an insane 8:30 min PB in the half. 1:42:28

June

In June I started training with a “new” coach. In the first week I deviated from the plan and ran the Run Forrest half marathon. It bucketted rain and I got really annoyed by the trail newbies who didn’t seem to have any trail etiquette, but I rage ran a 15 min course PR.

I backed it up the following week and managed a 7 minute PB at Surf Coast Trail Marathon. The goal in March was to aim for sub 4:55, and I snagged a 4:47.

August

In August I headed back to Peaks and Trails and ran with my husband, sometimes quite literally side by side. It was nice to show him my favourite race. I ran an 8 minute PR here too and I felt like I left some time on the table.

September

In February I agreed to be part of a relay team at Surf Coast Century. I’d never run a relay race before and it was a great day. Everyone ran so well and I was stoked with my leg.

October

By October, my A race of the year came around. It didn’t exactly go to plan but I ran 13:59 at Taupo 100k, a 100k PB and secured my ticket into the Western States lottery. Also managed to win my age group.

November

After the recovery, training recommenced for Tarawera 2025. I ran a 5k PB in a regular training run, 21:57, not as fast as my Garmin said I could but I’ll still take the win.

I also signed my nephews up for their first fun run at the Lara Fun run. It wasn’t a PB, but I still won my age group, Ryan was super competitive and Thomas fell over the only stick on the trail but fun was had by all.

Then the shit hit the fan a little bit as I started to notice some tightness and soreness in my hamstrings, which reduced my speed sessions a little bit but I kept plugging away at the training.

December

December was my 8th running of the AfterGlow trail run. I dressed as an alien (of course) and ran a 6 min PR too, with an inflatable strapped to my back.

Considering I spent the afternoon volunteering and not exactly eating and hydrating as I should, I was surprised by the PR. I chatted with a few folks as we went and had a bit of a rivalry with a bloke wearing no shoes, spoiler alert, he won.

When I sat down to reflect on 2024, I really didn’t think it would sound that great, but when you look at the list, it actually looks pretty damn good.

I used to always go into races saying I was “saving my legs for later” and “pacing myself” but it turns out when you try, and keep trying the whole way, you go a little faster.