Tarawera is that race for me. The race that despite all my efforts, never goes quite right. For those new here, I’ve started the miler three times after running my first 100k race there in 2017. I entered in 2018 only to be diagnosed with pelvic stress fractures two weeks before. I gave the 100 … Continue reading Race Recap: Tarawera 100 Miler 2025
This time next week, I’ll be sitting with my feet up, drinking my morning coffee, with a stunning view over Lake Rotorua, proudly wearing my new pounamu toki after completing the Tarawera 100 mile. Manifesting? Sure. Praying? Maybe a little. With a little over 4 days to go until the metaphorical gun goes off, it’s … Continue reading Tarawera diaries: Trying something different
“I think I’ve seen this film before, and I didn’t like the ending” Taylor Swift, ‘Exile’ Running ultras is hard. It breaks your body and it punishes your mind. It will pummel your feet, shred your quads and rub your skin raw. It will make you vomit, poop your pants and question every decision you … Continue reading Lessons from the Tarawera 100 miler
It’s hard to know where to start. It still doesn’t feel quite real. But somehow, I got from Kawerau to Rotorua, 100 miles (162km) under the power of just my own two feet. To be honest, I can hardly believe it. I thought it would be hard, but I didn’t really comprehend just how hard … Continue reading Race recap- Tarawera 100 Miler 2024
In two weeks time, instead of sitting in my bean bag drinking coffee with my ball obsessed kelpie getting increasingly frustrated with my lack of interest in her ball, I’ll hopefully be about 30k into my journey to cover 100 miles (160km) in one go. I would have travelled from the start line in Kawerau … Continue reading Tarawera diaries- the hay is in the barn
Most of the time, I love training for a race. I love the daily run, the easy shuffles, the occasionally interval session, I’m grateful for it and it’s part of my daily routine. I don’t question it or complain about it. It’s not even a chore. I never understood people who would say “I just … Continue reading Tarawera training log- just over 3 weeks to go
Yes ok so it turned to shit and I didn't finish my race. I think everyone got that memo. And yes I've also reached the anger stage of the 5 Stages of Grief so bare with me here. In sorting through the emotions of falling short on such a big goal, I've been reflecting on … Continue reading Lessons from my first attempt at the Tarawera 100 miler
It's 7 am here in Rotorua and if everything had gone to plan, I'd still be running. I'd hopefully be leaving the Redwoods aid station and completing the last 6 km of my first 100 mile race. But instead, I'm here, drinking coffee in my pjs on the back deck of an Air Bnb analysing … Continue reading Time to call it: another DNF Tarawera 100 mile
With five weeks to go until my first 100 mile race and the panic and paranoia is starting to set in. It’s the prequel to the ultimate taper tantrum that often includes buying shit you don’t need, over analysing your training, foam rolling (because you literally have never used the thing) and research into all … Continue reading The prequel to the taper tantrum- 35 days to go!
“Not all crazy idea are great, but all great ideas are crazy” I’m not sure where I heard that, maybe the Free Trail podcast, I know Elon Musk has said something similar, but it really applies to ultra running. The Tarawera 100 mile race has been my A race for two years now, but a … Continue reading My 2022 (and 23) running goals
MelMac Runs 