I have a long history with Tarawera. My nemesis. This entire blog is basically a chronology of our relationship. If Tarawera were a person, the internet would condemn my toxic relationship with it. I have a tattoo of a unicorn on my ribs. It’s blue like the colour of Tikitapu with tall bright green pine … Continue reading I think I hate this race – Another Tarawera DNF
Don’t get cocky, there are plenty of new mistakes to be made!
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 … Continue reading 2024: a year in running
Trail ultra running is essentially an exercise in not stuffing up. Some folks will say they love the sport because they “enjoy problem solving”. To a certain extent that’s true, trail ultra running is a lot of problem solving. It’s a lot of self observation, recognising when you have made a mistake and correcting it, … Continue reading Lessons from the Taupo 100k
It’s not a secret that I’ve been looking for a running coach for a while now. Even when I technically had one, I was looking. I find myself really triggered by conversations on podcasts about coaching, whether or not you need a coach and when, how etc to get one. They make it sound like … Continue reading I just want someone who cares about this stupid thing as much as I do
When I first started this blog back in 2017, I wanted it to be focused on running as a life style and on improving myself. I was deep into podcasts, especially ones like Rich Roll and feeling like I was listening to all this information about self improvement and not actually doing anything about it. … Continue reading Seven years of MelMacRuns
Hey pals! So there’s a bit of a running boom happening. Races are selling out, instagram bros are running shirtless down the street with their noise cancelling headphones and running shoes are flying off the shelves. Unfortunately (or fortunately if you are in that camp) trail and ultra running is having a similar boom. I … Continue reading Trail running etiquette for newbies
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
I had a plan going into Ultra Trail Kosciusko, to do what I had set out to do last year but didn’t get to because of last minute course changes as a result of unseasonable snow. (recap for that race here) I booked accommodation pretty much as soon as I finished last year. I wanted … Continue reading Story of a DNF- Ultra Trail Kosciusko 2023
If ever the was a race that was the most apply named it is the Rollercoaster Run. Coined as 'Melbourne's Mountain Run', it takes place in the Dandenong Ranges, one of only a few 'hills' in Melbourne that could be called (and are actually named) mountains. Mt Dandenong sits at around 633 metres above sea … Continue reading Race recap: Rollercoaster Run 46k 2023
MelMac Runs 