This is the moment I finished my first 100 mile ultra
After 26 hours of running through the night, this is the moment I turned the final corner to complete something for my of my life I would have thought impossible.
The very idea that someone, anyone, let alone me, could run 100 miles in one go would have seemed completely ridiculous. About 8 years ago I ran a 10km race and I thought anyone who ran a half marathon was unbelievable. Then I ran a half marathon and I thought anyone who could run double that and do a full marathon was a hero. Next I tried a 31 mile ultra and I looked at people who ran 100kms with disbelief. Eventually I did the 100km and I still couldn’t fathom how anyone could run almost twice as far in one hit.
The truth is I was right all throughout this journey. Whether you’ve run your first 5km or your first 100 miles you are a winner. If I’ve learnt one thing from all this it’s that every goal is equal. Someone’s molehill is another person’s mountain.
Two days ago I climbed another of my mountains and got to finish it in front of my family. My nephew Darcy ran across the finish line of my first 100km and here he was again for my 100 mile baptism. This time we were joined by my 2-year-old son (who was more interested in blueberries but some people are hard to impress).
Finally all the important women in my life. My wife, my sister, my mum, my niece, without whom I would never have achieved any of these things and particularly not this 100 mile race.
They were there at the darkest moments to keep me going. Their support is what helped me through.
And what’s the most important thing I think I learnt out there? Anything can look impossible if you look at it a certain way but if you don’t try you’ll never know what you’re capable of.
