Last weekend I participated in the Ultra Trails Australia (UTA) event in the Blue Mountains.

Just 22km this year! While the weather was perfect (not like the Saturday where it was freezing for the 50km and 100km runners!) the race was tough! 

There were over 1,400 stairs and the elevation was extreme though I made it to the finish line in just over 4hrs 13 mins.

It’s easy for me to say ‘just’ 22km now as I often do long runs like this. I’ve also done a couple of 50km events over the last few years as well so the distance didn't worry me.

The thing is, this ‘just’ 22km event was hard. It was definitely a mental game and it’s easy to let the hills and stairs beat you. But that's the thing I love about trail running. The feeling of knowing I'm strong physically, emotionally and mentally means I can face challenges and know deep in my soul that I'll be ok.   

But I haven't always been so strong. It was almost 9 years ago that I was told I'd never run again just after receiving my new hip. Being told I can't run devastated me and the recovery after my hip replacement was slow and hard. I began to believe the doctors and resigned myself to the fact that running wasn't going to be my thing again. Hearing those words though lit a fire in my belly (it was very dim to start with but being told I couldn't do something made me miss it and want it even more).

So I'm not sure how I actually began to run again. Somehow over the years I started walking and running, participating in parkrun and finding myself the best group of running friends, including my sister. From there, our runs became my happy place. The sanctuary and escape from my everyday busy and at times exhausting life. Our friendship deepened through our love of trail running and together we did UTA50.

I love reconnecting to nature by being in the bush. I love the new friendships I've discovered. I love moving my body. I love getting to the top of a hill completely out of breathe but feeling a huge sense of achievement because I made it. I love running in the rain and jumping in muddy puddles. I love everything about trail running. 

I was the slowest of the group but you know what, it didn't matter. I crossed that finish line with every inch of my body frozen, hurting and in pain. The emotion was high because of the overwhelming sense of pride and achievement. I had just completed the impossible. 50km in just over 11 hours in the freezing Blue Mountains (the windchill factor was minus 3 degrees).

I couldn't believe what I had just achieved and while I was slow the thought of quitting never crossed my mind. I had a goal and I knew I could do it... I wasn't sure how, but I knew I'd get there.

So being back there this year, participating in 'just' the 22km event, took me right back to that first 50km event. I was nervous and excited all at the same time though one thing I knew for sure was that I was going to get to the finish line - no matter what. My mindset was strong and while my body wasn't quiet where it needed to be, my heart, soul and unwavering determination was enough to get me through.

Crossing the finish line, achieving that goal, mastering that skill, doing something you once thought was impossible, fills you with so much pride, joy and happiness. 

It’s hard to explain but it really is THE BEST feeling.

So if you’re not sure if you can do hard things, find someone who believes in you and shows you the way, because we all really can do hard things!