34° 22′ 32″ S, 118° 15′ 22″ E
Sitting on top of the world, with my head firmly in the clouds...
Proudly standing tall at 1,099 metres above sea level, Bluff Knoll is the highest peak of WA's amazing south coast. Our hike proved a challenging, yet rewarding 6km return trip I'll never forget... Mainly because I can now add 'mountain climber' to my resume!
So, we've all been there. Vowing to never, ever do something again. Like, ever. EVER again.
I'm not talking about the 276 glasses of vino that resulted in the world's worst hangover, maxing out your credit card on a pair of shoes you absolutely *had* to have, or texting your ex after a couple of cheeky champagnes (urgh, too guilty). I'm talking about that thing you did that took so much energy, was so challenging and required so much determination and strength, that it was quite simply an incredible accomplishment... that you vowed you would not ever, ever do again. Period. You with me?
Well, for me, this personal vow was promised after running my marathon* last year. Despite loving a challenge, I was happy to retire my marathon career there and then, and go out on a high. But then in January I was approached by HBF, to see whether I'd consider being an ambassador for their 2017 Run for a Reason. How could I say no?!
I was so stoked to receive this Penny Skateboard delivery last month! As a kid, I would skateboard everywhere on my 31” wooden board, with black grip deck, neon pink wheels and silver skull artwork - the only kid on the block riding a board as we went on adventures in and around the Yorkshire countryside. I absolutely adored that skateboard, it was so hard leaving it all loved, scratched up and battered behind in an English charity shop when I was packing up my life to move to Aussie.
Fast-forward twenty-something years later and I received this little beauty through the mail. Shamelessly singing the lyrics to Avril Levigne’s 'Sk8er Boi' at the top of my lungs when it plays on the radio in my car (my preferred four wheel mode of transport these days) is probably the closest I’ve come to skateboarding in the past few decades.
So I guess you’re wondering why I’m even blogging about this, huh? Well, read on, people…
Fresh from completing the Chevron City to Surf half marathon at the end of August, I was looking for my next fitness challenge before my 'runners high' wore off... When I discovered that my favourite little island of Rottnest hosted an annual running event, there was no question – I was doing it!
Those of you who read regularly will know I have a complete love-affair with the gorgeous little island just off the coast of Perth. I’ve visited a whopping seven times in just under three years and so I knew I had to do the Rotto half. And so, less than a week after completing the City to Surf half marathon, I had my place on the Rottnest half marathon booked and the 6am ferry from Freo paid for...
Today, I ran (jogged) the Perth City to Surf Half Marathon in 2 hours and 54 minutes. I know, I know – not an amazing time, but you wouldn’t believe how proud I am!
My decision to run the half marathon was based on realising a dream, proving to myself that I could actually do it and so that I could wear my medal everywhere for the next few weeks. What? I’m totally serious.
In all honesty, my initial attitude towards running the half-marathon was pretty blasé. I’m pretty fit and super active, but I’m not exactly a runner. I’m not particularly into running - and to be completely honest, I don't actually even really like running that much. But I do love a challenge!
I thought I’d share a few little pointers I learned from my incredibly chillaxed training regime, just incase any of you crazy kids decide to take it upon yourselves to do a half-marathon someday, with as little enthusiasm as me...