Unfilteredattemptedathlete

16/03/2026

Monday long
After Saturdays big night down to Linkin Park, my body battery was not prepared to long run on Sunday like normal. .
Had a large amount of FOMO watching friends complete timed events like Six Foot Track via live timing and Orange Running Festival live.
With a 3:00am bed time, Sunday was tense. I was tired, irritable and feeling out of it.
So when I got home and whacked my new caravan (window) at full pelt with the corner of my eye. Well, it wasn't my best.
(After a few choice words, an ice pack and a rest) I went to bed early and got a good night's sleep.
The eye has continued to expand, but my enthusiasm for running long was still there.
Today I notched myself up again, improving my understanding of what it's like to be on my feet and what's possible
Feeling pretty positive I'm close to a point when my fast can re-show itself.
In saying that, I've let go of my time goal for the Canberra half. Not some bu****it excuse to run slow. But rather releasing myself from expectations and possibly disappointment. I'd rather just go into it running at my best.
Make sense?

11/03/2026

photo
Do you need help with getting yourself into parkrun photos?
Here's a beginner guide from self proclaimed expert (me)
First things first, I cannot underline this enough. Look up and out for any volunteers along the way. Even if they're not holding the camera, a friendly smile, wave and a thank you doesn't ever fall out of fashion.
When you've spotted your camera holder vollie, make sure you position yourself at an appropriate place to ensure you can be seen by the camera. Someone in front of you, move left or right. Running by yourself for a bit? Make a show of it.
When having said photo taken, give a little smile a wave of a thumbs up. Always plays well. Concentrate on FORM, not FAST. As fast will invariably end up with you looking like you're a video buffering at the wrong moment.
Should you ever find yourself thinking, I wonder if a jump shot would be cool! Don't! The JSPSPR (jump shots per successful photo ratio) is horrendous
Anyway. Here's a couple of examples for you to gaze lovingly at

06/03/2026

parkrun
Back home we have a mate asking everyone to dress pink for them this weekend. Because we only packed light, I felt under pinked...... until the pink hot air balloon rocked up into shot.
was where we landed because although I'm not chasing my second alphabet, I'm not not chasing my second alphabet.
A lovely run along the creek, with a few extra tourists because of Albert park
We were all wowed by the hot air show cruising straight overhead just before briefing
With International Women's day upon us, I thought I would take a moment to recognise Event Directors I work with.
Quite a high percentage of the events I ambassador for have women up front.
So thank you to Jenn (Bathurst), Emmalee and Suzie (Cameron park), Trudy (Cobar), Miriam (Dubbo), Crystal (Mudgee), Linda (Narromine), Vicky (Northparkes oval), Sue (Orange) !

04/03/2026

state of play
Right now I'm
- running enough Kms a week ✅
- doing enough variations in the week ✅
- running long ✅
What I don't have
- running confidence ❌

So I'm working on that whilst the other things tick along.

Yesterday I got to run in the rain, which for me is an absolute blessing.
I took my Orange Running Festival Marathon shirt out along for the stride to relive that experience.
About a year ago (give or take a week) I was not far from running my first ever marathon distance there and I remembered all the physical and mental things I took into that event, what I did well, what I didn't do so well, and how a combination of all those things made me a better overall runner.
I ran the marathon as a long run day (albeit at a faster pace than my normal long runs) as part of a wider aim of learning for my Ultra. So not really giving it full attention in and of itself, but enough to be present in that moment.

So my simple base load run yesterday became about remembering confidence as it appears in runner me.

Twas fun.

28/02/2026

parkrun
Normally decked out my parkrun merch on parkrunday this weekend was a little different.
Jenn (pictured here in her role as event director) asked us all to wear our favourite race shirts in honour of Stephen Jackson. I knew of him an exuberance of love for our shared past time, running.
He was fundamental in helping me understand not going overboard at parkrun the day before a race. And always an inspiration.
Today I went the full OG race shirt with a throw back to my first ever mount panorama punish shirt
Also had my youngest child join us this weekend 💞

25/02/2026

runner
yesterday I walked into a sports store and heard the siren song of pretty coloured shoes. On impulse I lifted the display shoe for their "supershoe" variant. At 129gm they are almost anti-weight and certainly fairly unbelievable.
Unstable on the heel and will only last a few races says the young bloke up front. Before rather ungenerously asking if I ran marathons.
Sure, I flexed. Ran two last year in the lead up to my Ultra.
Anyway, if you have money to spend on something that doesn't last as long as your other shoes served to you by people that wonder about your credentials. Go for it.
I wouldn't have brought them anyway. The colour wasn't right for me (last year's variant being much more my vibe)
And that's even before I went to Banksys exhibition where "I can't believe you morons actually buy this sh§t" featured.

23/02/2026

River Bridges
Found a super loop of bridges and river
Acting super normal the whole way

21/02/2026

parkrun
No actual park running done today, as I was too busy voluncheering at home.
Aside from the joy of contributing so others could perform their own versions of magic, it meant I could focus on my plan when I eventually got myself onto the road.
3x1km off and on (for 6km) practicing confidence in holding pace.
Especially when tiring.
With the added benefit of doing it warm to stacks on the heat training idea.
felt good, aimed strong.

14/02/2026

Here I find myself again making adjustments to long run day in order to carry out regular life.
After parkrun I trotted up Hassans Walls for a glorious misty morning.
Really enjoyed the feeling this morning
Tomorrow will be short and sharp before our day of travel and adventure

12/02/2026

Feels like Saturdays are now powered by Zambrero

We are excited to announce a one-year partnership with Australian-owned restaurant chain Zambrero, aimed at promoting healthy customised meals and supporting Zambrero’s Plate 4 Plate initiative to stop world hunger.

For every Zambrero burrito or bowl sold, a meal is donated to someone in need, with more than 100 million meals donated over the past 20 years.

As part of the partnership, parkrun participants will be eligible for a ‘buy one get one free’ offer on Saturdays, by showing evidence of your parkrun volunteer or result in-store using your email or the 5k app.

👉 parkrun.me/introducingzambrero

11/02/2026

morning runs 💞
Turning my training dial up a few notches this week. Aiming for more balance and leaning into the difficult to help my confidence in being comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Feeling well placed for this part of my schedule