My last couple of big running events involved plenty of testing and learning. That theme has continued into the autumn, as I aim to rehab an achilles/plantaris injury. So although I’d rather be writing about new adventures, it’s handy to note any lessons from the past ones while I remember. Wait, I’ve forgotten. Was it ‘Maybe don’t do ultras cos you get sick’? Nah, surely not.
Author Archives: RunningTuff
2022 World 100k Championships report
The German customs officer wasn’t buying it. ‘All the way from New Zealand, for a run?’ Narrowing his eyes, he looked at my passport and back to me. If it seemed like a cover story for dubious activity, the white powder stashed in my bag wouldn’t help the case. ‘Why so far for so shortContinue reading “2022 World 100k Championships report”
Sri Chinmoy 24 Hour Race, 2020
At the Sri Chinmoy event back in 2019, I remember Jamie Hawker cheerfully describing the folly of expecting a top result or PB every time you line up for an ultra. People think they can, he said, but it’s always going to be tick, tick, cross, tick, cross… Cheers, I said wryly. After two decentContinue reading “Sri Chinmoy 24 Hour Race, 2020”
‘Us ultrarunners are used to extraordinary.’
As we headed towards full Covid-19 lockdown in March, I was chatting online with fellow NZ ultrarunner Fiona Hayvice. Bidding each other a slightly nervous sign-off ahead of this unknown time, she mentioned in passing that, while it was indeed surreal, ‘us ultrarunners are used to extraordinary’. At the time I agreed and we movedContinue reading “‘Us ultrarunners are used to extraordinary.’”
Jiayou jaiyou! Running for NZ at the Asia-Oceania 24-Hour Championships
After arriving back in NZ, my experiences in Taipei are already feeling a bit dreamlike. In short, it was an amazing experience. In long, here’s a bit more of the story and background. Thanks to those I borrowed photos from! It’s been a tricky year for my running, with sickness during Tarawera 100k in Feb,Continue reading “Jiayou jaiyou! Running for NZ at the Asia-Oceania 24-Hour Championships”
NZ 100k champs 2018, and the dreaded DNF
It was precisely three hours and twelve minutes into the race, bang on the 39km mark. The Christchurch day was clear and warm. The pace was on track, averaging 5 minute ks as planned. A lap earlier I’d taken the lead for the first time, although all three of us in the women’s race seemedContinue reading “NZ 100k champs 2018, and the dreaded DNF”
11 cool things about Tarawera Ultramarathon 2018
In some ways, Tarawera 102k was a rough race for me this year. In others, it rocked a lot of luck and wonder. Here’s a list based on the latter while describing some of the former. Background – I’ve done Tarawera a bunch of times over different distances, from the cones-in-a-paddock-finish-line days to the hugeContinue reading “11 cool things about Tarawera Ultramarathon 2018”
My first 24 hour track race: 2017 Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence Run
What will it feel like? Many people can’t understand why runners would choose to run in circles on a 400m track for 24 hours. It’s a valid question – the extension of choosing to run in 2k circles over 100k. For me it was as simple as the above: I wanted to experience the highsContinue reading “My first 24 hour track race: 2017 Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence Run”
ANZ 100k championship 2016 race report
Mention the idea of running 100k in flat concrete 2k laps to an acquaintance, and they’ll look at you somewhat bemused. Even otherwise-hardcore runners don’t tend to get excited by the idea. No mountains, no soft trail, no point-to-point = no point? The intrinsic pointlessness is part of the charm. It’s hard to explain, but the simplicity ofContinue reading “ANZ 100k championship 2016 race report”
5 tips for running Tarawera Ultramarathon
Tarawera Ultramarathon is nearly here! I’m down to share tips at a Hawks get-together, and when I wrote them down as notes they turned into pictures. They didn’t turn into colour pictures though, because my child has apparently eaten all my good waterproof pens. Enjoy. 1. Appreciate the moment – frequently. The start of an ultraContinue reading “5 tips for running Tarawera Ultramarathon”
Dawn Tuffery 