My journey to ‘LAST ARSE’ 🎖️

I have had the opportunity to participate in many running events. Long-distance running gives me that peaceful state of mind sharing stories with others and always meeting someone who has an inspirational tale to tell.

‘6 Foot Track ultra trail marathon 45km’ was slightly different in that it had 1700 m elevations, swim thru rivers and creeks with a strict 7 hours cut-off. One of the oldest and toughest bucket list trail races in Australia organized by NSW RFS volunteers.

After 23 km of the 6 ft track race both my legs started cramping and the hills had just started. When I looked at others it seemed that everyone was racing against time. If the organizers saw anyone struggling and not able to make the 7hr cut-off, for their safety, they would take them out of the race. I pretended I was all good and kept moving. Every hill reminded me of all those hard times I have had in life and eventually overcame and this hill will go as well. I was thinking if we all had a set time to live how much pressure we would put on ourselves to achieve those goals for family, kids, and bucket lists? Just the thought is so daunting. It is so good that we don’t know our end date and everyone lives with an open slather lifeline.

In spite of the pain and struggle, I didn’t want to miss the beautiful Blue mountain trails in the race of time. When I met a familiar face from Canberra I would chat and take pictures to lift their spirits high and encourage myself to go all the way.

I ran or maybe crawled the last few km to make up the lost time and just beat the sweeper across the finish line but was declined the medal because I was 14 seconds after 7 hrs on the clock. I was not surprised, a rule is a rule and that’s fair enough. Somewhere in my mind, I was thinking I’m happy to finish the race. A few hours ago with cramping legs, I couldn’t even imagine I would be so close to 7 hours.

As I walked along telling everyone that I was 14 seconds over and didn’t get the medal everyone felt sorry for me. Sometimes failure is a bitter pill to swallow but over time I’m working on it. I didn’t mind it that much because I had completed a tough ultra-marathon and in my head, I was a Marathon runner, which is less than 1% of this planet’s population.

An hour later I heard my name announced, according to the timing chip my overall time was 06:59:44 so they gave me my medal🎖️ and was the winner of the “LAST ARSE” $100 voucher from 2773 Cafe which was the icing on the cake.

I was happy to finish the race but now I was happier to get the medal and the LAST ARSE award. Suddenly everyone was congratulating me and I was thinking what a difference 16 seconds can make to everyone’s mindset. Even though I was happy to just finish the marathon I realized that Success is what others see in you but satisfaction is what only you can see in yourself. Satisfaction is what I think what we all are working towards. Every time I go to a race event I want to look into the mirror and say this is the person I want to see faster, healthier, and happier at the end of the race irrespective of time, pace, or the obstacles life throws my way.

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This is my first Writing4Resilience substack and was inspired by Ben Alexander who has encouraged many to stay active both physically and mentally by writing down their thoughts. Thanks mate you’re a legend.

Six Foot Track Marathon was inspired by Douglas Richard who has told many legendary tales of this race event. Thanks, Doug keep inspiring everyone along the way. I loved every foot of this race.

If anyone else would like to share their inspirational stories then you can walk, jog, or talk with me at ‘Running For Resilience’ at TheDock Kingston Foreshore.

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If you or anyone you know is doing it tough the best thing you can do is to stay active with them Run-Walk-Jog-Talk.

MON 6:15 AM - WED 6:00 PM - FRI 6:15 AM

@The Dock Kingston Foreshore

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