Trails, longer distances, too many things to think about at once and the strange appeal of spending most of a day moving through the mountains.
I enjoyed it, but I was never particularly competitive and I did not grow up imagining that endurance sport would become such a big part of my life.
Then in 2023 I ran my first marathon. I loved the process, the structure and having something difficult to work towards. Four weeks later I ran my first ultra, and that suited me even more.
The ultra was the point where something clicked. The longer distance meant there was more to manage: pace, food, terrain, weather, kit, fatigue and all the small decisions that keep changing as the day goes on.
Rather than making it feel overwhelming, that complexity made it more interesting.
There is something about trail and ultra running that suits the way my brain works. It is not only about distance. It is the mix of movement, problem-solving, structure and unpredictability.
Terrain, fuelling, pacing, navigation, weather and how your body feels all change as the day goes on.
Long races are rarely repetitive. There is enough happening to keep me engaged without needing everything to be fast.
Mountains, trails, long days outside and getting to move through places I would otherwise never experience in the same way.
I have found trail and ultra running less cliquey and more open than a lot of traditional sporting spaces.
Ultra running gives you a plan, then spends hours finding ways to make that plan irrelevant. I like the process of adjusting, making decisions and keeping going when the race no longer looks like it did on paper.
Working out what needs attention now rather than thinking about the whole distance at once.
Accepting that the day can change without automatically deciding it has gone wrong.
Managing the boring practical details as much as the big emotional moments.
The races matter, but so do the people, the places and the shared understanding that everyone is having their own version of a long day. That side of the sport is a big part of why I keep coming back.
Running is personal for me, but it has also opened up opportunities to work within the endurance world in a few different ways.
Counselling for athletes, teams and clubs that looks beyond performance and supports the person underneath it.
→ 02Talks, panels, workshops and writing around endurance sport, mental health, eating disorders and the realities behind performance.
→ 03Social media management and content creation for athletes, races and sport-focused brands from someone who already understands the space.
→If it sits somewhere in the endurance world and you think there could be a fit, get in touch and tell me what you are thinking.