If you’re new to Journey to Chamonix, then welcome to my monthly running update! 

Each month I track my progress to my goal of running in the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB), which I’m hoping to achieve in the next few years. Qualification races, lotteries and a Strava load of training to do first though. For the latest progress read on!

Event: The Razorback Run 22 km

March dished out my first ever mountain trail run, from Mt Hotham to Mt Feathertop. I was a little nervous. What would the terrain be like? Would it snow? Was all the mandatory gear really necessary? I would find out. 

I was able to enjoy the views from the Razorback Track as the fog cleared throughout the morning. The fog was so heavy at Mt Feathertop that I didn’t even realise I had reached the summit! On the return, I experienced some wild winds on the more exposed parts of the track. I was able to keep moving and stay warm. I wouldn’t like to be stuck out there without the right gear!

With 700m to go in the run, I stepped off the trail, rolled my ankle and fell. Fortunately, I had fallen onto a softer section of brush. However, I could not move without discomfort. As I had other races approaching, a slow walk/jog combination was my chosen method. I managed to hobble in and finish my first mountain trail run.

I loved taking part in my first mountain trail run. Hopefully I can get back there in future to run a few more. Check out my full race report here.

I had also signed up for a team triathlon. The Olympic distance triathlon (1.5 km Swim, 40 km Bike & 10 km Run) held in and around St Kilda. I was going to do the swim and run legs. However, due to my injury I had to pull out. I wasn’t entirely sure I could complete both legs and would almost certainly aggravate my injured foot. Fortunately, we were able to transfer our entry for a race in next year’s series. Instead of competing, we went for brunch. Very civilised.

Training and Rehab

I had training plans for my time off in Bright which unfortunately didn’t eventuate. Currently I am in the middle of a training block for the Great Ocean Road Marathon outlined in my 2021 Upcoming Race Schedule. However, I spent most of March off my feet, resting and recovering. This meant trips to the physio and a renewed focus on stretching and exercises to get my foot back free from injury. At the end of the month, it’s on the mend but rapidly improving.

My training for the Great Ocean Road Marathon has suffered. I am still trying to determine new race goals and pace however this will become clearer the closer to the race I get. I was hoping for around the 3 hr 15 mark but it may be closer to the 3 hr 25-30 mark. Still a big Personal Best (PB) but not what I was hoping for. It’ll still be a great weekend regardless.

Parkrun

At the tail end of February, I was able to set a new Parkrun PB of 18:26. I was very excited and happy about this one. I was also able to run the Phillip Island Parkrun (one of my favs) again and run under 19 min. Again, very happy. 

However, being injured and unable to run, I decided to volunteer. Having completed almost 70 parkruns, I had been saying for a while I needed to volunteer. So I finally did. It was long overdue. I was a bit nervous but it’s so easy and straightforward. The volunteers do such a great job so from now on, I’ll do my part too.

How have I progressed

• Mountain race experience at the Razorback Run
• Useful feedback from the physio on my running plans for the year
• Resting my body – everyone needs a break at some point

Stats since last update

• 14.1 km Swimming
• 73.47 km along local paths and trails