Marathons, ultramarathons, early mornings, training blocks, race weekends, injuries, finish lines… for a long time, it was just what I did. It became such a normal part of who I was that I rarely stopped to think about how much of my identity was tied to it. Running gave me structure, purpose, space to think, and something that was mine no matter what else was happening in life.
I spent more than a decade chasing goals, pushing limits, and seeing what my mind and body were capable of. Some races were incredible, some were brutal, and some taught me more about myself than I expected. Running took me to so many places, physically and mentally, and shaped me in ways that are honestly hard to explain unless you’ve lived it. It wasn’t always about times or medals either. A lot of it was about proving to myself that I could keep going, even when things got uncomfortable.
My last marathon was Melbourne Marathon in 2024, my third time running it, and in a lot of ways that felt like the right one to finish on. There was no big dramatic decision to stop, no official retirement from running or anything like that, but after Melbourne, something changed.
These days, my focus is much more on my family, my career, and my marriage. Brad, the boys, work, home… all the things that matter deeply and deserve my energy. Running didn’t disappear, but it stopped being the centre of everything.
I still think about those years a lot though. More than people probably realise.
Sometimes I look back at photos from races, long runs, or random training days and remember exactly who I was in those moments. I remember how strong I felt, how tired I felt, how determined I was, and sometimes how completely ridiculous it all was too. Running gave me so much, and even though I’m not out there doing ultras anymore, that part of me doesn’t just vanish.
I still run regularly now, usually somewhere between 5 and 10 kilometres, and I genuinely love that. There’s less pressure, less obsession, and honestly… more balance. I run because it clears my head, because it keeps me grounded, because after all these years it still feels familiar. It reminds me of myself.
I’m probably in a different season now, and that’s okay. I’m not constantly chasing the next big race, but running will always be part of me. It helped shape the person I became, and even now, when life looks very different, it’s still there… quieter maybe, but still there.
MY PAST RUNS:
1. Canberra marathon 2014 (3:30) – ACT
2. Melbourne marathon 2014 (3:23) – VIC
3. Two Oceans 56km 2015, South Africa (5:13)
4. Great Ocean Road 44km 2015 (4:11)
5. The Tan marathon 2016 (4:06)
6. Marysville marathon 2016 (5hrs)
7. Run for the Young 2016 (3:51)
8. Two Bays 56km 2017 (6:24)
9. Wangaratta marathon 2017 (3:38)
10. Brimbank 50km 2017 (5:12)
11. Princess Park 50km 2017 (4:47)
12. Great Ocean Road 60km 2017 (5:52)
13. Surfcoast trail marathon 2017 (4:47)
14. The Tan marathon 2018 (3:47)
15. Brisbane marathon 2018 (4:07) – QLD
16. Sydney marathon 2018 (3:36) – NSW
17. Portland marathon 2018 (3:36)
18. Queenstown marathon 2018, NZ (3:55)
19. Hobart marathon 2019 (3:43) – TAS
20. Rollercoaster 43km 2019 (6:36)
21. Brimbank 50km 2019 (5:21)
22. Frankston to Portsea 55km 2019 (5:32)
23. Princes Park 50km 2019 (4:43)
24. Comrades 87km 2019, South Africa (9:52)
25. The Tan 50km 2019 (5:07)
26. Kangaroo Island marathon 2021 (4:30) – SA
27. Brisbane marathon 2022 (4:39)
28. Outback marathon 2022 (4:26) – NT
29. Melbourne marathon 2022 (3:54)
30. Busselton marathon 2023 (4:12) – WA
31. Melbourne marathon 2023 (4.31)
32. The Hallora marathon 2023 (4.35)
33. Tokyo marathon 2024, Japan (4.13)
34. Melbourne marathon 2024 (4.41)
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