Wonderland 20k

I ran the Wonderland 20k on the weekend. It was heaps of fun but also reminded me how much trail running requires skill and practice! 

We got to Halls Gap on Friday afternoon for the race on Sunday so it gave us more than enough time to settle in, have a look around at the animals, Tahni to play in the playground and hang out with our other friend Nicky who was also racing. 

Saturday Nicky and I went for a walk with Tahni. Tahni was so excited to see wildlife like emus and kangaroos. It was so amazing to see her reaction to seeing these animals she’s seen in her books for the first time in real life! 

Sunday morning came around quickly. I felt relatively organised!! Sort of! But we were staying a hundred meters or so from the start line so it was a quick walk down to get ready. Tahni was confused with me as I always take her running with me but she figured it out quickly enough! 

This run starts by going straight up! And when I say up it is rock steps, ladders and just keeping on going up and up! 

I have done all of the other distances in this event so it was nice ticking the last one off! 

I had no idea how long this race was going to take me but when I was half way through and 2 hours in, I figured it was going to take a while!! 

I had forgotten how much trail running beats up your feet as well. All of the rocks and uneven ground was tough at times! 

I am prone to stumbling a bit when trail running, to the point where the woman who was behind me was freaking out so I let her pass me so she would stop panicking! 

Thankfully we eventually started descending but it was steep so I was more than happy to slow down and keep upright! 

We had a little part on a paved running path which felt weird. But I ran past where we got married so that was nice to have a moment of reflection there. 

The last half of the last km felt horrible. I was questioning my fitness and life choices!! Thankfully Nicky assured me that this part of a false flat which made me feel a whole lot better!! 

I grabbed Tahni just before the finish line and crossed with her. 

I honestly don’t think I’ll do another run of that distance for a while. I don’t have the opportunity to train as much as I want for this distance but it has been fun to do these couple of races in the past couple of months! 

And now I have the full set of medals!