From the Editor’s Desk (November)

Our second edition of the new format Ultramag is here!

Since our first digital version was distributed last month on October 24, we have had amazing feedback from our members about the style and the stories being collated. It’s been a positive journey these last few weeks, and even though we’re heading into the holiday season, AURA will still be hard at work ensuring your monthly Ultramag is on its way.

Coming on board as the new editor, it’s my aim to continue in the same positive direction that has been so well established by all previous editors, and encourage more of your stories to be shared amongst members. Inspiration is a driving force for us to better ourselves, and the only way we can go is up when it comes to entering new territory in the ultra world – whether it be aiming for a longer distance, or attempting a trail race instead of one for the road or track.

As I go on my own journey in the ultra world, it was only recently that I’d discovered the real battle of the emotional rollercoaster that accompanies long distance runners, and the need to find inspiration amongst fellow runners to keep going and just finish.

My experience during this month’s Feral Pig Ultra in the Perth Hills of WA was exactly that.

The unbearable heat that rolled across the weekend of November 11 and 12 saw more than 50 per cent of participants in the 100 Miler, 50 Miler and 50kms events DNF.

And yet each and every single one of those runners, whether they finished their allotted event or not, walked away proud that they gave it their all.

Their mental battles, their emotional hardships, their physical barriers were all tested against the Pig, and never in my time as a runner have I seen more comradery amongst a group of people than I did at this ultra event – participants stopping and assisting an injured runner, losing almost two hours of their own time to ensure their fellow competitor was taken care of; volunteers setting up ad hoc aid stations with their vehicles at any possible accessible spot to give out extra water and electrolytes, and; runners giving up their own resources of water or food when spotting another in need of rehydration.

I myself may have only just entered the 23kms event, but in that distance, and in the brutal temperatures of a dry, intense heat, I went through the self-doubt, the questioning, and even the anger of wondering why I didn’t feel strong enough to get through the race in my predicted time.

But in the end, the mateships and the strength of runner-colleague relationships outweigh the ups and downs, and I learnt at the weekend that this world of ultra running we live in, this world we simply love and breathe, is for people who yes, not only want to test their own capabilities, but is also for those who believe in the best for others, and will see to it that they too succeed in their ultra goals.

Happy ultra running.