HILL’S LEAD UP TO CROATIA

THIS WEEK WE GOT TO CHAT WITH AUSTRALIAN 100K WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TEAM MEMBER DARRYL HILL, WHO GAVE US AN UPDATE ON HOW HIS TRAINING HAS BEEN GOING IN THE LEAD UP TO CROATIA ON SEPTEMBER 8, AND HOW HE’S FEELING.

DARRYL HILL:

Overall the last couple of months training has gone wonderfully. Despite a lacklustre run at the Gold Coast Marathon, an event I focus on every year, I’ve been pleased with my lead up. I’ve managed some very long race pace runs. One which was during a team training camp in West Sydney held late July. This saw team captain Brendan Davies, fellow Gold Coaster Corrina Black, Gary Mullins, Larissa Tichon and myself replicate race conditions and nutrition running up to 70km around Penrith Lakes.

The following day I got another chance to chew the ear off Brendan with a 30km run on his local trails. It was great to meet some of the others on the team and Brendan answered all of my many questions, all while enjoying doing what we love. The weekend certainly made World Champs seem real. It was made more exciting by the fact that I knew I was in good form.

A week after that trip I achieved a major goal of mine. I ran sub 2hrs 30min (2:29.00) in the Brisbane Marathon, finishing second. This was a huge confidence booster and those longer training runs made all the difference.

Unfortunately, two days following my last big run, which was an 80km mission from Paradise Point (Qld) to Pottsville (NSW), I acquired an injury. I am seeking professional help, but so far have been unable to run for a week due to mystery pain in my lower left leg. I’m remaining positive though and am mentally ready to take the line in Croatia in just over 2 weeks!

Recently I generated a GoFundMe page which to my surprise has attracted so much generous support from friends, family and fellow runners. Additionally, a friend created a fundraising Naked 10k event, whereby you run to a predicted time without the use of a watch (hence ‘naked’), to be held at Main Beach this Friday.

I have been truly taken aback by the encouragement and kindness of others along the way. It really reinforces how lucky I am to have so many awesome people around me. And the running community is just the best!

I can’t wait to get off the island, and will be fortunate enough to have my girlfriend and parents there with me. I fly into Rome a week before the race, and am spending a few weeks post race seeing Europe.