Whilst out walking yesterday I was having a think about the races I’ve completed over the past few years – and those I would love to toe the startlines of sometime in the near future. So of those completed so far:

Most Physically Demanding Race - The Victorian Mountain Running Championships. Held near the ‘1000 Steps’ in Ferntree Gully National Park (VIC), this race starts at the foot of the ‘Kokoda Memorial Track’ and instead of using the steps, follows a parallel track to the top, rising 300m in just over a kilometre, followed by a long, winding descent to complete the 4.2k lap, to be done three times. This race took me weeks to recover from! Getting up the climb was tough, but I made up time there, however I lost places on every lap by simply not being able to run fast enough downhill. Those guys and girls are crazy!!

Most Enjoyable Race - Ironman Australia, Port Macquarie (NSW). This one is special because I’ve been lucky enough to have family there to support each year. It’s like a little holiday as well as a race outing. I love it all, from the moment we leave the garage, to the moment we get home again.

Most Satisfying Race - Ironman Australia 2001. My first Ironman at Forster-Tuncurry (NSW). I know it’s cliché but your first Ironman is special. Mine was the culmination of years of preparation and at 18 years of age, I went 9:57 and set a mark that until 2009 had me beat.

Most Educational Race – The 2007 Percy Cerutty Frankston to Portsea 55km Road Race (VIC). Thanks to my Dad (support crew), this race taught me about the importance of nutrition in endurance events. He encouraged me to shovel the food and fluid in every 5k and I felt stronger as the race went on (at least until I hit the rolling hills of Portsea) and ran into 4th place in 4:18. In a race, just because you’re not hungry doesn’t mean you don’t need food!

The next few years are going to be busy ones, and that’s before considering triathlon! However, here’s a few races I plan to tick off the list in coming years:

• Ironman Hawaii – Kona. The big dance. Qualified in 1st IM, turned it down. Time to fix that.
• Ironman UK – England. The Melbourne weather could be perfect training!
• Ironman WA – Busselton (WA). Keen to see what all the fuss is about way out west.
• The North Face 100 – Blue Mountains (NSW). 100k around Australia’s version of the Breacon Beacons.