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If you had told me two years ago that I’d be signing up to run 100 miles, I wouldn’t have even been able to comprehend that distance, let alone picture myself running it.
So, where did it all start?
I had recently joined a new bootcamp class and found myself running along the beach, chatting with a bloke I’d just met that morning. He radiated the kind of high energy that lifted everyone around him, and as he glided effortlessly along, I was struggling to keep up. He kept talking like the run was nothing, while I had to plan my sentences around big gulps of air just to stay beside him. Honestly, we weren’t moving that fast, but I hadn’t run in years, and it showed.
To soothe my ego, I asked, “So, you do a fair bit of running then?” He grinned and started telling me his story. The conversation eventually led to one of the highlights of his running career: a 100 km Ultra Marathon through the Blue Mountains—Ultra Trail Australia.
“100 f*cking kilometers?” I blurted out, unable to hold back my excitement and curiosity.
He recalled every detail—how grueling the race was, how crossing that finish line after hours of effort became one of his greatest accomplishments.
And just like that, a seed was planted.
I never thought of myself as a runner in any sense of the word. But an adventurer? You bet.
This seemed like an adventure of a lifetime—I had to do one.
Falling in Love with Running
A few months passed, and I started adding running to my weekly training. I had no idea what pacing, splits, or structured run programming meant. I just ran. It hurt. It was hard. I struggled a lot. But the feeling of finishing a tough run, that infamous “runner’s high”? It was unbeatable. I was hooked. Still clueless about the science of running, I kept pushing my limits—5 km turned into 10 km, then 20 km, and beyond.
Looking back, my years of strength training in the gym played a huge role in letting me dive into longer distances so quickly. My joints, ligaments, and muscles were already conditioned for hard work, even if my lungs were still catching up.
Hitting the Trails
Armed with a new pair of Altra Lone Peak trail runners (choosing the right footwear is a whole other conversation), I set out for my first official trail run with a mate who was big into it. I stuffed an old CamelBak into a hiking backpack and set off before dawn. We reached a breathtaking lookout over Lamington National Park just as the sun was rising. Thankfully, my wise mate had packed snacks—I still had no clue about the importance of fueling (and it would take me two ultra marathons to finally learn). As we stopped to refuel, I looked out over the mountains and realized: this is where I need to be.
Road running was important, but the mountains? That’s where I belonged. After 26 km of scenic trails, a pit stop to cool off in a waterfall, and a couple of encounters with snakes and spiders, we finished. The overwhelming feeling of achievement and satisfaction nearly brought me to tears. I was all in. The Call of the Ultra I made trail running a weekly ritual, and the pull toward an ultra got stronger with every run. Even though my longest run was still only 30 km, I felt ready for the next step. And then, the best message I could have received landed in my inbox. A mate who was ultra-mad sent me the details for the first-ever Mount Kosciuszko Ultra Trail event. Game on.
I didn’t think twice. I signed up for the 100 km race and locked myself in for the adventure of a lifetime.
With only a few months until race day and absolutely no clue how to train properly, I just kept hitting the trails every Sunday and added a couple of runs around the neighborhood for good measure. As race day crept closer, I started talking to experienced runners. Their questions about my training strategy, nutrition, and gear choices made one thing painfully clear—I had no idea what I was doing.
Every time I answered with “Not really sure, I’ll just see how I go on the day,” I could see their faith in me fade.
Naïve? Yes.
Ignorant? Probably.
But tenacious and stubborn as hell? Absolutely.
Surviving My First Ultra
On race day, I stumbled my way through 100 km of mountainous terrain, riding some wild emotional highs and lows. But every time I hit a low point, someone appeared at exactly the right moment. At 40 km, my quads completely locked up. I had no idea about salt intake back then, so it’s obvious now why my legs started quitting on me. A fellow runner saw me hobbling, dug through her pack, and handed me a small bag of salt pills. She explained how to use them and left me with some kind, encouraging words. I will never forget that act of generosity from a complete stranger.
And that’s when I realized something: The ultra community is unlike anything else. I’ve never been welcomed and embraced by a group of people like this before. Every runner, every volunteer, every crew member—all of them radiate positivity, encouragement, and pure love for the sport. No one cares where you come from, how fast or slow you are, or what god-awful time of night it is. They’ll offer you snacks, a helping hand, and words of support when you need them most. Joining the ultra community feels like stepping into a warm hug after being out in the cold too long.
A Trail Runner for Life
Now, just over two years later—with four 100 km ultras, two 50 km ultras, countless training hours, and way too many nights watching Kilian Jornet videos on YouTube—I proudly call myself a trail runner. I also want to give a massive shoutout to the crew at Wild Earth. To fully experience the trails, the right gear makes all the difference. I’ve spent hours at their store talking to the knowledgeable and incredibly friendly staff, and I can honestly say their tips, guidance, and wisdom have been game-changers. From choosing the best gear and learning how to fuel properly to discovering hidden gem trails, the team at Wild Earth has been instrumental in my journey.
If anything in this story has sparked an interest—if you feel even the slightest pull to lace up your runners and hit the trails—I urge you to visit Wild Earth and chat with their team.
Why Ultra?
Because it’s physically and emotionally testing. Because it’s littered with hardship and voluntary suffering. Because it leads to a life of adventure, friendships, and fulfillment. And once you’ve felt the pull of the trails—you’ll never look back.
Choosing the right gear.
Okay, so now that you’ve decided trail running is your new favorite hobby, you’re going to need the right gear!
After a lot of deliberation, here are the top five most important pieces of gear you’ll need when hitting the trails.
Trail Runners This one’s obvious, but trails aren’t roads. Your regular runners won’t cut it in the mountains, so invest in a good-quality pair of trail runners that feel comfortable. You’ll want a pair that locks down your midfoot while giving your toes room to breathe. For ultras, foot swelling is a real consideration—if a shoe feels snug when you try it on, go up half or a full size.
My pick: Altra Olympus 6 Trail Runners. I’ve clocked hundreds of kilometers in Altra's and trust them for both training and race day. Their natural foot shape and zero-drop design allow my toes to splay naturally and keep my gait feeling smooth, propelling me onto the balls of my feet.
A High-Quality Running Vest: A vest that fits like a second skin and allows you to comfortably carry water and snacks (because ultras are really just big eating competitions) is a game-changer. On long trail days, having everything you need on hand makes training and competing much more enjoyable. Plus, many official ultra races have mandatory gear requirements, and the right running vest makes it easy to carry everything.
My pick: Salomon Adv Skin 12. It has been with me through countless hours on the trails and never disappoints. Salomon is known for quality and efficiency, and their vests reflect that. If you’re serious about trail running, this is one of the best investments you can make.
A Good Watch: While not essential when starting out, a good watch becomes a game-changer as you progress. Being able to control your directions, music, pace, and effort without pulling out your phone helps you stay in the flow. Checking my watch mid-run instead of digging through my vest has saved my momentum countless times.
My pick: Polar Grit X2 Pro. Once I learned how to use a running watch properly, I loved having all that data right at my fingertips.
The right Clothing It might seem like an afterthought, but the clothes you wear can make or break a long run. Once you start pushing into longer distances, chafing becomes your worst enemy. I’ve made the mistake of running in untested gear—you don’t have to (trust me, chafing in unexpected places is no joke).
My picks:
- Shirts: IceBreaker Merino (keeps me cool in the heat, warm in the cold, doesn’t hold smell, and is super comfortable).
- Shorts: A light, loose-fitting pair—on race days, I go for T8 Sherpa V2 Men’s Running Shorts.
- Underwear: Bn3th Boxer Briefs.
- Socks: Injinji Toe Socks to prevent blisters. I swear by them.
A Lightweight Set of Hiking Poles Once you get into the ultra scene, you’ll quickly learn that we don’t actually run up hills. A solid set of lightweight hiking poles transfers some of the workload to your upper body, taking strain off your legs.
My pick: Leki Ultratrail FX.One Trail Running Poles. They’re designed specifically for trail running—lightweight, durable, easy to pack, and quick to deploy when the inclines hit hard.
With all this in mind, all that’s left to do is lace up and hit the trails!
Not sure what gear you need for your next outdoor adventure? Chat with our friendly team of Outdoor Gear Specialists in-store or online today and don’t forget to share your adventures with us on Instagram by tagging @wildearthaustralia and #mywildearth in your next post.
