By Mal Hurley
As I’m writing this, I’m sitting at my laptop wearing out the refresh button on my keyboard as I watch the proceedings of the Tarawera Ultra-Trail events in Rotorua, New Zealand. What makes this significant, is that it marks the official start of my Trail to TUM journey as I prepare to toe the start line of the Tarawera Ultra-Trail 100mile ultramarathon in 2026.
What’s this all about?
I’m nobody special; I’m an overweight, middle-aged, father of 3, who aspires to one day be a mediocre runner. I’ve never been particularly competitive, and being the size of an average bear, I don’t think anyone would describe me as either nimble, nor a natural runner, but despite my natural lack of ability, a runner I am; a runner that is motivated by BHAGs – Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals – the kind of goal that both excites and scares you in equal measure.
I’m starting this blog to share my journey, as I chase this BHAG - a target that I’ve dreamed about since I first set foot on the trails back in 2018, but until recently, never realistically believed was within my reach.
My running journey over the last 8-years or so has seen me continue to push my own personal boundaries and challenge myself to do what I have previously considered unachievable.
I hope that the process of sharing my journey will help me to reflect on my training and preparation, as well as provide some accountability as I chase this goal. If it helps to provide some inspiration to others and to demonstrate that this ultra-running game can be for anyone, then I will consider that a bonus.
Why the Tarawera Ultra Trail?
You are probably wondering what is so special about this event?
Like many Tasmanians, I’m not of this land, I’m a New Zealander born and raised, and while I love my little part of the world, even though we are 10 years down the track, I still miss the NZ bush; the lush green ferns, the dense undergrowth, the fresh, moist, clean air, the bird song, the sound of flowing rivers, and as an added bonus, the general lack of things that want to kill you (I’m looking at you Mr Tiger Snake).
I grew up with a love of these spaces, and the bush was never far from the back door. My only regret in moving to Tasmania is that I didn’t discover my love of trail running until after I left NZ, so I can only imagine the adventures that could have been.
The Tarawera Ultra Trail takes place a little over an hour from the roads and trails that I used to call home, so it’s little surprise that I feel a calling to this event and to these trails …did I mention that the miler event includes a boat ride across Lake Rotomahana at around the 50km mark – who can say no to a nice cruise on a beautiful lake on a warm summers’ day?
The Trail Ahead
Over the next 12 months, I hope to share with you the ups and downs of my training and preparation for TUM, which will undoubtedly include a run-down of my training, the gear that I use, my fuelling and hydration plans, my hopes, fears and fantasies, and hopefully a few race reviews along the way.
Challenging myself and chasing big goals has not always turned out well, over the years it has resulted in no less than three DNFs, but with failure, comes great learning (and a hell of a lot of disappointment), but in the famous words of Adam Savage, “failure is always an option”, and for me, the excitement comes with the challenge; by putting myself out there to do hard things and challenge myself, I learn more about myself and expand my own self-imposed boundaries.
But let’s not get too carried away with TUM just yet, first up we have a little hurdle to conquer in the form of the Gone Nuts Adventure Run.
This little gem is a 100km point-to-point race that takes in the best scenery that North-West of Tasmania has to offer as you venture from the Stanley Nut (yes you start with a climb up, around, and down this little beauty) and take the “scenic route” along the coastline through the Rocky Cape National Park, to Table Cape and finally finishing up in Wynyard.
This year marks my seventh year toeing the start line at Gone Nuts, and my third lining up to start the 100km distance; I don’t know what keeps drawing me back, but I love this event, and like any masochist, I keep coming back for more.
Watch this space, over the next 12 months, I plan on providing an update on my progress each month.
In the next installment of Trail to TUM, I hope to regale you all with an epic tale of how I smashed my mediocre goals at Gone Nuts. See you next time.
Follow Malcolm's Journey on his Instagram account here.
Written and edited by Malcolm Hurley, of OVERLAP Consistent Running Coaching.
Malcolm is a Level 1 Recreational Running Coach with Athletics Australia, with over 8-years of personal endurance running experience including multiple, half marathons, marathons, and ultra-marathons up to 100km.
Formatted to Blog by Zac Harris (OVERLAP Founder & Head Coach)
Inspired by Malcolm's story and want to join the OVERLAP family yourself? Simply send an email to info@overlapcoaching.com or click the below button to view our website.
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