why running from reality?
First off I’m definitely not suggesting that my life is something I need to escape from by turning into some crazy running ostrich with my head buried in the sand!!! I have a great life. I have a loving wife, great family and friends, a good job, I’m fit and I’m healthy and most importantly I’m happy.
So what reality am I running from then? Well that really depends on the day I’m having and the run I’m doing! I like to run home from work to shake off the various stresses and work through any issues so that when I get home I don’t need to bitch and moan about them to my Mrs. I like to do conversational runs with colleagues at lunchtimes to break away from the monotony of the day and to invigorate myself for the afternoon ahead. I love my long runs which allow me to escape from the almost constant internal monologue I have running through my head at every waking minute!!
The latter is what got me addicted to trail running in particular. When I’m out on the trail I don’t have time to make endless lists in my head or rehash worthless conversations from the other day or obsess about some silly mistake I made years ago in a past life. When I’m on the trails I’m never consciously thinking – instinct takes over, thoughts become focussed on pushing away doubts and convincing myself that I can do this (and making sure I don’t face plant on the upcoming tree root, rock, stick etc). It’s a different kind of calm – a sweaty, emotionally charged, feverish “calm” that charges through me and takes me far, far away from the barrage of nonsense that usually occupies my mind. It’s my way of turning off the internal noise, escaping from my internal reality and giving it all up to the trails. Now who wouldn't want a piece of that action!
So what reality am I running from then? Well that really depends on the day I’m having and the run I’m doing! I like to run home from work to shake off the various stresses and work through any issues so that when I get home I don’t need to bitch and moan about them to my Mrs. I like to do conversational runs with colleagues at lunchtimes to break away from the monotony of the day and to invigorate myself for the afternoon ahead. I love my long runs which allow me to escape from the almost constant internal monologue I have running through my head at every waking minute!!
The latter is what got me addicted to trail running in particular. When I’m out on the trail I don’t have time to make endless lists in my head or rehash worthless conversations from the other day or obsess about some silly mistake I made years ago in a past life. When I’m on the trails I’m never consciously thinking – instinct takes over, thoughts become focussed on pushing away doubts and convincing myself that I can do this (and making sure I don’t face plant on the upcoming tree root, rock, stick etc). It’s a different kind of calm – a sweaty, emotionally charged, feverish “calm” that charges through me and takes me far, far away from the barrage of nonsense that usually occupies my mind. It’s my way of turning off the internal noise, escaping from my internal reality and giving it all up to the trails. Now who wouldn't want a piece of that action!
who are you?
I’m Jen! I’m Scottish by birth (and by filthy vocabulary) and living in Sydney, Australia. I met my partner in crime in Leeds in the UK in 2006 and together we moved to the other side of the world in 2011. She’s a kiwi which made it easier to get into Australia and means I’m very lucky to have my awesome extended family of in-laws close by.
I’ve been on a plant based diet since June 2015 and have never felt better. I’ve had various health complaints over the years which have dramatically improved since I changed my diet. I used to say plant based but now I say vegan. Since changing my diet I've watched a number of films that have changed my perspective and are making me change my lifestyle. I have reduced the amount of animal products I buy / use and have changed my views on animal rights issues – particularly around captivity. Again I’m sure I’ll harp on about this plenty on this website so I’ll leave it at that for now. I’ve always been active. I started karate at age 5 and did it for the next 12 years. I also did highland dancing, ballet, football (soccer) and was field hockey captain. I started running seriously at the start of 2014. I’ve always been active but after a year of boot-camp and starvation in the run up to our wedding in January 2013 I’d succumbed to the cliché of the wedding bliss weight pile on. So after over indulging that Xmas and New Year I decided it was time to get a bit fitter (and thinner again). Before I knew it I’d signed up for the Nike She Runs 10km night run. Then I set my sights on the Blackmores Half Marathon in Sydney in September 2014. With a pretty successful first half of 1:50:15 I was done with road running and stumbled into trail racing with the Sydney Trail Series Spring run in Botany Bay. I have never looked back. |
why write?
Why not really. I’ve always liked to write and when researching trail runs in particular, I haven’t found too many from a female perspective. I’ve found writing my race recaps has given me a new perspective on the run and allowed me to see what I’ve achieve and really acknowledge it as pretty bloody awesome!!