2024 started off with a bang…..in my calf. I had a Grandma-speed ski crash on January 20. First thoughts were, ‘no worries it’s a little calf strain but the knee is fine’. My self-assessment was a little off and after 5 weeks sporting all the colours of the rainbow, I managed my first 3km walk that took 1hr.

Having entered Canyons 50km and UTA 100km pre-calf bang, I started to panic when I hit mid-March and was only just managing a few 1min jogs in my 1hr walk. Luckily Coach Scotty Hawker kept a level-head for me; I certainly would not have been on either start line left to my own devices.

Canyons 50km was intimidating given I had no idea how the leg would respond with my super limited preparation, however I had a grand time on an unfamiliar course cruising along.

I flew to Aus from Canyons and had 3 weeks to recover/work/see friends and do my only hill repeat session of 2024! Most importantly I felt healthy enough to start.

Race week came and Mum and I headed off in a rented campervan that looked about as beat up as my calf. Mum asked if I had looked at the photos before agreeing to rent it. The broken heater was a valid concern!

I love UTA because it feels like my ‘home’ event. It was my first ultra in 2014 and I love seeing friends and the familiar, gorgeous Blue Mountains.

Onto the start line and I found Tall Geoff. He must be one of Australia’s most experienced ultra runners with multiple Western States and UTMB finishes to his name. The gun went off and we shuffled out Narrowneck remarking how grateful we were to be missing the Golden Stairs section that normally starts the race.

The first half of the race was as good as I could possibly have hoped for. I managed my effort, ego and stomach better than usual. Maybe aging/wisdom has its benefits!

Around the 30km mark Tall Geoff showed his generous spirit as he caught me and then proceeded to help drag me through the next 25km. Gentle ‘think we should jog now’ reminders and easy one-sided conversation where he didn’t expect a response, made the kms pass by more smoothly.

The new section out in the Megalong farms was quite beautiful and we found my friend Florian who we yo-yo’d back and forth with. I love the understanding between people in a trail race. Race feelings rollercoaster and there is a wonderful connection with other runners that doesn’t need any explanation as you wander past each other again and again. I managed to crawl up Nellies with an imaginary ockie strap tied to Geoff, who was a couple people ahead.

Into the Aquatic Centre (56km) and I got to see Support Crew Toy Martin and my friend Erika. It was windy and I was getting cold, but I was not sick! Switched the shirt, felt cheerful and shuffled out of there hoping to tag onto Tall Geoff again but I’d lost him somewhere in the aid station chaos.

Over to the Fairmont and I saw my mates Pia, Karen and Tash, who were all volunteering on parts of the course. My smile may have wavered by the time I hit Tash who told me I looked great. I responded with ‘You lie like a rug!’ Nausea, my old friend, had started to hang out with me. I reduced the calories trying to control it. My tummy tightrope between trying to fuel and avoiding puking had commenced.

Over to Wentworth Falls and out came the headtorch. I failed to avoid the comparison game and sneaky, unhelpful thoughts crept in…’this is the earliest I’ve ever put a light on in the course’. Stairs, dark, and I swear an extra lap up the cliff that isn’t usually there.

Out onto the track along Kings Tableland Rd. Oh how I hate that track with its ‘gotcha’ tree root stumps. Multiple near-crashes and I was now in the ‘character-building’ phase of the day. To be honest I was pretty pleased I’d kept a good headspace until this point.

Into the Queen Vic Hospital and Support Crew Champ Mum told me ‘change shirt, put on fluoro vest, you’ve got 6mins to get out of here before you have to carry that fleece across the valley’. To have an experienced support crew genuinely makes all the difference when things are wobbly.

Out came the magic sticks and I picked up 2 strawberries and cream and 2 pineapple lollies as I exited. The next 4 hours were a struggle sustained by 1 strawberry and cream and 1 pineapple. 4 lollies were just too much.

Into the last aid station at 91km I told my mate Dave who was running the aid station that I was feeling a bit rough. He helped me take off a rain jacket and sent me on my way with a helpful ‘you know where you are going, off you go’.

Up into the Hallelujah field (aka the Sewerage Works) and I thought just a little sip of Coke to get me up this last 5km. Rookie error Brook Martin! First puking of the race and oh so close to home.

The climb up Giant Stairways was a trainwreck. Crawl, sit, crawl. The lack of fitness and fuel well and truly came home to roost.

Out the top and my mates Karen and Erika were standing in the freezing wind. I just made it past them without spontaneous tears. Down some more bloody stairs because what is UTA without stairs and I was home!

16hr37min. Was my slowest UTA to date but I am genuinely happy to have a body that agreed to find the finish line! So very grateful to Mum who stood around in freezing temps all day/night crewing me and my mates who knew exactly what to say when I was in the hurt locker.

Only 2 more UTA100s and I’ve got that 10x finisher plate. Better be a nice plate!

Photo credits: Toy Martin, Pia O’Connor, David Bristow, Erika Brann, Brook Martin, Sportograf