Who Am I? Hey legends! I’m a 27-year-old who, until pretty recently, thought fun run was just a casual jog to the fridge. I’m just a regular human, balancing work, social life, a family, and now… a serious obsession with running. I come from an athletic background with Division 1 Badminton but always hiding in the bushes for when it was time for cross country. Just me, my two feet, and the sudden urge to find out how far they can take me.

How It All Started: City2Surf 2024 It all kicked off at last year’s City2Surf in Sydney. I signed up on a whim because a mate said, “Come on, it’ll be fun!” (Spoiler alert: it was type-2 fun—the kind you enjoy after it’s over). I had zero expectations, rocked up in old trainers, and ran 14km with legs that felt like overcooked spaghetti by the end. But something clicked. Crossing that finish line gave me a high that not even my morning oat latte can compete with. I thought, “Wait… if I can do this, what else am I capable of?”

Starting this blog because, let’s face it, there are plenty of elite runners out there sharing their pro tips—but what about us rookies figuring it out as we go? I’m just a normal dude who decided to see how far he can push himself. No expensive gear (yet), no personal coach yelling at me , and no fancy nutrition plan (unless pizza counts as carb-loading?).

I’m here to keep it real: the good, the bad, and the sweaty. Whether you’re a fellow rookie runner, thinking about lacing up for the first time, or just here for the potential train wreck of me trying to train like David Goggins for a month, you’re in the right place.

What You Can Expect Here This blog is going to be part training diary, part therapy session, and part “what not to do” guide. I’ll share the wins, the struggles, and the “I definitely should’ve listened to my physio” moments. You’ll get:

• Honest updates on my training routines (and sometimes lack thereof—hey, life happens!)
• Gear reviews from a beginner who doesn’t have a sponsorship deal… yet
• Tips that worked for me (and the stuff that absolutely did not)
• Race recaps, from 5Ks to my eventual crack at an ultramarathon
• Deep dives into my attempts to build Goggins-level mental toughness

The Goal: From Rookie to Ultramarathon Where is all this leading? Ultimately, I want to go from rookie runner to ultramarathon finisher. It’s a massive goal, I know. But why not shoot for something that scares you a little? Or a lot. Short-term, I’ve got my sights set on a half marathon, then a full marathon. Long-term, it’s ultramarathons, baby.

It’s not about the medals or the bragging rights (okay, maybe a little). It’s about proving to myself—and maybe to you reading this—that an ordinary person can do something extraordinary with enough grit, sweat, and stubbornness.

Join me on This Wild Ride If you’ve made it this far, you’re a legend. I’d love for you to come along on this journey—whether you’re here for motivation, entertainment, or just to watch me suffer through hill repeats. Feel free to drop a comment, share your own running stories, or tell me I’m insane 
(I probably am).

Let’s see how far this rookie can go. Stay tuned, stay hard, and I’ll catch you on the next run