DNS

Yep, not even a DNF (did not finish) but a definite DNS (did not start). Today was 'supposed' to be the day of the Bangkok Marathon. Today I was 'supposed' to have completed this, my 8th marathon, before packing up and flying home to Newcastle, Australia. But, as many of you may have already noticed/guessed, this did not happen either. Ahh, the best laid plans of mice and (wo)men and all that.... No, instead of following my original plan of chilling and tapering in beautiful, peaceful Thailand, I chose instead to come back home a little bit earlier than planned, as there were a few things that needed to get done that were just proving too difficult to do from afar (fact: relocating goes a lot more smoothly when actually in the country/place you're relocating to!). So, as disappointed as I was to take part in the BKK marathon, as a wise woman told me (hi Mum!): there will be many other marathons. Wise words indeed.

Instead of running 42.195km in the dark along an elevated highway just west of Bangkok this morning (last night? It was a midnight start) I ran in my all-time favourite spot in the world: Glenrock Reserve, here in beautiful Newcastle (which I am STOKED to be back home in). This was my annual 'birthday run', so I was aiming for 33km this year. Thanks to Marisa and Wil for joining me on the trails this morning! Such a beautiful (if hot and humid af) part of the world, but those last 6km were a massive struggle and I may have walked the last km or so:

So, yes, there will be other marathons and other races. Felt so damn good to be back on the trails, and I'm pumped to really start training properly for Ultra Trail in May (a 50km trail race in the stunning Blue Mountains). Feels so so damn good to be back home too, as much as I love Hanoi/Vietnam and will miss you all there. There's just something about Newcastle and the amazing folk here that keeps bringing me back home. For good for this time. Can't thank my family and friends enough who are helping me make this possible and the raison d'etre. 'Stoked' is an understatement.

So it's so great to be back! There's been a lot of this, of course:

Yep! Lots of 'eating to win'! Speaking of which, if you missed out on October's Eat To Win challenge, fear not: I will be running the same program (a 30 day runner's nutrition program) in June AND October this year, and possibly also April, depending on interest/numbers. You can check out the details from last year's challenge here: http://lousweight.com.au/main/page_eat_to_win_challenge.html

So, that's right guys: I'm back. For good. You read it here first. So, if you've been after some nutrition advice in person, and  you didn't manage to fly over to Hanoi, Vietnam in time, no worries, as I've brought it here to you in Newcastle: http://lousweight.com.au/

Happy Sunday-Funday one and all, and I'll hopefully see some of you on those magnificent trails one day soon!