Alla Runs

Surfcoast Century 50 - my 4th time running it, and my 9th 50k. 💛
I wasn’t expecting much - the last 6 months weren’t great for me in terms of running, and I wasn’t able to prepare for this race the way I should have, so I decided that I was going to give it my best shot and just enjoy the day.
And that’s exactly what I did! I was running slowly, taking in the views and trying to ignore the pain signals my legs were sending. 😅
The weather was great, the course was amazing as always, and despite being physically unprepared, I was enjoying being out there, running on those beautiful trails and watching the kilometers go by. 10-15-20, up and down, first checkpoint, up and down again, 25-27, second checkpoint, bananas, clif bars and coke 🙏. My legs were getting really tired and sore, but I knew the real race started after the last checkpoint. Ran some more, crawled under the bridge (one of my least favourite bits!), and here it was, the final checkpoint at approximately 37km. More coke, some boiled potatoes (to die for when you’ve run 37km 😂), and go-go-go! The last 15km are always the hardest, and I just pushed through, ran where I could, walked where I couldn’t run, knowing that each step was taking me closer to the finish.
The dreaded 3.5km of beach running (that is supposed to be the easiest part of the course since it’s the only flat bit, but is always the part I struggle with the most, don’t know why), up, up and up some more, try and smile for the photographer, and finally the last couple of kilometers - and there it was, that finish line! 🙌 I may or may not have felt a little emotional crossing it, but hey, I had just run another 50k! ☺️🤪😢
Thank you Rapid Ascent Ultra Running Events for yet another awesome event, thanks to all volunteers for their help and support, thanks Jason for being that friendly face who sent me off at the start and cheered me on at the last checkpoint (I mean, I think “Alla, can’t you run faster?! Come on, I’m hungry!” was cheering me on, right?! 🤣😅), and of course to my kids, my brother and my husband for their messages of support throughout the race. ❤️
One day I’ll be brave enough to run the 100km… 😇

Enjoying the sunshine ☀️

Enjoying my almond latte while having my car serviced 🚗😊

So peaceful... 💚

👟 5 and a half weeks 😱
👟 The first and the only 2020 race for me 🙌
👟 The race I did twice before and cried both times 🙈
👟 The race (and the distance) I’m currently not ready for 😅
👟 Gravel, mud, sand and 1186m elevation gain 🤪
Surfcoast Century 50km - let’s do this!!! 💙