Bucket list item ticked off!
Starting Cape Leeuwin at 5:10 I am I set off solo and unsupported to Cape Naturaliste. It was a calm and beautiful morning running through the dark. The southern beaches were soft and chewed out from a recent storm and I definitely worked too hard on them, but the sunrise on deepdene was beautiful. I saw very few people all day with the first people spotted (2 hikers) at the 50k mark. I always wanted to complete the run solo but didnt realise how isolated I would be!
My body wasnt taking on calories after 50k and I was getting tired much quicker than expected. By 65km and hitting the rivermouth I was well and truly in the box. After taking off my shoes for the crossing I sat down in the dunes and smashed all the chocolates and chips I had on me then took a quick dirt nap. The day wasnt going as planned but I was still moving, and started rolling well-ish again between 75-100k. At 100k I hit another huge low which rode out until the end. A battle to the finish where my wife and parents awaited! I had my phone turned off all day and listened to music for maybe a couple of hours otherwise it was just me listening to the ocean.
A few moments from the Journey:
- Magical sunrise and enjoyed the morning running on some isolated sections of the track
- I would say the southern beaches were the hardest part but there wasn't much beach and the beach that existed was very much not hard (soft AF).
- Almost drowned crossing the rivermouth when the ankle deep water was waist deep quick-sand
- Pretty cool to see my favourite stretch of the earth all in one time-lapsed day.
Overall it was something I've wanted to do for a while as I have a lot of good memories growing up surfing and rock hopping along the cape. While the the distance was a bit out of my comfort zone and I didn't feel great on the day I had some great moments mixed in with a lot of pain and it was well worth the journey!
To the few people (including past record holders) I did tell about this adventure thanks for the messages and advice prior to and on the day, and thanks for Jade and my parents for coming to the finish line in the dark!