From Software Engineer to 26.2 marathons under 26.2 years old
— Julia’s entry into the endurance world is less than typical, to say the least!
We love our ambassadors — most are frequently called “crazy” by their friends, we cherish that!!
Julia is a software engineer at Founders Factory, an avid marathon runner and Ambassador of WILD.

When did you start endurance sports and what is your favourite discipline? What drives you to do those sports?
I went for my first run on 6 Aug, 2012 (recently celebrated my 5 year ‘runiversary’). It was an awful slow walk-jog attempt, and I gave up afterwards. But a friend had challenged me to do the Couch25k program and I stuck it out and surprised myself by doing the whole 5km after 8 weeks. It took a few more years for me to get fully ‘into’ running, but once I discovered fun-runs, races and events that’s when I truly got hooked. First in 2014 I completed a race every month (including my first half-marathon), then in 2015 I did a 365 day run-streak of a minimum of 1-mile per day. I was hooked!
During that run-streak I started thinking about trying a marathon. I figured that I was training enough already that it was now or never. On October 18, 2015 I crossed the finish line of the Melbourne Marathon and immediately wanted to do another one. Two weeks before my second (Copenhagen Marathon, May 2016) I had this crazy idea to combine my love of travelling and marathon running by running 26.2 marathons by age 26.2. So far I have complete 10, with another 5 coming up before the end of 2017.
You’d think that the marathon would therefore be my favourite distance, but I also love a 5km run! They are quick and short, and don’t take up the whole day (or weekend!). With so many held all around London, there is usually also a chance at the win, which is fairly impossible in a marathon! I am at parkrun most weekends, and love the camaraderie and inclusiveness that those events bring.
But of course, running isn’t enough for me. I suffer from intense FOMO, and when a group of my friends started getting heavily into triathlons — I had to give those a ‘tri’ ;) too! I picked up swimming as recovery after the Melbourne Marathon, and bought my bike as a Valentines Day present to myself in 2016. I tend to limit triathlon training to the summer months, but so far have completed a few races, including a half-Iron distance tri. I love the variety that triathlon brings, and the fact that even after six-hours of racing it doesn’t feel like it’s been that long because of the three different disciplines.

How did you start competing? What drives you to race?
There are so many things that drive me to race. Races are my main motivation, I think that without a race on the horizon I would have difficulty finding purpose in my training.
My first race was the 2013 City2Surf 14km run in Sydney. This race is one of the biggest in the world, with 80,000 people participating every year. Towards the back of the pack, it’s filled with people wearing costumes who walk and jog along, having the most fabulous time. I found the atmosphere to be completely infectious. I had barely run in preparation for the race (mostly out of laziness) and surprised myself by running much more of the race that I thought I would be able to. It made me think that maybe if I dedicated myself to trying this running thing, maybe I could even be OK at it.
There are so many things that drive me to race. Races are my main motivation, I think that without a race on the horizon I would have difficulty finding purpose in my training. I love that they provide a chance to prove to yourself that you are capable of something: and that ‘something’ changes every time. Sometimes it’s proving you can finish the distance (like my recent Ride London experience); or it’s proving that you can do better than last time (as I did at the London Triathlon this year). Other times it’s overcoming the mental hurdles of racing and getting to the end (so many of my marathons); or it’s just about being able to enjoy the moment to the fullest. Oh and I just love the supporters who make you feel like the centre of attention!
Your favourite race?
To date I’ve completed over 50 races, so it’s hard to pick just one! If we limit it to marathons though, I’d have to go with my fastest and slowest marathons.
My PB was set at Sydney Marathon in Sept 2016. I’d flown home for a wedding (conveniently a week after the marathon!) and just wanted to enjoy running along all the streets I used to train on every day. I spent so much time looking out for my family, friends and personal landmarks that I hardly noticed how fast I was running. It was so wonderful to experience my home city in that way that I will never forget it (and it got me a London Good-For-Age time!)

In comparison, Dublin Marathon six-weeks later was my PW marathon by time, but was an absolute riot of a run. I dressed head-to-toe in orange (my favourite colour) complete with fairy-wings and a tutu, and danced my way around the course. For 4+ hours the amazing crowds screamed my name and I felt on top of the world. It was simply brilliant, and that race will always hold a special place in my heart.
What’s your next one planned or dreamed?
The next major race I have planned is Amsterdam Marathon, where I would really like to set a PB. I’ve dedicated the next few months solely to this goal, and am doing everything in my power to make it a reality. I want to go in feeling like I have done all the training, and with the confidence that it will see me through to that PB. There are a number of other races along the way (including Medoc Marathon with 24 wine stops in 26.2mi!), but they will act as training and tune-up races.
My big dream at the moment is to finish an Ironman before I turn 30. I thoroughly enjoyed doing my first half-Iron distance triathlon this year (although I got two punctures on the bike which added a lot of time), and feel it would be the ultimate challenge to double the distance. I need to get a lot faster and more confident on the bike though first!
Biggest roadblock to do more?

Time! Most of my weekends are already booked out with races up to six-months in advance, and I often feel this pang of regret when I hear about another race I could do on that weekend. Can I have a time-turner please so I can be in two races at once?
(Honestly though I do a lot already, and if I did more then I would probably not be sleeping, working and/or my partner would be very angry with me.)
Your advice for people starting endurance sports?
The best thing about endurance sports is that they give you so much time to think and enjoy being in the moment.
The best thing about endurance sports is that they give you so much time to think and enjoy being in the moment. Make the most of the training period, because this is where the bulk of your time lies. It’s not really about the races at all, it’s about the work that you put in to get to that start line. Feel proud of every kilometre you cover, and know that you are doing something special that others can’t even dream of.
When it comes to your first race, do not go in with a goal time in mind. The worst thing is to finish your first marathon (for instance) feeling disappointed because you didn’t hit an arbitrary time goal. You just ran a marathon! That’s incredible, and you should feel on top of the world. Getting faster can come later.
Last thing: get involved in the community. There are a lot of endurance nutters out there who are some of the friendliest and most inclusive people I have met. In endurance sports, it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, what you do or what you like. If you put in the time and effort to do these crazy events, give up your mornings and weekends for the sport — that’s all that matters. Plus, training in a group can be a great way to mix up your schedule.
Anything you’d like to tell us? Anything weird?
I like to write words on my wrist during marathons, some key thoughts to keep in mind when the going gets tough. For instance in Paris I had ‘smile savour enjoy fly!’. They don’t necessarily always help when you’re in the depths of pain, but I still like to have them there just in case they do.
OH — and wear what makes you feel good. For me, it’s orange. And often tutus. Once it was a cheerleading uniform, in which I set a Guinness World Record. Why not!

Julia is attempting the challenge of running 26.2 marathons by age 26.2. She is running for Trekstock, a charity which supports young adults with cancer. Aiming to fundraise £2000, do donate for her cause! uk.virginmoneygiving.com/26marathons

