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Let’s help make NZ’s Katie Wright the last person standing in the world

  • A massive thanks!!

      5 November 2019
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    Hey team of amazing support crew - yes, that's you!

    I just wanted to say a huge huge thanks once again for all your support. I have no fitting words.

    Without your backing I wouldn't have been able to get to the start line let alone, if we are being honest, smash all expectations! The fact that I knew I had you all backing me at home (and around the globe) was a huge psychological factor in the drive to continue!

    I don't think it's a secret that I was a little upset at having to quit: that doesn't mean I'm not hugely excited and proud to have gone as far as I did, it's an epic achievement! On paper it definitely looked like I didn't stand a chance but sometimes it pays to ignore expectations and your belief in me helped to do just that!....everyone loves an underdog, right! 😉

    I've written a race report for the Backyard Ultra via Facebook/insta

    https://www.facebook.com/katiewrightdoyourimpossible/ and @do_your_impossible - have a read! I don't really hold back on the ups and downs of those 50 hours and the aftermath I had yet to experience.

    For now though, it's time to rest, recover and restart training.

    I can't wait for next year - I have some HUGE plans! Starting with the Revenant (New Zealands' answer to the Barkley) and of course a repeat of Big's Backyard next year with a few surprises in between.

    I'd love for you guys to continue the support and follow along my journey via social media.

    If there are any buisnesses out there that want to be part of something special and can get behind me by supporting through sponsorship, I'd love to hear from you. Competing internationally isn't cheap!

    Thanks again,

    Katie

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  • Wow this is happening!!

      17 October 2019
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    Wow this is happening, I'm in Tennessee: huge huge thanks to all of you for getting me here! I've had a few goes at the course (it's pretty cool!) and am attempting to get over jetlag 3 more days to go and it's the big day. Eek!

    I'm hoping Emma will be able to keep updates coming through via my Insta and Facebook stories (as a lot of you know crewing is a marathon itself so apologies if we can't keep this up!).

    Facebook: @katiewrightdoyourimpossible

    Instagram: @do_your_impossible

    For regular updates on the whole field check out the main page:

    Facebook: Big Dog's Backyard Ultra Run Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/142055916440410/

    When the official timing page goes live the link to it will be posted to the top of the the FB page and I'm sure will be shared around via various pages including my own so keep an eye out.

    Thanks again to everyone!!

    [From editor - Shaun] Picture is of Katie and her support crew Emma on the stage with the team from TV3's The Project - Katie was interviewed and you can watch here https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2625413704145324

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  • The Start of the Journey!

      24 July 2019
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    After winning at ‘Riverhead relaps’ it feels like my whole life has been committed to working towards Big’s backyard in October. The race is the same concept as the relaps: 6.7km an hour every hour until you are the last person standing! The bonus (?) Being that Lazarus Lakes' course is flatter and less technical than good old Riverhead. I’m not convinced an easier course is better in a last person standing event though!

    A lot of people have asked me 'how do you even train for that!?' the short answer is: run alot!

    The reality is this event is a pretty new concept there aren't any online plans or books out there (that I've found!) I'm pretty much making it up as I go along with the reasoning that what I've done so far seems to be working ok?!

    So what have I been up to since May? The first few weeks after Riverhead were non-stop. Combining my biggest race ever with the busiest three weeks of work since arriving in New Zealand did not mix well. I managed to both dent my car and fall off my bike in the space of 24 hours. I was just exhausted! Unfortunately the bike incident make my already unhappy knee even worse.

    Rest was definitely needed but I just don’t cope well with not being able to get out for a run when things get busy at work! Fortunately, I had already booked some time off to go back to the UK: such a good feeling to get on that plane! It gave me a bit more of an excuse to take a step back and stay off the legs even if I was a 'little' grumpy at still not being able to run!

    Getting back to NZ I booked into the physio to get my leg checked out properly. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has gone to the physio, done the exercises once and given up when you don't see immediate results!? This time around I've been pretty committed to the cause. I'm certain the first thing that would have stopped me running at Riverhead would have been my knee, so I'm putting everything into actually sorting the issue out! Chris from sports therapy nelson has been fab. Turns out my entire right leg is horribly weak but after 4 weeks of 30-40 minutes a day working at it I feel like I'm getting somewhere!!

    It took 8 weeks (including a few false starts) to get myself back to a point where my body let me run but I’m finally there and super excited about getting stuck back into the trails!

    Huge thanks to everyone for the support so far, I’ll keep updates on training coming here and via Instagram/facebook: @do_your_impossible

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