When I wrote down two of my running goals a few years ago, to go after by the age of 50, I didn’t know how hard it would be to get back on the running track. With old injuries, body alignment issues, inflammation, and continuous strains and tears, running freely today was the biggest win of all. I am grateful for that.

God, it was a good feeling to be at the synthetic track, spikes in hand, feeling young.

It was more than a race; it was a return to a part of myself I’d nearly forgotten, and crossing the finish line felt like reclaiming something timeless.

Round One | Illawarra Blue Stars Winter Series | Track 2025

Lining up at the starting blocks after 29 years away from competition stirred a deep, unexpected wave of nostalgia. The familiar scent of the track and the rhythmic thump of spikes on rubber all came rushing back like no time had passed. Muscles may have aged, but the heart remembered every moment—the thrill, the nerves, the pure joy of the chase.

What a blast of a morning! My mate Darren who is an aths enthusiast came along to coach, cheer, and… inevitably compete. The temptation was clearly too much—who brings their spikes just to spectate?! The man was never just going to sit on the sidelines.

It was an awesome, laid-back day at the Kerryn McCann Athletic Centre in Wollongong. Friendly vibes, brilliant staff, and just 20 athletes ranging from 13 to 75, all mixing in together for the races. A proper community meet—and the perfect way to ease back into the world of athletics.

Two of my 50by50 goals came into focus today:

• The possible goal — run 400m in under 60 seconds | I am going after this first
• The improbable one — a 100m dash in 12 seconds | This goal to follow

Today’s events were the 60m and the 300m—both excellent stepping stones toward those bigger targets.

Now, do you want the good news or the bad news first? Either way, there’s plenty to share, and it’s worth putting a little story behind it—because the day really was a joy.

Let’s start with the ‘bad’ news:

• Darren’s joined a gym and cleaned me up in the shot put! (yep, while we were there we decided to throw the big metal ball)

• I had a delayed start in the 60m (though recovered nicely out of the blocks).
• In the last 20 meters of the 300m, it felt like I was running backwards. I honestly don’t know where the extra 100m for a 400m is going to come from—it terrifies me a bit.
• The electronic timer failed to arrive for the 60m, so we went old-school: hand-timed. (The 300m had proper timing gear, though)
• Slight strains in my right quad and left calf. But honestly? That feels like good news, considering injury was my biggest fear.
• If this were a heptathlon, Darren would have me well and truly beat—the guy’s got a Swiss Army knife of athletic talent.

• 
• Our post-race recovery surf was a wipeout—waves too wild to get past the breakers. Still, good to be humbled by the ocean.

And the good news? Plenty:

• Darren and I had a full day to ourselves—no kids, just athletics, a surf, and a well-earned late lunch at the Scarborough Pub.
• This guy in the photo finish below currently runs the 400m in 59 seconds, and we were neck-and-neck in the 300m. He edged me with a chest dip, but that tells me my sub-60 goal is real—I just need to find another 100 meters of grit somewhere. (Right now, my legs say no.

• 
• I felt surprisingly strong in the 60m, especially considering my training has been more geared toward middle distance. Definitely more in the tank there.

Times:

• 60m: 7.48 (hand-timed)
• 300m: 41.56 (electronically timed)

All up? A cracking day. Full heart, tired legs, and a few dreams a little closer to reality.