Kevin Joint

♻️ MACKYARD BACKYARD ULTRA — THE DEBRIEF.

This time last week, I was halfway through my 8th yard at the MackYard Backyard Ultra.

Would I do it again? Absolutely.

Just not in the next 12 months. 😅😂

I rocked up knowing the furthest I’d run in the last six months was 15K. I had zero expectations other than to try and run further than I’d ever run before — 42.2K.

The backyard format should suit me down to the ground. Run, rest, eat, repeat. What more could I ask for?

Turns out, I got a whole lot more than I bargained for. ❤️

I ran alongside some of the most inspiring people I’ve ever had the privilege of being around. Every single person had their own story, their own battles and their own reasons for being there.

And I think the further you get into endurance sport, the more valuable your WHY becomes.

Because when you’re in the pits, when your body hurts and your head starts playing games, your WHY is the thing you go searching for. That little bit of comfort, that reminder of why you started, and sometimes the only thing keeping you moving forward.

But one of the most special things about this experience was the stories we shared.

Complete strangers opening up about their lives, their struggles and what brought them to that start line. No judgement. No competition over whose story was bigger or whose battles were harder.

Just people listening, relating and helping each other take their minds off the pain of putting one foot in front of the other.

Those stories felt like little gifts. And I’ll carry some of them with me long after the aches and pains have disappeared.

I went to MackYard wanting to challenge myself, push my limits and give my head a bit of a reset.

I left with so much more than a distance on Strava and a slate to remember it by.

We started on that start line as strangers. We walked away with new friendships, stronger bonds and memories that will last a lifetime. ❤️♻️