Originally written July 2026
Running season was here, and I had a serious case of FOMO.
With all the buzz around 3 Marathons in 3 Days and the Cairns Marathon Festival, I couldn’t bear the thought of sitting the season out.
I knew I hadn’t trained for a full marathon, so my sensible plan was to enter the Cairns Marathon Festival half marathon instead.
Except…
It had already sold out.
So, in a moment of questionable decision-making, I signed up for the 3M3D full marathon.
Brilliant idea. 
In previous marathons, even on a bad day, I’d usually hit the wall around the 38 km mark — leaving about 4 km to grit my teeth and survive.
Yesterday, I hit the wall at 28 km.
That meant I still had another 14 km to negotiate with my legs.
Every muscle was fatigued, and I knew forcing myself to keep running could end badly.
So I walked.
And let me tell you…
walking downhill on Lake Morris Road is its own special form of torture.
I’ve run those hills countless times, so I’d never really noticed the road itself.
Walking it?
Every curb suddenly became my mortal enemy.
Surely that’s the last one.
Nope.
Another curb.
Then another.
And another.
Apparently, Lake Morris Road has an unlimited curb subscription.
For the first time in a marathon, I genuinely considered pulling out.
I almost called Graeme to rescue me and put me out of my misery.
Instead, I made myself a deal.
“Just get to the next kilometre… then you can call.”
One kilometre passed.
“Okay… just one more.”
Then another.
And another.
Somehow, one kilometre at a time, I crossed the finish line.
Lesson learned?
Don’t let FOMO choose your race.
But if it does…
sometimes stubbornness can still get you there.
Stories Along the Way 