MILEstone Goals

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Something you may remember from my first blog, “Down Under and to the Left,” was how I mentioned meeting so many friends through running and joining a run club. Somewhere along the way, we all decided that before our trip ended, we wanted to complete a half-marathon together. We knew it wouldn’t be fast, competitive, or even remotely easy at times, but it had been sitting on all of our bucket lists, and how cool would it be to check that off in Sydney?

So, with equal parts excitement and delusion, we signed up for the Sydney Runaway Half Marathon on May 3rd, full of excitement and probably a little underprepared.

When race day finally arrived, we decided that if we were going to do this, we were going to have as much fun with it as possible. We showed up bright and early alongside what felt like the entirety of Sydney, dressed in matching outfits and ready to run purely on buttered toast, electrolytes, hopes, and dreams.

And honestly? I can confidently say the whole experience felt like a testament to where Jesus said, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” I think my legs wanted to quit on every hill on the course (The videos were right about how up and down the course was), but somehow, we all kept pushing. Through the whole 21.1 km, I laughed with strangers, danced for random pictures with my friends, prayed (A LOT), and chatted with so many new faces! And before we knew it, we had all crossed the finish line.

One of the coolest parts of the day was seeing how people showed up for one another. Friends, families, strangers on the edge of the highway… Everyone was cheering each other on! I was so blessed to have some friends come support us with handmade signs (as you can see below), and spotting them at different checkpoints honestly filled each of us running with so much excitement and motivation.

Looking back now, the race was about so much more than just finishing. It was about building my friendships, community, perseverance, and making memories in a city that had started to feel like home.

For anyone wanting to take on a goal like this abroad — whether it’s a 5K, a yoga class, a HYROX, or even a full marathon (major kudos to you for that one) — I cannot recommend it enough. It’s such an incredible way to discover what your body is capable of, create unforgettable memories with new friends, and connect with the place you now call home.

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