Benita Willis: RT Journals

Hi All
I was thrilled to win our World Cross trial in Melbourne a few weeks ago. That victory meant a lot to me – more than usually a win in this type of race would. It was not only the fact that I crossed the line first but the fact that I beat a top field (we have such strength amongst our female distance runners in at present) and also that I wasn’t afraid to get back out there racing after a very below par performance at Zatopek in December. I believe that after disappointing runs, the worst thing you can do is throw in the towel and make up excuses for yourself. Instead, after Zatopek (despite being terribly disappointed after the run), I continued to train, enjoyed mentoring at a National live-in junior girls’ camp in Melbourne then went home to Mackay, North Queensland for Christmas and two weeks with my family there. During that time, I did some easy running, went to watch my sister, Caitlin train (she’s on the rise right now – moving up from 400m to 800m) and gained a fresh perspective on what’s important in life and realised in my own mind how hungry I am to achieve my goals this year. I also love spending time with my family and this break in Mackay was exactly what I needed after a tough 2009! (Although, I tell you what, the heat and humidity knocked me around especially after spending so many years in Melbourne and London!) My nephew Josh, who has just turned 1 and was the star attraction over Christmas of course…..He is absolutely gorgeous and changing everyday!

I arrived up to Falls Creek from Mackay on 27^th December. I rented an apartment on the mountain with a great friend and training partner of mine, Kaila McKnight. We drove up from Melbourne together and arrived late that night. Our weeks together at Falls were fantastic - cooked some lovely meals, enjoyed plenty of laughs, watched a bit of ‘Gossip Girl’, went out with all the runners to the Milch café to welcome in the New Year plus I spent plenty of time mentoring the Athletics Australia junior girls here on camp. Steve Monnagetti and myself also spoke to all the runners at a seminar up here about various topics we’ve come across in our careers and conducted a question/ answer session after. It was great – everyone took plenty away from the afternoon, including myself….always like to hear Steve talk and learn a lot from him.

I trained hard up at Falls Creek for the 3 weeks I was there. We did all the traditional sessions including the km reps on Tuesday, Qtrs on Thursday, Fitzy’s hut on Sat and the Pretty Valley long run on Sunday. I was covering about 170-180kms per week. I also kept gym work going 3 times a week as well as fast strides on Monday and Friday. We have a great training group so plenty of people to work with. On top of this, there were so many runners here doing the same sessions as us, often 120 people would turn up for the sessions! Fantastic to see so many runners of all abilities working hard and enjoying the sport I love so much. I think it was up at Falls on this particular training camp, where I started really ‘hitting my straps’ so to say and gaining some confidence back into my running. Steve did quite a few sessions with me – was fantastic to have him there helping me out as well chatting to him and other knowledgeable ‘older’ athletes. My coach Nic was there too as well as Sonia O’Sullivan – their input throughout my career has been invaluable. They are helping out so many of our young athletes now…..I believe their skills and knowledge are really helping to take distance running from strength and strength in this country.

So I went to the World Cross trial a bit nervous but really excited to be out racing and competing for a spot in a very strong senior women’s’ team. My sister Caitlin was there at the trial as well as my brother in law, Jack. I loved having them there – we went out to my favourite café for brunch afterwards and had a lot of fun over the whole weekend. This win was my first for my new shoe company, Saucony. This change in companies was the ‘fresh’ start I felt I needed. Saucony have been wonderful to me and I absolutely love their shoes – you should try them out!

Plenty to look forward to! I may run a few of the Australian Domestic season GP’s in the lead up to World Cross. Right now I am back up at Falls Creek this month for some more hard training! And I can’t wait to get over to Poland and compete at the World Cross – not just for myself but as a member of a very strong senior womens’ team.



 Will keep you posted on what I’m up to after World Cross!