How Did This Running Legend-In-The-Making Spend Her 21st Birthday?

Lucy Bartholomew has been following her calling as an ultra-marathon runner for five years and is always up for her next challenge.

Her passion for her sport has led her to travel across Australia and the globe to compete, including in the Big Red Run, a 250km multistage race in the Simpson Dessert. If you feel out of breath just thinking about it, we’re totally there with you!

Lucy tackled the Southern Hemisphere’s largest trail running event, Ultra-Trail Australia on 20 May for its 10th anniversary.

When envisioning her birthday, Lucy dreamed of picturesque sunny skies. The weather was not so forthcoming. Conditions in Katoomba NSW were less than perfect, forcing the 5,000 competitors to withstand temperatures below a chilling 6 degrees.

The rain was a trial of its own, resulting in surprise course changes. Breath-taking bushland and full-flowing waterfalls set the scene for the event. The endurance of runners was tested by grinding up sharp inclines and down daring descents, with a huge variance of elevation from sea level to a height of 1,100m.

"The clouds cleared, blue sky appeared and all that remained were the low clouds in the valley and tops of surrounding mountains poking out, it was here that I knew today was going to be my day. This surprising sunshine gave me energy and confidence," Lucy shared in her blog.

Lucy braved the unforeseen challenges of nature and won. She was the first female competitor to cross the finish line of the Blue Mountains 100km Ultra-Trail Australia even after an impressive 10 hours and 52 minutes of focus and sheer determination.

"In my dreams, I smiled and cruised in but on this day, I cried; I cried with joy, with pain, with total relief and with no other energy for anything more. This moment means more to me than a win, it was a combination of so many hours training, sacrifice, good times, hard times and a lot of peoples' efforts," Lucy said.

"It was the most special race I’ve ever done. I had people coming at me, wishing me happy birthday, telling me I’ve got this and I wouldn’t have had it any other way."

The highlight was her family being there to support her every step of the way. "This is what birthdays are made for – spending time doing what you love with people you love."

Her passion for ultra running began as a way to increase the time she spent with her father Ashley, a man who not only encouraged her but nurtured her value of the earth, her body and mind.

"The mentality you need to have for ultra running, you need to have this focus and willing to hurt and compulsiveness to training and getting it done," she said.

In her early teenage years Lucy battled with an eating disorder she’s since overcome, and now channels her focus into living an enriching, healthy lifestyle.

"I have a lot of respect now for my body and I look back and can’t believe that I thought that that was healthy. Now I’m writing recipe books and sharing my love for nutrition."

Not only is she an inspiration as an athlete, but this young woman has a positive mindset and lives each day to the fullest. "I love that a new year comes with 365 days of possibilities. I look back on 2016 as a great year and look to the horizon of 2017 hoping to create a greater year," she said.

If that wasn’t enough, she shares her healthy and nutritious recipes which we love because we’re always on the lookout for the perfect falafel. Yum!

Although Lucy could easily be mistaken for a superhero (running an average of 9.2km/h for the Ultra-Trail event), her fun-loving, down-to-earth attitude is what truly shines.

"The planned party of my 21st quickly turned to getting warm clothes on, hot soup and home to a shower before returning to watch my Dad finish (which he did so well) and then returning back home with Thai take away and sitting on the lounge room floor whilst watching a MasterChef episode. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way." Now that’s a recipe for a perfect night!

Lucy loves to travel, learn and meet new people. She’s forever ready to hit the ground running to embrace her next challenge.

Keep track of Lucy’s adventures on her Facebook page or learn more about this amazing athlete on her website.