48 Hour Recharge
You know what they say—change is as good as a rest. So last weekend, I took a break from the usual chaos and treated myself to a mini getaway. Not quite a tropical island escape (unless you count Port Macquarie's pelicans as exotic birds), but it ticked all the boxes: long run, open road, and a little mental declutter. The trifecta of physical, mechanical, and emotional rejuvenation. Let’s unpack it.
1. Running From (and Towards) Something
So first up—the run. I’m in the thick of marathon prep right now, and I needed to log a solid long one. You know, one of those runs that takes up so much of your day you question your life choices somewhere around kilometre 22.
Port Macquarie was a no-brainer. I’ve got history there. It’s the scene of my first (and only) Ironman, and more half Ironmans than I care to count. The loop is familiar—10 kilometres of good vibes, mild PTSD, and the sort of scenery that almost distracts you from your legs disintegrating. Almost.
I was aiming for 30km. Three laps. No run belt, just two gels and a vague memory of where public taps are. I kept it at 5:15/km pace, didn’t cramp, didn’t curse the running gods, and most importantly—I actually enjoyed it. That’s not just a training run; that’s a psychological win. Confidence: boosted.
2. The EV Diaries: Zen and the Art of Battery Management
Now onto the second part of the weekend: road tripping in my electric vehicle.
I've had the Kia EV for about five months, clocked 13,000 kilometres, but hadn’t really stretched its legs. Port Macquarie, about 400 km away, seemed like the perfect candidate. Just far enough to need a plan, but close enough to not completely destroy my weekend if the whole thing turned into a battery-powered debacle.
Spoiler: it almost did.
I left late Friday night, just as the temperature started to drop to “why is my nose cold” levels. I hadn’t factored in how cold weather affects EV range, or how driving uphill on an empty highway with nothing but my thoughts would chew through charge. Range anxiety is real—and surprisingly math-heavy.
My first charge location near Newcastle was out of order. Classic. But I found another nearby and waited the obligatory 20 minutes, during which I pondered whether this trip was actually a good idea. Eventually, I hit the road again, only to stop once more in Taree with a meagre 60km left on the battery. At this point, I had turned the heating off and put a down jacket on.
But here’s the thing—I weirdly loved it.
The Kia was a dream to drive. Comfortable, intuitive, eerily silent (great for podcast catch-up). Cruise control that thinks for you, automatic high beams, and the kind of seat comfort that makes you consider living in it part-time. And once I embraced the frequent, shorter stops, the whole trip became more relaxing. Grab a coffee, stretch the legs, don’t eat in the car (I have rules), and hit the road again. Honestly, combustion engines are so last season.
3. Disconnect to Reconnect
And finally, the great unplug. Sometimes you don’t realise how much background noise your life has until you step away from it. Being at home, especially when you work from home, means that even your downtime is still in your workspace. You’re always “on.” There’s always washing to fold, emails to check, or a kitchen bench silently judging you for not wiping it down.
Port Macquarie gave me space to think. Not about everything—just the important stuff. I spent time reading, catching up on my blog, and most usefully, rethinking my goals. I’ve decided to shift from vague, year-long goals to more focused quarterly targets. Why? Because marathon training has taught me that urgency = action. Deadlines matter. A year is too far away to feel real. But 12 weeks? That’s doable. That’s motivating. That’s “hey, maybe I don’t need to scroll Instagram for 40 minutes” level commitment.
I even had time to enjoy the little things: coffee by the water, fish and chips at Town Green (because no trip is complete without deep-fried carbs), and some quiet moments just watching the ocean roll in and out. I didn’t check emails. I didn’t vacuum. Bliss.
Lessons from the Road (and Run)
So what did I learn from this 48-hour adventure?
Plan your long runs somewhere that makes you feel good. Bonus points if it’s got emotional history and scenic views.
EVs are great—but plan your charging. Cold weather = low range = nervous math.
You don’t need to go far to feel far away. Sometimes a few hours up the coast is all it takes to reset your brain.
Shorter goals are better goals. 90-day sprints > 12-month maybes.
The Wrap-Up
In the end, the weekend wasn’t about just one thing. It wasn’t just about getting a 30km run done, or seeing if my EV could survive a trip north, or escaping the vortex of house chores and grocery lists. It was about doing something slightly out of the ordinary that made everything else feel a bit clearer, a bit lighter.
So yeah, I’ll be doing this again. In fact, I’m pencilling it in for every three months. New run, new road, new recharge.
Until then, I’ll keep logging k’s, dodging cramps, and calculating kilowatt hours like a nerdy boy scout. Because marathons aren’t just about running—they’re about what you learn along the way.
Michael