My job and other hobbies ... well ... hobby.

It seems these days, you’re never doing enough. My contract is up for extension and already ‘the management’ (same IQ as Hale and Pace only not as smartly dressed) is on the defensive offence. I handle more workload, bite my tongue more than I should, take unpaid leave and have not has a single sick day. Yet, there are things I need to address.

 

 

How lucky am I that despite these flaws, they (the management) have been kind hearted enough to allow me to stay 5 months beyond my initial contract (because I needed them) and are now wanting to extend it a further 4 months to give me the opportunity to better myself.

 

 

I’m so lucky to have the opportunity. I think I’ll go for a run.

• 242 consecutive days
• 400 km for the month (hasn’t happened since 2008!)
• No apparent injuries though the toe thing is always going to have to be looked after unless I have it cut.

Having had the stuffing knocked out of me from many quarters, It’s a blessing that I can get out and even more of a blessing that I can come home without having to worry that I’m being selfish and indulgent (isn’t that called ‘self-indulgence’?). Of course I am ... but that’s what most people who run are, aren’t they?

Brisbane to Mooloolaba - tales of a daft bugger with a big heart.

On Monday, September 26th, I was privileged to be a part of Glen Hendry’s 100 km run from Mooloolaba to Brisbane (finishing at the Southbank Piazza).

Glen has been talked about undertaking a solo run for charity since I’ve known him (about 4½ years). First it was Toowoomba to Brisbane, then Gympie to Brisbane but the logistics were difficult. Then, without warning on September 20th, I, along with many others, received an e-mail from Glen with a link to the event blog and the charity page – it would take place on the 26th, less than a week away.

Glen’s like only one other person I know. He did all this for others. People he didn’t know. He did this on top of his regular ‘Superhero’ visits to the local children’s hospital (where he and his mates dress up as superheros and generally make kids happy!). He doesn’t get to do the training that some of us do, he’s not like me, he’s too selfless. It’s never about Glen.

Long story short, he just got on with it. I joined him at the 60 km mark and ran the 40 km from Burpengary to Southbank. With 27 km to go, we were joined by Matthew ‘Beer Tits’ Venamore (the furthest run he’s ever undertaken I believe) and then David Whyte from about 10 km out.

We arrived at Southbank to his family and my girlfriend Donna (which was great for me), his crew and a few others. Glen finished, in typical Glen fashion, totally smashed in around 14:14 raising over $2000 for the Deaf & Blind Children Society.

The point of this entry? I’ve never ran anything for anyone else but me. Sure, I’ve paced a few marathons and helped some people reach some goals, but they’re usually an opportunity to take part in an event at no cost while getting a sense of achievement other than a PB – not to dismiss the amazing feeling you get leading a group across the line in their goal time.

Proud to be your mate, mate.

Footnote: it seems that 100 km isn't enough these days.  I posted details of this event on Cool Running, under both local Queensland events and the ultra running thread.  Not one single comment of encouragement, let alone a donation for the charity.  Obviously, unless you're running around Australia like Ron Grant or Pole to Pole (as Pat Farmer is currently doing) then 100km is a bit, 'so what?'

I'm not really a runner myself, just someone who has endurance and can put a good race together on occasion.  I'll never refer to myself as an ultra runner, sometimes I'd be simply ashamed to.

Ladies and gentleman ... Johnny Farnham!!!

Just one more comeback.
Ok. I’ve gathered my thoughts and am determined to make one last ditch effort to run this blog in the manner in which I originally intended.

My recent run in the Glasshouse 100 and my good friend Glen’s run on Monday for no other reasons than the fact that he could do some good for others (in this case, deaf children) has humbled me a little and spurred me into action.

Well, maybe not action so much as a little less inaction.

The 100 mile race a couple of weeks ago (September 10th) was a real watershed. Having run it twice in reasonable fashion (2008 & 2009), 2010 found me reduced to a walk for 135 km’s of the eventual 137 km. It exhausted and completely demoralised me. Along with making me realise that my injury (plantar plate tear) was simply not going to ‘go away’ it set me on a spiral of self loathing and depression that would see me spend the next five months drinking too much, gaining 11 kg’s (22 lb’s), training not at all and generally totally dissatisfied with my existence (for that’s what it was), simply waiting for it to end.

With nothing but the surgeon’s knife to look forward to (and no means to afford it), things were looking bleak. I embarked on a little but frequent training plan with a view of promoting a genuine active recovery.

Long story short, having lost 10 kg’s (thanks Donna), gained a beard and a lot of hair, I finished the GH100 in 16th place from a record number of starters which saw a 43% drop our rate (mostly by DNF) with a PB of nearly 1½ hours – 21:41.

I was fit and hairy (looking not unlike a gay, colour coordinated sasquatch) but I’d made it in a manner beyond expectations.  I couldn't have done any of it - the race or the preparation leading into it - without Donna, my partner, love and best friend.

Two weeks later, I accompanied a friend, Glen Hendry, for the last 40 km of a 100 km run he had undertaken, from Mooloolaba to Brisbane, to raise funds for deaf children.

After a long time of feeling sorry for myself, not being able to do the things I, me, wanted to do, watching Glen give of himself so selflessly humbled me. But I’ve turned the corner/made it through the crossroads/found my way out of the mire or simply dug myself out of a rut.