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.

Let's start again ... again.

Ok, as a diarised account of my day to day goings on, this obviously doesn’t work. I’ve tried, repeatedly to get into it but just can’t commit.

So, here I am, wondering what the f*ck to do with it. Should I leave it here languishing in the ether, meaning nothing to anyone? Or maybe just delete it and be done with it? The problem is I need a forum in which to express myself. To artistically articulate accounts of my thoughts and deeds along with some other crap, and Facebook just doesn’t cut it.

So, I guess before you decide where you’re going, you have to have some idea where you are. No, really you do. If I hear one more hippy, ultra trail-runner type comment relating to how insignificant I am in the scheme of things and the only important thing is that I’m at one with my surroundings and that I just need to keep ‘moving in the same direction as it man’, I’ll f*cking strangle someone!

Anyway, where was I? Oh yes,

"Where am I? Who am I? How did I come to be here? What is this thing called the world? How did I come into the world? Why was I not consulted? And If I am compelled to take part in it, where is the director? I want to see him."

One of my favourite quotes - by Søren Kierkegaard. A little known Danish Philosopher (that’s right, Danish!). Anyway, I think he asks some pretty searching questions.

In response, I’m at a crossroads. I can go right, left or straight ahead. The road behind is strewn with train-wreck so there’s definitely no going back to be had. I got here through luck more than design (not necessarily good luck) and, while I’m not sure what this thing called ‘the World’ is, I’m pretty sure I love most of it, though a lot of the residents leave something to be desired. I have no problems with not being consulted about the grand plan provided it makes sense and here is where it all falls down. Compelled to take part as I am, I have reservations about flying blind. I do want to speak to the man in charge and I don’t mean the dickhead in the big leather chair, I mean the little guy who cleans the toilets. The guy who vaguely resembles Morgan Freeman – he’s the one who makes sure everything’s ticking. He may not be responsible, but he sure as hell has an insight into what’s going on.

Anyway ...

In other news, I find myself in a running streak. For the uninitiated, visit United States Running Streak Association. My 203 days is pretty paltry by comparison (some of these guys have been running for well over 40 years) but it’s been hard fought and seems to have provided the solution to both my lack of motivation over the last two years or so along with my recovery from injury that I won’t mention.

Here I am, prepared (though not ready) to toe the line at my fourth Glasshouse 100 in less than three weeks. I don’t have nearly enough km’s under my belt though have some decent events completed and feel reasonably good. In any event, I’m 100% fitter/stronger than I was a year ago.

There’s a large and talented looking field, on paper at least, with some proven talent along with some new blood that fancy their chances. The former have nothing to prove and nothing to lose but their pride while the latter, well, the latter may well be advised to keep a low profile in the remaining two weeks lest they are forced to eat their words.

Some of these guys will be at an after dark training run on the 27^th. No doubt I’ll see some form there.

Nothing for me now but two more long runs and lots of shorter (10km) harder training runs.

Eddie Izzard

Do you know Eddie? Very funny guy. Heterosexual cross dresser and comedian. Last year, he decided to run forty odd marathons in forty days for charity, running around each country in the UK. He did this off no training and basically got 'fit' as he went. A right nutter but obviously driven.

I'd like to think I have some of his qualities and at the moment, I'm certainly running like him (though maybe without the heels)!

Decided, on the advice of a friend and a general feeling that it wasn't a good idea, not to enter Dusk 'til Dawn. I've now 'trained' for sixteen days straight and am getting glimpses of the way things ought to be, still a long road ahead though.

I may have no business to, but I'm beginning to look forward to The Six Foot Track Marathon. I've been there twice and on both occasions was injured coming in and last year in particular found me out. I'm under no illusions this year and will be just happy to get the finish under my belt. But maybe, just maybe ....

I'm back!

Ok, it's been slow news really. I've finally got up off my arse and motivated myself to get back from the abyss. Easily 10 kg's overweight and seriously lacking in motivation, it's been hard, but here I am.

I’ve trained for eight consecutive days since February 1^st. Nothing to set the world on fire but the last time I trained for two days consecutively was eighteen months ago so something’s happening.

Suffice to say though, that I’m running like Cliff Young … sadly, it’s an improvement!

My knee is a little sore, my foot is stiff and my toe injury is hanging around in the background but not really making its presence felt.

Almost within the first km of each run (the two longest runs I’ve had have been 10 km) I feel like I’m at the end of an ultra, where the easiest thing to do would be to stop and walk for a while. Have done it a few times too. I’m finding it very tough going and though I can see the tiniest light at the end of the tunnel I can’t help feeling that it’s a train coming toward me!

I’ll be entering Caboolture this weekend, my aim to walk/jog two marathons in the 12 hours. Six Foot Track is still on though I’ll be accompanying the sweeper while Donna and I enjoy a weekend in the Blue Mountains.

It seems a very long road and I don’t remember feeling this crap at running ever, even when I started seriously four years ago. At that point, I was over 15 kg’s heavier than I am now (105 kg’s then). It makes no sense.

I’ve realised in the last week that the biggest benefit I get from my achievements over those four years is that it doesn’t matter how hard things get, I have no excuse because I know it’s in me somewhere. Hopefully, someone will let me know exactly where before I’ve had enough!!

The Glasshouse 100 Mile - September 2010

Back end of the pack is becoming a habit it seems.

Had a very humbling experience at this year's event. You can read about it here.

Suffice to say it's not something I'd like to repeat.