DAY 0 - Murray River Marathon - In a Kayak

This morning as I sit here in my calm cafe on Bay Street, I have no idea what is around the corner in less than 24 hours, Ill be paddleing a Kayak further than I ever have EVER in life, Can I do, I'm not so certain.

I will do one thing as I set off on the journey today, Ill try as hard as I can and do everything I possibly can.

for every day I pass the check point Ill donate $100 to a worthy charity, each day I beat my previous days effort and time (wishful thinking) and get faster ill add an extra $50 to the donation.

That being said I really dont know what else im in store for here, 404Km is a long way even if im in a relay team with Jarad and the team.

Anyways Stay Tunded for the updates.......... The Adventure begins

The approach was not quiet right! - so change it.....

When I decide to take on a challenge, its always as I did in business for many many years pick the hardest most difficult challenge, and than work at it, make it look easy and succeed, now in saying that there is a lot that happens in the middle.

I have recently had to reevaluate how I pick my challenges:

There are challenges that help you grow, there are challenges that beat you into the ground (I often pick these to teach myself a lesson, make sure I understand the pain of not doing things as I should).

The first is productive, the second is self defeating, it has taken me a while to figure out the difference between the two.... and I still haven't in its entirety and probably never will.

I had one core principle when I worked in business and was somewhat successful at what it did in a different era - Surround yourself by the best people, talent and thought leadership in what ever your doing, listen to them, learn from them and than give them the credit.

As I have moved into living a different phase of life, I have forgotten some of these principles, I have surrounded myself by the best people I can...... but that is where it has ended, I have failed to listen to them and grow from the opportunity presented - I think many of us are guilty of this, but we often don't put our hand up to take responsibility.

This came up this week, when I had a conversation ( a very uncomfortable one) with one of these people who is by far one of the best people I have surrounded myself with, (for those of you who know him its Steve), and better than I deserve looking back a couple of years ago when the journey started, his motivation and dedication to his profession has him leaps and bounds ahead of his peers, I personally hold the highest respect for him even if I dont always live the value or show it.

I haven't been listening, many people know that sometimes its not enough to just say to me I need to do something, you need to scream it from the roof tops, you need to get me uncomfortable to make the point before I let my guard down, like many of us we have many years of built up standards, values, norms and beliefs..... which can be helpful and in many cases unhelpful as we move to the next level.

I have an outstanding opportunity, many people don't have the opportunity to change there life, and to set aside an indefinite period to do it, I have had this and to continue to not would be a waste of a huge opportunity and not finishing something I have started.

I had and still have one belief that has been holding me back:

"I'm just a guy that got him self a little bit fit, and decided to run a couple of races, I am never going to win a race nor am I in the league or capable of it I should be happy with just finishing the race".

Life is defiently not about just finishing the race, its (as I had to be reminded this week) about doing the best you can do, every single time you front up to everyday life, every challenge..... and being happy with what you have done!

By me thinking I'm only ever going to be fit enough to just finish the race means, I will never ever win the race.

This has meant I have to set my self the challenge to WIN the race, what ever that is, and for a while I'm going to need to be reminded of

1. It is possible for me to win a race and
2. I need to stay focused and continue to listen to those around me .

Now this is when we come back to taking on the challenge, will I take on the self defeating challenge or will I take on the challenge that is productive, the answer is take on both, you can have big challenges, BUT you need to have a lot of little ones in between to give yourself the change to grow to it, than even the self defeating challenge is no longer self defeating.

The "BIG" Challenge Ive set myself is the North Face 100 on May 14 and 15 2011, running 100km through the rugged blue mountains in NSW.

I now need to do a few things, set myself lots of little Challenges in between so this one is not self defeating, I need to re-arrange my life with even smaller things:

1. Put food in my kitchen and cook at home, no longer can I afford the luxury of unhealthy eating (breakfast, lunch and dinner) at cafes and restaurants with the unknown in the food working against me.

2. I need to work hard every day at training, be and stay committed to WIN and GROW!

3. I need to believe I can WIN.

4. I need to learn to listen and do not be afraid to ask or accept help from others around me.

Do I have this completly upside down, let me know ?

Cheers
Jeff

The Murray River Marathon - What have I got myself in for ?

The Murray River Marathon is turning out to be something that I might have signed up to a little before I truly understood how tough it really is going to be, today I asked myself a couple of questions:

1. Am I capable of it ?
2. Do I have enough time to become capable of it ?

In any case these questions are irrelevant, I'm already committed to it.

Ive found that I do quiet enjoy doing the Kayak thing for a few reasons, its not so much the enjoyment of competing in a race, that I just love falling out of a Kayak - but rather its all about the journey.

You suck up all the courage you can, you give it all you can - and you sometimes have some setbacks, how you bounce back from these set backs is the difference between success and failure.

Pushing your body and mind far beyond anything you mentally believe you are capable of, pushing the boundaries on whats comfortable to what scares you to the core, than pushing it just that little bit further each day, every day, until you get more and more comfortable and you achieve the impossible.

For me paddling a Kayak 20 Kilometers at a time in the ocean and staying alive is the impossible - 50, 75 or 100 Kilometers would be for me the equivalent of NASA landing on the moon.

So that means I have to work harder than I ever have before, and I will try, and try just one more time every time until I nail it.

This huge event is a 404km, five day flat-water race along the mighty Murray River - bordering Victoria and New South Wales, Australia. The race starts in Yarrawonga on the 27th December and heads downstream through Tocumwal, Picnic Point, Echuca, Torrumbarry and Murrabit before finishing in Swan Hill on New Years' Eve.

If ooooops I should say WHEN I finish this one, it will set up 2011 for an amazing year of bigger and better challenges - I might even get one of the adventure races knocked over in the New Year!

55 Days and counting down - Wish me luck!

In the community we live there are many people who always have more unfortunate circumstances and challenges than we do, so ill be picking a charity to inspire me on this journey and donate to along the way. Every day if we just help someone less fortunate out, talk to someone you wouldn't normally, ask someone if they need a hand than the world becomes a nicer place to live ~ to you it may not be huge to the other person it could just be helping them achieve the impossible.


Cheers
Jeff

Jeff takes on the Adventure Race Challange: Kayak, Bike and Run.....

I have been looking for a new challenge to take up towards the end of the year and here it is:

As always it has to be a stretch for me, and the recap on the last 18 months is:

14 Marathons, 1 70Km didn't quiet make the full 100Km of the North Face 100, Kokoda trek, shed ed 20 something kilos of body fat and now:

An Adventure Race
1. Kayak (Enter a event and finish)
2. Bike (Enter a event and finish)
3. Run (Have this down, as long as its no greater than 70 kilometers)

Now we all know last time I set myself a super challenge, I didn't quiet make it (The Iron man thing). so I'm going to hold off telling anyone what that is the, actual date and time (because I don't know yet) until I have mastered the Kayak leg of the challenge.

And to add some extra inspiration, ill be donating $2,500 to a worthy charity when I cross the finish line of a seriously tough adventure race, and in the lead up ill give $500 to a charity for each of the 3 milestones above I reach.

The Kayak thing is really turning out to be a challenge, I have been out a few times, however some more successful than others, and I continue to look like a five year old being dunked in the water - I have some work to do (And no I'm not taking any photos of it - I know how much enjoyment you would all get :) ).

But like someone said to me this morning, when I was getting more than frustrated with my limited kayaking abilities, don't give up so easily...... that's a challenge in its self.

Now the goal is set, time to get serious, like months gone past I'm getting focused.....

Watch this space, as the adventure starts.

Cheers
Jeff

The San Francisco Marathon

The Wall Street Journal described the San Francisco Marathon as "The Marathon even marathoners Fear!" and the reason they say "the course is not for the casual runner", now how and why on earth did they let me in, looking even further it is understandably the hills, with the Ups and Downs that sucks in even the most experienced marathon runner.

Just when your on target and think you have it wrapped up that enticement of a down hill catch up of minutes entices you do let it rip, but trust me, as I did in this years San Francisco Marathon you pay for the time gained as your knees are pushed up high into your hips and hips up high into your rib cage.

Your Stride is eliminated, but that the challenge of doing one of the tough runs in the world, far from the toughest but a good test and benchmark for the running season, you must however set yourself up for success rather than failure, this means setting realistic goals and being excited by getting what you aim for, not letting people's opinions of a non-sub 4 diminish your achievement, even if you miss that one by minutes......

This weekend started out on the Thursday, in many respects the journey to this marathon makes the weekend just as exciting as the Marathon its self.

Thursday 6am training session, off to the office, work, plane to Sydney, work till 2am, up at 5.30am to the office by 6am, meetings, reports, work till 11am, off to the airport to not miss the 11.50am check in time, and yes I made it with 10 Min's to spare.

More work till the plane takes off, yes I really did, lots of phone calls, last minute contracts, questions etc. you don't realise how much you do till you are trying to clear half your day to be offline!

Finally the Qantas 747 takes off and I'm blacked out for 14 hours, now a few more hours of tidy up and I'm ready for the weekend.

Arrive in San Francisco 9.10am Friday morning Thank goodness for the time zone catch up, now I have a huge day of enjoying the warm weather, shopping and shopping.....

I was also trying to get all my Hiking gear for Everest and Island Peaks climbing later in the year.....

Around comes 5am Sunday morning and up I get, shower, cloths on and down to the lobby, sussing people out and eventually pairing up with a mum and her two teenage kids from San Diego, these folks doing there first Marathon were supper excited, so I ravelled in the conversation..... we were all coming first by the time the taxi hit the start line, I had around 5 Min's till start time, and before I know it I'm off.....

Pretty happy with the fitness I have done this better than last year, the pace was steady and I was not focused on any particular time.... Hit the Bridge always a spectacular sight and experience to run the 1.8 miles across.....

The Hills, the people all fantastic, I hit the half marathon finish and was very comfortable, I was thinking I could very happily finish at this point....

But on we head for another 13.1 miles, this is when the real work starts, every one knows the race is run in the second half and even the last few miles.....

I got sucked in by the 3.50 pace group catching me, so I paced on for about 10 miles with these guys, hoping to stay ahead of the time, evert time they leveled I sprint ahead and give myself some breathing room, than when we hit the Castro.... one very long down hill for a few miles, was when I got carried away, down hill I must have gained a good 5-10 minutes over the pacers but this was a fatal mistake in coming in on a sub 4 time..... from this point my stride significantly reduced, pain crept in and the muscles stiffened up, 3 miles out the pacers pass me on a small incline that my leg muscles just couldn't keep up with.....

The rest is history, this was a very successful weekend, but again a lesson learnt about listening to your head and not getting carried away with the moment!

Crossing the finish line like a champion, I held my head high on this occasion, getting my medal and making my way back up to nob hill, to the hotel.

But let me tell you no more shopping or sightseeing, straight off to the airport, and I'm on a plane to LAX, into the louge when time aligns to Australian time, and fit in a days work before boarding my flight back to Australia......

A lost bag in Sydney, but they got it to me later that night.....

What can I say now all kitted out for Everest, I have the enthusiasm to get my body back to its peak by October....

In the mean time a half marathon in August, and hopefully some else that spikes my interest before October....

Cheer
Jeff

Gold Coast Marathon

I choose the Gold Coast Marathon as the benchmark for the San Francisco Marathon, in an effort to see how my fitness was or how much work I would need to do in the next 3 weeks for the main run.

However, like most things in life, the best layed plans never go to plan:

Friday had come around and I started work at 6am in order to get an early departure from the office, heading down to the airport, I felt ok, but a few hours later on the flight my stomach started to tell me things were just not right.

I boarded a mini bus in Brisbane headed for the Gold Coast, which was kind of fun, the bus was full of people doing the marathon, a couple from NZ, a Couple from Melbourne and a couple from Geelong doing their first ever marathon.
The two hour bus ride went like a flash, marathon and adventure stories being told amongst the group, I even found myself giving words of wisdom to first time marathoners HOW Funny !!!!!!
My biggest piece of advice, 1. Finish and 2. Make sure you let everyone know wear that finishers medal! You earnt it! – But really no pacing, GU’s and all things running

I ended up struggling through the night, cracking open my first aid kit with anti nausea tablets, and a few other things......
Went and registered Saturday Morning than back to the hotel to rest, by 8ish I was in a world of pain, stomach cramps, and a few other undesirable things......

Taking strength from my last commitment to never give up by 10ish into a taxi and off to the medical centre, now this Dr Mitchell was awesome, he knew exactly what to give me to get me ready in 7 hours, and more than that he was a positive person, he even told me of how he had seen Steve Monagetti a few days earlier with exactly the same thing, and how he was going to try and run a 3hr marathon...... hmmmm now the parting words he left me I hope you do run the marathon......

Ok off to bed and waking 6.30am toss and turn will I won’t I, remember you must try! I get up and jump into my running gear, than into the taxi, pin on my bib, put on my shoes in the taxi, now Face book and Angela was a huge motivator, calling me nuts and egging me on!
I got to the start line, no food in two days, can’t keep down fluids, stomach cramps and I am going to run a marathon in a world of pain before the start.
I started, no watch no goals apart from finishing, I just ran, and ran and ran, the difference was I stopped and composed my stomach cramps, I slowed, I walked, I crawled but I never ever gave up.
It was the mental strength required to achieve...... this had a special meaning; it proved to me I could do more than I thought I could.
I finished in a little over 5 hours, far from my regular times, but I had such a smug glowing sense of satisfaction, back to the hotel, shower pack up ....... oh #@$% the stomach cramps UNBEARABLE, into the shower, than out BOOK the next available flight to Melbourne, off to the airport slumped over and waiting for a airplane.....
Really sore, off for a massage Monday – than trying to get well again!
This was a benchmark alright, will I beat it in San Francisco – I am reluctant to make a prediction if the last two challenges can tell me anything, anything can and will go wrong, be prepared for the unexpected, be comfortable with being uncomfortable......
Than every challenge will be a success...........

Stay tuned for San Francisco in a couple of weeks, than later on the Mt Everest Base Camp and Island Peak at 6,119 meters

Some Serious Challenges ahead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers
Jeff

The North Face 100 - Never Stop Exploring

The North Face 100km race was something I discovered while pre-paring for the Kokoda Trek, I had been buying my entire Kokoda Kit and found the North Face store in Melbourne, not really being an active person and knowing nothing about packs, jackets, thermals, light pants, shirts, hiking gear the guy who helped me out Russell in the Melbourne store was sensational, getting me into the most comfortable gear I could hope for, although I had already bought a lot of other stuff by the time I found out about the North Face I think I finished off the shopping exercise here.

Russell started talking about the North Face 100, and had my mind ticking away to enter once I left the store.

About a week later I went on line to enter, sadly it was SOLD OUT! – so I put myself onto an unofficial waiting list in one of the forums, and a couple of days after returning from Kokoda I got that magic email..... My number had come up and now had an entry to the race.

Now with only 2.5 weeks until race day, my body was run down from kokoda – but I had an overwhelming confidence and optimism from my conquest over kokoda.
I averaged out my marathon time, added some extra time for toughness of the course and come up with a target time of 17 hrs
Now HOW WRONG WAS I, this course was and is the toughest thing I’ve ever attempted, set into he Rugged Blue Mountains national park – this is seriously tough! Did I say that twice? Three times? hmm maybe 100...........

In the lead up I decided to use most of the gear that I had around the house, but the requirements dawned and off I went buying flash lights, space blankets, a new race pack (yes, last minute decision on the Friday before the race) dropped into the North Face store Sydney, gloves, beanies, compass, jumpers, the list goes on.

During the Week my grandmother passed away, my mother was headed out on her Canadian and Alaskan adventure on the Saturday and the Funeral of my late grandmother on Friday, I resigned from my job with no certain future, and I also was in the last week of wrapping up with one of my favourite clients in North Sydney and I was turning 32 on the Sunday.

This was a jammed packed and very emotional week for a lot of reasons, The Friday appeared, no food supplies, my backpacks not finished being packed, and the new pack I bought had a defect, Crap!
Friday:
Early 5am start for North Sydney, Drop Past the North Face store to replace the bag, onto the funeral, lunch in celebration of my grandmother, back to my Mother’s house to pack up my gear, into the car with the gear that looks like I was headed out on a major expedition, I managed to get on the road, making good time, until I hit the accident up in the mountains – hours of sitting and waiting for it to clear, and panic kicks in only 2 hours left until registration closes, still haven’t got my food for the race and I am tired tired tired, lest than 12 hours till race start.

I ended up arriving at the race headquarters, the Fairmont resort blue mountains, quickly checked in had the bell man take my bags to the room and headed straight to Coles to shop for supplies, I had literally 10 mins to shop, I bought jelly beans, protein bars, water, Gatorade, jars of strawberry jam and white bread.........
This was not the supplies I needed later finding out; back to the race check in at the resort just making it to have my gear checked, and register...... woo hoo I finally made it........
Bumped into the guy who put this crazy thing into my head Russell from Melbourne, now this guy is a positive guy full of optimism and can do attitude....

Off to bed, the room service had stopped so no dinner! A call from Cheryl to tell me how nuts I was than into bed by 11pm (this was way too late)
6am ticks around up dress and down to the briefing (where I hear the organisers say how many people won’t make the end) I’m kind of pfttt that’s not going to be me.


And before we know it off on the run we are, this is exciting the hype, air of optimism and energy at the start line was contagious, here I am headed out like a marathon, till I figured out about the uneven surfaces with an almost ankle roll, Jeff slows down, the step descents and step ascents, the courage between the 500 odd competitors was amazing, looking at the way people encouraged each other, here I am keeping a solid pace km 1 – 15 was fine. 15-30 tougher km 30+ I am now having a coming to reality session with myself, and the start of re-assessing my goals.
Checkpoint 1 – I was ok
Checkpoint 2 – I took a rest
I really started to struggle after checkpoint 2, this was when some rough mountains took every piece of mental energy to get through, I was next to one guy who decided to ditch his mate and press on, this was a war zone every man for himself and survival in the air.

People encouraging one and other to continue, it really embodied the Australian spirit of mateship.

I started to walk about half way through checkpoint 2, the saying came to mind “Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must just never give up!” coming into check point 3 the darkness was upon me and I needed to break open the flash light, and safety vest, making it in to check point 3 with no warn cloths, and a small flash light, my headlamp crapped itself.
I spent about 1 hour at checkpoint 3, this was tough but I still had energy, without a support crew I plopped myself down next to the pizza van and a margarita pizza was on its way, the owner seeing me in need of help he started encouraging me with words or positive reinforcement, look how far you have come already, than calling out to his staff to bring me bottles of Gatorade, this guy just started looking after me like I am a support crew, this gave me the energy to press on! Thanks Pizza GUY!
Fighting with my mind, finally heading out in search of check point 3, this is crazy stuff, still not having all my warm cloths, awaiting me at the next check point. The field was out and I was on my own for the next 15kms, I am not used to running in the dark let alone by myself and in the blue mountains with little glow ribbons stuck on trees to guide you.
The adrenaline kicked in and my mind wandered, now starting to think of how easy it would be to get lost out here, I ran, I walked, I ran, I crawled. My flash light started to break down, and this was the back up, I now had the added challenge of being ever so delicate with the flash light.
Along the way, a guy I bumped into giving me magnesium tablets from his little zip lock bag, I had no idea what I was getting but there was a trust between competitors.
I ran into another guy on this leg from Canberra, he was in need of water – so I am now sharing my camel pack of water with people.......


This leg was just not going to finish, now with temperatures well and truly at zero or below, I was struggling – I made it into check point ¾ at around 70km, now I slumped straight into a chair, around a heater and a -30degree sleeping bag chucked over me, I was struggling to raise my core body temperature, an hour and I get every piece of clothing I have and layer up, new socks, but I’m still cold, muscles aching the crew at this check point getting me Milo, lollies anything I wanted, encouraging again and again, 5 people dropped out......... am, I next, Up I got to go and started but my body was not moving – in the end my mind got me, and the final decider was me sitting at the bottom of the blue mountains space blanket wrapped around me and being helicopter out at first light..... I was not going to let this happen, but in hind sight it would have made for a much better story, I headed back to the pull out table and de-registered, the face book folks following the jou8rney were sensational, words of encouragement, and a couple of the girls from the North Face gave me a lift back to the hotel, I limped back to the hotel lobby, crawled to my room and couldn’t even get undressed by head hit the pillow at 11.59pm I than seen the clock tick over midnight and I was 32.
I was so disappointed but very happy to have myself in a warm room.
Waking up I went down past the finish line, and this was a gutting experience to see people crossing the finish line.

I suddenly realised I had taken away a very valuable lesson from this life, this day I set three new core values: 1 NEVER EVER GIVE UP, 2. ALWAYS TRY, 3. SOME TIMES YOU JUST NEED TO TRY ONE MORE TIME.

Getting back to Sydney, I was very ill and slept for 10 hours, went to the office Monday and was greeted with you look terrible, than all of a sudden I had people bringing me coffee Thank Naomi.

I am lining up again for this challenge in 2011, this time round I am getting a support team, I need Food People, Positive Motivational People, A massage guy, and anyone who wants to hold up a sign and cheer me on, and I will host one massive party are the finish!



If it is to be, it is up to me!

Cheers
Jeff

Kokoda Trek - Apr 6th to April 16th 2010

Hi all,

On the 6th April 2010 to 16th April 2010 I set out from Melbourne bound for the shores of Papua New Guinea north of Australia. (This is just my random thoughts, im writing up a brief journal of each day)



What can I say this trip was an experience that I set out to complete as a physical challenge in my quest to regain my Body, Mind and Spirit – in the process I gained so much more, more than I could have ever expected.

The Kokoda trek dating back to the battles of 1942 between the Australians (Supported by the Americans in the Air force) and Japanese primarily is one of the toughest treks in the world, it allows you to reflect on what the soldiers went through to protect our boarders, way of life, and allow us to lead the lives we live today and afford us all the rights we take for granted such as freedom, justice and fairness for all, from time to time we wonder if we really do live in a fair society, but looking back at the history I can undoubtedly say we do....... we have the judicial fairness and process that allows us to fight just as the soldiers did in the days of 1942, it’s a matter of what you believe in, what is right and what is wrong, it comes down to Courage, Endurance, Mateship and Sacrifice some very Australian characteristics of which I firmly believe in.



The Trek took 8 days, and was some of the toughest terrain that you could imagine......... here’s the run down.......

21 Porters
19 Trekkers
2 Charter flights
10 tents
Food, Packs and medical supplies
And a lot of toys, cloths and gifts for the villagers along the way.

5 younger adults 15-19
14 adults (9 women)

The youngest of all Millie at 15 years old followed by the Holroyd boys and Jake Blood – an extreme amount of respect goes to these young folks for getting in and giving it a go!!!



And 90Km of terrain to cover with a little bit of down and little bit of up, NO REALLY a lot of up and a lot of down!!!!!

I had my first ever experience living in a tent, come face to face with a enormous spider on night one!, walked through the jungle, knee deep in mud, crossed swamps, tree man made bridges, swam and bathed in creeks and rivers, wore the same shirt more than once (washing it out in a creek), fell over in excess of 150 times and came out injury free!!!!!!!!!, was always one step from falling to my death climbing cliff faces, ridges and muddy slopes, broke my walking pole, walked through storms........... the list goes on and many stories to tell, when we catch up for dinner, drinks or all! A real test of endurance.









Here are the photo links for those interested, be warned far too many but check them out if you are interested, ill have summery DVD soon !!!!! (if your not on Face Book if you are add me if you like, jeffohara@bigpond.com )



Album 1


Album 2


My Next Challenge is now set, the Australian North Face 100 – which is a 100km run through the NSW National Park in the Blue Mountains, last year attempted by Dean Karnses, you have 24 hours to climbs the slops, run crawl and leap over the Blue Mountains and finish triumphantly...... (May 15th and 16th 2010)

I’m still working on the Iron Man thing but I am unable to Swim the distance yet !!!!!!! wish me luck as I chip away at this one.

But before year end Mt Kilimanjaro or Everest Base camp hits the list any one who wants to join me let me know!!!!!

This Kokoda Trek benefited a couple of charities a Children’s Orphanage in Guatemala ($2550) and RPA Life House ($500) I have a link if you would like to donate to the Life House @ RPA Cancer Centre in Sydney NSW a worthy Cause Indeed! – I’ll also donate a small amount to the same fund if I cross the finish line at the North Face 100! (Email me for the link)

I dedicate the Kokoda Trek experience to my Father who passed away from a long and tough battle with Cancer in 2008, he demonstrated the characteristics of the trek throughout his life COURAGE, ENDURANCE, MATESHIP and SACRIFICE!!!!! Thankyou John Joseph O’Hara (1944 – 2008)



Cheers
Jeff

Race 10 - Napa Valley Marathon March 7th 2010

Hey Guys,

Well its been a while since I've blogged on here about my latest adventure, I headed over to the USA on March 7th 2010 with two reasons, 1. Pick up my new Cannondale CAAD9-4 and also run the Napa Valley Marathon through some of the most spectacular country side in California.

Overall I knock right on 10 minutes off of my best every Marathon time, coming in at 3hr 46m.

The event was a quick one, arriving Friday Night into San Francisco and Departing in time to be back in Melbourne the next week on the Monday, literally 3 and a bit days on my mission.

BUT 100% worth it.

I did some shopping on the Friday, grabbed a car Saturday Morning and drove up to the Napa, over the Golden Gate bridge and along the highway a little over an hour and thirty minutes and I had hit wine country Wooo Hooo.... very happy

I checking in for the Marathon, circled the stalls, checked into my diggs for the night and than hit the vineyards, yup only sips but did buy a few bottles, Robert Modavi was a great vineyard, nice buildings grounds and wine.

headed back for the Pasta Dinner.

Rising at 4.30am to hit the Bus for a 5am departure from the hotel for the drive to the top of the Napa, than waiting around in the FREEZING COLD DARK... for the race start at 7am - but I did it and off I went, with sun breaking and the start of the race I wound my way through the lovely country side with spectators at all of the cross roads but not much in between due to access, in any account I was very happy with my time.

As always I slowed in the last few miles, endurance needs to improve or is it my mind?????? as always the If it is to be, its up to me! came to mind, and giving it everything was my motto!

I got to the finish line, had a quick massage, back to the hotel, packed up checked out and drove back to San Francisco city.

I was wrecked, now they say that American's have huge servings at restaurants well that night I went to a diner down by my hotel in the city, ordered the Home Style roast chicken, It came out quickly, and it was huge almost an entire chicken, mash potato and steamed vegetables, I demolished it in around 5 minutes the server walked past and went WOW!!!!!! - and I had to reply "actually I don't normally eat this much I just did a marathon" he than said well desert is a must than, so I followed it on with the biggest home style apple pie I have ever seen, alas only got through around 60% of this pie till my body was satisfied.

The stats'

Time: 3hr 46m
Overall Place: 466
Gender Place: 336
Division Place: 49

Monday was off to the airport and shopping, Abercrombie and Fitch, The North Face, GAP etc all the stores not is Aus.

Till the next adventure happy running.

Cheers
Jeff

Against my better judgement.....

Sitting in a meeting this week, someone was describing an almost impossible challenge, he said I don't know how it will be achieved, what will be the final scope, but it will be achieved and everyone will take it seriously.

How true these words are, commitment to the cause comes to mind.

Now back in late November I told everyone of my grand plans to compete in the NZ coast to coast, the Port Macquarie Iron man and Kokoda.

I'm am 100% committed to achieving these outcomes, no matter what but a few adjustments as I refine the plan.

1. NZ is ditched, the logistics of Kayak, Bike, Run, Mountain in several stages, a necessary support crew, mini van is all too difficult for an event that is not the main event.

2. It was replaced by the Geelong Iron Man (Half) on Feb 7th

3. This week, I ditched the Geelong Iron Man as impossible, tonight I reaffirm my commitment to making this date but I do it with the following caveats:

a) I may not finish the entire event
b) I may not finish the Swim (I may even sink)
c) I may not finish the cycle (I could crash)
d) The run is my event so I will own it with all I have
e) IF i don't finish I will do it in style, and will compete again and again until I finish a half Iron Man
f) I will try and give it all I've got

So that being said I am confirming my entrance in the Feb 7th 2010 Geelong Half Iron Man.

4. I have to come to the reality that the Port Macquarie Iron Man may not be possible due to the possibility that I wont complete Geelong and qualify.

5. Ill head to states for my First Iron Man competition by May 2010....

6. Ill Replace the NZ commitment with Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro later in the year

7. And Ill trek Kokoda when I get a spare week after Feb.

Hows the training been going, Ok, the Christmas period gives me an excuse but I need to do more, raise the bar on my own personal challenge and achieve.

I have been hitting the pool more often than anything, the Cycle hasn't started yet but that's not my main concern, It will start this weekend.

A few issues have come up in the last couple of months which have challenged and distracted me on a personal level, of which I hope that will come to a close in February but like an Iron Man competition and everything that I tackle or some how lands on me, I never ever give up!! and take strengh from others who inspire me, and grow from every challenge no matter what it is :)

Wish me luck for February, wait for the update from Geelong, I will give it all I have and no matter what be happy with my attempt.

Cheers
Jeff