The next challenge is now set - Port Macquarie Iron Man 28th March 2010

Hi Everyone,

Well what can I say, in order to keep this body in motion, I have decided to pick a bigger and simply the hardest challnge for me yet to acheive.


3.8km Swim, 180km bike ride and finish off with a 42.2km run......

This will be the toughest event ever, I have just started planning, and with approx 4 months to acheive this one, the training schedule will ramp up NOW!!!!

I hope a few people will be able to join me in Port Macquarie during this amazing event, but follow me as I prepare.......

This simply doing exactly what I thrive on, picking an impossible target than simply acheiving in through dogged determination and a never say die attitude, Anything in Life is possible if we only try!!!!.

As my fitness gets back to its peak form, I have also decided to have a few fun event's along the way schedule permitting:

1. Trek Kokoda Trail (Jan) 9 day trek through PNG :)
2. New Zealand Adventure - Speight's Coast to Coast (this is the real iron man test)(Feb) cycle 140 kms (three stages of 55km, 15 km and 70 km), run 36 km (including a 33 km mountain stage that crosses the Southern Alps) and kayak 67kms of the grade two Waimakariri River through the Grand Canyon of New Zealand, the Waimakariri Gorge.




3. The Main Event - Port Macquarie Iron Man (Mar)

Here we go again, this is going to be a tone of fun :) :) :) , stay tuned as I firm up the details.


Cheers
Jeff

Race 9: Marine Corps Marathon Washington DC............What does it take to run a marathon?

What does it take to run a marathon? read on……

The Journey to Washington has been an interesting one, too much to write about, but here is a little insight.

Running in the lead up to Washington had become a yard stick of sorts for how I measured my new success, Gold Coast, San Francisco, Noosa, Sandy Point, City to Surf, Chicago, Sydney Harbour, Melbourne finishing at the “G”, and I have to say some measuring up better than others.

I decided in late August that I would take on the challenge of running my First Ever FULL Marathon, 26.2 Miles, 42km – now most people like to give themselves a good 8 or 9 months of training, I on the other hand gave myself roughly two months to get ready, in between I would do the Chicago Half Marathon – no worries Jeff said to himself.

About four weeks out I had given my worst performances in the half marathon, getting a worst ever time and a close second the following week.

At this point I said Oh Crap (Well a lot worse) I had roughly two weeks from this point to get my Personal Best time back, so I set about this challenge and got within 7 seconds of it in Melbourne two weeks prior to Washington, Whoo hoo I was high fiving myself for this one, marathon man was back, and I knew that I had more energy left in the tank after it, so now I was confident I could get it down.

With the flu and challenges presenting the next week, presumably from the previous gruelling training schedule I was now downing antibiotics, right up until two days before the “Amazing Race” well I’m calling it that!

The week before I hit the Boxing Class, Steve a Few times and I even encouraged him to hit me hard with a circuit training session and said if I didn’t break my time I would do it a second time, now trust me this particular circuit is something you DO NOT want to do twice in one day – I smashed it by 30 Seconds WHOOO HOOO I was now sure that I could finish on Sunday, on Thursday morning I headed to do a spin session with Sharon, now this was tough and maybe even made me doubt myself for a second, but only a second, I spent the next 4 days mentally preparing for this event than Jumped in a taxi to the airport, Lunch with a few good friends in Sydney and than only LAX.

30+ Hours and 15,000 Miles later I landed in DC, straight to the hotel, so afraid of stuffing this one up, I rested, rested and rested, was careful with my diet, and didn’t leave anything to chance.

Not even a drop red on the plane ride over….

I picked up my Bib and Race stuff from the expo, these are becoming very second nature these days, and I don’t seem to get as much of a kick out of them as I once did, but the uniqueness of this one was it was being run by the Marine Corps. Now this is one very effective group of people and I dare not argue with any of them.

I recall sitting through a talk by one of the presenters on preparation for the marathon, when the guy went around the group and asked the most amount of mile s prepped for the marathon I wasn’t game to say only 13.1m so I said 18miles, one guy did say the 13.1 miles and the horror on peoples faces was extraordinary, almost as if Good Luck Buddy, better luck next year!

So now a little worried but not deterred I just said now what do these people think they know the body is an amazing thing, and it can do what ever we put our mind to.

I managed to meet Bart Yasso, an amazing Global runner, this guy is inspirational, a guy who has run world over multiple times, it’s his Job believe it or not…..

Before I could know it it was race day and I had prepared all was up to me…..

Now here is the funny thing look at my inventory of race day items I left the hotel with:

1. 15 Roctane Energy GU Gels (Seriously what did I think I was going to do with 15?????, I used 7)
2. A bottle of water
3. White bread and Jam Sandwiches
4. A litre of Gatorade
5. My chuck away sweater
6. iPod (Now I don’t care what people think about iPod runners I am not running without mine just yet!!!!)
7. My American Express Card (Never Leave home without it!!! But silly me what did I think I was going to do with this order a meal, check into a hotel, request a massage ???? %$%&*)
8. $40 US dollars
9. Metro Ticket

Arriving and getting off of the metro at Arlington was spookey, pitch black, walking onto a closed down freeway beside a cemetery, being searched by military, ooooohhhhh this is like I was getting ready for some sort of battle.

Lining up in the 3:50 – 4:00 mark, I downed my Gatorade, Sandwiches and Litre of water.

A precession of ceremonies commenced, the National Anthem, Firing of the Military Guns, a Military Fly over, WOW!!!! A very cool way to start a marathon, standing shoulder to shoulder with Marines, Civilians from all walks of life in excess of 20,000 was an awesome experience before I even started running.

Running the event was the US Marine Corps… they took care of every logistic, as you run the start line, a row of Marines in uniform formed a guard of honour and the course was not one point missing a marine…..

The streets were lined by enthusiastic Washington DC residents, cheering, encouragement, It was hard not to take off to early, especially with the first 5 miles having some significant hills, in fact more than I had anticipated, but like many things in life you can never be prepared for everything.

I managed to take the first few miles with relative ease, but knew I had 20+ left, we hit a lovely town called George Town, now this is one awesome place and I promise If I ever move to the US this jumps the list over San Francisco Bay Area and Chicago Down town….. it’s a city I could very easily call home in an instant….

Before I knew it I was coming down through Washington to the Half Way Mark – and the crowds were huge (well I thought) and I was running well, on track to hit a 3hr 35m time….. even at the 13.1 mile mark I hit 1hr 46ish which was pretty cool, a few more miles a woman in the crowd must have seen me starting to waver a little – here goes, she looks at me and shouts “Come on your looking good, relax your shoulders, core in and keep on going your right on Target” now that was like having your trainer on point at mile 15…….

Round the corner to Capital Hill, WOW never seen the building up from the Washington monument, the White house, row of museums’ the Smithsonian building this is awesome… the adrenaline is pumping…..

Coming down to mile 20 I really started doing it tough, how did I know ? well I started singing and most people who know me know I should never Sing or Dance…… it was kind of fate…….. the songs on my iPod – “were going to have a good time tonight, were ganna dance tonight” , “From a Land Down Under” , Come on Aussie Com on” hehehe it was just one after another the fellow runners and spectators must have thought who the hell and where is this person from……. I started high fiving the kids along the way!!!!! A little while later I was back in focus with my “Eye on the Prize” I settle into a finishing last few miles….. Passing the Pentagon I knew I wasn’t far away, One marine looked at me and shouted at me to Keep on running and don’t give up, now with such authority and conviction in his voice I wasn’t one to argue.


The iPod pelted out a couple of very timely tunes - Little Lion Man Mumford and Sons with Don’t F%$* it up!, followed by from St Kilda to Kings Cross by Paul Kelly and Viva La Vida Cold Play……

As I approach the Finish Line I had one more challenge to conquer, it was a HILL now who in there right mind puts one killer of a hill at the end of 26.2 miles – I guess the US MARINE CORP does.

It was like a spin bike session with maximum resistance, x 1000 - Yes I was in pain but I DID IT!!!!!!!

And Crossed the Finish Line in 3hr 56m The Garmin Map – now I must have looked bad as I stopped I was dizzy, and looked like CRAP, the Marines at the finished asked me if I needed Help, but you know me, Nah I’m ok, I proceeded to walk ever so slowly to the Medal Collection point, by which stage any pain in my body was gone, the pride of receiving a finishers medal for such a challenge was quiet possibly one of the most rewarding moments in my entire life, and receiving it from a marine who had given up a lot of there life to serve there country was to me an honour and inspiring, this was something that I and only I alone could accomplish, it was up to me to achieve or stuff it up, and yes “If it is to be, its up to me!”.

I after getting my Photos, medals and food I crashed to the ground like a drunk monkey, I think I must have lay there for well over 30mins.

I got up and headed back to the hotel, via the metro, now silly me gets off the metro a station early and walks 3 miles to the hotel…..

Getting back to the hotel, I Face Booked the result, Thanks for the Congratulations and sent a quick email to friends not on FB.

Everyone was so excited for me, the responses overwhelming " One of the first to come in was "well done Jeff!!!! You have much to be proud of and completing a full marathon is accomplishment enough....but I am VERY impressed with your incredible time!!!!!! Fantastic effort:):):); ", Another friend from Chicago called to Congratulate me! Thanks Paul, your awesome it was really cool to get that voice mail when I switched on my cell phone later that day……. now the next 3 days were going to be hell.

I had planned Sunday Afternoon and Monday to go sight seeing, than off to Vegas and San Francisco for a few days to relax.

BUT no my body did not like one little bit what I had done to it, I changed my flights and hotels to remain in Washington for the rest of my time in the USA.

The next 24 hours my body went from being thirsty to sweating profusely, headaches, dizzy, nausea the list goes on…….

By Tuesday Afternoon I headed out for a couple of hours and walked around, body sore, bones unhappy but getting there.

Wednesday I was all go, did the some Museums and more of Washington DC – But by afternoon I had spent the rest of the day in George Town, this is my favourite suburb in DC, the shopping fantastic, restaurants are shoulder to shoulder and filled with delightful people.

Getting back to Sydney and Melbourne was a daunting task and ended up getting on the Qantas plane with some hesitation but did decide to miss the Sydney Monopoly Pub Run on Saturday – sorry Phil and Co. I was really really wrecked and disappointed I missed the 26 pubs from Kings Wharf to Kings Cross……. In the 2nd Annual Event.

I learnt many lessons this last week, from how to run a marathon, what we are really capable of if we put our mind to it, and most importantly achieving what I once considered impossible.

Some have asked me what next ??? well I am working on it, it has to be something that is sought by many but conquered by few…….. it might include a mountain, an endurance event like a du-athalon or tri - watch this space.

Thanks to the many supportive donations of friends and family we as a team have managed to raise $1,500 for the starlight foundation a very worthy cause in deed, I had the opportunity to visit with the folks a week prior to the Marathon, and you should see a story on this shortly.

Finally a Thanks to Steve for his tireless work to get my body into shape in less than a year he has helped me transform my body from Dead in the Water to a “Marathon Man”, through all of the complaining, crap and swearing at him, he has quiet simply done an outstanding job, no one else on earth could have lasted the distance and the credit deservedly goes to him.........

THANKS!!!!!!!!!! for helping me reach the impossible and being part of defining my new future healthy lifestyle, tomorrow we start work on the next big thing – bigger, better, harder, stronger……

Cheers,
Jeff

Race 8: Melbourne Half Marathon

This weekend was an outstanding event, I have managed to claw back over 13 minutes on my dismal last two attempts, and needless to say I am very happy with the way the weekend has transpired.

Two weeks ago, my running adventures seemed at least in my own mind to becoming to an end just as quickly as they had started, I lost well over 13 minutes of my target times, which to me is a lot - it was simple I needed to hit this hard and fast in the next four weeks to be on track for the Washington Marine Corps Marathon on 25th October 2009.

I sat down and looked at plans on how to train for a successful Marathon and Half, I spoke to many people, started stretching (still not as much as I should) but I was getting there.

I than turned to the guy who knows exactly how to get my cardiac ability in shape, Steve the trainer, pretty much 6 days a week we hit hard sessions, some days I was slower than others but within a week I started to get a little confidence back and was some what optimistic of hitting 1hr 45m. (The same time as San Francisco)

Boxing, Running, Timed Lap Challenges, and Circuits..... All with the intent to push me further than the last.

Sharon Helped me out with a session on the Spin bike (Now I must admit I was a little scared of that one) but a great effort by Sharon I think she had the ability to 1. Put up with my complaining, and 2. Show me that Spin is within my reach!

Brett got me out in the park and pushed me through a series of sprints, this was a great checkpoint on weather or not I needed to do more!

Finally I got to the weekend and being somewhat nervous about the upcoming race Sunday, I did my usual breakfast place at Port Melbourne, a lazy day round Melbourne town, followed by a early pasta dinner at Lygon street Saturday night.

I set the theme for the next day the night before:

The theme for tomorrow "Jeff won't be defeated by his failures of times gone past, instead he will use them as the motivation to succeed...." the Melbourne Half Marathon 13.1 Miles finishing with a lap of the MCG my first visit to the ground!!!!!

A couple of people replied:

Go for it mate... nothing like that lap, nothing like it in the world.

and

Remember mate don’t promise me the world and give me an atlas....Go for broke mate!!


Waking up to these two comments was a huge motivator, meaning I could not fail!

I headed out at just before 7am, walking down St Kilda Road, I met a couple of other Half Marathon runners from Adelaide: Now these guys were after a 78min time (My Response WOW!!!!!) and where did you place last year, 6th, amazing the people you run into, even more motivation to be my best today!

Wishing each other good luck, we set on our ways.

The Race Started, heading out a little crowded, down St Kilda Road, passed my apartment relatively quickly, than hit Albert Park Lake - 2 minutes a head at the half way point.

Heading back up St Kilda Rd the pacer caught me, and I pulled out my iPod and said to her don't let me fall behind you, than a surge, and another jumping ahead 50 meters, than the pacer catching up again.....

Passed home again (It's a weird feeling to pass your house on a half marathon)

Pushing through many thoughts come to mind, but most importantly I was determined to claw back that time.

In the last kilometre I kind of lost track of the time, and let my mind wander a little, this is a valuable lesson learnt, and cost me some valuable seconds.

Entering the MCG was an amazing experience, taking that last lap and crossing the finish line will be a memory that will last a lifetime.

On the walk home, I stopped and cheered on other still competing, I stood next to a few people who constantly shouted out encouragement, "Keep on going - only 500 meters left", "Go Marathon Man" what an inspiration! I was thrilled to see Paul run through in his Marathon attempt! Congratulations mate!

The running adventure continues with 2 weeks until my first 42km challenge, I cant wait to see how I do, just like this week end, I will give it everything I’ve got, I might even go for broke!!!

For this successful event a donation goes to the Starlight Foundation.

The Stats:
Time: 1hr 39m 02s (Missed my PB by 7 Seconds)
Place: 969/7272
Age Place: 179/799

Heres the Garmin Map

The next attempt i'm going to aim to knock 4 mins 2 sec off this time!

Dont forget to donate to the Starlight Foundation for my Marathon Challenge on 25th October 2009.
Cheers
Jeff

Circus Oz - Jeff decides to fly the Trapeze

Ok its not a running experience, Half or full marathon BUT it most definently counts as a challenge.

Earlier in the week, my friend Angela needed a substitute for her husband who had to travel for work at last minuite so she asked me along.... I think I replied almost instantly ABSOLUTLY.

This is a experience that must be tried, your hanging from 10 meters or so in the air, taking that first leap off of the platform will get the adreneline pumping and before you know it your abilities are tested.

Quiet simply this was a tone of fun!

Check out the Video and Photos.




Ill be back for more, more and more, until the next adventure stay tuned.

Cheers
Jeff

Race 7: Sydney Half Marathon

This past Sunday I made the journey to Sydney for the Sydney Harbour Half Marathon.

Stepping off of a plane from the United States on Friday at 6.15am I was feeling the effects on my body of the long journey and I had 48 hours until start line.

After a day and a half of resting, I landed at Star City at Pyrmont on Saturday afternoon, and had a lazy afternoon before heading to bed around 6.30pm Yes, I really needed the sleep.

With an early rise on Sunday morning, I headed out just before 5am, walking down through the Casino - Woman & Men still in party mode, down past the Pyrmont Bridge Hotel the place was still pumping at 5am.....

As I walked over the Pyrmont Bridge, no less than 10 people wished me good luck for the Marathon - some in worse shape than others at 5am, but it is a great reminder for what a truly great country we live in.

Making it across to North Sydney, Milsons Point, I was in time to watch the amazing Sunrise over Sydney with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge in the background - this really is the best start I have ever had to a day at 5am.

Before I knew it 6.20am had come around and it was time to run, I started out with a couple of decent pace, the run up to and over the Sydney Harbour Bridge is nothing less than a amazing event, I was feeling relatively confident, I set my new Garmin GPS watch to a 7:35 pace and by mile 2 I was 1m 30s ahead of target, by about mile 4/5 things started to go wrong, my right ITB was feeling the heat, possibly the couple of hills that I ran up and down in the first couple of mile, in any case I pushed through and had a quick stop for some voltarin (hmmm Ive been waiting for this to come back).

Slowed a little (well okay a lot) I just kept on pushing, thinking about how many people in life push through the daily challenges that they have been placed in with circumstances completely out of there control, weather that be an illness, disability or "other" forces - the inspiration was how people pull through in such adversity.

Coming past drink stations I still haven't mastered an ability to drink and run, so at this point knowing any reasonable time was less likely to be achieved I stopped at a couple of stations and consumed the fluids on offer.


I had bursts of inspiration that seen my heart rate chart and pace chart, go up and down, mostly thinking about the above...... (Check out the Garmin Map Link from my GPS watch plotting the stats and route along Sydney Harbour)

The lesson this week is, when we are faced with a minor setback, a little pain or a lot, we should never give up, Steve made a really good point to me yesterday over a coffee, Looking at the heart rate chart and the pace chart, I had the ability to give more a fact, I allowed the circumstances and my mind to take control, next time I run, I must be prepared to push through consistently - it will be hard work but most things in life are, very rarely are we prepared for when someone or circumstance will surprise us.

This week, I look to firm up a new training plan, almost like cramming for an Exam at last minute, with 5 weeks out from Washington DC, I will be hitting it hard daily, perhaps not the things I like (swimming, cycling etc) but I will do what is necessary and more to be successful on 25th October 2009.

I will be running next at the Melbourne Half Marathon on Oct. 11 2009 and am keen to see if the work I put in over the next two and a bit weeks will show results.

I am also very happy to give the finish line donation to the Starlight Foundation this week, I have added it to the Fundraising website for Washington.


Cheers
Jeff

Race 6: Chicago Half Marathon

Sunday Sept. 13th was shaping up to be one of the weekends that I would make my most significant gain, aiming for a target between 1hr 30 and 1hr 35 I was to achieve a new personal best, and was reasonably sure that I would get within 5 mins of this time at least, however this weekend it was not to be....

This weekend I learnt a difficult lesson: that the race doesn’t always need to be run in first place (or in my case beating my personal best) to be successful, it’s taken me a few days to figure this out hence the delay in the Blog.

I looked at the definition of Challenge: "A test of one's abilities or resources in a demanding but stimulating undertaking"

Than I looked at the definition of Successful: "Having a favourable outcome", "Having obtained something desired or intended"

I have met both of these this weekend, when this challenge started I had no aspirations of anything more than finishing the 21km and my main "desired" goal for running and in life is to: never give up!.

This weekend I finished and I never gave up, a successful weekend of some sorts, but perhaps not the one I set out to achieve, the icing and celebration factor for me is to beat the PB, so after only running 5 half marathons in roughly 2 and a half months ever in my life, I think I’m doing pretty well.

The time this week was my slowest ever compared to the other 5 Half’s I’ve run, 1hr 53m 54s, placing Div. 363, Overall, 2553 out of 20,000 runners.

I started out in the qualified group B, so basically I was up the front amongst the starting 100 odd people, and no one to get in my way as I set out hard, this should have been a significant advantage.

The Journey started with many good wishes, and people eager for me to smash my targets on this challenge.

I met a couple of really nice other runners early morning in the Hotel Lobby and we shared a cab down to the start line..... it was great to connect with like minded people.

I set out relatively confident, achieved a 6m 45s first mile and on the iPod started with the song "from a land down under", than things started to go wrong, just after mile 1, nature called and I had to make a b-line for the woods and outta view to help the local trees grow, now I've read about others having to do this but never thought I'd actually be one doing it.... I even went before the start so a good 30-45s wasted here..... I started out again, the 2nd mile clicked in at about 7m 30s, and I was already feeling something, the heat around 26 degrees or the fact that I simply wasn’t keeping a sub - 7min mile might have done it, in any case by mile 5 I was 38:56 or 7.8m miles, the next 5 seen me blow out to 8.9m miles (what tha!) and I finished with an overall avg of 8.4m miles :(

After being extremely sore and feeling beat I headed back to the hotel and managed to shower and sleep for a bit, in the afternoon caught up with a friend for a few hours which was great, My mother who made the trip with me on this occasion couldn’t make it down to the finish line, but was a very welcoming on my return even with my bad mood.



Monday night after getting out and enjoying the city, I caught up with another good Friend, David: Who knew that David enjoyed running??? and I think a lot better at it than he shared with me on this night after my battered time Sunday, but we managed to have a similar passion for running, and after a while I seen how little I know about the preparation, science and thought that needs to go into it, I think I’ve just been lucky (run a heap of miles and go run a half marathon: hope for the best) in any case - I have to get a couple of David’s prep. plans, and I’ve bought one of those neat GPS watch things by Garmin that let you track your speed, miles, targets, and download the whole thing to Google maps after the event and see what the heck your doing right and wrong....

David’s a wealth of information and a great guy, I am keen to follow his 2009 Chicago Full Bank of America Marathon Attempt (I wouldn’t be surprised if he qualifies for Boston!)

In any case I’m going to be back in Chicago in 2010 for the Bank of America Full Marathon and will be sure to gain back some of the time that I lost this weekend.

I am now pearing for the Sydney Harbour Half Marathon coming up this weekend, I dont have high expectations considering this weekends times, BUT I will 1. Never Give Up, and 2. Finish!

What I am really proud of this weekend is that I commited that my next challenge would go to a cause called LArche and as such the finish line donation goes to them:

Every L’Arche community offers people with an intellectual disability a family-style living environment that encourages them to create a home, to develop their talents, to build friendships and quite simply, to make the most of life!

Watch for the next Run....




Cheers
Jeff

9hrs and counting..........

Hey folks, a few people have asked me my number to follow on the Web tomorrow, since I told people about 3 different numbers during the course of the day, I said I would confirm it here.... I'm no. 238.

I am as ready as I'll be for tomorrow, with many wishs of good luck, I will give it my best effort..... more to come tomorrow for now im wrecked off to bed to wake up alive and ready :) tomorrow.

Cheers
Jeff

7 days and the Target is set for Chicago

This week I have had to decide how far to push the body and mind in Chicago in 7 days, as I get ready to fly out on Friday via San Francisco, on a run this week I was listening to a song on my iPod "from Little things, big things grow!" and how true this is.....

This week I have run a total of 72 kilometers in 4 days, and day by day the running got easier, but the mental toughness is the challenge:

Monday night was the start I procrastinated until 7pm than did 14km, Tuesday night was a little better, Wednesday was an early morning followed up with an evening run, Thursday Morning I was dead and almost didn't run I got till 7pm ish again and simply said no excuses, a km or two in I laughed at myself.

This proves we just need to try half the battle is starting simply putting one foot in front of the other.

I stepped on the scales Friday and the line had dropped YAY!, I was even happier when I went to the Physio Guy Dominic on Friday and he confirmed I didn't damage my calf anymore so looks like I'm good to keep on going, Ill probably call on him a couple of times in the lead up to Friday as I keep on pushing the limits this week.

On Friday Steve pushed me into the ground as we smashed through some of my previous Personal Bests in a simple circuit, I'm sure I could have found more to give Friday, I have to see if he can help me do the same again Monday, Tue, Wed .... as I'm in the zone and focused on next weekend - I still don't know how he puts up with my complaining.

So feeling relatively confident ill be able to give Chicago a decent attempt I've decided on the following stretch targets, in addition to the usual "making the finish line" after 21 Kilometers:

1hr 38m 55s - 1hr 35m: $250 (beat my personal best) goes to a worthy charity.

If I really pull off a miracle of better than 1hr 35 ill double it to $500.

While all the focus is on Washington DC in October and the full 42 Kilometers for the Starlight Foundation (Don't forget to donate to this worthy cause in the next couple of months)Ill be focused on finding some ways to get to the impossible target for this when I return, we are continuing to have a tone of fun in the process, I am looking forward to catching up with a few friends in Chicago next weekend.

Stay tuned, half the fun is in the journey....

Cheers
Jeff

48hrs and Jeffs "Acheivable" target has been reached!!!!!!

I cant believe it.... the start has come and you have already blown away the achievable target of $500.00 ....... in 48 hours the generosity of supporting a cause has seen us meet and exceed all expectations I had for Starlight, truly remarkable ...... for the growing "Foundation Crew" while I know its all about the charity, but I wont let you down, even if I have to crawl over that line I will make it over the line, with the same persistent determination of years gone past!!!!

And all for the Starlight Foundation, I'm trying to get along and visit one of the hospitals in the coming weeks that has the Starlight room to see all the great work that's being done, watch this space for some of the stories ill find out.

I just got in from running 14km, and yes my physio guy told me to do 7km so I do 14km its about pushing the limits and knowing your own body and capabilities I seriously need to get the miles clicking over rapidly.

Today also comes as a timely reminder that we must embrace and live every day that we are given, a dear friend was in a car accident and lost her husband while on route to see her son returning from national service abroad, there is no reason why these tragedies happen to good, decent and hard working families - my heart, thoughts and prayers go out to her and the family.

With this thought I will continue to live every day to the fullest, think bigger and chase my dreams, and appreciate all those around me even more.

Jeff

42km Fundraising for the Starlight Foundation........

Hi Everyone,

Im thrilled to announce that with the help of a good friend, I have decided to support the Starlight Foundation, on my quest to run a full marathon on October 25th, in Washington DC

This personal chellenge is what I once considered impossible, and would not have even tried or attempted, So I do hope that out of the Target I have set $4,200 we can get at least get to $500 for this charity, the full $4,200 is in what I consider the impossible range.

However, as Dane Rauschenberg has said "Many things in life I cannot do, trying is not one of them!" so lets try, just as I will be on 25th October 2009.

Since 1988, Starlight has brightened the lives of seriously ill and hospitalised children, and their families. Living with illness or injury can cause enormous strain in the lives of children and their families. Starlight delivers innovative programs designed to make children happy and lift their spirits when they need it most. Starlight brings fun and laughter to children no matter what their illness or where they live, some examples of how the donations can help.

$50 will help to keep Captain Starlight in your local children’s hospital for one hour bringing fun, laughter and support to 29 children.

$100 will mean the Starlight Express Room can open for an extra 2 hours providing positive distraction for 58 children.

$200 will provide the family of a seriously ill child a desperately needed break from the pressures of serious illness by offering them a Starlight Escape together for a day at the zoo, a sporting event or show.

$500 will allow the Starlight Express Van to be out on the road for a day visiting the pediatric wards in local hospitals.

$6,000 will fund a Starlight Wish, the “once in a lifetime” dream for a child living with serious illness of disability.

I do hope that you are able to donate to this worthy cause, I have set up a donation web site, which you can donate directly to the charity via gofundraise:

http://www.gofundraise.com.au/washingtonmarathonjeff

No matter what the size, your support is greatly appreciated, and your emails, phone calls, while I prepare and run this incredible challenge.

Lets hope I can make the finish line, I will definently be trying.

Keeping on running, if it is to be, its up to me.

Cheers
Jeff

First Ever Full Marathon 25th October 2009

I have just secured an entry to the sold out Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC, this the first ever full marathon 42km I will take on or 26.2 miles, this is going to be an awesome event, seeing many of the sights along the way, including passing the pentagon, capital hill and many historic monuments and landmarks known world over.....

I have now realised I have a heck of a lot of work to do in around two months, Ive got that last 6/7 kilos of weight to slice off my body, lots of strength to build and endurance to condition my body, and run around 30km per week for the next month, for what I consider will be one of the defining moments in my life.

I think i will be able to get to 30km, but the rest is going to be pure pain, luck and dogged determination and persistence.

So this weekend See's the opportunity to take on yet another half marathon, but at this stage I have decided to give my body a rest after taking on a number of weeks on the rampage to my quest to rack up just as many kilometers on the run as I normally rack up with Qantas Airlines in a year, nah that really is impossible :) even though I've been a little lite of recent times.

This week the hard work begins, eating better, training harder and working on that path to meet this goal I have set myself.

If anyone wants to join me in Washington ill head out on the 22nd Oct. and return the following week email me for the details!

When will the body crash?

Cheers

Jeff

Race 5: Sandy Point Half Marathon, Melbourne Australia

This week seen me take on a challenge that was going to be one of the hardest I have taken on for some time, possibly since the first one at Gold Coast.

On Friday Steve said I was "Hard Work today" but than said but he "loves the challenge - bring it on" hmmmm I think he was right!.

I must have been bloody hard work on Friday, if what I dished up to myself today was anything to go by, I wore myself out too.... quiet possibly having to dig deep just to finish and keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Today I learnt that the mind is a powerful thing and that having it in the right "shape" gets you the best results, its not just about one minute or one event, it needs to be consistent and we must not allow one self to become complacent - and it's simple I just need to look at the last week, see what, who and when made me not perform at my best and adjust! everything is within your control.

My time this week has come in not fantastic as to be expected, certainly wasn't breaking any PB's today but the conditions were not the greatest on the course between beach side suburbs of Sandringham and Brighton, the wind was something to be dealt with, the water stations were ill prepared only getting water at the 5km point and 10 km point all others prior were just not ready for the runners and ran out of water and packed up after the 10km point, and I don't think the Kilometer markers were in the right spots, certainly not one ill be lining up to do again due to the conditions and event management.

I found that I was surviving on a couple of key quotes today, and especially at the 15 kilometer mark when I stopped for about 10 seconds:

1. Many Things in life I cannot do, trying is not one of them

2. Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must, just never give up!

3. If it is to be its up to me!

So for making the finish this week, the finish line donation goes to Beyond Blue again, www.beyondblue .org.au

Cheers
Jeff

Lets give the Marathon Challenge a purpose!!!!!!!

Hi well ill keep this one short, for many months my life has seen a shift in the way I live and things I value most in life.

Most of all I have seen that there are many people in life that are much less fortunate, and there is a lot I can do as an individual, a lot people can do as a group and community to bridge this gap.

While one of my Key passions in life is travelling, exploring new places and trying new things, I like to combine this with running and helping a worthy cause out.

In the comming months as this adventure speeds up, I hope to look at raiseing a few bucks for charity - im going to select causes that have touched my life and people I know of and whos work will continue to benefit many in need.

I hope that I can come up with some creative ways, in which we can all have some great experiences and most of all fun!

Watch this space for the details as I get myself moving to get this up and running!

Cheers
Jeff

Race 4: Sydney City to Surf.... only 14klms...... Australia

The Sun Herald City to Surf is one of the biggest fun runs in the world, and almost guaranteed to be the most Chaotic! a bunch of really fun people to stand around waiting for the start.

This year being my first, I left my run a little late to register so I was in the back of the pack or aka the party crew :)

I lined up next to Dorthy the dinosaur, and Disney's tiger - wait behind me is Wonder Woman and passing bye are two gorilla's - where have I landed, the two blokes across stepped right off a building site and there candid humor had me in stitches while we waited poking fun of everyone and anything nothing off limits - too much for print!

Off went groups one through a billion finally as we started to move the announcement that the first finisher had crossed the line in about 40 Min's, we are yet to start.

Down Williams street up through kings cross, once through the route really was spectacular, but in hind site don't try and set any records from back of the pack, running the gauntlet is not an easy task.

One spot you can see the harbour bridge and opera house, the crowds are amazing, and heck don't even try your iPod, the pitter patter of 70,000 feet sounds like a heard of elephants on a stampede in Africa, no truly a great experience.

Even better when you head down to Bondi Beach, pick up your medal and take a stroll along the beach.

I found it funny when the guy at the noodle bar i stopped at in Bondi Junction asked me if I won since I was wearing a medal hahahah I can only wish....... still dont know if he was taking the you know what out of me :-)

Another woman stopped and chatted for a bit, I think running really can open the conversation and bring people from all walks of life to connect who other wise wouldn't have.

In any case the rampage continues on Jeff's running adventure.

I think i did this one in about 70 Min's so that's at least $100 bucks for another charity, the official results come out Wednesday so I'll hold of till than on nominating who gets it this time round!

Cheers
Jeff

Keeping on running.......

Race 3: Noosa Half Marathon Australia

Noosa was a re-bound race from San Francisco, but all the same less than 3 days after arriving back home, I was on a plane again travelling north to Queensland, Late Friday night ..... a rushed one, last minuite hotel bookings, flights rental cars...... BUT I got there.

I paused on the way thinking what the heck am I doing, than I realised I was chasing the 1hr 30min time I seek.......

For this challenge I decided to support a worthy cause, read more about this in the Blog on Giving the marathon challenge a purpose......

So for every 5 mins i knocked off the time, $100 went to a charity, so now im not letting myself down but some one else.

All said and done, I got up at the early morning all primed for a nice fun 21 kilometer jog, and gave it a good crack to 1hr 30m but ended up with a 1hr 38m 55s I say I was still tired from the week before.

This town was a great spot, relaxing chilled and nice people, the race had less than a 1000 participants so a good field, the weird things about this was it was 2 laps of exactly the same course, so I got to the end and had to do it all over again - talk about messing with ya mind!

I was pretty tired at the end!

The weekend really was an opportunity to relax in Noosa - BUT I did manage to knock a good 7min 34sec off my San Francisco time less than a week ago, than I realised, this week I have travelled almost 28,962 kilometers to make this happen, lost two nights sleep in Transit, and bounced back with enthusiam and passion to Noosa!

Overall $200 went to Beyond Blue - the national depression initiative which is doing some great work, if you have time check out the POD cast by Jeff Kenett and Nathan Thompson as they speak of personal experience and the importance of raising the awareness of depression for youth and people from all walks of life.. we can all do something to support, educate or help people against this debilitating illness.

http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?link_id=59.1173

I say bring on the next half marathon challenge!

Jeff

Race 2: San Francisco Half Marathon California

Roughly two weeks prior to the race and only a few days after my Gold Coast first ever half marathon, I was some what optimistic and eager to beat my Gold Coast time of 1hr 52m, my target was 1hr 30m, and I googled some of the nicer cities in the world for half marathons and seen San Francisco, since there were a few openings, I instantly signed up, a day later I bought my flight, than was quiet about it for a week, not telling a sole just in case I backed out some not finding out till it was over.

Before you know it race week had come about and I mentioned to a few people I was going to do another half marathon, people were a little surprised but not shocked, they than said but where? well I quietly muttered “San Francisco” and I think most people who hadn’t known me from say a few years ago thought this was crazy, what was even crazier was that I was going to fly roughly a 15/16 hours each way jammed on a Qantas jumbo, overcome jetlag, prepare and acclimatise for a serious crack at this…….

On the plane, sleep 14 hours, than off to the hotel, I was pumped and ready, I dumped my bags at the hotel and headed straight for the expo to collect my Bib and Shirt and than I had assumed back to the hotel and rest but no, this Expo thing was great, a few speakers were on, on the Friday lots of exhibits, some caught my attention more than others.

One was an inspiring guy that I was so thrilled to hear speak, Dane Rauschenberg (No idea who what etc he was prior to this), this guy ran 52 Marathons in 52 Weekends in a row!!!!!!!!! , he had a positive attitude that was contagious, his obvious passion for running, people and excitement for life, sent light bulbs in my head going off, everything that I had been thinking and was starting to think no, impossible, stupid etc instantly went away and he said a couple of things that caught my attention:

1.“Chase your dreams, you will catch them!” and

2. "There are many things in life I cannot do, trying is not one of them"

With the train wreck of a last year, that was exactly what I needed to have said to me fate hey.

The following day I headed back to the expo, I heard Bart Yasso and Dean Karnazes speak two great inspirations but Dane still had the light bulbs ticking in my head.

I posted on my face book about the coming run, and Steve come back in response rather quickly “If it is to be, it is up to me” how very true! on a side note: Without Steve there is no way on earth that I would have ever gotten my body to this point, he is truly a great leader and someone who will tell it how it is……. Steve and Dane in my books are in the same class truly remarkable people.

Come midnight I couldn’t sleep so I’m up wide awake, downloading itunes to my ipod, looking at the course map, anything but sleep, the mornign eventually broke well all of 4am so headed to the start line, lined up in wave three with all the others, the first groups went off than us…..

Still dark we started down near the bay bridge, very cool in the dark with the lights on, even nicer as the day started to break.

I headed out feeling sluggish but was passing many people even a lot from Wave 1 & 2, I felt my knee tweek I let out a big red fire truck??? (ITB thingy) a little so out come the Voltaren Tablets, 4 later and thought it seemed ok.

I let it rip, (only thing is the Americans use miles instead of kilometres so was a bit lost as to how far I was in) made a steady pace for the hills and found myself quoting the phrase “If it is to be, it is up to me” thanks Steve! but after a while this was really shitting me in my head, As things got harder it pushed back into my head.

I recall thinking there is no way on earth I cannot beat my last time, but the reality of 1hr 30m dawned on me was no way on earth it was going to happen for me yet……….

The hills took it out of me, the golden gate bridge was fantastic, the entire event was sensational, I will be back next year!!!!

I finished in 1hr 45m not thrilled with the time, but happy I beat my last, even happier when I compared my placing race on race of a similar sized field from the Gold Coast and I instantly brightended up!

I was so so tired by now, I’m not sure if it was the jet lag, the intensity of me pushing my self harder than the last, staying awake almost all night, but I was buggered, back to the hotel shower, change and headed out for the race precinct keen to support others finishing and be part of the energy.

I ended up doing some shopping in the after noon before just having to crash, around 11pm went out to a café for some food, gee I was hungry but I took Danes book with the starting chapters a few things come about after sitting in this café till after midnight.

I’m doing another half marathon, I went back to the hotel out come my credit card and I’m registered for Chicago in September, around 6 weeks from now.

Stay Tuned! – I might even have some San Francisco Paparazzi Photos to share in the coming weeks.

And thanks for the supportive emails so far they are just great!

Cheers,
Jeff

Race 1: Gold Coast Half Marathon Australia

Yet again I have decided to do something really silly, run 21 Kilometres.

I have been training for a few months now, and you have seen the other things I have taken on but here comes best of all, about 3-4 weeks ago I managed to wreck my ITB muscle, a really painful thing that gives you excruciating pain in your knee, so needless to say I haven’t been doing all that much distance running of late, and getting to my Physio guy a few times a week, he’s a miracle worker.

Anyway late Friday I decided to give it a crack so I jumped on a plane and headed north to Queensland for the 6.20am start on Sunday morning (Ignoring all the advice of the Physio and Medical docs).

Armed with my runners, and anti-inflammatory creams and tablets off I went.

2 klms in the knee tweaked a little, my iPod stopped working and I thought it was going to be over.

Another 2 kilometres of hearing myself breath as I run, the iPod started working again so back on track, I set myself simple goals of a kilometre at a time than half way, than 15klms till I decided to let it rip at the 15/16 kilometre mark.

Than the joy for the first time runner of drinking water from a cup on the run, slam it just went splash in my face, how do they do it.

Anyways good news is I made the finish, in what I consider a respectable time with a ITB injury and for my very first crack at running 21 kilometres and half marathon 1hr 51min.

I am thrilled to just make the end, now if I can just get my leg fixed I’m aiming for a 1hr 30min target at my next attempt! maybe Auckland in November.