56Km from Dromana to Cape shank down by Frankston....

This run was filled with lots of different feelings, I was not feeling 100% and I went into it with a great amount of Fear, Fear of not finishing.

The thing about running is that one should never ever fear doing it, you should always simply enjoy the experience and do your best.

Waking up for the morning a stone throw away from the start line, I was optimistic but still apprehensive, I quickly got my gear together:

LESSON ONE: don't carry so much crap on a trail run, my kit consisted of Muesli bars, jelly cups, a camel pack of water, Gatorade's, a jacket, compass, two mobile phone (oh but why ???) , first aid kit and the list gos on, probably 10kg later I'm off and running.

ANSWER ONE: ditch all the crap bar the food and a little less water.

Before one realises it your lined up on the start line and the feeling is electric, off one sets, this course promised to be full of wonderful sights and a few hard hills, as always I didn't bother to study the maps and was in for one serious first hill, a up hill battle for the first few Kilometers.


One that was over I settled into the course, the trail run was different, rocks, sticks, not a flat road coarse which is my comfortable running environment, the shoes I had on proved not to be appropriate

LESSON TWO: for a trail you need a pair of tougher shoes, I managed to destroy my feet, my toes went through the front, the base of my feet were in pain.

ANSWER: new trail shoes.

The course went on and with a few nice people about I chatted a little along the way, upon reaching the 28km marker, the half way point I was pretty much satisfied until I realised I would need to turn around and do it all over again..... On the exit.... my face, expression and comments said it all, the lesson here its a mental challenge, the half way point in any distance is always a nice spot to think about opting out, but you really need to finish what you started

LESSON THREE: don't give up half way.

ANSWER: finish what you started.

From the 35th Kilometer I think I passed the Mayor of Dronmana on his journey still coming across, nice chap wished me luck along with many others still on the way across.

When the people faded you realised the long hard slog was coming, with muscles becoming worn down, the count down of kilometers started, 38, 39, 40 ...... 45......... 50.........51,52,53,54,55,56!


The hills that we had come down over were now MONSTERS to climb, I could do nothing but a slight jog up, or a shuffle or a walk...... people passed me, BUT I would than be able to catch them on the return to some flat.....

LESSON 4: The hills are not my friend

ANSWER: Get better at climbing.....


Coming upto the 50+ Kilometer mark, some took the down hill race to the finish as a time to go faster, this is right, but on such a steep descent you need to watch those muscles especially after 50 kilometers, I paced myself and slowly passed each of these people to come on into the finish at a nice consistent pace picking up a little of the lost time from the hills.


Overall a successful weekend, I made the finish line, a few lessons learnt all be it simple lessons, and the recovery period after a longer distance is also something to watch out for.


Cheers
Jeff

Tomorrow I have a 56km Run...

Tomorrow I am supposed to run in the two bays trail run, I'm still deciding weather to go on down to the mornington peninsula, as I'm not 100%.

Friday morning I was dead, this morning I was improved, but still well below peak conditions.... and only just got my butt down to the beach for a paddle session but surprisingly finished, thout i wouldnt last the distance

I have done events in harsher conditions, and the Dr I was talking to on Friday (Possibly in the off chance he would tell me to take it easy) told me I should do exactly what I would always do and keep on doing it, so I would go out and do this event.....

Ill tick away this morning and see if I can build the energy and motivation and convince myself that this will be a productive event.

Lets see what the rest of the day has in stall for me, and if I front up in the morning, BUT Im guessing most people can predict the answer (Gold Coast????) hmmmm. Insane this ones just longer......

Cheers
Jeff

A worthy Charity - Beyond Blue

The Murray Marathon was an amazing journey and embodied the characteristics of Mateship, Courage, Endurance and Sacrifice - it humbles me that we were able to finish the event as a team and as such a donation is a great way to give back and think of the many people who need that little bit of extra help that perhaps we as individuals or groups take for granted..... Beyond Blue does some great work... So I have pledged an additional donation above what the team raised for the YMCA charity to Beyond Blue.

Feel free to donate to this one or the next challenge I take on - I promise to get it up and running before I do the challenge next time, so you can see me work even harder.

http://www.everydayhero.com.au/murraymarathonteampeakadventure
Cheers
Jeff

The Murray River Marathon 404Km, Team Peak Adventure

I started to learn to Paddle in a Kayak with the intent to determine if it was possible for me to one day compete in an adventure race.

Back in October 2010, I started out with a couple of lessons with Jarad from Peak Adventure down at sandridge surf lifesaving club in Port Melbourne, after a couple of lessons Jarad had me convinced that it was possible for me to take on a huge challenge, so I committed to go along, originally it was to be a little larger team kayaking in a double along the scenic Murray river...... however it turned out to be one great team of 4 who made the journey to the Murray this year in single Kayaks:

Jarad - Super Star Paddler, who makes every stroke look like he is striding down bay street on a sunny afternoon, filled with motivation, energy and the can do attitude that nothing is impossible




Emma - The woman who sets the pace in this challenge and turns out being tougher than anyone I know, don't be fooled by Emma's gentle personality, one competitive girl here!





Annette - one super human who celebrated her 50th Birthday along the journey and made it happen in a style that only Annette could take on.






and of course Myself - Newbie Paddler, and if some one tells me I cant do it, I make it my mission to do it!





I had the daunting task to paddle a distance further than I had ever done in life and it came about on DAY 1, 29Km from Start to Alpha Checkpoint, now just quietly, I had a couple of things against me (well so I thought) the river was moving quicker than expected, I had a boat I had never paddled in and was a little less stable, and a distance that I consider impossible (no really I did) so understandably I had thoughts of disaster going through my head and one thing I hate more than anything in life Letting other people down, right about now I'm thinking why on earth did I sign up to a team, I'm going to stuff this right up and ruin my team mates experience of the week, on leg 1, day 1.

Setting off at the start line was filled with lots of emotion and hype, lining up in the river, the spirit of people wishing everyone success and my team mates standing on the side line probably saying "can this guy paddle ????"

In any case I was committed, and I had to find a way, before I knew it the gun is fired and I'm away, I let the eager paddlers take off, But surprisingly I managed to get a jump on a few folks which was kind of nice.

some challenging water on day 1, and by far the most enjoyable challenge due to the challenge, I cruised on into checkpoint Alpha in just over 2 hours, WOW is this the checkpoint, I thought I was only half way gone, I had loads more energy to expand and tomorrow was going to see me smash to days effort well and truly out of the water.

Next off was Anette and than Emma, these two woman are sensational, they got in and gave it everything they had, Annette in an Endorphin a much heavier but stable boat, she did not let that slow her down and before we knew it she was changing over with Emma, than Jarad.......... the rest is history we celebrated our success of day 1.

Myself happier than I could have imagined.

The next few days the conditions changed, the river slowed, the heat increased and it was a different river, for me the challenge was learning to adapt and give it everything.

For me a couple of legs are must tells -

Day 1 - above

Day 3 - Arriving in Echuca, this was a great leg filled with people along the shore lines, paddle steamers and the typical Australian's along the river even two in blow up plastic thongs relaxing in the river I recall "Your right mate, your the fasted dude we have seen come down the river yet, just up around the corner and your home, Great work"

This is a very Australian character, I love it, it restore your faith in our community spirit and helping one and other out, but I can tell you it was not just around the corner, 15 corners later and the finish line in sight, now me thinking it was just around the corner I picked up the pace!!!! and gave it everything I had (well almost)

Coming into Echuca was great, the crowds were sensational.

Day 4 - Arriving into Swan Hill, I took the final leg of the race and paddled 21km into Swan Hill, this was great the adrenaline was pumping and I was determined to give it everything, we had slick change overs on the river and I even managed to pull off a river start on this leg, sneaking up on Emma at the checkpoint and doing a quick number change in full paddle!

Swan Hill coming around the corner to the finish was similar to a marathon, you see that finish line and the pace speeds up, your get your eye on the prize and let it rip, the banks filled with wonderful cheer and support, Annette Spotted me first, shouting support, some dude was swimming across the river and I'm like, wot tha, hes going to hit me, but no it was Jarad and just before I hit the finish line the bugger grabs hold of my rudder and stops me crossing the finish line, I paddle harder and harder till i get across than he fantastically tips me into the water, the journey was over...... and the end had come......

This was a great way to finish, team mates Emma and Annette supporting and cheering on, Jarad being Jarad and causing the crowd on the shore to break into hysterics and than me taking a dip, after a swim I did manage to get myself back in the Kayak and paddle in....

Team Peak Adventure finished third, in the Great Adventure Relay of the Murray River.

If I was to sum up this week id say:

Incredible experience on the Murray with team peak adventure, meeting new people, making new friendships, enjoying a social week, meeting fellow paddlers all coupled with an opportunity to challenge yourself along some of the most exciting rivers and picturesque backdrops in the country. YOU must experience all this, to understand it..........

I will be back next year, and if I am up to speed possibly in the full distance solo....... I need a support crew for this one, so Think about it! or paddle along next to me :)

For those who have not seen my 2011 Plans drop me an email for the info.......

Oh BTW we all raised a few dollars for charity along the Journey, which is just great, excellent work team Peak Adventure.

Cheers
Jeff

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