2011

Friends, loved ones, fish and strangers…what is doing?  I can not believe that it is only four more days till Christmas!  Our family is going away for a lovely holiday in Yamba so this will more than likely be my last post for 2011, and what a year it has been!  There has been SO much happening I am just not sure where the time has gone!? 

Socially and family wise things have been super.  Pria is growing so quickly and Tegan and I are learning new and wonderful things every day on how to try and mould her into a Godly little girl more and more.  Tegan and I celebrated nine years married and I am starting to feel ol…nah, just hitting my form!  Work is also going well and keeping me, and the crooks on our toes!

All that aside, this is primarily a running blog, so a bit of a re-cap on 2011.  It has been quite a big year for me running wise!  I have taken part in a number of organized runs and really found my niche in the trail running scene!  I have met so many beautiful people this year and I am sure they are friends I will now have for life!  Us trail/ultra runners are a special breed!  And for those wondering, yes, I have turned into a real hippy and I love it!  Hug a tree and go vego I say!  This years runs have looked as such:

Mini Kokoda (Trail) – 50km

The North Face 100 (Trail) – 100km

Gold Coast Marathon (Road) – 42.2km

Relay for Life Bundaberg (Grass Track)– 107km

Cane 2 Coral Bundaberg (Road)– 15km

Glasshouse Tour (Trail) – 100miles (161km)

3 x Lighthouse Series runs – 10km each

On top of the organized runs, my training has been a major improvement this year, doing more k’s per week than I ever have before.  In the New Year, upon returning from our holiday, I will have a analysis of my k’s for the year/weekly averages.  This is some data I have never really kept before and upon doing it this year, it is quite interesting.  On a quick glance, I expect to have done over 5000km this year averaging, hopefully, 100k a week, give or take.  That info is to come.

Couldn't have said it better myself!

There has also been a major turning point in my running as far as ethics, mindset and footwear goes in 2011.  I have really embraced running on a whole new level this year and my life doesn’t feel complete if I am not doing it every day.  This year has seen me move from conventional running shoes, to a minimal running shoe, to sandals and barefoot.  I have taken the last three to four months to focus solely (no pun intended) on sandal and barefoot running, to really give it a go and make an assessment after completing Hares and Hounds, January 2012, in my sandals.  At this time, I am surely going to continue embracing the huarache sandals and completely unshod running.  The freedom and liberty it presents is amazing, along with a vast array of other major benefits to be discussed in future blogs.   

Another major thing that has been incorporated into my life is this blog.  I just want to take the opportunity to thank you, who ever you are, wherever you are, for reading this.  It is strange but I really feel a sense of ownership over this blog, and almost a responsibility to do it now.  It is something that I really enjoy doing and from some of your lovely comments, it appears that most of you enjoy reading.  My goal from the start has been to try and lift people higher than they are at the moment, encourage you to think more highly of life, get active, smile and love someone or something more than you have before.  As I have said people, life is but a breath so let’s embrace it together and ENJOY!

I pray that as the next year moves on, that you will continue to read my ramblings and be encouraged by my randomness.  Lets work to make this world a better place, cause if we don’t, the next person might not either…and what a shame that would be!

As a side note, please stay safe on our roads this holiday.  There have been too many fatalities that my mates at work have had to clean up this year, so take it easy and have a good time!

Keep smiling people, Merry Christmas and I hope it is a blessed time of the year for you!  Go run a trail, smile at a stranger, call your supermarket workers by name and have a chat with them, kiss a dog, hug a cleaner, go for a swim in the ocean, love nature, embrace life, go bare (foot that is, or if the other tickles your fancy, maybe that too!) and GO LIVE!  Bless you all and until 2012, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Run on friends, run on!

Change of plans...

Well, it has been a while between drinks!  But I am back with another effort of rambling!  It is good to be here, typing to myself, knowing that my friends and random strangers will soon be reading my nonsense!  I apologise for my time between blogs but somehow, things always tend to get hectic and time gets away from me.  In saying that, I am wanting to make this a bit more regular from here on in, and have some topics I wish to vent, so you will hopefully be hearing from me a bit more often from here on in! 

So, I guess the big news that I need to vent first, is that after much discussion and thought, the Run Across Auz we were planning is off…or at least been postponed for a number of years.  There were a number of reasons for our decision but all parties concerned thought it best to call things off at this time and possibly look at other options.  I am definitely going to complete this challenge in my lifetime but the general consensus is that that time is just not yet.

In saying that, we obviously wanted to do something else substantial…with a bit less organising and stress!  So after a bit of thought, and a bit more to do, we have had the idea of going on a family holiday (Tegs, Pria, Mum, Dad and I) around Tassie.  The catch is though, is that Dad and I will run around the little island!  It all might sound a little selfish but this idea stemmed from my previous blog about ‘running for running’s sake’.  We have talked about taking about four weeks, running maybe 50k ish a day and taking a rest day every three to five days to sight see and enjoy the beauty of Tassie.  Running for the sheer enjoyment of running!  Nothing to fundraise for, no pressure, just good times!  Run, rest, coffee, laugh…have a ball!  Don’t hold it against me but I am very excited!

So that is the big news…again…there is always something in the pipeline that is my mellon!

Apart from that, all else is well!  The training is cruising along nicely and I am loving the sandals and barefoot running!  I did my biggest week so far since switching over last week and covered 125km.  The best thing about this is that I did not even feel sore or worn out…this will be discussed in a future post and my thoughts on it…wait for it! 

I am really looking forward to my next event which will be Hares and Hounds on the second weekend in January.  Will be great to be back on the trails at the Glasshouse Mountains, catching up with friends and hopefully making some new ones!  This will be my first Ultra in my sandals and I am already feeling the fittest I have been in a long time and keen as mustard for a good hit out.  It probably sounds a bit weird but it will seem a bit strange to be finished an event in 6-6.5hours instead of 15-30hours!  Nice little stroll in the bush!  Ha!  Good times!

So friends, that is about all the goss for this blog!  As I mentioned I have a few topics that I want to cover in the near future so I look forward to sharing them with you!

I hope this finds you all well, safe and loving life!  I got emailed a few quotes the other day so I will leave you with a few of the good ones!

Stay true friends, love life and RUN ON!!!

‘Some people collect stamps – I collect miles.’

‘Ounces of discipline or tonnes of regret.’

‘You don’t stop running because you get old, you get old because you stop running.’

‘Even if your on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there!’

And my favourite…‘My sport is your sports punishment!’

NOTE - As an extra, yesterday we run the last of the Lighthouse Series races at Burnett Heads.  I just want to say a MASSIVE thank you to Sherry and all the crew for putting in so much hard work and time to make these runs not only very enjoyable but also a great success!  The work that they do of their own free will at Bundy Road Runners is to be commended and it is super that the town now has an organised group to show off!  Let it continue to grow in numbers and get more and more people running!  WELL DONE GUYS!

Reflections...

Whats up my friends!?  Well I am a little excited today as it is my birthday!  Now before I start my rambling, I just want to clarify that this is not meant to be a negative blog, but more a reflection on things...we'll see how we go!

So today I am 29years old and start my last year in my 20's!  It is a strange feeling but not really one that is bad?  As time moves on, we all get older.  I think the more we can accept that, the better we will be!  I look forward to the future with my wonderful family and friends and starting to get into the peak years for an ultra runner (mid 30's to mid 40's)  I think there is a fine line between growing old gracefully and going to extreme lengths to cover up the years of life lived and experiences had!  I know I am not at the point of 'showing my age' particularly yet, but just saying!  I am sure I will be there before I realize 

Though out my life so far, I have done some amazing, incredible things!  Those who know me well, know that I have no regrets in life.  I believe that life is about learning experiences and that everything happens for a reason!  If things happen that might not have turned out the way you or I would have liked, learn from it, move on and become a better, stronger, more resilient person!  Life is about living and making each day better than the last!

In saying that, I have had plenty of learning experiences in my 28years on earth!  As of late, there are a few things that I want to make better in my life, particularly to do with running/diet.  If we dont want to improve, whats the point?!  One of my friends latley gave me a saying C or D (Change or Die!)  How appropriate!  Lets adapt, change and improve!  I have become sick of being stuck on the carousel so to speak and making the same basic errors over and over.  So...without telling too much, I have decided to make the 29th year of my life...before I reach the big 3-0, a turning point in who I am and what I do.  I will release bits of information as time goes on, but I really want to see some major changes personally in this year ahead.  To the common person, the changes probably done seem significant, however to me, they will be important.  Stay tuned for the next year!  HA!

I know a lot of people that I know probably think that I put far too much time, effort and living into running.  Let me explain a little.  Running to me is my haven.  Life is SO buzy, it is the time that I can think about everything, or think about nothing.  I can solve the worlds problems in my head, or float along.  It is my resolve!  Running makes me, and I believe it could make you too, a better person.  It improves my friendships, health, marriage  parenting, day to day living, work, mental state (although some would disagree on that one!)...every fascist of my life! There is something mesmerizing, basic, spiritual, releasing, calming, clearing, loving about the simple art of putting one foot in front of the other!  This is our most basic, first sport!  Humans have been relishing in the art of running since we were created by God, and EVERYONE can do it, I truly believe that!  As a side point too, this is a big reason why I dont listen to music when I run.  Life is so 'noisy' why would I want to ruin the experience I have explained in short with more noise?!  Listen to nature, your breathing, foot falls...get in touch with the world we live in instead of just flying by it!

So when people say or think that I spend too much time running, trust me, if I didn't, I don't think I would be very enjoyable to be around.  It is my passion and a basic, primal love.  So I hope and pray that this year will be a great, challenging, rewarding and blessed one for me!  I hope that you will notice small changes in the way I am/live.  Life is an amazing journey and one that deserves to be sucked dry of everything it is worth!

If you are not trying to be a better person every day, and are just floating along in life...make a change today! Do something different, make life count, we only have it once!

I love you all friends and I am so blessed to have known you all for a short, or long time, depending on where I met you in my life journey!  Lets live, love, smile and make the most of what we have!  I cant wait to spend my 29th year alive with you all in one way or another!  Go for a run today for me, even if it is to the corner and back, you never know, you might catch the bug!

Love life, smile big and run on friends!

Mat

Remembering yesteryear...

When I was young (cause I am so old now...turning 29 on Thursday!) I used to run shorter distances, and at a reasonable pace.  As time has evolved, I have run further and further and hope to continue to do so for many years to come.  Well, today, I remembered why I stopped with the short stuff!

It was the second of a three race series in Bundy called the Lighthouse Series.  Once again I lined up for the 10k.  MUCH shorter than I have become accustomed to running these days!  I was once again shod in my sandals ready to go.  I didn't really plan on running too quick and started at the back of the pack.  I set off at a comfortable pace and after a couple of k's was feeling pretty good.  I also noticed Dad a couple of hundred meters ahead of me.  At about the three or four k mark, I decided to get into it and try to catch the old bull.

Now let me just say, I have been running about 4 or 5 years now, and I can not remember EVER beating Dad in a race... (oh, that is a lie, I beat him at the North Face, I seem to have a better shot at him over long Ultras.  He always smokes me in races up to and including marathons)

So anyway, after just completing 'Macca' Chris McCormack's book, I had a upsurge of competitiveness.  Dad was running at a good pace and it would take some doing to beat the bloke.  The first 5k was into a decent head wind and I seemed to maintain a gap of 100-meters behind him.  At the turn, we had a tail wind and it was HOT...time to put the hammer down (I kept dreaming I was in Kona!  Ok, maybe not that hot!)!  I made a plan in my head to catch him by the 8k mark.  I slowly chipped away at him, gaining about 20m - 50m per k, pushing myself to a limit I have not reached for a LONG time!  I slowly managed to bridge the gap by just after the 8k point...SHOWTIME!

Macca explains in his book that often when you make the 'chase', athletes will then run alongside the person they had caught and mentally they are then gone as they think the job is done.  Macca says that once you catch the leader (Dad in my case) either 1) make a comment to hurt them mentally (not in my interest, hes the BOSS!) and 2) don't slow to level with them, run straight by them, and break them with a pace they can't handle.  This was my plan.  Upon catching Dad, there was a slight rise...GO!  I got into it and moved quick.  I would like to have seen my heart rate...it was going!

Anyway, the Boss kept at his already quick pace and I pushed hard on ahead.  I had a look over my shoulder at the 9k mark and couldn't slow much, he was still there!  I was hurting in the last k but I pushed it home.  I managed to finish the race in 46.20min...I carn't remember running that fast for a LONG time!  Dad finished in 47.03min...not far behind!  I was spent!  The 'race' was of course all in good fun, and it felt great to get a hand shake and smile from the Boss across the line for a job well done!  Where we usually run side by side, a bit of healthy competition doesn't go astray from time to time!  I dont know if I will be running that quick again for a while...think I prefer the 24hour plus zone!     

The event was again a great success and it was great to see a lot of faces I haven't seen in a while!  A big thanks to Sherry and the Bundy Road Runners crew.  Without volunteers, stuff dosent get done!  It was awesome to have some good conversation after the race and catch up with old friends!

Well done to all, another super day/event.  Again the sandals came and saw, and today, at least for one day 'flew'...well in my little world anyway!  Thanks Boss for pushing me...I might feel it on our 20k'er tomorrow!

Keep smiling friends.  Life is good, make this day count!  Keep putting one foot in front of the other...otherwise you will be moving backwards!  Until next time...

Run on...

P.S - I have found a rickshaw!  Thanks to my friends who have helped with research!  It is actually a pony cart at a horse place in Landsborough, just gotta get down to check it out and save some pennies!  Good times!    

Rickshaw...anyone???

What the heck is up my friends!  What a ripper day to be alive for no other reason except to be alive!  I pray this rant finds you smiling like a fox!

Well things are going well in Grills land.  I have just completed my first week of my 50km program (Hares and Hounds) and this included 11.5km completely barefoot and 66.5km in sandals.  Apart from a little soreness in my right forefoot (which has now come good) it was a top week.  I have been hearing some funny stories from friends of friends etc about the 'bloke running in sandals', and hearing comments like 'do you really run with NO shoes on?!'.  This will then usually follow with a short conversation about same and some puzzled looks!  Makes me smile!  One particular conversation made me laugh the other day with a friend stating that barefoot running is such a 'new concept' that it hasn't had time to be tested!  Umm...I'm pretty sure SHOES are the 'new' concept...maybe I am missing something?!  I am also finding myself to go unshod more and more...this may cause problems with the wife?  Time will tell!  Ha!  All in all, so far it has been an enjoyable experience.  I have also been running with my hound, who LOVEs the run!

The Guru, Barefoot Ken Bob and Barefoot Ted

Beauty!

So, onto the title of this blog.  I have been inspired by Barefoot Ted and his Rickshaw!  I am on a hunt...call it a quest to find/build my own Rickshaw!  I have done some research on the net and mainly only located pedal rickshaws.  I however am looking for a pull along one, like the ones pictured (note the cool sign on the back!).  I seek your assistance!  I need some help in trying to either get an old one that I can renovate, or get in touch with someone who might be able to build one!  The dream I have it to acquire one and set up down at Bargara (the beach at Bundy) and take people for a trip along the coast line, possibly to Burnett Heads Lighthouse (about 10k) with me running barefoot or in my sandals!  I would then set up a little picnic for them, leave them alone for a hour and then run them back the 10k to Bargara.  I reckon it would be stella!  I would enjoy it anyway, even if they didnt!  I would love some feedback on your thoughts and as I said, any advise about acquiring a rickshaw would be GOLD!  

Apart from that, all else is bonza!  I am very excited for the next couple of days.  Tomorrow, Tegan and I go away and celebrate our 9year wedding anniversary!  It is hard to believe that that time has gone so quickly!  Every day spent with my bride has enriched my life and I am so thankful that she puts up with my madness!  It will be a super time away together!  We are then spending two nights in Brissy and yep, it is tattoo time again!  Cant wait!  Getting my left arm finished, very excited!  As usual I will be going to Westside Tattoo in West End, Brisbane, so if you want any drawings on your skin, head there and tell em I sent you!

Well comrades, I hope that your week is filled with joy and happiness!  Run hard, smash some hills, do a somersault, be nice to someone who is hating on you, kiss your dog!!  Keep smiling, fit and loving life.  Life is good people, no matter how bad things are, you are still blessed!  I love you all, peace, hippy and happiness!

Run on ombre's!

Sandals = Glory

Before...

Ahhh Sandals!  So, the reason for my bliss is I just ran my first organised race in my huaraches, and they were GLORIOUS!  And...I WON!!!  Well the Sandal category anyway!!!  The joys of being the only enterant!  Ha!  The longest distance I had done in my huaraches to date was 8km, and this was a 10km event.  Good times!  So, I rolled up, bare foot...the only way to be, carrying my new ‘footware’!  After lacing up my traditional laces, and getting a few odd looks/comments, we began.  The wind was howling but made for an easy 5km ‘out’.  The 5km home however was tough with 25-30knot winds!  I felt a little sick (which nearly never happens to me) but I think this was from pushing a bit and the resistance from the breeze!  I finished in 49minutes, the quickest I have run 10km in in a long time!  And I even stopped for about 30sec to a minute to help a little fella that went straight over his handle bars on his pushy!  OW!

Well done to Sherry and the Bundy Road Runners for organising the series!  I take my hat off to you for having a crack and getting a club started in Bundy.  It is something that the town has needed for a long time! 

Dad and I after.

To those local runners AKA ‘slackers’ who didn’t support the event ‘just because’, where were you??? What is the problem?  I had better not hear any of you whinging that there are no running events in Bundaberg when you couldn’t even support the ones that are here!  For those with legitimate reasons, well let you off this time!  Ha!

After...note my 'still buggered
 toes/feet from my 100mile race
 four weeks ago...bloody shoes!!!

So...the report!  The huaraches were SO good!  I have been reading Barefoot Ken Bobs book at the moment and during the race I constantly focused on maintaining a good barefoot style of running (wanna find out what this is???  Do some research into it...trust me, it will be worth your while!!!).  I really felt light and felt like I was floating!  I suffered no soreness/rub, however I did finished with hot spots under my big toes.  This is obviously still because I am getting used to the new treds.  I got to have some good conversation with some other runners about the benefits of barefoot and minimal running and it was wonderful to get out at an actual event in the huaraches!  I have decided to train for and run my next ultra in them.  This will be Hares and Hounds on the second weekend in January...CAN NOT WAIT!  I am VERY excited about a future of no blisters, black toenails or injury!  From now, at least until Hares and Hounds, I aim to train only barefoot and in my huaraches!  YES! 

Update on the first week of my 3month challenge...

So, for those meat lovers and vege haters…you will be happy to know that I am off the vegetarian diet already.  This week has been pretty tough!  I have run well, and quickly for me, however been SO tired the rest of the time.  I don’t know if this has been due to the reduction in calories or not eating meat; however I am back being a carnivore.  This low energy factor seems to always rear its head when ever I drop meat from my diet and seems to be compounded by my exercise induced anaemia…sucks!  Even though I have dropped the meat free eating at the moment, it will be back, I promise!  A vege diet is surely something that I would like to convert to 100% to in the future, but while I am running like a mad man, I think a bit of meat here and there is of benefit to me. 

Further to this, in my first week of calorie counting and eating well, I have had some great weight loss results!  I am now down to 83.8kg and things are going well!  Just have to remain consistent!  Good times!

So all round, good news!  I am now kicking back a bit for the weekend and looking forward to watching the Hawaii Ironman highlights on telly today!  For those out there reading this, have a ripper weekend!  Love life, go for a run, kiss the trail (not by falling over though) and appreciate what you have!  Life is good, we are blessed!

Until next time friends...Run on!

Barefoot Ken Bob-ism for the day...

In the beginning, we were barefoot.  Then we screwed up and invented running shoes!