Set yourself some!

'A man without a goal is like the wind...blowing aimlessly, affecting surroundings but with no purpose.'  Mat GRILLS

So, I made up a quote!  Look at me go!  Ha!  Anyways, I wanna talk about goals.  Weather you are a sports person or not, goals in life are so very important and tend to give us a specific sense of direction and purpose.

Back when I used to work at a bank (HA!!) they had a saying... 'It is better to aim high and fail than to aim low and achieve.'  Now while this may sound a little negative, I have always looked at it as a really positive way to look at life.  Anyone can achieve something within their reach and easy but it takes guts, determination and boldness to set a big goal and fall on your face if it dosen't work out!  

Goals can come in all shapes and sizes.  Big, small, short term, long term.  I believe that they are integral to keep us trying to improve the people that we are and to have a positive influence on those around us.  I always dream big and set my goals high.  I think they need to be specific and generally ones with an end point helps us keep focused.  Do I always achieve them, no way, but does that mean I give up trying and setting myself new ones, hell no!

Those who know me know that I believe that we should try and live each day better than the one before.  I think goals, and lofty ones at that help us do this by inspiring people around us, keeping us motivated and looking forward while focusing on each moment that is needed to achieve our purpose.

I am generally a visual person and also think it helps with accountability writing things down.  It makes what we are trying to do tangible and real.  It is a reminder of the dream and keeps us on track.  Telling others in our circle of friends can also help.  It puts a gentle pressure on when things get hard and gives us people to celebrate with when we achieve.

So, whats the message...I challenge you to set yourself some goals.  Short term and long term.  They can be about anything...weight loss, sport, business, family...get creative, dream big and you never know what you might achieve....probably something you thought you could never do!  It will not be easy and you will need to persevere but as I always say, nothing worth while in life comes easy!

Have a super weekend kids and Ill chat to you after kicking my butt at Flinders Tour 50k this weekend!  Peace, plants!

MIA...on more than one level!

What up friends!?  Long time no write!  Lets just say that things have been ridiculous since being back at uni, I have barley had time to scratch myself, let alone blog!  In saying that, I am going to be making a conscious effort to try and post weekly going forward!  I now have a shiny new lap top and can catch y'all up on my breaks at work.  Good times!

So, what the heck?!  Life is good!  Uni is going along at a million miles an hour and I feel like no matter how much I do, I am still miles behind!  First term went well and I need to keep my head down for another 9-10weeks till a nice break over Christmas.  I am really enjoying it and learning so so much...it is just incredibly time consuming.  I have resolved myself to the fact that Uni terms go...study, run, work a little, see my family a little, the end!  I know it will all be worth it in the end though!

Running wise, things have been ticking over nicely.  Since my little shoulder injury, I have been doing pretty much 100-160k per week.  It is crazy times though, as doing 10hours a week running these days feels like I am bludging and doing nothing!  What is wrong with me!

Race wise I have Flinders tour in a week.  Then Glasshouse 100miler seven weeks after that.  I have been putting in solid ground work for that race and have pretty lofty goals.  It will be an awesome day out and one I am really looking forward to!  After that I'm not 100% sure yet, however I am pretty sure I am going to apply for Coast to Kosi.  It is a 240km run from the coast at Sydney to the top of Mt Kosioskou!  Should be an epic adventure and one that scares the life out of me right now!  Lets see what happens!

Family wise, all is well and the girls are growing up so so fast!  Tegan is losing weight like nobodies business and really embraced her new healthy lifestyle!  She looks amazing and is running like a champion!  So proud of all my ladies!  Life is good!

As a last little catch up, I have dragged myself away from Facebook and Instagram!  I have had so much more productive time it is not even funny!  The only reason I will be on Facey is to post my blogs...for a while anyway!  Lets see how it goes!  I do miss all my running buddies from away though, so I think Ill be back at some stage...just not yet!  So if you want to reach me, drop me a text, phone call or email at grills_1@hotmail.com.

Well friends, this has just been a snappy catch up blog and next week I will come back with something of substance!  Thanks for sticking by me, I hope you are still enjoying reading my ramblings and if you are...tell your friends!  Stay true, love always and until next time...run free!

Who's with me??

What up soldiers!?  Hope this finds you well and lovin life, even if the weather is stupidly cold!  Bring back the heat, tans and shirtless running!  As most of you know I have a 13degree rule....under that and I wear a shirt when I train...NOT HAPPY JAN!  I find this so restrictive and almost claustrophobic......BRING BACK THE HEAT!  Ok, enough of my manic randomness!

So this week has been non-eventful in the running arena.  My shoulder/back has still been killer from my stack.  I rested for almost a week and decided to start running short on Wednesday...by Thursday my back was pretty darn sore again and saw me back at the doctors and physio today (Friday).  The back soreness (the most painful) appears to be just bruising from where I landed on the steps, and I seem to have a minor tear in one of my rotator cuff muscles.  I have some exercises to keep me busy, gonna rest for the weekend and hope to be ok enough to get back to training Monday...we'll see!  Don't y'all know I have a 100 miler to train for?!  No rest for the wicked and even less for the righteous!  She'll be right mate!

So, since last weekend and chatting with Coach Jeff, I have been doing a lot of thinking and wanted to put myself out there and share something that I have been wanting to do for a long time and just haven't got to it..for some unknown reason.

For those who know me, I love to help people with their running, weight loss, and general encouragement in all things active/life in general.  For these reasons (and many others), I am looking at starting a life coaching business.  Now when I say life coach as opposed to run coach, I want to help people physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally.  Wellness covers all areas, not just a healthy body.  I still have to develop a specific business model however here are my initial thoughts...

I would start very low key and hopefully build over time.  My main focus would be on new runners, helping them develop specific goals and achieving them.  Secondly, weight loss.  I am a bit of nazi when it comes to this area (life choices for food/drink consumption) but I believe I have a lot to offer those willing to commit themselves 100%.  And lastly, helping people who want to transition from traditional shoes to minimal footwear or barefoot running.  This would be done in the way of programs, regular meetings, email support and general life support.

I feel like I am always learning on this beautiful journey through life and have so far to go...however I think from my knowledge, experience, positive attitude, drive and commitment I could really help others improve their lives.  This of course all works hand in hand with my studies and will be a very authentic, free flowing experience for anyone who wants to get involved.

So this is where you come in...I have limited time these days and don't want to pour my heart into this if everyone thinks it is a silly idea and would be no need for it.  Any advise, opinions and suggestions would be greatly appriciated.  Please be honest and open with me and I will consider and ponder all thoughts offered.  You have all supported me through this blog and my adventures and I look forward to hearing what you think about my idea/vision!  Feel free to contact me on facebook, email (grills_1@hotmail.com) or leave a comment on my blog.

Thanks again to you all.  I love you and appreciate your time reading these ramblings.  It warms my heart to know that people get something out of what I write and enjoy hearing about the journey's I embark on.  THANK YOU!  I hope and pray your week is going amazing, keep smiling, tickle a loved one, do something nice for someone without recognition and each day try to do something to make this world a better place!  Stay true friends, run free.  Live long, run on, PLANT STRONG!

Bundy's Biggest Fattest Ass!

Well what a week it has been!  Excitement, disappointment and a whole lot of fun!

Busted but not broken!

First up, Run for the Sun!  I was going ripper, great guns and had completed 322km in 13days...160km in week one and with one day to go to complete 180km in week two.  All working toward my goal of 700km for the month....until Thursday night...I was at work, coming down some stairs to finish for the night, slipped on a wet step and landed straight on my back/right shoulder blade and slid down about seven steps!  I lay stunned for a while, got taken home, then straight to the hospital nearly vomiting from the pain in my shoulder blade.  After a long night at hospital, a ton of morphine, endone, ultrasounds, x-rays and general attention, I was sent home.  Long story short is I do not have a fracture like first thought however VERY sore, swollen and sorry for myself.  My arm is in a sling and I am still in a fair chunk of pain, unable to run for a few days at least.  It will be a day by day assessment of how the pain is as far as when I can get back to running and out of the sling, but for now, rest!  BOO!  Sometimes forced rest can be a blessing though right?!

The way we roll in Bundy,
a tow ball for a hammer!

Ok, enough of the negative...the main event for the week...Bundy's first Fat Ass run!  So, the suspense was building and the location of the start was announced on Saturday morning.  We met up with Coach Jeff and Mrs Coach who had travelled from Brisbane for the event and headed to the start line, not knowing really what to expect.  We were all set for an 11am start, not really knowing how many people would show.  As the start grew closer, a group of about 43-45 runners showed up, all very excited and with beautiful positive, nervous attitudes for a ripper day out!  Obviously, not being able to run was very disappointing however was fun to experience a race from more of a directors point of view than a runners.  After some last minute instructions, a presentation to Coach Jeff of a Garmin watch for all his hard work and commitment to running in Australia, the crew were off on three, five or seven loops of a 7.2km trail circuit.

Upon completion of the first lap, a few went the wrong way, but quickly were given the proper directions.  Different groups and individuals came in and all seemed to be smiling, even in the muddy conditions.  As the afternoon went on, the laps continued, the drinks flowed, beautiful home made food was eaten and laughter of mishaps, stacks and good times followed.  Everyone seemed to be having a super time and setting their own goals to achieve, many of them PB's. 

Some of the standouts were Sherry, Keph, Dad and Jodie (who had never run further than 20km) completing the 'just over 50km course'.  Jade and Holly completing 30km when the furthest they had run was 20km on Show holiday only a few weeks prior.  Liam completing a PB of 35km and a number of others doing new distances and achieving what they previously thought was not possible.  I am sorry if I have missed you, and I don't mean at all to lessen your achievements, I just can't remember everyone's goals, names or results!  I think the pain killers were numbing my brain! 

Pretty good set up for a Fat Ass

 

All in all, I think it was a natural, authentic, fun, challenging, new experience for all!  It was an honour and a privilege to be able to rally together the troops for the first of many Bundy's Fat Ass events.  You are ALL champions in my books!!!  I can not wait for more of these to happen and the cogs are already turning in my brain as to what we might be able to do next!

Today, Sunday, then saw a number of us head to Bargara for a chilly, but beautiful BBQ breakfast by the beach.  It was awesome to chat, laugh and have a great time catching with new and old friends.  Overall, I can only speak for myself and from what comments I have seen on the Fat Ass page and Bundy Road Runners page, but everyone had an amazing, fun filled weekend...THANK YOU ALL!
A few more thank you's....Bundy Brewed Drinks (Alex and Casey for teeing it up) for the soft drinks provided.  Chris, my sponsor at the Mower Doctor, Walker Street for the beers.  Anyone who donated money to my friend Lee, we will be giving $30 to the charities that supported his family through the horrible time after losing their son to still birth.  Anyone who donated money toward Coach's present.  Andrew, Sherry and Coach for promoting the event.  Ian for the awesome photos.  Those who brought food to share.  Everyone who turned up and made the day fantastic!  Your all amazing, beautiful and inspiring humans!!

So, lastly, hopefully the TattooRunner will be back on the roads sooner rather than later cause I got some running to do!  I again thank you all and love you all from the bottom of my heart!  For those who didn't turn up, YOU MISSED OUT!!!

Keep strong my friends, run free, be kind to each other, love life and eat plants!  Peace out...
PS - By popular demand, here is Jades AMAZING vegan brownie recipe.  If you didn't try it, do yourself a favour and make this, it was INCREDIBLE!  I will also be getting Nix vegan carrot cake recipe as it was also beautiful!  Stay tuned for that one!  YUM!

Jades Gooey Chocolate Brownies

1 can of chickpeas
1 jar of apple sauce
Half cup of rice syrup
One third cup of chia seeds
One and a half to two cups of dark chocolate
Two cups almond meal
Half cup cranberries
One cup flaked coconut to coat the brownies in

Blend chick peas, chia seeds, apple sauce and rice syrup.  Melt chocolate.  Pour the chick pea mix into the melted choc.  Add the almond meal and cranberries.  The mix should be thick.  If it is runny, add more almond meal.  Bake till firm but still with some give in a 180 degree oven.  It will take a while to cook.  If the top starts to cook too much, put a sheet of baking paper on top to protect it.  Eat and enjoy vegan goodness!!!







Mixed bag of good times!

Well, this week has been super exciting for me on a number of levels!  Friday marked the end of exams and the end of my first term of Uni.  It has been an extremely busy 13-14weeks and one that has been both challenging and enjoyable.  I'm reckon I have done enough to pass all of my subjects, but for now will be enjoying the three week break from classes and study.  How will I be doing this?  Catching up with friends I have neglected over the term (sorry guys!), spending time with my beautiful family, A LOT of running, naps and reading!  Can not wait!  I just want to thank everyone close to me, particularly my wife Tegan for the support you have been over this term.  I know it hasn't been easy at times and I haven't been as present as I would have liked to have been, but so goes the life of uni, working to support a family and training for ultra marathons!  THANKS!

The first of June also marked the start of Coach Jeff's Run for the Sun!  It is a super initiative to get people active during the whole month of June, encouraging them to run every day, a minimum of a mile (1.6km).  I have set myself some extremely lofty goals for the month and hoping to set a very high record for the most kilometres covered.  Some of the goals will be personal milestones and I can not wait to keep chugging along, racking up the k's.  First week - 160km and on track!  If you want to find out more, check out http://www.coachjeff.com.au/ and if you want to follow my progress for this event, or just my training in general, Ï log my training on Running Ahead and my user name is Tattoo Runner...this link may work?? http://www.runningahead.com/logs/7d2d047951454b8ea9b8907291e6a1a9

Now that Uni is finished, I am also very much looking forward to this weekends first Bundy's Fat Ass event!  It has created quite a bit of interest throughout the running community here and I cant wait for it to all pan out and enjoy the day with friends and new friends Ill meet.  For any of you reading this that are going to take part, please keep a close eye on the Facebook updates this week as there will be some important information sent through there about the day.  YES!  What fun it is going to be!

Well guys, this is just a quick snappy catch up to let y'all know where I'm at and say g'day.  I hope and pray you're all going well, training hard, loving life and being kind to one another and see ya soon!!   

The beautiful way.

The cool air on my body, the smell of the trees and the lure of the trail.  An excitement in my heart and free will of my spirit to be set loose on Gods beautiful creation.  A low murmur of expectation between athletes, the sun warming my skin and a glistening in my eye of what might or might not become in the coming hours.  The trail calls my name...into the unexpected.

This week, I listened to an inspiring podcast about trail culture.  The boys at Trail Runner Nation asked listeners to blog or just talk about what it is that makes our sport special and incredibly unique.  This is something that I feel a true kindred heart toward and believe it to be something so amazing about trail running, but in particular ultra trail running.

Putting others before yourself is not something that happens a lot these days, but is something expected in trail running.  For an unknown glorious reason, the partakers in ultra marathons would prefer to help a brother or sister out in a time of need, then run a personal best in a 50 mile race.

Conversation between runners is always positive and more often than not, entertaining about what some lunatic has done, a crazy race that exists or just open, honest, heartfelt talk about matters of the heart...family, love, struggles...whatever flows throughout the kilometers.

A smile is something that is never amiss on a trail too.  Even those in the lead, streaking out a beautiful stride, always have time for a G'day and a smile...generally laughing at the bloke wearing Jesus sandals and covered in tattoos.  The encouraging words from the rabbits up front and the plodders at the rear of the field warms your heart and pushes you on, where you might have once stopped from exhaustion....'if they believe in me, maybe I can go just a couple more k's'.....and on it goes!

To do an ultra marathon on trails requires a certain amount of toughness that's without doubt, but at the souls of the amazing people who run them is of a love for nature, finding out what the human spirit and body can do, a passion for the out doors and a willingness to do something that 90% of the population think is lunacy!

Very rarely will you ever find rubbish on the trail, and if someone has dropped some by mistake, another runner will pick it up.  Aid stations are not a litter of plastic cups...more made of warm smiles from volunteers, polite assistance for those in need, appreciation for the time spent to help and some ripper food, usually home prepared.

Countless hours marking courses, individual finishing prizes, arranging medical forms, ensuring runners are ok and all at a minimal entry fee is something that should not be taken for granted.

Trail running to me, whilst I love the running and the personal challenge, is more about the friends I have made and the familiar faces I see at the starting line, usually in the dark, and get to run with, catch up with, share their joys and sorrows and continue and interconnection that can only be found whilst running ridiculous distances.  The trail running culture, and in my case the ultra running community is about family.  We are all a little mad in one way or another, but I have a warm, genuine love and passion in my heart for my comrades, amigos, brothers and sisters.

Being in nature, trail running, being free from the busyness of life is an incredible and passionate part of my life.  As a Christian, I feel God most closely when on a beautiful single track in complete admiration of what He has created for me to enjoy and share with others.  If you haven't experienced trail running, or trail culture, it is hard to articulate.  I hope though, in some small way, I have been able to share what this breathtaking and soul enriching culture means to me.  Now go out and run....run free my mas loco family!

To listen to the mentioned Podcast mentioned, check out Trail Runner Nation at - http://trailrunnernation.com/2013/05/bob-crowley-josh-katzman-trail-running-culture-are-we-at-risk-of-losing-it/

The Grills Grit and another ripper Podcast!

Well crew, this weekend gone saw the almighty Cooks Tour being held from Woodford Qld.  Last year there was a 50mile event which I did, however this year saw that one dropped and only a 50k being the longest option.  It was however to be a momentous day given my sister Melinda was travelling up from Melbourne to take part in her first event over 30k, let alone a trail Ultra! 

We all met up on the Saturday

I'm running!

and had a good catch up before hitting the sack, trying to get some sleep before the big day.  There were a few nerves from Mel, and a bit of roudyness from my kids, so sleep was a bit ordinary.  None the less we woke up bright and chipper ready to hook in Sunday morning. 

We headed out to the race start and met up with a heap of old buddies!  The great thing about ultras, and in particular trail ultras is the familiar faces you see at every event, and the true characters that partake in these long runs!  It was awesome to talk some rott with Coach Jeff, Rony, see Lori for the first time since returning from Africa, Lee and Dion, Alun, Ian and a heap of other friends and smiling faces.

Before long we gathered at the start line and headed off into the cool morning air.  Flippen ridiculous...so cold I had to start with a shirt on.  Ugh!  That didn't last long though and it was off before 6:30am.  Melinda, Dad and I all settled into a nice easy pace and enjoyed the morning banter.  Melinda came into the event with an ITB problem and given the distance, the course and her injury, it was a big ask for her to even make the start line.  Before about 10-15k was up, it was evident that her leg was causing some considerable drama.  Down hills pretty much reduced her to a walk and were slow going. 

Shortly after the 15k mark, we headed toward the infamous powerlines.  Most people hate them (as did I last year at the miler when I had a chest infections!) but I love them.  It is gnarly, brutal up and down trail for a few k's.  This was SUPER tough on Melinda.  The look on her face said it all and by the time we got to the end of this section, I really thought she was going to drop at the next check point.

To her credit though, she kept a good pace on the flats and up hills and once she got a little running in, we were moving along ok.  We arrived at Checkpoint 8 and saw Ann smiling face!  She is one of the amazing volunteers that sits in the middle of nowhere to help us runners out on race day!  Our crew on the other hand was no where to be seen?? (I think they were drinking coffee) but we battled on. 

The western and eastern loops here are tough little buggers and I always feel like I'm kind of heading into a dungeon to do battle.  I have bonked hard on the western loop and it is a bit of a mental landmark for me.  Melinda was reduced to the 'çrab' on the steep downhills but powerhiked the ups well and ran constant on the flats.  After completing the western loop (and having a good laugh at a strange man hiding in the bush to ambush us (Coach)), seeing our beautiful crew of my two girls, Tegan, Mum and my grandma, we headed off for the eastern loop.  After an awesome climb up Cooks lookout we arrived back at Checkpoint 8 before the trip home.

Now these two loops proved something to me.  I don't want to sound pretentious here but in running, it takes a far bit to impress me these days...and my sister did just that!  She was hurting and had no right to even finish 20k let alone battle on in some rough terrain...but she did.  More on that in a bit.

After leaving Checkpoint 8 (and some first aid for Melinda by the Doc) we started the relatively rolling to flat terrain home, 12kish.  Melinda was running really well on the flats and we were making up some really good time.  Where once at Powerlines I thought we were looking at about 7hrs finish, we were now looking at sub 6hr 30min and finishing strong.  We continued to spot competitors in the distance and push Melinda along to catch them.  We reeled them in one by one until about 2-3k from the finish Melinda got super upset.  We figured out that she must have got a big blood blister under her toenails (which I used to get all the time) and she had stepped on some un-even ground and burst them...very painful.  I talked her through it and she kept on running. 

About 1-2k from the finish we spotted Lori and worked real hard to try and catch her.  We pushed Melinda every bit of that last 12k but we just couldn't quite the dreadlocked, sandal wearing hippy (my sister from another mother)!  She got us by about 70metres.  We finished the race in 6hrs and 20min and I couldn't be a more proud brother.

The crew...with offspring in tow!

So...the title of this blog...The Grills Grit...this is something I came up with along the way and it is quite evident to me that this family possesses a never say die, push through the pain, never give up and do the impossible attitude.  As I said, my sister impressed me.  She was hurt, and hurt bad.  I know that 95% of the population would have dropped out and just put it down to the injury etc...but not a Grills!  She was tough man and kept those legs running!  I remember what it was like to do my first Ultra and it HURT...and I wasn't even injured!  To see her push through the pain, never complain, and just get down to business was amazing!  I will remember The Grills Grit and her determination in my future races that is for sure!  I am super proud to have done this race with the old boy and my sister...what an experience!

On a personal note, we ran much slower than I usually do, but that is irrelevant.  Today I feel fresh and never felt tired on the course.  I soaked up the beautiful nature, positive conversation and lovely 6ish hours training on my feet!  I have some massive plans for the rest of the years racing and this was a great building block!  Thanks to Dad, Melinda, my beautiful family for being support crew once again, all my friends (new and old from the day) and my sponsor Chris at the Mower Doctor Bundy for helping another event go amazing!  RIPPER!

As a last note, I have been at it again!  I have been the guest on another Podcast with the Coach!  I would love it if you have about 50minutes to spare to jump over to the below link and have a listen.  We are mainly chatting about the upcoming Bundy's Fat Ass event, as well as footware, diet and just general rott!  GOLD.  There is also a link below for the Facebook page for the Fat Ass...send me a request on there and keep up to date with what should be a super fun event!  Lastly, I have attached a link below for my affiliate link to Luna Sandals.  If you are looking for some amazing footware, get on over there and get hooked up!

Well guys, that's it!  Thanks for reading, hope you are all stella and training hard!  Love you all, peace, respect and plants!  Run Free...TattooRunner

Bundy's Fat Ass - http://www.facebook.com/groups/642144945811703/

The Podcast - http://www.coachjeff.com.au/2013/05/18/coach-jeff-podcast-316-running-podcast-088/

My Luna Sandals affiliate link - http://www.lunasandals.com/?aid=4c7p5f3p