The Marathon Man continues to clock up the distance following the successful completion of more than 40 marathons over the last 40 months. There are a number of achievements of note with the 256km Marathon des Sables through the Sahara Desert in 2008 and the 90km Comrades Marathon in South Africa in 2010 significant highlights. The Marathon Man adventures continue with many more marathon adventures planned to continue over the days ahead.
The challenge of combining full time work as a National Sales Manager with the requirements to prepare for the regular marathon events scheduled across the globe is a real test. Finding the right balance to prepare physically for the upcoming marathon events and focus on the corporate world with travels across the country to manage a sales team in the pharmaceutical industry requires a determined attitude to bring both worlds together. In the running and business world it is essential to set goals and continue to raise the bar to go to another level.
Having achieved a consistent average of one marathon a month since starting out with the world’s toughest footrace in the Marathon des Sables in March 2008 the Marathon Man has completed a number of leading marathon events throughout the world. The Comrades Marathon is legendary in South Africa and this was a significant race celebrating the 85th anniversary in the lead up to the Football World Cup. The 2010 Comrades Marathon was an incredible experience and proved that it was possible to successfully run a marathon back to back.
Having previously played rugby union during the school and university days and initially started running to keep active and help to keep off the weight. The issue was that running had never become addictive before and it was always something of a major effort. I had completed a number of smaller events in the past with primarily 10km fun runs in Sydney, Brisbane and London.
I like to set goals and most recently I made the decision to get some balance back in my life after work had taken on too much importance and I had stacked on the weight. At the end of 2006 it was time to focus and I commenced the journey towards dropping some 30kg. I was very conscious that the pressure placed on my body due to the excess weight and started a strict diet and intensive cardio programme in the gym to achieve this goal. Following the successful journey during 2007 I was looking for the next challenge and had always dreamed of running a marathon.
It was not until September 2007 that I started my very first half marathon in Sydney and although I struggled to walk for the next week the fact that I had completed this goal now provided the belief that I could take the next step towards taking on the marathon. This was to turn into the next steps towards the toughest footrace on earth and there could be no bigger or better challenge … Running has always been a great leveller and it is the personal challenge to improve myself that now makes running a major part of my life to achieve personal goals and search to make a difference!
The major purpose is to continue raising global awareness and support for the UK based charity There is no greater pursuit than the marathon and the journey to conquer the distance is a personal triumph for all to be proud! The power of the mind cannot be underestimated in competing over the marathon and ultra marathon distance as all the training in the world can sometimes not make up for strength of character. It would be awesome if just a fraction of those people I meet who mention the stories of thinking about a running marathon would take up the challenge as I know they would do it well and it would change the way they look at the world. It is not so much about racing against the clock as the numbers are simply a way to measure ourselves over the distance. It is more about the significance of the achievement on completion of the journey! There are too many people interested in talking about failures or finding reasons why not to do something as opposed to celebrating the success stories and looking to raise the bar to that next level. The challenge for me is not to settle and to step up for the next exciting adventure by simply moving one foot in front of the other each and every time getting a little closer to the ultimate target.
It is very common to be told what you can’t do as opposed to what is possible. If more people took the leap of faith the world would be a better place. So go on take that leap with me and let the adventures for 2011 and beyond begin today.
“DARE TO DREAM, START TO BELIEVE AND YOU WILL ACHIEVE – ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!”
