I thought that I would let you know Australia's best ever basketball legend Andrew Gaze has really gone out of his way to help the Marathon Man's efforts in supporting the Facing Africa charity by very kindly donating a autographed basketball to be auctioned at the Gala Charity Fundraising Event to be held at the Star Room in Darling Harbour on Thursday 13th March.
Andrew has also sent through his best wishes with the following words of wisdom: "Great things happen in a atmosphere of greatness! Good luck in creating that atmosphere."
I am confident that I have been in the process of creating that "atmosphere of greatness" now for some time and this will keep me strong during the toughest of times ahead in the Sahara now just over one month away.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
'Marathon Man' to appear on ABC Grandstand!
I was contacted today by Caroline Davidson the producer for ABC Sports to set up a radio interview with Tracey Holmes this Saturday on ABC Grandstand at 2.45pm. Caroline was very sweet to enquire as to whether I would be running in to the studio or driving. On this occassion I may target a training run in the morning!
This really is a very exciting opportunity to discuss the "Marathon Man" plans with Tracey and spread the word to fellow sports lovers on one of Austalia's favourite weekend radio programmes to a national audience. Be sure to tune in this Saturday at 2.45pm to ABC Radio 702...
This really is a very exciting opportunity to discuss the "Marathon Man" plans with Tracey and spread the word to fellow sports lovers on one of Austalia's favourite weekend radio programmes to a national audience. Be sure to tune in this Saturday at 2.45pm to ABC Radio 702...
'The Man' vs 'The Lionheart'
What a night tonight turned out to be! Having never been to a live fight night I decided to head out and check out the hype surrounding Anthony 'The Man' Mundine as he defended his World Title against Nader 'Lionheart' Hamden at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.Arriving a little early it was fun watching the under card and seeing most of the action all over after only a few rounds. The highlight of the undercard was Solomon 'Solo' Haumono the former Saints, Tigers, Bulldogs and Sea Eagles rugby league star who is well remembered for walking out on the Bulldogs to chase his then girl Gabrielle 'The Pleasure Machine" Richens across to London! Solo looked menacing and took care of business against a very brave challenger ...
Prior to the arrival of 'The Man' show I had the opportunity and honour to meet up with Tracey Holmes from the ABC Radio and Fox Sports, Julian Morrow from 'The Chasers' and the great man himself former Australian Cricket Captain Steve Waugh. Following this high I experienced the low when I thought that my wallet had been stolen only to later to find it lodged deep down under the seat twenty minutes later. Talk about a close call ...
OK! So back to the boxing and 'The Man' really had a fight on his hands tonight with Nader showing why he is known as the 'Lionheart' pushing Mundine all the way to the end of a brutal 12 rounds. I am sure that not too many would have thought that the fight would go the distance at the outset though 'Lionheart' really stood up to the challenge and 'The Man' showed that he has the strength to be pushed the distance. It was a credit to both men and a great lesson of endurance! Great inspiration for my journey ahead and a awesome night all around ...
Prior to the arrival of 'The Man' show I had the opportunity and honour to meet up with Tracey Holmes from the ABC Radio and Fox Sports, Julian Morrow from 'The Chasers' and the great man himself former Australian Cricket Captain Steve Waugh. Following this high I experienced the low when I thought that my wallet had been stolen only to later to find it lodged deep down under the seat twenty minutes later. Talk about a close call ...
OK! So back to the boxing and 'The Man' really had a fight on his hands tonight with Nader showing why he is known as the 'Lionheart' pushing Mundine all the way to the end of a brutal 12 rounds. I am sure that not too many would have thought that the fight would go the distance at the outset though 'Lionheart' really stood up to the challenge and 'The Man' showed that he has the strength to be pushed the distance. It was a credit to both men and a great lesson of endurance! Great inspiration for my journey ahead and a awesome night all around ...
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Live In Store Appearance!
Following some preparation, the Marathon Man had the great opportunity to make his very first live in store appearance at one of Australia's largest sporting goods stores at the local Rebel Sports store in Bondi Junction today.
I was positioned right up the front of the store on a top of the line treadmill with thousands of shoppers passing by having been enjoying a fun day out at the shops, eating in the food court and checking out the latest movies while the Marathon Man pounded away on the treadmill over five hours completing 38km between 1pm - 6pm.
This is one of the largest distances that I have ever covered and really was a great test of endurance with the H20, electrolyte replacement fluids,salt tablets and protein bars crucial in keeping me going. This was a awesome training run in preparation for the for the Marathon des Sables which now starts in only five weeks.
Although a little tired and sore I am really pleased to have pulled up well and will always remember the day the Marathon Man completed 38km in Rebel Sports Bondi Junction! Something tells me going to the shops will never be the same again ...
I was positioned right up the front of the store on a top of the line treadmill with thousands of shoppers passing by having been enjoying a fun day out at the shops, eating in the food court and checking out the latest movies while the Marathon Man pounded away on the treadmill over five hours completing 38km between 1pm - 6pm.
This is one of the largest distances that I have ever covered and really was a great test of endurance with the H20, electrolyte replacement fluids,salt tablets and protein bars crucial in keeping me going. This was a awesome training run in preparation for the for the Marathon des Sables which now starts in only five weeks.
Although a little tired and sore I am really pleased to have pulled up well and will always remember the day the Marathon Man completed 38km in Rebel Sports Bondi Junction! Something tells me going to the shops will never be the same again ...
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Training with a Legend!
Today I had the great honour to train with one of the true legends of our time. Following a very early start I met up with the fitness legend George Daldry at 5.30am in front of the North Bondi Surf Club.
I had first heard of George Daldry as a kid through my Dad who had relayed stories of the many torturous training sessions. He was the man who made the Australian Rugby League team into World Champions and trained the Eastern Suburbs Roosters and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles during the 1970's and 1980's. Little did I realize at the time but George also helped a number of other world-class athletes.
His personal story was motivation in itself - how he’d overcome the horrors of Japanese Prisoner of War camps for instance. How he was laughed at when he was one of the first people to ever jog in public. I decided that George might be able to help me out too!
One night in Changi Prison (the notorious WWII Japanese POW camp), George Daldry decided that if he survived, he would go searching for the fountain of youth. Well, he not only found it, but in the process he became (and still is!) the fittest and strongest person, kilo for kilo, for his age, in the country.
George Daldry, at 84 years of age is still taking up to 10 training classes per week! Not only survived the absolute despair of Changi Prison, but how he went on to become recognized by the International Olympic Committee as one of it’s ‘Trainers of the Century’.
Over the years George has helped many thousands of people (including the former US President, George Bush Sr., Prince Albert of Monaco and Kerry Packer, as well as many of this country’s greatest sporting champions) to reach their fitness goals. In the meantime he has tried and tested every conceivable method of achieving maximum health.
The session was tough especially seeing I was still in the process of recovering from the beach sprints with the Sydney Roosters earlier in the week. This sure was a great experience and one to treasure for the future challenges ahead ...
I had first heard of George Daldry as a kid through my Dad who had relayed stories of the many torturous training sessions. He was the man who made the Australian Rugby League team into World Champions and trained the Eastern Suburbs Roosters and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles during the 1970's and 1980's. Little did I realize at the time but George also helped a number of other world-class athletes.
His personal story was motivation in itself - how he’d overcome the horrors of Japanese Prisoner of War camps for instance. How he was laughed at when he was one of the first people to ever jog in public. I decided that George might be able to help me out too!
One night in Changi Prison (the notorious WWII Japanese POW camp), George Daldry decided that if he survived, he would go searching for the fountain of youth. Well, he not only found it, but in the process he became (and still is!) the fittest and strongest person, kilo for kilo, for his age, in the country.
George Daldry, at 84 years of age is still taking up to 10 training classes per week! Not only survived the absolute despair of Changi Prison, but how he went on to become recognized by the International Olympic Committee as one of it’s ‘Trainers of the Century’.
Over the years George has helped many thousands of people (including the former US President, George Bush Sr., Prince Albert of Monaco and Kerry Packer, as well as many of this country’s greatest sporting champions) to reach their fitness goals. In the meantime he has tried and tested every conceivable method of achieving maximum health.
The session was tough especially seeing I was still in the process of recovering from the beach sprints with the Sydney Roosters earlier in the week. This sure was a great experience and one to treasure for the future challenges ahead ...
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Marathon Man Trains with Sydney Roosters!
Well what a buzz! At 6am this morning I was fortunate enough to train with the Sydney Roosters in the sand on Wanda Beach.
After addressing the team Marathon Man then trained with the Roosters starting out with ball work and leading into an hour of beach sprint training. It was a great honour to train with the Roosters under the guidance of the legendary Ronnie Palmer.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Brad Fittler for the opportunity to bring this all together and the Roosters players for making me feel so welcome in the lead up to the season kick off in a few weeks time.
Go Roosters!
After addressing the team Marathon Man then trained with the Roosters starting out with ball work and leading into an hour of beach sprint training. It was a great honour to train with the Roosters under the guidance of the legendary Ronnie Palmer.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Brad Fittler for the opportunity to bring this all together and the Roosters players for making me feel so welcome in the lead up to the season kick off in a few weeks time.
Go Roosters!
Monday, February 11, 2008
Laurie Lawrence - Sends Support
I have just received some very kind words of wisdom from the icon of Australian swimming in Laurie Lawrence today that reads as follows:
"only the pain of a hard workout can save you the agony of defeat ..."
This will definately keep me going strong during the hard times!
Bring it on.
"only the pain of a hard workout can save you the agony of defeat ..."
This will definately keep me going strong during the hard times!
Bring it on.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Marathon des Sables Registration Official
Great news ... It seems as though all the planets are lining up following my official Marathon des Sables registration number being confirmed today as 888!
This is especially significant in the year of the Beijing Olympics with the Chinese believing that the number 888 is lucky and represents "three times the prosperity".
I will definately need the prosperity three times over and will wear the 888 with pride through the sands of the Sahara.
Looking forward to a fun weekend of training ahead ...
Till next time!
This is especially significant in the year of the Beijing Olympics with the Chinese believing that the number 888 is lucky and represents "three times the prosperity".
I will definately need the prosperity three times over and will wear the 888 with pride through the sands of the Sahara.
Looking forward to a fun weekend of training ahead ...
Till next time!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Big Adventure Gets Real
OK Kids well I am very pleased to report that I have taken the brave and bold move to hand in my resignation today as National Sales Manager so as to totally focus and concentrate on my training and preparation for the toughest footrace on planet earth.
The additional time will also be crucial to help me dedicate further resources towards highlighting the 'Facing Africa' charity and raising the much needed support to make a real difference.
Looking forward to sharing regular training and charity updates with you over the coming days!
The additional time will also be crucial to help me dedicate further resources towards highlighting the 'Facing Africa' charity and raising the much needed support to make a real difference.
Looking forward to sharing regular training and charity updates with you over the coming days!
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