I had the great privilege to support one of the very important Marathon Man sponsors on my return to Australia by addressing the Novartis Consumer Health Regional Sales Conference on the beautiful Hayman Island.
Following the great win by the NSW Blues in the 1st State of Origin in Sydney the previous night, I presented to the senior Novartis management team from 8.30am outlining further details on the big adventure through the Sahara Desert and the incredible work being carried out by the Facing Africa charity.
After the presentation I had the chance for a quick run around the deserted island and along the beach with not one person in sight. It was almost like having my own beach paradise in the Whitsunday Islands!
Thank you so much to all the incredible Novartis Consumer Health team and may the business plans go from strength to strength for continued success in 2008 and beyond!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Marathon Man On Hayman Island
Well having just returned home to Australia I have had some time to do the washing and am now leaving on another plane to make my way up north to the beautiful Hayman Island. I am the guest of Novartis who are a key Marathon Man sponsor and will be addressing the Annual Regional Sales Conference. Although entering enemy territory on the day of State Of Origin Number 1 in Sydney I have great confidence the boys can start well and do NSW proud.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Home Sweet Home
Following more than two months "running the world" it is really awesome to arrive home to Sydney tonight. There are few better feelings than flying in to see the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Centrepoint Tower and the Sydney Football Stadium! I am very much looking forward to seeing everyone again real soon. Now time to get the body clock sorted.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Prague International Marathon
As I lined up on the start line in the centre of the Old Town in Prague it was a very special moment in starting my first official marathon race. With the crush of people ready to run the atmosphere was electric and I started out a little harder than perhaps I should.
After the first 10km I was on track with the 3hr pace team which would have been very impressive. This pace eased off during the next 10km with me then being on 3hr 30min pace after the 20km distance as we approached the half way mark.
During the race it was a very different atmosphere when compared to the previous events over the past few weeks. The most obvious factor was that I could not understand a word of czech that was being spoken to me.
The professional running world insist that the back half of the marathon should be faster than the first! Now perhaps it was the fact that I had recently completed seven and a half marathons in the days before Prague or the fact that I was extremely tight after not having a massage for a few months. All I know is that I hit the wall and could not find another gear to move up over the final 20km. As the pace groups continued to past me I was getting concerned ...
With only 500m to go in the race a local camera crew who spoke English asked for me to stop for a interview just as I was getting into stride to come home into the Old Town for the finish ... I was more than pleased to help out though could not stop and he simply could not foot it with me.
I somehow found another level with the streets lined with poeople and the incredible support from the crowd. I made a great dash to the line with the crowd making lots of noise as I entered the Old Town and it was a great feeling to finally get across the line in 4hrs 30mins.
I addressed the crowd over the microphone with the race organisers at the end of the race and passed on my thanks for all the support though pretty sure there would have been only a few who could understand me!
It was a real rush back to the hotel as I was now very tight in the legs and made a quick change for the dash to the airport and then onto London before spending a few hours and heading back to New York City for a few hours before then making the long journey back home via Chicago and Hawaii ...
After the first 10km I was on track with the 3hr pace team which would have been very impressive. This pace eased off during the next 10km with me then being on 3hr 30min pace after the 20km distance as we approached the half way mark.
During the race it was a very different atmosphere when compared to the previous events over the past few weeks. The most obvious factor was that I could not understand a word of czech that was being spoken to me.
The professional running world insist that the back half of the marathon should be faster than the first! Now perhaps it was the fact that I had recently completed seven and a half marathons in the days before Prague or the fact that I was extremely tight after not having a massage for a few months. All I know is that I hit the wall and could not find another gear to move up over the final 20km. As the pace groups continued to past me I was getting concerned ...
With only 500m to go in the race a local camera crew who spoke English asked for me to stop for a interview just as I was getting into stride to come home into the Old Town for the finish ... I was more than pleased to help out though could not stop and he simply could not foot it with me.
I somehow found another level with the streets lined with poeople and the incredible support from the crowd. I made a great dash to the line with the crowd making lots of noise as I entered the Old Town and it was a great feeling to finally get across the line in 4hrs 30mins.
I addressed the crowd over the microphone with the race organisers at the end of the race and passed on my thanks for all the support though pretty sure there would have been only a few who could understand me!
It was a real rush back to the hotel as I was now very tight in the legs and made a quick change for the dash to the airport and then onto London before spending a few hours and heading back to New York City for a few hours before then making the long journey back home via Chicago and Hawaii ...
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Brooklyn Half Marathon Personal Best
The latest physical challenge this time on US soil was a great success today. It was a very early start following the previous nights birthday celebrations to travel by train from the Bronx to Coney Island for the race start at 9am.
The Marathon Man was enthusiastically greeted by the fellow runners and NYRR event organisers with the starter making special mention of the Marathon Man and the potential limitations presented by running in the cape. I thought it particularly amusing when one local guy commented that the Marathon Man was "totally bad ass".
The race started by running 3 miles along the Coney Island Boardwalk with a number of the boards being loose and posing issues for some runners who took a spill. Heading away from the water the journey then took us along the main road with cross streets such as Avenue O, Avenue M and Avenue N to keep us entertained on the alphabetic street name count back. As it was early Saturday morning in one of the most prominent Jewish areas in town there was a very large Jewish gathering making there way out to honour the Sabath. The highlight of the run was on entering the beautiful Prospect Park. I had to pinch myself with the incredible scenery and the Saturday morning baseball games only having ever been seen on TV before today. It was really rewarding to see so many people get a kick out of seeing the Marathon Man. The beautiful scenery did not lessen the pain of the final few miles with the last mile inevitably seeming to go on forever. In the end it was very exciting to flash across the finish line in a personal best time of 1 hour 48 minutes and 55 seconds. There certainly is lots of improvement ahead though pleased with the effort in Brooklyn!
The Marathon Man was enthusiastically greeted by the fellow runners and NYRR event organisers with the starter making special mention of the Marathon Man and the potential limitations presented by running in the cape. I thought it particularly amusing when one local guy commented that the Marathon Man was "totally bad ass".
The race started by running 3 miles along the Coney Island Boardwalk with a number of the boards being loose and posing issues for some runners who took a spill. Heading away from the water the journey then took us along the main road with cross streets such as Avenue O, Avenue M and Avenue N to keep us entertained on the alphabetic street name count back. As it was early Saturday morning in one of the most prominent Jewish areas in town there was a very large Jewish gathering making there way out to honour the Sabath. The highlight of the run was on entering the beautiful Prospect Park. I had to pinch myself with the incredible scenery and the Saturday morning baseball games only having ever been seen on TV before today. It was really rewarding to see so many people get a kick out of seeing the Marathon Man. The beautiful scenery did not lessen the pain of the final few miles with the last mile inevitably seeming to go on forever. In the end it was very exciting to flash across the finish line in a personal best time of 1 hour 48 minutes and 55 seconds. There certainly is lots of improvement ahead though pleased with the effort in Brooklyn!
Friday, May 2, 2008
NYRR Half-Marathon: Brooklyn
This Saturday 3rd May the Marathon Man will be participating in the New York Road Runners Half-Marathon Grand Prix from the world-famous Coney Island for a dramatic start on the boardwalk. The flat, fast course leads inland along Ocean Parkway before the finish in beautiful Prospect Park.
The Brooklyn Half-Marathon course will start on the Coney Island Boardwalk at West 2nd Street. Head west to a turnaround at West 36th Street and proceed east. Exit off West 10th Street and continue east on Surf Avenue to Ocean Parkway. Turn left/north onto Ocean Parkway to Prospect Expressway to Park Circle. Enter Prospect Park at Park Circle and head east on South Lake Drive. Continue around the northern end of the park, returning south on West Drive. Turn left/east onto Hill Drive and left/north onto East Drive. Turn left/west on Central Drive to the finish.
This sure will be a great way to start the day following my 35th birthday celebrations the night before ... Wish me luck!
The Brooklyn Half-Marathon course will start on the Coney Island Boardwalk at West 2nd Street. Head west to a turnaround at West 36th Street and proceed east. Exit off West 10th Street and continue east on Surf Avenue to Ocean Parkway. Turn left/north onto Ocean Parkway to Prospect Expressway to Park Circle. Enter Prospect Park at Park Circle and head east on South Lake Drive. Continue around the northern end of the park, returning south on West Drive. Turn left/east onto Hill Drive and left/north onto East Drive. Turn left/west on Central Drive to the finish.
This sure will be a great way to start the day following my 35th birthday celebrations the night before ... Wish me luck!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Marathon Man Birthday Celebrations!
The Marathon Man will be celebrating his 35th Birthday on Friday 2nd May in New York City!
The plan is to hit the streets of NYC during the day and then meet up with friends for Italian in the East Village ...
The plan is to hit the streets of NYC during the day and then meet up with friends for Italian in the East Village ...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)