Monday, January 5, 2009

Cadbury Hobart Marathon

The Cadbury Marathon in Hobart was the setting for the first marathon of the New Year. The morning was absolutely perfect with a beautiful 22 degree day and cool conditions!

Prior to the start of the Marathon I was interviewed by ABC News on my latest plans for 2009 with this to later to be featured on the ABC Tasmania News along with further running footage screened on WIN and Prime News.

The course was very scenic and there was a real country feel for this event with smoke billowing from the chimneys in the homes when passing by and the lake glistening in the morning sunlight.

The challenge faced by many marathon runners the world over proved to be in managing to control the urge to stop and head to the toilet early in the run. Fortunately this was not necessary ...

There really was a very friendly atmosphere amongst all runners with extra support provided by the Half Marathon runners on the first half of the course providing a little more motivation and encouragement. It was great to see the race favourite Dave Criniti from Sydney streaking away with the race and eventually finish up in front crossing the tape in 2:29.55.

The small field managed, race preparation, rest and the favourable course laid the foundation for me coming home to record a new Personal Best and the first sub 4 hour marathon time of 3:58:39! Yippee :-)

It was a real highlight handing out the medals at the end of the race to all the winners during the day! I would like to send a big thank you to Richard Welsh the race organiser who was very generous and extremely kind in going above and beyond to make the experience in Hobart first class ...

Following the marathon I returned to the motel to recover and prepare for a very early start the next morning to make the 6am flight and head straight back to the office in Sydney.

On arrival into Sydney Airport to start work early Monday morning, I was fortunate to have a radio interview with Tony Briscoe from Heart FM 107.3 following the article featured in the Mercury Newspaper.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Holiday Season Training

Seasons Greetings!

The Christmas Day magic run from Rose Bay to Bondi Beach and along the coast to Coogee was magic with dolphins sighted off the heads around Bondi Beach being a real highlight.

The next day was a light run and it is the little moments that really are to be appreciated with a little butterflies following me for what seemed like more than 500m on Boxing Day.

In preparation for a very exciting New Year, I decided to spend a quiet New Year's Eve watching "The Running Man" on DVD with the focus now well and truly on the first marathon for 2009 in Tasmania on January 4th. Bring it on ...

Let's make 2009 a awesome year filled with many magic moments, happiness and health!