Interesting blog by Adam "The Boring Runner" today. You can read it and put your own spin on it, but for me I live in a world of conflicting priorities.
Priority 1 - Super Dad to Hayden and Joel. My boys are at a really fun age. Nearly 8 and 5. So we spend most of weekends playing lego, going to the park watching cool Marvel movies. I know when they hit their teens I will be the dorky Dad - so I am soaking it up now.
Priority 2 - Husband of the Year to Bel. Besides the normal husband duties we have a good split with our domestic duties. I love to cook so handle most dinners, Bel loves to mop the floor 3 times a day - so we are both happy. Bel works so it can be a juggle sometimes with her working late or on the weekends. Nothing too different to most people though.
Priority 3 - Running. Well that shouldn't surprise anyone! Part of my track running is now gym work so on average I have 12 sessions (6 running and 6 gym) over a 7 day period. Most days its running before Priority 1 get out of bed and gym at lunch.
Priority 4 - HRE. I should probably put my day job (Priority 5) in here, but if this is an honest appraisal I am really working hard on building HRE with Jason. Priority 4 usually comes straight after Priority 1 has gone to bed. Although sometimes it clashes in normal work hours (thus cutting into my Priority 3 lunch workouts). All signs point to a massive Spring Classic this year lets hope it pays off and we can donate $5000 to JDRF.
Priority 5 - Work. Yep this is the one that pays the bills and sometimes moves to Priority 2. As the Safety Manager at CQUniversity myself and my team are busy dealing with normal safety dramas, meeting with stakeholders, travelling to our other campuses and generally just sitting down responding to emails and writing risk assessments and procedures. Good times.
Priority 6 - Coach. I can't believe I have time to scratch myself, but somehow Coach Hayden's Under 8's footy team. It's only half of the year, and it's great fun. I am sure dealing with the kids has accelerated my receding hairline!
"So what" I hear you say, "I am busier" "I have more important priorities"
I have no doubt that people out there are busier and have more important priorities. The point of this blog is to make sense as to why I prioritise running over doing my MBA. Adam's blog is a reminder that not all investments have an equal return. Getting in that extra 10k run might not actually make a difference in the marathon, maybe the hour is better spent playing lego with the boys or taking my wife out for a coffee date.
The problem with setting goals is that sometimes they overtake all aspects of your life and consume all available time, which can sometime become an unhealthy obsession. I personally found that with my Ultra training being Priority 1 for a large proportion of my 2012. In hindsight that wasn't good for my world/family etc.
Would love to hear from everyone else!!
PS - Time to sign up for the CQPhysio Group Spring Classic www.hreoz.com
Wednesday, 24 July 2013
Thursday, 16 May 2013
Will you conquer the Mountain! New HRE Event!
12 months ago I was in the Blue Mountains getting ready for the biggest race of my life.
12 months ago I was an Ultra Runner and solely focused on getting that buckle and finishing under 20hrs at The North Face 100.
A lot can change in 12 months. Track is back.
In preparation for TNF last year I ran Mt Archer a lot, I learnt to love the suffering up the Mountain and would often complete the 20km round trip from my house to the summit of Mt Archer and back before work in the morning. It was good hard running.
Last week we were excited to finally open the registrations for our new event the Highpoint Access and Rescue King of the Mountain (KOM). Time to lock in the 15th of June into your calendar - this event is a must for anyone who wants an "official" summit time. Race will be from the Pilbeam Drive sign to the summit. I know there are a lot of walkers who do this, and I have seen them power up there - would love to know their times. The event is for both walkers and runners up the mountain
Registrations here: www.hreoz.com
This event will once again provide the bells and whistles that you expect from a HRE event, like electronic timing, a fully closed race course, adequate aid stations, finishers recovery area, race photographer - and especially important for a mountain event - buses back down.
Last year my best time was a sub 35 minute summit, for the near 5km run up the road to the top. With a little over 500m of elevation gain in 5km it certainly is a tough run. I know Ben and Michael can summit in under 30 minutes - sub 30 minutes is insane.
My best effort on the mountain was a "triple" - that's 3 consecutive summits in a row. All up that's 30km with 1500m of elevation gained and descended. I did this with Ben and Rod and I don't know of anyone who has done a quad (4 summits) but if someone is out there - let me know!
For those wondering how my track training is going, I must admit I am riding a huge improvement wave at the moment. I have dragged Ben to the track a couple of times, but he complains of feeling dizzy after!
Last week I was away for work and was able to hit the tartan track in Bundy. Although I got caught in a storm and it was raining I ran a really solid 200m in 28.00 seconds and a new track PB (self timed). So I am heading toward running in the low 27s for the 200m and my goal of a sub 58 400 is looking likely this race season.
Good luck to all TNF 100 racers this weekend, special shout out to Marty, Gav and Raelene who are heading down for Wilsons Promontry 100km.
12 months ago I was an Ultra Runner and solely focused on getting that buckle and finishing under 20hrs at The North Face 100.
A lot can change in 12 months. Track is back.
In preparation for TNF last year I ran Mt Archer a lot, I learnt to love the suffering up the Mountain and would often complete the 20km round trip from my house to the summit of Mt Archer and back before work in the morning. It was good hard running.
Last week we were excited to finally open the registrations for our new event the Highpoint Access and Rescue King of the Mountain (KOM). Time to lock in the 15th of June into your calendar - this event is a must for anyone who wants an "official" summit time. Race will be from the Pilbeam Drive sign to the summit. I know there are a lot of walkers who do this, and I have seen them power up there - would love to know their times. The event is for both walkers and runners up the mountain
Registrations here: www.hreoz.com
This event will once again provide the bells and whistles that you expect from a HRE event, like electronic timing, a fully closed race course, adequate aid stations, finishers recovery area, race photographer - and especially important for a mountain event - buses back down.
Last year my best time was a sub 35 minute summit, for the near 5km run up the road to the top. With a little over 500m of elevation gain in 5km it certainly is a tough run. I know Ben and Michael can summit in under 30 minutes - sub 30 minutes is insane.
My best effort on the mountain was a "triple" - that's 3 consecutive summits in a row. All up that's 30km with 1500m of elevation gained and descended. I did this with Ben and Rod and I don't know of anyone who has done a quad (4 summits) but if someone is out there - let me know!
For those wondering how my track training is going, I must admit I am riding a huge improvement wave at the moment. I have dragged Ben to the track a couple of times, but he complains of feeling dizzy after!
Last week I was away for work and was able to hit the tartan track in Bundy. Although I got caught in a storm and it was raining I ran a really solid 200m in 28.00 seconds and a new track PB (self timed). So I am heading toward running in the low 27s for the 200m and my goal of a sub 58 400 is looking likely this race season.
Good luck to all TNF 100 racers this weekend, special shout out to Marty, Gav and Raelene who are heading down for Wilsons Promontry 100km.
Saturday, 20 April 2013
Boston & Aussie8
It was a great chance to clear my head.
Unless you have been living under a rock you would know about the Boston Marathon bombings, and as I type this one of the alleged bombers has been killed and the other is at large. This morning I ran for Boston.
There have been many pieces already written about the bombings, and my deepest sympathies are with the families of the lost and injured. The thing that has hit home to me, was that no runners were killed. The 3 deaths were of spectators watching. It is hard to shake the thought that my boys, my wife, my mum, my friends are the ones who are normally there watching me finish a marathon. Innocent bystanders. Not runners, but your support crew. When you personalise the loss at Boston its hard to imagine how the runners could be feeling - finishing the Boston Marathon is at the top of every marathoners bucket list. Finishing this year would leave very mixed feelings.
As I finished the easy 10k this morning, my thoughts were fixated on Boston 2015. I may have to buy my way in, but I will go there and remember them, I will run for those who cannot run.
I will Run for Boston.
Aussie8
For the past 10 days my recently married mate Luke (Eddie) Edwards has been setting a new World Record for the fastest summiting all 8 of Australia's state and territory highest peaks (mountains).
Click here for Aussie8 website
The three guys have done an amazing job in managing the logistics of getting themselves from State to State and then backing up to summit these awesome mountains. Mt Ossa in Tasmania looked insane with heavy run and freezing temps - can't wait to hear all of the stories.
Having finished last night, I haven't had a chance to get all of the details so I will follow up with a blog after I get a chance to do an interview. It is an awesome achievement, and a record which I doubt will ever be broken.
Pex
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