46 km, forty six kilometres, 6 inch marathon, bloody long way yes that's better. Bloody long way.

A quick recap of my past month I rode 217.5 km to watch the busso ironman once down there I was told it was quicker to drive go figure, it took me about 8 or 9 hours and I would have been out there much longer if not for my American savior Christopher who rode with me and took a huge amount of time at the front. But I must say it was fun and will not do it again.

Now last weekend I decided to do a 46 km ultra trail marathon thanks to my good friend (jerk) Raymond Lampard from Break Your Limits.

Ray did ironman and had also entered the 6 inch and when I was inflicting pain upon him when he ventured onto my massage table pre ironman asked me to run 6 inch, he said he would help me through. I of course being the good track runner agreed?!?!

Why still to this day I don't know but it was too late now as I had agreed and Ray whipped it up on his website about our adventure to be. No backing out now. So I entered and spoke to my advisors. Ray and Bernadette also one of the organizers of 6 inch so a handy person to know.

Anyway somehow I find myself at 4 in the morning yes am out in the middle of no where with 500ml of water and 3 hammer gels waiting for the start of this ultra adventure, my half marathon race debut, my marathon race debut and my ultra race debut. Hey go big or go home, I was with mr break your limits so I was.

So at 4.30 am the race starts and we are away first up is 1.5 km of hill no worries first one to the top and to finish wins king of the mountain the polka dot jersey, ok so maybe there was no polka dot jersey but there was king of the mountain so I decided it would be fun to try take that out hey iv got some speed my only problem. Finishing.

So top of the hill I was first across and I stop to wait for Ray as we agreed to run together. Now going into this Ray had just done ironman and ended up with a very sore itb, he was not in super condition but he was giving it a go. So we run together for 5km almost taking a wrong turn (thanks to Nathan Fawkes for yelling out and saving us) almost alone in 4th and 5th place, until our small detour and we have 3 new friends to run with and we continue on like this for 10 km I will not describe every step to you as this would take too long and towards the end would only involve swear and curse words.

We are now 15 km in and Ray's knee starts to play up a little but we continue the 3 guys who came up went off and we were quite happy to let them go, I just wanted to finish. A few more start to pass us as we get to 23km and the first aid station and Ray is really struggling but the will of the man is unquestionable and we continue. A few uphill sections are really troubling Ray now with his knee and it is starting to give on him quite a few times and more and more people pass. Still all I need is a finish. And to try now get Ray there as well.

Between 20 km and 30 km Ray and I are in heavy discussion about the knee how long can he go on how much damage and if it is worth it at 30 km we decide it is a) not too far to aid station 2 and b) if I leave it any longer it will be touch and go how my legs end up so I had to leave Ray, he soon found a friend in a stick named it Wilson and used Wilson 1 and then a few km later Wilson 2 and crutches and hobbled into aid 2 at 34.5 km, just.

After I left Ray I quite rapidly pick up the pace and a few places even over quite a hilly section and was feeling okish sort of not really but the quicker I finished the quicker this ordeal will be over. So I got to 6 km to go in quite good time this is when everything got tough and I was struggling to run 5-6min km it was a super tough last 6 km and after a mini celebration in my mind at 42.2 km I was very happy to see 1 km to go but I swear it was the slowest km of my life.

And I was so glad that it basically counted down in 100 metre increments from 1 km. I could count it out and was happy to see the next marker and round the bend finally to see the finish cross that line and claim that I will never ever do that again... Ever...

I was glad to hear my buddy Gerry Hill from The Running Centre won in a new course record and I in the end got the king of the mountain. Finishing in 8thish in a time of 4 hours and 6ish min.

After a few hours of napping the rest of the day away and eating as many chips as I could I decided that I I could have run quicker and now need to do it agin next year. I will be the one in the polka dot jersey, hoping to go back to back kingnof the mountain and sub 4 hours.

Ultra running regards

And training was starting so well again. Then work gets in the way. Tonight I disappointed myself and missed a session it was only a recovery night but still I missed it. Home from work late and I am having to cook, clean and do everything at the moment. So I decided to cook and clean and give run a miss.

But on some positive ish news I entered the duathlon this weekend yes I will ride a bike I think... Unless they will allow me to run it? No I will ride so I will keep you posted on my duo debut. The distances for the race will be 5 km run, 21 km bike and shoes back on for 2.5 km run.

I have been doing some excellent session on the bike. Yes session last Saturday where I think I was competitive with the group for about 800 metres on the bike (run legs were much better go figure). Let's hope for maybe a competitive km this weekend. Fingers crossed

Running (and for the next week biking) regards

Coffee and food ahh 2 of my favourite things only just behind running and my wife. Now I know this is a running blog I can write about anything I like so shut up.

Today I wish to talk about coffee. I have been very lucky in my time to experience great coffee due to two of my close friends being very passionate about the subject and actively working in the industry.

Now quite a few times recently I have read the west newspaper and have been confused by a writer and there opinion on coffee in Western Australia, or more importantly the cost. I would like to ask them a) how much are they paid and b) do they feel they are worth it.

Because I feel they have a high important on what they do for a living but don't care about other industries. Unfortunately especially the food and coffee industry that or they play favourites? Both terrible things to be as a so called food lover. They do rave about Melbourne food and coffee? Maybe they should move back there? I dont understand.

Now I'm not going to say I don't have favourite coffee shops or restaurants but I do think everyone is entitled to make a living and if people (note I said people not single person) respect what you do or feel you a leader in your field does that not mean you get paid more?

I bet our food friend gets paid what he feels he is worth.

Please thoughts? And maybe give me a few of you favourite cafe's and restaurants to try, let your friends know about the blog and hopefully they can give some suggestions too

Running regards

Hey all i know i havent updated for a while but i have been busy not so much training as i have been umpiring in the finals series but now that has come to a close we will start hitting the track and helena again.

But on a good note here is a killer tune i thought everyone might like if u like abc news



Enjoy

It is not often lately that I have been serious on here but I believe there is a time and place for everything. And the time for serious is now.

A year ago on the coming Wednesday the training group I trained with and past groups came together to bury a great man friend and our coach who passed away. The group of athletes I trained with made a commitment to remember him in the way we go about our athletics but more importantly our lives.

So today we met at a cafe had some lunch, laughs and caught up. Then we went to visit Vic. Now some may think this a little morbid or strange, but we were able to once again remember him and everything he did for us and gave for us and without even realizing made us better people. So ofcourse we can take the time to visit and remember him.

Today I run for me and for his legacy. I still remember training sessions him yelling at us across the oval "get yourself ready" as we were about to start another set of some session he had planned for us to inflict the most amount of pain. But he always got you through the session with some advice or necessary words of encouragement. Still to this day I call upon him. Out running last week it was late, wet, windy and cold I had got out the door for a run and had done 7 k or so of a planned 10. At this stage I could have cheated and taken a short cut home, who would know? Well I would and in my mind I knew what Vic would have done.

So what did I do?

Wet, cold, windy, late at night.

Finished ofcourse. The mental side is half the battle and thanks to Vic I have that won.

Enjoy life until next time

It's all about performance, that's the name of the game

Hi fans,

I recently purchased a fixed-gear bicycle, or fixie for short. My colleague Raf baugh has been ragging me about riding a fixie. I found this video and I think it's appropriate for my video of the week.

Pause the video at :21 seconds. The guy on the left looks just like Raf baugh.

Until next week,

The Honourable Mr. Nathan Doig.

Nate's Vid of the Week

Hey Guys

Just thought i would inject a bit of humour into your afternoon.

This must be an american.

Ill add a new funny Vid whenever i can Enjoy.

Running Regards

Ok so 2 weeks off with no running, only spending time on the windtrainer for a few sessions.

I had my first run yesterday and felt good for not running for 2 weeks. Achilles felt good no pain, considering the tough game have also pulled up extremely well today.

So for the next few days and weeks i will be again building up to 80 to 100 km a week and will be smarter for the break and going ahead will look after myself

Running Regards

I havent run for about a week to give my achillies a break i have been riding on the wind trainer (not the most fun thing i have done in my life) but it has appeased my runners brain whilst i havent been able to run. I have also been on the anti inflams everyday trying to bring the swelling down and it has started to feel good.

I feel that tonight is the night and i am going to venture out for an easy 5 km to start with and see how the body pulls up.

Wish me good luck.

Running regards

It has been a while since my last post i have been out training running some km's.

And while that is all well and good and as fit as i am feeling i forgot one vital part of training...

Recovery and Massage, and i have paid for it now.


A niggle turned into tendonitis because i didnt listen to my body when it screamed at me for recovery and now i am forced to take a week off filled with massage, ice and anti inflams. After a 2 game weekend.

So people please listen to your body look after your body because it is the only one you have.

Running Regards

It has been a long busy month and some training has been done in this time.
I have managed to run everyday when i havent had to fly for games, so i am still getting the runs marked off, quality is not there still, but i am happy that i am running and still building a base.

Every man and his dog has just about come in for a massage before this weekends half ironman, lets hope everyone does well.

so the last week has been fitting runs in between clients or early mornings on the days i dont have to attend footy training, sunday game 18 km, monday 8km with gerry and cody along the beach from cott, tues footy, wed fit in a small run between clients, thurs am run 5km and 6* 400m, pm footy training, friday 5 km in between clients, and saturday is to be an easy 8 km before a game.

Enjoy

John Steffensen

I have been lucky enough to meet many great athletes in my line of work and very short running career.

But yesterday I was able to massage 400 metre Commonwealth Games Champion John Steffensen. Who is in Perth currently for the Australian National Champs which double as the Commonwealth Games selection Trials.

John is one of the nicest and down to earth guys I have met, being the good Perth Boy he is.

Here is a photo of a signed shoe John has run in and a Shirt he signed for me.

Best running regards

It is that time of the year where the best australian runners jumpers and throwers all meet at the nationals and this year it also happens to be a commonwealth games selection trials, oh and the first time in i cant remember when it was held in Perth.

I have been lucky enough in my short aths "career", to be competing at an under 21/open titles many years ago now and could go and watch many australian athletes compete who i had seen on tv now they were live in from of my eyes warming up on the warm up track just like you and i.

I recommend to anyone remotely interested in aths/running or sport to go down and have a watch on friday/saturday or sunday. I have a good friend of mine Courtney Carter competing in the 5000m final on saturday night and even though i have to go away to Adelaide to umpire this week i will be trying my best to get down and watch him come 9pm.

There are so many other events this weekend that would be well worth watching. 400m mens final, Australia are one of the top 400m relay teams and have some top quality 400m runners. Pole Vault with Steve Hooker. And my personal fav on Sunday the mens 1500m final with one of the best fields of the weekend and being one of the toughest track events having to get through heat and final.

So if you have some time go down support your Australian Aths

Enjoy

Ps my week last week looked like
sunday 15k
monday 0k (after 55k on the weekend, i was spent)
tuesday 8k (5* 800m)
wednesday 10k
thurs 11k (4* 1.3k)
friday 10k
saturday 0k (it hurts)

It has been a busy week. I Worked and, well that's all really. Work was flat out this week and training suffered. My only help was the long weekend when I was able to get in 38 km on Friday and Saturday to boost the week to about 70 km. Yeah over half my weeks km were done in 2 days. My week went.

Sunday. Game. 18 km approx
Monday. 8 km all I could fit in
Tuesday. Training with umpires. 3 km
Wednesday. Wife's Birthday work all day til 7. No run
Thursday. Training with umpires. 4 km
Friday. Morning 12 km. Evening 8 km
Saturday. Game. 18 km approx

But I can't add hours in a day to train so I get by and try to make the most of when I can train hard. Using a umpiring game as a really hard tempo session. Not many other people are running 18 km tempo's. You just need to put the work in when you can. Everyone has one of these weeks.

My week always starts off on Sunday so I have a good head start this week after getting out to Helena Valley and doing a 14 km loop with one of the other umpiring guys and a world class duathlete. It was tough but after doing it a few times now am feeling stronger everytime.

Let's try for a better week this week

Ok so it is the week of WA state champs so i am going to give you all my little preview of winners and people to watch for the 800m, 1500m, 5km and the Bridges Fun Run.

800m. The 800m is really the toughest race to predict with a really strong field and pbs all really close together. The 3 to watch are the young gun Marc See, the old head Scott Tamblin and the south of the border Tex Mex Felipe De Castro Cruz.

If these three guys are lined up across the track with 200 to go we will have a race on people...

and the winner? Tambo, Strong and fast with the quickest pb in the field should win

1500m. One man can and will win this event and that is Marc See. He has been the stand out 1500m running this year for a west aussie, every race he has run this year he looks better and better and only a week ago i saw him destroy a strong field and run away from them with 600 to go and not look like tiring.

5km. Carter v Busi. 2 weeks ago carter was just over run by Busi in a 1500m. The places will be reversed this weekend. Strong super strong carter runs more km than anyone else in WA and in this event he will run away with the race after 2 k not to be touched or seen again.

And the Bridges Fun Run. One name stands above all for this 10 km event and that is last years City to Surf fun run runner up. Raf Baugh, fired up from his second place in the c2s. Raf will be out to win again one of the most presigious fun runs in Perth. Watch out for the great Ray Boyd to ruffle a few feathers early.

Enjoy if you are running or spectating

SO the past few days have not gone exactly to plan monday was meant to be a 2 session day. It ended up being a no session day, work in the morning so wasnt able to get out for an easy run to recover after Helena. Then in the evening well do i really need to mention why i wasnt able to run monday night? lets just say i like my head without dents in it.

Tuesday i ran easy 6 or so km again not exactly to plan but atleast i got out, as a younger runner this may have worried me more not getting out for those runs.

But a wise OLD man has helped me see the light, for all the runs i have missed i have done more so here is a simple visual and mental exercise to put ur mind at rest. Take out your phone book, that is your past year in sessions trained. Rip out a page for all the sessions you missed, then pick up that phone book and try and rip it in half?? Can you do it??

No you didnt, unless u missed 364 days of running and if you did that your probably not so worried about those missed sessions.

So get out there and enjoy your running people

It has been a relatively good training week for yours truely. On thursday I got my 2 sessions in and also ran twice Friday, although easy. 12 k is still 12. Why easy you ask? Well even if you didn't I'm going to tell you anyway. Yesterday was round 1 of the WAFL and my first real full game for the year. Tough? Yes.

I got to run with 2 of the younger members of the WAFL panel with one of them making there debut

So on estimate 16 to 18 k was covered at a good tempo pace. As a boundary umpire we are either running flat out or not at all.

I then tried to back up with 17 k out at Helena today with the boys. Just the out and back. I STRUGGLED. Came in well behind all the guys that ran short loop, but I think they knew what I was going through. The first few long runs the day after games will be tough. But as my old coach Vic said what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger, right??? No I am only going to be stronger for it. And I have 17 k under my belt for the week already.

I am once again hoping to run twice on Monday again trying to get the k's in the kegs with some Tuesday and Thursday speed track type sessions to get the legs ticking over nicely.

We shall see how the week turns out soon.

Enjoy

Sometimes as athletes we are so inwardly focused we can forget that life can be more than just a race or winning. And training can be draining and tough. I know I have been there.

The other day at work I had the privilege to massage a lady aged in her sixties. Now alot of you are probably thinking yeah who really cares, but getting to speak to this lady I realized this was not your ordinary 60 odd year old

At the age of 61 she swam the English Channel in a team. Of which they still are still the oldest team to have done so. At aged 62 she swam it solo and also at the time held the record as the oldest person to have done so. Which has now been broken.

Now in the next few years she got injured had shoulder surgery and probably could have hung up the togs. But since recovering from the surgery she has been training to take back her record at age 65... But wait there is more. She will do a double. Start from England across to France for a bite to eat, slap on some more grease and with 10 min of stepping on land head back to England.

Impressed yet this lady trains 3 times a day Mon, Tues and only twice a day for the rest of the week whilst still working part time. This lady is incredible and I found all this out about her because I kept asking questions the whole session. It is not often I ask someone to sign something for me. I have Kyle Vander Kuyp's signature And Ray Boyd's. Both of who I have massaged and feel they too are incredible people.

She doesn't thinks she does anything special. She just does it because she loves it.

On a side note Tuesday night was testing for umpiring. Wednesday was 16 k with Raf and Cody from the The Running Centre. Followed by a speed session this morning, 2 sessions will be completed today

Remember when we next have to do that session that 7am long run why we do. Because if a sixty year old lady can swim the English Channel then we can do a little run?

No because we do it because we enjoy it

more people have climbed everest than completed the channel swim

Some runs can feel like they are effortless and you could go on forever. I have come to the conclusion through vast amounts of my own research it's easier to get that feeling the more often you run or the fitter you are, these two travel hand in hand. A quick tip for the young.

I had the pleasure of experiencing this feeling the other night and I mean night 7.20 pm run after work. For those playing at home I work for the BodyStation in Willetton Sports Club and in The Running Centre. As the massage therapist. It was on this run feeling great that this blog came about. I never thought a) I could or should write a blog or b) anybody would care. But as is the case on many solo long runs before, you have some time to think and many a world problem or woman problem has been sorted in this manner by me.

As I was running along (it was an easy 8 k) I felt that the blog would be a good way to give the young umpires (I am also an AFL boundary umpire) and groups that I run with or anyone that stumbles across this (you must be really bored) an insight into stupidity. I mean putting one foot in front of the other or some may say running.

So welcome and I hope you enjoy and can have a laugh

As the description of the blog states I hope this helps to get kids young and old excited about running or that other absurd past time life (courts that's for you). For a long time I was but growing up and having to work in the real work takes a toll on the mind and body. So I found myself missing sessions and reps. Then getting to the point where I just didn't want to race anymore so I stopped.

5 years later and not very many km passed and the loss of a great friend and my first and only coach has me thinking more about running and not being entirely repulsed in fact I may be excited...

So with the encouragement of my wife and an old training partner my 2 feet were once again put in front of each other in a semi running motion. I ran the 2009 city to surf off about 30 to 40 km a week. Some how I ran 8th surprised myself a bit and was hungrier for more.

From there I started running 80 to 100 km a week and was dragged out to Helena Valley on Sunday mornings by the kid Courts. All that resulted in a quicker 5 km than I have ever run and here I am now.