You are to be commended Mark on the endless passion you openly display for your running.

I work as a Property Developer with the majority of our Developments in New Zealand. www.networthinvestments.biz. I live in Carindale, have lived in Brisbane since 1996 and joined the Pat Carroll running group in November 2005.

My favourite restaurant is “Wild Fire” in NZ. It is a South American theme where they bring to your table hot off the spit different meat selections. It just keeps coming until you say stop. Delicious. Best take away is of course “fush un chups”.

My earliest childhood memory is when I was 12 and on holiday at the beach. My uncle had an expensive fishing rod and was fishing off the rocks. I had an old broken down spear gun and boy the competition was on for the biggest fish by the end of the day. I was that buggered because I was snorkelling, but there was no way I was going to lose this one even if it meant sleeping the whole of the next day. By the end of the day my uncle had a small fish all of 4 inches long with my fish being all of 20 inches long. He was the family laughing stock for years.

Memory as an adult was when I decided to give up my day job 5 years ago to concentrate on property full time. Telling my wife I finish in two weeks was interesting.

My favourite movie is “Gladiator” with “The Longest Yard” a close second. You thought I was going to say “Once Were Warriors”.

Brisbane City is a thriving City with so much to do. Everything is so close and you never have to spend much time getting to where you want to go. I love living here because you can do what you enjoy doing all year round. The weather is just superb.

My regular holiday destination is where ever my triathlon itinerary takes me. Noosa, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and NZ every month although that is more for business.

If money was no option I would help the needy. Giving them the knowledge, determination and self esteem would be a good start. It is heart breaking when you see people who can’t even afford the basic necessities of food, shelter and clothing.

It frustrates me when people who always complain about their lives year after year and have promised to do something to improve their quality of life, yet continue to do the same thing year after year. It just doesn’t make sense to me.

I have been involved in running since the beginning of the year (2005) where it was just a slow jog around the block so I could at least finish the triathlons.

My most memorable running experience is quite a painful one, however doing the full Noosa triathlon this year and hitting the wall 5km in on the 10km run. Running on empty for 5km is something I will never forget.

I enjoy distance running because when you train with a legend like Pat and a great bunch of people who support and inspire you there is significant improvement as opposed to training by yourself.

My favourite run is every run session with the group (even though they are tough) because I know they will eventually get me to my running goals. I have never been a runner. It is a very different discipline going from running at a pack of forwards with a football tucked under your arm to running 10km with a good pace and rhythm. I now have great respect for swimmers, cyclists and runners.

Motivation is something I have plenty of when I am in group sessions. It starts for me with getting up in the morning and making the effort to be somewhere when you don’t really need to be. Most people take the easier option and stay in bed. If I know other people can make the effort I have no excuse.

Injuries are very frustrating for me as I don’t like letting the team down.

Giving up football last year was a turning point in my life because I then decided to do triathlons instead. This also meant meeting a lot of new people that has created a lot of balance for me in my personal and business life.

The Pat Carroll running group is a very determined and highly supportive bunch of runners. I am 100% certain that I will reach my running gaols because of this. It just makes such a big difference to performance and effort.

I prefer running in a group like this because there is a great balance of experienced runners and novice runners like myself. Being able to support each other regardless of your level is priceless.

Running is at the moment painful and difficult. I look forward to the day when it is painful and enjoyable.

The best advice a book I was reading gave me is that there are no limits to what you can achieve. The only limiting factor is you and what you decide to do about it. Richard Branson inspires me as an entrepreneur who had the courage of a pitbull to take on the big boys and win. I will never regret all the hours of training I do. Being an inspiration to my children is a priority to me as well as always challenging myself, with the hope that they will pass on the same enthusiasm and dedication to their children.

Please try to remember to bring a Gold Coin tomorrow.

Just a quick message to thank you for the speed sessions this week. With the heat and humidity that we have experienced over the last few weeks, speed work is definitely tough.

In my case where I was recently not able to do any form of exercise for a three week period in order to allow a skin graft to recover, I certainly feel the loss of fitness, and experience the toughness of the sessions.

At both of the sessions this week I have been the last person to finish the last "lap". On both occasions the group support over the last 100m or so was tremendous and enabled me to put on a bit of a spurt. I would particularly like to thank the person today who ran the last 150m or so with me (obviously after he had finished his session) - I cannot remember his name but thanks a great deal.

Thanks also to yourself for running the last 100m or so. It really does make a difference to the motivation (and eventually performance) when there is such support given by members of the running group.

Hopefully I will improve my speed and I look forward to being able to support other runners as they have supported me this week.

Tuesday 17th: 15 x 30sec on 30sec off

Thursday 19th: 4 x 4min, 45sec SR

The Brisbane Running Buddies and the Regatta Runners are running from The Regatta Hotel this Saturday (14th Jan). There are two starts - 5am and 6am. All welcome to join at either time.

Brekky/coffee afterwards at The Regatta.

Contact tfabian@bigpond.net.au if further details are required.

This limited edition wall calendar features public holidays and dates of major race in Australia and NZ, as well useful websites.

You can receive the 2006 Runner's World calendar for only $18.00 (plus $2.00 P/H) giving yourself motivation and inspiration the whole year through.

2 WEEKS TO GO

Make sure you visit INTRAINING @ Park Rd Milton for all your running needs.

I managed to get a good deal on some Mizuno clothing so I am happy to reduce the usual cost of the singlets etc.

If purchased at training:

Singlets $35, T Shirts/Crop Tops and Bra Tops $40

I also have some men’s running shorts in M/L & XL at a cost of $25

You are welcome to take any item home to try before you buy.

You can help make a difference by being a pace runner in the Canberra Marathon.

All pace runners receive free race entry to the April 9 event.

Thank you to pb sports nutriton for your ongoing support in providing product which is used at the group sessions.