One PCRG session stronger - One PCRG session closer to achieving on July 2.

I work as a Marketing Lecturer for Southbank Institute. This seems ironic as when I was at college I specifically stated that I didn’t want to work for the public service or be a teacher. But where else can you be paid to speak to people, guide and shape young minds or give direction and focus to mature adults. Actually I just like the nine weeks holiday a year.
I live in Woolloongabba, having lived in Brisbane on and off since the 80’s and joined PCRG in Jan 2006 thinking this will be different. I saw them mass swimming after a hot run in December, leaving a huge sweat slick in the Southbank pool and thought that’s my sort of crowd.

My favourite restaurant is “The worst vegetarian restaurant in Brisbane” the Norman Hotel where you can call your steak by their own names as you crave them up. My last one was called Murray Grey. On my next visit I will wrap my lips around a Japanese fellow called Wagyu.

My earliest childhood memory is biting my Nan’s bum after she scolded me for chewing my other siblings when they crawled pass me on the floor. It was not a something my Nana ever let me forget (my birthday presents were usually the worst), but I still get glowing reports from the dentist on the state of my choppers. The second thing I remember is escaping from my parents by running and diving under their double bed when I was in trouble. However one day I grew too big and knocked myself out on the steel bed rails. They were very supportive until I revived and then they strapped me.

My wife says grow up and act like an adult, my mother told her to carry that particular baton because I didn’t do so well in her care, my work colleagues probably think the same because they talk to my wife. It’s a conspiracy to get to feel old, drop out, play lawn bowls, bore yourself silly, stagnate, then die dribbling on the lounge and that’s not me at all.

My favourite movie is Sense and Sensibility, now that’s a joke, it’s Brave heart because he’s a leader, a thinker who believed in freedom and speaking his mind and who looked great in a kilt if you like hairy men who don’t wear jocks that is.

Brisbane City is my birthplace my city of choice my ideal “big country city” because I am a 3rd generation ABC or Banana from Queensland and very proud of my city as it’s the cleanest , greenest, warmest combination of any capital I’ve lived in. The people treat you for what you are, the traffic is reasonable, the coast is close and we are so lucky to live in a safe environment. I have lived and worked in several other towns, interstate capitals and overseas cities and nothing compares with Brisbane. Refugees swim to get here, Southerners buy their way in so there must something good about it. I think we should extend the rabbit fences and keep others out before it gets too big or as silly as Sydney.

My regular holiday destination is nowhere at present as I recently spent up big on major renovations , however I would fly to Prague at a moments notice to relive some of Europe’s old world charm. In fact I would go to most European cities especially Paris but always come back to Brisbane for the peace and quiet. The grass is always greener on the other side but when you get there ....well nothing beats home! You will miss the Aussie accent and Don Burke is a blast to listen to, if you’ve been away too long.

If money was no option I would still work as everyone is a social animal and we need the stimulation. Money doesn’t make you happy, it just makes living more comfortable and then you get lazy. I’ve experienced that living overseas where the locals still complain that they haven’t got enough money and are more unhappy than those without.

It frustrates me when you try to help someone out, provide good advice and they basically ignore you because they are too wrapped in themselves and can’t see the trees for the forest. As Monty Python says “You tell the young children today and they don’t believe you!” The next question usually asked “Is Python listed in the textbook and is it on the test?”

I have been involved in running since I ran across to bite my Nana’s bum, but really only since ‘83 when they Army started making me run 5km fitness tests. It also made me like shiny boots and starched shirts.
And my most memorable/uncomfortable running experience is withdrawing backwards whilst being chased and harassed through the wet hills of Singleton training area carrying a stretcher for four hours until dawn broke and the training finished. Angry NCO’s were yelling at you for hours and you felt “Stuff you Freddy I can do this until you fall down first.” That was a particularly nice dawn, the freshness and forest smells still lingered long after we finished.

I enjoy distance running because now you are free to do your own thing, no boundaries no pressure and you are in charge of what you want to do and where you want to go. What more could you ask for?

My favourite run is still simply around Southbank, the river and surrounds because there is ALWAYS someone out doing their thing whatever time of the morning. Whether it’s running or biking or dragging the dog around at least they’re out and not lazing around so it makes me want to run and run.

Motivation is something we are all born with, it just needs some bright spark to get you going, maybe Pat is that spark. Maybe that’s why he’s a redhead.

Injuries are a sign you aren’t invulnerable as I learnt when I suffered a serious lead climbing accident several years ago.

Nearly killing myself by falling 10 metres off KP cliffs and breaking my back , fracturing my sternum, micro fracturing my heel , smashing teeth and generally messing me up some, which meant major time on sick leave plus 1 year off all impact work especially running and gym work was a turning point in my life because it made me realize:
1. You never know when your time is up We don’t come with an expiry date.
2. We must make use of every day of our lives. Every day after my accident is like cream on top of the pudding (I could have been dead or at least a paraplegic).
3. If you got your health you got everything you need. The rest are just bonuses. So don’t complain someone is always worst off than you.

The Pat Carroll running group are my saving grace this year. They smile when you arrive on a dark cold morning, they encourage you, they applaud your effort on the last uphill climb. Then the buggers all race you back for the biggest piece of watermelon as they finish. I hate picking up a piece with finger marks and sweat stains on it that someone discarded, so you have to run back quickly.

I prefer running in as brief a set of clothing as possible to feel the light breeze on your skin because you know it’s working when you are sweating. And when you’re sweating you’re working. Also my wife says it shows off my best feature my bum.

Running is natural, being consistent and getting up for that early morning alarm however is as only as difficult as you make it.

The best advice 3 wise men gave me are:
1. My Dad “Always try, because success only comes before work in the dictionary.”
2. My old Korean martial arts instructor “More sweat in training, less blood in battle”
3. A work colleague who had just retired “Never believe anything they tell you” so I guess in summary that’s Train, try and don’t listen to the wankers.

Heroes and Sports stars inspire me less than the average normal person who does the best they can, with the resources they have and still come back the next day and do it again.
I will always regret not spending more time with my father before he died, and him not seeing my children grow up.
I will never regret any decision I made because it was the best choice at the time and you can’t second guess yourself or you will go nutty.
I do regret not being as tall as I once was. I was really, really tall, but the fall squashed me down some.

I will post your Gold Coast 2006 Goal on my site as well as on a board which will be displayed at the group sessions.

I encourage you to accept the challenge.

Please get out your diaries, your PATHWAY to success will involve these important dates.

I thoroughly enjoy taking the Sub 3hr group at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon each year.

Pacing runners and helping them achieve their goal is a rewarding experience.

The 3hr journey and above moment at the finish line is what will motivate me to increase my running volume over the next 10 weeks.

Gerard Gosens has been blind since birth however he has never let this interfere with his ambitions to succeed.

Gerard is a well sort after motivational speaker and he will be kindly donating his time to leave you inspired during the closing (and crucial) stages of your Gold Coast campaign.

Possibly you (or your company) would enjoy being a PCRG 'Countdown to Gold Coast' 2006 sponsor.

There are also opportunities available to be a naming rights sponsor for a PCRG post training session breakfast and/or a PCRG seminar.

Tue May 9: 3k Time Trial

Thurs May 11: 50min + No Watch 1k + Group Breakfast

Fri May 12: 6 x 1min, 4 x 30sec OR warm up with group/stretching and strides - 20min out and back light run - warm down with group.

If you nominate PCRG as your team you are entitled to a 10% discount.

NB:
Group entry closes Friday June 2.

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

Thank you INTRAINING for being a PCRG sponsor.

Australia's newest and most comprehensive running magazine.

The April/May Issue of R4YL is OUT NOW.

Look out for the basics of Mountain Running, the Beautiful side of Sarah Jamieson, Vegetarian versus Meat Lovers diets, Commonwealth Games Preview, National Track and Field wrap up, Returning from Injury, plus a plethora of others assortments and of course all of the usual race results and reports.

Thank you R4YL for being a PCRG sponsor.

The Brisbane Running Buddies and the Regatta Runners are running from The Regatta Hotel this Saturday starting at 6am, running varying distances from around 8k up to over 30k.

Brekky/coffee afterwards at The Regatta. All are welcome.

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

There is a strong chance there will be a group leaving from The Ship Inn @ 6am each Sunday, up to Gold Coast.

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

Thank you ''The Ship Inn'' for being a PCRG sponsor.

INTRAINING stocks an extensive range of MIZUNO shoes and running apparel.

Thank you MIZUNO for being a PCRG sponsor.

If you fail to follow a sensible diet your body will not gain full benefit from all of those enjoyable and challenging runs and you won't recover as well as you possibly could.

Kerith Duncanson is an accredited dietician as well as a former International class runner. An online dietary assessment by Kerith may assist you to achieve your goal.

Kerith offers 20% off her advertised fees to any runners involved with me through online coaching or any runner who is a regular member of PCRG.

You can purchase your Fuel Belt from INTRAINING.

Thank you FUEL BELT for being a PCRG sponsor.

Thank you ''Auscript'' (Peter Wyatt) for being a PCRG sponsor.

A regular massage will help prevent niggles turning into injuries. I totally recommend Karla.

Thank you Karla for being a PCRG sponsor.

The Qld Half Marathon and 10k is the next goal noted on our ''Countdown to Gold Coast'' campaign calendar.

You can enter online.