Distance Running and Inspirational Role Models

On Saturday 12th September, i took part in my first Half Marathon on the Legend course as part of the purple supporter team for Kiri's 100th Marathon. It was a great honour to share that special day with as she has been one of the main reasons why i'm still doing distance running and also taking part in my first Marathon.

When i first joined Get Running a few years ago, she mentioned about doing a Marathon at some stage. Back then, i wasn't thinking that i would every do one of those.

Now after 22 Half Marathons, i have actually decided to give a Marathon ago. Actually, i have also signed up for my 2nd Marathon even both i have done my first one !!

Anyway back to Kiri, she has a very quiet nature around her but is also very tenacious and motivational. Both qualities that i have as well, which i think is something you need to have especially doing distance running.

It was great at the prize giving, just to see how many people she has impacted with her knowledge, training, advice and encouragement.

Competent Communicator Goal Reached

On Thursday 15th September, i achieved the 1st goal in Toastmasters by completing my 1st 10 Speeches to gain the Competent Communicator Award. Only 7 years to get that far.

I'm now waiting for my 2 advanced manuals to arrive so i can start on the next ten as well as working towards to Competent Leader Award as well.

I'm looking forward to the next lot especially the technical set :-)

My other goal not related to Toastmasters is to complete 10 marathons, 3 down so far. Will have done 4 by the end of the year and have a least 3 planned for next year. But that's a subject for a another blog :-)

Where has the time gone ??

Just looking at my last blog from 2011..... there has been lots of changes since then :-)

To name a few, getting married to the Lovely Louise Vette ( Now Mrs Louise Jebb ) on the 18th Feb 2012, Starting work at Vodafone in June 2012 and becoming a Step Dad to Liam. Also can't forget joining the Get Running team a few months ago to help my running get back on Track :-)

......... more to follow...................

1st Marathon 2015

This idea has been a few years in the making. It was first brought up when i joined a running group a few years ago. Since then, i have completed 19 Half Marathons and who knows how many 10 km runs.

Now i'm only a few short months away from my biggest running challenge ever !!

Am i nervous ? Yes. Am i excited about it ? Yes. I have never run for more than 2 3/4 hrs at any one time so the thought of running for around 5 or so hrs is hard to comprehend right now.

I will have lots of experienced people to join me in this first challenge. And also a few more enthusiastic supporters and one of them will be ready with her camera at the first line :-)

There are lots of thoughts going around in my head at the moment about this event, most of them positive. I know the course as i have done the half 5 times and i have run around the bays many times as well.

The prep is well and truly starting now. I have some new shoes for the task ahead.

TBC .....

2011 Goals

After having a discussion with Louise about goals for 2011. I've been thinking about things that i would like to achieve this year. My initial goals are to complete my first 5 speeches in Toastmasters ( i'm doing number 5 on the 1st February ) and to get a new job in IT after going through an intense course gaining my IT Certifications. Other not so exciting goals is to get rid of my credit card or at least set a smaller credit limit on it that will not increased by the bank.

Longer term goals are to save up for overseas trips esp to Texas, UK, Sweden and Germany.

The Lovely Bones

I finally got to see this movie and it was an interesting movie. I was curious to see how the movie would deal with the issues of vengeance, justice, forgiveness, healing and the search for answers.

I think Peter Jackson did a good job of this and despite what some reviews i read, the CGI helped in some way but then again I'm a visual person. Now i would like read the book to compare the movie to the original story.

The movie had my attention the whole way, which for me makes a great movie. I would be interested to hear what others think about this movie, some good debates can be had.

More to follow once i've read the book.

First Blog for 2009

This one has really been a long time in coming since the last one in April 2008. Lots of things have happened since then, mainly getting a new job and ending my time as a Youth Leader at my Church.
Work has really been the highlight of my 2008 year, it's a really good job, good people and a challenge faces me often. Which is great as it keeps the brain ticking along and i get to learn new skills. I've never really had much database experience so this job has been a steep learning curve and it's starting to show now all the effort that has been put into learning SQL. Been part of a small company is very good, we work hard and have fun as well been like a family unit.
About stepping back from Youth Leadership at my Church, it's been a decision i had been thinking about for the last 1/4 of 2008. My main reason(s) for stepping back has to do with when i get home from work and also that i've given nine years of my life to this ministry. So mainly, i've decided to step back at this point as i feel that i can't give 100% to the Youth anymore without burning myself out from dealing with the workload from my day job as well as the requirements of been an effective Youth Leader.
This has not been a easy choice to make and it took a while to actually write the letter/email about my decision to step back after discussions with my parents and other close friends. I was a bit nervous about the response but after sending the email and getting responses back, i'm feeling very happy with the choice and i'm sticking with my decision, however hard it will be to say no.

Xterra 08 Thoughts

Well i've completed what is probably the toughest half marathon i've ever done. The Xterra Rotorua trail run. The location was very scenic around the green and blue lakes, couldn't stop for too long to admire the views as i had a run to complete. Kinda wish i had brought my cellphone to take one or two photos from parts of the track where people can not normally go. The first 12 or 13 k where fine, a few technical parts to run thru and concentrate on. The killer part physically and partly mentally was the big hill after the last drink station. They said at the last drink station that there was only 7 k to go, so i thought ok i'll be out about 2hr 10 mins - that was until i saw this hill :-). Decided not to even try running up it so it was a good 20 or so mins walk to the top.
After that climb the remaining course improved and for the last few km's, i was running purely on mental energy as my body just had no more energy. So it was just one foot in front of the other to the finish line. Just had enough energy to sprint ( as well i as could to the finish line ), seeing friends and family as i ran to the end was enough to keep me going. I was so emotional after the crossing the line after pouring all my mind into focusing to the getting to the end, i was almost in tears. Still the time of 2 hrs 22 mins and some seconds was a great time and i'm glad that i completed the Xterra challenge. Would look at doing it again next year, now i know what's required in terms of fitness and also knowing what the course is like.

Major Blog for 2007

It's been a long time since my last last blog way back in July. Since then, i have completed two half marathons within 4 weeks of each other, taken part in a beach series event at Takapuna beach and started a new job. So yes it has been a busy few months.
More half marathons are planned for the new year, one in march and one in april. As well as the Run Auckland Series which starts in March.
The new job is going well, just starting to come out of training and into the live work. It'll be an interesting job for the 3 months that it runs for next year. Dealing with all the student applications for loans, allowances etc.
Unition Youth has gone from strength to strength this year since we got a full-time Youth Pastor. It has taken a load of my shoulders to do with the running of Unition Youth so now i can just focus on the technical side, such as Sound for the River Services and the Website plus just been there on the study/social nights.