How long have you been training with TriBal?
I started training with TriBal in January 2008, so it's already creeping up on 2 years.
How did you start training with TriBal?
I was invited down to run with the group by an old friend, the wonderful Ali Holmes. She'd started with TriBal just a few months before and couldn't stop going on about how awesome the squad was. I was often running alone, so it seemed like a good idea to run with a few more people.
Were you doing much running before joining TriBal?
I had already run a couple of marathons, so was no stranger to the training. Mostly I was on the phone to mates every couple of days, trying to get someone to run with me, as I get bored running alone. Anyone who has run with me knows I like a good chat while we're knocking out kms. So it was a relief to start running with a crew that ran so routinely.
What do you like about training with TriBal?
The people. Everyone says it, because it's bang on. The culture is inviting, everyone is encouraging, it makes you want to work harder and perform better. The members make you get out of bed at 5:30 to run in the rain, they make you show up for a 3 hour run even when you got home 3 hours before from a big night.
What marathons have you done in this time? What were the times?
Canberra 2008 - 3:23:29 PB
Melbourne 2008 - 3:39:29
Canberra 2009 - 3:27:24 (4:03 for the 50km)
Comrades 2009 - 9:18:23 for the 89.3km
So you can see, I'm actually a very slow runner! I was hoping to do Melbourne this year too, but had to pull the pin with injury... hope that doesn't happen next year!
Why did you do the Comrades ultra marathon and did it inspire you to do further crazy running?
I'd always wanted to run the Comrades Marathon. I'd read a story about a friend of a friend a number of years back and it was just so inspiring. When I got to Tri-Bal, I found out that the Ultimate Marathon Force, Andrew "Chip" Wood, had already run it twice. The idea got floated, a host of heroes got on board and then we were off. Achieving that dream while being somewhere as exciting as Africa for the first time made me realise that my 52M52W dream was possible. I was already talking about the Marathon Des Sables also.
What made you decide to do 52 marathons in 52 weeks (52M52W)?
As with any good idea, it evolved from a few simple conversations. Basically I'd already been chatting to fellow Comrade Smasher, Kevlar (Kev Lieberthal), about doing something more productive with all our running time than just talking crap. We'd thought about filming some shoe and product reviews while on the track, which in itself is a really good idea. But around the same time we got a copy of Distance Running magazine in the Canberra Marathon showbag. It had the AIMS (Association of International Marathons) race calendar in it and I was blown away at how many awesome races there were to complete around the world. There were a few hundred listings, but some glaring omissions, so I looked for a more complete marathon calendar online and found this - Marathons Ahotu - it has nearly 1200 full marathons listed! I thought - "Why not run one a week and film it?!"
I'd just been made redundant, so I decided, what the hell... Then all I had to do was sell everything I own to fund it! The hardest thing was not to accept another job. I've been just working part time lately, because I didn't feel right about committing to something full time for such a short period.
What races or training will you be doing prior to starting the 52M52W?
I'll be doing most of my training through November and into December. I intend to do a few 50km runs in this time, so get accustomed to the distance again. I like the long slow kms, so this suits me. I'm also training for a couple of Triathlons - 1 Brooks and 1 Gatorade in Nov/Dec. I'm doing it for a series of current articles in Triathlon & Multisport Magazine, but the cross training has been invaluable, especially with my recent adductor strain.
If anyone wants to join me for a few really long runs (or part thereof) in November, then I'd really appreciate the company.
52 marathons in 52 weeks is a big commitment are you taking a mini coach, masseuse, physio and nutritionist with you?
I'm taking one of my closest mates with me - The Dazzler. He's a tennis coach and has had sports massage experience. He's also one of the funniest characters I know, so he'll keep my spirits up when the chips are down.
I'm expecting to lean on Andy a little while I'm away, just to have a basic body management program in place that I can email him about. The good thing is that I'll be constantly updating the world about my progress, so he'll have a lot of info on hand to work with and help me manage my conditioning. No one really knows what this will do to my body though, so we can't plan too far ahead.
I've also been getting some rock solid nutrition advice from Sports Nutritionist, Alison Walsh. She's going to give me some ideas on what I can (and can't) eat in the many different countries we'll be stopping in while we travel.
How did you get the nickname T-Bone?
I don't have a good answer here. The origins of any nickname is kinda dumb. It came from my mate Chris Hawkins, who knows I like to smash stuff (not literally). I like smashing weights, kms, beers, tequila shots... I like having a good time and doing fun things. Anyway, he called me T-Bone and made a T with his arms.. It just stuck. The T thing with the arms kinda represents TriBal for me now too.