There is a saying that I heard a long time ago about human beings that I use every day.

There are three types of people in the world.

• Those that make things happen.
• Those that watch things happen.
• And those that say “Huh, what happened?”

I’ve decided that I want to be someone that makes things happen!

I’ve been each type of person at one time or another. Even now, some days I sit back and watch what happens – a spectator on life. But more often than not I do my utmost  to be different. To not accept the ways things are. To challenge the world, and more
importantly myself.

Life is short….. too short. When it is over I would like to think that I have made a positive
contribution to my family, my friends, my clients and to those less advantaged than me.

In reality I am not a very remarkable person – your typical Joe Average. I did ok at school; I’ve been reasonably successful at work; I’ve got a great family and a amazing network or friends, colleagues and clients.

When it comes to running – I’m not very fast; my technique is ok – but nothing to write home about – but I can push myself to run for a long time. Sometimes a very long time.

Although I am still recovering from hip surgery which forced me to stop running for 12 weeks, and I have  rheumatoid arthritis (I’m also only 14 months from turning 50), I am determined to complete
MDS2015 – the toughest footrace in the world – to raise funds for research  into the prevention and potential treatments of dementia

I’m a keen runner and have completed numerous endurance events that include:

– Gold Coast Marathon (3 times)
– Melbourne Marathon
– Surfcoast Century (100kms and then the following year 50kms)
– Tarawera Ultra Marathon (100kms reduced to 74kms due to cyclone  – yes really!)
– Two Bays Trail Rain Ultra Marathon ( 2 times – 56km event)
– Great Wall of China Marathon
– Adelaide Marathon
– Brisbane Marathon
– Singapore Marathon
– Marysville Ultra Marathon (50km)
– Great Barrier Reef Ultra Marathon (74km)
– Great Ocean Walk Ultra Marathon (100km)
– Sandy Point Marathon

And a host of half marathons, trail events and other distances.  I completed my first marathon in 2011 and haven’t looked back.  It’s fair to say that running started as a hobby – but became a way of life.