Always special to meet an Olympian. But this one's very special .....

There’s  always something cool about meeting an Olympian.

I’ve been lucky to meet some of Australia’s best, including our greatest  marathoners  Rob DeCastella and Steve Moneghetti.

Deeks and I in New York for the NYC Marathon.  Between us we've won the Boston Marathon...

Mona at this year's Run For The Kids.  A real gentleman.

Couple of weeks ago I met Sally Pearson. (And what an absolute delight she was. Unassuming. Funny. Comfortable in her own skin.)

 

But I want to share a story of one particularly inspiring Olympian. To get the ‘punch line’ you have to read (or skip!) to the end. 

Recently I heard the story of Dean Barton-Smith. His Olympic journey started like this:

As a seven year old lying on the floor watching the TV he asked “what’s that Mum?”  “The Olympic Games” his Mum went on to describe.  “Can I do that?” the youngster asked, rather naively. “Yes”, his Mum encouraged, probably not realising the power her words were unleashing.

And so the journey began .....

Well Dean followed that dream, and 17 years later at Barcelona in 1992 Dean represented his country. And not just in ‘any’ event, but in one of track and field’s hardest……...  the decathlon. Ten events in two days, requiring a range of skills like no other.  From the 100m to a 1500m. The long jump to the pole vault. Tough stuff!

 

“So what”, I hear you say. “Many people dream of doing that from a young age.”

 

Well I’ll let you in on the punch line. 

Dean is deaf.

When he was young his mother was told words that could have been a shackle for life ….”He will always be an average kid…..but don’t expect anything greater than that.” 

Through hard work and not accepting anything below his best, Dean didn’t let a little thing like his lack of hearing stop him! Just think about starting the 100m sprint … and not hearing the starter’s gun.

Sure there was “fears, doubts, and uncertainties”. Dean also recognised he needed a broad support team, and especially supportive family and friends.

But one word Dean focused on, as being absolutely necessary, was ‘resilience’.

Resilience, not relying on self talent, or ‘bought’ in an instant, or answers found in self-help slogans.  But resilience built over days, months and years – with the end result being an extra 100th of a second.

I’ve never worked that hard or long, with the end result being such a small improvement.  But that’s what makes Olympians.   And men of character. 

 

Dean speaks of the many of the same things that are important to me;

- Leaving footprints
- Creating a legacy
- Creating a new path and leaving a trail
- Changing people’s lives.

 Dean is a man of character. He also happens to be deaf.

Hasn’t stopped him.

I’m proud to call him my friend and an inspiration. He has made quite the impact on me and my family.

 I encourage you to follow him …. And his ongoing journey.  Being an Olympian is just one small part of Dean’s story. One day I’ll write the story of his being a husband, father, Order of Australia recipient,  YMCA Board member, Masters of Marketing, Surf Life Saving medallist, Volkswagen Beetle lover, and much more.

Twitter:  @DeanDeca

Linked In:  http://au.linkedin.com/pub/dean-barton-smith-am-mmktg-faim-afami-cpm/13/536/22b

 

 

10 lessons running teaches you about life

Recently, Dianne, my friend and fellow runner sent me a list of ‘10 lessons running teaches you about life’. 

“This is playing in my sweet spot”, I immediately thought.

My reasons for running are about the benefits of health .. for me, and for others.

So I share this list with you today. And I couldn’t let the opportunity go by without adding some of my own thoughts as well (in italics). 

 

These are powerful words indeed.

And to illustrate it I’ve added some photos of some recent running activities.

 

 

10 LESSONS RUNNING TEACHES YOU ABOUT LIFE

 

This is running to bond, share the sun, get some space from exams, and chat about the problems of the world.                  Little distance, slow pace, big enjoyment.

1.    When things get tough, just keep going.

      When most people encounter a rough patch, they quit.  The truly successful people in the world keep going no matter what. Never let your setbacks   win. 

Great runners – and great people never give up. Meb Keflezighi could have given up at the London Olympics but he didn’t – and finished 4^th, or at the New York Marathon – where he finished 20^th – but he ‘won’ more acclaim for that than any of the other medallists!

 

2.    Consistency creates habit.

To incorporate anything into your life, you have to make it a habit.   To make something a habit, you have to be consistent. Whatever it is you’re aiming for, make it a part of your life. 

Be intentional. Or let the waves of life carry you wherever they wish.

 

3.    You’ll have to get through hell before you get to heaven.

Like all things worth pursuing, you are going to get knocked down, stepped on, and rejected along the way. Consider this to be part of the path to your goals. Sometimes it’s more about the journey than the destination. 

It’s always more about the journey than the destination.  Find enjoyment in travelling rather than achieving.

 

And we're off........ 
This is running to compete, to test yourself, to have a red hot go. 

4.    Reaching your goals will take a lot of work.

If it doesn’t, it’s either not a goal, not worth pursuing, or will not have any fulfilment. Never expect to not put in work and get somewhere. 

        Bang. 100% right. The only way I have ever got ‘anywhere’ was by working hard.

A sense of entitlement will never provide joy – only a desire to want more. For free.

A sense of hard work – with no entitlement – brings the best results every time.

 

5.    Every aspect of life is mental.

It’s not about what you do or what happens to you, it’s about how to respond to it. It’s how you decide to carry on. Your power comes from inside your head. 

 90% of marathoning is mental. The other 10% is mental too.

 

6.    You do have time– you just have to make it.

If something is important to you, you’ll make time for it. If not, you’ll make excuses. 

            Your heart is where your time is.

 

This is running with your family.  Who cares about tempo, heart rate, pace or anything ....

7.    You define your own limits.

Your limits aren’t put unto you by your parents, other people, or the universe. You are in total control of it. You decide whether or not to shoot for the moon or stay right where you are. 

 I never thought I might run New York, or Boston … twice!   Now I can dream about any event anywhere …. and who knows …

 

8.    If you wait for the right conditions, you’ll never get anything done.

Don’t wait for anything or anybody. You know what you have to do to reach your goals and get things done. Just go do them! 

 Excuses are much easier than hard work.  Usually fear is lying underneath there somewhere saying “stop”.  Fear of what others might think or say. Fear installed subtlety from the enemy of our lives.

 

9.    Go beyond your limits every day and watch the magic happen.

You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve if you just push yourself a little further. 

If I train on Christmas Day while others are eating too much. If I run 5.5km today, not just 5. If I tell my kids I love them an extra time today. If I commit to encouraging that staff member today. If I ….

 

This is a surprise benefit of running. 
Sharing the podium with your son. 
Again, who cares about podiums when you're sharing health and happiness with your family.

10.There is peace even in the most chaotic times.

No matter now gruelling, stressful, sorrowful, or painful your situation is, there is always a silver lining and something positive to be found. Seek it out, learn from it, and keep moving on.

But true peace only comes from one source.  And its not you.

 

Melbourne Marathon 2013 - a photo story!

You see so many good things when running a marathon that I've always wanted to share it from a runner's perspective.  So this year I took my camera along!  Here's a bit of what I found.  (Apologies for some of the wobbly photos, but hey, I was running!)

Sun rise. Sunday October 13, 2013.

Marathon day has arrived.

Arriving at the MCG.

First stop, bag drop.

 

The calm before the storm.  The MCG is home to many iconic Melbourne events:  test cricket, the AFL Grand Final .... and the finish of the Melbourne Marathon.   

 (Hope its not this dark when we get back here!)

 

Another Melbourne icon:  Flinders Park Tennis Centre, home of The Australian Open .... and the start line of the Melbourne Marathon.

Yep, a wedding dress. Did this bloke borrow it from his wife?  (Nearby there was also someone getting into a roman soldier's outfit; beware that chaffing!)

This bloke had not 1 but 2 cameras.  And he used 1 to good effect to photograph the other one!

Lots of charity runners on the start line, for lots of good causes. 

The three best lookin' blokes on the course! 

Pre-race nerves. 

It's cool. Its 5 minutes before 7am. The national anthem is sung, then...

... the gun goes and you walk/shuffle/jog/then .... run.... over the start line!

 

The race begins ..... up hill!!  (And I'm allowed to run on the tram tracks!)

Down Flinders Street  (not a tram in site!)

A famous Melbourne site:  Flinders Street (train) Station. Some of our oldest city architecture ...

... and some of our newest (Federation Square).

The beautiful Arts Centre spire.

The MCG sits in the distance .... longingly awaiting our return...

St Kilda Road's National Art Gallery

This is not a drink stop. Repeat, this is not a drink stop!

Most creative cheer squad award looks like being given out early ...

 

Temptation .....

I loved this girl's running outfit ....

..... and this guy who wanted me to take his photo while he was smiling!

The Shrine of Remembrance. Our war memorial.

Only in Melbourne do you have to look out for trams during your marathon.

Not a good sign #1.  This is the first few km's and you're in trouble if you're needing aid already ....

Not a good sign #2.  A queue at the porta loos .... already!

Legends: 'The Spartans'.  Minimum entry requirements = 10 marathons. 

This guy's done that 3 and half times!!

Marathoning = permission to litter!

The beautiful boulevard that is St Kilda Road.  Just imagine this in autumn (fall).

 

Overhead this group chatting about the guy in yellow - a crazy runner from the USA who has done 460 marathons!  His friend (white hat) had only done 180!

Yes, those guys on the right are teeing off!  The Albert Park Golf Course.

Fore! (And whatever you do, don't slice it!)

Icon # lots!  The race track of the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix. 

But we go the opposite direction  (and not quite so fast!)

 

Volunteers .... bless em.  A smile, a drink .....

.... and then they clean up after us.  THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!

Best supporter costume entrant ...

Either most inspiring or most stupid runner entrant!

Wow - another Spartan. Yes in front of me also. 

Wonder if I'll be capable of that when I'm his age?

 

 

10km mark. And first time we see the runners looping back.  

 

Exiting pit lane.  Bet Michael Schumacher never had to deal with this congestion!

I can only imagine the world of hurt this guy will be in today ... (didn't stop to ask him if he had ever heard of the term "running shoe"!)

 

Start line of the Grand Prix track.

 

Down Fitzroy St.  Bit early for most of these locals.

Waiting for Mum to cheer her on.  Good on ya Dad!

The wind kicks in here as we reach Port Philip Bay.

Is that a drop of rain I feel? .....

 

Next contestant in the 'best running costume' competition 

In the distance in the Able Tasman ship .... Port Melbourne.

Good leg tattoo for a day like today:

#takewhateverhelpyoucanget!

 

20km mark. Check out the beautiful houses along the bay.....

..... not bad views .

Depending on how you're feeling this is either glass half full ... or half empty!

One of my favourite photos of the whole run!

Down onto the esplanade ...  that ice-cream shop looks tempting

It's a long haul along Beach Road, good thing you've got things to look at ...   

like really bad running outfits (2nd from left!)

There was chatter that his mates were breaking out a beer for him!...

 

Kids handing out lollies and high fives .... always welcome!

THANK YOU KIDS!

 

His t shirt and flag read "God Is Love". 

 

Always a joy to find a fellow charity team runner!  So encouraging.

 

Back up past Luna Park, the steep Fitzroy St, and turning back onto St Kilda Rd.          

The return journey begins ....

 

In my opinion all marathoners are super heroes .... some just dress a little more like it!

 

Wedding dress #2 ...

Winners:  Best cheer squad on the course ... by far!

 

35km mark - and, having just sited the MCG, the course swings you away on the nasty last loop ...

.... but its too much for some. The tears have started ....

.... and the hamstrings start to cramp.

The half-marathoners have a tempting short cut .....

The Shrine is now on the right, but .....

... it sits atop the final hill.

Push! Push!

 

... pushed too hard.

And here comes the rain. 

Drink cups are sent flying by the wind!...

.... but the fans keep cheering.....  THANK YOU FANS!

 

A typical view of Melbourne .... in the middle of winter!

The MCG beckons.... somewhere over there amidst the clouds.

40km and the rain starts to wash the sweat down the face ..  yuck.

 

A last minute entrant in best running costume.

At this stage the MCG may as well be on another planet ....

 

Lane closure. Ambulance. Someone is down and the paramedics get to work 

THANK YOU PARAMEDICS.

Unfortunately this is about just 500m from the end!

Brunton Avenue, the final stretch.....

gonna make it ....

 

entering the tunnel.... 

... the hallowed MCG turf ....

... the rain is bucketing down now ....

... but there's the finish line ...

"I'm so happy. I'm so sore. I'm so happy. I'm so sore".

A drink and medal for the hard work.

Sucess!

Real success. 

 

Really real success.

 

 

 

So there you have it. My 2013 Melbourne Marathon in pictures.

Thanks for joining me on the journey! 

 

And if you're really keen and want to support the cause ... here's the link to my fundraising page. THANK YOU READERS!!

 

http://melbournemarathon2013.gofundraise.com.au/pages/search