Uncover your inner athlete!

Every morning in Africa a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be eaten.. Each morning in Africa a lion awakes - it knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle or it will starve.


No matter if you are the lion or the gazelle, when the sun comes up you had better be running!



Friday, November 14, 2014

Acceptance

Sometimes in running or in our lives in general things just don’t pan out how we think they will.


Sometimes we put in a huge block of training and come race day we just don’t seem to be able to bring things together and pull it off. Other times still we line up at events grossly undertrained, coming back from injury and heavier than we were at other times of peak fitness and manage to pull out a PB or run a blinder. This happened to me in my running career for the second time on Wednesday of this week.

Life is a funny thing that way and I’ve learnt now not to place too much hope and expectation on things as I seem to get the best results when I don’t plan at all or have expectation of an outcome. By not having lofty goals in sight it takes a lot of pressure off of things and both in running and life we are able to be more natural and take more out of the situation.

Inter – relationships in life are always dependent on more than just ourselves and we can only really influence what we can influence and no further. What the other person or persons is thinking or doing is not for us to try and comprehend. If those around us don’t accept us as we are then they are probably not worth having around.

On most occasions there will be another event or shot at things (sometimes much better than the one that we originally were pushing for) and the quicker we move on to that next chapter the more we will be able to cram into our otherwise very short lives.

Running together (while focussing only on what we can influence in life), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller

Sunday, September 7, 2014

Stripping naked to raise funds for athletes

Every so often a once in a lifetime opportunity comes along to do something completely unique which will also help out someone else.

My training group SWEAT Sydney recently took the decision to fundraise for elite Australian runners who don't receive enough financial support by posing as a group for a 2015 calendar. While elite athletes have done this sort of thing in the past in Australia, this is the first time that a grassroots training group has taken the decision to pose in a tasteful art calendar in Australia.

The calendar has received rave reviews from across the world and being offered for sale now via www.sweatsydney.com.au . Support unique initiatives to help out up and coming runners more of which should be done around the world!




Friday, August 29, 2014

The wonder of life

I have no right to question or try to understand easy persons journey whom I come across, nor is it my business how they will get to their destination. My only focus should be my own path and lending support to others if they falter.

Sunday, July 20, 2014

When to chase and when to hold back!

Sometimes in life when things just aren’t happening it’s time to pickup your surfboard and your runners and head off to somewhere where it is happening. Sometimes also this has been lurking your mind for sometime and yet you haven’t acted, but then just as suddenly you speak with a high respected mentor and they set things straight for you in just a few short weeks and suddenly you have a plan to move forward and stop with the inaction (as with running, sometimes in life you need folks to make decisions for you).
For the longest time I have been labelled the ‘nice guy’ and the person that people can depend on and even walk all over, this I’ve now found has been at the detriment of my own personal gain and growth and so I’m going to be setting that straight over the next 12 months. This is a really important time for me in my plan with regards to life and running. It’s about taking back and taking opportunities.
Take opportunities in your running and life – don’t get walked on, push back and ultimately chase your dreams because no one should be holding you back from these especially if you are single and still relatively young like me.
Don’t die trying to achieve something but then also know when to pull back and quit to.
Carpe Diem!
Running together (while chasing and achieving your dreams), stride for stride on a life changing ride!—Sean Muller

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Love your roots - do them well!

Where have you been Sam? This has been one of the messages that I've received of late with regards to my blog. Life and running has been hectic what with my mate now fully released out in to the the dating world of sydney again. It's great that he seems to be having so much fun, which leads me to come back to my writing as this has always been a source of sanity for me. It's something I'd dropped recently in favour of other things.

It's clear that of late efforts I had been focusing energy on were in vain and now it is time for me to become a little selfish and focus only on myself and my training for a bit.

I'd love to have shared some more creativity in this, but some have mocked my creative efforts of late and thought it funny that something that was created should be a source of a joke amongst others.

I don't play these sorts of stupid games and rather leave others to play them on their own. Life's too short for any of that BS.

In other news I just got the news that I get to extract some revenge next year. This time I go wiser, older and with a different approach that is tested. More later.

Running together (while not being made a mug), stride for stride on a life changing ride. -- Sean Muller.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Hardening up in running and relationships

People confuse me- most of all women confuse me. In life like in running you try to do the best you can do. You do your best to do good, share good times and work through bad (even extremely bad) times with folks and yet sometimes you still land in the poo for all your good intentions.

The past few days I have been laying low and out of the firing line. It’s disappointing and sad when things that you've shared with others at times (and at times when you've been vulnerable) have been used against you.

It’s ugly and it becomes messy and in the end there are never any winners. It’s equally hard when you could use what you know about that person to hurt them to, but you can’t bring yourself to do that and then you get called soft by someone else you counted as a friend who maintains that you brought it on yourself through not being hard enough.

Hardening the body is so much easier than hardening the heart. I want to be tougher and harder, but I struggle to know where to begin. It’s weird as I see these sorts of behaviours everyday but can’t bring myself to replicate them. Seems like laying low is best for me at this point. At least in my own company and running on my own no one can hurt me.

Running together (while laying low for a bit), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller

Monday, June 9, 2014

Running, fitness and the ‘pickup’

Today was the culmination of a number of months’ worth of work in helping my mate to get fit again following his marriage breakdown. I’ve mentioned before how he’d let himself go in the past and was now finding it tough to get back to his previous form and shape.

He’s got there through a combination of running and shifting around 15kgs and is looking pretty good to boot. His self-appointed goal now is to embark on a series of ‘pickups’ as he terms them over this winter. Looking pretty good he now seems to have the choice of a plethora of women and a new found confidence to boot. This seems to be the prevailing scenario facing all men in their late 30s and 40s in Sydney.

I view all this as highly interesting as watching him in action today it is amazing that even at his age where one might expect that there would be some honesty and a reluctance for any sort of game play and nonsense, there was plenty of shifts in the truth. Surely there was plenty of time for that in the past when they were younger and didn’t really care about who or what they hurt with those crazy games. All of this isn’t really for me and he has tried hard to goad me into it, but I only observe with mild amusement.

Crazy how all this has panned out. It’s great to see his confidence improve so much, but at the same time I feel as if I have created a monster who is not thinking about others feelings, but then again as has been pointed out to me ‘it takes two to tango’.

Running tother (while helping others to improve their confidence), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller

Friday, May 30, 2014

Running and relationships

I was having a chat to a friend this morning at the gym about how running has been affecting his relationship. He was having a whinge that his new girlfriend could not understand why it would make him so happy to head off on a Sunday long run and come back much saner and happier than before. He works a pretty stressful job and so for him (like many of us) his Sunday morning long run is a form of therapy in helping him to just be alone inside his own head and relax. He comes back revitalised and ready to face the following week.

I pointed out to him that I wasn’t the best example to be asking these sorts of questions of since my track record with women is nothing to brag about and so that largely means that I am free to indulge in exercise in whatever way I want to, but it also means that I don’t have all the other associated pleasures attached with a relationship in my life.

In previous relationships I have found that it was healthy to have a partner who shared my passion for keeping fit, but that the largest thing that came in the way of things was often the fact that we ended up being so competitive with each other and she couldn’t stand the fact that sometimes I was a bit better than her at things and vice versa she was a bit better than me at other things. In hindsight those relationships were not right for me and to be truthful one always has to feel that things are right in a relationship prior to moving forward with things.

Two very strong competitors may not always work long term. Short term they may bring out the best in each other, but long term they may end up doing more damage to their relationship than good through the competition.

Similarly, as with my friend, a relationship can’t really work if one side is just doesn’t condone (or worse still is jealous) of their partner’s exercise needs/regime. This can only lead to problems in the long term.


Running together (while hopefully with an equally active partner), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller

Monday, May 26, 2014

Learning from different coaches

While I love my current training group SWEAT Sydney and have improved massively since training with them, I always think it's also a good idea to keep an eye on what other coaches are saying and preaching around the world.

I've mentioned Bobby McGee on here previously as someone that I trust apart from my own coach Sean Williams. Bobby has a wealth of knowledge available free of charge on his website (many others charge vast sums for this information). Anyone looking to train and succeed at a high level in running or triathlon could do well to follow the methods of Sean and Bobby.

Running together - while training under champion coaches. Stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller

Thursday, May 8, 2014

What's with being good enough for second in life and love?

It’s weird how things occur in life. Sometimes we make the best plans in the world only for none of them to come to fruition. This at the time is frustrating and can lead us to call into question all sorts of things. That said we have to experience and taste the lows in order to experience and taste the highs.

For me some weird things have been happening of late. Twice now I have had ladies approach me after turning me down some years ago for not being cool enough or good enough in their eyes or flat out too boring. They are both now divorced and claimed – boring old Sam was suddenly good enough for them. I flat out turned them down as I’m nobody’s second best and certainly not someone waiting around crying into milk.

What is the world coming to when now people feel that it is okay to revisit someone that they have turned down and that they will be welcomed in with open arms as they embrace their ‘second choice’. Why did I post this in a running blog? Well for no other reason other than that I’m running the other way from girls like this. I’d rather remain single for the rest of my days than be second.

Running together (while not settling for second best), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller

Friday, May 2, 2014

Trail running at its best

It has been brought to my attention that I haven't yet managed to plug an upcoming trail race that I am assisting with through this blog.

If you are an Australian based runner you really should be giving some thought to coming down and running the Southern Highlands Challenge in the NSW Wingello State Forrest on 31 August. The event is bound to be the best trail event in Australia. Come on down and join the fun!


Thursday, May 1, 2014

Keeping charity for those who need it

Today I learnt a brand new word from a close friend – Boondoggle which literally means a project which is a waste of time and money- something often just kept going for the sake of it. It benefits no one and is silly but keeps getting money thrown at it. This is particularly apt when I think of many people who go around funding their own athletic pursuits under the banner of raising money for charity. It’s all fine and well raising money while completing events which you pay to get to under your own steam, but if you then use this pretext to get others to put forward some of their hard earned cash in an economic downturn to fund your travel and entries then that is where I have big problems. That sort of behaviour is just plain unethical and I have no qualms in calling it as I see it.

Keep charity pure and don’t muddy it with personal requests.

Running together (while keeping charity pure), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Small things with big meanings

I've never been someone who has hung onto medals or awards that I have attained. I think that mum has a box of school trophies and such lying somewhere at home, but today when I was cleaning out some of my closets I came across the medal below.

Not sure why I chose to keep it as it certainly isn't the biggest or most prestigious race that I've ever entered. In fact the 9KM that I completed that day in 2006 would just be merely a recovery run in my current fitness. It did however signify a time when I was still massively overweight and in need of drastic help to overcome my weight problems. It was the first step on my journey to current fitness.

A small 9KM and an even smaller medal on the road to a huge journey of change. One couldn't have existed without the other.

What small things mean the most to you?

Running together (while remembering where I came from), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Love, happiness and new life on the run!

Today I had the great fortune of spending some time with some incredible people who I train with. Each of them inspire me in so many different ways and it is always good to hear about other people doing well in life, life and in their careers.

One of them confided that they have had a promotion at work and are destined for bigger things, another is on a new journey to study something completely different  and the final one confided that she and her partner are going to be expecting a new little one in about 6 months time.

This is such great news and I couldn't be more thrilled for all of them especially the one expecting her first child. New life is amazing and especially when it comes two such lovely people who are clearly so much in love. I’m a massive softy when it comes to those sorts of things. Being both runners, they are going to be such great role models and parents for the little one.

What fantastic news to receive after a massively positive training session with mates. If this sort of happiness and joy comes to all of us at some point then we are definitely in great shape as a human race.

Running together (while receiving massively good news about friends), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller

A true puritan!

Occasionally I do some book reviews on here about books that truly leave a mark on me.

I recently finished reading ‘The Ghost Runner’ by Bill Jones. It is the story of John Tarrant -an English runner in the 1940s, 50s and 60s who was banned for life from competing in the amateur era due to the fact that he had received a small sum of money during a previous life as a boxer.

Tarrant fought this ban till his dying day and never is a more riveting story told of one man’s complete and utter devotion to the sport and winning despite his efforts never counting towards the record books or any trophies being conferred. I was captivated from first page till last.

At one stage he was good enough to make the British Olympic team but wasn’t chosen on the basis of his ban. Imagine being good enough to win marathons and ultras outright but knowing that your records will never stand.

He even at one stage broke the 100 mile world record as well as holding the 40 mile world record. All while as an unofficial athlete. Last but by no means least, he ran and came 4th in the Comrades marathon of 1968 where for the first time he was not the only unofficial runner as the race was for many years considered only to be for the white population with other race groups forbidden from entering.

I love an underdog story and hearing about runners who compete merely for the purity of the sport. In the ultimate act of sportsmanship, his mate Dave Box who also ran Comrades in 1968 and is listed as finishing 4th in the records presented him with his gold medal from the day on Tarrant’s deathbed.

A true tale of commitment and dedication to the sport.


Running together (while fighting injustices in sport), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Determining how badly you want it

I watched this today on another site and am unashamedly sharing it on this forum. It doesn't really have much to do with running, but gives a really good idea of how far some people will go to achieve their dream whatever it is. Are you one of these people?

Running together (while wanting something more than another person), stride for stride on a life changing ride!-- Sean Muller

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Checking out health as a runner

A year ago I had some disturbing news around my health and was extremely worried as a result. After numerous tests it was determined that I had had a false diagnosis and was unnecessarily scared by the doctor that I went to see.

As I approach my mid 30s I think it is integral that everyone (particularly men) go and have a physical every year to put their own mind at rest. I am confident that I am pretty fit compared to the majority of the rest of Australia, but that still didn’t stop me from lining up this week and undergoing some tests to determine my own fitness levels and vital statistics. Everything checks out just fine luckily but it was reassuring to find this to be the case.

Many people stick their head in the sand when it comes to their health and they assume that things will be fine when in fact many times this is very far from the truth. It's my own view that I want to be around for as long as possible for my loved ones and for the sake of life in general. 

Who wouldn't want to LIVE life to the fullest while we have this time on earth. Remember we will never have this time over again so don't have any regrets. Go and tell those that you care about everyday how much you love them, spend time creating positive memories.

Running together (while checking out one’s health fully), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Be your best everyday!

I’ve been getting lax again in terms of posting and inevitably I get reminded about this by some folks. It’s extremely humbling to know that people are still reading and interested in my musings on running, life, love and the world around us. Granted I’ve had loads on the go over the past couple of weeks, but that is still no excuse and some might say I need to manage my time better.

This past week has been extremely trying due to a passing in the family as well as a fallout in my friend circle. Life goes on though and you definitely only look to surround yourself with the people in life who will bring out the best in you and help you to become the very best YOU that you can be on any given day.

So many times I’ve been speaking to people about what they want out of a partner in life and it comes back to the mighty dollar. Not down to the fact that someone may treat them really well and respect them for who they are and also provide them with support and confidence to reach the highest level that they can in life. All of those things money really can’t buy.

Life is very short (as I discovered over this past week) – you never know when things may happen or for what reason. Living life to the full each day and aiming to be your best is all you can really do. Everything else in life is the cream on top.

Running together (while surrounding yourself with positive people and experiences), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Life and love are strange animals

Life is a strange beast. I was talking with my local coffee shop owner about life in Israel having lived there many many moons ago when I was young, vaguely good looking and cooler than I am now. It was great to reminisce and it kind of got me thinking again around the lines of 'How does life shift and change'.  

If one would have said to me at the age of 5 that I would be living in Sydney in my mid 30s and that I would be running marathons and only just starting to take my swimming more seriously (swimming was always my first love), I’d have said you were a lunatic.

This brings me on to the topic of planning and working for something and believing it will happen only for something completely opposite to happen. This happened for me in my running in last year’s London marathon. I finished in an okay time, but not one that was reflective of all the hard yards that I put in in the months prior. Perhaps though sometimes one puts in too much and doesn’t see anything else for the efforts at that time and many times I’ve found that I get the best results by just taking a step backwards and approaching things as they come on an event day.

The same can be said for anything in life really. In my case I had a few years ago been looking to move to Asia for work and nothing seemed to eventuate at the time I was looking. Now in the past month there have been 4 opportunities that I would really have considered back in the day (part of me still dreams about them), but it is ironic that they came about now when I wasn’t looking at all.

Jobs, love, friendships or athletic results – I’ve never known when they would knock, but have become increasingly open to going with life and seeing where it leads, while relaxing and not stressing about things that I fear I am missing out on as this would only cause me to miss out on what today brings and as we know you can never have this time over again.

Never waste time or be fearful of making a wrong choice. If you are being true to your morals and values and are not hurting anyone else then there is no reason why you should not be afraid to truly live. Hug your loved ones and tell them you love them often, have a laugh with friends, try your best and don’t be afraid of trying new things because others will laugh. They probably never had the guts to try what you are anyways.

Running together (while striving to truly live each day), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller 

Friday, March 28, 2014

Just for the sake of it

When was the last time that you did something or said something that made someone else feel good just for the sake of it? I'm not talking about when you expected something back, but just when you did something good just because.

I was talking this morning with a training buddy after we both commented to a dude at the gym on how much weight he had lost over the past 6 weeks. I really think it’s important to share these sorts of comments with others (even strangers) and often do it when I’m out running or training. When I was at my heaviest and trying to shift kilos I know how hard it was and also how I lived for any sort of commendation or positive word from anyone really. We all value and need this sort of encouragement and after all you never know what someone is going through in their life at that point and how one positive statement or action could have such a great impact on them.

Some people are able to talk themselves up and that is how they obtain their motivation, but others need and really value those pep ups from others. It may sound idealistic, but surely more people would take up running if they didn’t feel self-conscious and if they were proud of their achievements. Since most of us tend towards the negative and are harder on ourselves than we need to be, it makes sense that we would mainly gather encouragement from external sources.

We all started somewhere so be kind to those trying and improving. Kindness should never be confused with weakness. Shared strength makes us all stronger.

Doing something for someone else need not cost money. A kind word or gesture of assistance is often worth more than a lottery win.

Running together (while spreading positive words to others), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Changing the world (and partners) one run at a time!

Running in a group of friends this morning we fell into conversation about relationships of runners with non runners and how this might affect a relationship. I was also sharing a  close friends recent revelation that any exterior of a man (I.e. Clothes, shoes etc) she could change, but that interior changes (around personality and the like) would be a little more tricky.

On hearing this story one of the other girls in our group mentioned that she had first hand experience of having changed one of her boyfriends personalities. Naturally she felt her handy work was for the better and that as a result he was now a better person overall.

There was also talk of the runner heading off early in the morning and leaving the non runner to wake up on their own even on the weekend.

With so many interesting topics broached on the run it is fascinating what one can learn from these group runs.

Running together (while sharing with friends on the run), stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller

Friday, March 21, 2014

Mortality

I was reminded of mortality again today in a few ways. This morning I was talking to my running nun buddy from the gym. Each time we chat I'm amazed at how much I learn from her and it makes the gym session so much more enjoyable. She is unlike the stereotypical nun, but clearly devoted not only to God and serving humanity, but also surprisingly to her football team. We talk endlessly about her work around the world and the fact that many many people around the world don't reach their 30s due to high mortality rates. This chat put any problems I might be having into genuine perspective.

Secondly I was faced with a 70 year old bloke at the pool this afternoon. He looked amazing and always talks about making the most of his life each and every day. His wife recently passed on, and while he was clearly happy to have had so many years of marriage to her he wasn't sitting still now and waiting to die either. In his words there are too many challenges to face still in his life.  We talked about life love and the world around us and he summed it up by saying 'Sam keep training and running and living life to the full. If love follows good - if not at least you will have loved life'. True words indeed.

Maybe I will be the lone bloke in the nursing home driving everyone else crazy, but it won't be before I've lived a full life!

Running together (while living life not sitting still), stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Seizing each opportunity to LIVE

This year has been all about taking on some major challenges (both athletically and in life) and truly LIVING!! The weekend was another of these as I posed for a calendar shoot. This was definitely something that I thought I’d never do in life, but have come through it I feel it was an extremely liberating and empowering experience for all involved and as a one in a life time opportunity, I could not really pass it up.

As I've said many times beforehand, life is so short and I only this weekend learned of some young folks that I knew passing in tragic circumstances. To really LIVE and grab each and every opportunity is something and I plan to continue to do on an ongoing basis.

Do something for yourself and something for someone else each day and life generally goes well.

Running together (while embracing every opportunity), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller

Friday, March 14, 2014

Life is good!

This morning as I was completing my gym workout post run with a little dance off, one of the gym instructors commented and said ‘Sam – how come you’re always so happy?’

Now firstly I’m far from happy all the time, but generally my thoughts are that you are what you put out into the world. Plus no one wants to be around anyone who is negative, boring and unwilling to laugh at themselves.

I get excited by things. I am happy when others do well, I get excited by achievement, I get excited by positivity, I am happy when I see the lady I fancy, I get excited by a new breaking day and the promise that it can bring! I get excited by a morning cup of coffee. Life is exciting! Who knows what will happen around each corner.

Think about the day and how many opportunities it brings. Sometimes I think about how things would turn out if I went one way during the day instead of another way? Are ‘setbacks’ really negative? Or perhaps they are life’s subtle ways of keeping us grounded and showing us that the path we were on was not the correct one for us at the time. If anything though life is so short and who in their right mind would want to spend it miserable and unhappy.

There are always choices in life for us to make. As a very wise member of my family said to me ‘There are no right or wrong decisions – only decisions. If one doesn’t work out then you just make another one. Trust yourself – back yourself and draw on experiences from previous situations that you have overcome in life.

Above all stay positive! It sure as heck beats the alternative.

Running together (while staying positive), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller

Thursday, March 13, 2014

The runners come down - how do you deal with it?

The week after a big event like I experienced last Saturday in the Six Foot marathon is always an interesting time for me. You come off the high of having trained for something like that and then finally getting in and doing it and then just as suddenly it is all over. Even once the celebrations die down, this is always a time of up and then down and is likened by Tim Noakes to a depressive state having attained one goal and not really having the next one to look to.

I was talking to a close friend the other day and I liken this to an exam that you may study and study for and then you dread it, but come the day it’s all over in no time and you realise that it was not that scary in the first place. This is largely true of anything in life really – running or ultra distance events can teach you so much about life and help you to become resilient to anything that may get thrown your way in the future. Having in the back of your mind the fact that you toughed it out and didn’t quit on the day even if it hurt like the devil can only be a good thing for the future. It helps us to grow – develop and mature.

A short time ago I wrote about my other contact I am helping with his fitness journey after his marriage fell apart. It is really so good to see him on a great path and looking do strong again having shed much of his corporate spare tyre that many men fall into when they don’t think of anything bar work and don’t find that they get out of the office at all – much less for exercise. He is pushing through his journey as I am pushing through mine. We all have our own path to walk.

Look at your achievements not only as one offs, but as ways that they will help to shape you, your future and your journey!

Running together (while embracing the week after a big achievement), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller

Monday, March 10, 2014

Stretching your boundaries

I had a teacher once who said we should always try something new every day and push ourselves out of our comfort zone as this is where we would grow the most and experience the most from the world. 

This weekend was one of those occasions where I completed in my first (and probably only) Six Foot Track 45KM Marathon. The track is forms one of the most iconic ultra marathon courses in Australia and is definitely something that is worth giving a go at some point during a runners lifespan.

Consisting of some really narrow sections and single track as well as a steep downhill uneven staircase at the start, it forms a great challenge for both the weekend warrior like myself as well as those more experienced who are racing the clock (and themselves). It was rather weird having so many people barrel down into the race and large packs seemed to stay together during the early stages, but in the last 20K of the race I often found that I was running on my own which again was something that I found strange and at times a little eerie. 

Why do we do these sorts of things then? For me it was a case of never having done something like Six Foot previously, so it was nice to tick the box and get the tshirt and get things over with. No doubt with time and running the course more and more, you will naturally improve.

For many though it is just an annual pilgrimage or journey where they spend time by themselves and vaguely help to reconnect with nature and their spirit outside of their day to day city life. It is a chance for everyone to reawaken that Neanderthal in them that sometimes gets beaten down.

When next are you going to stretch your boundaries and break the creature habits – walk a different way to work, try another coffee shop maybe. Life’s about positive adventure and grow.

Running together (while experiencing positive adventures), stride for stride on a life changing ride!—Sean Muller

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Being a guinea pig for controversial methods

Going into a rather big event on Saturday in the Six Foot Track Marathon, I wanted to share some little known secrets that could ultimately help to increase performance those extra couple of percent in the lead up.

Naturally these won’t make you an Olympian overnight, but they can help to push you a little bit harder.
Firstly green tea is not only good for weight loss and feeling of general wellbeing, but will also help to lift your VO2 Max in the lead up to an event. I find that it also helps to put me in that heightened state of alertness where your muscles start to twitch and you really want to race.

Echinacea is another natural product that can assist in performance. Not only does it help to ward off colds and flu, but studies have shown that taking 8000mg of it per day helps to increase the amount of EPO in the blood. This peaks at 3 weeks and decreases again markedly after four weeks. Now everyone knows that more EPO means more red blood cells, more power and more oxygen – and it’s natural.

There are companies that will encourage you to take their costly concoctions containing these everyday substances, but from what I’ve read and what I’ve experienced, the same results can be obtained through buying the bog standard products in their pure form.

These have worked for me and as stated before, I’m no doctor and I’m not afraid to use myself as a guinea pig for methods that others might find controversial.

Running together (while trying some controversial methods), stride for stride on a life changing ride!—Sean Muller.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

The purest and rawest form of relationships

It’s always interesting to observe how quickly one reaches a comfort level when in the company of other people so that although manners and respect are upheld, some airs and graces are cast aside when natural bodily functions take place.

When we compete in sport, we are often reduced to our barbarian self. The primitive beast inside of us comes out and as a friend said to me ‘we look our worst while achieving our best’.  Natural instinct takes over and we find ourselves blowing noses on shirts, burping, farting and even throwing up if an event becomes too hard. This is all natural stuff really, but stuff that we naturally try and hide from friends and partners.

In this state there is no place to hide. There is no dim light, no makeup, no alcohol or beer goggles. Just the raw honest truth. It is so true that if you can’t love someone in their exercise gear then you will never love them as you will have seen them at some of their worst, but then again also at their most beautiful as there is nothing better than an active body.

My massage therapist earlier this year told me that she thought it was great if my stomach gurgled as that apparently in Chinese medicine means that the body is releasing bad vibes and letting good vibes in. This lady in fact encourages me to let things out and not hold back. Weird initially, I’m now very comfortable to do this in her presence even though she is 55 and slightly eccentric, we have gone past that point of embarrassment. 

I was out running with an awesome friend this morning who commented that we had gone past that point of being embarrassed about passing wind or discussing things like bathroom behaviour and that this is often a great place to find oneself in. In this state you can be really honest about things. Things get reduced to the rawest sense and you see past all the plastic and pretense that usually gets put on.

Running together (while loving those relationships based around simplified rawness), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Listening and interpreting

It is pleasing that so many folks from across the world have been writing in a saying that they have been gaining from my musings on here. Sharing of knowledge is one of the most powerful ways that we can enhance things in this world. No one knows everything and the more we learn, the more we find there is to learn.

Today I wanted to focus on an often overlooked part of training – that being rest. This morning I woke and was due to go for my normal 90 minute Wednesday run, but my stomach was not feeling great and to be honest it felt as if Mike Tyson was going 12 rounds with its insides. I’m not entirely sure why this was as I hadn’t done anything different over the past few days and have been eating that which I normally would eat through the course of a week. That said in the pain I was in, there was no way that I was able to go for my run.

Being in the taper for Six Foot Track, means that I’m not panicking at all. As the great Bruce Fordyce said, if in pain, rest. If in you are tired and feeling washed up and weak – rest. In fact he added ‘If ever in doubt then rather rest’. This has always proved sound advice for me (although at first it took some getting used to).

Your body will tell you what it wants on the day (or any day for that matter). It will tell you how much of something it wants and when it is not happy about something. It is only a matter of listening to and being able to interpret these signals that will provide us with success. That is if we are only willing to listen.

Running together (while interpreting your body’s signs), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller

Sunday, February 23, 2014

The different forms of winning!

Winning comes in many different shapes and forms.

In the past I enjoyed participating in sport for the sheer selfish pleasure of winning and bringing whatever glory that meant to myself and my team mates. Since my competitive days are behind me, nothing beats hearing about those that have done well and succeeded through a range of hard work and training, self belief and mental strength.

Today was just such a day when a really close friend stood up to a great athletic challenge, overcame it and stood on her own mountain. I am immensely proud of her as she is one of the most phenomenal individuals I know but often doesn't see this herself.

Hearing how she executed her race plan perfectly, I'm so incredibly awe inspired and motivated to draw on some of her strength in my upcoming Six Foot Track Marathon.

Hearing about her success suddenly makes any selfish wins and records that I have produced completely insignificant.

Running together (while drawing inspiration from others achievements), stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Channeling previous difficulties to attain success

I was speaking with a close friend who is stepping up to her first half Ironman this weekend about the taper and race planning. It has been fabulous to see this young lady come so far in the past months to the point of her current fitness where I feel she will even outdo her own expectations.

Key to race prep for me is always spending at least some of your last week in your own head and in a positive frame of mind. Once your training is done you will know that it is taper time as you will start to get antsy, your legs will start to twitch a bit and you will just be ready to take on the race.

Once you’ve jumped in at the gun, it is important not to fly off the handle and go out too quickly. Distance events are precisely that – distance events. There will always be a few idiots in any race who will go out like a bull out of a gate. Let these individuals go and think only of your race. Pace yourself nicely from the start and let those clowns surge ahead. Time will ultimately tell if they are stronger than you or if you will be cleaning them up in the last few K of the event. I have often found that in my case it is the latter.

Personally I also find that flying under the radar always allows one to relax and perform at an optimum.
Trust in your training and listen to your body and what it wants in terms of nutrition.

Above all though there is a small trick that I use to trick the mind when things become tough in any event or when it starts to hurt. I always cast my mind back to other difficult situations in my life that I have managed to overcome and channel that resilience to overcome the current hurt and pain.

In this regard, I find sometimes that hurt and pain that you may have been feeling is ideal to not only channel success, but to help to set aside that hurt from your life once and for all. I ran one of my best times after really being hurt in the past. That even helped me to also get past that time in my life.

If this is not enough then I also use the phrase that I was taught by a very wise Scottish coach who helped me through Comrades:
‘The urge to quit something in life or in sport will come but once..Once you have defeated it, like a coward it will not return for another fight’.

Rise above – channel your previous difficulties and ACHIEVE! -- Sean Muller


Thursday, February 20, 2014

When life goes well.

Today I encountered a young lady who used to be part of a training group that I worked with a few years ago. She had wanted to get fitter and improve her running which she has clearly done judging by the way she moved and her physique, but she also seemed a lot happier.

On chatting some more, it came out that she had met her current partner while out on a run and had quite literally almost run into him. They have been very happy together and share a mutual love for physical activities.

Now the fact that she had continued to improve so much over the past few years is fantastic, but that she was also to have other great news in her life to was just the double whammy. I'm thrilled for her and this is another example of just how life can dish up anything at any time and that we quite simply don't know when our lives may be changed forever.

Positive great stories around running, relationships and life. What an awesome way to end a Thursday.

Running together (while embracing what life outs in our path), stride for stride on a life changing ride! --Sean Muller

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Importance of good coaching and mentorship

Every now and then someone comes into your athletic life and provides an extra edge to things. My current coach is one of those people, but so to is Bobby McGee and Norrie Williamson. Both of these characters have had a profound affect on my running and training. Both from South African extraction they have proven themselves to be adept at not only providing guidance around Comrades training but also long distance triathlon, Ironman and multi adventure racing.

Anyone interested in improving their running or other racing could do a lot worse than to listen to the guidance provided by these to individuals. They both have a number of articles, videos and blogs containing valuable information for free for the scholar of the distance event. They cover everything from nutrition, injury, training, technique and racing. 

Those particularly keen would do well to also acquire Norrie's book 'Everyman's guide to distance running', which I believe is out of print at this point, but you can still source second hand copies on the internet.

Running together (while having good mentors to turn to), stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller

Rocking out while running..

This one speaks for itself really. Every running event worth its salt plays this at the start. Enjoy!

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Weird things seen on the run

I always find it fascinating how you never know who or what you are going to encounter when you head out the door on a run. This evening as I headed out to the pool, I was about 3K into my run and literally rounded a bend and came face to face with a giant pig being walked on a lead. This was in the middle of Surry Hills and I had to stop and take a photo.

Now I’ve encountered many different animals in my time while running or walking in the bush. Baboons have been a common one from the time I got my orienteering group lost on a hike when we were on a bush camp aged 11 and we managed to walk over the border from South Africa to Lesotho. That was a hair raising encounter and at that tender age I learned the value of following a map, not trying to outrun wild animals and that even as cute as they are vervet monkeys can scare the heck out of you when you are alone in the bush.

Normally I’m just happy to live inside my own head while out running, but the pig really got me thinking about things. How did they manage to domesticate it to walk on a lead and where would you keep it in the inner city? Also do you need a permit to keep such and animal?

Whoever said running was a boring sport.. Oh and the swim was pretty good to. 


Running together (while encountering weird things in your city), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller

Monday, February 17, 2014

Rare occurrences in running and life

Those of you that know me know that material possessions don’t mean much to me. Don’t get me wrong, I live a great life, but I’m not really wedded to things that one can wander into any shop and purchase again. For me the things in life that mean the most are those rare occurrences or rare objects that you see very occasionally – they are the moments that make my life worth living.

Today I got some very kind feedback from three people. Two of these involved comments and emails to me through my blog which were quite complimentary (thank you whoever you are!) and the third came from a person that I used to work with who said that he had derived value from reading my blog. One of the emails mentioned how this chap had been motivated to lose weight of his own after hearing about my weightloss story. This is really phenomenal and incredibly humbling at the same time to hear that in some small way another random person has changed their life for the positive as a result of an interaction with me and what I write here. This was one of those rare occasions as mentioned above.

Running, weightloss and empowerment all go hand in glove as things that will change your life.


Running together (while trying to motivate others positively), stride for stride on a life changing ride! – Sean Muller

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Seconding your mates to success..

The role of the second or support crew is often something that is severely underrated by many endurance athletes. They compete only along very selfish lines and don't take into account those that will help them be they volunteers or simply friends who offer up time to help out during training (which to be honest can be very lonely). These folks often also assume events just take place and they don't acknowledge all the volunteer assistance.

Having been on the giving and receiving ends of assistance in the past, I used to be very keen to help out a number of people. Slowly though one observes that there are those that you can trust to assist you back and those who will just take and never give back in any way shape or form. Now I still willingly give back to only a select group who I care about.

Yesterday I was able to spend some quality time encouraging a dear friend who is taking on the Ironman for the first time. It has been a pleasure to be part of their training and to see them flourish and become fitter and stronger than I've seen them. Success in training is in no part due solely to the second, but their presence I have found can often be the difference between wanting to get out and train and lying in bed on a cold wet day. As with the group mentality if I know that someone has agreed to come out and help me, I'm more inclined to get my butt out of bed and training.

Having a friendly face to see every now and then can also mean the world of difference.

Supporting your mates is a sure fire way to find out just who would be there for you in an emergency.

Running together (while supporting your mates), stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Falling in love on the run

Love is a beautiful thing indeed. But sometimes (nay many times it can be downright frustrating or infuriating). I swore that this would never happen again. I was going to be tough and after being hurt so many times in the past, I would feel nothing in terms of intimate love for any lady (and definitely not one I've trained with in the past). This would ensure I wasn't hurt, but here I am again and have completely fallen for just such a lady. Her smile is sunshine and her laugh that of a songbird. In her company life feels complete and whole. Yet it seems destined not to be and I don't know how to change it. Perhaps I am just friend material and a relationship is beyond me. I don't know.

I'm too old for games and nonsense. I just want a quiet life and someone to smile and laugh with, someone to have fun with to just be my geeky self around. Why does life have to be this complex? Still I'm blessed to at least have her in my life and even if we never get together, it is always better to have loved and put it out there and been turned down.

Unreciprocated love is better than no love at all. It makes one crazy at times and rips out your insides, but still staying true to yourself and others and respecting their feelings and wishes (even when they change from time to time) is how I'll continue to be.

Life goes on. Keep on living and loving. Keep on running. Stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller

Friday, February 14, 2014

Running as a universal language

It is really amazing that sport and something as simple as running can transcend cultural and language barriers and that any lost in translation moments are forgotten when it comes to the crunch.

Some years ago I had the pleasure of running with the winner of the Sydney marathon the day after the race. He was of course only on a recovery run and showed me just why he was so successful in his sport. He said to me that in the west people ran for their health, but in Kenya people ran because it was a way of life. They formed packs together and so no one ever felt out of place. There was always a group going and from that group formation and ideal success came.

Similarly today I had that experience with some Japanese runners. Running as a pack in Sydney for the betterment of the group. They run hard, but always loop back and pickup the slowest (that being me today).

More often than not you don't even need to say anything on the run, just a few nods and away we went. It reminded me also of a trip to Hong Kong some years ago when I fell in with a Chinese squad where the female coach barked orders at them and then told me I was okay for a white man.

Running together (while overcoming language barriers), stride for stride on a life changing ride. -- Sean Muller

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Inspiration from everyday folk.

Inspiration is something that I look around for whenever I can. It is not only massive Olympic stars that inspire - sometimes the biggest inspiration comes from those that are just out doing their thing and in some small way overcoming odds that would have left many giving up.

I was exceedingly pleased with myself to be able to take on and complete the ocean swim that I did this morning off the back of only a few short weeks of training. I guess that the swimmer that I was back in college must still be hiding somewhere down in the doldrums of my memories. But the was a young lady who took part with only the use of her arms (her legs being paralysed). This totally inspired me. She came in well behind, but she finished and  I was fortunate to chat to her at the showers where she had two male mates who looked pretty strong who she said had swam one on either side of her the whole way to make sure she was fine. This in itself is again a great show of mateship and not something that you see everyday.

In fact it reminded me of the blind runners interviewed a few years ago at Comrades who said at the finish that he wanted to quit at the 70km mark, but didn't because then his guide wouldn't get the finishing medal.

I can only hope that someday I'm able to also give back in this way by assisting someone else in their journey towards a goal.

Running together (while helping your mates to a goal), stride for stride on a life changing ride. -- Sean Muller

Saturday, February 8, 2014

How different would life have turned out?

Being the literary nerd that I am, I'm always thinking about books and plots as well as about the fascinating stories that people have to share. One of my first teachers said to me that we have at least one book in us and that has stuck with me ever since. Life and a life on the run is fascinating. Many people think that their story is boring, but to many others it may be fascinating and inspiring and just the thing that that person may want to hear at that point in their life.

I sometimes think how my life would have panned out if I'd made different decisions along the way. I do firmly believe that everything is for a reason and that we all have our own path to walk in life, but what would have happened if I'd stayed in the UK? What would have happened if I'd stayed in Africa? And... Indeed what would happen if I were to move back to either of those places or to another place on earth. Would I still be running or training, would I have bothered to shift the weight I have and would I have changed my life?

It's weird really because I don't have any family ties or relationship ties tying me to Sydney or Australia, so a move shouldn't be that hard in theory, but I've also met some pretty amazing people here and moving can be taxing the first couple of years again.

I suppose life is just a great big adventure and worth rolling with the punches for after all you never know what or who could walk into your life at any point along the way and that's the beauty of things.

Running together (while pondering the mysteries of life), stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller

Saying hello - being polite!

This morning's training session revealed another of my pet hates in life - rudeness. How many times have you been out and about running and greeted other runners or even just pedestrians and been greeted back  with blank stares or even offensive gestures or foul language.

Now in a big city like Sydney I understand that there are many tourists and some don't or won't speak English while a certain portion of people may also be deaf or too stoned or drunk from the night before to want to bother, but it really can't be everyone that is in the same boat really.

I was pondering this morning if it was because I perhaps looked weird or stalkeresque, but I look like a bog standard runner really and have even been described as boring and run of the mill looking, so why then do people refuse to greet me.

I'd be interested to hear any experiences you may have had in this regard to as I don't want to sound overly negative.

Running together (while greeting others), stride for stride on a life changing ride. -- Sean Muller.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Respecting others time

This morning I experienced one of my absolute pet hates in life when it comes to training or even just general life - that being flakiness or an absolute disregard for other people's time and effort.

I was due to meet a mate for training at his request this morning and had not only looked forward to having some company in my workout, but sacrificed starting at my preferred time to accommodate him. I waited and waited for 20 minutes and then got going on my own. I didn't have a phone with me so couldn't contact him and was actually a little worried during training that something may have happened to him along the way.

Getting home I found a Text message reading only 'Sorry mate- too many beers last night and so didn't make it'. Now he's a grown man of 36 and I'm certainly not against anyone going out and getting plastered if that is what they want to do, but why then not say something the night before or why make plans at all if you know you can't go out and just drink soft drink or be home at a decent hour?

Once or twice one can excuse this sort of behaviour, it's only human, but when it starts becoming a regular pattern (as it has with him) then I get annoyed and reluctant to even believe what comes out of their mouths, but also train with them at all.

It hurts even more when it's done and then blatantly rubbed in your face. It happened a little while ago with a female friend who then commented to her mate, 'Don't worry, it's only Sam - he doesn't mind.' Yes good old reliable Sam will always be there was what was being implied. Well I dropped their friendship only to get a text going I miss you... What - you miss messing me around and having things solely on your terms?

Don't mess around your mates or those you supposedly care about. It isn't nice at all. Everyone has their breaking point and if you push enough buttons even the most tolerant will just walk away.

Running together (while respecting others time), stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

That little personal mountain

This weekend I am going to do something that occurred to me only at the end of last year. I vowed to myself that this year would be a time for some milestones and thus far I'm happy with where I am at as far as January and into Feb is concerned. Speaking to a gentleman at the gym this morning he asked 'Sam why are you training so hard?' And followed it up with 'are you hoping to pickup this summer?'.

I have to laugh at this as I've never been very successful with the ladies. Even when I was winning at school and college, I was never the one who picked up the most. Those that know me know that I'm kind of dorky (which I'll happily admit). Those times however were selfish wins and at times now I get reminded by people about how I used to be pretty decent at sport as youngster. That is why this weekend after only 3 weeks of training again I am going to complete an ocean swim.

I won't win and I won't come last and it may not be Olympian elegance to watch plus I doubt anyone will be there to watch me, but I'll get the job done. Then I hope to quietly stand up on my own personal mountain and just have a look around for a little while. Those moments in life for me eclipse the wins and the records and the tries of the past. There are other mountains that we summit with others and that is good to, but the view up there is different and when you are on your own you learn more about who you are and where you've been. In a shared journey each may have their own slant on things, but largely it's the same. A personal journey is just that and no one else will have been where you went or seen what you saw.

Why do I train so hard? The answer to this is firstly so that I don't get fat again and secondly so that I don't become a member of the 'I used to' brigade. You know the type, whenever someone says that they are doing a run, swim, tri or hike or whatever, then this lot will pipe up 'I used to be able to do that'. It annoys me because if someone could do something 15 years ago then why can't they still do it. This is why I'm doing the swim to challenge my current boundaries and to prove to myself that I still can. It's a self preservation thing.

Running together (while conquering small goals each day), stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller

Monday, February 3, 2014

So tonight I am doing something completely unheard of in posting two entries in one day. I just got a message through from one of my readers (yay people are still reading!!) asking me when I was going to pickup the mood in my posts somewhat with the perception that I was being anti love and all doom and gloom with regards to relationships.

This has not been my intention at all. My ethos still remains positivity, possibility and passion in life.

I still firmly believe that there can be no stronger bond formed between two people in a relationship if they share common interests and if those interests include exercise and running then that is a very positive start to things.

The point I was trying to make over the last couple of posts is that I haven't found that yet. It's out there I know as I see it around me in my training groups all the time. I'm still a massive believer and a big softie when it comes to seeing couples out training together. Such a beautiful sight to see two people not only in love but also enjoying doing things that they both love together.

Another point to make is that it's also okay to be single and I think one quality relationship is far better than having many superficial relationships that you try and nurture. It's akin to social media and people bragging about having 5000 'friends'. How many of these are one time acquaintances and how many of these are occasional drinking buddies versus how many would they feel comfortable calling on to help them when in a tight jam or when something truly disastrous were to happen.

So despite friends best efforts and constant encouragement I won't be getting on Tinder to find a relationship. I'll just continue being Sam and living life on the run just as I am.

I'm having a ramble - it's been a random 48hours. Keep running.

Be positive, look after yourself, your mates and ultimately your heart. Life is good friends!!

Channelling anger and hurt.

Yesterday I mentioned the bloke who asked for my help in overcoming his relationship breakup. First things first in these scenarios is to stop thinking and brooding about that person and what they may or may not be doing.

The easiest way to do this is to make sure that you have plenty to do and keep yourself occupied with so that you aren't thinking about them, but also burning up the excess energy that you will find you have now that they aren't in your life anymore. There is that inevitable void as he is feeling right now. The void where you want to pickup the phone and call them or when you are alone in bed at night and  missing them. All of this natural, but it's how you deal with it that counts.

Our program has him running and swimming every morning and with an optional gym session after work to keep him sane and burning that energy. It may not be the only way, but I've found it's the best way to beat the hurt.

He's showing signs of progress (or maybe it's just tiredness), but nonetheless it's positive. If you are going through a similar situation then I'd recommend that you flog yourself for a good solid month as that is the hardest time usually. With time it does get easier and you will also get fitter.

Be kind to yourself and don't be afraid to go a little mental on the exercise. It's better than the alternative of eating yourself fat. Channel that anger and hurt into constructive outcomes in exercise.

Running together (while burning off anger and hurt), stride for stride on a life changing ride. -- Sean Muller

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Beating relationship pain on the run.

It is often the case that when we are least looking or least expecting something it finds us
So was the case this morning on my recovery run and gym session where I ran into an old acquaintance who is going through a relationship breakup. He has asked for my help in getting him in shape and over the heartache. You see I've been where he is at and I could empathise.

The fact that he was wanting to embrace his fitness and rather hammer his body than go the other way as so many people do and hammer the bottle or worse in an attempt to get over the hurt. Instead we are going to set him a program whereby he will be training himself back into great shape  and in 3 months time we are planning to release him back onto the Sydney dating scene. In his early 40s, there are bound to be quite a few ladies out there who will take a fancy to him once he is all buffed up.

Break ups are tough, but brooding and doing nothing will make them tougher. Getting out and beating the hurt through physical exertion is a top cure.

Running together (while beating relationship breakup pain), stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Now you see it... Now you don't ...

It is said that only when we are truly pushed to the edge in training or racing and stripped bare of everything that we discover things we didn't know about ourselves. We learn about what is inside our soul. We see that which we normally wouldn't (or cannot see). We find out what it is that truly makes us tick. Our battle mantra and reason for life. We rethink our ways even.

I'm not even sure who reads my ramblings on here, but as you know this is where I post some controversial and out there stuff including good bits of advice. It's an outlet for some of the things that happen in my life on the run (those able to be explained and those not).

I know that I'm a bit crazy and unusual, quirky, wear my heart on my sleeve at times and have some out there behaviours, but today I felt as though I was going round the bend abit.

When venturing on my 36k bush run in the heat I encountered for the very first time some brief occasions when I saw things that were blatantly not there. I didn't bother to mention this to my running mates as we were all taking a little strain in the heat and no one wants to be thought of as being crazy particularly when you are trying to reach a goal target.

The Native American warrior I saw hopping over the rocks - was he there? Was he not? I don't know and I don't know if I'll see him again. I saw him a few years while out on an early morning run near Manly. Who knows where he has been? Who knows where my brain was thins morning. More than likely I was dehydrated and my brain cooking. Perhaps he'll return and perhaps not.

I'd be curious to find out if anyone else has had these moments?

Look after yourself. Look after your mates. Be kind to yourself!

Running together, while experiencing different things. Stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller

Friday, January 24, 2014

Inspiration from those refusing to give up

This morning while coming back from my gym session, I ran into an older lady who loves in my neighbourhood that I used to see at the gym but no longer do. I had been concerned for her after not seeing her in a while and so was pleased to see her coming along the road.

we stopped and exchanged greetings and I asked how she was doing. She always inspired me as she was so fit and able into her 70s. Now however she looked very frail and worse for wear. Not wanting to probe, but then she dropped the bombshell that she'd suffered a stroke and so wasn't able to do as much now as she had been able to. Her will to go on and her desire for an active life were still alive, but the body had sadly failed her. It was heartbreaking knowing that I couldn't do anything to help but provide a sympathetic ear at the time she needed it.

She said to me 'Sam - I don't want sympathy. I have achieved so much in my life and even if this takes my movement,  I'm not going to go quietly or without a fight.' She then said that her greatest wish was that other people and in particular young folks were to embrace each day and to enjoy their health and strength as it may be taken at anytime.

This rocked me abit I must say, but it also reminded me that each day is precious and that I need to really live to the full and not take my health or ability to move and run for granted. I take great strength from this lady and others who are faced with adversity but who just won't lie down and give up.

Running together (while living each day to the full)- stride for stride on a life changing ride! - Sean Muller

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Rediscovering the joy of swimming

As runners we are constantly looking for ways to improve at our sport. This is natural in any pursuit of additional fitness or results.

Recently I have been reintroduced to swimming by a very special friend. Her patience and encouragement has helped to reinvigorate my love for the sport that I so enjoyed during my school and college years. Swimming won't necessarily make you a better runner, but it will help to increase your fitness and when you do head back to running, you will be greatly revitalised and keen to step up once again to train hard and achieve goals.

An excellent cardio workout, swimming will also help to cut fat and improve muscle tone which is not only good long term, but will help you to attain a lean mean toned body that may even result in you being more attractive to potential partners.

At the minute I'm training with the goal of completing some ocean swims, but you can keep your swimming as relaxed or intensive as you want to. Throw in a session at least once a week and you won't be sorry. The benefits will be well worth the time.

Running together (while swimming to improve fitness). Stride for stride on a life changing ride. - Sean Muller

Monday, January 20, 2014

Finding love on the run.

Normally one would expect a blog about love to be written by a lady, but here I am penning this one after talking through the subject with a male friend of mine this evening. I am being brave enough to put it out there that at the age of 34, I am probably in the best shape of my life, but nowhere closer to finding a life partner. I am realistic enough to know that sometimes things happen for a reason and I also know that millions out there will never settle down. Non running friends have hinted that it is my running that is a turnoff for many women, with some relatives even going so far as to say 'How will you find someone interested in that?'.

Thing is I have many many interests outside of running and sports. Being fit and healthy is extremely important to me not only to live my life to the full, but also ensure that I'd be able to live life to the full in a partnership. I enjoy going out, but just not interested in stumbling in in an undignified manner at 6am the next day.

Internet dating for fit and healthy people you say.... Tried it already and there are so many liars out there I wonder how these people can even look at themselves in the mirror.

How then does one go about this without having to wade through the mine field of liars and cheats out there? I've yet to come up with an answer, but ultimately we can only stay true to our own morals and upbringing, remain honest and try not to be stepped on in the process.

I am Sam- I'm 34 (a runner.... And swimmer) and in danger of developing into the king of the 'too nice' bucket. I invite you to read the rest of my blog and comment on your own experiences dating in running/triathlon.

Running together (while trying to find love), stride for stride on a life changing ride! -- Sean Muller

Monday, January 6, 2014

Running well into old age

This morning as I embarked on my cross country run, I spoke to an older gentleman at the start who looked well into his 70s. He confided in me that he was looking to run well and to just be able to complete the course. This is something that we all strive for as we age, the ability to just compete and complete. He came in and finished well down the field, but the part that impressed me the most was the dignity and pride that he exhibited when crossing the finish line. If by looking at him I was seeing the future then that is fantastic. I can only hope to be as fit as him in future years.

Running together (well into old age), stride for stride on a life changing ride! - Sean Muller

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Keeping fit on holiday

This week I am revisiting the scene of my London Marathon in April of last year. Strange how this race took place on 21 April and only a week later my country of birth South Africa celebrated Freedom Day on 27 April. Seems as if that was a big two weeks for celebrations.

Having another break out here, my thoughts and discussions this evening turned to how to not lose too much fitness on a holiday and what is the most effective method of doing this.

Science tells us that it takes at least two weeks to start to lose fitness and so any holiday of that length or shorter shouldn't result in loss of fitness, provided you are not wolfing down mass loads of cheeseburgers and booze.

Sure fire workouts to ensure that fitness levels are maintained are the following:

1. 8x400m at 5k pace with jogs Of about a minute inbetween.
2. 20 minute fartlek (Mona fartlek - named after Steve Moneghetti). Start with a warmup of 3k, then 90seconds hard, 90 seconds float (x2), then 60 seconds hard, 60 seconds float (x4); 30 seconds hard, 30 seconds float (x4) and 15 seconds hard, 15 seconds float (x4). Conclude with 3k warmdown.

Both these are tough workouts and will tax you. But they will also ensure your fitness stays high when performed once or twice while on holiday.

So no matter whether you are away for a week or three these workouts will help you.

Running together (while maintaining fitness on holiday), stride for stride on a life changing ride!