Slow down, enjoy the run, enjoy life. ✌🏻😊 — Shout out: Been rockin’ the @xeroshoes Hana’s for road and beach running. The beach running was back in Canggu, Bali, though I preferred and ultimately did more barefoot running, as the Hana’s don’t drain well and also capture a lot of sand due to the canvas upper. I’ve also pulled out the insole, to get more space in the toe box. Now that we’re in warm, humid weather in Hanoi, Vietnam, they can lead to warm, sweaty feet and blist

Nothing spices up a run like something completely random. Take for instance my recent run around Luang Prabang, but more on that later. — I should first note that I underestimated just how small the historic district is here (where we’re staying). After an initial run around it, it’s 5km and a bit around. It has some questionable spots without a side walk, some with a lot of mini buses and tuk tuks, etc. Venturing further away raises questions of safety, the area at large, et

Get out and enjoy the day! 👍🏻😊🤘🏻❤️ — That is all. 😊 — Questions for you: How do you enjoy your day? Do you enjoy the little things? Just enjoy everyday life as it comes? — #enjoytheday #getoutside #getoutandenjoynature #getoutandenjoytheday #trailrunninglife #trailrunners #ultrarunner #veganultrarunner #plantpowered #plantpoweredathlete #plantbased #plantbasedathlete #veganrunner #livesimply #pushyourself #mindfulrunning #mindfulness #smilemore #plantpoweredrunner #

What do you eat before, during, or after you run? — Any fueling favourites to get you energised just before or to keep you going through your run? — No, I didn’t eat the whole box. Though over the course of what seemed like only a couple of days (likely a week+), our family did eat the entire box. Now, BIG KUDOS to my wife and her amazing culinary skills, turning out some amazing desserts and other banana based deliciousness. I’m definitely more of a “eat them straight up or

What do you think about while you’re running? — Do you let the mind wander? Stay focused on the task at hand? Or does it vary wildly depending on the moment/run/workout/etc.? — Some days for me it is a wandering mind, going over everything on my plate at the moment. A lot times that’s a good thing because it also help clear up and gain focus on one or a couple of those items and breathe some clarity into it. — Sometimes my mind is just off wandering for wandering sake. — Then

What's your relationship with alcohol? — Is it a good one? Could use some work? Or, completely unhealthy? — November 2017, I was in Singapore for 2 weeks for business. From previous trips I knew a lot of the vegan/vegetarian restaurants did not serve alcohol. Leading up to this trip I had for some time been considering stopping drinking altogether. So I figured this trip would be a perfect chance to try it out. — Prior to this trip, I had cut back on my drinking while my

How do you clear your mind? — This past Sunday my head was in a funk in the morning. I had already planned on heading out for a run, but was debating my options and second guessing what I wanted to do. My head wanted a roaming run in a new area. My body wanted a “go to” track and hill repeats. Deep down I wanted the hill repeats as well and didn’t feel like running to the new area in order to go explore. Plus I felt like I’d be dodging a hard work out and regret it lat

Do you like hills? — Are you eager to run up one and then the next? Or do you loathe the thought of yet another hill? — Personally, I’ve never met a hill that I didn’t like. Without fail I always get a big smile, laugh out loud, and mutter, “Here we go, ha!” — For training/everyday runs: I run the hills and a bit over the top, and then keep going if I can. I’ll have to try and find the podcast but it told me that this is a great way to build endurance and a low chance of

What do you use to blow your nose? — Tissues? TP? Paper towel? Your sleeve? (Ha!) — We stopped buying boxes of tissues a long time ago. However, I still used paper towel or TP. We use cloth nappies and cloth wipes (the wipes are simply cut up old shirts) for our daughter. So my wife would say, “Use a wipe.” Which I did but in the long term couldn’t keep wiping my nose with a wipe, even though it has been washed, that had been used as a bum wipe. — So... — I was going th

How do you give back? — Donations? Time? Support in another way? — The holidays - a time of giving as they always say. Gifts though are something I’ve not always wanted to receive. — I remember when I was younger and repeatedly told my mom one year that I did not want anything for Christmas. Though she persisted. I gave in and asked for a new book and not sure what else. The book was alright and didn’t finish it. I don’t even remember the other things I received that yea

What do you think of my posts so far? — Helpful? Confused? Unsure? Telling all your friends? 👍🏻😉 — Figuring out what we want in life can be difficult. Not to mention what we should be doing with our lives. For me, this is one piece to figuring that out for myself with the theme of and in the context running (if you haven’t guess by now, ha!). So let me know what you think, the good and the bad, as I’m happy to hear it and open to the feedback. 😊 — #lifecoachingworks

How do you see yourself as a runner? — Do you try and keep up with others and their race aspirations? Are you a lone wolf? Race and event fanatic? Run adventurer? Awkward-trail-selfie-through-waterproof-case master? — For myself it was easy to get caught up in thinking what’s the next race, especially when hearing other people’s plans. Though I have come to realise that I truly enjoy coming up with my own adventures, whether that is with others or not. I also have no i

Do you overdo it running wise to the point of injury? — At the beginning of 2018 I would have said, "Nope, I feel great!" So why would I have considered stopping or slowing down or taking an all our break away from running? Well, I didn't, got injured in May (pics taken end of May), and regretted it later. Bursitis in my big toe was the diagnosis and it is still to this day the worst pain I had ever felt. However, I really do think it was my body telling me to, "STOP!

What stops you from going on your run or exercising? — Is it life in general? Lack of motivation? No goal? Lack of planning? — For me it tends to be overthinking it. I’ve worked recently with my life coach on a number of things. One of the keys things was doing some form of exercise in the morning, after tending to my child but before work. A lot of times I found myself thinking, oh it’s already this time, I need to get online (I work from home) and get working. Realisti

What are you looking forward to in 2019? — Is it change? More of the same constants, that bring you joy? Or, a bit of both? — For me both. Definitely love the constants of my family and the joy they bring to me. Definitely looking forward to a new year and what it has to offer and bring. — Running wise, looking forward to building back a solid base after being out for 6 months (till I was back to normal running) in 2018 due to a toe injury. So no races planned at the mo

What makes you smile during a run? — Selfies? (Even if shot through a waterproof case - Ha!) Rain runs? Running with friends? How about taking selfies on rain runs with friends? — Rain runs are a truly wonderful experience. Sure thunder can be scary and lightning unsafe, but a simple run through the rain can be fun and invigorating. The unexpected downfall of rain can test your fortitude, testing your will to carry on with your run. Or, it's a quick switch to pretend y

What running or active gear is your go to that is vegan, ethically made, and environmentally friendly? Do you find it hard to check all the boxes? — Years ago, I would buy gear and not think much of it. Typically the driving factors were, "How well does it fit?", "How much does it cost", and "Do I really need another pair of running shorts?" Okay, that last one not as often, but definitely the, "Do I really need this other [insert name of new fangled, fancier running

Do you enjoy the little things in life? — Like new socks. 🧦 — My family and I exchanged gifts with one another via a Secret Santa drawing. My mother ended up having me. All I asked for was for the total amount of the pre-agreed upon amount to be donated to Charity: Water (look them up, they’re an awesome organisation: https://www.charitywater.org/?amount=100). However my mother, being me mother, got me two surprise pairs of socks. I admit, I appreciated the surprise o

Where do you meditate? Do you have a set time, place, time and place, or are you more spontaneous? — While out on a run the other day (Dec. 27th), I was happily running and exploring some new tracks when I came across the top of Follow Me Track in Lysterfield Park. Once there I found some rocks to have a run up and then a beautiful clearing with nothing but green and rolling hills in every direction. So I stopped to take in the view and snap some shots. After having a

Ever find yourself on a run and next moment come across a beautifully peaceful place with an awesome view? — I was just out yesterday (Dec. 27th) making my way back on a run from Lysterfield Park. In all it was supposed to be a 10km run, one that my wife had done a bunch and been praising it’s beauty. — Well, she ran to the park and I drove down with our daughter to meet her. The original plan was play and swim on the beach, but our little one had other plans and decide