how this all came about

wilmot_freeze_haul

I blame Facebook. I blame Facebook for a LOT of things, but in this instance I specifically blame Facebook for the very fact that I am committed to running and walking about 5400km in a couple of months from now…

It is Facebook’s fault for 3 key reasons…

1. Planting a Seed

There is an active running community on Facebook, with a high concentration of runners in Perth and a very high number of runners in Brisbane (I have in fact said on a number of occasions, that Brisbane is the running capital of Australia!)

Anyway, the mere existence of these two groups of runners, led to Pete “Shinno” Shinnick (of Rogue Runners Club Australia) posting a “training route” he had created in MapMyRun; starting in Perth, ending in Brisbane.

Not long afterwards, I was having a post-run coffee with another Rogue (Renee) where I confessed that there was something about Pete’s joke that had grabbed my attention. I was looking for something to demonstrate that you can do ANYTHING you put your mind to, and I suggested that I wouldn’t be surprised if I “put my hand up to do something like that.”

The seed was well and truly planted…

2. Confirmation From The Universe

Not too long after this coffee chat, I was tagged in a photo on Facebook. I had been tagged by a non-running friend, and the message was something like “I didn’t know you owned a haulage company Gary”

When I looked at the picture, it was a truck. The truck had the livery of a company called Wilmot Freeze Haul (who apparently are based in Queensland). My surname, spelt correctly. No double L, no double T.

Which was amusing, but I froze mid-chuckle, a strange shiver running down my spine, as I spotted something about the picture…

The side of the truck had the word “Wilmot” on it, sure. But the tagline, oh my god the tagline…

“Brisbane to Perth Specialists”

My fate had been all but sealed…

3. The Benefits and Dangers of Going Public

What I did next was crazy, silly, stupid… I made a video saying I would run from Perth to Brisbane. What I did after that compounded the stupidity… I uploaded it to the “no more mr fat guy” Facebook page.

Almost immediately people started saying how “awesome” and “amazing” and “inspiring” etc. the idea was. Not ONCE did anyone say “don’t be silly” or “stop!”

In fact people started to say things like “when you come through <insert capital city name> I will run a section with you”

That was amazing – except for one thing, the route I had generated on Google Maps did not go through Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra or Sydney. I adjusted the map, added via points, and added 1000km or more to take the journey total to around 5400km!

Great, not only had I promised the “entire Internet” I would do this, but now I was sealing my fate and making the journey even longer!

From a Simple Thought to Complicated Reality

I fanned the flames, I know I am partly to “blame” here at the very least, but in the (approx) 18 months since the idea was first out in the wild, momentum has gathered, things have started getting more and more real, sponsors have appeared, I have become an ultramarathoner, companies and individuals have given me opportunities and resources that keep taking things forward, step by step.

Thanks to Facebook, a healthy does of insanity, a newly acquired desire to constantly push my boundaries, and step out of the comfort zone, and an unwavering desire and belief in this project, I am now just over 2 months away from setting out on the adventure of a lifetime, changing lives and raising money for a great cause along the way.

Quite possibly the biggest practical demonstration I could have come up with, to prove that anyone can take any idea, back it up with desire, passion and commitment, and the right resources, right people, right events will show up when you need them, to help make your dream come true!

 

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