Nickname: Balto
Workplace: Australian Broadcasting Corporation
PBs: Best races have been mountain and trail races, so the times don’t mean all that much. Just as well, because I’m not very fast!
Best running experience: I’ve had good races but nothing compares to the daily joy of having running in my life.
Worst running experience: Pushing through nascent plantar fascia pain in a race in 2013. I couldn’t run a single step for nearly three years after that.
Racing/training shoes: I take an ecumenical approach, but you’ll usually find me in Brooks, Asics or Inov8s.
Years running: From day dot.
Why do you run: Because I can’t not run.
Favourite training session: Sunday long run, preferably somewhere in the bush.
Hobbies: Other sports, including cycling, bushwalking, back-country alpine skiing, nordic skiing, swimming.
Most important thing to me: Family, friends and contentment.
Biggest dislike: Hypocrisy. So, I should probably rethink my career as a political reporter….
Favourite movie: I’m not a big movie-goer but Monty Python will make me laugh every time.
Favourite book: A Little Life by Hanya Yanahigara, Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanangan, The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver, The Road by Cormac McCarthy….. I could go on!
Favourite food: Dark chocolate, strawberries, roasted almonds.
Favourite drink: Peanut butter smoothie from Las Chicas with NJ.
Favourite event: In general, I like any event that gives me an excuse to travel.
Dream occupation: Love the job I have! Well, most of the time.
Most admired athlete: I find the stories of explorers and alpinists more inspiring than any one athlete in particular.
Little known fact about me: I’m effectively blind in my right eye.
Life highlight: The highlights are ahead of me, or at least I hope so!
Life low-point: Been, gone, no need to dwell.
Three things you want to do before you die: Only three? I’ve got a lot more than that to get through!
Favourite quote: “The mountains are calling and I must go.” John Muir.
