 By Richelle Olsen, 19 February 2014 Someone asked me recently “So when are you going to do something for yourself, everything you are doing at the moment is for Shane.” Which made me wonder...is that really what people think? I’d like to say it doesn’t matter what others think, but we all know the reality on that front.... My answer to her went along the lines of this....I don’t do what I do with The Ultra Life for Shane, I do what I do to follow my own dreams, and to build on the dreams that Shane and I have together. It might seem that I am the one slaving away, doing all the logistics, organisation and support of all our events, and Shane gets to be the poster boy who gets to go out and do what he loves most, running. Yes, all this is true, but the bit thats not so obvious is the thrill I get from organising, I love making a plan, and seeing it succeed. To be honest I kinda thrive on the power too. Shane gets to do what he loves, running, and I get to build a little empire around us. It helps that I love him to death too! It’s a win-win-win! Logistics seem so boring....where do I get my buzz? The start of 2014 has been kinda nuts, here’s what I’ve been organising... The Ultra Life Fundraisers:
Oh, I have a full time job too! Still you ask, that sounds like hell, wheres the buzz?  My buzz is doing a lil dance every time I get an email saying another ticket sold to the Trail Run.
My buzz is the satisfaction that I have built my own website (and designed my own logos), something I’ve been wanting to do for as long as I remember Its receiving amazing emails of support for what we are doing from total strangers Its coming home after work to find hundreds and hundreds of dollars worth of Clif Bar products in a box at my front door..Walked like an Egyptian on that one Its each and every single donation we get for Shake It Up, if only you could see the little Irish jig that goes on behind closed doors when we get a new donation! Its Karen from Woolies ringing to say they will give us $50 for the snags in bread! Macarena! Its asking Moxie Gear for some of their awesome gaiters for free, and them saying what’s your address...definitely worth a Hokey Pokey. My buzz is feeling like its Xmas when unwrapping the new state of the art ultralight hiking tent, sleeping bag and sleeping mat, with a combined worth of more that many first cars, generously donated by Bogong Equipment Its Shannon from Par Avion telling me he will fly me into Melaluca in a tiny plane at a highly discounted rate, just so I can spend the night in the wilderness with my boy, and feed him some decent food! Its Gerd who owns some of the most luxurious beach houses on the north coast of Tassie, offerring one of his Azzure Beach Houses to Shane and I for a night for the Tassie Traverse, entirely for free! Its people liking The Ultra Life on Facebook......that warrants a great sprinkler rendition, and for those who actually subscribe to the newsletter, lookout Nutbush here we come! But all in all, Im not sure that theres a dance to describe seeing the elated grins on 4 faces after climbing one of the most spectacular mountains in NZ.... Gangham Style??!! Theres a LOT of effort in everything I do, with what seems proportionally to be little reward....but the rewards are awesome, and most days theres a jig of some description going on......it may be a little like a drug, but I love it. THERES THE BUZZ!! Want your own buzz, but don't know where to start? Drop me a line, always happy to lend a hand to anyone looking to organise their own events!
1 Comment
Jolene
2/19/2014 06:11:56 am
Your truly an inspiration and I find your drive and passion so admirable! Your great at blogging too!! Seriously .. What can't you do?? Keep up the good work and keep inspiring others and living your dreams! Doing the sprinkler and gangham moves from reading the achievements! Leave a Reply. |
