One of the greatest tools man has in his inventory is the ability to serve.
Haven't updated this puppy for a bit, so here goes.
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It's been an interesting last seven days. Exhausting, but so worthwhile and so interesting at the same time.
A 5am alarm saw me start my Saturday heading to Meghan Mutrie's hotel to grab the camera she uses for the Crowd Goes Wild in Wellignton, get a bit of practice in then get shooting.
It was hard to see at times, with rain shooting through to my eyes and the rest of my face as I tried desperately to find her on the course.
For the record, Meghan finished with an awesome time of two hours and 38 minutes, becoming the third woman overall to finish the race.
Helping Meghan was an experience I'll never forget. Not just because of the uncompromising rain or the chills that felt eternal for the hours that were to follow.
I got some camera work under my belt and really found out what it's like to film in the worst-case scenario: alone in the cold, wet, wintry conditions.
But more importantly, I was introduced to a world of feel-good stories. Watching several runners cross the finish line, or who knew they were close, was mega inspiring.
Days, weeks and months of training paid off for all of the athletes and I left feeling like I had witnessed something special. Without helping Meghan I know for sure I wouldn't have even bothered to see any of the racing, so there were plenty of benefits for both parties.
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And then there was Martin Parnell's humongous effort.
Here's a guy who ran around Rarotonga twice the night before the event proper en route to a quest of running 100 kilometres around the island.
Then, on the wet Saturday morning, having run in unforgiving ammounts of rain the night earlier, Parnell was forced to walk 40 kilometres because the blisters on his feet had swelled up from the night before's effort.
Meghan and I waited patiently for him to arrive, anxious of missing him while we were eating lunch.
And then, the moment. When we recognised him through a jacket given to him by an accompanying local walker named Toru Tutai.
Hands in the year, cries of exaltation, a relief that this pain and torture that started in the late hours of Saturday night was all over.
Sixteen hours, 21 minutes, 38 seconds was the total time Parnell spent running and walking around the island. Over two-thirds of a day spent in the gruelling rain, and the sneaky spells of wind.
Yet amongst it all, a heart-warming story that will surely live on, at least in my heart, for many years to come.
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I'm reaching the stage here now where I know my writing is improving.
Sometimes there's nothing more satisfying then being able to improve your own stuff - add a little zing, tidy up the superfluous fluff and the unnecessary cliches.
It really has already shown that this trip to Rarotonga has been incredibly beneficial within a short space of time.
Not only have I been able to experience some things I know I never would have been able to if I was in New Zealand. I've been able to sit back, look at my writing properly and understand where I need to get better.
Feedback, it's outstanding.
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Finally, I just want to say thanks, again, to those of you who read the blog and suggest ideas and give some awesome comments.
I have always said that me ending up as a journalist was somewhat of a mismatch given my lack of desire to read growing up.
But here I am.
And I'm still here because it's about trying to showcase the stories of people around the world.
What seperates everyone is their intrinsic ability to learn, perhaps overcome things and hopefully triumph. It's a story. It's something we all have and something I'm inspired by.
Meitaki maata.
Matiu
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