So many people ask me what Brett’s secret is… and after I work out they don’t want the colour-code to those fabulous grey streaks or how he makes his scrumdidly falafel burritos, I realise they are after ‘footy’ secrets. As you can appreciate, I am unable to give away the Captain’s 11 secret herbs and spices, and while the commentators always say that Brett can’t kick goals (FYI - he is two goals from two set shots this season!), what I can say is that Brett sets goals… all the time. He is a big wrap for them. He has daily ones, weekly ones, pre-game, post-game and annual ones. He has them not only as a footballer but also as a father and a husband and a friend. I have learnt much from Brett and goal-setting is definitely one of those lessons. I am starting to ride the ‘goal-train’ too.
After I had Indhi, I decided to start running, not only for exercise but also for some time out. That year I completed the City To Surf.
After I had the twins, Memphys and Tallulah, I continued my running but branched out into cycling and joined a fabulous group called The Coffee Club (a swimming group in Maroubra) where a wise man named Pat got me swimming faster and more effectively than I ever had before. That year I did the Noosa Triathlon. With the bug to continue to set goals, I followed on five months later with the Canberra Marathon and it was one of the toughest things I have ever done (only to find out I had actually ran the 42.2km with Sadie in my tummy. I was seven weeks pregnant… What the?!).
After Sadie was born and the overwhelming feeling of being a mum to four young children set in, I suffered from postnatal depression for the first 14 weeks following Sadie’s birth. I knew I needed to begin goal-setting again. So I wrote a novel at night when the kids were asleep (this proved to be a great escape) and I competed in the Noosa Triathlon again. It was a great feeling and both activities - while very different - were completed with tears of joy and much pride.
My goal this year is to run the SMH Half Marathon in May and raise as much money as I can for the Henry, Evan and Jasper Trust Fund at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Randwick. After hearing the stories of these three brave little baby boys and the heartache of their amazing parents Sophie and Ash, this goal was not only for me but also for a wonderful cause. I can’t think of a better way to complete the run and use a lazy 21.1km to ‘pay it forward’.
The goals you set are worth the trouble… they just might change your life.
Hayley Kirk
Also-known-as-The-Other-Half
