You didn't run on WOC in Chezh Republic and we expected to see You on marathon in Olympic Games. What happened nevertheless?
     I am currently studying my one year postgraduate program in primary school teaching in Auckland, New Zealand.
     I had always anticipated that this year would be an 'off' year from orienteering where I would focus hugely on my studies. Once I complete this year I will be able to work freely and orienteer and run more freely.
     I am really enjoying my studies and believe that this has been a great decision. I am still enjoying running hugely and have run quite a few races including a win in the New Zealand Marathon Championships.

What is your plans for the next year in orienteering?
     I am actually hoping to be in Hungary but it will depend on my work. I miss it hugely, particularly all my friends around the world. So hopefully yes, back into it properly next year.

To all appearances, You like ultra long distances. What exactly You like in ultra long races?
     I love the challenge of it. I love getting out on the open roads or trails and it is all about you and the elements. I love the way you have to continually push yourself mentally and physically, and then you get to the end and you are stuffed but immensely proud of yourself.
     I love that hot shower and big bowl of food afterwards!!!... feet up, deep sleep... ahhhhh total bliss!
     And I love it when it all goes so well that you are just floating along through the race. yep, nothing better than a good, long, hard race!

Many people think, that marathon does a bad influence to health of sportsman. What do You think about it?
     Yeah for sure it is tough on your body but you do make it what it is.
     Yes, there are some really sick marathon runners out there who push and push and don't listen to their bodies. But I believe that if you approach it carefully, listen to what your body is telling you, push a bit but know when to back off, refuel the body well, balance rest and recovery, you can do it successfully.
      And to be a good marathon runner you don't need to always be doing endless miles on road - some of the best kenyan runners do 80% of there training in the forests and on trails.
     There just needs to be a balance to make it a healthy sport.

I think, You live in amazing place (jungles, kangaroos, snakes ). And interesting stories happened with You probably. Could You tell me one?
     Well at the moment my biggest problems are cars, buses and the daily grind of Auckland.
     But back home in Australia, yes, there are snakes etc. but gosh, they are all beautiful. Our wilderness is amazing. I don't want to tell stories about it. I want you all to come and visit me and experience it for yourself.
     But I did have a friend who woke up one night next to his wife. He rolled over and saw she had stopped breathing. He then felt something move under the bed covers, look beneath them, and found a 2m long tiger snake (a deadly tasmanian one). His wife had been bitten 4 times whilst she slept. They called the ambulance helicopter and luckily (somehow) she survived.
     He was an orienteer... so beware, always check under the covers at night!