Phil Gore, Ultra-Running and BoLA

It’s just like running from Perth to Albany in a weekend.

Phil Gore’s recent endurance running performances defy the imagination—how can anyone perform continually for 2 or 3 days?

What motivated him to start and what keeps him going? And what can running have to do with leadership?

These were among the questions asked of Phil, who is an ultra-runner in his discretionary time and a full-time firefighter at Armadale.

Phil led a conversation for Band of Leaders Australia (BoLA) members and guests entitled What Makes Me Run, at the group’s Annual Retreat at Joondalup Country Club on Friday 26 May.

BoLA is a peer membership group for business owners and chief executives. We seek to take our members beyond achievement to success—the essence of leadership. Inviting Guest Conversations is a key activity in our group meeting.

In an in-depth conversation Phil said that he saw ultra running events not as physical but as mental hurdles.

The Perth-Albany equivalent distance was Phil’s winning effort in the Herdsman Lake Frontyard Ultra run in March. While a state record, it’s not his best, nor does it approach the world’s best.

The Frontyard run consists of a 6.71Km course each hour, for as long as possible. The odd distance is the metric version of 4 miles and 300 yards—24 of these makes 100 miles.

“I plan way beyond what I need,” he said. “My goal is to stay in the race as long as possible, not necessarily to win.”

He relies on the quote attributed to Australian author Matthew Reilly:

“You didn’t come this far only to come this far.”

Drawing parallels to business leadership, Phil said that preparation, pacing, strategy (and food) were the key factors. In operational terms, he paces himself, regularly finishing laps quickly, so that he can sleep for 15min. each hour. He also has a dedicated support team who keep him physically and mentally in tune.

After each race he completes a performance report that will be a reference for future runs. “I also have a very tight structure to my running and my equipment is highly ordered, with everything labelled and in its right place,” Phil said.

Where did this start?

Phil said that he began running in Year 8 (1999)—and by year 12, he was one of the top middle-distance runners in the school.

Entering the workforce, he fell out of the habit and only ran a few times a month, including the City to Surf or HBF Run for a Reason.

In 2014 he became a firefighter, which gave him convenient shifts, so he picked up running again as a hobby and to keep him job fit. He discovered Parkrun on Saturday mornings and then he started a daily 5km run streak, which helped build strong foundations. He soon noticed dramatic improvements in his times and endurance, so in June 2015 he ran his first marathon.

Then in April 2019 he signed up for his first ultra marathon—a 12-hour race—finishing in 2nd place with 124km. 18 months later, he ran his second ultra marathon, and first backyard ultra, where he finished second with 39 hours.

Then he was hooked!

Phil has competed in 7 more backyard ultras, winning each time and setting Australian records. His personal best, which is also the Australian record, is 76 hours / laps for a total of 510Km, run in Victoria last year. The world record is 101 hours for a total of 678Km.

In appreciation of speaking with our group, we made a donation to Phil’s entry fee in the world championships to be held in Tennessee in October—we wish Phil the best of “staying in the race”.

BoLA members will meet next on Friday 23 June when we return to our one-day format—this time at Casa Nostra, in Osborne Park.

Typically, our agenda includes such a Guest Conversation as Phil’s, processing of strategic opportunities raised within the group and leadership development tools and activities.

Prospective members and referrers are invited on request as Paul Manning is continuing to build his BoLA#2 group.

In the meantime, each member will have a monthly coaching session with their BoLA Chair, Jeff.

Next week: Our Emotional Stasis 

 About the Author

Jeff Bell is Principal of executive consultancy ResultsWise in Perth, Western Australia. To boost your leadership, ask Jeff about consulting, coaching, strategy facilitation, Band of Leaders Australia (BoLA) jeff@bandofleadersaustralia.com.au or Advanced Leadership Course jeff@resultswise.com.au. Mobile (61) 439 988 662.