![who owns integrity plus who owns integrity plus](https://d2lr1b3k157z4z.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/29040704/Certified_Plus_large_RGB_pos.jpg)
His own lack of fiery temperament didn’t mean Carran was a dainty flower when it came to physical conflict, including raw-boned pub brawling, which he describes in the book in sardonic, dismissive terms as an unimpressed participant, though still alert to what constitutes a good yarn. “Perhaps,’’ says Henshall, “Mike felt that winning was the natural conclusion to a huge input of time and effort, and was therefore not to be overly crowed about.’’ She finds it telling how struck he was by something legendary athletics coach Arthur Lydiard, whose book Carran read as a schoolboy, had said to Peter Snell.Įssentially this: Snell had put in the hard work. “Yes, he was competitive, but he was competitive for his team and for his country, rather than on a purely individual level.’’ “Various people in the book also comment on the lengths he would go to in analysing his shortcomings, and his willingness to listen to advice which could benefit him. He was fortunate to have both raw talent and physical strength but it was his commitment and determination that enabled him to rise above his peers. Henshall believes Carran’s story is about more than his competitive success. “I can't speak to the hostility between the North and South Island, but it may have coloured his views of the Australians, who on the whole seemed to treat him better than his own countrymen.’’ It also led him to condemn the unfair behaviour he perceived towards himself and others, from those who were supposed to be their comrades. “I think,’’ says Henshall, “that Mike had a very strong sense of personal ethics, which transcended the natural rivalry between competitors and enabled him to see the good in ‘rivals’. The Aussies were unimpressed by the treatment Carran was receiving. Touring Australia, he’d call a team meeting and nobody showed up. * Kiwi axeman wins Timbersports World Trophy in Austria 'clever and funny' take on the world of competitive wood chopping “I don’t think Sonny ever spoke to me, after that.’’ he said. The North Islanders didn’t feel the same way. Though Carran stayed out of that, when the offer came for him to assume the captaincy he said he’d be honoured. He’d been offered the captaincy at a time of conflict between the flinty captain Sonny Bolstad of the King Country and Jock Bentley of Wairarapa. Mike Carran: A strong sense of personal ethics.