Explore Raise funds Login Help

Please back me in setting out for Ironman 2016 - All for a good cause

$16,100 of $10,000 goal

Given by 164 generous donors in around 8 months

Share Closed

Raising money for the Starship foundation and setting off to tick a big goal of mine off - Taupo Ironman March 2016.

Auckland

Dear Friends and Family,

Firstly, thank you for clicking on the link and arriving here at my givealittle fundraising page.

As you will all know, nearly exactly a year ago (August 10 2014), my family was rocked by the tragic passing of my beautiful little niece Lila Tupou; My sister Ana and friend Isi’s daughter.

On Sunday 10th August, Lila had what was concluded by the coroner’s report as Status Asthmaticus, a severe asthma attack which ultimately took her life. I was fortunate enough to have spent a lot of time with Lila as my children George and Harry were of a similar age, and were very close with her. Lila also left behind a twin sister Tania and 2 brothers Bruno and Bassy (Sebastian).

Upon her passing, and whilst I happened to also be a very “healthy” 103 kilos, I decided I would do something in honour of Lila, and what better way to challenge myself than to do a full ironman next March 2016 – for those of you unsure what that involves; it’s a 3.8km Swim followed by a 180km Bike ride, followed lastly by a marathon (42.2km run).

Having already started training for this, along with doing some tough swim, cycle and run sessions (Including a Half ironman – Don’t ask what my time was!!!) – even the tougher sessions seem easy when I put it into the perspective that my little niece doesn’t even have the opportunity to do these things in life anymore . How could I possibly complain due to pain, fatigue or lack of motivation when I couldn’t even comprehend or think back to what poor little Lila had to go through in her final moments. These selfish thoughts of pain and fatigue are what motivate me for this, as what I am setting out on is nothing in comparison to what she had to go through.

Whether it be $20 or $50, I will be hugely grateful for all donations I receive and will no doubt be putting in a lot of hard work in recognition of all the people who are backing me on this tough journey, if you would prefer not to donate, that is fine, but please if you could share this with others who may be interested to donate – this really does mean a lot to me. All funds and proceeds will go towards a great cause being the Starship Charity – a mere attempt to recognise and show appreciation to the nurses and the efforts they went to on that Sunday night.

As a goal, I will be pushing hard to raise $10,000 towards this charity.

Many thanks,

Richard Waalkens

Richard Waalkens' involvement (page creator)

Competing in Taupo Ironman 2016, 3.8KM Swim, 180KM Cycle, 42KM Run - all in one day, and I cant wait!

Latest update

So Far... 26 February 2016

Thanks everyone who has been following my training and also Give a little page etc - appreciate the support.

I know I haven't posted any updates on here, but its been a tough few weeks/months - Getting married whilst squeezing as much time possible into training is no easy task! we had a great wedding, and 2 days later I was down in Tauranga competing in the Port of Tauranga half Ironman. I didn't know what to expect in this race, as I had not prepared as per how I should have; too much drinking, too much eating and no training in the week leading up. Got down there on the day and the winds were blowing a gale, there was a storm the day before and I was thinking (at the time Hoping) it would be called off. Anyhow, the next day was perfect the storm had gone, (apart form the wind), and the race carried out with no hitches. I really struggled on the day. Swimming, my navigation out at the Tauranga harbour was well off, and on the bike leg I had stomach cramps and I think due to lack of or ineffective preparation I was unable to stomach any fluids or gels so my nutrition plan was out the door - everytime I tried to go on the aero bars I felt a pain in my stomach so I rode the whole race as though I was on a road bike, not very aero! I would have liked to have cracked the 6 hour mark that day, and without my challenges i'm sure I would have however ran in at 6:03! - gutted. Might mean I need to go back next year??

Since then, i've done a couple races, Panasonic tri and a 110k bike race the Tour De Ranges - great race that one.

A few weeks back I went down with my training group at Boost Coaching for an Ironman Camp, this involved a whole lot of activities over 3 days and on the Sunday we did the whole course - 3.8k swim (roughly) followed by a 180k Bike and a run (didn't do the full distance) was a bit windy and learned that the roads down at Taupo were pretty rough and undulating. It was a very worthwhile weekend, and learned a huge deal from being able to do the course to training and learning off a whole lot of experienced Ironman athletes who have done the course and many others, including some who had done kona.

1 week countdown is on now! race day is next Saturday and I am feeling pretty nervous - I am ready but the preparation is what im not looking forward too, 20 months of preparation for this day and hundreds of hours, thousands of kilometres and hundreds of beers I've missed out on all for this one race. I cant wait.

Thanks so much everyone for following my progress and keeping track of how I'm going. I am absolutely overwhelmed by the support I have received from each of you. It really means a lot.

Hope all is well with you all

Cheers,

Rich

Share this update

View and comment