Turning up the heat for Dylan!

$3,030 donated

Given by 54 generous donors in around 4 months

Please sponsor me in running 273 kms across the desert in support of Ronald McDonald House NZ who are looking after Dylan and his family

Wellington

On the 20th September I am going to start running from the north rim of the Grand Canyon in the USA as a participant of the Grand to Grand Ultra - http://www.g2gultra.com - footrace. In 6 stages over 7 days I will cover 273 kms on foot with everything I need for the 7 days on my back (except water and a tent).

I will encounter a mix of desert and other terrain including hard packed sand, soft sand, sand dunes, forest trails, red rock climbs, rocky roads and slot canyons. The starting line is situated at a remote location on the north rim of the Grand Canyon with breathtaking vistas at an altitude of 5344 feet (1629 meters).

The finish line is on the summit of the Pink Cliffs of the Grand Staircase at an altitude of 8658 feet (2636 meters).

Then I am going to get married the next day!

I want to use my temporary and self inflicted pain to raise money for Ronald McDonald House in NZ. This registered charity provides a lifeline to many families with sick children undergoing treatment. People like our friend James Goodwill, his wife Helen and their 2 year old son Dylan.

Dylan has been diagnosed with lukemia and the Goodwill family have been taken very good care of by Ronald McDonald House which survives solely on the generous donations of kind hearted people.

Follow Dylan's progress here http://spudsbug.blogspot.co.nz/

I know that a lot of good charities ask for money but please, please dig deep for this wonderful charity which helps relieve the day to day stresses for families going through a very stressful time. And I will do everything I can to cross that finish line on the 26th September.

No amount is too small!!! Every cent is appreciated - the ocean is made up of millions of single drops.

Thank you on behalf of Dylan's family and every family in NZ who faces the nightmare of a sick child.

Latest update

Getting the back pack on! 1 August 2015

7 weeks to go. 50 days to be exact according the countdown all Grand to Grand participants are being shown!

I've been planning and working towards this goal for almost 2 years and it is almost here - where did that time go! Apparently, according to my coach I need to start thinking about reducing volume, focussing on strength and thinking about getting refreshed for the start line.

That doesn't mean take it easy! Today was a 4.5 hour run around the hills of Wellington in the cold rain (not great preparation for the heat of the desert!) with a 10.6kg back pack on.

There was an element of panic in the first hour where all I could feel was the tightness in my chest from the weight on my back dragging on the chest strap, the burning in my quads trying to push the extra weight forward and the wobbles when my mind wandered away from what I was doing! How am I going to drag this for 6 days across the desert, doing around 40-50km per day (with one big day of 85kms)!!

Thankfully the advice that I have been getting from others who have gone before proved correct. The weight of the bag does almost become part of you and goes (slightly less!) unnoticed!

All in all a good run out. Ready for another day tomorrow!

Share this update

View and comment