Dan takes on the Tarawera Ultramarathon to raise support for Susie's salary

Dan had been doing a bit of running in the past, and when we came out of the first lockdown in May he decided to get back into running and run a marathon! He got all set - and signed up for his first-ever marathon in Rotorua.

Then he trained: He ran and ran and ran and ran and ran and ran and ran and ran and ran some more. He went hard out. Since May 2020 he has completed 207 runs, 2646 km in 259 hours.

As the date for the Rotorua marathon came closer, we found ourselves back in lockdown with the end result being that Aucklanders were not allowed to participate in the Rotorua marathon! So, he signed up for three other races in the space of 6 weeks!

He completed his 'second' marathon, the Auckland marathon November 1;

and then his 'third' in Waihi, the XTERRA Trail on November 21,

and then his 'fourth' along the Auckland west coast, the Speights West Coaster Trail on Dec 12.

I suggested he raise some money for charity with all that running! Having run all those runs without raising any money, we agreed he will raise money with the next race he signs up to.

That happens to be the Tarawera Ultramarathon - 102 km - that's 2.5 marathons.

What a challenge to take on!

Naturally, the charity to support is the one I work for. I love my work and would do it for free - that doesn't feed the children though. Not only do I work hard and tirelessly I also have to raise a chunk of my own salary! On top of that, who has been doing housework and childcare and all the regular hooha while he went running??? Moi!!!! There better be some pay-off for me too in this :)

As I watched Dan do all the training and continuing to put one step in front of the other, I reflected on 2020 and how I almost ended up burning out because I tried running the marathon of life as if it were a 100 m sprint. Endurance is a virtue. As we go into 2021, I hope to be able to take on what comes my way with a mindset of growth and endurance.

Here is the lowdown:

Date: February 13, 2021

Location: Tarawera Trail

Length: 102 km, i.e. Ultramarathon.

How can you help?

I am seeking 102 people who give $1 for each kilometer of the race = $102.

I'm raising $10,404 towards my salary. The funds will go directly into an Interserve bank account.

By making a donation you cheer us both on! Dan will be stoked to have so many people supporting this crazy challenge. I will be stoked to be raising some funds to keep doing what I love doing.

Lastly, Dan still has to run his 'first' marathon, Rotorua marathon, that he couldn't run last year - he will do that on May 8!

***

For those who believe, and are followers of Jesus - this quote and verse is my inspiration for this year.

*Running with Endurance*

The race of faith isn't a sprint; it's a marathon of enduring for and with Jesus.

Hebrews 12:1-4

12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

12:2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

12:3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.