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Motor Neurone Disease Awareness

  • That’s all folks!

      30 October 2017
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    That’s all folks!

    So it’s over. My limbs - despite still hating me - are very thankful about that. I managed to run the whole way and although it was not at a pace that will trouble the Guinness people, that was actually what I was hoping to do. I got round in 4 hours 53 minutes.

    Much more importantly we all managed to raise over $2500 for MNDA NZ. A massive thank you to everyone who supported me in this feat. Not only the donations but the messages of support and especially those who shouted me on during the race.

    I’ve enjoyed the ride - I hope you have too!

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    • 10/09/2022 by Kerry

      My mum is 83 and had great difficulty speaking and swallowing much of anything. Food was getting trapped in her throat and blocking her air way was happening more often. she battled for each breath. The riluzole did very little to help her. The medical team did even less. Her decline was rapid and devastating. The psychological support from the medical centre was non-existent and if it were not for the sensitive care and attention of our primary physician, there she would have died. There has been little if any progress in finding a cure or reliable treatment. Acupuncture eased her anxiety a bit. this year our primary physician started her on Healthherbsclinic MND natural treatment, 6 months into treatment she improved dramatically. It has been a complete turnaround with her speech, she no longer needs the feeding tube to feed, the treatment is a miracle. She recovered significantly! Visit their website www. healthherbsclinic .com

  • The Final Countdown

      23 October 2017
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    The final countdown

    Making some really good progress in this final phase of preparation as you will see from the gallery. The challenge to “go big” on carbs is one I’m tackling with gusto, and on an eve of race conditioning trip to Melbourne I’ve even found a useful nutritional supplement to give me that little bit of extra bounce come race day.

    On the training front a little less to report I’m afraid - other than my bones and limbs seem to have gone into some sort of apprehensive trance and have all decided to ache and complain in unison. I’m sure it will all be alright on the day.

    To all of you, should this be my final reckless act, I would just like to make it clear that I blame you. Without your generous and unwavering support and encouragement, I would undoubtedly have wimped out by now, and taken the hints from my age, body and just simple logic. However, I shall persevere. If by some fluke of nature I do succeed, then I look forward to catching up with you and enjoying a drink / bacon sandwich / chocolate fush (delete as appropriate) AND having a pressure free conversation about a run-less future.

    Of course, the really important thing is the funds going to the great cause of MND support, and the best training tips I’ve had have come directly from Roger, who I’ve found out ran 5 marathons in his younger days! I won’t be doing the same.

    Jon

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  • Final big training run

      15 October 2017
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    Final big training run.

    Well that’s that. My final 30k training run done and dusted and now my physical preparation enters a different phase, according to the advice from those who know (thanks Kim, Michael and Marathons Weekly). This phase is apparently called the tapering phase. Seemingly it involves doing relatively little exercise, resting and eating a lot of carbs. I’m looking forward to it wholeheartedly.

    The mental side of the preparation is a little more problematic. I’ve moved quickly on from the “blimey, I actually enjoy running” phase, which led me to the exuberant “sign up for a marathon” phase, and I am currently neck deep in the “what the hell have I done” phase. I’m hoping I can quickly get to the “what’s the worst that can happen” phase.

    Anyway two weeks today and it will all be over (hopefully) and it is of course for a very good cause.

    Thanks again for all the support - I really appreciate it. If you want to spread the word by sending these updates around to help increase the pot, then feel free. For those who are interested I managed the 30k in 3 hours 6 minutes, with a two hour and counting recovery period. Photo en route attached.

    Jon

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  • Hills and tides

      13 October 2017
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    I am learning things the hard way. Both the above may be wonders of nature but they are a pain in the arse to the nervous novice marathon runner.

    Today my rigorously researched training plan told me it was time for a hill run. I decided on a nice hilly first part followed by a lovely flat run around a lake (yes, for those of you that are way ahead, it was a tidal lake) before the flat run home along the front.

    Quite simply the hills nearly killed me. You can therefore imagine my delight when the lake path got cut off due to the tide halfway around (photo attached) and I had to revert to the hills.

    16 days training time left and not a happy camper. Big long training run planned on Sunday. Can’t wait.

    Many thanks for the continued support - I’m bowled over (not hard the way I’m feeling right now).

    Jon

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  • Rigorous training regime

      7 October 2017

    Many thanks for all the support so far - I am truly overwhelmed. So much so that I thought I’d provide a brief update on the training regime with a mere 3 weeks to go until the big day.

    I am undertaking a somewhat unorthodox training regime that is a mix of tough miles and red wine.

    I have added some photos to the gallery. The first is my longest run so far. The first 10k in driving rain, the final 10k headlong into a gale force wind. The 10k in the middle was ok.

    Next photo is our farewell to Roger at Auckland airport in November.

    Latest one is my hungover training run earlier today in Napier. The red wine last night was particularly nice.

    More updates to follow...

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