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Free to Run

  • The Race for Freedom

      8 February 2016
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    Well, I completed the ultramarathon in tough conditions. Only about half the field managed to finish the full distance, but many amazing people opted for the 60km or 85km alternatives as the rain and mud sapped away their chance of making the cutoff.

    The numbers:

    7 : Pairs of running shoes I used for training

    2,367 : Kilometres run during training

    52,814 : Metres of elevation gain climbed during training

    267 : Hours of running training (not including cross training)

    350 : Volunteers on race day, running the event

    1300 : Entrants in the 60, 85 and 100 km events

    39 : Countries represented

    102.8 : Kilometres I ran on race day

    2,334 : Metres of elevation gain climbed on race day

    18.5 : Hours taken for me to complete the course

    7 : People in my support crew

    99 billion : US dollars earned by sex trafficking criminals per year

    2 million : Women and children enslaved in the sex industry every year

    1 : Victim rescued out of 100

    Please give generously in the few days left in this little campaign and share with your friends.

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  • 6 More Sleeps!

      31 January 2016
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    Less than a week to go until the Tarawera Ultramarathon. A tiny 5km jog tomorrow is the only training left to be done as I try to rest up prior to the race. Instead of being out in the bush, I'm inside planning my gear, nutrition, drop bags and support crew information. Maps and checklists with notes all over them are coming together to ensure I'm mentally prepared and will have everything I might need along the way.

    Thank you so much for your support so far. I've had so much encouragement from the generous donations to Nvader. With only days to do, there is more we can do: just tell people around you, suggest they check out this page and check out what Nvader is all about. Even tiny donations add up to changing lives in a very real way.

    I look forward to updating you further prior to and after the race. Cheers!

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  • Three Weeks to Go

      16 January 2016

    "If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself" - Max Ehrmann, "Desiderata"

    Met a guy while running in the bush today who is also training for the Tarawera Ultramarathon. We ran together for a while, although I struggled to keep up. In 2015 he had run 22 half-marathons, 8 marathons and 3 ultramarathons and also competes in the Auckland triathalon sprint series. Last year he completed the 100km Tarawera Ultramarathon in just over 13 hours (that's fast!). But he had just been talking to another guy out for his training run for Tarawera who was in the middle of an 80km effort today! While I'll try not to compare myself with these endurance marvels, it has made me a tad more nervous about running the 100km event in 3 weeks time.

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    • 17/01/2016 by Helen

      Believe in your own journey ..

      You are an inspiration ..

      So proud of you bro ..

      Good luck ..

      The McKechnies ??

      xo

    • 17/01/2016 by Andrew Goldie

      Thanks so much! Sometimes you just have to help the powerless

  • 50k Done!

      18 November 2015
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    Thanks for all your support so far! I managed to complete the 50k event on Saturday. Not fast, not fancy, but at least I finished. 6 hours, 57 minutes.

    I'm recovering this week with some small jogs and lots of stretching and will start the training for the 100k event next week.

    A huge thank you for the messages of support and for the donations to Nvader so far. Please continue to spread the word and let everyone you know about this little campaign to make ALL the difference in the life of someone who cannot take freedom for granted.

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  • Stage One Ready!

      11 November 2015
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    I have my feet up on the couch instead of being out on my mid-week run. That's because it's race day on Saturday and I've done all the training I can. Will it be enough? Have I done all of the preparation I need? I think so. I've sure put in a LOT of hours and some hard miles. Motivated by the fundraising and the amazing donations so far, I haven't backed off the sessions on the road and in the hills. If it's not enough, then at least I can look you in the eye and say I've tried my best.

    Saturday is only stage one - 50km. Knowing that the big 100km event is coming at the beginning of February, I won't be pushing it too hard this weekend. I can't afford injury.

    Thanks for your support so far. Keep sharing with your friends - including online - and I hope to update you after Saturday with the completion of Stage One!

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  • Peak Week

      28 October 2015
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    Last week saw me run over 80km, including a solo off-road marathon on Saturday that incorporated over 2000m of elevation gain. That's the biggest week on my training plan leading up to the 50km event in 3 weeks time. Needless to say, but I have very tired legs.

    The nice thing is that I'm now over the peak. While I have one last long run this weekend, it will be a flatish road jog. So the proverbial tapering has begun.

    Thanks to your generous donations, we have raised over $1200 so far. I find this extremely motivating when the alarm goes off at 5:30am and I'd rather roll over and go back to sleep than head out for another run. It also gives me a thrill that we have the chance to make a difference in someone's life who is unable to make simple choices for herself because her freedom has been taken from her.

    Please continue to spread the word. Use social media to it's full extent and let "everyone" know about this little campaign. If lots of people give even a little then we will enable someone to be free to run.

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  • 50 Days to 50 K's

      24 September 2015

    It's 50 days to go until I attempt the Tarawera 50km trail run!

    My foot is slowly on the mend. I'm far from nailing the mileage I need to but at least I'm back out running a bit. Hoping against all hope it's going to be enough!

    Heartfelt thanks to those of you who have contributed so early on. Very humbling. And motivating!

    Some great news from Nvader this week:

    "One of our major cases over the last two years has resulted in successful convictions! The two accused persons were convicted for "being part of trafficking" and "knowingly running and profiting from an illegal brothel." We are currently awaiting sentencing which has been adjourned until later this year so watch this space!"

    For those of you on Facebook, check out the run event updates here: https://www.facebook.com/taraweramarathon and Nvader updates here: https://www.facebook.com/nvaderpage?pnref=story

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  • Lift Off

      9 September 2015

    Two weeks into the campaign and, thanks to your generous donations, we are well on the way to helping someone escape the world of sex trafficking.

    The first two weeks of this adventure have been difficult for me. Near the end of a strong 16 km run I developed foot tendon pain which has meant I haven't been able to run for 14 days. I'm trying not to panic as I should be continuing high mileage running right now to gain the stamina required for the 50km event in November.

    I'm hoping and praying for a quick recovery.

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