It's the end of financial year and only 4.5 months to NY!

As most of you know, I am running the NY Marathon this year in order to raise funds for World Vision's Social and Economic Empowerment (SEE) Solutions, a project that provides the working poor with access to small loans,training and other support in order to assist them to get out of poverty and build a sustainable future for themselves. Donations are going well with over $4500.00 raised so far.

 

The running is also progressing well and I'm really happy with how far I've come since January when I couldn't run more than a couple of minutes (downhill!).  In May I ran (with some short periods of walking) the Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon in under 2.5 hours and I am now working with Tony Boutagy of the Boutagy Fitness Institute to complete my training for the NY Marathon.  The training program Tony has developed focuses on the 'long run' with a variety of shorter runs and interval training during the week to increase stamina and speed.  While it's only 4.5 months until the marathon, by sticking to the training plan and increasing the distance of my long run incrementally, I'm confident I can stay injury free and fulfill my personal goal of completing the marathon in under 4 hours. 

 

With the end of the financial year upon us, if anyone was thinking of getting behind my marathon efforts with a donation to the SEE Solutions project, now would be a wonderful time. 
$30 can expand a sustainable fish farm in Cambodia
$50 can help train and mentor a group in Kenya to start a small business
$100 can help train 14 coffee farmers in Ethiopia to improve the yields and quality of their crop

You can donate online and get a tax receipt straight away at http://www.teamworldvision.com.au/mikeedyejones_mmm (hosted by Everyday Hero).

 

Thank you for reading!

Mike Edyejones

It's only 42kms ...

The normal reaction I get to telling someone I'm running a marathon is something that questions my sanity and grudgingly acknowledges the guts required to take on the challenge.  This morning it was refreshing to sit opposite Tony Boutagy at his gym in Cremorne, see him smile and say the words "it's Only 42 kilometers!" 

Tony trains a lot of Ultra Marathoners, so a standard marathon (while admirable) is no big deal.  His confidence in being able to help me prepare, his clarity in describing what was required and how my training would progress under his guidance left me feeling refreshed and inspired at what was possible.The goal I have created with Tony is to complete the marathon in under 4 hours, and I have the confidence that under his training that is a done deal!

Now, to find someone who says "It's only $16,000" ...