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" ...

Wow! And what a come down!

A long time ago in a land far away (about 6 years ago in London) I told some new workmates trying to convince me to join a running club that "Runners are MAD! A completely senseless waste of energy in a pointless exercise!".

On Sunday May 15th, I took part in my first public running event, which also happened to be my first half marathon and the 20th Anniversary of the Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon in Sydney.  An early start with a glorious dawn gave way to a beautiful day bright with sunshine and almost 11,000 people completed the to the 21km race which wound through some of the best parts of the city.  I was thrilled with my time of 2:25:56 and this was an important psychological as well as physical milestone on my way to New York in November.  I spent the rest of the day basking in my achievement and enjoying the company of my extended family.  A truly great day and even the cold bath to help soothe muscles and aid recovery was somehow enjoyable - runners are truly mad and I now count myself among them!

I read in one of my (many) marathon books that the days following a race can be a let down IF you don't have a new goal already set.  My next goal is New York and the days after this race were a let down ... so I'd like to correct that.  The days following a race can be a let down regardless of your goals!
I'm still fired up for training for New York and my first full marathon (I'm certain now it won't be my last) and I have more and more ideas for fundraising coming to me with renewed vigour, however the return to work and the rude shock of normality first thing on the Monday morning was just plain RUDE!!!  By Monday night I was struggling with a fit of the doldrums and the next few days were simply horrible with the elation of completing a major personal challenge rapidly dwindling away.  

Fortunately a return to exercise (ok, it was a 3km brisk walk) on Friday morning followed by a change of pace with a management away day at work has helped to snap me out of the lows and taught me a valuable lesson - mental discipline is not just necessary for the race, I'm going to need it in the days that follow as well.  I have already thought ahead and organised to take the week following the marathon off as annual leave to delay that return to normality (and hopefully avoid the crash). 

Looking back, last week actually wasn't that bad.  Eight of us from work took part in the half marathon and there was a write up in the company newsletter so the word is out again about my running New York. I finally met Rose and Colette - our wonderful Team World Vision liaison supporters, and I can hold my head up knowing that with rather interrupted preparation and a brief visit to hospital for a general anaesthetic and routine procedure 4 days before the race, I still managed to come in under 2 1/2 hours!