Thanks so much! Last night we achieved my goal of raising $5000 for CURE CANCER AUSTRALIA! YOU BEAUTY!

What is great is that all that money means that it is contributing to the cure by funding researchers to stay and work in Australia and help find the CURE.

CANTOO  recently announced that they had raised $2 MILLION DOLLARS since starting in 2005. A great achievement and thank you for being a part of search for a CURE!

When I started my training back in February I set my self GOALS

1) Raise $5000 for CANTOO = CHECK!

2) Run the Marathon at 85kgs = CHECK! Weighed in with Naras THE BODY DOCTOR yesterday at  85.3kgs

3) Finish Marathon in 4 hours = Lets see ….

GO CANTOO!

 Saturday Morning Was A Cracker …. “A Real Gem Of Day”!

To quote my good pal the Baldman!

But it was the morning for us to run 35km and it was a mammoth run.

I started slowly but mid way through the pace really picked up with those I was running with. We got up Heart Break Hill in great time and I felt pretty good running through Dover Heights. I started to take it slow down Military Rd  - Did not want to push the friendship with the knee! But it felt good. 

Turning around at North Bondi, my pace was down on the way out. But I was determined to Finish and for my knee to not give my grief.

I returned to Centennial Park in 3hrs 45min approx, my legs where really sore. But I got there and I will finish in 3 Sundays!                                            

WITH 3 WEEKS TO GO IF YOU HAVE NOT DONATED PLEASE VISIT:

www.wilkent.com/cantoo

It really helps me along, your support does give me encouragement! 

The Sight Upon Arriving At Centennial Park … Cracker

 Well the weather gods certainly looked kindly upon Suz, Hannah and myself on Sunday as we had an absolutely glorious afternoon of Lawn Bowls.

The sausages sizzled, the tunes where played, drinks where drank, meat trays raffled but most importantly we rolled! 

It has been said that Lawn Bowls is a sport for the people and going on the enthusiasm and fine bowls skills displayed the future of bowls is certainly secure.   

A massive thanks to all that came, we all raised a significant amount of money towards our fund raising efforts, and helps achieve the goal of completing the marathon and raising vital funds for Cure Cancer Australia .

My knee is progressing slower than I hoped, I am now desperate to get out there and run though. But will not be doing anything stupid.

This week the long run is a massive 35k and I will feel my way through the run and get the kilometres on my legs. 

Thanks to all that have donated, your support will help drive me on Saturday and on the race day. 

Those who haven’t …. C’mon help me out! Every little bit helps!

JUST CLICK ON DONATE NOW ABOVE

This week was 32km back in home territory running from Centennial Park to North Bondi and back via Heartbreak Hill and Military Rd. A run that I knew and hoped I would like … 

All started well, with a group of us running along and watch for “Hazards” along the way. We made our way up Heart Break Hill (my 3rd time in 3 weeks). A cracking pace was being set but it was not too bad. In my mind it was manageable, the group had paired back to 5 of us that where even singing as we ran through the top of Dover Heights.  Just as the we rounded a bend and made our way down the Military Rd hill about 2.5km out of Bondi ….

I am unsure if I tripped or my left knee just gave way … either way I hit the bitumen hard.

The full impact of the fall was felt by my hands, chin and right knee. Once on the ground, I had a very familiar pain in my left knee. One that since 1993 I have come to know very well ….

In 1993 whilst happily playing a game of indoor soccer in a scout hall, I chased a ball and ran straight into a bench on the side of the hall. I immediately dislocated my left knee cap … The pain was cronic. I have since been told second only to that of child birth. A partial reconstruction of me left knee was required and since that night in September 1993 my left knee has never been the same ….

Back to 2008 and hitting the bitumen, I felt my knee and saw that it was not dislocated, first check, ok. Then CMB fellow runner suggested I get off road. Yes, I thought top idea so I got up and hobbled of the road with “tights’ Dave and Kingy helping me. By this time other Cantoo team members had come along … I had to keep going … I started a few steps and my knee was not taking weight … SHIT I thought.

I told most of the others to keep going, I had cash for a taxi if needed, I was going to take it slow.

Two of my great pals from the Cantoo Team stayed with me, Kingy and Captain Stu. We walked 20 metres or so. I started a slow jog  …. It was taking weight. But it hurt and it hurt a heap. But I had to make it to Bondi, I love Bondi …

So for the next 14km or so this was how I made it back to Centennial Park, slow and steady working towards little goals. With my great pal Kingy by my side. Talking about everything to keep my mind off the pain (why is Bruce Macaveney not in the hosts chair at the Olympics?). But I made it back … A number of times a cab would go by and it was a temptation. HOWEVER I HAD TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD (KMF). 

Kingy that run was for you

So is this the end of the Campaign? I hope not …

   Back at Centennial Park … Note swelling on left knee already!

                  Left knee is already starting to resemble a Footy!

Eeek!

ROCKY!!!!

The recovery week was short lived and before I knew it we arrived at Saturday on it was time to run 28k. Now let me tell you we are staring to really get into distances now. 28k that is far …

But mission accomplished …. with a time of 3hrs 40 min, including a rather large “pit stop” that I think it is best I do not go into here! But you just have to deal with it. 

The run was hilly as they are when we run from the East, but was fun. A large group of us run together for the first half which invoked the usual comedy! 

Next week is 30k and a 5k Time Trial on Wednesday, really does not seem like 4 weeks since the last time trial … lets see how I go … 

Thanks for the support ..

Have a good one