- N
Hi, to those that know me and to those that don't.
I'm John. I started running a couple of year ago in January 2019 when I set myself the challenge of running 5km daily for 30 days. Strangely after accomplishing that, I found myself actually enjoying running. Some might say I've become slightly addicted to it, setting new challenges along the way to push myself that bit further.
In 2019 I set myself a target of 1000 miles or 1609 km for the year which I just managed by the end of December. For 2020, I set myself the goal of thirty 10K's in January and 2000km for the year. I completed both, deciding to adjust to 2020km at the last minute. I also ran a marathon on the re-scheduled virtual London marathon date in October, my longest run to date.
2020 was a strange year for us as a family. In early January, after about a year of tests and hospital visits, my Mum was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. Then lockdown was imposed in March, and this made everybody’s life a lot more challenging and complicated. Mum was classed as vulnerable and so was required to shield for much of lockdown, which means her care has been left almost entirely to my Dad and we have not been able to help anywhere near as much as we would have liked. Motor Neurone Disease is a truly horrible, debilitating disease. The speed of it is quite astounding to witness first-hand in anyone, let alone someone you love.
Recently there have been several sporting people: Doddie Weir, Rob Burrows, Stephen Darby and more recently local footballer George Melling who have gained the attention of both the mainstream media and social media. They are all continuing to do an excellent job of raising awareness of the disease. But what they struggle to get across is the speed with which it progresses and the complexity of how it affects everybody differently. Some people might lose their limb functionality but maintain the ability to still speak. Whilst others may lose both. One of the hardest things is how to plan for the future. What equipment will you need? What help is out there?
For my parents, the MND Association has been vital in helping them navigate through the minefield of constant change. They have been a huge help with things that would be mind-bogglingly difficult at the best of times.
Like many other charities, the MND Association’s ability to raise money has been significantly impacted by the ongoing pandemic and continuing lockdowns. So, with your help, this year I would like to contribute to both fund-raising and awareness-raising by attempting a much more difficult challenge in aid of the MND Association. Thanks go to Ian for suggesting it, who is also attempting it in aid of Alder Hey Children’s Charity.
About the Challenge
It's a challenge devised by former US Navy Seal, multiple Iron Man Triathlete and Ultra Distance Runner David Goggins currently in its 2nd Year. Apparently David uses this to train for Ultra Distance events!!
Run 4 miles every 4 hours on the hour for 48 hours.
In essence it’s twelve 4 mile runs ............
which at 48 miles is nearly double the marathon distance.
Whilst you get to rest in-between runs, eating resting and sleeping all also have to be slotted into that 3 - 3 1/2hour period between runs. Motivation for going out again for the 3rd, 4th, 5th until the final 12th time becomes more challenging as the challenge progresses. The motivation decreases further when you get up in the middle of the night and to go on your 5th run of the day, and even more after your 6th run you realise your only halfway there and have it all to do it again. Then there's the good old British weather, who knows what that's going to add to the experience!
When?
Friday 5th March 8am till Sunday 7th March 5pm
Only a few weeks away so I need to up my daily runs and millage...
Dictionary definitions:
Challenge: noun
A new or difficult task that tests somebody’s ability and skill.
David Goggins Challenge:
See "Challenge" plus SOME.
If I manage to raise double the initial amount of £1000, I'll attempt to run double marathon distance of 52.4miles or 84.4KM
So would you like to join me in making a difference to people like my Mum with Motor Neurone Disease? Any donation will help make an impact. Thankyou in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.
More information about Motor Neurone Disease Association: The Motor Neurone Disease Association is the only national charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland focused on MND care, research and campaigning. You can visit our main website at www.mndassociation.org for more information, support and details of how you can help us. You can help us by: Fundraising - go to www.mndassociation.org/fundraising Volunteering - go to www.mndassociation.org/volunteer Campaigning - go to www.mndassociation.org/campaigning
I'm John. I started running a couple of year ago in January 2019 when I set myself the challenge of running 5km daily for 30 days. Strangely after accomplishing that, I found myself actually enjoying running. Some might say I've become slightly addicted to it, setting new challenges along the way to push myself that bit further.
In 2019 I set myself a target of 1000 miles or 1609 km for the year which I just managed by the end of December. For 2020, I set myself the goal of thirty 10K's in January and 2000km for the year. I completed both, deciding to adjust to 2020km at the last minute. I also ran a marathon on the re-scheduled virtual London marathon date in October, my longest run to date.
2020 was a strange year for us as a family. In early January, after about a year of tests and hospital visits, my Mum was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. Then lockdown was imposed in March, and this made everybody’s life a lot more challenging and complicated. Mum was classed as vulnerable and so was required to shield for much of lockdown, which means her care has been left almost entirely to my Dad and we have not been able to help anywhere near as much as we would have liked. Motor Neurone Disease is a truly horrible, debilitating disease. The speed of it is quite astounding to witness first-hand in anyone, let alone someone you love.
Recently there have been several sporting people: Doddie Weir, Rob Burrows, Stephen Darby and more recently local footballer George Melling who have gained the attention of both the mainstream media and social media. They are all continuing to do an excellent job of raising awareness of the disease. But what they struggle to get across is the speed with which it progresses and the complexity of how it affects everybody differently. Some people might lose their limb functionality but maintain the ability to still speak. Whilst others may lose both. One of the hardest things is how to plan for the future. What equipment will you need? What help is out there?
For my parents, the MND Association has been vital in helping them navigate through the minefield of constant change. They have been a huge help with things that would be mind-bogglingly difficult at the best of times.
Like many other charities, the MND Association’s ability to raise money has been significantly impacted by the ongoing pandemic and continuing lockdowns. So, with your help, this year I would like to contribute to both fund-raising and awareness-raising by attempting a much more difficult challenge in aid of the MND Association. Thanks go to Ian for suggesting it, who is also attempting it in aid of Alder Hey Children’s Charity.
About the Challenge
It's a challenge devised by former US Navy Seal, multiple Iron Man Triathlete and Ultra Distance Runner David Goggins currently in its 2nd Year. Apparently David uses this to train for Ultra Distance events!!
Run 4 miles every 4 hours on the hour for 48 hours.
In essence it’s twelve 4 mile runs ............
which at 48 miles is nearly double the marathon distance.
Whilst you get to rest in-between runs, eating resting and sleeping all also have to be slotted into that 3 - 3 1/2hour period between runs. Motivation for going out again for the 3rd, 4th, 5th until the final 12th time becomes more challenging as the challenge progresses. The motivation decreases further when you get up in the middle of the night and to go on your 5th run of the day, and even more after your 6th run you realise your only halfway there and have it all to do it again. Then there's the good old British weather, who knows what that's going to add to the experience!
When?
Friday 5th March 8am till Sunday 7th March 5pm
Only a few weeks away so I need to up my daily runs and millage...
Dictionary definitions:
Challenge: noun
A new or difficult task that tests somebody’s ability and skill.
David Goggins Challenge:
See "Challenge" plus SOME.
If I manage to raise double the initial amount of £1000, I'll attempt to run double marathon distance of 52.4miles or 84.4KM
So would you like to join me in making a difference to people like my Mum with Motor Neurone Disease? Any donation will help make an impact. Thankyou in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.
More information about Motor Neurone Disease Association: The Motor Neurone Disease Association is the only national charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland focused on MND care, research and campaigning. You can visit our main website at www.mndassociation.org for more information, support and details of how you can help us. You can help us by: Fundraising - go to www.mndassociation.org/fundraising Volunteering - go to www.mndassociation.org/volunteer Campaigning - go to www.mndassociation.org/campaigning
Co-organizers4
John McDougall
Organizer
Motor Neurone Disease Association
Beneficiary