Back in 2020, after attending a corporate luncheon where I first learnt about Little Warriors (www.littlewarriors.ca), I decided I wanted to help. Little Warriors is a national, charitable organization focused on the awareness, prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse. According to research available on their website, the number of children affected may be as worryingly high as 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys.

As a doting father to two young and fierce girls (who are my entire life) I chose to make a bold commitment of aiming to raise $118,000 for the charity by running the 118km Canadian Death Race solo - summitting three mountains and climbing over 5000m/17000 feet of elevation. https://www.sinistersports.ca/deathrace/

The plan was to raise money for Little Warriors personally and corporately, with my amazing company RSM.

This was a big goal - but it was for a very important cause.

I planned to complete the 118km Canadian Death Race in the requisite 24 hours in 2023 and despite raising ALL THE MONEY (THANK YOU!), I have now failed quite a few times and have yet to live up to my end of the bargain. But I already gave the massive cheque, so.......... no refunds!!

The details of the repeated failures and next steps are below if interested:

August 2023 Attempt #1:

Training volume prior: 2-3 years of running a lot

Benchmark run time in October 2022 (Canmore Grizzly 50k @ 1200m elevation gain): 8h30.

Weight: 195lbs

Calf size: Laughably small

Beard situation: Full beard

Fueling strategy: Random candy, gu's and electrolytes. Not good.

Toenails lost: 3

Result: FAIL. Failed to make the cut off for Leg 3 by 30 mins and DNF at 45k.

Beard game was too strong and created too much drag.

August 2024 Attempt #2:

Training volume prior: Ran a lot with actual hills, a much better strategy.

Benchmark run time in October 2023 (Canmore Grizzly 50k): 6h30.

Weight: 180lbs

Calf size: Medium

Beard situation: No beard to minimize drag.

Fueling strategy: Tailwind, Gu, dates, and pure hope.

Toenails lost: 2

Result: FAIL. Made Leg 4 cut off at 67k but lost sensation in lower legs and was unable to continue so had to begrudgingly call it.

2025 Attempt: NO ATTEMPT. Mainly to take stock and actually spend weekends with family.

Main focus of year was on strength training, a LOT of running, and prepping for carb-loading by eating a LOT of Miss Vicki's Jalapeno chips.

2025 Toenails lost: 0

Result: CHIPS

August 2026 Attempt #3:

Training volume prior: LOTS of strength training, solid amount of long distance hill running, calisthenics, and limited jalapeno chips (well maybe 'moderate' amount of chips would be more accurate)

Benchmark run in October 2025 (Canmore Grizzly 50k): 5h 55.

Goal Weight: 165lbs (currently 170)

Goal Calf size: Massive

Beard situation: TBD - but all signs point to sizeable beard-age. Drag coefficient will be offset by noticeably increased calf size.

Fueling strategy: Natural food, Tailwind, Dates, and less hope.

Toenails lost: Goal = <2

Result: TBD

Wish me luck.