Brenda Noonan's first marathon !!

Will he have the heart to be a champion?

Bribie Island Triathlon

Half way in the Auckland Marathon - time for another drink!

Gypsy - my favourite Guide Dog Puppy

It is done!!!! I have run my first marathon, and what a buzz it was!! Friends thought I was crazy when I decided to run my first marathon at age 55 - but - even if I am crazy - the whole experience of training for, and completing a marathon is just something else!!!! Unless you have done one, you'll never quite understand the feeling!!

My first goal was - "to fnish", my second goal was to take five hours. There are some published marathon statistics - average age of female marathoners = 36.1 years - and the average time taken 5 hours 6 minutes and 8 seconds. I was thrilled that despite being almost 20 years older than average I finished with a time of 4 hours 46 mins and 23 seconds at my first attempt.

So my dream did come true - and I want to especially thank all of you who supported me via this page. The money raised for the Heart Foundation was over-whelming and my expectations well and truely exceeded - thanks!!

Now a wee break from such long distance training - but I cannot discount that I may do another marathon - when and where - I have no idea at the moment!

I'll leave the rest of my story here in case others may be a bit inspired - I reckon if I can do it - anyone can - but it does take hard work and dedication!!

My original story …….

Dare to Dream !!!!! ….. my dream is to run a marathon - the Auckland Marathon!! I remember when the Auckland Harbour Bridge opened - 49 years ago. I will run over it on November 2nd 2008!!

I've signed up as a "Heart Racer" to raise money to support The National Heart Foundation of NZ. By donating through my webpage you will be helping the Heart Foundation continue its vital work. So often only a small percentage of a donation gets to the charity - this way - it all gets there!!

When I turned half a century old - I knew something had to change! I was diagnosed with high blood pressure and was deemed "morbidly" obese!!

Facing a life on blood-pressure pills, I thought I would see if life-style changes would work first.

Year 1 - a better diet with inspiration from the Weight Reduction Club of Redcliffe - 20 kgs lost.

Year 2 - continued with a healthy diet and started walking - a further 18 kgs lost.

Year 3 - walked the 12 km Bridge to Brisbane fun run/walk to support another favourite charity - Guide Dogs Queensland.

That event was so much fun - I wanted to do more so I taught myself to run!

I read every book in the library on running, cycling and triathlons - and have trained myself from "couch potato" to the following achievements:-

Completed 2 half-marathons (21 kms)

Completed an Olympic distance triathlon at Mooloolaba (1.5 km swim, 40 km cycle and 10 km run)

Completed a "Century" 100 mile (165 kms) bike ride from Brisbane to Noosa.

Along the way I have done several 5km and 10km road runs, many sprint distance triathlons, two 50km and one 100km bike ride - and lots of hours of "training".

I am now fit, energetic and in the "normal" range for weight and blood pressure!!

Now it is time to add a marathon to my list of achievements!!! I know it will be a lot of hard work, something that I saw as absolutely impossible four years ago - but now something I must do! My "Everest".

Another passion of mine is breeding harness racing horses. As well as good genes, good feeding, good training and good luck - they too need to have a good heart to succeed!! Since I have been "training" and experience good and bad days - I now have some empathy with the horses I have raced!!!!

Cardiovascular disease (heart, stroke & blood vessel disease) is the single leading cause of death in NZ and Australia. It causes 40 percent of all deaths in NZ - making it more deadly than all forms of cancer.

In young people much of this is due to unhealthy lifestyles - poor eating habits, lack of physical activity and smoking.

To me the Heart Foundation of NZ is part of the global medical village. I am sending this to many who don't live in NZ - 5 years ago the son of a friend in NZ was killed in a road accident. He was an organ donor - his heart was sent to a Melbourne person.

Please, help the Heart Foundation, and my motivation by sponsoring me!!

Select the "Make a donation" button. It’s simple, fast and totally secure and the money goes directly to the Heart Foundation’s bank account.

I am really excited at this project - thanks in advance for your support!!!!

Brenda.