Michael Dall-Hjorring's Fundraising Page

Leave ordinary behind…

RunLikeCrazy

Marathon Travel Club

Unitec Run Walk Series 2011

Pain is temporary, pride is forever!

The Auckland Marathon 30 October 2011 - my very first crack at the marathon distance

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: "I'm naturally fit"! My good friend Paul, in particular, thinks that it's very, very funny… just like my wife Angela, my mother-in-law Vicki and other family and friends :-)))

Of course there is no such thing as naturally fit, but it doesn't mean that one can't swear by a philosophy of "Fit for Life".

My inspiration for becoming a marathoner springs from one truly remarkable individual, whose name is Tristan Miller. In 2009 Tristan set out to plan for the year ahead, and it wasn't an ordinary 2010 he was planning for! His aim was to run 52 marathons in 52 weeks starting 1 January 2010 and finishing 27 December 2010. The first 42-kilometre foot slog of his epic journey took place in Zurich, Switzerland. Tristan's travels also took him to the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain, as well as races in such diverse countries, cultures and climates as Siberia, Dubai, South Africa, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Cuba and the Cayman Islands. The 51st race was nothing less than an Ice Marathon, which Tristan ran at Antarctica! He finished his journey in his home city of Melbourne, Australia running a marathon he had staged himself. He called it the RunLikeCrazy Marathon.

Ability is what you are capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do.

I started my training programme 23 weeks ago, and there're now only 2 weeks to go to the big day! Inspiration for my training programme was sought by consulting former great Danish Marathon Runner and Olympian, Allan Zachariasen along with the Danish Marathon Travel Club - http://www.marathon.dk/.

So why do the Auckland Marathon? Well, I was always running during my younger years back in Copenhagen, Denmark where I grew up. I ran with my Dad and our dogs (highly recommend as pace makers). However, it was always the middle distance that I was best suited to. In my late teens, I ran regularly with a couple of close and fiercely competitive mates of mine, Claus, Peter and Anders, and we also entered into a few 5,10 and 15kms organised road racing events in and around Copenhagen.

One particular recurring event on the annual Danish running calendar that I absolutely love is called Eremitageløbet (Danish "The Eremitage Run"). This race has always been close to my heart.

Founded by cardiologist Peter Schnohr and dentist Svend W. Carlsen (and inspired by the legendary Vasaloppet (Swedish "Vasa Run"), which is an annual long distance 90km cross-country ski race, ski marathon in Sweden), the E-Run is the world's oldest fun-run for ordinary runners, and is known for its hilly 13.27kms (8 miles) course amongst roes and other wildlife in Dyrehaven (Danish "The Deer Park"), which is a forest park just North of Copenhagen. This idyllic park was established in 1669 by the Danish King Frederik III as his royal deer and wildlife hunting grounds. Ever since 1969, the E-Run has taken place annually on either the first or the second Sunday of October, so I've just missed out last Sunday 9 October 2011, where several of my Danish friends and family took part. (Go, Go, Go to my Cousin, Jesper Dall - let's qualify for Boston together one day soon Couz :-). I'm sooo envious I couldn't be at the E-Løb this year..!

However, if all goes to plan, I'll likely be back at the start line at next year's Eremitage Run!!!

Anyway, now back home to Auckland for now…

My 2011 running season kicked off on 12 March at this year's Ports of Auckland Round the Bays fun-run. I've taken part most years in this race, which is the largest of its kind in the world. Starting in the city and going 8.4kms (5.2 miles) along the waterfront to the suburb of St Heliers, this mega fun-run attracts nearly 40,000 registered runners and an estimated 70,000 participants, and it has been an annual March event since 1972, when the Auckland Joggers Club first initiated it.

In further preparation for this year's Adidas Auckland Marathon, I also signed up for the 2011 Unitec Run Walk Series back in early March. In the first event at Ellerslie Race Course on 31 July, I ran 21kms. The second leg took place on 21 August at Narrow Neck Beach and I ran 24kms. The third event was at The Trusts Stadium in Waitakere on 11 September, where I ran 28kms. The fourth and final leg leading up to the big one, was 2 October (weekend before last) where I completed 32kms in 2hrs and 47mins. The final fifth leg of the 2011 Series will take place post the Auckland Marathon back at Ellerslie Race Course on 4 December, giving everyone the opportunity to exchange stories and share tales from the main event.

I can highly recommend signing up for a warm-up series such as the Unitec Run Walk Series. If nothing else it gives you set race dates to aim for along the way, which also helps keep you motivated with you weekly training. Plus the Race Director, Brendon Downey, is a hell of a bloke and he and his organising teams have pulled off an outstanding race series yet again this year. (I thought that I'd just put in a good word for the person, who's now become my "virtual running coach" – thanks heaps, Brendon :-).

Then of course there's the prospect of running over Auckland's Harbour Bridge; that'll be really, really cool..! …not to mention, a long and hard uphill battle at round about the 14km mark! The bridge is 1,021 metres long and, from the approaches, is a climb of 33 metres to the crest. Phew..!

So it's fair to say running the marathon will be a challenge for me, but even if I hobble over the finish line, if we manage to raise some money for a good cause, it will be worth it.

In Denmark, approximately 320.000 Danes live with cardiovascular disease. Each day 16 New Zealanders die as a result of coronary heart disease. That's one person every 90 minutes. And many of these deaths are premature and preventable.

My own father and my father-in-law have both suffered, and luckily survived, heart attacks; it affects us all…

Prevention is the best medicine!

To keep the heart healthy is largely about choosing a healthy lifestyle. There is evidence that the food we eat, the way we use our body and balance between work and leisure are very important for our health. When one works to keep oneself healthy, the chance of a good life, even in old age, is very big.

You should make an effort to eat sensibly and exercise on a regular basis; and it doesn't need to be boring nor tedious. Make it your goal to adopt good and healthy habits into your everyday life.

So, help me as I join the race to beat heart disease.

I've signed up as a Heart Racer to raise money to support the New Zealand Heart Foundation. By donating through my webpage you will be helping the Heart Foundation continue its vital work in research, cardiac rehabilitation, education programmes and resources.

I'll do all the hard work (train for and complete the event), but for now, I really need you to make a difference to the hearts of New Zealanders.

So, please could you sponsor me?

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

Larger Corporate donations as well as teenie, weenie contributions are all welcome - an easy swipe of the good old credit card for a great cause! Go on - hit up you employer or support us with a few dollars of your own.

If you live in New Zealand your donation is tax deductible and a receipt will be issued (Paulie :-).

So please help me today! And pass it on to your family and friends!

Many thanks for your support.

Hope to see you all on 30 October at the King Edward Parade start line and/or along the route cheering us runners along. And of course, hope that you can join my family and I at the finish line at Fanshawe Street, downtown Auckland approximately 3½-4½ hours after 6.10am :-) time will tell when the party/celebrations will commence!

I may not be there yet, but I'm closer today than I was yesterday…

Run hard, be strong, think big!

Warm wishes,


Michael Dall-Hjørring