19 June 2020

My Gungahlin to take on heartbreak hill

| My Gungahlin
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A runner is defined as a person that runs. Although that is a simplistic definition I have struggled to call myself a runner. I have been attending parkrun Gungahlin regularly now for the last 12 months, I have completed the 10km at the Australian Running Festival but have struggled to call myself a runner

I have never been a sporting or athletic type. My brother got the sporting genes in our family. A health kick last year saw me get back into parkrun and the gym at Elements4Life in Harrison. My first goal was to run the 5km at parkrun straight. For those that have seen me out running may have noticed the number 5 on the back of my shirt. That is where that comes from.

After a few months of running parkrun with intervals of running and walking I did meet my goal of being able to run the full 5km and have seen my times drop. This has been through the wonderful support of my coach at Elements4Life, my running buddy, Lisa from This Canberran Life and the group at parkrun Gungahlin.

Running the 10km at the Australian Running Festival this year was the furthest I had ever run. Previously to that was about 8km. I was very proud of doing the 10km in just over 1 hour. That last kilometre was the longest kilometre ever!

Every year I see the City2Surf on TV and think to myself next year I will do that. This is the first year I feel able to even attempt this event so I have signed up! I am not sure how I will go or what kind of time I will post but I will give it a go and at least finish it.

For this event I have decided I want to raise funds for a local charity ‘Dainere’s Rainbow Brain Tumour Research Fund’ as motivation for the run and I am part of Dainere’s Rainbow team with her brother Jarrett.

Dainere was the most courageous, selfless and inspiring young person you could ever meet, she worked passionately and tirelessly during her short life to raise awareness and funds for paediatric brain tumours. Her greatest wish in life was that no children in the future would have to suffer as she did and that one day a cure for this horrendous disease will be found.

Dainere’s Rainbow Brain Tumour Research Fund was established in conjunction with The Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation to assist the research of the devoted Dr David Ziegler and his team who are working towards improving the outcomes for all children with brain tumours. They are investigating the basic biology and genetics of childhood brain tumours in the laboratory, identifying agents that induce a profound anti-tumour effect and are working towards the implementation of novel treatment strategies in state of the art clinical trials.

This is a not for profit fund and 100% of all funds raised or donated go directly to this vital research.

Dainere’s Rainbow Brain Tumour Research Fund maintains a lifetime commitment to helping eradicate this number one cancer cause of death in children. They are dedicated to raising awareness of paediatric brain tumours and raising money to fund research in memory of our most precious Dainere and hopefully seeing her greatest wish in life become a reality.

On Dainere’s website you will find information about Dainere, fundraising events, research progress and how you can make a difference to help the cure come about. www.daineresrainbow.com.au/

You can donate to this fundraiser and motivate me while I undertake this challenge. Donate at least $5 and nominate a song for my playlist for the run. Businesses that donate at least $50 will get special recognition via My Gungahlin. You can donate here: https://city2surf2016.everydayhero.com/au/mark-6

Thank you to Elements4Life Functional Gym and Personal Training for the training leading up to this event.

Thank you to the following business sponsors:

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