Good week - bad news

Had my biggest week with 150 km of good training running, even with a doggy knee. I did not tell the doctor about this but made sure not to go as hard as usual but putting in the time.

On the weekend I caught up with the Marathon Man - www.marathonman.com.au. Trent was running hard for hours at Rebel Sport in Westfield, Bondi Junction promoting his fundraising event.

Today I got the report from the Doc --> All very technical and lot's of Latin, to keep it short --> small tear of the meniscus, patella shows chondral fissure and small Baker's cyst (fluid build-up).

Option for next 4 weeks -> run less, start more X-training, take drugs and don't think about it until the finish line in Morocco. Looks like I may have to join the walkers over there instead of racing 7 days. Be assured I will make it to the finish.

Moral of the story: Keeping fit is good for your health but don't overdue it; or as my wife puts it - stop trying to keep up with the young ones when you soon reach 50....

Bowling for Fred

Thanks for the 8 faithful supporters who showed up for a hard fought competition! The winner of the night, Jacky with an excellent 277 pts took first price (accommodation voucher), 2nd and 3rd was close with Glen 212 pts and Felix 206 pts - both went home with a consolation price. The rest of us may have to go back and practise a bit more to get into the 200'er league of bowler's.

A special thank goes to Ute, Aly and Tas - the 3 of them have been present in all my fundraising events for which I am very, very grateful. Thank you for all your support!

Monday is D-day for my knee - the week sofar went well and I was able to clock up quite a good number of km's, so fingers crossed for a report which will give me an all clear.

36 days to go - getting a bit nervous now, still a few loose ends to sort out and also helping Josh, who is too busy working, sorting out his gear.

Thank to Sam&The Francofous

Today I had an hour interview with Sam and The Francofous (the crazy French) at his Northern Beaches Radio Station. If you can handle my SwissFrench then tune in on 88.7 or 90.3 on Friday, 22nd Feb at 9am.
Hopefully the talk with Sam will encourage some more Fred Hollows Supporters to turn up on Friday, 22nd evening at 7pm for the Bowling Fun Night. Please call me on 0400 627 587 for details and reservation - The Foundation needs our support to continue their great work worldwide.
Not much news on my knee - went for a soft 3 hours today but now I am having the knee on ice....I just hope the scan will show not too much of problems and I can get back onto the road on full speed soon.
Remember, bowling this coming Friday in Darling Harbour!

43 days to go

Oouch!

Did not have my best week since starting this adventure - 4100 km on to go and now my right knee is giving me trouble.....guess running lot's is not that healthy after all. Have to get an MRI scan next week to see if any damage and assess way forward. Not very happy. But one thing is for sure - I am going!

This week I sorted out all my food - still a bit too much I think but at least I know what to take and need only to down size a bit to reduce weight. Next and final step is first aid kit and then I am all ready to rock and roll - Morocco here we come!

Before heading off however there is another race to be battled here - the famous and though 6 Foot Track marathon on Saturday, 8th March. http://www.sixfoot.com/index.php

The last time I ran that marathon I ended up almost last over the line after cruel 7 hours of up and downs, so this year I gladly took the nice offer of a fellow MdS runner who is helping organising the 6 Foot Track and we will close off the race as sweepers. This will give me a nice opportunity to test all my gear during a whole days race and at the same time I don't have to push my body and knee to the limit.

So, fingers crossed for next weeks MRI results and hopefully I see lot's of you at the Bowling evening next Friday night - attendance is a bit low at this stage so please join us for some fun and help The Fred Hollows Foundation at the same time!

Words are just that, words - which need action...

Sorry is a very strong word but it needs to be followed by stronger action to be effective! The Fred Hollows Foundation has just done that for the last 15 years!

Last week - on the anniversary of the death of Fred Hollows - the Foundation announced the funding of a $3 million specialist eye care centre in Alice Springs. This new eye care centre will go a long way towards redressing the well documented eye diseases disproportionately afflicting Indigenous people in central Australia.

It will make a significant difference to the lives of Indigenous people and help 'Close the Gap' that sees Indigenous people die on average 17 years earlier than non-Indigenous Australians!

You can help The Fred Hollows Foundation - join us for an evening of Ten Pin Bowling on Friday, 22nd February - have some fun and show your action and support for a great cause!

KingPin Bowling Lounge, Darling Harbour, Friday, 22nd February 7.00pm for 40$ per person. All proceeds go to The Fred Hollows Foundation.

Please RSVP by email to info@run4vision.com. Great prices to be won by best bowlers!

Follow words with action - thank you for your support!

Bowling for Fred Hollows

Friday, 22nd February 7.30 pm at the KingPin Bowling Lounge in Darling Harbour
Join us for a fun evening and come along to play 2 games of bowling for 40.00$ per person - all proceeds of night go to The Fred Hollows Foundation.
We will play two games of Ten Pin Bowling and best bowlers can win great prices (Hotel Accommodation, Gift Cards, Travel Books and more).
Contact me on info@run4vision.com for more details - reservation necessary by 15th February!

No 528 - ready for the desert

Here we go - organiser gave out the race number: 528 - the 'winning' number?

57 days to the start gun. I have ordered my race shoes from the USA today and bought my shorts and shirt. I only need to organise food and 1st aid kit - then I am ready to go!!!

Today I did a 3 hours run with backpack - testing my new drink bottles and some new food.
Bottles are a success but food wise - dried apricots with energy drinks are not working well.

Tomorrow a 5 hours training run with backpack, whole month will be a killer with 2 whole weeks of 150 km training each. Will make most of it and try to simulate as much as possible race conditions (at least with food intake and backpack) as there is no guarantee the weather will play along.

Please mark Friday, 22 Feb in your diary -last farewell party to help The Fred Hollows Foundation. More information will follow soon.