As many of you know, during the Sydney Olympics 10 years ago, our daughter Phoebe was born over three months premature, weighing just 1.03kg.

Unable to breathe by herself at birth, Phoebe spent 102 days in the care of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick, before finally coming home in early 2001.

Today Phoebe is a normal, healthy 10-year-old who long ago left behind any notion of 'corrected age'.

Our whole family will always be incredibly grateful for the care Phoebe received over the three months we practically lived at the hospital. We will never take her health for granted, well aware that many babies in her situation don't fare so well.

Below you can see some photos of the journey we took over that period and the amazing young woman that Pheobe is well on the way to becoming.

The NIC Unit at the Royal Hospital for Women performs miracles like this every day.

In November this year, I will be running the New York Marathon, and I'd like you to help me give something back to an extraordinary institution for all the other babies that are in just too much of a hurry.

Whether it is a little, or a lot, a pledge or a straight donation it is greatly appreciated.

Click the DONATE NOW link below to make a tax deductible donation - you will recieve an email receipt - or read the first post to see how to make a pledge and help me run faster.

Thank you all in advance. I will keep you updated on my progess in New York on this blog as much as possible.





08 November 2010

The Good The Bad and The Ugly

Dawn over New York harbour was almost perfect this morning. Almost freezing as well but that's reasonable weather for running.

The 5.30am Staten Island ferry was packed with runners as nervous about the three hours spent waiting for the start in 2 degree temperatures as about the coming test.

But soon enough the tones of Frank Sinatra blared out over the Narrows Bridge and 45,000 runners were on their way.

The feeling as you turn into Brooklyn really has to be experienced to be believed. There are 2.5 million spectators who line the course of the NYC marathon. In some places they are 4 thick behind the barriers. As you come into Central Park in the final mile the noise is deafening.

As you pass through all the burroughs of New York you experience the full diversity of this amazing city. From Hassidic Jewish communities, to Italian, Irish, Puorto Rican you name it.

For me the final mile was a world of pain. Infact the final eight miles were a struggle. After maintaining a seven minute mile pace for two thirds of the event I really paid for some early enthusiasm and started dropping back and back and back.

In the end I was beaten by a Spanish gentleman wearing a full matador out fit and someone dressed as Gene Simmons from Kiss, including platforms.

My time of 3 hours 20 minutes wasn't a complete disgrace, but it was a long way from my goal and the first marathon I have not improved. I won't be getting a tattoo.

Renouned Japanese author, Haruki Murakami says that pain is a precondition for this type of sport. Without it we wouldn't do it. It tests us and even when we come up short we learn from it.

Time will tell if I can get faster (I'm not getting any younger). However, I do know that I'll be back again ... and I don't walk... I'm a runner.
Posted by The Runner at 1:01 PM

2 comments:

  1. TiffanyNovember 10, 2010 at 5:07 PM

    Well, I walk, and I'm coming back too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. GleeOctober 20, 2011 at 5:31 AM

    I don´t think I have the endurance to do a marathon. I´m very not strong physically nut I´m trying to improve by doing regular exercise and a little body building. I can now do women´s push up, whuch used to be impossible.

    I admire you for testing your strength and challenging it to improve. :)

    ReplyDelete

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