OK, so maybe that's a slight exaggeration....... Mr. Potato Head didn't actually save the world but it is the intent of what I've been doing by joining others and running this marathon.
You see, I'm really focused on being part of Team World Vision because it isn't about me. It's actually about you. You; he or she who support, donate, encourage, help. You are awesome. And you achieve awesome things.
I'm jumping for joy celebrating YOU ... not that the run has finished!! (Although it is tough to find the energy when the photographer wants you to jump up and down straight after running 42.2km!)
This event isn't about my efforts but about being part of a community of people who believe that through running it is possible to change lives for the better. That includes you. I can't change the world, but I can run and I can do my part. While I get the benefit of health and wellness this running thing I do, like all things I do, isn't about me.... its about how I use it to help others. My new word is 'fund running'! I was one of over 100 runners and volunteers on Sunday and I felt like each one was my team mate and, along with you, they encouraged and inspired me to do this as well.
With some of the super Team World Vision volunteers ...
What a way to say happy 60th birthday to Mr. Potato Head too! As for the costume, well I probably should have run in it before race day. Doh! It was embarrassment that stopped me from doing it. Who knows who would see me, what would they say, how embarrassing. Like so many things fear threatened to hold me back.
You never know what you'll see running along St.Kilda Road ......
The kids on the course loved the costume the most. Lots of high fives and shouts of "there's Mr. Potato Head". There was lots of great support on the course as people worked out what we were doing - and a few knockers. Never to your face of course but as you went past I could hear their "you have to be kidding" or just laughing. So, do I stop or give up when the obvious criticism comes? No way. Embrace it, it makes you stronger and focused.
It was also funny hearing some runners using the costume as their own motivation stating "I don't want to be beaten by a potato. That's the stuff of nightmares!"
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| "The stuff of nightmares!" |
But the costume was hot. Certainly not designed for running. The hardest thing was grabbing a drink. After the first drink stop was a bit of a disaster - spill, slop, dribble - I quickly worked out the best method was to point at a drink station volunteer, then run to them and cup the drink in both hands, then stop and skull. Not pretty, but effective! Made me savour every drop - and really gave me a new appreciation for what it means to capture water as a life giving thing that is precious and not to be wasted.
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| Hot spud anyone?! |
I had lots of food on the run too - carbo gels, bananas and even lollies donated from the friends and families along the course. It's such an important thing to keep your hydration and energies up. I constantly thought about the impact of food for those who don't have it (hard not too when you're dressed as one!). When the rains don't come, when the crops don't grow, there's no money for essentials. Not luxuries, but essentials. And that's where us Aussies have to step up and help out. My family and I visited Kenya and saw first hand the importance of potatos as both a key diet and an economic stable.
Potatos are sold everywhere in Kenya along the roadsides
The Guinness World Record was a real bonus. I admit to feeling the pressure having Chris, our official adjudicator, there in uniform and with stop watch, checking everything. What a great guy to have in the project. Good news is I was able to (s)mash the previous Record by 39 minutes. Sorry previous Record holder Steve Barlow from the UK!
To put that in perspective, on the same weekend in the USA two other marathon Records were broken - a marathon in thongs (2 hr 46m ) and a 3hr 30 min for an 81 years old! Wow!(http://peakperformance.runnersworld.com/2012/10/how-to-be-40-years-old-at-80/?cm_mmc=Twitter-_-RunnersWorld-_-Content-Blog-_-PeakPerfWhitlock)
Checking the time with Chris from Guinness World Records and Rose from World Vision before he'll hand over the official plaque!
THANKS must go out to;
* all my Spuddies who made donations - to those I know and care for deeply, to those who continue to support my crazy ideas, to those who this is the first time supporting, and even those who I've never met and you still donated .... thank you. YOU ARE AWESOME!;
* the Team World Vision runners and volunteers - you are great team mates. Thanks for the messages of support from all around the world;
* Melissa, my costume designer and constant supporter of all things crazy!;
* Rose from World Vision whose never ending enthusiasm for making this Team World Vision thing work is the driving force behind it and is growing an enormous legacy;
* Chris from Guinness World Records for his generous gifting of time and efforts;
* Melinda from Hasbro who helped with free Mr. Potato Heads and got the vision for how we could celebrate Mr Potato Head's 60th birthday;
* and my super spuddies - my family who join in these events and embrace and enjoy them.
Couldn't do it without the support of these guys.
So the event's run and done. Later that night my treat was hot chips (sooooooorry Mr Potato Head) and a refreshing Guinness! Ah.....
Hamming it up at the post-race massage.....truth was though it made me grimace way more than the entire run!!
'What's the next project' is the most common question I get after 'how are your legs'! Well its ready to roll, but it's a secret for now. (No, its not a marathon in thongs and it will be before my 81st birthday!) Only clue I will give is that it is happening in exactly 6 months .. to the day. Don't worry, you'll hear about it at the right time!
A great quote my daughter gave me!
But for now, I encourage you to get going, get active, and do something crazy for charity!! Count me in to come along for the run!
As one of my favourite running hero's, Ryan Hall, says "Life is meant to be experienced together. Community brings so much more joy to running than doing it alone, so I would urge everyone to have a training partner or group for both the performance side of running and for the overall enjoyment of running."
And my closing powerfully relevant quote:
"For physical training is of some value, but Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” –1 Timothy 4:8
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