Richard MacDonald’s Post

The #marathon is a race full of more human interest #stories than any other. It’s one of the few events where recreational #runners can live up with elite #athletes. This week’s #Chicago Marathon showed that - from the women’s winner shattering the #worldrecord, to a 60 year old who gave up a life-saving liver #transport to run the race, to the participants who run to raise money for #charities such as the Christopher #ReeveFoundation, having to raise no less than $1,250 (USD) to compete while the race winners get paid in excess of $100,000, to of course the often over looked #wheelchair racers. https://lnkd.in/ermqh4Zz https://lnkd.in/eVjEw_-6 celebrates-second-chance-at-life-with-another-finish/ https://lnkd.in/eNBpJk9F https://lnkd.in/er7s5u8S

In 25 days I will be running my very first marathon. What a gift that it will be at the NYC Marathon. My running journey started in Jan. 2022. I was burnt out, overworked, and just not in a good place physically or mentally. Aside from working and running a small business, I was homeschooling my kids and carrying much of the burden at home as a military wife. I needed an outlet. I decided to pick up running because I was too self-conscious to pick up weights in a gym full of people. I also started running because I love being outdoors. I started with no real goal other than to keep moving and have a few precious moments to myself. There was no real plan to run any races, lose a certain amount of weight, or even be fast. But, as time went on, I felt like I needed a challenge and to work towards something specific so that I would remain consistent. I signed up for the Dec. 2022 OUC Half Marathon in Orlando. Most of training I did alone. I started off with the shoes I had and my Apple Watch. I didn’t even own headphones at the time, so I would borrow my husband’s. I downloaded a free training plan from the Nike Run app. I didn’t know much about pace and running zones, or to carry gels or some kind of fuel for longer runs. I started with what I had and my knowledge base grew over time. The day of my first race I was sick. I had flu-like symptoms. Any normal person would’ve been smart enough to sit it out. I decided to still run, feeling like I had put in too much work to not see things through. Having also struggled my entire life feeling like I never have something to show for my hard work, I felt like not running the race was not an option. So I ran. It was difficult and not pretty, but I ran the course and crossed the finish line. The recovery afterwards was brutal and I will never run another race sick again, but I learned something that day for the first time at 33 years old: I can do hard things. I am capable of more than I give myself credit for. Running has been an incredible gift. The sport and its community has enriched my life in ways I never imagined it would. I am healthier and stronger, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. Not every run goes according to plan, but the work is never ever wasted. If you’ve read this far, thank you. I share all of this because one way I have chosen to pay it forward is by running with Team for Kids at the NYC Marathon. I committed to raise crucial funds that support vital running and community programs for youth in underserved communities. As a mother to 5 boys, I know all too well the massive financial commitment it takes to have kids in any kind of sport. While my family is fortunate enough to have the means that allow my kids to have access to these opportunities, not every family can say the same. I am just over 12 hours away from my fundraising deadline. I am not giving up yet. Please consider donating via the link below. Thank you in advance for your support.

As its London Marathon weekend 🏃♂️ I thought about how running a marathon can be comparable to running a project. With that thought and with lots of years of experience of running projects and marathons, I’d thought I’d put a few thoughts out there ahead of this Sunday. Scope and Project Requirements – 26.219 miles. I don’t think there will be appetite for uncertainly or scope creep on this. ✔ Milestones and checkpoints! ·      Mile 7 – Cutty Sark. A good stage one checkpoint and knowing you are on track and there is a business case to carry on. 😊 ·      Miles 12/13 – Tower Bridge. Nearly halfway though and confidence is starting to grow a little. ·      Mile 17 – Canary Wharf. Some of the hardest miles and the real business end of the project, morale can be low, mental fatigue can set in, but we go on. ·      Mile 22 - Tower Bridge (2nd time). This is really all about the implementation, head down and final checks to the finish. ·      Mile 26 – Buckingham place. Go live and project closure! Manage the risks! ·      Training Plan - Have I done enough training? ·      Implementation plan - What if the run doesn’t go to plan? ·      Benefits Realisation - What are the benefits of doing this?   ·      Stakeholders – Will people laugh at me? Will I let people down? Finally, hopefully by 5.00pm on Sunday, I will have finished and its time for project closure, which will involve a few beers 🍺 and knowing that I have raised a little bit of money for the Marie Curie Charity. If you do have a few spare pennies and wish to sponsor me to make this even more worthwhile, I have attached a link below. Have a great weekend everyone, Terry https://lnkd.in/e88D-w3A

Bike Swaps in May 2024 Edmonton Bike Swaps - what’s new, what’s old, and how you can help us help others. 01 May 2024 - Alberta Bike Swap was founded in 2011 to provide a safe place to buy, sell, and donate bikes. Over the last 13 years Chris and Laura Grant have swapped thousands of tech-checked and serial-number recorded bikes. They’ve also been a conduit for thousands of donated bikes and they fund safe cycling in Alberta through the only recognized and standardized cycling education program – CAN-BIKE. What’s new? 1. There are two Edmonton Bike Swap events: May 11 at MacEwan University north side underground parking lot 10803 – 105 Ave NW and June 8 at CCT Golf Dome 11925 Kingsway NW. 2. Alberta Bike Swap is hosting a bike donation drive for Sports Central at both Edmonton Bike Swaps; 3. Alberta Bike Swap is building the CAN-BIKE certified effective cycling instructor base for the next generation. The first stage is a Level 4 Course May 25-26 and the Instructor Workshop May 30 - June 2. What’s old? This is still old: Ask anyone in Alberta whether they’ve heard about Alberta Bike Swap and you’ll typically get, “yes, I’ve heard of them”. This is getting really old, so please help us get the word out. What’s important? Alberta Bike Swap are honoured to be Bike Index Ambassadors and will continue preventing the selling and buying of stolen bikes; Sport Central’s mission is to empower kids, one piece of sports equipment at a time. The power of a bike is not limited to the hours of enjoyment a kid will experience, but also opens a new world of independence, physical activity, and offers an additional method of transportation. Last year, Sport Central Association saw a 48% increase in utilization of their services. The Bike program alone saw a 70% increase, and this is where you come in – please consider donating your outgrown or unused bicycles at either Edmonton Bike Swap or one of their other 46 donation locations so these bikes can go to those in need. #bikes #bikeswap #alberta Laura Grant https://lnkd.in/gPDCSjU2

9 WEEKS TO GO! - PLEASE HELP! In just nine weeks I will be getting ready to take on a huge challenge as I run the 50 km Serpent Trail Race on Saturday 6th July. This event is one of the UK's leading off-road (trail) ultramarathons. This challenging 50 km (31 mile) event starts near Petworth in the South Downs and follows the southern part of the Serpent Trail to Petersfield. Why did I decide to do something like this? Back in 2022, I was overweight and fairly unfit when I started running to train for a 25km event which I ran for charity in September of that year. In doing so I raised just over £1000, lost weight and got quite a bit fitter. Afterwards, I joined a local running club and continued to run regularly, since then I have completed several 5km, 10km and half marathon trail running events. I'm never fast but I have maintained and gradually improved my fitness. Most importantly I want to make a difference by fundraising for two fantastic causes, these are: * The Community Foundation for Staffordshire, a charity dedicated to strengthening local communities across Staffordshire and Shropshire tackling issues of disadvantage and exclusion through the building of permanent endowments and making grants. * The Gingerbread Centre, which provides accommodation for homeless families and single pregnant women in North Staffordshire I would like to try and raise at least £500 for each cause (plus Gift Aid). To date, I have raised £175 for the Community Foundation and £185 for the Gingerbread Centre. I know that with your generous help, these represent realistic goals. Whether a 50 km trail race is a realistic goal for me remains to be seen, however, I'm very determined and I'm out training 4/5 times a week. Recently I also completed a series of three very tough but much shorter trail races to help give me the best possible chance of success. Every donation however small helps boost my motivation further and your support is both vital and greatly appreciated by both the two charities and myself. You can access my JustGiving pages here: https://buff.ly/3JEI8XO (there is a separate page for each cause) Since I started preparing for this challenge I have run 382.82 miles and this is likely to be close to 500 miles by the time the event comes around. #charity #fundraising #trailrunning #serpenttrailrace #heawardsolutions

Two weeks out from Professional Triathletes Organisation #T100 #LasVegas -- feeling very well #prepared thanks to Athletica 😎 Coming off of The IRONMAN Group #Hawaii 70.3 in June, I wanted to up my #training; I started using athletica.ai in mid-June. #TakeAways thus far: 1> A/B/C race specification has been super useful >> My A-Race was #LasVegas and about 1.5 months ago I was able to seamlessly add a B-Race to my training plan; #CalTri Ft. Worth #Olympic 2> Athletica's #adaptive training has accommodated my deviations as well as "extra" events (i.e. #PinkStrong charity ride) without a hitch, all the while keeping me on track >> Case-in-Point: I raised funds for #PinkStrong by committing to a #century the day before; 100mi with 6,200ft vertical; athletica.ai has adapted accordingly 💯 3> My #recovery, #pacing, and #execution have MASSIVELY improved -- shoutout to Andrea Zignoli for developing Athletica's super powerful #WorkoutReserve; my race day co-pilot 🤩 If you want to learn more about the basics of: > #Fitness > #Fatigue > #Form Check out our #resources, #articles, and #blogs -- available FREE -- on athletica.ai Onward and upward 💪🏼

Sometimes clubs are managed poorly, and struggle to survive, but here is a good club, with a good history, unable to get on with their landlords. If you are a sailing lawyer and might be able to help, then get in touch with them and offer your services. If you love sailing, and believe others should do too then perhaps put a few pounds into their campaign. If you work in the industry, and want an industry to be thriving, then make a corporate size donation - this way we can ensure our customers now and in the future will still be customers. More £££ = better hope of a positive outcome. https://lnkd.in/evKGmmmF

9 WEEKS TO GO! - PLEASE HELP! In just nine weeks I will be getting ready to take on a huge challenge as I run the 50 km Serpent Trail Race on Saturday 6th July. This event is one of the UK's leading off-road (trail) ultramarathons. This challenging 50 km (31 mile) event starts near Petworth in the South Downs and follows the southern part of the Serpent Trail to Petersfield. Why did I decide to do something like this? Back in 2022, I was overweight and fairly unfit when I started running to train for a 25km event which I ran for charity in September of that year. In doing so I raised just over £1000, lost weight and got quite a bit fitter. Afterwards, I joined a local running club and continued to run regularly, since then I have completed several 5km, 10km and half marathon trail running events. I'm never fast but I have maintained and gradually improved my fitness. Most importantly I want to make a difference by fundraising for two fantastic causes, these are: * The Community Foundation for Staffordshire, a charity dedicated to strengthening local communities across Staffordshire and Shropshire tackling issues of disadvantage and exclusion through the building of permanent endowments and making grants. * The Gingerbread Centre, which provides accommodation for homeless families and single pregnant women in North Staffordshire I would like to try and raise at least £500 for each cause (plus Gift Aid). To date, I have raised £175 for the Community Foundation and £185 for the Gingerbread Centre. I know that with your generous help, these represent realistic goals. Whether a 50 km trail race is a realistic goal for me remains to be seen, however, I'm very determined and I'm out training 4/5 times a week. Recently I also completed a series of three very tough but much shorter trail races to help give me the best possible chance of success. Every donation however small helps boost my motivation further and your support is both vital and greatly appreciated by both the two charities and myself. You can access my JustGiving pages here: https://buff.ly/3JEI8XO (there is a separate page for each cause) Since I started preparing for this challenge I have run 382.82 miles and this is likely to be close to 500 miles by the time the event comes around. #charity #fundraising #trailrunning #serpenttrailrace #heawardsolutions