Maryke's Marathon Number 4 for Felicity!

What are you up to this coming Sunday? A sleep in? A relaxing day out with family? Will you be going for a short run to get in a little exercise? or will you, like one of our awesome runners, Maryke, be taking on a 42.195km Full Marathon for the 4th time??

Maryke will be lining up in the Melbourne Marathon and just like the past 3 times she has run this race, Maryke will be doing it for Felicity!!

Why do I keep coming back for more Amy asked me? I think the marathon has become slightly addictive.
On Sunday I will line up for Marathon #4 – when I started this crazy caper 4 years ago for Felicity I never ever thought I would run more than one.
But here I am, about to do it for the 4th time.
When I started I also did not know that my own son was on the Autism Spectrum – he has Aspergers. This came out in the years since and changed everything. If anything it motivated me more. It led me to the Autism Treatment Centre of America to learn about strategies to help him be the best he can be. It healed a large part of me. Your head space has such a big part to play in marathon running and after going to the US I had my most mentally comfortable run ever.
Every year is different – the lead up, the training and then the actual day. It has become a quest of sorts – to complete 10 marathons – all for Felicity - to see her into early adulthood – she turned 12 yesterday!
I do it simply because I can.

- Maryke

What an inspiration you are Maryke! Thank you for being you and GOOD LUCK on Sunday, we will be behind you in spirit!!
To show your support for Maryke and what she is doing for Felicty (did you know less than 1% of the worlds population have run a full marathon?!?!?!?!) please follow the link HERE to sponsor Maryke's run by donating via Paypal, cheque or direct deposit.

Last run of the year - 7 sleeps to go!!

Next weekend holds the final event for Running The Marathon of Autism for 2011. On Sunday 9th of October Maryke will be running the 42km Melbourne Marathon for Felicity on the very same day Felicity will be celebrating her 11th birthday. We reckon that's a great omen for it being a wonderful day and wish Maryke all the best for each and every step her legs take! Run Maryke Run!



Please help us continue to support Felicity through her Son-Rise Program by sponsoring Maryke in the HUGE final event of the year. All Donation details can be found by clicking HERE

We'll be sure to let you know how the day goes. Both Maryke's marathon run and Felicity's birthday celebrations ;D

Maryke's Melbourne Marathon Countdown!

This year the Melbourne Marathon that our gorgeous friend Maryke will be taking on AGAIN for Felicity falls on Felicity's birthday - Good omen?? We think so!!
On Sunday October 9th Felicity will be celebrating her 11th birthday while fearless Maryke will be taking on the 42KM race through Melbourne's streets!!


Maryke would love all the support she can get in the form of sponsorship donations for Felicity's Son-Rose Program. Click HERE for all the donation options and details.

Only 27 sleeps away - the count down is on! Run Maryke Run!!

10 out of 10 results for the 10/10/2010

From the minute we all realised that the last events of Running The Marathon Of Autism campaign would be on the date 10/10/10 as well as the very same weekend that Felicity turned 10 we knew it was 'meant to be'!


Felicity had a wonderful birthday with family celebrating the milestone of being a decade old, with plenty of cake and presents and of course allot of humming the Happy Birthday song to us all!
Saturday was also the last 'rest day' for our runners Jocelyn and Maryke who were up early on Sunday morning ready for the starters gun to go off.
Maryke's Full Marathon race started at 7:00am and Jocelyn's Half Marathon began at 8:00am - Both of these amazing runners did themselves and all of us proud with phenomenal results!
They both have even claimed they "cannot wait to do it all again" - WOW!


RESULTS:

Maryke - Full Marathon: 4hrs 24mins
Jocelyn - Half Marathon: 1hr 58mins

Maryke took 36 minutes off her last marathon time (run in 2007) so is thrilled!
Jocelyn ran 3 weeks ago in Sydney then has backed it up in Melbourne with the same time results - AWESOME!!!

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU both Jocelyn and Maryke for every step of your training, motivation, support and love for Felicity!! I know my regular morning run had a little extra 'umph' in it this morning thanks to you both!


We are just tallying up any and all final donations before we work out the amount reached from all our runners efforts and will be sure to let you know as soon as we have the magic number.... if you would like to make a final donation or pass on the info and links to a family member or friend please do so by heading to: www.intellectualdisability.org

Training Update from Maryke

On track again this week - 5 x 1km sprints with my running buddy tested the limits after a weekend of eating and drinking a little too much - note to self, alcohol and running do not mix :).
Then had a tempo session - 8km and this morning completed a very comfortable 15km before breakfast.
Throw in 2 cycling sessions on the indoor trainer and that was the week.
Feeling good and hoping that I can maintain this intensity all the way to the start line. Had the pleasure of Tanya's (Felicity's mum) company last weekend which was wonderful and great to hear about Felicity in person.
- Maryke

Training Update from Maryke

My training is going well. My long run on the weekend was 16km and I felt fit and strong. I visualised Felicity and her family and put them in a silver bubble with lots of light around them. I then rode for 45 minutes on the stationery bike last night to rest the legs but keep the cardio work going.This morning at 6am it was cold and I got the old familiar Melbourne winter training reminder! I met my running buddy and we did a sprint session - 1.2km, 1km, 800m, 600m, 400m, 200m with a little rest in between each one. It was a tough session with a good head wind coming off the Bay. Today is a well earned rest day - my legs are very fatigued. Yours in running, M xo

MARYKE