Story
A few months ago I signed up for the Seattle Marathon, which is on the 30th of November 2008. I'm also doing the Sydney (21st of September) and Melbourne (12th of October) half marathons as training runs (it is a long story about why these runs are all over the world - too much to go into now - if you want to know, email me and i'll tell you- legordon@unimelb.edu.au).
Last week I heard the tragic news that a good friend of mine, Michael Garvey, sadly passed away climbing in the French Alps. Michael did the Sheffield half marathon with me in April and I was trying to convince him to join me for Seattle but got nowhere. Actually, his last message to me had the exact words - you're crazy Laura, you're really freakin' crazy. I was undecided about doing Seattle, with the distance (I now live in Australia for those of you that don't know) cost, time off work, difference in climate! and laziness, but I have decided to seize the day and just do it.
I have heard on the grapevine that Joe and Linda Garvey, Michael's parents, would prefer charitable donations rather than flowers. The ones I know of are Snowdonia Mountain Rescue and CATHOD, please do not neglect these in support of this. However, as a fitting tribute to Michael, I have created this just giving page, asking for donations to Mountain Rescue England and Wales. Please if you can spare anything, big or small, I would be very grateful and I know Michael would have appreciated it.
I have also created a separate page for the Sydney and Melbourne half marathons to give donations to the Lochaber Mountain Rescue which, with my Munro bagging, is a charity I feel that I would like to support too, and I'm sure Mikey wouldn't have expected any less from me. I don't know how to lump two charities in together, if anyone knows how to do this please let me know. You can find this page on http://www.justgiving.com/lauragordon5.
I'll keep an update of my training on here so you can follow my progress, and let all of you know how I got on.
I thank you all in advance for the very kind donations.
I can't believe I'm gonna do this, but I will.
Laura
P.S. Just to make sure there is no confusion. I will cover the cost of all my expenses; air fares, sign up fees and accommodation - and all the running shoes I'll get through!! I was doing it anyway, so every penny raised goes straight to the charity.
P.P.S. Could you please pass this on to anyone you think might be interested in donating. I only know a tiny percentage of Michael's many friends. Thanks.
11/07/08
Oh dear, I have just found out I have to speak at a conference in Queenstown New Zealand starting on the 2nd of Dec (the organisers pay my salary, there is no getting out of it). Which with Seattle being a day behind NZ makes it very tight time wise. I'm still doing it though. I have my flight earmarked and should be able to make it on time- ish. Thank you to all of you who have donated so far. I'm very grateful for every penny.
5/1/09
A quick update, I successfully completed both the Sydney and Melbourne half marathons but because of the conference I mentioned above, I couldn't make Seattle. I signed up for the Great Australian Run which was in Melbourne on the same day. I however found out that I was pregnant and decided I had to hang up my long distance running shoes for a while at least. My friend, Jason Chow ran in my place and did it very very quickly, thanks Jase. Thank you for all those who sponsored me, I hope you consider the to half marathons enough to deserve your donations.
Last week I heard the tragic news that a good friend of mine, Michael Garvey, sadly passed away climbing in the French Alps. Michael did the Sheffield half marathon with me in April and I was trying to convince him to join me for Seattle but got nowhere. Actually, his last message to me had the exact words - you're crazy Laura, you're really freakin' crazy. I was undecided about doing Seattle, with the distance (I now live in Australia for those of you that don't know) cost, time off work, difference in climate! and laziness, but I have decided to seize the day and just do it.
I have heard on the grapevine that Joe and Linda Garvey, Michael's parents, would prefer charitable donations rather than flowers. The ones I know of are Snowdonia Mountain Rescue and CATHOD, please do not neglect these in support of this. However, as a fitting tribute to Michael, I have created this just giving page, asking for donations to Mountain Rescue England and Wales. Please if you can spare anything, big or small, I would be very grateful and I know Michael would have appreciated it.
I have also created a separate page for the Sydney and Melbourne half marathons to give donations to the Lochaber Mountain Rescue which, with my Munro bagging, is a charity I feel that I would like to support too, and I'm sure Mikey wouldn't have expected any less from me. I don't know how to lump two charities in together, if anyone knows how to do this please let me know. You can find this page on http://www.justgiving.com/lauragordon5.
I'll keep an update of my training on here so you can follow my progress, and let all of you know how I got on.
I thank you all in advance for the very kind donations.
I can't believe I'm gonna do this, but I will.
Laura
P.S. Just to make sure there is no confusion. I will cover the cost of all my expenses; air fares, sign up fees and accommodation - and all the running shoes I'll get through!! I was doing it anyway, so every penny raised goes straight to the charity.
P.P.S. Could you please pass this on to anyone you think might be interested in donating. I only know a tiny percentage of Michael's many friends. Thanks.
11/07/08
Oh dear, I have just found out I have to speak at a conference in Queenstown New Zealand starting on the 2nd of Dec (the organisers pay my salary, there is no getting out of it). Which with Seattle being a day behind NZ makes it very tight time wise. I'm still doing it though. I have my flight earmarked and should be able to make it on time- ish. Thank you to all of you who have donated so far. I'm very grateful for every penny.
5/1/09
A quick update, I successfully completed both the Sydney and Melbourne half marathons but because of the conference I mentioned above, I couldn't make Seattle. I signed up for the Great Australian Run which was in Melbourne on the same day. I however found out that I was pregnant and decided I had to hang up my long distance running shoes for a while at least. My friend, Jason Chow ran in my place and did it very very quickly, thanks Jase. Thank you for all those who sponsored me, I hope you consider the to half marathons enough to deserve your donations.