Aussies bring up the $5k
Overnight we were very grateful to receive a donation from our first Australian supporters, the lovely Sharyn & Peter (pictured), who we stayed with on their Barossa vineyard last year. This brought up the first $5,000 of donations – so we are 10% of the way there. Donations can be made securely from anywhere in [...]
One for the wine lovers
Just added to the June Friends of the Challenge prize draw – 2 magnums of great Marlborough wine – a Pinot Noir and a Chardonnay – courtesy of StaeteLandt wines. Of course I have totally given up wine until after the Challenge (??ha ha ha??) but if you fancy a shot at winning these wonderful [...]
At the end of a very long day….
…. what could be better than to relax in one of the coolest beanbags on the planet? Today we announce the involvement of Coast in our Challenge. These lovely people have donated 2 sumptuous beanbags that will take the weight off our legs at the end of the long days ahead. These are destined to become [...]
Bush and beach, mud and sand…
Wednesday is long run day, but when I got out of bed at 5.30am this morning that didn’t seem such a great idea. By 7am I was at Huia and setting off in the pre-dawn half light I still wasn’t quite in the zone – perhaps the first time I have felt the motivation lows [...]
Friends – we have 50!
Today we were happy to welcome our 50th Friend of the Challenge – that’s 50 people, many of them previously strangers, who have kindly donated a total of $4,350 to the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation. Thanks to you all. But this means we probably need another 525 people to make a donation if we are [...]
An urban adventure
Following Dean Karnazes’ philosophy of “don’t drive to run” I have decided to make one of my longer runs each week an Urban Adventure. I set off today (in pouring rain) with no aim other than “the top of Mt.Albert and then take it from there”. Well, from the summit of Mt.Albert there is a [...]
Real Journeys are real heroes!
Once again I have been greatly moved by the kindness and generosity of fellow kiwis. Following the article in yesterday’s Sunday Star Times I have had a number of emails offering encouragement and help in various ways. One that I was particularly grateful to receive came from Angus Small at Real Journeys in Milford Sound, [...]
Rainy day reading
With rain covering most of the country it was a great day for news of the Mizone 7in7 Challenge to break in the national press. The Sunday Star Times featured a story about the Challenge on page A4 and a copy is available at: http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/2436681/Ultra-marathon-mans-359km-in-seven-days .The exposure has been great, driving the biggest day of website visits yet. [...]
Training cranks up
With 6 months left to the start of the 7in7 my training is starting to get serious. This week I ran 105kms - mostly off-road - the first time I’ve ever broken the ton in my life! The body is feeling good on it, no nasty niggles at least. But this kind of mileage does put [...]
Yahoo it's Yahoo!
When you’re chasing a big fundraising target publicity is everything. But generating that publicity for the Mizone 7in7 just got a whole lot easier with the addition of Yahoo!Xtra to the team of sponsors. CEO Kevin Bowler had this to say… “Malcolm’s 7in7 Challenge is truly inspiring and worthy of the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation cause he’s [...]
Pilates to the rescue
As the training load increases so the need to strengthen my core stability and protect my vulnerable lower back grow. Fortunately my local pilates studio, Westmere Pilates, who have been helping me out for the last couple of years have offered me free sessions, twice a week, right through to the start of the Challenge! [...]
1,000 Hits!
The 7in7 website is less than 2 weeks old but we have just recorded our 1,000th visitor. And the other very satisfying geek stat is the 3,700 page views already recorded. Thanks to all who have taken an interest and offered their support in so many different ways – keep spreading the word guys! Thanks, [...]
totally sporting behaviour
More details on how total sport are supporting the 7in7 Challenge: First up, they are giving a portion of entry fees from their West Coaster run in November to the Leukaemia & Blood Foundation via 7in7. If you haven’t done this run before check it out – it’s a classic. I’ll be there for a [...]
icebreaker on board
Great excitement at Challenge HQ today when my new icebreaker gear arrived. Within minutes I had it unwrapped and was out the door to give it a test run. It was quite a warm day but in the GT150 top (pictured) I didn’t overheat. And when a cool breeze kicked in there was none of that [...]
Total commitment from Total Sports
Racing is not a key part of my training schedule but the lure of total sport’s X-Terra Trail Run series of races in the Auckland region is too much to resist. Yesterday I competed (I use the term loosely, because I really tried to keep my natural competitive instincts under control) at race 1 of the series at [...]
Talking with Willie
More good publicity for the 7in7 this afternoon when I chatted with Willie Lose on Radio Sport. If you missed it you can hear an action replay on their website http://www.radiosport.co.nz/AudioBank/WeekOnDemand/Default.aspx Select Saturday Midday to Midnight; 15:45 – 16:00 and it starts about 7mins 45 secs in.
How to spread the word
Publicity is everything in the quest to reach our $50,000 target. I just heard a great story from a very kind lady who has already donated. She heard about 7in7 from a colleague. They both thought it a good idea to place a notice on their corporate intranet site and so now everybdoy who works [...]
7in7 on air
Earlier this week the 7in7 Challenge got its first public airing when I was interviewed on Newstalk ZB by Mike Hosking. Why does your own voice always sound so weird when you hear it played back? Anyway, you can hear the interview by clicking on the radio mike pictured left.
A place by the sea
What could be more relaxing after a 42km run around a mountain and an inter-island helicopter flight than relaxing at Marahau in serene surroundings? Not having to get up early the next morning to run another 52 kms perhaps? Thanks to Neil, Nemo and team who have very kindly offered us accommodation at The Barn. [...]
The floodgates open
As wished for in yesterday’s blog the donations have started to roll in. In the last 24 hours we’ve had $805 gifted by people who are totally unknown to me. It seems the story of the 7in7 is capturing people’s imagination and hopefully this will result in a continuation of the wonderful generosity. Thanks to all [...]
7in7 endorsed by World Adventure Racing Champ!
Email received from Wayne Oxenham, captain of Team OrionHealth, World Adventure Racing Champs 2008… You’re mad! But mate, I wish I could join you on your crusade! That’s a truly awesome challenge, and for a great cause! Inspirational! I wish you all the best and I’m sure, given the support you’ve got and the idiots you’ve [...]
The Kindness of Strangers
I am getting blown away by the kindness and generosity of people out there, especially those who don’t know me from a bar of soap. In the last 24 hours we have received donations from two total strangers – Tony and Steve – thanks guys! I’m hoping this will open the floodgates and lots of [...]
A real fine bloke!
Now here’s a story to warm the cockles of your heart…. today an email arrived at 7in7 HQ (okay, my back bedroom) offering the entire crew a bed, meals and transport assistance while in the Tongariro area to conquer the Northern Cicuit, leg 2 of the Challenge. The fine bloke in question is Grant Watson. [...]
Chopper rides wanted!
One of the biggest logistical challenges we face is getting me from the end of one track to the start of the next one in time to start running again early the following day. The Basejumper campervans provided by RoadCraft are a big part of the plan, but there are two transitions for which air [...]
