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Join Hands for the Run to Remember

By Steph Loh

My Activity Tracking

60
kms

My target 60 kms

What am I doing, why, and how am I preparing for it?

WHAT AM I DOING? 
A 60km, ultra marathon (with the possibility of a repeat run the next day - big gulp), in Thailand, on December 13th.

WHY? 
Because this December, in recognition of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsumani,  Peter Baines OAM will be running a staggering 1,400 km from the North East to the South West of Thailand, running between 50-60km a day.  I'll be joining him mid-point, on 13th.

And why is Pete doing this run?  To raise funds for Hands Across the Water (HANDS).  20 years ago, Pete was sent to Thailand as an expert forensic scientist, to lead an International relief team assisting in the tsunami aftermath.  On return to Australia, he founded HANDS to continue assisting Thai children he'd encountered.  

Through its many initiatives since then, the lives of disadvantaged Thai children have not only been supported by HANDS, but turned around.  I have seen this impact first hand, from volunteer work in the HANDS English language program run in Thailand (a few photos are shared in the 'gallery' below - with more pics/blog updates to come).

BACK TO THE RUN THIS DECEMBER...
A few runners from the HANDS community are jumping in for a day (or more) to both break up the run for Pete and assist in raising funds.  I have a personal fundraising target of $5,000.  

HOW AM I PREPARING FOR THE RUN?
Ah, now there's a question!  

PREPARING TO RUN AN ULTRA
When you break down the prep needed for a 60km run, 🏃🏼‍♀️‍➡️ it definitely feels less daunting.  There's the mental prep and the physical prep.  
☝🏼Oh, there's also the preparation of packing a few essential items for the run itself... but more about that later.

MENTAL PREP - in other words, wrapping my head around it

I already have a few marathons under my sneakers, so I know what  42km runs feel like.  That's roughly two-thirds the distance of the ultra so the extra, not-yet-experienced run distance is not so great.  Also, hundreds of thousands of people (true, almost all are men) run ultras every year.  They can't be that torturous.  And let's not forget Pete's ambitious goal of 1,400km 🫡. 
60km is not looking so tall an order now, right?


PHYSICAL PREP
No surprises: I need to prepare for the run by doing lots of running, but I also need to prepare my gut.  I'm already well into my running program.  Doing the Melbourne Marathon this October is part of that program.  I've also been listening to podcasts about ultra running and turns out, runners need to ingest a lot of carbs to go longer distances.  You can either eat as you run, or stop to "fuel up" along the way.  (The latter thanks.)  I've tried various food options on training runs and at this stage, it looks like I'll be taking tubes of liquid carbs and apple puree (yep, the kind babies eat.  I can now appreciate why they scream for it: soft on the gut and delicious!)


A FEW ESSENTIAL ITEMS FOR THE RUN
So you already know I need tubes of liquid carbs and baby food.  Add to this a couple of pairs of sneakers and some loose apparel for the hot Thai weather.  BUT ...☝🏼 did you consider the need for a port-a-loo?  I'm not talking about a full-length cubicle with loo and basin inside.  It's more the compact, portable camping version I'll be taking.  Why?  Because i experienced the lack of provisions running the Phuket Marathon some time ago, and the memory of going a kilometre off route to squat in a rice field unseen will forever be etched on my mind.  So, yes, no joke - I will be taking a port-a-loo.  And before you imagine me running with this strapped to my back, let me clarify:  there's a support team for Pete's run and a crew member will drive my hire car for the time I run.  I intend to store the loo in the car boot (for handy access when needed) with accompanying sarong (for privacy when using loo) and absorbent gel bags (for.....well, I think you can work it out).  

So that's all questions answered I hope.  Apart from one:
WHY AM I TELLING YOU THIS?

Let's just say I'm sending out an invitation.  You are invited to join me in this run.  No, not asking you to come to Thailand and run alongside (though I'm sure the team would welcome you).  This is an invitation to join HANDS in funding the Run to Remember via this personal fundraising page.  Donations are tax deductible as HANDS has the Government-approved, DGR status in both Australia and Thailand (and there's your endorsement of legitimacy, if you needed it).  
Khop khun kha 🙏🏽. 

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

$3,649

My Goal

$5,000

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All donations in AUD

My Achievements

My Updates

Day 13 completed

Sunday 15th Dec
What an unbelievable experience joining the run with Pete and the crew on Day 13. That’s indeed a day to remember!

Single digit count down

Wednesday 20th Nov
Tomorrow, Peter Baines has a single digit daily count down until he starts his 1,400km run through Thailand.  It's X-treme!!

The purpose is to raise awareness and donations for Thai children assisted by the charity,  Hands Across the Water, which began in response to the Boxing Day Tsunami 20 years ago.

A tax deductible donation from you will help to support these children and is your way to recognise this incredible effort!

Training in the Pacific Islands

Monday 28th Oct
I have had the great fortune to have done some training on two Pacific Islands recently: Vanuatu and Fiji.

Having opportunities for short-stay visits in these two beautiful Islands, I took them to simulate the humid conditions I anticipate in Thailand in December.

I didn't encounter overly humid weather during the time of my stays but I certainly made the most of relatively uninterrupted time to put in some decent running - notably a 45-km run in Fiji last Thursday which is the longest run I've done to date.

Back in Melbourne now with a slight niggle in my left ankle which a sports physio will look at this afternoon, but otherwise feeling very grateful for the runs I did around two neighbouring Islands with stunning views! 🏃‍♀️‍➡️🌴

All in good prep!

Monday 14th Oct


So happy to have completed the Melbourne Marathon yesterday, in preparation for my 60km run in Thailand December 13th.

Reaching the fundraising target half-way point. Still 2 months to go and building up. On behalf of the children in Thailand whose lives are turned around by donations, Thank You for any amount donated. Our contribution counts.


Thank you to my Sponsors

$316.50

Ivor/marilyn Ellis

$278.52

Innovative Building Group Pty Ltd

Merry Christmas to you and family 🎄amazing effort and work you have done to help these children 🙏🏼❤️

$211

Cathy Scalzo

You never cease to amaze me Steph. Incredible commitment supporting a community you love.

$211

Heidi Bourchier

Proud of you 🥰

$211

Felicity Decker

Go Steph! Xxxx

$174.07

Katrina Steel

$174.07

Sue Stafford

So proud of you and your amazing achievements love Mark and Sue

$158.25

Catherine Keating

You are amazing Steph!

$106.12

Maureen Goey

Such an incredible effort. Hope you’re super proud of yourself. I am!

$106.12

Kate Munro

Truly inspiring Steph!

$105.50

Alesha

Your such a beautiful human 🤍

$105.50

Bec Mulcahy

Amazing Steph good luck to you! X

$105.50

Prue Gordon

Good luck Steph, you’ve got this!!

$105.50

Lou Prentice

$105.50

Melinda Morley

Steph you are inspiring- good luck with your preparation

$103.06

Beth & Darren Williams

Your doing great Steph your a bloody star 🌟 sending lots of love and well wishes xbx

$100

Merryn Olive

Good luck Steph and what a great cause !

$100

Megan

What a fantastic cause Steph. All the very best for the run!

$87.46

Melinda Cavalieri

What a bloody brilliant effort! You are an amazing woman - well done!

$86.51

Anna Young

Good luck Steph!

$86.51

Dylan Reilly

Good on you Steph and best of luck for the (huge) run

$54.12

Jodi Fuller

$54.12

Belinda Munn

Completing 60km is incredible! Steph you are a superstar!!

$54.12

The Allensesses

Good luck Steph

$52.75

Belinda Munn

Incredible challenge Steph! You are a true inspiration.

$52.75

Vincent Blokker

Woohoo! You're amazing, Steph!

$52.75

Jacinta Richards

So great to see that you are still with Hands and continue to support them.

$52.75

Aura

Go Steph! Great cause:)

$52.75

Julia Dawes

Good luck!

$52.06

Andrew Fodor

Amazing effort Steph! Best of luck!!!!

$50

Kavitha D

Amazing effort, all the best Steph!

$36.32

Fiona Allen

Well done Steph! Amazing effort and such an incredible cause!

$36.32

Kyles Be The Gang !!

Hats off to you Steph!!! What an inspiration :) Love you xxx

$10.55

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