40FOR40 | 40 Mile Ultra-Marathon for 40 Years of A Little Lifetime Foundation
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I lost my son Hank in 2011… for 7 long years I did not know how to grieve until I found a support group specifically for Dads put on by A Little Lifetime Foundation.
I arrived at that meeting a broken morbidly obese man with chronic health conditions. Being around other Dads who had the same story as mine was such an unforgettable healing experience. By the end of that same year I lost half my body weight, regained my health and took to running. It was running that connected me to my son Hank. I’ve been running ever since. It’s an honour for Hank and I to run 40 miles together in celebration of this important anniversary. For 40 years A Little Lifetime Foundation have been giving hope and support to people like me. The run will take place on Saturday December 9th at The Battle of the Boyne Visitors Centre, on the grounds of Oldbridge Estate. If anyone would like to come join me for a relaxed and slow lap or two, please do. Run, jog, walk or crawl, the distance will be covered on the day. Please give what you can so that they may continue to save the lives of those who’ve lost their way… #RUNNINGFORHANK #40FOR40 #ALITTLELIFETIME |
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10 MARATHONS | 10 DAYS | 10 YEARS
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I PROMISE TO UPDATE THIS WEBSITE THIS WEEK!
RUN INTO DAYLIGHT | 50 mile ultra marathon
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In April I ran 41 miles to support the Health Care workers protecting our most vulnerable humans in every Special Care Baby Unit in the country at this time.
In September I plan to run at least the same distance* barefoot in support of those protecting our most vulnerable non-humans at this time.
Namely, Back into Daylight Animal Sanctuary. A sanctuary a mere 10 minutes from my home that houses and cares for over 400 animals who wouldn't be with us if it wasn't for their kindness.
Bella and Charlotte are two amazing, intelligent and friendly pigs I met and had the pleasure of cuddling with. They are both 14 months old and no longer the cute little tiny piglets they once were.
A new space is under construction for them where they will have more room to play and roam. Unfortunately an essential piece of equipment to finish their new space has fallen into disrepair. The sanctuary have been quoted the amount of €1500 to repair the small digger and finish Bella and Charlotte's new home.
In solidarity with the animals I intend to run barefoot as they do, as nature intended.
I am not an elite or experienced runner. In fact I began running only two short years ago at age 47. Prior to that I was a morbidly obese man with health conditions that were becoming life threatening.
I reversed my chronic diseases, shed over 150lbs (10 stone/ 68kg) of life threatening fat from my body by harnessing the power of plants and removing any and all animal products from my plate.
Being plant fuelled provides me with the energy I need to complete these kind of endurance challenges, connects me with nature and the earthlings we share this beautiful rock with.
Please help me raise the funds needed so that Bella and Charlotte can have a comfortable space to live a good life and Back into Daylight can have an essential piece of machinery to help care for the other 400 residents of the sanctuary also.
Thank you
Ian
In September I plan to run at least the same distance* barefoot in support of those protecting our most vulnerable non-humans at this time.
Namely, Back into Daylight Animal Sanctuary. A sanctuary a mere 10 minutes from my home that houses and cares for over 400 animals who wouldn't be with us if it wasn't for their kindness.
Bella and Charlotte are two amazing, intelligent and friendly pigs I met and had the pleasure of cuddling with. They are both 14 months old and no longer the cute little tiny piglets they once were.
A new space is under construction for them where they will have more room to play and roam. Unfortunately an essential piece of equipment to finish their new space has fallen into disrepair. The sanctuary have been quoted the amount of €1500 to repair the small digger and finish Bella and Charlotte's new home.
In solidarity with the animals I intend to run barefoot as they do, as nature intended.
I am not an elite or experienced runner. In fact I began running only two short years ago at age 47. Prior to that I was a morbidly obese man with health conditions that were becoming life threatening.
I reversed my chronic diseases, shed over 150lbs (10 stone/ 68kg) of life threatening fat from my body by harnessing the power of plants and removing any and all animal products from my plate.
Being plant fuelled provides me with the energy I need to complete these kind of endurance challenges, connects me with nature and the earthlings we share this beautiful rock with.
Please help me raise the funds needed so that Bella and Charlotte can have a comfortable space to live a good life and Back into Daylight can have an essential piece of machinery to help care for the other 400 residents of the sanctuary also.
Thank you
Ian
To learn more of Back Into Daylight Animal Sanctuary
Please visit their website:
www.backintodaylight.com
Please visit their website:
www.backintodaylight.com
Please note: below are older events | the website will be updated soon
NEW EVENT FUNDRAISER
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Since the Connemarathon Ultra has been cancelled, I have decided to run the distance anyway on the day (probably doing loops within a 2km radius of my home).
In doing so I hope raise funds to support those incredible health professionals working to protect our most vulnerable in every Special Care Baby Unit in Ireland. Please donate and share. Thank you. 
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I am training to run a Half Marathon in May & a Full Marathon in November
to raise funds for A Little Lifetime Foundation, in memory of my son Hank.
to raise funds for A Little Lifetime Foundation, in memory of my son Hank.
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Caught taking a "Zen nap" by passing photographer Don Moloney prior to the start of the Great Limerick Run 5th May 2019
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Hi there, I'm Ian and I'm not a runner, yet I'm taking part in the Half Marathon as part of The Great Limerick Run on Sunday 5th of May 2019 and then a Full Marathon as part of the Clonakilty Waterfront Marathon event on Sunday November 30th 2019. Up until May 2018 I weighed 350lbs and was on the way to an early grave. I made the decision to conquer morbid obesity and to mark that decision, I want to run for 13 miles a year after I could barely run for 13 seconds! Then, in November, to mark the first anniversary of starting to run, I want to run a marathon. Ever since I was a kid I've considered the marathon to be the pinnacle of human achievement and endurance. I always thought "one day". Well that day is November 30th in Cork, just down the road from my parents gaff. After my son Hank died, I fell into a dark place. I focused on everyone but myself. I had always struggled with my weight, but in the 8 years since his death, I really didn't give a crap about myself. I stood back and watched out of the corner of my eye as I became more and more overweight, finding my comfort in food. I was going to die. Instead, I conquered obesity by losing 125 lbs in 6 months. I was compelled to run. I have no idea why. I just ran. Once I finished my first 5k I was hooked. I'm 47. A bit late for this malarkey, but better late then dead! Last year I began attending the group meeting for bereaved fathers that A Little Lifetime Foundation offered. It was hugely instrumental in my recovery. They deserve so much more than anything I can raise by running a few miles and raising a few quid. I love my son Hank. He may be absent, but my love for him is very much alive. I'm running for him and his mum and his brother. Please give what you can to help honour his memory and in turn help other bereaved parents and brothers and sisters that live with the same absence in their lives. All funds raised here will go directly to A Little Lifetime, I don't see a penny. Please donate whatever you can. Please click the Donate button to make a donation. |
Thanks a million for your support!
~Ian
~Ian
EDIT: As of today, Wednesday April 24th, I have added another run to my year of #runningforhank.
I have registered to participate on the Wicklow Ecotrail on the 28th of September this year, 12 days after my 48th birthday.
It is the first time Wicklow will host this trail running event and the 10th European country to do so.
I feel privileged to be one of the first to participate.
In my few short months of running I have enjoyed running in nature far more than I have running on the road. I have always enjoyed hiking, but my size was always a handicap in the past. To have this new opportunity to run over hiking trails, feeling alive and in honour of my son Hank, fills my heart with joy.
I hope you will support my aim to raise money for A Little Lifetime Foundation, thank you.
Below is the new graphic to include this race.
I will update the website in due course...
I have registered to participate on the Wicklow Ecotrail on the 28th of September this year, 12 days after my 48th birthday.
It is the first time Wicklow will host this trail running event and the 10th European country to do so.
I feel privileged to be one of the first to participate.
In my few short months of running I have enjoyed running in nature far more than I have running on the road. I have always enjoyed hiking, but my size was always a handicap in the past. To have this new opportunity to run over hiking trails, feeling alive and in honour of my son Hank, fills my heart with joy.
I hope you will support my aim to raise money for A Little Lifetime Foundation, thank you.
Below is the new graphic to include this race.
I will update the website in due course...
UPDATE 07/05/19
Thirteen lunar cycles (one year) after I began my journey to conquer morbid obesity, I will run thirteen solo laps of The Hill of Tara at a distance of 43.333 km in aid of A Little Lifetime Foundation and in honour of my son Hank.
As it's the site of The Ancient High Kings of Ireland, I'm calling this event simply: Árd Rí Marathon
(which could easily become the HÁrd Rí Marathon!)
If you are in the Co. Meath area between Navan and Dunshaughlin, come and join me for a lap or two on the morning of Friday 17th of May.
Three laps from gate to gate is roughly 10km. Its a beautiful mix of trails, grass and a lot of hills.
It would be great to see you out there.
I'll start running just before dawn, and run, walk or crawl my way to the thirteenth lap, hopefully sometime around midday.
If you wish to support this endeavor, please pledge whatever you can afford.
Alternatively, or in addition, you could also help by sharing this on your social media platforms.
Thanks a million
~Ian
EDIT: I did it!
As it's the site of The Ancient High Kings of Ireland, I'm calling this event simply: Árd Rí Marathon
(which could easily become the HÁrd Rí Marathon!)
If you are in the Co. Meath area between Navan and Dunshaughlin, come and join me for a lap or two on the morning of Friday 17th of May.
Three laps from gate to gate is roughly 10km. Its a beautiful mix of trails, grass and a lot of hills.
It would be great to see you out there.
I'll start running just before dawn, and run, walk or crawl my way to the thirteenth lap, hopefully sometime around midday.
If you wish to support this endeavor, please pledge whatever you can afford.
Alternatively, or in addition, you could also help by sharing this on your social media platforms.
Thanks a million
~Ian
EDIT: I did it!
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I have decided, for the duration of this project, to make all my Strava activity public, going back to my very first 5k run.
This is an attempt to be fully transparent about my commitment. This is not just about a Half Marathon and then a Full Marathon, its about every single training run. Every run I run for Hank. |
#runningforhank
NOTICE
Under Construction
This website is nothing more than just a holding page at present. It will indeed be elaborated upon as the project evolves. Please follow the link to the iDonate page to make a donation to this very worthy cause.
Potential Sponsors
If you are a business with a high standard of morals that include ethical animal welfare, human rights, sound environmental impact awareness and wish to offer some corporate support in assisting with the expenses of this project, please do not hesitate to get in touch using the contact form below.
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