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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